UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission file number: 000-22873

Oruka Therapeutics, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		36-3855489
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

855 Oak Grove Avenue
Suite 100
Menlo Park, California		94025
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(650) 606-7910

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share		ORKA		The Nasdaq Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☒	Smaller reporting company	☒
		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

As of October 31, 2024, there were 34,998,550 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

Table of Contents

		Page
	PART I. Financial Information
Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)	1
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	1
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss	2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	4
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	5
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	22
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	34
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	34
	PART II. Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	35
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	35
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	71
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	71
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	71
Item 5.	Other Information	71
Item 6.	Exhibits	72
Signatures		73

Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

ORUKA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)

	September 30, 2024			February 6, 2024
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	410,875		$	—
Subscription receivable		—			1
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,074			—
Total current assets		412,949			1
Property and equipment, net		160			—
Operating lease right-of-use asset		938			—
Other non-current assets		43			—
Total assets	$	414,090		$	1
Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	2,145		$	—
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		1,710			—
Operating lease liability, current		146			—
Related party common stock warrant liability		7,681			—
Related party accounts payable and other current liabilities		6,357			—
Total current liabilities		18,039			—
Operating lease liability, non-current		842			—
Total liabilities		18,881			—

Commitment and contingencies (Note 11)
Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; no shares and 20,000,000 shares authorized as of September 30, 2024 and February 6, 2024, respectively; no shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and February 6, 2024; liquidation preference of $0 as of September 30, 2024 and February 6, 2024		—			—
Series A non-voting convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 2,439 and no shares authorized as of September 30, 2024 and February 6, 2024, respectively; 2,439 and no shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and February 6, 2024, respectively		52,841			—
Stockholders’ equity:
Series B non-voting convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 251,504 and no shares authorized as of September 30, 2024 and February 6, 2024, respectively; 137,138 and no shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and February 6, 2024, respectively		2,931			—
Common stock, $0.001 and $0.001 par value as of September 30, 2024 and February 6, 2024, respectively; 545,000,000 and 65,000,000 shares authorized, 34,998,550 and 3,197,975 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and February 6, 2024, respectively		35			—
Additional paid-in capital		397,345			1
Accumulated deficit		(57,943	)		—
Total stockholders’ equity		342,368			1
Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ equity	$	414,090		$	1

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

ORUKA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2024			Period from February 6, 2024 (Inception) to September 30, 2024
Operating expenses
Research and development⁽¹⁾	$	25,691		$	49,557
General and administrative⁽²⁾		3,758			8,248
Total operating expenses		29,449			57,805
Loss from operations		(29,449	)		(57,805	)
Other income (expense)
Interest income		1,330			1,330
Interest expense⁽³⁾		(504	)		(1,468	)
Total other income (expense), net		826			(138	)
Net loss and comprehensive loss	$	(28,623	)	$	(57,943	)

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted	$	(1.46	)	$	(6.08	)
Net loss per share attributable to Series A non-voting convertible preferred stockholders, basic and diluted	$	(1,461.10	)	$	(6,077.25	)
Net loss per share attributable to Series B non-voting convertible preferred stockholders, basic and diluted	$	(121.76	)	$	(506.44	)

Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted		15,013,655			7,765,381
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to Series A non-voting convertible preferred stockholders, basic and diluted		477			184
Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to Series B non-voting convertible preferred stockholders, basic and diluted		49,191			19,015

(1)	Includes related party amount of $13,537 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and $33,967 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024

(2)	Includes related party amount of $71 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and $1,339 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024

(3)	Includes related party amount of $504 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and $1,468 for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

ORUKA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share data)

	Series A Convertible Preferred Stock						Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock					Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock				Common Stock				Additional Paid-in			Accumulated			Total Stockholders’ Equity
	Shares			Amount			Shares		Amount			Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Capital			Deficit			(Deficit)
Balances as of February 6, 2024 (inception)		—		$	—			—		—			—	$	—		3,197,975	$	3	$	(2	)	$	—		$	1
Issuance of common stock		—			—			—		—			—		—		2,207,553		2		(2	)		—			—
Issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock, net of issuance costs of $69		20,000,000			2,931			—		—			—		—		—		—		—			—			—
Stock-based compensation expense		—			—			—		—			—		—		—		—		17			—			17
Net loss		—			—			—		—			—		—		—		—		—			(7,077	)		(7,077	)
Balances as of March 31, 2024		20,000,000		$	2,931			—		—			—		—		5,405,528	$	5	$	13		$	(7,077	)	$	(7,059	)
Stock-based compensation expense		—			—			—		—			—		—		—		—		321			—			321
Net loss		—			—			—		—			—		—		—		—		—			(22,243	)		(22,243	)
Balances as of June 30, 2024		20,000,000		$	2,931			—		—			—		—		5,405,528	$	5	$	334		$	(29,320	)	$	(28,981	)
Exchange of Series A convertible preferred stock for Series B non-voting convertible preferred stock upon the closing of the reverse recapitalization		(20,000,000	)		(2,931	)		—		—			137,138		2,931		—		—		—			—			2,931
Conversion of convertible notes (including accrued interest) into common stock upon the closing of the reverse recapitalization		—			—			—		—			—		—		2,722,207		3		26,445			—			26,448
Issuance of common stock and pre-funded warrants in the Pre-Closing Financing,		—			—			—		—			—		—		20,061,932		20		248,437			—			248,457
Issuance costs of Pre-Closing Financing and reverse recapitalization		—			—			—		—			—		—		—		—		(20,480	)		—			(20,480	)
Issuance of common stock to former stockholders of ARCA biopharma, Inc. in connection with the closing of the reverse recapitalization		—			—			—		—			—		—		1,208,883		1		4,999			—			5,000
Issuance of common stock, Series A non-voting convertible preferred stock, and pre-funded warrants in connection with the PIPE Financing		—			—			2,439		56,097			—		—		5,600,000		6		144,433			—			144,439
Issuance cost of PIPE Financing										(3,256	)										(8,573	)					(8,573	)
Stock-based compensation expense																					1,750						1,750
Net loss		—			—			—		—			—		—		—		—		—			(28,623	)		(28,623	)
Balances as of September 30, 2024		—		$	—			2,439		52,841			137,138	$	2,931		34,998,550	$	35	$	397,345		$	(57,943	)	$	342,368

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

ORUKA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)

	Period from February 6, 2024 (Inception) to September 30, 2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(57,943	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation expense		11
Stock-based compensation expense		9,769
Non-cash interest expense		1,468
Non-cash lease expense		65
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(1,980	)
Other non-current assets		(43	)
Accounts payable		1,621
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		1,650
Operating lease liability		6
Related party accounts payable and other current liabilities		6,357
Net cash used in operating activities		(39,019	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(171	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(171	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock, net of issuance costs paid		2,931
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable to related parties, net of issuance costs paid		24,980
Proceeds from the Pre-Closing Financing, net		228,127
Proceeds from the PIPE Financing, net		189,087
Cash acquired in connection with the reverse recapitalization		4,940
Net cash provided by financing activities		450,065
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		410,875
Cash at beginning of period		-
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	410,875
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating and financing activities:
Operating lease liability arising from obtaining operating right-of-use asset	$	982
Assets acquired in connection with the reverse recapitalization	$	114
Other liabilities assumed in connection with the reverse recapitalization	$	(54	)
Pre-Closing Financing and reverse recapitalization issuance costs included in accounts payable	$	150
PIPE Financing issuance costs included in accounts payable	$	374
PIPE Financing issuance costs included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	6
Non-cash accrued interest on convertible note converted to common stock	$	1,468
Non-cash exchange of Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock for Company Series B Convertible Preferred Stock	$	2,931

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

ORUKA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1. Nature of the Business and Basis of Presentation

Background and Basis of Presentation

Oruka Therapeutics, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), formerly known as ARCA biopharma, Inc. (“ARCA”), is an early-stage biotechnology company that is the result of the reverse recapitalization discussed below. Prior to the reverse recapitalization, the private company Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. (“Pre-Merger Oruka”) was established and incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware on February 6, 2024 (referred to in the Notes as the inception of the Company). The Company is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. The Company is focused on developing biologics to optimize the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.

These condensed consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature that are necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2024, and its results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024, and cash flows for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024. The condensed balance sheet as of February 6, 2024, included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and therefore do not include all information and disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements.

The results for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full fiscal year or any subsequent interim period. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reverse Recapitalization and Pre-Closing Financing

On August 29, 2024, the Company consummated the previously announced business combination (“Closing”) pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated April 3, 2024 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among ARCA, Atlas Merger Sub Corp, a wholly owned subsidiary of ARCA (“First Merger Sub”), Atlas Merger Sub II, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ARCA (“Second Merger Sub”) and Pre-Merger Oruka, pursuant to which, among other matters, Pre-Merger Oruka merged with and into First Merger Sub, with Pre-Merger Oruka continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of ARCA and the surviving corporation of the merger (“First Merger”) and following that, Pre-Merger Oruka then merged with and into Second Merger Sub, with Second Merger Sub being the surviving entity of the second merger (the “Second Merger” and together with the First Merger, the “Merger”). Following consummation of the Merger, the Company effected a 1-for-12 reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Company Common Stock”), which became effective on September 3, 2024. The Company Common Stock commenced trading on a post-Reverse Stock Split, post-Merger basis at the opening of trading on September 3, 2024. Second Merger Sub changed its corporate name to “Oruka Therapeutics Operating Company, LLC” and ARCA changed its name to “Oruka Therapeutics, Inc.” The Company is led by the Pre-Merger Oruka management team and remains focused on developing biologics to optimize the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.

Immediately prior to the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement on April 3, 2024, certain new and existing investors of Pre-Merger Oruka entered into a subscription agreement with Pre-Merger Oruka (the “Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of which, immediately prior to the Closing, those investors purchased shares of common stock of Pre-Merger Oruka (“Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock”) and Pre-Merger Oruka pre-funded warrants for gross proceeds of approximately $275.0 million (which includes $25.0 million of proceeds previously received from the issuance of the Convertible Note (as defined in Note 6) and accrued interest on such note which converted to shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock) (the “Pre-Closing Financing”). The Company incurred transaction costs of $20.5 million which was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. At the Closing, the shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock and Pre-Merger Oruka pre-funded warrants issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreement were converted into shares of Company Common Stock and pre-funded warrants of Company Common Stock in accordance with the Exchange Ratio (defined below).

In accordance with an Exchange Ratio determined by terms of the Merger Agreement and upon the effective time of the First Merger (the “First Effective Time”), (i) each then-issued and outstanding share of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock including outstanding and unvested Pre-Merger Oruka restricted stock and shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock issued in connection with the Subscription Agreement, were converted into the right to receive a number of shares of Company Common Stock, equal to the Exchange Ratio of 6.8569 shares of Company Common Stock, which were subject to the same vesting provisions as those immediately prior to the Merger, (ii) each share of Pre-Merger Oruka Series A convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001 (“Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock”), outstanding immediately prior to the First Effective Time was converted into the right to receive a number of shares of ARCA Series B non-voting convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Company Series B Preferred Stock”), which are convertible into shares of Company Common Stock, at a conversion ratio of approximately 83:3332:1 (iii) each outstanding option to purchase Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock was converted into an option to purchase shares of Company Common Stock, (iv) each outstanding warrant to purchase shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock was converted into a warrant to purchase shares of Company Common Stock, and (v) each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding at the First Effective Time remain issued and outstanding in accordance with its terms and such shares. Subsequent to the close of the merger, the common stock shares were then, subject to the reverse stock split of 1-for-12 effected on September 3, 2024. Net loss per share for periods prior to the close of the reverse recapitalization has been revised to reflect the exchange ratio. After applying the exchange ratio and the reverse stock split, net loss per share for the periods from February 6, 2024 (inception) to March 31, 2024 and for three months ended June 30, 2024 and from February 6, 2024 (inception) to June 30, 2024 are $(2.21), $(6.96), and $(9.17), respectively.

As part of the Pre-Closing Financing and the Closing, investors in the Pre-Closing Financing received 22,784,139 shares of Company Common Stock in exchange for 39,873,706 shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock (which includes the issuance of 2,722,207 shares of Company Common Stock in exchange for 4,764,032 shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock on the conversion of Convertible Note along with the accrued interest through the conversion date) and 5,522,207 Company pre-funded warrants in exchange for 9,664,208 Pre-Merger pre-funded warrants.

The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Pre-Merger Oruka was deemed to be the accounting acquirer for financial reporting purposes. This determination was primarily based on the fact that, immediately following the Merger: (i) Pre-Merger Oruka stockholders own a substantial majority of the voting rights in the combined company; (ii) Pre-Merger Oruka’s largest stockholders retain the largest interest in the combined company; (iii) Pre-Merger Oruka designated a majority of the initial members of the board of directors of the combined company; and (iv) Pre-Merger Oruka’s executive management team became the management team of the combined company. Accordingly, for accounting purposes: (i) the Merger was treated as the equivalent of Pre-Merger Oruka issuing stock to acquire the net assets of ARCA, and (ii) the reported historical operating results of the combined company prior to the Merger are those of Pre-Merger Oruka. Additional information regarding the Merger is included in Note 3.

Reverse Stock Split

On September 3, 2024, the Company effected the Reverse Stock Split, a 1-for-12 reverse stock split of Company Common Stock. The par value per share and the number of authorized shares were not adjusted as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. The shares of Company Common Stock underlying outstanding stock options, common stock warrants and other equity instruments were proportionately reduced and the respective exercise prices, if applicable, were proportionately increased in accordance with the terms of the agreements governing such securities. All references to common stock, options to purchase common stock, outstanding common stock warrants, common stock share data, per share data, and related information contained in the condensed consolidated financial statements have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the effect of the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.

PIPE Financing

On September 11, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement for a private placement (the “PIPE Financing”) with certain institutional and accredited investors. The closing of the PIPE Financing occurred on September 13, 2024.

Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the investors purchased an aggregate of 5,600,000 shares of Company Common Stock at a purchase price of $23.00 per share, an aggregate of 2,439 shares of the Company’s Series A non-voting convertible preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Company Series A Preferred Stock”), at a purchase price of $23,000.00 per share (each Company Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into 1,000 shares of Company Common Stock), and pre-funded warrants to purchase an aggregate of 680,000 shares of Company Common Stock at a purchase price of $22.999 per pre-funded warrant, for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $188.7 million (net of issuance costs of $11.8 million).

Liquidity and Going Concern

Since its inception, the Company has devoted substantially all of its resources to advancing the development of its portfolio of programs, organizing and staffing the Company, business planning, raising capital, and providing general and administrative support for these operations. Current and future programs will require significant research and development efforts, including preclinical and clinical trials, and regulatory approvals to commercialization. Until such time as the Company can generate significant revenue from product sales, if ever, the Company expects to finance its operating activities through a combination of equity offerings and debt financings.

The Company has not generated any revenue from product sales or other sources and has incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception. The Company has incurred a net loss of $28.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and $57.9 million during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024. For the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024, the Company used net cash of $39.0 million for its operating activities.

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $410.9 million. The Company’s management expects that the existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund the Company’s operating plans for at least twelve months from the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued. The Company expects that its research and development and general and administrative costs will continue to increase significantly, including in connection with conducting future pre-clinical activities and clinical trials and manufacturing for its existing product candidates and any future product candidates to support commercialization and providing general and administrative support for its operations, including the costs associated with operating as a public company. The Company’s ability to access capital when needed is not assured and, if capital is not available to the Company when, and in the amounts needed, the Company may be required to significantly curtail, delay or discontinue one or more of its research or development programs or the commercialization of any product candidate, or be unable to expand its operations or otherwise capitalize on the Company’s business opportunities, as desired, which could materially harm the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected within these condensed consolidated financial statements include but are not limited to research and development expenses and related prepaid or accrued costs and the valuation of stock-based compensation awards and related expenses. The Company bases its estimates on known trends and other market-specific or other relevant factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, as there are changes in circumstances, facts, and experience. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates or assumptions.

Concentrations of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are maintained with financial institutions in the United States of America. Cash balances are held at financial institutions and account balances may exceed federally insured limits. To date, the Company has not experienced any losses on its cash and cash equivalents and periodically evaluates the creditworthiness of its financial institutions.

The Company manages credit risk associated with its investment portfolio through its investment policy, which limits investments to high-quality issuers and limits the amount of its portfolio that can be invested in a single issuer.

The Company is dependent on third-party organizations to research, develop, manufacture, and process its product candidates for its development programs, including its two most advanced programs, ORKA-001 and ORKA-002. The Company expects to continue to be dependent on a small number of manufacturers to supply it with its requirements for all products. The Company’s research and development programs could be adversely affected by a significant interruption in the supply of the necessary materials. A significant amount of the Company’s research and development activities are performed under its agreements with Paragon Therapeutics, Inc. (“Paragon”) (see Note 10).

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of initial purchase to be cash equivalents. The cash equivalents were comprised of investments in money market funds.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the Convertible Note (see Note 6) are recorded as a reduction of the carrying value of the notes payable liability on the Company’s balance sheet and are amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan using the effective interest method.

Subscription Receivable

The Company accounts for any notes received in exchange for common stock as a subscription receivable, provided the note underlying the receivable is paid prior to the date the financial statement is available to be issued.

Fair Value Measurements

Certain assets and liabilities are carried at fair value under U.S. GAAP. 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. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy, of which the first two are considered observable and the last is considered unobservable:

●

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets that are identical assets or liabilities.

●

Level 2 — Observable inputs (other than Level 1 quoted prices), such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

●

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity that are significant to determining the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, and similar techniques.

The Company’s cash equivalents are carried at fair value, determined according to the fair value hierarchy described above (see Note 4). The carrying values of the Company’s prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their fair values due to their relatively short maturity period.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of each asset as follows:

		Estimated Useful Life
Furniture and fixtures		3-5 years
Computer and office equipment		3-5 years

Classification of Convertible Preferred Stock

Prior to the reverse recapitalization, the Company had classified its Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock outside of stockholders’ equity (deficit) on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet because the holders of such stock have certain liquidation rights in the event of a deemed liquidation event that, in certain situations, is not solely within the control of the Company and would require the redemption of the then-outstanding convertible preferred stock.

Upon the closing of the Merger, the Company converted its Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock to Company Series B Preferred Stock and has classified the Company Series B Preferred Stock within stockholders’ equity (deficit) on its condensed consolidated balance sheet because the Company Series B Preferred Stock is not redeemable or puttable to the Company by the holder under any circumstances.

In connection with the PIPE Financing (see Note 1) the Company issued Company Series A Preferred Stock, and has classified the Company Series A Preferred Stock outside of stockholders’ equity (deficit) on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet because the holders of such stock have certain rights (see Note 7) that, in certain situations, is not solely within the control of the Company and would require the redemption of the then-outstanding convertible preferred stock.

Note Payable to Related Party

The Company accounted for the Convertible Note (as defined in Note 6) at amortized cost. The Company considered if optional conversion features are required to be bifurcated and separately accounted for as a derivative. Costs related to the issuance of the Convertible Note were recorded as a debt discount, amortized over the term of the Convertible Note (see Note 6) and were accounted as interest expense in other income (expenses) within the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss using the effective interest method. At the effective time of the Merger, shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock issued pursuant to the conversion of the Convertible Note (including accrued interest) automatically converted into shares of Company Common Stock (see Note 1).

Research and Development Contract Costs Accruals

The Company records the costs associated with research studies and manufacturing development as incurred. These costs are a significant component of the Company’s research and development expenses, with a substantial portion of the Company’s ongoing research and development activities conducted by third-party service providers, including contract research organizations (“CROs”) and contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”), and the Company’s related-party Paragon (see Note 10).

The Company accrues for expenses resulting from obligations under its two antibody discovery and option agreements (the “Option Agreements”) (see Note 10), by and among Paragon, Paruka Holding LLC (“Paruka”), an entity formed by Paragon as a vehicle to hold equity in the Company, and the Company as well as agreements with CROs, CMOs, and other outside service providers for which payment flows do not match the periods over which materials or services are provided to the Company. Accruals are recorded based on estimates of services received and efforts expended pursuant to agreements established with Paragon, CROs, CMOs, and other outside service providers. These estimates are typically based on contracted amounts applied to the proportion of work performed and determined through analysis with internal personnel and external service providers as to the progress or stage of completion of the services. The Company makes significant judgments and estimates in determining the accrual balance in each reporting period. If advance payments are made to Paragon, a CRO, CMO, or outside service provider, the payments will be recorded as a prepaid asset which will be expensed as the contracted services are performed. Changes in these estimates that result in material changes to the Company’s accruals could materially affect the Company’s results of operations. As of September 30, 2024, the Company has not experienced any material deviations between accrued and actual research and development expenses.

Leases

At the lease commencement date, when control of the underlying asset is transferred from the lessor to the Company, the Company classifies a lease as either an operating or finance lease and recognizes a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a current and non-current lease liability, as applicable, in the balance sheet if the lease has a term greater than one year. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise its option.

At the lease commencement date, operating lease liabilities and their corresponding ROU assets are recorded at the present value of future minimum lease payments over the expected remaining lease term. The Company determines the present value of lease payments using the implicit rate, if it is readily determinable, or the risk-free discount rate for a period comparable with that of the lease term. For operating leases, lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For finance leases, lease expense includes amortization expense of the ROU asset recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and interest expense recognized on the finance lease liability. In addition, certain adjustments to the ROU asset may be required for items such as lease prepayments, incentives received or initial direct costs. As of September 30, 2024, the Company has one operating lease and no finance leases.

The Company accounts for lease and non-lease components related to operating leases as a single lease component. The Company has elected that costs associated with leases having an initial term of 12 months or less are recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term and are not recorded on its condensed consolidated balance sheets. Variable lease expense is recognized as incurred and consists primarily of real estate taxes, utilities, and other office space related expenses.

Segment Reporting

The Company operates and manages its business as a single segment for the purposes of assessing performance and making operating decisions. The Company’s chief executive officer, who is the chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”), reviews the Company’s financial information on an aggregated basis for purposes of evaluating financial performance and allocating resources.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs include salaries and bonuses, stock-based compensation, employee benefits, and external costs of vendors and consultants engaged to conduct research and development activities, as well as allocated human resource costs, information technology costs, and facility-related costs, including rent, maintenance, utilities, and depreciation.

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 on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The prepaid amounts are expensed as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed, or when it is no longer expected that the goods will be delivered, or the services rendered. If nonrefundable advance payments represent a one-time cost for obtaining goods or services, with anticipated benefits to be utilized within a year of period end, the payment is expensed immediately.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and bonuses, stock-based compensation, employee benefits, finance and administration costs, patent and intellectual property costs, professional fees, as well as allocated human resource costs, information technology costs, and facility-related costs, including rent, maintenance, utilities and depreciation.

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is subject to contingent liabilities, such as legal proceedings and claims, that arise in the ordinary course of business activities. The Company accrues for loss contingencies when losses become probable and are reasonably estimable. If the reasonable estimate of the loss is a range and no amount within the range is a better estimate, the minimum amount of the range is recorded as a liability on the balance sheet. The Company does not accrue for contingent losses that, in its judgment, are considered to be reasonably possible, but not probable; however, it discloses the range of reasonably possible losses. As of September 30, 2024, no liabilities were recorded for loss contingencies (see Note 11).

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company measures all stock-based awards granted to employees, directors, and non-employees in the form of stock options to purchase shares of its common stock, based on the fair value of the awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company measures restricted common stock awards (“RSAs”) using the difference, if any, between the purchase price per share of the award and the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant.

The Company grants stock options, restricted stock awards, and warrants that are subject to service or performance-based vesting conditions. Compensation expense for awards to employees and directors with service-based vesting conditions is recognized using the straight-line method over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award. Compensation expense for awards to non-employees with service-based vesting conditions is recognized in the same manner as if the Company had paid cash in exchange for the goods or services, which is generally over the vesting period of the award. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. As of each reporting date, the Company estimates the probability that specified performance criteria will be met and does not recognize compensation expense until it is probable that the performance-based vesting condition will be achieved.

The Company has issued stock options, warrants, and RSAs with service-based and performance-based vesting conditions.

The Company recognizes the compensation expense for the option to purchase common stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), based on the fair value of the common stock estimated using the closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported on the date of offering, less the purchase discount percentage provided for in the plan.

The Company classifies stock-based compensation expense in its condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss 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.

Net Loss per Share Attributable to Stockholders

Basic and diluted net loss attributable to stockholders per share is presented in conformity with the two-class method required for participating securities (Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock). Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to each class of shares by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and participating securities outstanding during the period. Pre-funded warrants were included as the exercise price is negligible and these warrants are fully vested and exercisable. Company Series A Preferred Stock and Company Series B Preferred Stock share the same characteristics as Common Stock and have no substantive preference attributed to them and, accordingly, have been considered as classes of Common Stock in the computation of net loss per share regardless of their legal form.

Net loss is allocated to common stock based on its proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. Net loss is not allocated to participating securities as they do not have an obligation to fund losses. The weighted-average number of shares outstanding of common stock reflects changes in ownership over the periods presented. See Note 7— Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity.

Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to stockholders adjusted for income (expenses), net of tax, related to any diluted securities, by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and potentially dilutive securities outstanding for the period. For purposes of this calculation, stock options to purchase common stock, employee warrants to purchase common stock, and unvested RSAs are considered potential dilutive common shares.

The Company generated a net loss for the periods presented. Accordingly, basic and diluted net loss per share is the same because the inclusion of the potentially dilutive securities would be anti-dilutive.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or in the Company’s tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded in the provision for income taxes. The Company assesses the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent it believes, based upon the weight of available evidence, that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established through a charge to income tax expense. The potential for recovery of deferred tax assets is evaluated by estimating the future taxable profits expected and considering prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements by applying a two-step process to determine the amount of tax benefit to be recognized. First, the tax position must be evaluated to determine the likelihood that it will be sustained upon external examination by the taxing authorities. If the tax position is deemed more likely than not to be sustained, the tax position is then assessed to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the condensed consolidated financial statements. The amount of the benefit that may be recognized is the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The provision for income taxes includes the effects of any resulting tax reserves, or unrecognized tax benefits, that are considered appropriate as well as the related net interest and penalties. The Company had accrued no amounts for interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2024.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”), which enhances the segment disclosure requirements for public entities on an annual and interim basis. Under this proposal, public entities will be required to disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss. Additionally, current annual disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets will be required on an interim basis. Entities will also be required to disclose information about the CODM’s title and position at the Company along with an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures of segment profit or loss in their assessment of segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. Finally, ASU 2023-07 requires all segment disclosures for public entities that have only a single reportable segment. The amendments in ASU 2023-07 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU expands disclosures in an entity’s income tax rate reconciliation table and disclosures regarding taxes paid both in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. This update is effective beginning with the Company’s 2025 fiscal year annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

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. This ASU requires more detailed disclosures, on an annual and interim basis, about specified categories of expenses (including employee compensation, depreciation, and amortization) included in certain expense captions presented on the face of the income statement. 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. This ASU may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

3. Reverse Recapitalization and Pre-Closing Financing

As described within the Reverse Recapitalization and Pre-Closing Financing section in Note 1, on August 29, 2024, the reverse recapitalization between Pre-Merger Oruka and ARCA was consummated. The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. At the effective time of the Merger, substantially all of the assets of ARCA consisted of cash and cash equivalents and other nominal non-operating assets and liabilities. No goodwill or intangible assets were recognized.

As part of the recapitalization, the Company acquired the assets and liabilities listed below (in thousands):

	Amount
Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,940
Other current assets		114
Accrued liabilities		(54	)
Net assets acquired	$	5,000

4. Fair Value Measurements

The following tables present the Company’s fair value hierarchy for financial assets measured as of September 30, 2024 (in thousands):

	Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2024
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Financial assets:
Money market funds	$	403,322	$	—	$	—	$	403,322
Total financial assets	$	403,322	$	—	$	—	$	403,322

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024.

5. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2024
Accrued employee compensation and benefits	$	933
Accrued professional and consulting		204
Accrued research and development		573
	$	1,710

6. Note Payable with Related Party

In March 2024, the Company entered into a Series A Preferred Stock and Convertible Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Fairmount Healthcare Fund II, L.P. (“Fairmount”), whereby the Company issued a convertible note (the “Convertible Note”), with an initial principal amount of $25.0 million that, at the time of issuance, could be converted into Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock (or a series of preferred shares that is identical in respect to the shares of preferred shares issued in its next equity financing) or shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock in exchange for aggregate proceeds of $25.0 million. The Convertible Note accrued interest at a rate of 12.0% per annum. At issuance, the Convertible Note required all unpaid interest and principal to mature on December 31, 2025 (the “Maturity Date”) and prepayment was not permitted without prior written consent of Fairmount. At issuance, the principal payment along with the accrued interest on the Convertible Note was due in full on the Maturity Date.

The Company assessed all terms and features of the Convertible Note in order to identify any potential embedded features that would require bifurcation. As part of this analysis, the Company assessed the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded features. The Company determined that the share settled redemption feature was clearly and closely related to the debt host and did not require separate accounting. The Company determined that the conversion options of the Convertible Note were not clearly and closely associated with a debt host. However, these features did not meet the definition of a derivative under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and as a result, did not require separate accounting as a derivative liability.

The Company paid debt issuance costs of less than $0.1 million in relation to the Convertible Note. The debt issuance costs were reflected as a reduction of the carrying value of Convertible Note on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and were being amortized as interest expense over the term of the Convertible Note using the effective interest method. For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024, the Company recognized interest expenses related to the Convertible Note of $0.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively, which includes non-cash interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance.

Immediately prior to the completion of the Merger (see Note 1), the Convertible Note was converted into shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock based on the aggregate principal amount of $25.0 million, plus unpaid accrued interest of $1.5 million divided by the conversion price which was determined based upon the Company’s fully-diluted capitalization immediately prior to the Merger. At the effective time of the Merger, the Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock issued upon the conversion of the Convertible Note (including accrued interest) automatically converted into 2,722,207 shares of Company Common Stock. As of September 30, 2024, the Convertible Note is not outstanding.

7. Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity

Pre-Funded Warrants

In August 2024, pursuant to the Subscription Agreement and immediately prior to the Closing, certain new and current investors purchased pre-funded warrants, which, at the effective time of the Merger, were exercisable for 5,522,207 shares of Company Common Stock at a purchase price of approximately $9.70 per warrant. After the Merger, there are 5,522,207 pre-funded warrants outstanding and are exercisable for 5,522,207 shares of the Company Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share.

In September 2024, in connection with the PIPE Financing, the Company issued and sold 680,000 pre-funded warrants, at a purchase price of $22.999 per warrant, exercisable for 680,000 shares of Company Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.001 per share.

The pre-funded warrants were recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity within additional paid-in-capital and have no expiration date. As of September 30, 2024, none of the pre-funded warrants have been exercised and 6,202,207 pre-funded warrants remain outstanding.

Employee Warrants

In July 2024, Pre-Merger Oruka entered into a Subscription Agreement that provided for, among other things, the issuance of warrants to certain of Pre-Merger Oruka’s employees, directors, and service providers immediately prior to the closing of the Merger. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, 3,054,358 employee warrants were issued at an exercise price of $7.80 per warrant. These employee warrants vest over a period of four years. Per the terms of the Employee Warrant Agreement, the holders of the Company’s employee warrants shall not have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any shares purchasable upon the exercise of the warrant or any portion thereof unless and until a certificate or certificates representing such shares have been issued or a book entry representing such shares has been made and such shares have been deposited with the appropriate registered book-entry custodian. The Company recognizes compensation cost related to employee warrants on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is the period in which the related services are received. As of September 30, 2024, none of the employee warrants have been exercised and 3,054,358 employee warrants remain outstanding.

Convertible Preferred Stock

In March 2024, Pre-Merger Oruka issued and sold an aggregate of 20,000,000 shares of Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock to Fairmount (see Note 13), at a purchase price of approximately $0.15 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $3.0 million. Pre-Merger Oruka incurred less than $0.1 million of issuance costs in connection with this transaction. Upon the issuance of the Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock, the Company assessed the embedded conversion and liquidation features of the securities as described below and determined that such features did not require the Company to separately account for these features.

In August 2024, upon the closing of the Merger, the Company converted the Pre-Merger Oruka Series A Preferred Stock to 137,138 shares of Company Series B Preferred Stock.

In September 2024, in connection with the PIPE Financing, the Company issued and sold an aggregate of 2,439 shares of the Company Series A Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $23,000.00 per share.

As of September 30, 2024, convertible preferred stock consisted of the following (in thousands, except share data):

	September 30, 2024
	Preferred Stock Authorized		Preferred Stock Issued and Outstanding		Carrying Value		Common Stock Issuable Upon Conversion
Series A Non-Voting Preferred Stock		2,439		2,439	$	52,841		2,439,000
Series B Non-Voting Preferred Stock		251,504		137,138	$	2,931		11,428,149

Pursuant to the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Certificate of Designation”) filed in connection with the PIPE Financing, holders of Company Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends on shares of Company Series A Preferred Stock equal to, on an as-if-converted-to-Company Common Stock basis, and in the same form as, dividends actually paid on shares of Company Common Stock. Except as provided in the Series A Certificate of Designation or as otherwise required by law, the Company Series A Preferred Stock does not have voting rights. The Company Series A Preferred Stock shall rank on parity with the Company Common Stock and Company Series B Preferred Stock upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company. Subject to the terms and limitations contained in the Series A Certificate of Designation, the Company Series A Preferred Stock issued in the PIPE Financing will not become convertible until the Company’s stockholders approve the conversion of the Company Series A Preferred Stock into shares of Company Common Stock in accordance with the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (the “Stockholder Approval”), which resulted in the Company Series A Preferred Stock being classified outside of stockholders’ equity (deficit) on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. Following the Stockholder Approval, each share of Company Series A Preferred Stock will automatically convert into 1,000 shares of Company Common Stock, subject to certain limitations, including that shares of Company Series A Preferred Stock shall not be convertible if the conversion would result in a holder, together with its affiliates, beneficially owning more than 9.99% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Company Common Stock as of the applicable conversion date, which may be increased at the holders’ option (not to exceed 19.99%), effective in accordance with the terms of the Series A Certificate of Designation. If, at any time after the earlier of Stockholder Approval or six months after the initial issuance of the Series A non-voting preferred stock, the Company fails to deliver to a holder such certificate or certificates, the Company shall, at the request of the holder, pay an amount equal to the closing price of Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately prior to the date on which notice to conversion is received by the Company (the “Fair Value”) of such undelivered shares, with such payment to be made within two business days from the date of request by the holder, whereupon the Company’s obligations to deliver such shares underlying the notice of conversion shall be extinguished upon payment in full of the Fair Value of such undelivered shares; provided, however that such request shall be presumed to have been made by such holder if Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained prior to the date on which the notice of conversion is delivered to the Company.

Pursuant to the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series B Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Certificate of Designation”) filed in connection with the Merger, holders of Company Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends on shares of Company Series B Preferred Stock equal to, on an as-if-converted-to-Company Common Stock basis, and in the same form as, dividends actually paid on shares of Company Common Stock. Except as provided in the Series B Certificate of Designation or as otherwise required by law, the Company Series B Preferred Stock does not have voting rights. The Company Series B Preferred Stock shall rank on parity with the Company Common Stock as to the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the Company. Each share of Company Series B Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder, at any time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder. As of September 30, 2024, each outstanding share of Company Series B Preferred Stock was convertible into common stock at a ratio of approximately 83.3332:1.

Common Stock

As of September 30, 2024, the Certificate of Incorporation provides for 545,000,000 authorized shares of Company Common Stock. As of September 30, 2024, 34,988,550 shares of Company Common Stock were issued and outstanding, including 2,207,553 shares of RSAs issued and outstanding.

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had common stock reserved for future issuance as follows:

	September 30, 2024
Shares issuable on conversion of Company Series A Preferred Stock		2,439,000
Shares issuable on conversion of Company Series B Preferred Stock		11,428,149
Shares issuable upon exercise of pre-funded warrants		6,202,207
Outstanding and issued stock options		1,287,760
Outstanding and issued employee warrants		3,054,358
Shares available for grant under 2024 Stock Incentive Plan		4,526,324
Shares available for grant under 2024 Employee Stock Purchase Plan		463,489
Total shares of common stock reserved		29,401,287

8. Stock-Based Compensation

2024 Equity Incentive Plan

The 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (“2024 Plan”) was adopted by the board of directors of Pre-Merger Oruka on February 6, 2024. The 2024 Plan provided for Pre-Merger Oruka to grant stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and other stock-based awards to employees, officers, directors, consultants, and advisors. Equity Incentive Stock options granted under the 2024 Plan generally vest over four years, subject to the participant’s continued service, and expire after ten years, although stock options have been granted with vesting terms less than four years. As of September 30, 2024, there are no shares of common stock available for issuance.

2024 Stock Incentive Plan

On August 22, 2024, the 2024 Stock Incentive Plan (“2024 Stock Plan”) was approved by the Company’s stockholders and on August 29, 2024, the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) ratified the 2024 Stock Plan. The 2024 Stock Plan allows for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, other stockholder-based awards and incentive bonuses. The 2024 Stock Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) or another committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan. The initial share pool under the 2024 Stock Plan is 4,634,891 shares of Company Common Stock and as of September 30, 2024, there are 4,526,324 shares available in the pool. The shares that may be issued under the 2024 Stock Plan will be automatically increased on January 1 of each year beginning in 2025 and ending with a final increase on January 1, 2034 in an amount equal to 5% of the diluted stock (including Company Common Stock, preferred stock and unexercised pre-funded warrants) on the preceding December 31, unless a lower, or no, increase is determined by the Compensation Committee. Current or prospective employees, officers, non-employee directors, and other independent service providers of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the 2024 Stock Plan.

2024 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The 2024 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) was approved by the board of directors of ARCA on July 20, 2024, and by ARCA’s stockholders on August 22, 2024. The ESPP became effective on August 29, 2024, at which time 463,489 shares were reserved for issuance. The shares that may be issued under the ESPP will be automatically increased on January 1 of each year beginning in 2025 and ending with a final increase on January 1, 2034 in an amount equal to 1% of the diluted stock (including Company Common Stock, preferred stock and unexercised pre-funded warrants) on the preceding December 31, unless a lower, or no, increase is determined by the Compensation Committee. As of September 30, 2024, no shares have been issued out of the ESPP.

Stock Option Valuation

The following table summarizes the weighted-average assumptions used in calculating the fair value of the awards for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2024			Period from February 6, 2024 (Inception) to September 30, 2024
Expected term (in years)		6.1			6.1
Expected volatility		97.3	%		101.0	%
Risk-free interest rate		3.5	%		4.3	%
Expected dividend yield		—	%		—	%

Stock Options

The following table summarizes the stock option activities under the 2024 Plan and 2024 Stock Plan for the period of February 6, 2024 (inception) through September 30, 2024:

	Number of Stock Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in Thousands)
Balance as of February 6, 2024 (inception)		—	$	—		—	$	—
Granted		1,287,760	$	7.97
Exercised		—	$	—
Forfeited		—	$	—
Balance as of September 30, 2024		1,287,760	$	7.97		9.6	$	21,507
Vested and expected to vest, September 30, 2024		1,287,760	$	7.97		9.6	$	21,507
Exercisable, September 30, 2024		—	$	—		—	$	—

The weighted average grant-date fair value per share of stock options granted during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024 was $6.44 per share. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the estimated fair value of the underlying Company Common Stock and the exercise price of outstanding, in-the-money employee stock options.

Restricted Stock Awards

In February 2024 and March 2024, the Company issued 2,207,553 shares of RSAs to certain employees, directors, and consultants at a price of $0.0001 per share, the then par value of Pre-Merger Oruka Common Stock. Such RSAs have service-based vesting conditions only and vest over a four-year period, during which time all unvested shares are subject to forfeiture in the event the holder’s service with the Company voluntarily or involuntarily terminates.

The following table summarizes the RSAs activity for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) through September 30, 2024:

	Number of RSAs		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested balance as of February 6, 2024 (inception)		—	$	—
Granted		2,207,553		—
Unvested balance as of September 30, 2024		2,207,553	$	—

Option Agreements and Paruka Warrant Obligation

In March 2024, the Company entered into antibody discovery and option agreements with Paragon and Paruka (the “Option Agreements”). Under the terms of Option Agreements, Paragon identifies, evaluates, and develops antibodies directed against certain mutually agreed therapeutic targets of interest to the Company, and the Company has the exclusive option to, on a research program-by-research program basis, be granted an exclusive, worldwide license to all of Paragon’s right, title, and interest in and to the intellectual property resulting from the applicable research program to develop, manufacture and commercialize the antibodies and products directed to the selected target(s). Paruka will be entitled to grants of warrants to purchase a number of shares equal to 1.00% of then outstanding shares of the Company’s stock, on a fully diluted basis, on December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, at the fair market value determined by the Board (the “Paruka Warrant Obligation”). The grant dates for the issuance of warrants are expected to be December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025 as all terms of the award, including number of shares and exercise price, will be known by all parties. The service inception period for the grant precedes the grant date, with the full award being vested as of the grant date with no post-grant date service requirement. Accordingly, the warrants expected to be granted to Paruka were accounted for as a liability on the condensed balance sheet and, after the initial recognition, the liability is adjusted to fair value at the end of each reporting period, with changes in fair value recorded in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss as stock-based compensation expenses under research and development expenses. As of September 30, 2024, the estimated fair value of warrants to be granted on December 31, 2024 was $11.0 million. For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024, $7.3 million and $7.7 million were recognized as stock-based compensation expenses related to the Paruka Warrant Obligation, respectively.

Employee Warrants

As stated above, on July 3, 2024, the Subscription Agreement was amended and restated, among other things, for employee warrants to be issued to certain Pre-Merger Oruka’s employees, directors, and service providers, immediately prior to the closing of the Merger. Pursuant to this amendment, during the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued 3,054,358 employee warrants at an exercise price of $7.80 per warrant, which are accounted as equity in the condensed consolidated financial statements

The following table summarizes the employee warrant activity for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) through September 30, 2024:

	Number of Warrants		Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in Thousands)
Balance as of February 6, 2024 (inception)		—	$	—		—	$	—
Granted		3,054,358	$	7.80
Exercised		—	$	—
Forfeited		—	$	—
Balance as of September 30, 2024		3,054,358	$	7.80		9.8	$	51,038
Vested and expected to vest, September 30, 2024		3,054,358	$	7.80		9.8	$	51,038
Vested and exercisable, September 30, 2024		—	$	—		—	$	—

The weighted average grant-date fair value per share of employee warrants granted during the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024 was $6.27 per share. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the estimated fair value of the underlying Company Common Stock and the exercise price of outstanding, in-the-money employee warrants.

The following table summarizes the weighted-average assumptions used in calculating the fair value of the employee warrants for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and for the period from February 6, 2024 (inception) to September 30, 2024:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2024			Period from February 6, 2024 (Inception) to September 30, 2024
Expected term (in years)		6.1			6.1
Expected volatility		99.0	%		99.0	%
Risk-free interest rate		4.2	%		4.2	%
Expected dividend yield		—	%		—	%

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The following table summarizes the classification of the Company’s stock-based compensation expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended September 30, 2024				Period from February 6, 2024 (Inception) to September 30, 2024
Research and development		$

SEC Form 10-Q filed by Oruka Therapeutics Inc.