Company Information

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2024

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Company Information

Company Information

NKGen Biotech, Inc. (“Company” or “NKGen”), a Delaware corporation headquartered in Santa Ana, California, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative autologous, allogeneic and CAR-NK natural killer cell therapies utilizing their proprietary SNK (Super-Natural-Killer) platform. The Company was formerly majority owned and controlled by NKMAX Co., Ltd. (“NKMAX”), a company formed under the laws of the Republic of Korea.

Graf Acquisition Corp. IV (“Graf”) was originally incorporated in Delaware on January 28, 2021, as a special-purpose acquisition company for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or engaging in any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.

On April 14, 2023, the Company entered into the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Graf, Austria Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”), a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Graf, and NKGen Biotech, Inc. (“Merger Agreement”). Upon consummation of the transactions under the Merger Agreement on September 29, 2023 (the “Business Combination”), Merger Sub merged with and into NKGen Biotech, Inc. (“Legacy NKGen”) with Legacy NKGen surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Graf (the “Merger”). In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), Graf was renamed to “NKGen Biotech, Inc.” and Legacy NKGen changed its name to “NKGen Operating Biotech, Inc.” The common stock and warrants of the combined company began trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbols “NKGN” and “NKGNW”, respectively, on October 2, 2023.

Throughout the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, unless otherwise noted or otherwise suggested by context, the “Company” refers to Legacy NKGen prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, and the Company after the consummation of the Business Combination.

Going Concern

The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern, which requires that management evaluate whether there are relevant conditions and events that in aggregate raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. Under the guidance, the Company must first evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern (step 1). If the Company concludes substantial doubt is raised, management also is required to consider whether its plans alleviate that doubt (step 2).

The Company has a limited operating history, has incurred significant operating losses since its inception, and the revenue and income potential of the Company’s business and market are unproven. The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared using the generally accepted accounting principles applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $183.6 million and cash and cash equivalents of $0.1 million. To date, the Company has funded its operations primarily with the net proceeds from the issuance of senior convertible promissory notes, the issuance of related party loans, the issuance of bridge loans, the issuance of convertible bridge loans, the issuance of convertible promissory notes, draws upon a revolving line of credit, the issuance and sale of equity securities, PIPE warrants, private placements, the amendment of private placements, and proceeds from the Business Combination. The Company expects to incur substantial operating losses for the next several years and will need to obtain additional near-term financing in order to continue its research and development activities, initiate and complete clinical trials and launch and commercialize any product candidates for which it receives regulatory approval. Management has prepared cash flow forecasts which indicate that based on the Company’s expected operating losses and negative cash flows, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for twelve months from the issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company plans to continue to fund its losses from operations and capital funding needs through additional debt or equity financings to be received from related parties, private equity, or other sources. If the Company is not able to secure adequate additional funding, the Company may be forced to make reductions in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, suspend or curtail planned programs, or may be forced to cease operations or file for bankruptcy protection. Any of these actions could materially harm the Company’s business, results of operations and future prospects. There can be no assurance that such financing will be available or will be at terms acceptable to the Company. The preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements does not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.