Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Unaudited Financial Information

There have been no material changes to the significant accounting policies previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited condensed financial statements include the accounts of NextCure, Inc. and have been prepared by the Company in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Accordingly, these condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and the notes thereto the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (the “Annual Report”).

Unaudited Financial Information

In the opinion of management, the information furnished reflects certain adjustments, all of which are of a normal and recurring nature and are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position as of the reported balance sheet date and of the Company’s results for the reported interim periods. The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosure. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year or any other interim period.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of assets and liabilities as of the date of the condensed financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Although actual results could differ from those estimates, management does not believe that such differences would be material.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

The Company qualifies as an emerging growth company (“EGC”) as defined under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”). Using exemptions provided under the JOBS Act provided to EGCs, the Company has elected to defer compliance with new or revised financial accounting standards until it is required to comply with such standards.

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). The new guidance will require lessees to record most leases on their balance sheets and recognize the related expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to current practice. ASU 2016-02 states that a lessee would recognize a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-to-use asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, assuming the Company remains an EGC. The Company continues to determine if it will elect to use the practical expedients permitted by the guidance and continues to gather data required to comply with the guidance. Based on the work completed to date, the Company is considering the implications of adopting the new standard, including the discount rate to be used in valuing new and existing leases and all applicable financial statement disclosures required by the new guidance. The Company is continuing to evaluate the effect of adoption and anticipates that it will result in the recognition of additional assets and corresponding liabilities related to the existing leases on its balance sheet. The Company is assessing potential impacts on its internal controls, business processes, and accounting policies related to both the implementation of, and ongoing compliance with, the new guidance.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 will require credit losses to be reported using an expected losses model rather than the incurred losses model that is currently used and will require additional disclosures related to credit risks. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, this standard will require allowances to be recorded instead of reducing the amortized cost of the investment. ASU 2016-13 will be effective for non-EGCs for fiscal years beginning December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, and will be effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 and interim periods within those fiscal years, assuming the Company remains an EGC. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects the adoption of ASU 2016-13 may have on its financial statements.

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs issued by the FASB. All other ASUs issued subsequent to the filing of the Company’s Annual Report were assessed and determined to be either inapplicable or not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.