0001558370-21-007205 | 10-Q | XBRL Viewer

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2021	May 14, 2021
Document and Entity Information
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Entity File Number	001-39169
Entity Registrant Name	Kiromic BioPharma, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	46-4762913
Entity Address, Address Line One	7707 Fannin Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 140
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address State Or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77054
City Area Code	832
Local Phone Number	968-4888
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares, par value $0.001 per share
Trading Symbol	KRBP
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,351,890
Entity Central Index Key	0001792581
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 7,335,300	$ 10,150,500
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	513,500	588,800
Total current assets	7,848,800	10,739,300
Property and equipment, net	2,279,500	2,066,000
Other assets	24,400	24,400
Total Assets	10,152,700	12,829,700
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,203,200	665,200
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	268,900	334,200
Interest payable		200
Loan payable		105,600
Note payable	227,800	362,400
Total current liabilities	1,699,900	1,467,600
Total Liabilities	1,699,900	1,467,600
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value: 300,000,000 shares authorized as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 7,332,999 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020	1,200	1,200
Additional paid-in capital	53,933,900	52,988,700
Accumulated deficit	(45,482,300)	(41,627,800)
Total Stockholders' Equity	8,452,800	11,362,100
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 10,152,700	$ 12,829,700

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, issued	7,332,999	7,332,999
Common stock, outstanding	7,332,999	7,332,999

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Operating expenses:
Research and development	$ 1,885,600	$ 1,028,100
General and administrative	2,071,000	824,600
Total operating expenses	3,956,600	1,852,700
Loss from operations	(3,956,600)	(1,852,700)
Other expense
Gain on loan extinguishment	105,800
Interest expense	(3,700)
Total other expense	102,100
Net loss	$ (3,854,500)	$ (1,852,700)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted	$ (0.53)	$ (0.78)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted	7,332,999	2,863,812

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($)	Preferred Stock Series A-1 Preferred Stock	Preferred Stock Series B Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Series B Preferred Stock	Total
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 9,134,700	$ 1,306,900		$ 13,965,000	$ (22,427,600)		$ 1,979,000
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019	21,822,301	9,869,659	2,863,812
Issuance of Series B Preferred Stock		$ 331,700					331,700
Issuance of Series B Preferred Stock		6,521,738
Common stock issuance net of issuance costs and discount amortization (in shares)						16,391,397
Series B Preferred Stock discount amortization		$ 368,400		(368,400)		$ (368,400)
Warrants underlying Series B Preferred Stock issuance				2,668,300			2,668,300
Warrants underlying common stock issuance						$ 5,533,000
Stock compensation expense				456,000			456,000
Net loss					(1,852,700)		(1,852,700)
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 9,134,700	$ 2,007,000		16,720,900	(24,280,300)		3,582,300
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020	21,822,301	16,391,397	2,863,812
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2020			$ 1,200	52,988,700	(41,627,800)		11,362,100
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020			7,332,999
Common stock discount amortization				24,700			24,700
Warrants underlying common stock discount amortization				(24,700)			(24,700)
Stock compensation expense				945,200			945,200
Net loss					(3,854,500)		(3,854,500)
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2021			$ 1,200	$ 53,933,900	$ (45,482,300)		$ 8,452,800
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021			7,332,999

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (3,854,500)	$ (1,852,700)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used for operating activities:
Depreciation	95,600	33,800
Stock compensation expense	945,200	456,000
Gain on loan extinguishment	(105,800)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	75,400	(99,700)
Accounts payable	273,600	(35,200)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(65,400)	17,500
Net cash used for operating activities	(2,635,900)	(1,480,300)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(44,700)	(406,300)
Net cash used for investing activities	(44,700)	(406,300)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of notes payable	(134,600)
Proceeds from Series B Preferred Stock issuance		3,000,000
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(134,600)	3,000,000
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(2,815,200)	1,113,400
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	10,150,500	1,929,100
End of period	7,335,300	3,042,500
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Accruals for property and equipment	264,400	230,700
Cash paid for interest on note payable	$ 3,700
Warrants underlying Series B Preferred Stock issuance		$ 2,668,300

ORGANIZATION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

ORGANIZATION

ORGANIZATION

KIROMIC BIOPHARMA, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1.	ORGANIZATION

Nature of Business

Kiromic BioPharma, Inc. and subsidiary (the "Company") is a preclinical stage biopharmaceutical company formed under the Texas Business Organizations Code in December 2012. On May 27, 2016, the Company converted from a Texas limited liability company into a Delaware corporation and changed its name from Kiromic LLC to Kiromic Inc. On December 16, 2019, the Company amended and restated its certificate of incorporation charter to re-name the company, Kiromic BioPharma, Inc.

The Company is a target discovery and gene-editing company utilizing artificial intelligence and its proprietary neural network platform with a therapeutic focus on immuno-oncology. The Company maintains offices in Houston, Texas. The Company has not generated any revenues to date.

The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, GreenPlanet Pharma, Inc., operates an oral healthcare business. It has developed a mouthwash using a high quality, safe, and natural ingredient formulation to provide effective symptomatic relief for a wide range of oral irritations and health concerns. This business has not generated any revenues.

Going Concern—These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception and expects to incur additional losses until such time that it can generate significant revenue from the commercialization of its product candidates. The Company had negative cash flow from operations of $2,635,900 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, and an accumulated deficit of $45,482,300 as of March 31, 2021. To date, the Company has relied on equity and debt financing to fund its operations. The Company’s product candidates are still in the early stages of development, and substantial additional financing will be needed by the Company to fund its operations and ongoing research and development efforts prior to the commercialization, if any, of its product candidates. The Company does not have sufficient cash on hand or available liquidity to meet its obligations through the twelve months following the date the condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Given its projected operating requirements and its existing cash and cash equivalents, the Company plans to complete an additional financing transaction in the third quarter of 2021 in order to continue operations. Management is currently evaluating different strategies to obtain the required funding of future operations. These strategies may include, but are not limited to, additional funding from current or new investors. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to secure such additional financing, or if available, that it will be sufficient to meet its needs or on favorable terms. Therefore, the plans cannot be deemed probable of being implemented. As a result, the Company has concluded that management’s plans do not alleviate substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

NIH Grant—In August 2018, the National Institute of Health ("the NIH"), the primary agency of the US government responsible for biomedical and public health research, awarded a Phase I/II grant to the Company in the amount of $2,235,000 for the development and non-clinical testing of a new anti-arteriosclerosis gene therapy delivered by engineered adeno-associated viral vectors. Phase I of the grant approved amounts of $851,000 and covered the period September 2018 through August 2019, entitled the Company to reimbursement for certain salaries and wages, materials and supplies, facilities and administrative costs, and fixed fees. The Company did not complete Phase I by August 2019, but was granted an extension to complete Phase I by the NIH through August 2021. Starting after Phase 1 completion in 2021, Phase II of the grant covers reimbursements for certain salaries and wages, materials and supplies, facilities and administrative costs, and fixed fees of $1,384,000.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information (Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 270, Interim Reporting) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information necessary for a full presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity GAAP. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the fiscal year as a whole. In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the Company for the periods presented.

All intercompany balances were eliminated upon consolidation.

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 and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include determination of the fair value of common stock and related stock-based compensation, warrants to purchase common stock underlying shares of Series B Preferred Stock and IPO common stock, and estimating services incurred by third-party service providers used to recognize research and development expense.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, cash and cash equivalents consisted entirely of cash on hand and bank deposits. The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with remaining maturities at purchase of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents.

Concentrations of Credit Risk and Other Uncertainties—Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents. Substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were deposited in accounts at a small number of national financial institutions. Account balances may at times exceed federally-insured limits. The Company has not incurred losses related to these cash and cash equivalents deposited at financial institutions and management believes that the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial strength of the depository institutions in which the cash is held.

The Company is subject to certain risks and uncertainties from changes in any of the following areas that the Company believes could have a material adverse effect on future financial position or results of operations: the ability to obtain regulatory approval and market acceptance of, and reimbursement for, the Company’s product candidates; the performance of third-party clinical research organizations and manufacturers; protection of the intellectual property; litigation or claims against the Company based on intellectual property, patent, product, regulatory or other factors; the Company’s ability to attract and retain employees necessary to support commercial success; and changes in the industry or customer requirements including the emergence of competitive products with new capabilities.

Deposit—In connection with one of the Company’s facility leases, a deposit is held by the lessor per the terms of the noncancelable agreement. The deposit has been recorded as a long-term asset on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Property and Equipment—Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from 1 to 8 years. Major replacements and improvements are capitalized as leasehold improvements, while general repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Estimated useful lives of leasehold improvements are the shorter of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful economic life of the specific asset.

Estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows for the major classes of assets:


Asset Description		Estimated Lives
Laboratory Equipment		3 - 8
Leasehold Improvements		1 - 7
Office Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment		5
Software		3 - 5

Internal Use Software Development Costs—The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred to develop internal use software. All costs incurred that relate to planning and post-implementation phases of development are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred in the development and implementation phases are capitalized and amortized over the estimated life of the software, generally five years. The Company did not capitalize any software development costs for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, for impairment indicators. If indicators are noted, the Company compares the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated undiscounted cash flows. If the carrying amount exceeds its estimated undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized to adjust the long-lived asset to fair value. There has been no impairment losses on the Company’s long-lived assets since inception.

Comprehensive Loss—Comprehensive loss includes net loss as well as other changes in stockholders’ equity that result from transactions and economic events other than those with stockholders. For all periods presented, there was no difference between net loss and comprehensive loss.

Income Taxes—The Company files federal and state income tax returns, utilizing the accrual basis of accounting. Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and consist of taxes currently due and deferred taxes. Certain transactions of the Company may be subject to accounting methods for income tax purposes, which differ from the accounting methods used in preparing these condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, the net income or loss of the Company reported for income tax purposes may differ from the balances reported for those same items in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which such temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company records valuation allowances to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

The Company records uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) the Company determines whether it is more-likely-than-not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits on the income tax expense line in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. No such interest or penalties were recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

Research and Development Expense—The Company expenses research and development costs as incurred. Research and development expenses include personnel and personnel-related costs, costs associated with the Company’s pre-clinical development activities including costs of outside consultants and contractors, the submission and maintenance of regulatory filings, equipment and supplies used in developing products prior to market approval and an allocation of certain overhead costs such as facility and related expenses.

The Company accrues and expenses costs of services provided by contract research organizations in connection with preclinical studies and contract manufacturing organizations engaged to manufacture clinical trial material, costs of licensing technology, and costs of services provided by research organizations and service providers. Upfront payments and milestone payments made for the licensing of technology are expensed as research and development in the period in which they are incurred if the technology is not expected to have any alternative future uses other than the specific research and development project for which it was intended. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. The prepaid

amounts are expensed as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed rather than when the payment is made.

Proceeds from Grants—During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not recognize any reductions to research and development expense within the condensed consolidated statements of operations pursuant to its grant from the NIH.

Fair Value Measurements—The carrying value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their fair value due to their short-term nature.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In estimating the fair value of an asset or a liability, the Company takes into account the characteristics of the asset or liability if market participants would take those characteristics into account when pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.

The Company accounts for financial instruments in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 are described below:

Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2—Quoted prices in non-active markets or in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, observable inputs other than quoted prices, and inputs that are not directly observable but are corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3—Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

There were no changes in the fair value hierarchy levels during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

Nonvested Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units—Pursuant to the Company’s 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the Company has the ability to issue a variety of share-based payments and incentives to board members, employees, and non-employees through grants of nonvested stock options.

The vesting conditions for stock options include annual, and monthly. Annual vesting conditions are for four years. Monthly vesting conditions range from 10 to 48 months. When nonvested options are vested, they become exercisable over a 10-year period from grant date.

The vesting conditions for restricted stock units include cliff vesting conditions. Certain restricted stock units vest with a range of 6 to 12 months following the expiration of employee lock-up agreements. Certain restricted stock units vest based on the later of achievement of key milestones or the expiration of employee lock-up agreements. When nonvested restricted stock units are vested, they become exercisable over a 10-year period from grant date.

Stock-Based Compensation—The Company records stock compensation expense related to the Plan in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. The Company measures and recognizes stock compensation expense for all stock-based awards, including stock options, based on estimated fair values recognized using cliff vesting or the straight-line method over the requisite service period. The fair value of stock options is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-valuation model (the “Black-Scholes model”). The calculation of stock-based compensation expense requires that the Company make assumptions and judgments about the variables used in the Black-Scholes model, including the fair value of the Company’s common stock, expected term, expected volatility of the underlying common stock, and risk-free interest rate. Forfeitures are accounted for when they occur.

Until the Company’s common stock became publicly traded, the board of directors’ approach to estimating the fair value of the Company’s common stock includes utilizing methods outlined in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately- Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation.

The Company estimates the grant-date fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes model and the assumptions used to value such stock options are determined as follows:

Expected Term. The expected term represents the period that the Company’s stock options are expected to be outstanding. Due to limitations on the sale or transfer of the Company’s common stock under the lock-up agreements and market standoff components of the stock option agreements, the Company does not believe its historical exercise pattern is indicative of the pattern it will experience after restricted periods expire. The Company has previously used the Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 110, simplified method to calculate the expected term, which is the average of the contractual term and vesting period.

Risk-Free Interest Rate. The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes model on the implied yield available on US Treasury zero-coupon issues with a term equivalent to that of the expected term of the stock options for each stock option group.

Volatility. The Company determines the price volatility based on the historical volatilities of industry peers as it has no trading history for its common stock price. The Company intends to continue to consistently apply this process using the same or a similar peer group of public companies, until a sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of its own common stock price becomes available, or unless circumstances change such that the identified peer companies are no longer similar, in which case other suitable peer companies whose common stock prices are publicly available would be utilized in the calculation.

Dividend Yield. The expected dividend assumption is based on the Company’s current expectations about its anticipated dividend policy. To date, the Company has not declared any dividends and, therefore, the Company has used an expected dividend yield of zero.

Common Stock Valuations. The Company did not grant any stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2021. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company’s board of directors, with input from management and third-party valuations, determined the fair value of the common stock underlying all stock-based compensation grants. The Company believes that the board of directors had the relevant experience and expertise to determine the fair value of the Company’s common stock before the Company’s common stock became publicly traded. The board of

directors exercised reasonable judgment and considered numerous objective and subjective factors to determine the best estimate of the fair value of the Company’s common stock at each grant date. These factors include:

●

valuations of the common stock performed by third-party specialists;

●

the prices, rights, preferences, and privileges of the Company’s Series A-1 Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock relative to those of the Company’s common stock;

●

lack of marketability of the common stock;

●

current business conditions and projections;

●

hiring of key personnel and the experience of management;

●

the Company’s stage of development;

●

likelihood of achieving a liquidity event, such as an initial public offering, a merger or acquisition of the Company given prevailing market conditions, or other liquidation event;

●

the market performance of comparable publicly traded companies; and

●

the US and global capital market conditions.

In valuing the common stock, the board of directors determined the equity value of the Company’s business using various valuation methods including combinations of income and market approaches. The income approach estimates value based on the expectation of future cash flows that a company will generate. These future cash flows are discounted to their present values using a discount rate derived from an analysis of the cost of capital of comparable publicly traded companies in the Company’s industry or similar business operations as of each valuation date and is adjusted to reflect the risks inherent in the Company’s cash flows. The market approach references actual transactions involving (i) the subject being valued, or (ii) similar assets and/or enterprises.

For each valuation, the equity value determined by the income and market approaches was then allocated to the common stock using either the option pricing method (“OPM”) or probability—weighted expected return model (“PWERM”).

The option pricing method is based on the Black-Scholes option valuation model, which allows for the identification of a range of possible future outcomes, each with an associated probability. The OPM is appropriate to use when the range of possible future outcomes is difficult to predict and thus creates highly speculative forecasts. In general, while simple in its application, management did not use the OPM approach when considering allocation techniques for the valuation of equity interests in early stage, privately held life science companies. Management determined that applying the OPM would violate the major assumptions of the Black Scholes option valuation model approach. Additionally, the simulation approach can generally be reasonably approximated by a scenario-based approach like the PWERM as described below.

PWERM involves a forward-looking analysis of the possible future outcomes of the enterprise. This method is particularly useful when discrete future outcomes can be predicted at a relatively high confidence level with a probability distribution. Discrete future outcomes considered under the PWERM include an initial public offering, as well as non-initial public offering market-based outcomes. Determining the fair value of the enterprise using the PWERM requires the Company to develop assumptions and estimates for both the probability of an initial public offering liquidity event and stay private outcomes, as well as the values the Company expects those outcomes could yield. From February 2018 to October 2020, the Company has valued its common stock based on a PWERM.

Application of the Company’s approach involves the use of estimates, judgment, and assumptions that are highly complex and subjective, such as those regarding expected future revenue, expenses, and future cash flows, discount rates, market multiples, the selection of comparable companies, and the probability of possible future events. Changes in any or all of these estimates and assumptions or the relationships between those assumptions impact valuations as of each valuation date and may have a material impact on the valuation of the common stock.

For valuations after the completion of an initial public offering, the board of directors will determine the fair value of each share of underlying common stock based on the closing price of the common stock as reported on the date of grant. Future expense amounts for any particular period could be affected by changes in assumptions or market conditions.

For valuations after the completion of an initial public offering, the fair value of each share granted by the board of directors will be equal to the closing price of the common stock on the date of grant

Segment Data—The Company manages its operations as a single segment for the purposes of assessing performance and making operating decisions.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements—From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard setting bodies and adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows upon adoption.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11 to amend certain aspects of Topic 842. These amendments provide entities with an additional (and optional) transition method to adopt Topic 842. Under this transition method, an entity initially applies the transition requirements in Topic 842 at that Topic’s effective date with the effects of initially applying Topic 842 recognized as a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings (or other components of equity or net assets, as appropriate) in the period of adoption. On October 16, 2019, the FASB changed the effective date of this standard applicable to the Company as an emerging growth company to January 1, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326). The amendments in ASU 2016-13 affect entities holding financial assets and net investment in leases that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. The amendments affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 require a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. On October 16, 2019, the FASB has changed the effective date of this standard applicable to the Company as an emerging growth company to January 1, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

3.NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic and diluted net loss per common share is determined by dividing net loss less deemed dividends by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period. For all periods presented, the common shares underlying the stock options, restricted stock units, convertible Series A-1 Preferred Stock, and the convertible Series B Preferred Stock have been excluded from the calculation because their effect would be anti-dilutive. Therefore, the weighted-average common shares outstanding used to calculate both basic and diluted loss per common shares are the same. The following table illustrates the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Net loss	$	(3,854,500)	$	(1,852,700)
Less: Series B Preferred Stock discount amortization		—		(368,400)
Less: IPO Common Stock discount amortization		(24,700)		—
Net loss attributable to common shareholders, basic and diluted	$	(3,879,200)	$	(2,221,100)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted		7,332,999		2,863,812
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted	$	(0.53)	$	(0.78)

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, potentially dilutive securities excluded from the computations of diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding were (in shares):


	March 31,	March 31,
	2021	2020
Stock options to purchase	677	404,391
Restricted Stock Units	32,000	—
Series A‑1 Preferred Stock	—	624,594
Series B Preferred Stock	—	469,136
Warrants underlying Series B Preferred Stock	—	1,399,807
Total	32,677	2,897,928

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

4.PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consisted of the following at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:


	March 31,		December 31,
	2021		2020
Equipment	$	1,138,900	$	780,500
Leasehold improvements		1,274,600		1,229,700
Office furniture, fixtures, and equipment		16,600		16,600
Software		151,700		151,700
Construction in progress		355,000		449,200
		2,936,800		2,627,700
Less: Accumulated depreciation		(657,300)		(561,700)
Total	$	2,279,500	$	2,066,000

Depreciation expense was $95,600 and $33,800 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and, 2020, respectively. Depreciation expense is allocated between research and development and general and administrative operating expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES	3 Months Ended
ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES	Mar. 31, 2021
ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES	Click or tap here to enter text.

LOAN PAYABLE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

LOAN PAYABLE

LOAN PAYABLE

6.LOAN PAYABLE

On May 1, 2020, the Company received a loan in the principal amount of $115,600 (the “SBA Loan”) under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), which was established under the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”). The intent and purpose of the PPP is to support companies, during the COVID-19 pandemic, by providing funds for certain specified business expenses, with a focus on payroll. As a qualifying business as defined by the SBA, the Company is using the proceeds from this loan to primarily help maintain its payroll. The term of the SBA Loan promissory note (“the Note”) is two years, though it may be payable sooner in connection with an event of default under the Note. The SBA Loan carries a fixed interest rate of one percent per year, with the first payment due seven months from the date of initial cash receipt. Under the CARES Act and the PPP, certain amounts of loans made under the PPP may be forgiven if the recipients use the loan proceeds for eligible purposes, including payroll costs and certain rent or utility costs, and meet other requirements regarding, among other things, the maintenance of employment and compensation levels. The

Company intends to use the SBA Loan for qualifying expenses and to apply for forgiveness of the SBA Loan in accordance with the terms of the CARES Act.

The Note provides for customary events of default, including, among others, those relating to failure to make payment, bankruptcy, materially false or misleading representations to the SBA, and adverse changes in the Company’s financial condition or business operations that may materially affect its ability to pay the SBA Loan.

As the legal form of the Note is a debt obligation, the Company accounts for it as debt under ASC 470, Debt, and recorded $105,600 as of December 31, 2020 in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company received initial proceeds of $115,600 and made a repayment of $10,000 on the SBA Loan, bringing the balance to $105,600 as of December 31, 2020. The Company accrued interest over the term of the loan and did not impute additional interest at a market rate because the guidance on imputing interest in ASC 835-30, Interest, excludes transactions where interest rates are prescribed by a government agency.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company applied for forgiveness of the SBA Loan in accordance with the terms of the CARES Act. On February 16, 2021, the SBA granted forgiveness of the SBA Loan and all applicable interest. On the date of forgiveness, the principal and accrued interest totaled $105,800. The forgiveness was classified as a gain on loan extinguishment in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

NOTE PAYABLE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

NOTE PAYABLE

NOTE PAYABLE

7.NOTE PAYABLE

In November 2020, the Company entered into a financing arrangement for its Director and Officer Insurance policy. The total amount financed was approximately $540,500 with an annual interest rate of 4.59%, to be paid over a period of nine months. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the remaining payable balance on the financed amount was $227,800 and $362,400, respectively.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

8.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Facility Lease Agreements—The Company leases its premises in Houston, Texas under a noncancelable operating lease expiring in May 2021. The lease renewal, which occurred in 2019, resulted in an expansion to the lease of approximately 4,100 square feet.

On November 19, 2020, the Company’s board of directors approved the lease renewal of its premises in Houston, Texas. Once the current lease expires in May 2021, the renewed lease agreement will commence under an operating lease agreement that is noncancelable from commencement until May 1, 2024.

On March 22, 2021, the Company’s board of directors approved a lease expansion within its premises in Houston, Texas. The amended lease agreement will commence on August 1, 2021 under an operating lease agreement that is noncancelable from commencement until May 1, 2024. The amended lease agreement adds approximately 15,385 square feet. The Company has the option to cancel the lease thereafter until the agreement expires on May 1, 2026. The termination date is effective after 90-days notice of cancellation.

If the Company exercises the cancellation option, the Company must also pay the lessor a termination payment equal to three months of base rent.

The total lease payments per month were $21,353 beginning January 1, 2020. The total lease payments per month will be $22,477, 45,554, and $46,116 beginning May 1, 2021, August 1, 2021, and May 1, 2023, respectively. The Company records rent expense as incurred over the term of the leases.

As of March 31, 2021, the future minimum commitments under the amended lease agreement will be as follows:


	Amount
2021	$	316,600
2022		546,700
2023		551,100
2024		461,200
Total	$	1,875,600

Rent expense for the facility lease agreements was $69,000 and $60,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Rent expense is included as an allocation between research and development and general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

License Agreements—The Company has entered into a number of licensing arrangements for various intellectual property and licensed patent rights for technologies being developed for commercial sale. As part of these arrangements, the Company is subject to contingent milestone payments in accordance with agreed-upon development objectives, as well as future royalty payments on product sales of the underlying assets. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company has not incurred any milestone or royalty liabilities related to these license agreements.

Strategic Alliance Agreement with Leon Office (H.K.)—On January 28, 2021, the Company executed a strategic alliance agreement with Leon Office (H.K.) (“Leon”) a company established under existing laws of Hong Kong. It is intended that Leon acts as an independent business development advisor on behalf of the Company. Leon will seek to introduce organizations and individuals that will create business development opportunities for the Company, to expand the Company’s reach to international markets with a focus on certain Asian markets and to increase brand recognition and exposure through developing liaisons, collaborations, branches and subsidiaries. They will also use commercially reasonable efforts to research the Asian market, with a primary, but not exclusive, focus on determining the most suitable structures for the development of medical partnerships or joint ventures with scientific partners in the Asian market with a mission to test products to be created by the joint venture resulting from such partnership and to develop validation programs for any products produced by such joint venture, including programs for clinical trials and human testing and, ultimately, for product certification. The cost of the agreement is $360,000 annually, payable in four quarterly installments.

Legal Proceedings—In the normal course of business, the Company may have various claims in process and other contingencies. A complaint was filed on March 22, 2021 in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against the Company by a former consultant and director. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the plaintiff is entitled to additional stock options and he is seeking declaratory judgment and specific performance. The Company believes that all of the claims in the complaint are without merit and the Company intends to defend vigorously against them.

The Company regularly assesses all contingencies and believes, based on information presently known, the Company is not involved in any matters that would have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

9.STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

On June 17, 2020, the Company filed an amendment to its amended and restated certificate of incorporation to complete a 1-for-3.494 reverse split of the Company’s outstanding shares common stock.

Accordingly, unless otherwise noted, all share and per share information has been restated to retroactively show the effect of this stock split.

As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company was authorized to issue 300,000,000 shares of common stock and 60,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, of which 24,000,000 shares were designated as Series A-1 Preferred Stock and 16,500,000 shares were designated as Series B Preferred Stock.

Common Stock—As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company has a single class of common stock.

On October 15, 2020, the Company received net proceeds of $12,332,700 from its IPO, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $1,275,000 and other offering expenses of $1,392,300 incurred. The Company issued and sold 1,250,000 shares of common stock in the IPO at a price of $12.00 per share.

In connection with the IPO, all shares of the Company’s Series A-1 Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock were converted into 624,594 and 469,136 shares of common stock, respectively.

Below is a table that outlines the initial value of issuances allocated to the IPO common stock, the IPO common stock discount amortized, and value of IPO common stock that was converted into additional-paid-in-capital during the three months ended March 31, 2021:


	2021
Common Stock
Balance at January 1,	$	11,975,400
Common stock IPO discount amortization		24,700
Balance at March 31,	$	12,000,100

On June 8, 2020, the Company agreed to amend the warrant vesting schedule such that the warrants underlying shares of Series B Preferred Stock became immediately exercisable for each warrant holder. On June 8, 2020, warrant holders exercised their option to purchase 335,982 shares of common stock for proceeds of $1,200. Then, on June 10, 2020, warrant holders exercised their option to purchase an additional 1,063,939 shares of common stock for proceeds of $3,700.

On June 8, 2020, the Company issued 3,106 and 430 shares of common stock to the Company’s Chief Medical Officer and another employee, respectively. In addition, on June 19, 2020, the Company issued 402,000 and 320,000 shares of common stock to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer ("the CFO and COO") and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer ("the CSO"), respectively. The shares were issued in exchange for services rendered and no cash considerations. These issuances resulted in $9,432,000 in stock compensation expenses.

Each holder of outstanding shares of common stock shall be entitled to one vote in respect of each share. The number of authorized shares of common stock may be increased or decreased by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock and preferred stock voting together as a single class.

The Company has never paid dividends and has no plans to pay dividends on common stock. As of December 31, 2017, the Company adopted a stock option plan. On September 25, 2019, the board of directors approved an additional 10,000,000 shares to be reserved and authorized under the Plan. This approval increased the total number of authorized shares from 20,000,000 to 30,000,000. After the reverse stock splits, the total number of authorized shares was updated to 858,615. On June 19, 2020, the board of directors approved an additional 850,000 shares to be reserved and authorized under the Plan. This approval increased the total number of authorized shares from 858,615 to 1,708,615.

There were 322,063 shares and 271,949 shares available for issuance as of March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Series B Preferred Stock—On January 24, 2020, the Company issued 4,782,608 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for $2,200,000. On January 29, 2020, the Company filed a certificate of correction to its amended and restated its certificate of incorporation to authorize the issuance of up to 16,500,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock. On January 31, 2020, the Company issued an additional 1,739,130 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for $800,000.

On matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company, Series B Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock, and common stock vote together as one class, with the vote of the Series B Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis. Each holder of Series B Preferred Stock shall have a number of votes equal to the shares of common stock into which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such holder are then convertible.

With respect rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution, shares of Series B Preferred Stock rank senior to all shares of common stock, but not senior to Series A-1 Preferred Stock.

Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder at the then current conversion rate. In addition, upon the closing of the sale of shares of common stock to the public in an initial public

offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, all shares of preferred stock shall automatically be converted into shares of common stock at the then effective conversion rate.

Accordingly, in connection with the IPO, all shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock were converted into 469,136 shares of common stock on October 15, 2020.

Below is a table that outlines the initial value of issuances allocated to Series B Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock discount amortized during the three months ended March 31:


	2020
Series B Preferred Stock
Balance at January 1,	$	1,306,900
Series B Preferred Stock proceeds		3,000,000
Series B Preferred Stock discount		(2,668,300)
Series B Preferred Stock discount amortization		368,400
Balance at March 31,	$	2,007,000

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or the occurrence of a liquidation, the holders of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders, before any payment shall be made to the holders of common stock by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount per share equal to $0.46, the original issue price.

Warrants Underlying Series B Preferred Stock—In connection with the sale of the Series B Preferred Stock, each investor was issued warrants to purchase 0.0859 shares of common stock for each share of Series B Preferred Stock purchased at a price of $0.003494 per share of common stock. The warrants become exercisable in accordance with the schedule set forth below following completion by the Company of an initial public offering and thereafter may be exercised at any time prior to expiration ten years from the date of issuance.

●

30% of the warrants beginning six months after the date on which the securities of the Company are first listed on a United States national securities exchange (such date, the "Listing Date");

●

An additional 30% of the warrants beginning nine months after the Listing Date; and

●

The remainder of the warrants beginning twelve months after the Listing Date.

As of March 31, 2020, the Company sold 16,391,397 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, which contained 1,399,921 underlying warrants to purchase common stock based on the exercise price and vesting schedule outlined above. These warrants are equity classified and the fair value of $5,533,000 is reflected as additional paid-in capital.

On June 8, 2020, the Company agreed to amend the warrant vesting schedule such that the warrants became immediately exercisable for each warrant holder.

On June 8, 2020, warrant holders exercised their option to purchase 335,982 shares of common stock for proceeds of $1,200. Then, on June 10, 2020, warrant holders exercised their option to purchase an additional 1,063,939 shares of common stock for proceeds of $3,700. As of March 31, 2021, there were no warrants underlying Series B Preferred Stock.

The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was used to estimate the fair value of the warrants with the following weighted-average assumptions for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:


	March 31,
	2020
Risk-free interest rate	1.54% - 1.88	%
Expected volatility	71.95% - 72.71	%
Expected life (years)	10
Expected dividend yield	0	%

Representative's Warrants—In connection with the IPO on October 15, 2020, the Company granted the underwriters warrants (the "Underwriters' Warrants") to purchase an aggregate of 62,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $15.00 per share, which is 125% of the initial public offering price. The Underwriters' Warrants have a five-year term and are not exercisable prior to April 13, 2021. All of the Underwriters' Warrants were outstanding at March 31, 2021.

These warrants were equity classified. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the warrant fair values of $332,600 and $357,300, respectively, is reflected as additional paid-in capital. On the issuance date, the Black-Scholes option-pricing model was used to estimate the fair value of the warrants with the following weighted-average assumptions on October 15:


	2020
Risk-free interest rate	0.18	%
Expected volatility	94.08	%
Expected life (years)	2.74
Expected dividend yield	0	%

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

10.STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

2017 Stock Incentive Plan— Stock Options

There were no options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was used to estimate the fair value of stock options with the following weighted-average assumptions for the three months ended March 31:


	2020
Risk-free interest rate	1.59% - 2.92	%
Expected volatility	72.29% - 78.16	%
Expected life (years)	4.93 – 6.07
Expected dividend yield	0	%

The fair value of the common shares underlying the stock options has historically been determined by the board of directors, with input from management. Because there was no public market for the Company’s common shares prior to October 15, 2020, the board of directors determined the fair value of the common shares at the time of grant of the stock option by considering a number of objective and subjective factors, including important developments in the Company’s operations, third-party valuations performed, sales of Series A-1 Preferred Stock, sales of Series B Preferred Stock, actual operating results and financial performance, the conditions in the biotechnology industry and the economy in general, the stock price performance and volatility of comparable public companies, and the lack of liquidity of the Company’s common shares, among other factors.

The following table summarizes the activity for all stock options outstanding at March 31 under the Plan:


	2021			2020
		Weighted			Weighted
		Average			Average
		Exercise			Exercise
	Shares	Price		Shares	Price
Options outstanding at beginning of year	489,718	$	10.03	598,083	$	11.11
Granted	—		—	17,631		12.02
Exercised	—		—	—		—
Cancelled and forfeited	(57,149)		17.88	(30,768)		11.88
Balance at December 31	432,569	$	8.99	584,946	$	11.09
Options exercisable at December 31:	408,306	$	8.75	361,720	$	7.67
Weighted average grant date fair value for options granted during the year:		$	—		$	35.62

The following table summarizes additional information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2021 and 2020 under the Plan:


	Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
		Weighted
		Average	Weighted					Weighted
		Remaining	Average		Aggregate			Average		Aggregate
As of	Options	Contractual	Exercise		Intrinsic		Options	Exercise		Intrinsic
March 31,	Outstanding	Life	Price		Value		Exercisable	Price		Value
2021	432,569	6.72	$	8.99	$	839,700	408,306	$	8.75	$	269,514
2020	584,946	8.02	$	11.09	$	18,712,900	361,720	$	7.67	$	12,808,800

Total stock compensation expense recognized from stock-based compensation awards classified as stock options were recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 as follows:


	2021		2020
Research and development	$	19,000	$	425,000
General and administrative		102,000		31,000
Total	$	121,000	$	456,000

On August 20, 2020, the board of directors canceled and terminated 15,792 stock options, granted during the quarter ended June 30, 2020 to four non-employees. Thereafter, on August 20, 2020, the board of directors granted 21,112 stock options to the same individuals with a grant date fair value of $12.81 per share. There were 3,959 stock option grants that were considered vested on the grant date. The effects of the stock option modifications resulted in $20,900 of stock compensation expense allocable to general and administrative for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Included in that amount were $9,600 of incremental compensation costs resulting from the modifications for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

As of March 31, 2021, total unrecognized stock compensation expense is $252,700, related to unvested stock options to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average vesting period of 1.25 years.

2017 Stock Incentive Plan—Restricted Stock Units

In January 2017, the Company’s board of directors approved the adoption of the Plan. The Plan permits the Company to grant up to 1,708,615 shares of the Company’s common stock awards, including incentive stock options; non-statutory stock options; and conditional share awards to employees, directors, and consultants of the Company. All granted shares that are canceled, forfeited, or expired are returned to the Plan and are available for grant in conjunction with the issuance of new common stock awards. Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) vest over a specified amount of time or when certain performance metrics are achieved by the Company.

The fair value of the common shares underlying the RSUs has historically been determined by the board of directors, with input from management. As there was no public market for Company’s common shares prior to October 15, 2020, the board of directors determined the fair value of the common shares at the time of grant of the RSUs by considering a number of objective and subjective factors, including important developments in the Company’s operations, third-party valuations performed, sales of Series A-1 Preferred Stock, sales of Series B Preferred Stock, actual operating results and financial performance, the conditions in the biotechnology industry and the economy in general, the stock price performance and volatility of comparable public companies, and the lack of liquidity of the Company’s common shares, among other factors.

The following table summarizes the activity for all RSUs outstanding at March 31 under the Plan:


	2021			2020
		Weighted Average			Weighted Average
		Grant Date			Grant Date
		Fair Value			Fair Value
	Shares	Per Share		Shares	Per Share
Nonvested RSUs at beginning of year	946,245	$	12.81	—	$	—
Granted	6,019		9.00	—		—
Vested	—		—	—		—
Cancelled and forfeited	—		—	—		—
Nonvested RSUs at December 31	952,264	$	12.79	—	$	—

On August 20, 2020, the board of directors canceled and terminated 709,334 RSUs, granted during the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The cancelled RSUs were originally granted to five individuals with a grant date fair value of $12.87 per share. Thereafter, on August 20, 2020, the board of directors granted 946,245 RSUs to the same individuals with a grant date fair value of $12.81 per share. None of the RSU grants were considered vested on the grant date. The RSU grants were modified for three employees and two non-employees. The effects of the RSU modifications resulted in $267,700 and $556,600 of stock compensation expense allocable to research and development and general and administrative, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Included in those amounts were incremental compensation costs of $20,400 and $44,700 of stock compensation expense allocable to research and development and general and administrative, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

11.INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate from continuing operations was 0% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The Company recorded no income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

The provision for income taxes during the interim reporting periods is calculated by applying an estimate of the annual effective tax rate for the full fiscal year to "ordinary" income or loss for the reporting period. Each quarter, the estimate of the annual effective tax rate is updated, and if the estimated effective tax rate changes, a cumulative adjustment is made. There is a potential for volatility of the effective tax rate due to several factors, including changes in the mix of the pre-tax income and the jurisdictions to which it relates, changes in tax laws, business reorganizations and settlements with taxing authorities.

The income tax rates vary from the US federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the full valuation allowance on the Company’s deferred tax assets. The Company has recorded the full valuation allowance based on an evaluation of both positive and negative evidence, including latest forecasts and cumulative losses in recent years. The Company has concluded that it was more likely than not that none of its deferred tax assets would be realized.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References + Details

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

12.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company maintained two separate consulting agreements with the Company's Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer (the "CSIO"), and the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer (the "CFO and COO").

Beginning in the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company entered into its first consulting agreement with the CSIO. Pursuant to the amended agreement dated July 20, 2018, the CSIO is entitled to a consulting fee of $400 per hour, provided that he is limited to nineteen (19) hours per month unless he obtains approval from the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The consulting agreement indicates that the CSIO will provide a leadership role for the Company's business development strategies. The consulting fees paid to the CSIO totaled $0 and $319,300 in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Beginning in the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company entered into its first consulting agreement with the CFO and COO. Initially, his title was "Consultant", and the Company changed his title to CFO and COO on October 25, 2019. The CFO and COO was elected as a director of the Company on January 17, 2020. Pursuant to the agreement on

April 18, 2018 and amended on September 4, 2019, the CFO and COO is entitled to a consulting fee of $2,500 per month amended to $10,000 per month. The consulting fees paid to the CFO and COO totaled $0 and $30,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

After the Company completed the IPO on October 15, 2020, the CFO and COO and the CSIO became full time employees.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

13.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Research Grant Agreement with University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

On April 8, 2021, the Company entered into a letter of intent (the “Letter of Intent”) with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (“MD Anderson”) pursuant to which MD Anderson shall receive a research grant from the Company titled, “Validation of biomarker isomeso for pancreatic cancer,” which is aimed at discovering new cancer-specific antigen targets (the “Grant”). The total costs to the Company to be paid in connection with the Grant shall be $300,000. Pursuant to the Letter of Intent, the Grant shall commence on April 1, 2021 and end on March 31, 2022.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

All intercompany balances were eliminated upon consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Concentrations of Credit Risk and Other Uncertainties

Deposit

Property and Equipment

Estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows for the major classes of assets:


Asset Description		Estimated Lives
Laboratory Equipment		3 - 8
Leasehold Improvements		1 - 7
Office Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment		5
Software		3 - 5

Internal Use Software Development Costs

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Comprehensive Loss

Income Taxes

Research and Development Expense

amounts are expensed as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed rather than when the payment is made.

Proceeds from Grants

Fair Value Measurements

Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 3—Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

There were no changes in the fair value hierarchy levels during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

Nonvested Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company estimates the grant-date fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes model and the assumptions used to value such stock options are determined as follows:

●

valuations of the common stock performed by third-party specialists;

●

the prices, rights, preferences, and privileges of the Company’s Series A-1 Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock relative to those of the Company’s common stock;

●

lack of marketability of the common stock;

●

current business conditions and projections;

●

hiring of key personnel and the experience of management;

●

the Company’s stage of development;

●

likelihood of achieving a liquidity event, such as an initial public offering, a merger or acquisition of the Company given prevailing market conditions, or other liquidation event;

●

the market performance of comparable publicly traded companies; and

●

the US and global capital market conditions.

Segment Data

Segment Data—The Company manages its operations as a single segment for the purposes of assessing performance and making operating decisions.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Schedule of estimated useful lives of property and equipment


Asset Description		Estimated Lives
Laboratory Equipment		3 - 8
Leasehold Improvements		1 - 7
Office Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment		5
Software		3 - 5

NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

Schedule of earnings per share, basic and diluted


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Net loss	$	(3,854,500)	$	(1,852,700)
Less: Series B Preferred Stock discount amortization		—		(368,400)
Less: IPO Common Stock discount amortization		(24,700)		—
Net loss attributable to common shareholders, basic and diluted	$	(3,879,200)	$	(2,221,100)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted		7,332,999		2,863,812
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted	$	(0.53)	$	(0.78)

Schedule of antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share


	March 31,	March 31,
	2021	2020
Stock options to purchase	677	404,391
Restricted Stock Units	32,000	—
Series A‑1 Preferred Stock	—	624,594
Series B Preferred Stock	—	469,136
Warrants underlying Series B Preferred Stock	—	1,399,807
Total	32,677	2,897,928

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Schedule of property and equipment


	March 31,		December 31,
	2021		2020
Equipment	$	1,138,900	$	780,500
Leasehold improvements		1,274,600		1,229,700
Office furniture, fixtures, and equipment		16,600		16,600
Software		151,700		151,700
Construction in progress		355,000		449,200
		2,936,800		2,627,700
Less: Accumulated depreciation		(657,300)		(561,700)
Total	$	2,279,500	$	2,066,000

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Schedule of accrued expenses and other current liabilities


	March 31,		December 31,
	2021		2020
Accrued consulting and outside services	$	173,900	$	143,200
Accrued compensation		95,000		191,000
Total	$	268,900	$	334,200

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Schedule of future minimum rental payments for operating leases


	Amount
2021	$	316,600
2022		546,700
2023		551,100
2024		461,200
Total	$	1,875,600

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Stockholders' Equity

Schedule of initial value of issuances allocated to IPO common stock, IPO common stock discount amortized and value of IPO common stock converted into additional paid-in-capital


	2021
Common Stock
Balance at January 1,	$	11,975,400
Common stock IPO discount amortization		24,700
Balance at March 31,	$	12,000,100

Schedule of initial value of issuances allocated to Series B Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock discount amortized


	2020
Series B Preferred Stock
Balance at January 1,	$	1,306,900
Series B Preferred Stock proceeds		3,000,000
Series B Preferred Stock discount		(2,668,300)
Series B Preferred Stock discount amortization		368,400
Balance at March 31,	$	2,007,000

Common Stock Warrants - Representative

Stockholders' Equity

Schedule of assumptions used to estimate fair value of warrants


	2020
Risk-free interest rate	0.18	%
Expected volatility	94.08	%
Expected life (years)	2.74
Expected dividend yield	0	%

Series B Preferred Stock

Stockholders' Equity

Schedule of assumptions used to estimate fair value of warrants


	March 31,
	2020
Risk-free interest rate	1.54% - 1.88	%
Expected volatility	71.95% - 72.71	%
Expected life (years)	10
Expected dividend yield	0	%

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Schedule of assumptions used to estimate fair value of stock options


	2020
Risk-free interest rate	1.59% - 2.92	%
Expected volatility	72.29% - 78.16	%
Expected life (years)	4.93 – 6.07
Expected dividend yield	0	%

Schedule of stock option activity


	2021			2020
		Weighted			Weighted
		Average			Average
		Exercise			Exercise
	Shares	Price		Shares	Price
Options outstanding at beginning of year	489,718	$	10.03	598,083	$	11.11
Granted	—		—	17,631		12.02
Exercised	—		—	—		—
Cancelled and forfeited	(57,149)		17.88	(30,768)		11.88
Balance at December 31	432,569	$	8.99	584,946	$	11.09
Options exercisable at December 31:	408,306	$	8.75	361,720	$	7.67
Weighted average grant date fair value for options granted during the year:		$	—		$	35.62


	Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
		Weighted
		Average	Weighted					Weighted
		Remaining	Average		Aggregate			Average		Aggregate
As of	Options	Contractual	Exercise		Intrinsic		Options	Exercise		Intrinsic
March 31,	Outstanding	Life	Price		Value		Exercisable	Price		Value
2021	432,569	6.72	$	8.99	$	839,700	408,306	$	8.75	$	269,514
2020	584,946	8.02	$	11.09	$	18,712,900	361,720	$	7.67	$	12,808,800

Schedule of stock-based compensation


	2021		2020
Research and development	$	19,000	$	425,000
General and administrative		102,000		31,000
Total	$	121,000	$	456,000

Schedule of restricted stock unit activity


	2021			2020
		Weighted Average			Weighted Average
		Grant Date			Grant Date
		Fair Value			Fair Value
	Shares	Per Share		Shares	Per Share
Nonvested RSUs at beginning of year	946,245	$	12.81	—	$	—
Granted	6,019		9.00	—		—
Vested	—		—	—		—
Cancelled and forfeited	—		—	—		—
Nonvested RSUs at December 31	952,264	$	12.79	—	$	—

ORGANIZATION (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
ORGANIZATION (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
ORGANIZATION
Cash flow from operations	$ (2,635,900)	$ (1,480,300)
Accumulated deficit	(45,482,300)		$ (41,627,800)
NIH Grant receivable					$ 2,235,000
Phase I approved amount of grant				$ 851,000
Phase II approved amount of grant	$ 1,384,000

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)	Mar. 31, 2021 item
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Lease facility	1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Property and Equipment
Impairment of long-lived assets held-for-use	$ 0
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest or penalties	$ 0	$ 0
Minimum
Property and Equipment
Property plant and equipment useful life	1 year
Maximum
Property and Equipment
Property plant and equipment useful life	8 years
Equipment \| Minimum
Property and Equipment
Property plant and equipment useful life	3 years
Equipment \| Maximum
Property and Equipment
Property plant and equipment useful life	8 years
Leasehold improvements \| Minimum
Property and Equipment
Property plant and equipment useful life	1 year
Leasehold improvements \| Maximum
Property and Equipment
Property plant and equipment useful life	7 years
Office furniture, fixtures, and equipment
Property and Equipment
Property plant and equipment useful life	5 years
Software
Property and Equipment
Property plant and equipment useful life	5 years
Software \| Minimum
Property and Equipment
Property plant and equipment useful life	3 years
Software \| Maximum
Property and Equipment
Property plant and equipment useful life	5 years

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Changes in fair value hierarchy levels	$ 0	$ 0

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Nonvested Stock Options (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Nonvested Stock Options
Expected dividend yield	0.00%
RSU
Nonvested Stock Options
Expiration period	10 years
Monthly Vesting Conditions \| Minimum \| RSU
Nonvested Stock Options
Vesting period	6 months
Monthly Vesting Conditions \| Maximum \| RSU
Nonvested Stock Options
Vesting period	12 months
Stock Incentive Plan 2017
Nonvested Stock Options
Expiration period	10 years
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| Annual Vesting Conditions
Nonvested Stock Options
Vesting period	4 years
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| Monthly Vesting Conditions \| Minimum
Nonvested Stock Options
Vesting period	10 months
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| Monthly Vesting Conditions \| Maximum
Nonvested Stock Options
Vesting period	48 months

NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Net loss per common share
Net loss	$ (3,854,500)	$ (1,852,700)
Less: IPO Common Stock discount amortization	(24,700)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders, basic and diluted	$ (3,879,200)	$ (2,221,100)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted	7,332,999	2,863,812
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted	$ (0.53)	$ (0.78)
Series B Preferred Stock
Net loss per common share
Series B Preferred Stock discount amortization		$ (368,400)

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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- Definition

Amount, after deduction of tax, noncontrolling interests, dividends on preferred stock and participating securities; of income (loss) available to common shareholders.

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+ Details

NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE - Dilutive Securities Excluded From the Computations of Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Dilutive Securities Excluded From the Computations of Earnings Per Share
Potentially dilutive securities	32,677	2,897,928
Series A-1 Preferred Stock
Dilutive Securities Excluded From the Computations of Earnings Per Share
Potentially dilutive securities		624,594
Series B Preferred Stock
Dilutive Securities Excluded From the Computations of Earnings Per Share
Potentially dilutive securities		469,136
Stock Options
Dilutive Securities Excluded From the Computations of Earnings Per Share
Potentially dilutive securities	677	404,391
RSU
Dilutive Securities Excluded From the Computations of Earnings Per Share
Potentially dilutive securities	32,000
Series B Preferred Stock Warrant
Dilutive Securities Excluded From the Computations of Earnings Per Share
Potentially dilutive securities		1,399,807

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 2,936,800		$ 2,627,700
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(657,300)		(561,700)
Total	2,279,500		2,066,000
Depreciation	95,600	$ 33,800
Equipment
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,138,900		780,500
Leasehold improvements
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,274,600		1,229,700
Office furniture, fixtures, and equipment
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	16,600		16,600
Software
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	151,700		151,700
Construction in progress
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 355,000		$ 449,200

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accrued consulting and outside services	$ 173,900	$ 143,200
Accrued compensation	95,000	191,000
Total	$ 268,900	$ 334,200

LOAN PAYABLE (Details) - USD ($)			12 Months Ended
LOAN PAYABLE (Details) - USD ($)	Feb. 16, 2021	May 01, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Current loan payable
Loan payable			$ 105,600
SBA Loan
Current loan payable
Principal amount		$ 115,600
Loan payable			105,600
Loan initial proceeds			115,600
Loan repayments			$ 10,000
Loan term		2 years
Loan fixed interest rate		1.00%
Loan first payment due		7 months
Loan principal forgiven	$ 105,800

NOTE PAYABLE (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Nov. 30, 2020
Note payable
Note payable	$ 227,800	$ 362,400
Director and Officer Insurance Policy Financing
Note payable
Note payable	$ 227,800	$ 362,400	$ 540,500
Interest rate			4.59%

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)							3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)	May 01, 2023 USD ($)	Aug. 01, 2021 USD ($)	May 01, 2021 USD ($)	Mar. 22, 2021 ft²	Jan. 28, 2021 USD ($) installment	Jan. 01, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 ft²
Leases
Area of office space leased \| ft²									4,100
Additional office space leased \| ft²				15,385
Period of time after notice of cancellation that the lease effectively terminates				90 days
Total lease payments per month	$ 46,116	$ 45,554	$ 22,477			$ 21,353
Rent expense							$ 69,000	$ 60,000
Future minimum commitments
2021							316,600
2022							546,700
2023							551,100
2024							461,200
Total							$ 1,875,600
Strategic Alliance Agreement \| Leon Office (H.K.)
Strategic Alliance Agreement
Annual cost					$ 360,000
Number of quarterly installments \| installment					4

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Information (Details)					3 Months Ended
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Information (Details)	Jun. 19, 2020 USD ($) shares	Jun. 17, 2020 shares	Jun. 10, 2020 USD ($) shares	Jun. 08, 2020 USD ($) Vote shares	Mar. 31, 2021 $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2020 shares	Mar. 31, 2020 shares	Sep. 25, 2019 shares	Sep. 24, 2019 shares	Jun. 18, 2018 shares
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Reverse split		3.494
Preferred stock, authorized					60,000,000	60,000,000
Common stock, authorized	1,708,615	858,615			300,000,000	300,000,000		30,000,000	20,000,000	858,615
Warrants to purchase shares			1,063,939	335,982
Proceeds from Issuance of Warrants \| $			$ 3,700	$ 1,200
Stock compensation expenses \| $				$ 9,432,000
Number of Votes \| Vote				1
Dividend paid \| $ / shares					$ 0
Shares available for issuance	850,000				322,063		271,949	10,000,000
Employees
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Shares issued for services				430
Cash consideration \| $				$ 0
CMO
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Shares issued for services				3,106
Cash consideration \| $				$ 0
CFO and COO
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Shares issued for services	402,000
Cash consideration \| $	$ 0
CSIO
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Shares issued for services	320,000
Cash consideration \| $	$ 0
Series A-1 Preferred Stock
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Preferred stock, authorized					24,000,000	24,000,000
Series B Preferred Stock
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Preferred stock, authorized					16,500,000	16,500,000
Warrants to purchase shares							1,399,921
Proceeds from Issuance of Warrants \| $				$ 1,200

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Common Stock (Details) - USD ($)						3 Months Ended
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Common Stock (Details) - USD ($)	Oct. 15, 2020	Jun. 10, 2020	Jun. 08, 2020	Jan. 31, 2020	Jan. 24, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Common stock
Beginning Balance						$ 1,200
Common stock IPO discount amortization						24,700
Ending Balance						1,200
Series B Preferred Stock
Common stock
Shares issued		1,063,939	335,982	1,739,130	4,782,608		16,391,397
IPO
Common stock
Common stock IPO proceeds, net of issuance costs	$ 12,332,700
Underwriting discounts and commissions	1,275,000
Offering expenses	$ 1,392,300
Shares issued	1,250,000
Share price	$ 12.00
Beginning Balance						11,975,400
Common stock IPO discount amortization						24,700
Ending Balance						$ 12,000,100
IPO \| Series A-1 Preferred Stock
Common stock
Stock issued on conversion	624,594
IPO \| Series B Preferred Stock
Common stock
Stock issued on conversion	469,136

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Preferred Stock (Details) - USD ($)					3 Months Ended
	Jun. 10, 2020	Jun. 08, 2020	Jan. 31, 2020	Jan. 24, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Jan. 29, 2020
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Preferred stock, authorized						60,000,000	60,000,000
Additional paid-in capital						$ 53,933,900	$ 52,988,700
Series A-1 Preferred Stock
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Preferred stock, authorized						24,000,000	24,000,000
Series B Preferred Stock
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Shares issued	1,063,939	335,982	1,739,130	4,782,608	16,391,397
Issuance of stock			$ 800,000	$ 2,200,000
Original issue price						$ 0.46
Preferred stock, authorized						16,500,000	16,500,000
Warrants to purchase						0.0859
Warrant exercise price						$ 0.003494
Series B Preferred Stock \| Maximum
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Preferred stock, authorized								16,500,000

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Initial value of issuances allocated to Series B Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock (Details) - Series B Preferred Stock	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Balance at beginning of period	$ 1,306,900
Series B Preferred Stock proceeds	3,000,000
Series B Preferred Stock discount	(2,668,300)
Series B Preferred Stock discount amortization	368,400
Balance at end of period	$ 2,007,000

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Warrants Underlying Series B Preferred Stock (Details) - USD ($)					3 Months Ended
	Jun. 10, 2020	Jun. 08, 2020	Jan. 31, 2020	Jan. 24, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Warrants to purchase shares	1,063,939	335,982
Proceeds from issuance of warrants	$ 3,700	$ 1,200
Series B Preferred Stock
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Warrants to purchase					0.0859
Warrant purchase price (in dollars per share)					$ 0.003494
Warrant expiration term					10 years
Shares issued	1,063,939	335,982	1,739,130	4,782,608		16,391,397
Warrants to purchase shares						1,399,921
Fair value of warrants reflected as additional paid-in capital	$ 3,700					$ 5,533,000
Proceeds from issuance of warrants		$ 1,200
Series B Preferred Stock \| Warrants exercise beginning six months after the listing date
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Warrant exercise percentage					30.00%
Series B Preferred Stock \| Warrants exercise beginning nine months after the listing date
Stockholder's equity (Deficit)
Warrant exercise percentage					30.00%

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Estimate the fair value of the warrants (Details) - Series B Preferred Stock Warrant	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Weighted average valuation assumptions
Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Valuation Technique [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ValuationTechniqueOptionPricingModelMember	us-gaap:ValuationTechniqueOptionPricingModelMember
Measurement Input, Risk Free Interest Rate \| Minimum
Weighted average valuation assumptions
Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Measurement Input	0.0154	0.0154
Measurement Input, Risk Free Interest Rate \| Maximum
Weighted average valuation assumptions
Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Measurement Input	0.0188	0.0188
Measurement Input, Price Volatility \| Minimum
Weighted average valuation assumptions
Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Measurement Input	0.7195	0.7195
Measurement Input, Price Volatility \| Maximum
Weighted average valuation assumptions
Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Measurement Input	0.7271	0.7271
Measurement Input, Expected Term
Weighted average valuation assumptions
Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Term	10 years	10 years
Measurement Input, Expected Dividend Rate
Weighted average valuation assumptions
Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Measurement Input	0	0

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Representative's Warrants (Details) - Common Stock Warrants - Representative	Oct. 15, 2020 $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Weighted average valuation assumptions
Warrants fair value \| $		$ 332,600	$ 357,300
Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Valuation Technique [Extensible List]		us-gaap:ValuationTechniqueOptionPricingModelMember	us-gaap:ValuationTechniqueOptionPricingModelMember
IPO
Weighted average valuation assumptions
Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Term	5 years
Warrants
Number of warrants granted \| shares	62,500
Warrant exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 15.00
Exercise price as a percentage of the initial offering price	125.00%
Measurement Input, Risk Free Interest Rate
Weighted average valuation assumptions
Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Measurement Input		0.0018	0.0018
Measurement Input, Price Volatility
Weighted average valuation assumptions
Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Measurement Input		0.9408	0.9408
Measurement Input, Expected Term
Weighted average valuation assumptions
Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Term		2 years 8 months 26 days	2 years 8 months 26 days
Measurement Input, Expected Dividend Rate
Weighted average valuation assumptions
Warrants and Rights Outstanding, Measurement Input		0	0

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Weighted-average Assumptions (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Weighted average assumptions
Expected dividend yield	0.00%
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| Stock Options
Weighted average assumptions
Risk-free interest rate, minimum	1.59%
Risk-free interest rate, maximum	2.92%
Expected volatility, minimum	72.29%
Expected volatility, maximum	78.16%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| Stock Options \| Minimum
Weighted average assumptions
Expected life (years)	4 years 11 months 4 days
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| Stock Options \| Maximum
Weighted average assumptions
Expected life (years)	6 years 25 days

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Summarizes Stock Options Outstanding (Details) - Stock Incentive Plan 2017 - Stock Options - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Stock option activity
Options outstanding at beginning of year	489,718	598,083
Granted		17,631
Cancelled and forfeited	(57,149)	(30,768)
Balance at September 30	432,569	584,946
Options exercisable at September 30:			408,306	361,720
Weighted average exercise price
Options outstanding at beginning of year	$ 10.03	$ 11.11
Granted		12.02
Cancelled and forfeited	17.88	11.88
Balance at September 30	$ 8.99	11.09
Options exercisable at December 31:			$ 8.75	$ 7.67
Weighted average grant date fair value for options granted during the year:		$ 35.62
Additional stock option information
Options outstanding, number	432,569	584,946	432,569	584,946
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life	6 years 8 months 19 days	8 years 7 days
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$ 8.99	$ 11.09	$ 8.99	$ 11.09
Options outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value			$ 839,700	$ 18,712,900
Options exercisable, number			408,306	361,720
Options exercisable, weighted average exercise price			$ 8.75	$ 7.67
Options exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value			$ 269,514	$ 12,808,800

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Stock Option Modifications (Details)			3 Months Ended
	Aug. 20, 2020 USD ($) employee $ / shares shares	Jun. 08, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) shares	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Stock compensation expense
Stock compensation expense		$ 9,432,000
Stock Incentive Plan 2017
Stock compensation expense
Stock compensation expense			$ 121,000	$ 456,000
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| Research and development
Stock compensation expense
Stock compensation expense			19,000	425,000
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| General and administrative
Stock compensation expense
Stock compensation expense			$ 102,000	$ 31,000
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| Stock Options
Stock compensation expense
Cancelled and forfeited \| shares			57,149	30,768
Number of persons to whom shares were cancelled \| employee	4
Granted \| shares				17,631
Weighted average grant date fair value for options granted during the year: \| $ / shares				$ 35.62
Total unrecognized stock compensation expense			$ 252,700
Weighted-average period over which cost not yet recognized is expected to be recognized			1 year 3 months
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| Stock Options \| General and administrative
Stock compensation expense
Stock compensation expense			$ 20,900
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| Stock Options \| Four Nonemployees
Stock compensation expense
Cancelled and forfeited \| shares	15,792
Granted \| shares	21,112
Weighted average grant date fair value for options granted during the year: \| $ / shares	$ 12.81
Options vested \| shares	3,959
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| Stock Options \| Four Nonemployees \| General and administrative
Stock compensation expense
Incremental compensation costs	$ 9,600

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Schedule 2017 Stock Incentive Plan-Restricted Stock Units (Details)			3 Months Ended
	Aug. 20, 2020 individual $ / shares shares	Jun. 08, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2017 shares
Restricted stock units
Stock compensation expense		$ 9,432,000
Stock Incentive Plan 2017
Restricted stock units
Stock compensation expense			$ 121,000	$ 456,000
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| Research and development
Restricted stock units
Stock compensation expense			19,000	425,000
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| General and administrative
Restricted stock units
Stock compensation expense			$ 102,000	$ 31,000
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| RSU
Restricted stock units
Authorized shares \| shares					1,708,615
Number of persons to whom shares were cancelled \| individual	5
Restricted stock unit activity
Nonvested RSUs at beginning of year \| shares			946,245
Granted \| shares	946,245		6,019
Vested \| shares	0
Cancelled and forfeited \| shares	(709,334)
Nonvested RSUs at March 31 \| shares	12.81		952,264
Weighted average grant day fair value per share
Nonvested RSUs at beginning of year \| $ / shares			$ 12.81
Granted \| $ / shares			9.00
Cancelled and forfeited \| $ / shares	$ 12.87
Nonvested RSUs at March 31 \| $ / shares			$ 12.79
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| RSU \| Research and development
Restricted stock units
Stock compensation expense			$ 267,700
Incremental compensation costs			20,400
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| RSU \| General and administrative
Restricted stock units
Stock compensation expense			556,600
Incremental compensation costs			$ 44,700
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| RSU \| Non-Employees
Restricted stock units
Number of persons to whom shares were cancelled \| individual	2
Stock Incentive Plan 2017 \| RSU \| Employees
Restricted stock units
Number of persons to whom shares were cancelled \| individual	3

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
INCOME TAXES
Effective tax rate from continuing operations	0.00%	0.00%
Income tax provision	$ 0	$ 0
Federal statutory rate	21.00%
Realized deferred tax assets	$ 0

- Definition

Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References + Details

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details)				3 Months Ended
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details)	Sep. 04, 2019 USD ($)	Jul. 20, 2018 USD ($) item	Apr. 18, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($) agreement
Related party transactions
Number of separate consulting agreements \| agreement					2
CSIO
Related party transactions
Consulting fee per hour		$ 400
Threshold number of hours per month for which consulting fees are entitled \| item		19
Consulting fee paid				$ 0	$ 319,300
CFO and COO
Related party transactions
Consulting fee paid				$ 0	$ 30,000
Consulting fee per month	$ 10,000		$ 2,500

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details)	Apr. 08, 2021 USD ($)
Subsequent Event \| MD Anderson
Subsequent events
Research grant received	$ 300,000