Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

v3.25.3
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of presentation

a. Basis of presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to U.S. GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).

 

Consolidation

b. Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of estimates

c. Use of estimates

 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in these consolidated financial statements include the accrual of research and development expenses. Estimates and assumptions are periodically reviewed in-light of changes in circumstances, facts and experience. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. Actual results could differ from management’s estimates.

 

 

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Segment information

d. Segment information

 

Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision-maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance.

 

The Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), as the CODM, manages the Company’s business activities as a single operating and reportable segment at the consolidated level. The accounting policies of the Company’s segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. To date, the Company has not generated any product revenue and expects to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future as it advances product candidates through all stages of development and clinical trials and, ultimately, seeks regulatory approval. Accordingly, the CODM uses forecast models in deciding how to invest into the segment. Such forecast models are reviewed to assess the Company’s operating results and performance. The CODM is regularly provided with operating expenses and cash balances, which are reported on the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheets, respectively.

 

Fair value of financial instruments

e. Fair value of financial instruments

 

The Company measures and records certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. U.S. GAAP provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority, referred to as Level 1, to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. The next priority, referred to as Level 2, is given to quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; that is, markets in which there are few transactions for the asset or liability. The lowest priority, referred to as Level 3, is given to unobservable inputs. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

Management believes that the carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash equivalents and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of those instruments.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

f. Cash and cash equivalents

 

The Company considers highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company holds cash in highly-liquid bank accounts and invests excess cash in money market funds.

 

Restricted cash

g. Restricted cash

 

The Company maintains certain cash balances that are restricted as to withdrawal or use. In accordance with the BCA, any cash proceeds in excess of $3.0 million received from the exercise of warrants may not be spent by the Company without the prior written consent of Rorschach.

 

Property and equipment

h. 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. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance that do not extend the estimated useful life or improve an asset are expensed as incurred. Upon retirement or sale, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization of assets disposed of are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is included in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

 

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

i. Impairment of long-lived assets

 

The Company reviews long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by that asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, then an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset. There were no impairment charges recorded during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2025 and 2024.

 

Deferred offering costs

j. Deferred offering costs

 

Legal and other costs incurred in relation to equity offerings are capitalized as deferred offering costs and charged against the proceeds from equity offerings when received. If a financing is abandoned, deferred offering costs are expensed. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $15,000 in deferred offering costs associated with a shelf registration statement. There were no deferred offering costs as of September 30, 2025.

 

Incentive tax receivable

k. Incentive tax receivable

 

Subsidiary is eligible to participate in an Australian research and development tax incentive program. As part of this program, Subsidiary is eligible to receive a cash refund from the Australian Taxation Office for a percentage of the research and development costs expended by Subsidiary in Australia. The cash refund is available to eligible companies with annual aggregate revenues of less than $20.0 million (Australian) during the reimbursable period. The Company estimates the amount of cash refund it expects to receive related to the Australian research and development tax incentive program and records the incentive when it is probable (i) the Company will comply with relevant conditions of the program and (ii) the incentive will be received. As of September 30, 2025 and 2024, the Company’s estimate of the amount of cash refund it expects to receive for eligible spending related to the Australian research and development tax incentive program was $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively. In November 2024, the Company received a cash refund of $0.7 million, with the $0.1 million difference attributable to a change in foreign exchange rates. For the years ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for the expected net cash refund related to the tax incentive program was included in research and development expenses.

 

Derivative liability

l. Derivative liability

 

The Company evaluates all features contained in financing agreements to determine if there are any embedded derivatives that require separate accounting from the underlying agreement. An embedded derivative that requires separation is accounted for as a separate asset or liability from the host agreement. The derivative asset or liability is accounted for at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company determined that certain features under the convertible notes and the ChEF Purchase Agreement (see Note 7) qualified as embedded derivatives. The derivative liability associated with the convertible notes was deemed de minimis at the issuance date. The related notes were subsequently converted into preferred stock and are no longer outstanding as of September 30, 2025. The derivative liability associated with the ChEF Purchase Agreement is accounted for separately at fair value, which has been deemed de minimis.

 

 

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Collaboration revenue

m. Collaboration revenue

 

Collaboration arrangements may contain multiple components, which may include (i) licenses; (ii) research and development activities; and (iii) the manufacturing and supply of certain materials. Payments pursuant to these arrangements may include non-refundable payments, upfront payments, milestone payments upon the achievement of significant regulatory and development events, sales milestones and royalties on product sales. The amount of variable consideration is constrained until it is probable that the revenue is not at a significant risk of reversal in a future period.

 

In determining the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized as the Company fulfills its obligations under a collaboration arrangement, the Company performs the following steps: (i) identification of the promised goods or services in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations, including whether they are capable of being distinct; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue as the Company satisfies each performance obligation.

 

The Company applies significant judgment when evaluating whether contractual obligations represent distinct performance obligations, allocating transaction price to performance obligations within a contract, determining when performance obligations have been met, and assessing the recognition of variable consideration. When consideration is received prior to the Company completing its performance obligation under the terms of a contract, a contract liability is recorded as deferred income. Deferred income expected to be recognized as revenue within the twelve months following the balance sheet date is classified as a current liability. In May 2021, the Company entered into a License Agreement (the “New Life Agreement”) with New Life. In October 2024, the Company entered into the Alkem Agreement. See Note 6 for further discussion of these agreements.

 

Research and development expense

n. Research and development expense

 

Research and development expenses include all direct and indirect costs associated with the development of the Company’s biopharmaceutical products. These expenses include personnel costs, consulting fees, and payments to third parties for research, development, and manufacturing services. These costs are charged to expense as incurred.

 

At the end of the reporting period, the Company compares payments made to third-party service providers to the estimated progress toward completion of the related project, based on the measure of progress as defined in the contract. Factors the Company considers in preparing the estimates include costs incurred by the service provider, milestones achieved, and other criteria related to the efforts of its service providers. Such estimates are subject to change as additional information becomes available. Depending on the timing of payment to the service providers and the progress that the Company estimates has been made as a result of the service provided, the Company will record a prepaid expense or accrued liability relating to these costs. Upfront milestone payments made to third parties who perform research and development services on the Company’s behalf are expensed as services are rendered. Contingent development or regulatory milestone payments are recognized upon the related resolution of such contingencies.

 

Foreign currency

o. Foreign currency

 

Transaction gains and losses resulting from exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are included in operations in the period in which the transaction occurs and reported within the foreign exchange loss line item in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

 

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Share-based compensation

p. Share-based compensation

 

The Company measures equity classified share-based awards granted to employees and non-employees based on the estimated fair value on the date of grant and recognizes compensation expense of those awards over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period of the respective award. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur. For share-based awards with service-based vesting conditions, the Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the service period. The Company classifies share-based compensation expense in its consolidated statements of operations in the same manner in which the award recipient’s payroll costs are classified or in which the award recipient’s service payments are classified.

 

Other income

q. Other income

 

The Company has participated in the State of New Jersey’s Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program (the “Program”) sponsored by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The Program enables approved biotechnology companies with unused net operating losses and unused research and development credits to sell these tax benefits for at least 80% of the value of the tax benefits to unaffiliated, profitable corporate taxpayers in the state of New Jersey. The Company received net proceeds of $0.7 million and $4.3 million during the years ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, from the sale of New Jersey state net operating losses through the Program, which is included in other income in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Income taxes

r. Income taxes

 

The Company uses the asset-and-liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and operating loss and credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company recognizes the benefit of an uncertain tax position that it has taken or expects to take on its income tax return if such a position is more likely than not to be sustained.

 

Net loss per share

s. Net loss per share

 

Basic net loss per share of common stock is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period (and potential shares of common stock that are exercisable for little or no consideration). Included in basic weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year ended September 30, 2024 are the pre-funded October 2023 warrants to purchase 99,687 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.0008 per share and warrants exercised through the June 2024 inducement offer for 187,500 shares of common stock that were being held in abeyance as of September 30, 2024.

 

Diluted loss per share includes the effect, if any, from the potential exercise or conversion of securities such as common stock warrants and stock options which would result in the issuance of incremental shares of common stock. For diluted net loss per share, the weighted-average number of shares of common stock is the same for basic net loss per share due to the fact that when a net loss exists, dilutive securities are not included in the calculation as the impact is anti-dilutive.

 

 

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The following potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted shares of common stock outstanding as they would be anti-dilutive:

 

    2025     2024  
    September 30,  
    2025     2024  
Common stock warrants August 2021     14,031       14,031  
Underwriter warrants August 2021     284       284  
Chanticleer warrants     6       6  
Series C warrants     2,297       2,297  
Series 3 warrants     1,566       1,566  
Unvested restricted stock units and awards     120,000       17,152  
Common stock warrants February 2023     31,563       33,982  
Underwriter warrants February 2023     1,933       1,933  
Common stock private placement warrants June 2023     28,409       28,409  
Placement agent warrants June 2023     852       852  
Common stock warrants October 2023     354,994       354,994  
Underwriter warrants October 2023     10,664       10,664  
Placement agent warrants June 2024     14,142       14,142  
Common stock warrants June 2024     623,125       703,125  
Common stock warrants November 2024     611,110        
Common stock PIPE warrants December 2024     350,000        
Common stock warrants July 2025     865,052        
Common stock PIPE warrants July 2025     8,800,000        
Common stock warrants July 2025     3,200,000        
Total anti-dilutive weighted average shares      15,030,028       1,183,437  

 

Recent accounting pronouncements

t. Recent accounting pronouncements

 

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07, which is applicable to entities with a single reportable segment, primarily requires enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and enhanced disclosures in interim periods. The guidance in ASU 2023-07 was effective for annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2024. The Company adopted the guidance in ASU 2023-07 on January 1, 2024, and it is being applied retrospectively to its consolidated financial statement disclosures.

 

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 is intended to improve income tax disclosure requirements by requiring (1) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and (2) the disaggregation of income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The guidance makes several other changes to the income tax disclosure requirements. The guidance in ASU 2023-09 will be effective for annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which is intended to provide more detailed information about specified categories of expenses (purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation and amortization) included in certain expense captions presented on the consolidated statement of operations. The guidance in this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments may be applied either (1) prospectively to financial statements issued for periods after the effective date of this ASU or (2) retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the consolidated financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2024-03 will have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.