6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the balance sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. For certain of our financial instruments including amounts receivable and accounts payable the carrying values approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.

ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. In accordance with ASC 820, these inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

As quoted prices in active markets are not readily available for certain financial instruments, we obtain estimates for the fair value of financial instruments through third-party pricing service providers.

In determining the appropriate levels, we performed a detailed analysis of the assets and liabilities that are subject to ASC 820.

We invest our excess cash in accordance with investment guidelines that limit the credit exposure to any one financial institution other than securities issued by the U.S. Government. These securities are not collateralized and mature within one year.

A description of the valuation techniques applied to our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis follows.

Financial Instruments

Money Market Securities

Money market securities are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy and are valued based on quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

We only invest in A (or equivalent) rated securities. All securities included in cash and cash equivalents had maturities of 90 days or less at the time of purchase.

Corporate and Other Debt Corporate Bonds and Commercial Paper

The fair value of corporate bonds and commercial paper is estimated using recently executed transactions, market price quotations (where observable), bond spreads or credit default swap spreads adjusted for any basis difference between cash and derivative instruments. The spread data used are for the same maturity as the bond. If the spread data does not reference the issuer, then data that reference a comparable issuer are used. When observable price quotations are not available, fair value is determined based on cash flow models with yield curves, bond or single name credit default swap spreads and recovery rates based on collateral values as significant inputs. Corporate bonds and commercial paper are generally categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; in instances where prices, spreads or any of the other aforementioned key inputs are unobservable, they are categorized in Level 3 of the hierarchy.

Concentration of Cash and Cash Equivalents Risk

We place our cash in a custodial account and in commercial checking and sweep accounts with various financial institutions.

As of September 30, 2024, approximately $40.4 million in cash equivalents and short-term investments is held in a custodial account with U.S. Bank, for which SVB Asset Management is the advisor; and approximately $0.1 million of our cash and $1.7 million of our cash equivalents is held in a single financial institution, SVB, as required by the covenants of the Debt Agreement (Note 7 – Convertible Debt).

Our commercial bank balances exceed federal insurance limits. We have not experienced any losses in our cash and cash equivalents for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Fair Value of Debt

Convertible Debt

The principal amount, carrying value and related estimated fair value of our convertible debt reported in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was as follows (in thousands). The aggregate fair value of the principal amount of the convertible debt is a Level 2 fair value measurement.

Fair Value of Sopharma Share Purchase Agreement Contingent Consideration

We determine the fair value of the contingent consideration using a probability based discounted cash flow model whereby we forecast the timing of the cash flow of the related future payment based on cytisinicline’s current clinical development phase and the remaining requirements for regulatory approval. We then discount the expected payment amount to calculate the present value and then apply a probability of success in obtaining regulatory approval as of the valuation date. We evaluate the underlying projection used in determining the fair value each period and make updates as necessary.

The significant assumptions we use to value the contingent consideration are the forecasted timing of the future payment, the risk-adjusted discount rate and the probability of success which are all considered significant unobservable inputs, and as such, the liability is classified as a Level 3 measurement. The risk-adjusted discount rate is adjusted for credit risk.

An increase in the discount rate and decrease in the probability of success will result in a decrease in the fair value of the contingent consideration. Conversely, a decrease in the discount rate and increase in the probability of success will result in an increase in the fair value of the contingent consideration. As of September 30, 2024 the risk adjusted discount rate was 38.0% and the probability of success was 67.2%. Adjustments to the fair value of the contingent liabilities, other than payments, are recorded as a gain or loss in the Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss.