Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation, Liquidity and Going Concern – The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the accounting and disclosure rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. 

The Company is a clinical-stage biotechnology company with no product sales. Its primary source of capital is from the sale and issuance of common stock and common stock warrants. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and investments of $39.7 million. The Company’s cash, cash equivalents and investments are not sufficient to fund the Company’s planned operations for a period of 12 months from the date the consolidated financial statements are issued. In the first quarter of 2023, the Company implemented a restructuring plan to reduce operating costs and better align its workforce with the needs of its business. The plan resulted in a reduction of approximately 27% of the Company’s workforce and severance costs of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The Company will be dependent upon raising additional capital through placement of its common stock, notes or other securities, borrowings, or entering into a partnership with a strategic party in order to implement its business plan.

Based on management's current plan, the Company expects to have enough cash runway into the fourth quarter of 2024. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts or on acceptable terms, management’s plans include further reducing or delaying operating expenses. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of one year from the date of the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.

These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Consolidation – The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Vaxart, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant transactions and balances between Vaxart, Inc. and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities (including accrued clinical and manufacturing accruals described within this Note 2), revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results and outcomes could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currencies – Foreign exchange gains and losses for assets and liabilities of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries for which the functional currency is the U.S. dollar are recorded in foreign exchange gain or loss, net within other income and (expenses) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company has no subsidiaries for which the local currency is the functional currency.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash – The Company considers all highly liquid debt investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents, which may consist of amounts invested in money market funds, corporate bonds and commercial paper, are stated at fair value. The Company’s restricted cash includes refundable advance payments received as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, of zero and $2.0 million, respectively.

Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Investments – Excess cash balances may be invested in marketable debt securities. All marketable debt securities that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with stated maturities greater than three months when purchased are classified as investments.

The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments in marketable debt securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation at each balance sheet date. Marketable debt securities are classified and accounted for as available-for-sale. After consideration of the Company’s objectives to preserve capital, as well as its liquidity requirements, it may sell any debt securities prior to their stated maturities.

Marketable debt securities are carried at fair value and unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, are reported as a component of stockholders’ equity. Any realized gains or losses on the sale of marketable debt securities are determined on a specific identification method, and such gains and losses are recorded as a component of other income (expense). Available-for-sale investments are classified as either current or non-current assets based on each instrument’s underlying effective maturity date and whether the Company has the intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of greater than 12 months. Marketable debt securities with remaining maturities of 12 months or less are classified as current and are reported as short-term investments in the consolidated balance sheets. Marketable debt securities with remaining maturities of more than 12 months for which the Company has the intent and ability to hold the investment for more than 12 months are classified as non-current and are included in long-term investments in the consolidated balance sheets. 

At each reporting date, the Company evaluates marketable debt securities with unrealized losses to determine whether such losses, if any, are due to credit-related factors. The Company records an allowance for credit losses when unrealized losses are due to credit-related factors. The Company evaluates, among other factors, whether the Company has the intention to sell any of its investments and whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell any of them before recovery of the amortized cost basis. Neither of these criteria were met in any period presented. In addition, the Company invests in marketable debt securities with high credit ratings that are classified in Level 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy and it has received and expects to continue to receive interest and principal payments as the investments become due. Based on this evaluation, as of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company determined that unrealized losses of its marketable debt securities were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates and other non-credit related factors. As such, no allowance for credit losses were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. 

Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Concentration of Credit Risk – Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, available-for-sale investments and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and available-for-sale investments at financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of default by the financial institutions holding the cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the extent such amounts are in excess of the federally insured limits. Losses incurred or a lack of access to such funds could have a significant adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

The primary focus of the Company’s investment strategy is to preserve capital and meet liquidity requirements. The Company’s investment policy addresses the level of credit exposure by limiting the concentration in any one corporate issuer or sector and establishing a minimum allowable credit rating.

Receivable [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable – Accounts receivable arise from the Company’s royalty revenue receivable for sales, net of estimated returns, of Inavir and are reported at amounts expected to be collected in future periods. An allowance for expected credit losses over the life of the receivables is reserved for based on a combination of historical experience, aging analysis, current economic trends and information on specific accounts, with related amounts recorded as a reserve against revenue recognized.  The reserve is re-evaluated on a regular basis and adjusted as needed. Once a receivable is deemed to be uncollectible, such balance is charged against the reserve. The Company has provided no allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Accounts receivable are subject to concentration risk whenever a customer has a balance that meets or exceeds 10% of the Company's total accounts receivable balance. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited ("Daiichi Sankyo"), represented 100% of the Company's total accounts receivable balance.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment – Property and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Depreciation begins at the time the asset is placed in service. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Upon sale or retirement of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheets and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in other income and (expenses) in the period realized.

The useful lives of the property and equipment are as follows:

Laboratory equipment (in years)	5
Office and computer equipment (in years)	3
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of remaining lease term or estimated useful life

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets – Goodwill, which represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired, is not amortized. Intangible assets comprise developed technology and intellectual property. Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method over useful life of 11.75 years for developed technology and 20 years for intellectual property.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets – The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets with finite lives, for impairment in the fourth quarter of each year, and more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of each asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate over its remaining life. When indications of impairment are present and the estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the use of these assets is less than the assets’ carrying value, the related assets will be written down to fair value. The Company assessed its developed technology as not impaired in the year ended December 31, 2023 and impaired in the year ended December 31, 2022 (see Note 5).

Accrued Clinical And Manufacturing Expenses Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accrued Clinical and Manufacturing Expenses – The Company accrues for estimated costs of research and development activities conducted by third-party service providers, which include the conduct of preclinical studies and clinical trials, and contract manufacturing activities. The Company records the estimated costs of research and development activities based upon the estimated amount of services provided and includes the costs incurred but not yet invoiced within other accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and within research and development expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. These costs can be a significant component of the Company’s research and development expenses.

The Company estimates the amount of services provided through discussions with internal personnel and external service providers as to the progress or stage of completion of the services and the agreed-upon fee to be paid for such services. The Company makes significant judgments and estimates in determining the accrued balance in each reporting period. As actual costs become known, it adjusts its accrued estimates. Although the Company does not expect its estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, its understanding of the status and timing of services performed, the number of subjects enrolled, and the rate of enrollment may vary from its estimates and could result in the Company reporting amounts that are too high or too low in any particular period. The Company’s accrued expenses are dependent, in part, upon the receipt of timely and accurate reporting from contract research organizations and other third-party service providers. To date, the Company has not experienced any material differences between accrued costs and actual costs incurred.

Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block]

Leases – The Company records operating leases as right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities in its consolidated balance sheets for all operating leases with terms exceeding one year. Right-of-use assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, including extension options considered reasonably certain to be exercised, and operating lease liabilities to make lease payments. Right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. To the extent that lease agreements do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the lease commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. The expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is included in operating expenses in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company has elected to not separate lease and non-lease components of facilities leases, whereas non-lease components of equipment leases are accounted for separately from lease components.

Revenue [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition – The Company recognizes revenue when it transfers control of promised goods or services to its customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration which the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition, the Company performs the following five steps:

(i) identification of the promised goods or services in the contract;

(ii) determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract;

(iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration;

(iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations based on estimated selling prices; and

(v) recognition of revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies each performance obligation. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account.

Revenue from royalties earned as a percentage of end-user sales, including milestone payments based on achieving a specified level of sales, where a license is deemed to be the predominant item to which the royalties relate, is recognized as revenue at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied), as required under the sales- and usage-based royalty exception.

Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized ratably, based on costs incurred, as the Company provides promised services to its customers in amounts that reflect the consideration that the Company expects to receive for those services.

In 2022, the Company accepted a $3.5 million grant to perform research and development work for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (the “BMGF Grant”). The BMGF Grant funds received represent a contribution with a donor imposed condition under Accounting Standards Codification 958-605. The BMGF Grant involved the transfer of an advance deposit to the Company before specified conditions were substantially met.  Therefore, the transfer of cash was recorded as restricted cash and deferred revenue. When conditions were substantially met, the refundable advance was recognized as revenue. The Company recognizes revenue under research contracts only when a contract has been executed and the contract price is fixed or determinable. Revenue from the BMGF Grant is recognized in the period during which the related costs are incurred and the related services are rendered, provided that the applicable conditions under the contract have been met. Costs of contract revenue are recorded as a component of operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company recognized $3.5 million and zero revenue from the BMGF Grant for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, restricted cash and deferred revenue were zero and $2.0 million, respectively (see Note 6).

Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Research and Development Costs – Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs consist primarily of salaries and benefits, stock-based compensation, consultant fees, third-party costs for conducting clinical trials and the manufacture of clinical trial materials, certain facility costs and other costs associated with clinical trials. Payments made to other entities are under agreements that are generally cancelable by the Company. Advance payments for research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. The prepaid amounts are expensed as the related services are performed.

Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation – Stock-based compensation arrangements include stock option grants and restricted stock units (“RSU”s) awards under our equity incentive plans, as well as shares issued under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), through which employees may purchase our common stock at a discount to the market price. Stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date for all stock-based awards made to employees and non-employees based on the fair value of the awards, net of estimated forfeitures. Compensation expense for purchases under the ESPP is recognized based on the fair value of the award on the date of offering. The fair value of these awards is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The expected term of each option is estimated by taking the arithmetic average of its original contractual term and its average vesting term.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Net Income (Loss) Per Share – Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, without consideration of potential common shares.

Diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed giving effect to all potential dilutive common shares, comprising common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options, warrants, RSUs and ESPP. The Company uses the treasury-stock method to compute diluted income (loss) per share with respect to its stock options, warrants, RSUs and ESPP. For purposes of this calculation, options, warrants, RSUs and ESPP plan grants to purchase common stock are considered to be potential common shares and are only included in the calculation of diluted net income per share when their effect is dilutive. In the event of a net loss, the effects of all potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the diluted net loss per share calculation as their inclusion would be antidilutive.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company has reviewed all significant newly-issued accounting pronouncements that are not yet effective and concluded that they are either not applicable to its operations or their adoption will not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.