REGENXBIO Inc
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 13, 2025.
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FY2024 · Filed Mar 13, 2025
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
- Nature of Business
REGENXBIO Inc. (the Company) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company seeking to improve lives through the curative potential of gene therapy. The Company's investigational gene therapies use adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors from its proprietary gene delivery platform (NAV Technology Platform). The NAV® Technology Platform consists of exclusive rights to a large portfolio of proprietary AAV vectors. The Company has developed a broad pipeline of gene therapy product candidates using the NAV Technology Platform as a one-time treatment to address an array of diseases. In addition to its internal product development efforts, the Company also selectively licenses the NAV Technology Platform and other intellectual property rights to other leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies (NAV Technology Licensees). As of December 31, 2024, the NAV Technology Platform was being applied by NAV Technology Licensees in one commercial product, Zolgensma®, and in the preclinical and clinical development of a number of other licensed products. Additionally, the Company has licensed intellectual property rights to collaborators for the joint development and commercialization of certain product candidates. The Company was formed in 2008 in the State of Delaware and is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland.
Liquidity
In January 2025, the Company and Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd. (Nippon Shinyaku) entered into a collaboration and license agreement (the Nippon Shinyaku Collaboration Agreement) for the joint development and commercialization of RGX-121 for the treatment of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II (MPS II) and RGX-111 for the treatment of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I (MPS I). Pursuant the Nippon Shinyaku Collaboration Agreement, the Company will receive an up-front payment of $110.0 million following the effective date of the agreement and is eligible to receive up to $700.0 million upon the achievement of specified development and sales-based milestones. The Nippon Shinyaku Collaboration Agreement became effective in March 2025. Please refer to Note 10 for further information on the Nippon Shinyaku Collaboration Agreement.
The Company has incurred cumulative losses since inception and as of December 31, 2024, had generated an accumulated deficit of$932.1 million. The Company's ability to transition to recurring profitability is dependent upon achieving a level of revenues adequate to support its cost structure, which depends heavily on the successful development, approval and commercialization of its product candidates. The Company may never achieve recurring profitability and, unless and until it does, will continue to need to raise additional capital through equity offerings, licensing and collaboration arrangements, or other non-dilutive financings. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to raise sufficient capital or obtain financing on favorable terms, or at all. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern may be impacted by the development and potential commercialization of its product candidates and its ability to raise additional capital to fund its operations. If the Company is unable to raise capital sufficient to meet its working capital needs in the future, it may be forced to delay expenditures, reduce the scope of its development activities or make other changes to its operating plans.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of$244.9 million. Management believes that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of December 31, 2024, along with the up-front payment of $110.0 million expected to be received under the Nippon Shinyaku Collaboration Agreement, is sufficient to fund operations for at least the next 12 months from the date these consolidated financial statements were issued.
- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Foreign Currency Transactions
The functional currency of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are included in results of operations as incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded aggregate net foreign currency transaction losses of $0.9 million,$0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, which are included in other operating expenses (income) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities for the periods presented. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other factors that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities, and other reported amounts, that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates. Estimates are used in the following areas, among others: license and royalty revenue, the allowance for credit losses, accrued research and development expenses and other accrued liabilities, stock-based compensation expense, interest expense under the liability related to the sale of future royalties, income taxes and fair value measurements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of 90 days or less at acquisition to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of deposits held at financial institutions that are used to collateralize irrevocable letters of credit required under the Company’s lease agreements and certain other agreements with third parties. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported on the consolidated balance sheets to the total of these amounts as reported at the end of the period in the consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $57,526 | $34,522 | $96,952 |
| Restricted cash | 2,030 | 2,030 | 2,030 |
| Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | $59,556 | $36,552 | $98,982 |
Marketable Securities
Marketable securities consist of available-for-sale debt securities and are carried at fair value. Marketable debt securities with remaining maturity dates exceeding 12 months which are not intended to be sold prior to maturity for use in current operations are classified as non-current assets. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities, net of any related tax effects, are excluded from results of operations and are included in other comprehensive income (loss) and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity until realized. The Company uses the aggregate portfolio approach to release the tax effects of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Purchase premiums and discounts on marketable debt securities are amortized or accreted into the cost basis over the life of the related security as adjustments to the yield using the effective-interest method. Interest income is recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses from the sale or maturity of marketable securities are based on the specific identification method and are included in results of operations as investment income.
At each reporting date, the Company evaluates available-for-sale debt securities which have an amortized cost basis in excess of the fair value of the security to determine if the unrealized loss or any potential credit losses should be recognized in results of operations. If the Company does not have the intent and ability to hold the security until recovery of the unrealized loss, the difference between the fair value and amortized cost basis of the security is charged to results of operations resulting in a new amortized cost basis of the security. If the Company has the intent and ability to hold the security until recovery of the unrealized loss, the security is evaluated for potential credit losses. If a credit loss is deemed to exist, the credit loss is recognized in results of operations and an allowance for credit losses is recorded against the amortized cost basis of the security. In determining whether a credit loss exists related to impaired available-for-sale debt securities, the Company considers, among other factors, the extent of the unrealized loss relative to the amortized cost basis, the credit rating of the issuer and any recent changes thereto, current and expected future economic conditions, and any adverse events or other changes in circumstances that have occurred which may indicate a potential credit loss. The Company did not record an allowance for credit losses on its available-for-sale debt securities as of December 31, 2024 or 2023.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable primarily consist of consideration due to the Company resulting from its license agreements with customers. Accounts receivable include amounts invoiced to licensees as well as rights to consideration which have not yet been invoiced, including unbilled royalties, and for which payment is conditional solely upon the passage of time. If a licensee elects to terminate a license prior to the end of the license term, the licensed intellectual property is returned to the Company and any accounts receivable from the licensee which are not contractually payable to the Company are charged off as a reduction of license revenue in the period of the termination. Accounts receivable which are not expected to be received by the Company within 12 months from the reporting date are stated net of a discount to present value and recorded as non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The present value discount is recognized as a reduction of revenue in the period in which the accounts receivable are initially recorded and is accreted as interest income from licensing over the term of the receivables.
Accounts receivable are stated net of an allowance for credit losses, if deemed necessary based on the Company’s evaluation of collectability and potential credit losses. Management assesses the collectability of its accounts receivable using the specific identification of account balances, and considers the credit quality and financial condition of its significant customers, historical information regarding credit losses and the Company’s evaluation of current and expected future economic conditions. If necessary, an allowance for credit losses is recorded against accounts receivable such that the carrying value of accounts receivable reflects the net amount expected to be collected. Accounts receivable balances are written off against the allowance for credit losses when the potential for collectability is considered remote. Please refer to Note 10 for further information regarding the allowance for credit losses related to accounts receivable.
Concentrations of Credit Risk and Off-balance Sheet Risk
Cash and cash equivalents, marketable debt securities and accounts receivable are financial instruments that are potentially subject to concentrations of credit risk. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are deposited in accounts at multiple financial institutions, and amounts may exceed federally insured limits. The Company believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial strength of the depository institutions in which the cash and cash equivalents are held. The Company’s marketable debt securities consist of investment grade securities and may be subject to concentrations of credit risk. The Company has adopted an investment policy which limits potential concentrations of investments and establishes minimum acceptable credit ratings, thereby reducing credit risk exposure. As of December 31, 2024, the Company believes that it is not exposed to significant credit risk related to accounts receivable due to the credit quality and history of collections from its significant customers, and the Company is unaware of any concentrations of credit risk related to accounts receivable from significant customers with deteriorated credit quality. The Company has no financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk of loss.
The following table summarizes those customers who represented at least 10% of revenues or total net accounts receivable for the periods presented:
| Revenues · Accounts Receivable, Net | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years Ended December 31, · As of December 31, | |||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Customer A | 98% | 95% | 90% | 97% | 95% |
Leases
The Company accounts for its lease arrangements in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 842, Leases (ASC 842). Under ASC 842, the Company classifies its leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the Company. Lease classification is evaluated at the inception of the lease agreement. Regardless of classification, the Company records a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. All of the Company’s leases are classified as operating leases. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, with the exception of variable lease expenses which are recognized as incurred.
The Company identifies leases in its contracts if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Company does not allocate lease consideration between lease and nonlease components and records a lease liability equal to the present value of the remaining fixed consideration under the lease. The interest rates implicit in the Company’s leases are generally not readily determinable. Accordingly, the Company uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date of the lease to determine the present value discount of the lease liability. The Company estimates its incremental borrowing rate for each lease based on an evaluation of its expected credit rating and the prevailing market rates for collateralized debt in a similar economic environment with similar payment terms and maturity dates commensurate with the term of the lease. The right-of-use asset for each lease is equal to the lease liability, adjusted for unamortized initial direct costs and lease incentives and prepaid or accrued rent. Initial direct costs of entering into a lease are included in the right-of-use asset and amortized as lease expense over the term of the lease. Lease incentives, such as tenant improvement allowances, are recorded as a reduction of the right-of-use asset and amortized as a reduction of lease expense over the term of the lease. The Company excludes options to extend or terminate leases from the calculation of the lease liability unless it is reasonably certain the option will be exercised.
The Company evaluates its right-of-use assets for impairment in accordance with its policy for long-lived assets. To the extent an impairment of a right-of-use asset is recognized, the remaining carrying value of the asset is subsequently amortized as lease expense on a straight-line basis from the date of impairment to the earlier of the end of the right-of-use asset’s useful life or the end of the lease term.
The Company determines the classification of subleases at the inception of the sublease, as well as whether the Company has been relieved of its primary obligation under the original lease. All of the Company's subleases are classified as operating leases and, in each case, the Company has not been relieved of its primary obligation under the original lease and continues to account for the original lease as it did prior to the commencement of the sublease. Sublease income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the sublease as a reduction of the related lease expense of the original lease. Initial direct costs of entering into a sublease are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the sublease as a reduction of sublease income.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the lives of the respective assets are expensed to operations as incurred. Upon disposal, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations. Depreciation and amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are as follows:
| Estimated Useful Life | |
| Computer equipment and software | 3 years |
|---|---|
| Furniture and fixtures | 5 years |
| Laboratory and manufacturing equipment | 5 to 15 years |
| Leasehold improvements | Shorter of lease term or estimated useful life |
Cloud Computing Arrangements
The Company capitalizes certain costs associated with the implementation of cloud computing arrangements that are accounted for as service contracts. Once implementation activities are substantially complete and the cloud-based application is ready for its intended use, capitalization ceases and amounts capitalized are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the hosting arrangement. Capitalized implementation costs for cloud-based applications and associated amortization are classified on the consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations and comprehensive loss in the same manner as the costs of the associated hosting arrangement. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had recorded capitalized costs, net of amounts amortized, of less than $0.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, related to the implementation of cloud-based software applications, which were included in prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of capitalized implementation costs for cloud-based applications recorded for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was$1.0 million, $1.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively, and was included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
The Company's long-lived assets consist primarily of property and equipment and operating lease right-of-use assets. The Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the book values of the assets to estimated future net undiscounted cash flows that the assets are expected to generate. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the book value of the assets exceed their fair value, which is measured based on the projected discounted future net cash flows arising from the assets. Please refer to Note 5 and Note 6 for further information on impairment of long-lived assets.
Non-marketable Equity Securities
Non-marketable equity securities consist of equity investments in other entities in which the Company’s ownership interest is below 20% and the Company does not have significant influence over the operations of the entity, or for which the equity securities are not common stock or in-substance common stock. The Company’s non-marketable equity securities do not have readily determinable fair values and are measured at cost less impairment, adjusted for observable price changes for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. Please refer to Note 4 for further information on non-marketable equity securities.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company is required to disclose information on all assets and liabilities reported at fair value that enables an assessment of the inputs used in determining the reported fair values. ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a hierarchy of inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy applies only to the valuation inputs used in determining the reported fair value of the investments and is not a measure of the investment credit quality. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1—Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2—Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3—Valuations that require inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for assets and liabilities categorized in Level 3. The level within the fair value hierarchy of an asset or liability measured at fair value is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair values of the Company’s Level 2 financial instruments are based on quoted market prices or broker or dealer quotations for similar assets. These investments are initially valued at the transaction price and subsequently valued utilizing third-party pricing providers or other market observable data. Please refer to Note 4 for further information on the Company's fair value measurements.
Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties
As discussed in Note 7, the Company recorded a liability for the net proceeds received from the sale of its Zolgensma royalty payments to entities managed by Healthcare Royalty Management, LLC (collectively, HCR). The liability is accounted for as debt since the return to HCR is explicitly capped under the royalty purchase agreement, and is amortized over the estimated life of the arrangement using the effective interest method. The total amount of royalty payments received by HCR under the agreement, less the net proceeds received by the Company, is recorded as interest expense over the life of the arrangement. The Company estimates the effective interest rate based on its estimate of total royalty payments to be received by HCR under the agreement. The Company reassesses these estimates at each reporting date and adjusts the effective interest rate and amortization of the liability on a prospective basis as necessary.
Due to its continuing involvement in the underlying license agreement with Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc. (formerly AveXis, Inc.) (Novartis Gene Therapies), the Company continues to recognize royalty revenue on net sales of Zolgensma and records the royalty payments to HCR as a reduction of the liability when paid. As such payments are made to HCR, the balance of the liability will be effectively repaid over the life of the royalty purchase agreement. The portion of the liability related to the sale of future royalties which is expected to be amortized within 12 months of the reporting date is recorded as a current liability, with the remaining portion of the liability recorded as a non-current liability.
Pre-funded Warrants
Warrants are accounted for based on the specific terms of the warrant agreements. The Company's pre-funded warrants are indexed to the Company's common stock and meet the criteria to be classified as equity. Proceeds from the issuance of pre-funded warrants are recorded within additional paid-in capital and are not subject to remeasurement. Please refer to Note 9 for further information regarding pre-funded warrants issued by the Company.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606). ASC 606 requires entities to recognize revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The following five steps are performed to determine the appropriate revenue recognition for arrangements within the scope of ASC 606: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies the performance obligations.
The Company applies the five-step model to contracts that are within the scope of ASC 606 only when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. At contract inception, for contracts within the scope of ASC 606, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract and determines those that are performance obligations and whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to respective performance obligations when (or as) the respective performance obligations are satisfied.
The Company evaluates its contracts with customers for the presence of significant financing components. If a significant financing component is identified in a contract and provides a financing benefit to the customer, the transaction price for the contract is adjusted to account for the financing portion of the arrangement, which is recognized as interest income over the financing term using the effective interest method. In determining the appropriate interest rates for significant financing components, the Company evaluates the credit profile of the customer and prevailing market interest rates and selects an interest rate in which it believes would be charged to the customer in a separate financing arrangement over a similar financing term.
The Company licenses its NAV Technology Platform and other intellectual property rights to other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including collaborators for the joint development and commercialization of its product candidates. The terms of the licenses vary, and licenses may be exclusive or non-exclusive and may be sublicensable by the licensee. Licenses may grant intellectual property rights for purposes of internal and preclinical research and development only, or may include the rights, or options to obtain future rights, to commercialize drug therapies for specific diseases using the Company’s NAV Technology Platform and other licensed rights. License agreements generally have a term at least equal to the life of the underlying patents, but are terminable at the option of the licensee. Consideration payable to the Company under its license agreements may include: (i) up-front and annual fees, (ii) milestone payments based on the achievement of certain development and sales-based milestones, (iii) sublicense fees, (iv) royalties on sales of licensed products, (v) fees for services related to the development of licensed products and (vi) other consideration payable upon optional goods and services purchased by licensees.
The Company’s license agreements are accounted for as contracts with customers within the scope of ASC 606, with the exception of transactions for which the counterparty is determined not to be a customer. At the inception of each license agreement, the Company determines the contract term for purposes of applying the requirements of ASC 606. Licenses are generally terminable at the option of the licensee with advance notice to the Company. For each license granted, including licenses granted upon the exercise of license options, the Company evaluates these termination rights to determine whether a substantive termination penalty would be incurred by the licensee upon termination. If the licensee incurs a substantive termination penalty upon termination, the contract term for revenue recognition purposes is generally equal to the stated term of the license, which is the life of the underlying licensed patents. Alternatively, if the licensee does not incur a substantive termination penalty upon termination, the contract term for revenue recognition purposes may be shorter than the stated term of the license, in which case the termination rights may be accounted for as contract renewal options. The determination of whether a substantive termination penalty is associated with the termination rights requires significant judgment. In making this determination, the Company considers, among other things, the nature of the intellectual property rights that would be returned to the Company upon termination, including the exclusivity of the licensed rights and the stage of development of the licensed products, the payment terms, including the amount and timing of non-refundable or guaranteed payments, and the business purpose of the termination rights granted to the licensee. Generally, the most significant judgment in determining whether a substantive termination penalty exists relates to the amount of any up-front or guaranteed non-refundable payments relative to the amount of annual payments that may be avoided by the licensee upon termination of the license. The Company considers all of the facts and circumstances relevant to each license when making this determination.
Performance obligations under the Company’s license agreements may include (i) the delivery of intellectual property licenses, (ii) options granted to licensees to acquire additional licenses, to the extent the options represent material rights to the licensee, and (iii) research and development services to be performed by the Company related to licensed products. License agreements may provide licensees with contract renewal options or options to acquire additional licenses, goods or other services. Options are evaluated at the inception of the license agreement to determine whether they provide material rights to the licensee. In making this determination, the Company considers whether the options are priced at an incremental discount to the standalone selling price for the underlying licenses, goods or services, in which case the option is considered to be a material right to the licensee and is accounted for as a separate performance obligation under the current license agreement. At the inception of each license agreement which contains performance obligations for research and development services, the Company evaluates whether the license is distinct from the research and development services, which requires judgment. In making this determination, the Company considers, among other things, the stage of development of the licensed products and whether the research and development services will significantly impact further development of the licensed products. If it is determined that the license is not distinct from the research and development services, the license is combined with the research and development services into a single performance obligation.
The Company evaluates the transaction price of its license agreements at the inception of each agreement and at each reporting date. The transaction price includes the fixed consideration payable to the Company during the contract term, as well as any variable consideration to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue will not occur in the future. Fixed consideration under the license agreements may include up-front and annual fees payable during the contract term and fees for development services performed by the Company. Variable consideration under the license agreements may include development and sales-based milestone payments, sublicense fees and royalties on sales of licensed products. Consideration contingent upon the exercise of options by a licensee is excluded from the transaction price and not accounted for as part of the license agreement until the option is exercised.
The transaction price for each license agreement is allocated to the underlying performance obligations based on their relative standalone selling prices and recognized as revenue when (or as) the performance obligations are satisfied. Consideration allocated to performance obligations for the delivery of an intellectual property license is recognized as revenue in full upon the delivery of the license to the licensee. Consideration allocated to performance obligations for license options is recognized as revenue in full upon the earlier of the option exercise or expiration. The exercise of a license option by a licensee is accounted for as a new license for revenue recognition purposes. Consideration allocated to performance obligations for research and development services is recognized as revenue as the services are performed by the Company.
Up-front and annual licenses fees payable to the Company over the contract term of each license are included in the transaction price, and the portion of this consideration allocated to the performance obligation for the delivery of the intellectual property license is recognized as revenue in full upon the delivery of the license to the licensee. If annual license fees are payable to the Company in periods beyond 12 months from the delivery of the license, a significant financing component is deemed to exist which provides a financing benefit to the licensee. If a significant financing component is identified, the Company adjusts the transaction price for the license to include only the present value of the annual license fees payable to the Company over the contract term. The discounted portion of the license fees is recognized as interest income from licensing over the financing period of the license.
Development milestone payments are payable to the Company upon the achievement of specified development milestones. At the inception of each license agreement that contains development milestone payments, the Company evaluates whether the milestones are considered probable of achievement and estimates the amount to be included in the transaction price using the most likely amount method. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal will not occur in the future, milestone payments are included in the transaction price and recognized as revenue upon the delivery of the license. Milestone payments contingent on the achievement of development milestones that are not within the control of the Company or the licensee, such as regulatory approvals, are not considered probable of being achieved and are excluded from the transaction price until the milestone is achieved. At each reporting date, the Company re-evaluates the probability of achievement of each outstanding development milestone and, if necessary, adjusts the transaction price for any milestones for which the probability of achievement has changed due to current facts and circumstances. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis and recognized as revenue in the period of the adjustment.
Royalties on sales of licensed products, sales-based milestone payments, including milestones payable upon first commercial sales of licensed products, and sublicense fees based on the receipt of certain fees by licensees from any sublicensees are excluded from the transaction price of each license and recognized as revenue in the period that the related sales or sublicenses occur, provided that the associated license has been delivered to the licensee.
Royalty revenue to date consists primarily of royalties on net sales of Zolgensma, which is a licensed product under the Company’s license agreement with Novartis Gene Therapies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Novartis AG (Novartis), for the development and commercialization of treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The Company recognizes royalty revenue from net sales of Zolgensma in the period in which the underlying products are sold by Novartis Gene Therapies, which in certain cases may require the Company to estimate royalty revenue for periods of net sales which have not yet been reported to the Company. Estimated royalties are reconciled to actual amounts reported in subsequent periods, and any differences are recognized as an adjustment to royalty revenue in the period the royalties are reported.
The Company receives payments from licensees based on the billing schedules established in each license agreement. Amounts recognized as revenue which have not yet been received from licensees, including unbilled royalties, are recorded as accounts receivable when the Company’s rights to the consideration are conditional solely upon the passage of time. Amounts recognized as revenue which have not yet been received from licensees are recorded as contract assets when the Company’s rights to the consideration are not unconditional. Contract assets are recorded as other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets if the consideration is expected to be realized within 12 months from the reporting date, or as other assets if the consideration is expected to be realized in periods beyond 12 months from the reporting date. If a licensee elects to terminate a license prior to the end of the license term, the licensed intellectual property is returned to the Company and any consideration recorded as accounts receivable or contract assets which is not contractually payable by the licensee is charged off as a reduction of license revenue in the period of the termination. Amounts received by the Company prior to the delivery of underlying performance obligations are deferred and recognized as revenue upon the satisfaction of the performance obligations by the Company. Deferred revenue which is not expected to be recognized within 12 months from the reporting date is recorded as non-current on the consolidated balance sheets.
Collaborative Arrangements
The Company evaluates its agreements with collaboration partners to determine whether they are within the scope of ASC 808, Collaborative Arrangements (ASC 808). Such arrangements are within the scope of ASC 808 if they involve joint operating activities performed by parties that are both active participants in the activities and exposed to significant risks and rewards dependent on the commercial success of such activities. This evaluation is performed throughout the life of the arrangement based on any changes in the roles and responsibilities of the parties under the arrangement. For collaboration arrangements within the scope of ASC 808 that contain multiple elements, the Company identifies the various transactions with the counterparty and determines if any unit of account is more reflective of a transaction with a customer and therefore should be accounted for within the scope of ASC 606. For transactions that are accounted for pursuant to ASC 808, an appropriate method of recognition and presentation is determined and consistently applied. For transactions that are accounted for pursuant to ASC 606, the Company applies the five-step model as described in its revenue recognition policies.
For transactions accounted for as collaborative arrangements under ASC 808, payments to and from collaboration partners associated with multiple activities in a collaboration arrangement are classified based on the nature of each separate activity. Payments associated with development activities performed are recorded as research and development expense when owed to collaboration partners, or as a reduction of research and development expense when due from collaboration partners. Payments associated with commercialization activities performed are recorded as general and administrative expense when owed to collaboration partners, or as a reduction of general and administrative expense when due from collaboration partners. At the end of each reporting period, the Company records a net amount due to or from collaboration partners for activities performed by the parties under the collaboration.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues consists primarily of sublicense fees and royalties on net sales of licensed products as specified in the Company’s agreements with its licensors. Sublicense fees are based on a percentage of license fees received by the Company from licensees and are recognized in the period that the underlying revenue is recognized. Royalties are based on a percentage of net sales of licensed products by licensees and are recognized in the period that the underlying sales occur. Amounts which are payable to licensors in periods beyond 12 months from the reporting date are recorded as non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred in performing research and development activities. Advance payments for goods or services related to research and development activities are deferred and expensed as the goods are delivered or the services are performed. Research and development costs include salaries, wages, benefits and other personnel costs, laboratory and facilities costs, allocated overhead costs, license and milestone fees, and costs of goods and services associated with preclinical research and clinical trial activities, associated manufacturing-related activities, regulatory activities and other related services performed by third parties. At the end of each reporting period, the Company compares payments made to third-party service providers to the estimated expenses incurred based on the services provided and progress toward completion of the research or development objectives. Such estimates are subject to change as additional information becomes available. Depending on the timing of payments to the service providers and the estimated expenses incurred, the Company may record net prepaid or accrued research and development expenses relating to these costs. Up-front fees incurred in obtaining technology licenses, as well as milestone payments to licensors, are charged to research and development expense as incurred if the technology licensed has no alternative future use.
Stock-based Compensation
The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation awards in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation(ASC 718). ASC 718 requires all stock-based awards to employees and nonemployees to be recognized as expense based on the grant date fair value of the awards. The Company’s stock-based awards include stock options and restricted stock units granted to employees and nonemployees and shares issued to employees under its employee stock purchase plan.
The Company’s stock-based awards may be subject to either service or performance-based vesting conditions. Compensation expense related to awards with service-based vesting conditions is recognized on a straight-line basis based on the estimated grant date fair value over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term. Compensation expense related to awards with performance-based vesting conditions is recognized based on the estimated grant date fair value over the requisite service period using the accelerated attribution method to the extent achievement of the performance condition is probable.
The Company has elected to not estimate forfeitures of stock-based awards and accounts for forfeitures as they occur.
The Company estimates the fair value of its stock option awards using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires the input of subjective assumptions, including (i) the fair value of the underlying common stock, (ii) the expected stock price volatility, (iii) the expected term of the award, (iv) the risk-free interest rate and (v) expected dividends. The Company estimates expected stock price volatility based on the historical volatility of its common stock over a period of time commensurate with the expected term of its stock option awards. Due to the lack of sufficient historical data, the Company estimates the expected term of its employee stock options using the “simplified” method, whereby the expected term equals the arithmetic average of the vesting term and the original contractual term of the option. For stock options granted to nonemployees, the Company uses the contractual term of the award rather than expected term to estimate the fair value of the award. The Company estimates the risk-free interest rates for periods within the expected term of its options based on the rates of U.S. Treasury securities with maturity dates commensurate with the expected term of the associated awards. The Company assumes a dividend yield of zero for its common stock as it has never paid dividends and does not expect to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
The Company estimates the fair value of restricted stock units based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes(ASC 740), which provides for deferred taxes using an asset and liability approach. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided, if based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740. When uncertain tax positions exist, the Company recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that the benefit will more likely than not be realized. The determination as to whether the tax benefit will more likely than not be realized is based upon the technical merits of the tax position as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company hadno accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions andno amounts have been recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Restructuring Expenses
The Company records costs and liabilities associated with exit and disposal activities in accordance with ASC 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations(ASC 420) and ASC 712, Compensation –Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits(ASC 712). Such costs are based on estimates of fair value in the period liabilities are incurred. The Company evaluates and adjusts these costs as appropriate for changes in circumstances as additional information becomes available. Please refer to Note 14 for further information regarding restructuring expenses.
Net Loss Per Share
Basicnet loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss applicable to common stockholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted net loss per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents outstanding for the period, determined using the treasury-stock method. For purposes of computing both basic and diluted net loss per share, pre-funded warrantsare considered outstanding shares upon issuance because the underlying shares may be issued for nominal consideration and are exercisable after the original issuance date. Contingently convertible shares in which conversion is based on non-market-priced contingencies are excluded from the calculations of both basic and diluted net loss per share until the contingency has been fully met. For purposes of the diluted net loss per share calculation, common stock equivalents are excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share if their effect would be anti-dilutive.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss includes net loss as well as unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities, net of income tax effects and reclassification adjustments for realized gains and losses.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted 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, which enhances certain interim and annual disclosure requirements of reportable segment information, including information about significant segment expenses. Additionally, the standard requires entities with a single reportable segment to provide all disclosures required by ASC 280, Segment Reporting. The Company adopted this standard for annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2024 and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2025, on a retrospective basis for all periods presented. Please refer to Note 17 for further information regarding reportable segment information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which enhances the disclosure of an entity's effective tax rate reconciliation and requires the disclosure of income taxes paid to be disaggregated by jurisdiction. The standard is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. Upon the adoption of this standard, the Company will modify its disclosures for income taxes, as applicable.
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. The new standard requires disclosures about specific types of expenses included in the expense captions presented on the face of the income statement as well as disclosures about selling expenses. The standard is effective for the Company for annual periods beginning January 1, 2027 and interim periods beginning January 1, 2028, with early adoption permitted. The standard may be applied either prospectively to financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date or retrospectively to any or all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company is evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
- Marketable Securities
The following tables present a summary of the Company’s marketable securities, which consist solely of available-for-sale debt securities (in thousands):
| Amortized Cost | UnrealizedGains | UnrealizedLosses | Fair Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. government and agency securities | $44,281 | $11 | $(77) | $44,215 |
| Certificates of deposit | 1,466 | — | (4) | 1,462 |
| Corporate bonds | 141,474 | 234 | (45) | 141,663 |
| $187,221 | $245 | $(126) | $187,340 |
| Amortized Cost | UnrealizedGains | UnrealizedLosses | Fair Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. government and agency securities | $71,811 | $6 | $(1,248) | $70,569 |
| Certificates of deposit | 6,572 | — | (106) | 6,466 |
| Corporate bonds | 204,793 | 143 | (2,364) | 202,572 |
| $283,176 | $149 | $(3,718) | $279,607 |
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, no available-for-sale debt securities had remaining maturities greater than two years. The amortized cost of marketable debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, or to the earliest call date for callable debt securities purchased at a premium.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted solely of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities, net of reclassification adjustments for realized gains and losses and income tax effects. Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net, as presented in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss consisted of the following (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Unrealized gain (loss) before reclassifications | $3,688 | $10,972 | $(12,904) |
| Realized losses (gains) reclassified to investment income | — | — | 72 |
| Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net | $3,688 | $10,972 | $(12,832) |
The following tables present the fair values and unrealized losses of available-for-sale debt securities held by the Company in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and 12 months or greater (in thousands):
| Less than 12 Months | 12 Months or Greater | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Value | UnrealizedLosses | Fair Value | UnrealizedLosses | Fair Value | UnrealizedLosses | |
| U.S. government and agency securities | $— | $— | $22,917 | $(77) | $22,917 | $(77) |
| Certificates of deposit | — | — | 1,221 | (4) | 1,221 | (4) |
| Corporate bonds | 21,317 | (45) | — | — | 21,317 | (45) |
| $21,317 | $(45) | $24,138 | $(81) | $45,455 | $(126) | |
| Less than 12 Months | 12 Months or Greater | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Value | UnrealizedLosses | Fair Value | UnrealizedLosses | Fair Value | UnrealizedLosses | |
| U.S. government and agency securities | $12,877 | $(16) | $52,686 | $(1,232) | $65,563 | $(1,248) |
| Certificates of deposit | 965 | (2) | 5,257 | (104) | 6,222 | (106) |
| Corporate bonds | 25,051 | (48) | 144,642 | (2,316) | 169,693 | (2,364) |
| $38,893 | $(66) | $202,585 | $(3,652) | $241,478 | $(3,718) | |
As of December 31, 2024, available-for-sale debt securities held by the Company which were in an unrealized loss position consisted of 22 investment grade security positions. The Company has the intent and ability to hold such securities until recovery, and based on the credit quality of the issuers and low severity of each unrealized loss position relative to its amortized cost basis, the Company did not identify any credit losses associated with its available-for-sale debt securities. The Company did not recognize any impairment or credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities during the years ended December 31,2024, 2023 and 2022.
- Fair Value Measurements
Financial instruments reported at fair value on a recurring basis include cash equivalents and marketable securities. The following tables present the fair value of cash equivalents and marketable securities in accordance with the fair value hierarchy discussed in Note 2 (in thousands):
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash equivalents: | ||||
| Money market mutual funds | $— | $43,895 | $— | $43,895 |
| U.S. government and agency securities | — | 2,498 | — | 2,498 |
| Total cash equivalents | — | 46,393 | — | 46,393 |
| Marketable securities: | ||||
| U.S. government and agency securities | — | 44,215 | — | 44,215 |
| Certificates of deposit | — | 1,462 | — | 1,462 |
| Corporate bonds | — | 141,663 | — | 141,663 |
| Total marketable securities | — | 187,340 | — | 187,340 |
| Total cash equivalents and marketable securities | $— | $233,733 | $— | $233,733 |
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash equivalents: | ||||
| Money market mutual funds | $— | $13,024 | $— | $13,024 |
| Total cash equivalents | — | 13,024 | — | 13,024 |
| Marketable securities: | ||||
| U.S. government and agency securities | — | 70,569 | — | 70,569 |
| Certificates of deposit | — | 6,466 | — | 6,466 |
| Corporate bonds | — | 202,572 | — | 202,572 |
| Total marketable securities | — | 279,607 | — | 279,607 |
| Total cash equivalents and marketable securities | $— | $292,631 | $— | $292,631 |
Management estimates that the carrying values of its current accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of those instruments. Accounts receivable which contain non-current portions and certain non-current payables reported as other liabilities are recorded at their present values using a discount rate that is based on prevailing market rates on the date the amounts were initially recorded. Management does not believe there have been any significant changes in market conditions or credit quality that would cause the discount rates initially used to be materially different from those that would be used as of December 31, 2024 to determine the present value of these instruments. Accordingly, management estimates that the carrying values of its non-current accounts receivable and other liabilities approximate the fair value of those instruments. Management estimates that the carrying value of the liability related to the sale of future royalties approximates fair value. As discussed in Note 7, the carrying value of the liability related to the sale of future royalties is based on the Company’s estimate of future royalties expected to be paid by the Company over the life of the arrangement, which are considered Level 3 inputs.
Long-lived assets, if determined to be impaired, are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs. Please refer to Note 6 for further information on nonrecurring fair value measurements of long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Non-marketable Equity Securities
Non-marketable equity securities are measured at cost less impairment, adjusted for observable price changes for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. The Company did not hold any non-marketable equity securities as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. No remeasurements or impairment losses were recorded on non-marketable equity securities during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Prior to the acquisition of Corlieve Therapeutics SAS (Corlieve) by uniQure N.V. (uniQure) in July 2021, the Company held non-marketable equity securities of Corlieve which were originally acquired by the Company in June 2020 as consideration under a license and collaboration agreement with Corlieve. In connection with the acquisition of Corlieve by uniQure in July 2021, the Company received proceeds of €5.3 million ($6.1 million) from uniQure in exchange for its ownership interest in Corlieve, of which $5.6 million was received upon the closing of the acquisition and $0.5 million was received in August 2022 upon the expiration of a hold back period. As additional consideration, the Company became eligible to receive payments of up to €37.1 million from uniQure contingent upon the achievement of various development and regulatory milestones. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company received €5.6 million and €1.9 million, respectively, in milestone payments from uniQure and recognized investment income of $6.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively, related to the achievement of the milestones during the period. As of December 31, 2024, there were €29.7 million ($31.0 million as of December 31, 2024) in remaining milestones which have not been paid or achieved and have not been recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Proceeds contingent upon the achievement of the remaining milestones will be recognized as investment income in the period in which any uncertainty regarding realization is substantially resolved, which may not occur until the achievement of the underlying milestones. It is at least reasonably possible that some or all of the proceeds contingent upon these milestones will not be realized by the Company.
- Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net consists of the following (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Laboratory and manufacturing equipment | $77,141 | $75,632 |
| Computer equipment and software | 4,244 | 4,700 |
| Furniture and fixtures | 7,031 | 7,052 |
| Leasehold improvements | 101,465 | 101,927 |
| Total property and equipment | 189,881 | 189,311 |
| Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (72,292) | (57,208) |
| Property and equipment, net | $117,589 | $132,103 |
During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded depreciation and amortization expense of$16.2 million, $17.3 million and$12.9 million, respectively.
In March 2024, the Company entered into an agreement to sublease its office facilities in New York, New York. In connection with the sublease, the Company recorded impairment of property and equipment of $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 related to furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements located at the subleased facility. Please refer to Note 6 for further information regarding the sublease agreement and associated impairment of long-lived assets.
- Leases
9804 Medical Center Drive
In November 2018, the Company entered into an operating lease, which has been amended from time to time, for approximately 186,000 square feet of office, laboratory and manufacturing space at 9804 Medical Center Drive in Rockville, Maryland (the 9804 Medical Center Drive Lease), which now serves as the Company’s corporate, research and manufacturing headquarters. The initial construction of the building was performed by the landlord and the lease commenced in September 2020 upon delivery of the leased premises to the Company to make additional improvements to the building. Monthly payments under the lease began in September 2021 and escalate annually in accordance with the lease agreement. The lease expires in September 2036, subject to extension and termination options held by the Company. The Company has an option to extend the term of the lease for up to 10 additional years and an option to terminate the lease, with payment of an early termination fee, after 12 years from the delivery of the leased premises to the Company. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s extension and termination options under the 9804 Medical Center Drive Lease were excluded from the measurement of the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as they were not reasonably certain of exercise. As required by the 9804 Medical Center Drive Lease, the Company has provided the landlord with an irrevocable letter of credit of $1.1 million which the landlord may draw upon in the event of any uncured default by the Company under the terms of the lease.
Pursuant to the 9804 Medical Center Drive Lease, the Company received a $19.5 million tenant improvement allowance from the landlord to perform improvements to the leased premises. The tenant improvement allowance was recorded as a reduction of the right-of-use assets for the lease and is amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of lease expense over the term of the lease. The
Company began occupation of a portion of the facility upon the completion of its construction in 2021. The remaining portion of the building, primarily associated with the manufacturing facility, was activated upon the completion of its construction in 2022. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had recorded property and equipment at cost of $132.6 million related to the buildout at 9804 Medical Center Drive, of which $131.6 million was placed in service and $1.0 million has not yet been placed in service.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had recorded right-of-use assets of $42.9 million and lease liabilities of $69.0 million related to the 9804 Medical Center Drive Lease.
9712 Medical Center Drive
In March 2015, the Company entered into an operating lease for office space at 9712 Medical Center Drive in Rockville, Maryland (the 9712 Medical Center Drive Lease). The lease term commenced in April 2015, and monthly payments under the lease began in October 2015 and escalate annually in accordance with the lease agreement.
The 9712 Medical Center Drive Lease has been amended from time to time to include additional office and laboratory space at an adjacent building located at 9714 Medical Center Drive and extend the term of the lease, which expires in February 2027, subject to extension options held by the Company. The Company has an option to extend the term of the lease forthree additional years, as well as an option to extend the lease term to be coterminous with the 9804 Medical Center Drive Lease, which expires in September 2036. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s extension options under the 9712 Medical Center Drive Lease were excluded from the measurement of the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as they were not reasonably certain of exercise. The Company received a $0.4 million tenant improvement allowance from the landlord which was recorded as a reduction of the right-of-use assets for the lease and is amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of lease expense over the term of the lease.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had recorded right-of-use assets of $3.2 million and lease liabilities of $3.6 million related to the 9712 Medical Center Drive Lease.
New York Lease and Sublease
In May 2016, the Company entered into an operating lease for office space in New York, New York (the New York Lease), which has since been amended to include additional office space and extend the term of the lease. The lease term commenced in July 2016 and expires in April 2027. The Company received a $0.7 million tenant improvement allowance from the landlord which was recorded as a reduction of the right-of-use assets for the lease and is amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of lease expense over the term of the lease. As required by the New York Lease, the Company has provided the landlord with an irrevocable letter of credit of $0.2 million which the landlord may draw upon in the event of any uncured default by the Company under the terms of the lease.
In March 2024, the Company entered into an agreement to sublease its office space under the New York Lease (the New York Sublease) to a third-party subtenant. The sublease term commenced in April 2024 and expires in April 2027 concurrent with the expiration of the New York Lease. Monthly payments under the New York Sublease commenced in July 2024 and escalate annually in accordance with the sublease agreement. As of December 31, 2024, total undiscounted future minimum lease payments to be received by the Company over the term of the New York Sublease were $1.2 million. The Company recognized sublease income of $0.3 million under the New York Sublease during the year ended December 31, 2024.
The New York Sublease is classified as an operating lease and the Company was not relieved of its primary obligation under the New York Lease. The Company continues to account for the New York Lease as it did prior to the commencement of the sublease.
As a result of the New York Sublease, the Company determined an impairment indicator was present as of March 31, 2024 related to the long-lived asset group subject to the sublease, which included the right-of-use asset under the New York Lease, leasehold improvements and other property and equipment allocable to the New York Sublease. The Company concluded the carrying value of the asset group as of March 31, 2024 was not recoverable, as it exceeded the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated by the assets over their remaining lives. The Company estimated the fair value of the asset group as of March 31, 2024 using a discounted cash flow method, which incorporated unobservable inputs including the net identifiable cash flows over the term of the New York Sublease and an estimated borrowing rate of a market participant subtenant. The estimated fair value of the asset group as of March 31, 2024 represents a Level 3 nonrecurring fair value measurement. The Company concluded the carrying value of the asset group of $3.4 million exceeded its estimated fair value of $1.3 million as of March 31, 2024. As such, the Company recognized impairment losses of $2.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 on the long-lived asset group associated with the New York Sublease. The impairment losses were allocated to the various assets within the long-lived asset group based on their relative carrying values and consisted of $1.4 million recorded to the right-of-use assets and $0.7 million recorded to property and equipment. No material impairment losses on long-lived assets were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had recorded right-of-use assets of $0.6 million and lease liabilities of $2.2 million related to the New York Lease.
Other Leases
In October 2022, the Company entered into an operating lease for office space in Washington, D.C. (the DC Lease). The lease term commenced in October 2022 and expires in October 2027. The Company has an option to extend the term of the lease for five additional years. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s extension option under the DC Lease was excluded from the measurement of the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as it was not reasonably certain of exercise. The Company recorded the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities related to the DC Lease upon its commencement in October 2022. As of December 31, 2024 the Company had recorded right-of-use assets of $4.0 million and lease liabilities of $4.0 million related to the DC Lease.
The Company leases additional office, laboratory and warehousing space, as well as laboratory and other equipment, under operating leases with various expiration dates through 2029, including leases which have been executed but have not yet commenced.
Operating Lease Information
All of the Company’s leases are classified as operating leases. The following table summarizes the Company’s lease costs and supplemental cash flow information related to its operating leases (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Operating lease cost | $11,168 | $11,107 | $9,570 |
| Variable lease cost | 2,725 | 2,263 | 1,727 |
| Sublease income | (319) | — | — |
| Total lease cost | $13,574 | $13,370 | $11,297 |
| Cash paid for amounts included in operating lease liabilities | $12,969 | $11,861 | $5,697 |
| Right-of-use assets acquired through operating lease liabilities | $826 | $1,132 | $8,662 |
Cash paid for amounts included in operating lease liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 includes zero, $0.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively, received by the Company during the period under its tenant improvement allowances, which were deemed in-substance lease payments and included in the calculation of the lease liability. Short-term lease expense for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was not material and is included in operating lease cost in the table above. Variable lease cost under the Company’s operating leases includes items such as common area maintenance, utilities, taxes and other charges.
The following table presents the weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate of the Company’s operating leases:
| As of December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) | 10.3 | 11.0 |
| Weighted-average discount rate | 5.7% | 5.7% |
The following table presents a reconciliation of the undiscounted future minimum lease payments remaining under the Company’s operating leases to the amounts reported as operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31,2024 (in thousands):
| As of | |
|---|---|
| Undiscounted future minimum lease payments: | |
| 2025 | $12,345 |
| 2026 | 12,885 |
| 2027 | 10,003 |
| 2028 | 7,940 |
| 2029 | 8,051 |
| Thereafter | 58,989 |
| Total undiscounted future minimum lease payments | 110,213 |
| Amount representing imputed interest | (28,180) |
| Total operating lease liabilities | 82,033 |
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | (7,902) |
| Operating lease liabilities, non-current | $74,131 |
The table above excludes future minimum lease payments for leases which were executed but had not yet commenced as of December 31, 2024, the total of which were not material.
- Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties
In December 2020, the Company entered into a royalty purchase agreement (the Royalty Purchase Agreement) with HCR. Under the Royalty Purchase Agreement, HCR purchased the Company’s rights to a capped amount of Zolgensma royalty payments under the Company’s license agreement (the Novartis License) with Novartis Gene Therapies, including $4.0 million of royalty payments received by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2020 (the Pledged Royalties). In consideration for these rights, HCR paid the Company $200.0 million (the Purchase Price), less $4.0 million representing the payment of the Pledged Royalties to HCR. Beginning upon the effective date of the Royalty Purchase Agreement, Zolgensma royalty payments, up to a specified threshold, shall be paid to HCR, net of upstream royalties payable by the Company to certain licensors in accordance with existing license agreements.
Pursuant to the Royalty Purchase Agreement, the total amount of royalty payments to be received by HCR was subject to an increasing cap (the Cap Amount) equal to (i) $260.0 million applicable for the period from the effective date of the Royalty Purchase Agreement through November 7, 2024 (the First Cap Amount), and (ii) $300.0 million applicable for the period from November 8, 2024 through the effective date of termination of the Novartis License (the Second Cap Amount). If, on or prior to the defined dates for each Cap Amount, the total amount of royalty payments received by HCR equals or exceeds the Cap Amount applicable to such date, the Royalty Purchase Agreement will automatically terminate and all rights to the Zolgensma royalty payments will revert back to the Company. The First Cap Amount was not achieved prior to November 7, 2024, therefore the Royalty Purchase Agreement will remain in effect until the achievement of the Second Cap Amount or the termination of the Novartis License, if earlier. The Company has no obligation to repay any amounts to HCR if total future Zolgensma royalty payments are not sufficient to achieve the applicable Cap Amount prior to the termination of the Novartis License.
The Company has a call option to repurchase its rights to the purchased royalties from HCR for a repurchase price equal to, as of the option exercise date, $300.0 million minus the total amount of royalty payments received by HCR.
The proceeds received from HCR of $196.0 million were recorded as a liability, net of transaction costs of $3.5 million, which is amortized over the estimated life of the arrangement using the effective interest method. In order to determine the amortization of the liability, the Company is required to estimate the total amount of future royalty payments to be received by HCR, subject to the Cap Amount, over the life of the arrangement. The total amount of royalty payments received by HCR under the Royalty Purchase Agreement, less the net proceeds received by the Company of $192.5 million, is recorded as interest expense over the life of the arrangement using the effective interest method. Due to its continuing involvement in the Novartis License, the Company continues to recognize royalty revenue on net sales of Zolgensma and records the royalty payments to HCR as a reduction of the liability when paid. As such payments are made to HCR, the balance of the liability will be effectively repaid over the life of the Royalty Purchase Agreement.
The Company estimates the effective interest rate used to record interest expense under the Royalty Purchase Agreement based on its estimate of future royalty payments to be received by HCR. At each reporting date, the Company reassesses its estimate of total future royalty payments to be received by HCR at the applicable Cap Amount, and prospectively adjusts the effective interest rate and amortization of the liability as necessary. Over the life of the arrangement, the actual effective interest rate will be affected by the amount and timing of the royalty payments received by HCR and changes in the Company’s forecasted royalties. The estimated interest rate in effect as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 was 65.5% and 4.8%, respectively, which was based on the amortized balance of the liability and the estimated remaining royalties to be paid to HCR under the arrangement. This interest rate is subject to adjustments in the future based on actual royalties paid to HCR and changes in the royalty forecast. The interest rate increased during the year ended December 31, 2024 as a result of changes in the Company's forecasted royalties for territories outside the United States. As of December 31, 2024, the estimated effective interest rate over the life of the Royalty Purchase Agreement, taking into account actual royalties paid to date and the estimated remaining royalties to be paid under the arrangement, was 16.0%.
The following table presents the changes in the liability related to the sale of future royalties under the Royalty Purchase Agreement with HCR (in thousands):
| Liability Related to | |
|---|---|
| Sale of Future Royalties | |
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $137,606 |
| Zolgensma royalties paid to HCR | (49,574) |
| Interest expense recognized | 6,020 |
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | 94,052 |
| Zolgensma royalties paid to HCR | (46,413) |
| Interest expense recognized | 12,048 |
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | 59,687 |
| Current portion of liability related to sale of future royalties | (34,309) |
| Liability related to sale of future royalties, non-current | $25,378 |
- Commitments and Contingencies
In-licensed Technology
The Company in-licenses intellectual property from third parties for technology and know-how used in its product candidates and development programs, some of which is further sublicensed to NAV Technology Licensees and collaboration partners. In-licenses may require the Company to make future payments relating to sublicense fees, milestone fees and royalties on future sales of licensed products. Additionally, the Company may be responsible for the cost of the maintenance of the intellectual property as incurred by its licensors. Up-front fees to obtain licensed technology, as well as associated milestone fees, are recorded as research and development expenses if the technology has no alternative future use. Sublicense fees are based on a specified percentage of license fees earned by the Company as a result of sublicensing the technology to third parties and are recorded as cost of revenues. Royalties due to licensors on sales of licensed products, including sales by NAV Technology Licensees, are recorded as cost of revenues. Patent maintenance costs are recorded as general and administrative expenses.
Please refer to Note 10 for information on licenses granted by the Company and collaboration agreements with third parties.
The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
In February 2009, the Company entered into a license agreement, which has been amended from time to time (as amended, the Penn License), with The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania (together with the University of Pennsylvania, Penn) for exclusive, worldwide rights to certain patents owned by Penn underlying the Company’s NAV Technology Platform, as well as exclusive rights to certain data, results and other information. Pursuant to the originally agreed upon Penn License, the Company was obligated to pay Penn royalties on net sales of licensed products and sublicense fees. Additionally, the Company was obligated to reimburse Penn for certain costs incurred related to the maintenance of the licensed patents.
In April 2019, the Penn License was amended to include exclusive license rights to certain patent rights and know-how, including research data and other information, relating to the treatment of late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2) disease. In consideration for the additional licensed rights, and in addition to any consideration owed under the license prior to the amendment, the Company paid Penn an up-front fee and is obligated to pay milestone fees of up to $20.5 million upon the achievement of various development and sales-based milestones and additional royalties on net sales of licensed products for the treatmentof CLN2 disease. From the inception of the agreement through December 31, 2024, the Company had incurred $0.5 million for development milestones achieved, or deemed probable of achievement, under the Penn License.
In March 2022, the Company and Penn entered into a letter agreement (the Penn Letter Agreement) pursuant to which the Company will pay to Penn a total of $20.0 million, consisting of (i) $8.0 million paid in April 2022 to satisfy payment of any sublicense fees due or owed in the future under the Penn License as a result of the Company’s collaboration and license agreement with AbbVie Global Enterprises Ltd., and (ii) $12.0 million to satisfy any other past or future obligations of the Company to pay sublicense fees under the Penn License, which is payable infour equal annual installments of $3.0 million beginning in March 2023. The Penn Letter Agreement amended the Penn License to remove the Company’s obligations to pay sublicense fees under the license agreement. The Company remains obligated to pay Penn royalties on net sales of licensed products, milestone fees and reimbursement of certain patent maintenance costs in accordance with the Penn License.
The Company recognized a charge of $9.2 million as cost of revenues upon the execution of Penn Letter Agreement in March 2022, which consisted of $17.3 million representing the present value of the $20.0 million payable under the Penn Letter Agreement, less $8.1 million in sublicense fees previously recognized as expense by the Company in prior periods and accrued as liabilities prior to the effectiveness of the Penn Letter Agreement. The present value discount is accreted as interest expense over the contractual payment period using the effective interest method.
Expenses incurred by the Company related to the Penn License were recorded as follows (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Cost of revenues | $— | $— | $9,242 |
| Research and development | — | 500 | — |
| General and administrative | 299 | 935 | 715 |
| Interest expense | 612 | 842 | 778 |
| $911 | $2,277 | $10,735 | |
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had recorded$5.8 million payable under the Penn License, net of present value discount, of which $2.9 million was included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and $2.9 million was included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31,2023, the Company had recorded$8.2 million payable under the Penn License, net of present value discount, of which $2.6 million was included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and $5.6 million was included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
GlaxoSmithKline
In March 2009, the Company entered into a license agreement, which was amended in April 2009 (as amended, the GSK License), with GlaxoSmithKline LLC (GSK) for exclusive, worldwide rights to certain patents underlying the Company’s NAV Technology Platform which are owned by Penn and exclusively licensed to GSK. Pursuant to the GSK License, the Company is obligated to pay GSK royalties on net sales of licensed products and sublicense fees. Additionally, the Company is obligated to reimburse GSK for certain costs incurred related to the maintenance of the licensed patents. The Company was also obligated to pay $1.5 million to GSK upon the achievement of various milestones, all of which have been achieved and paid.
In connection with the execution of the Penn Letter Agreement in March 2022, the Company’s royalty obligations under the GSK License were assigned by GSK to Penn. Beginning upon the effective date of the Penn Letter Agreement in March 2022, any royalties payable by the Company under the GSK License shall be paid to Penn rather than GSK. The Company remains obligated to pay GSK sublicense fees and reimbursement of certain patent maintenance costs in accordance with the GSK License.
Expenses incurred by the Company related to the GSK License were recorded as follows (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Cost of revenues: | |||
| Royalties on net sales of Zolgensma | $33,180 | $37,043 | $44,691 |
| Other cost of revenues | 337 | 170 | 612 |
| Total cost of revenues | 33,517 | 37,213 | 45,303 |
| General and administrative | 369 | 476 | 964 |
| $33,886 | $37,689 | $46,267 | |
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had recorded$6.3 million payable under the GSK License, of which $6.2 million was included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and $0.1 million was included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31,2023, the Company had recorded$12.3 million payable under the GSK License, of which $12.2 million was included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and $0.1 million was included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
The Company has been notified of a potential dispute with GSK over the amount of sublicense fees paid by the Company to GSK under the GSK License. GSK claims there has been a significant underpayment by the Company as they are entitled to a sublicense payment on all amounts received by the Company from sublicensees, including royalties, and not just amounts received for GSK's sublicensed patents. The Company disagrees with GSK's interpretation of the GSK License. The Company does not believe that a loss is probable, and no reasonable range of loss is estimable, related to this matter. No liabilities related to this matter have been recorded as of December 31, 2024.
Clearside Biomedical
In August 2019, the Company entered into an option and license agreement with Clearside Biomedical, Inc. (Clearside) pursuant to which the Company was granted an option to exclusively license the worldwide rights to certain patents related to Clearside’s proprietary, in-office SCS Microinjector™ for the delivery of ABBV-RGX-314 to the suprachoroidal space to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and other diseases. The Company exercised its license option in October 2019, resulting in a payment of $1.6 million to Clearside payable under the license agreement. Additionally, the Company is obligated to pay milestone fees of up to $136.0 million upon the achievement of various development and sales-based milestones, as well as royalties on net sales of licensed products using the SCS Microinjector. Clearside is responsible for supplying the SCS Microinjector to the Company to support all preclinical, clinical and commercial needs. From the inception of the agreement through December 31, 2024, the Company had incurred $3.0 million for development milestones achieved, or deemed probable of achievement, under the agreement.
Other Licenses
In November 2014, the Company entered into a license agreement, which has been amended from time to time, with Regents of the University of Minnesota (Minnesota), for an exclusive license to Minnesota’s interest in certain patent rights which are co-owned by Minnesota and the Company to commercialize products covered by the licensed patent rights in any country or territory in which a licensed patent has been issued and is unexpired, or a licensed patent application is pending. Pursuant to the license agreement, the Company is obligated to pay Minnesota annual maintenance fees, royalties on net sales, sublicense fees and fees upon the achievement of various milestones. Additionally, the Company is obligated to pay for certain costs incurred related to the maintenance of the licensed patents.
In August 2018, the Company entered into a license agreement with Emory University (Emory) for an exclusive license to Emory’s interest in certain patent rights which are co-owned by Emory and the Company to commercialize products covered by the licensed patent rights in any country or territory. Pursuant to the license agreement, the Company is obligated to reimburse Emory for patent prosecution and maintenance expenses and pay Emory annual maintenance fees under certain circumstances, royalties on net sales, sublicense fees and fees upon the achievement of various milestones for the first licensed product.
In June 2022, the Company entered into a license agreement with Johns Hopkins University (JHU) for an exclusive license to JHU's interest in certain patent rights which are co-owned by JHU and the Company to commercialize products covered by the licensed patent rights in any country or territory. Pursuant to the license agreement, the Company paid JHU an upfront fee and is obligated to pay JHU royalties on net sales, minimum annual royalties, sublicense fees and fees upon the achievement of various milestones for the first two licensed products. Additionally, the Company is obligated to pay for certain costs incurred related to the maintenance of the licensed patents.
Other Funding Commitments
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements with contract research organizations, contract manufacturing organizations and other third parties for services to be provided to the Company. Generally, these agreements provide for termination upon notice, with specified amounts due upon termination based on the timing of termination and the terms of the agreement. The actual amounts and timing of payments under these agreements are uncertain and contingent upon the initiation and completion of services to be provided to the Company.
Guarantees and Indemnifications
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements that contain a variety of representations and provide for general indemnification. The Company’s potential exposure under these agreements is unknown because it involves claims that may be made against the Company in the future. To date, the Company hasnot paid any claims or been required to defend any action related to its indemnification obligations. As of December 31,2024 and 2023, the Company didnot have any material indemnification claims that were probable or reasonably possible and consequently had not recorded any related liabilities.
Settlement Agreement
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with a third party pursuant to which the Company released certain claims regarding infringement of the Company's intellectual property. In consideration for the release of claims made by the Company, the third party paid $7.5 million to the Company which was recorded as other operating income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2022.
- Capitalization
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the authorized capital stock of the Company included 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The Company’s restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain the rights, preferences and privileges of the Company’s stockholders and their respective shares.
Shares of common stock reserved for future issuance were as follows (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Reserved for issuance under equity incentive plans | 13,548 | 12,422 |
| Reserved for issuance under employee stock purchase plan | 913 | 1,018 |
| Reserved for exercise of pre-funded warrants outstanding | 1,325 | — |
| 15,786 | 13,440 | |
March 2024 Public Offering
In March 2024, the Company completed a public offering (March 2024 Offering) of 4,565,260 shares of its common stock at a price of $23.00 per share and 1,521,740 pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of its common stock at a price of $22.9999 per pre-funded warrant, which equaled the public offering price per share of the common stock less the $0.0001 exercise price of each pre-funded warrant. The aggregate net proceeds received by the Company from the offering were $131.1 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.
The rights and privileges of the pre-funded warrants issued under the March 2024 Offering are set forth in the warrant agreement between the Company and each of the respective warrant holders. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable at the option of the warrant holder at any time and do not expire. However, as set forth in the warrant agreements with each holder, the number of pre-funded warrants that may be exercised at any given time may be limited if, upon exercise, the warrant holder and any of its affiliates would beneficially own more than 9.99% of the Company’s common stock, or have voting power of more than 9.99% of the Company's common stock. The limitation threshold may be increased or decreased by the warrant holder, with advance notice to the Company, to any other percentage not less than 4.99% nor in excess of 19.99%. Pre-funded warrants do not provide any of the rights or privileges provided by the Company's common stock, including any voting rights, until the pre-funded warrants are exercised and settled in underlying shares of common stock.
The Company evaluated the pre-funded warrants issued under the March 2024 Offering and concluded the warrants are indexed to the Company's common stock, meet the criteria to be classified as equity and are not subject to remeasurement. The proceeds received from the issuance of the pre-funded warrants were recorded as additional paid-in capital. The Company issued 197,000 shares of common stock upon the exercise of pre-funded warrants during the year ended December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024,1,324,740 pre-funded warrants remained outstanding.
July 2023 Private Placement
In July 2023, the Company sold an aggregate of 257,466 shares of its common stock to Redmile Biopharma Investments III, L.P. (Redmile) at a purchase price of $19.42 per share, which was the closing price of the common stock on July 6, 2023 (the Private Placement). The Company received aggregate net proceeds from the Private Placement of $4.9 million, net of offering expenses. The Private Placement was conducted in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
At-the-Market Offering Programs
In September 2023, the Company entered into an ATM Equity Offering SM Sales Agreement with BofA Securities, Inc. (BofA) pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $150.0 million from time to time through BofA, acting as the Company's sales agent (the BofA ATM Program). The Company terminated the BofA ATM Program effective in November 2024. No shares of common stock were sold under the BofA ATM Program prior to its termination.
In December 2024, the Company entered into a Sales Agreement with Leerink Partners LLC (Leerink) pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $150.0 million from time to time through Leerink, acting as the Company's sales agent (the Leerink ATM Program). As of December 31, 2024, no shares of common stock had been sold under the Leerink ATM Program.
- License and Collaboration Agreements
As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s NAV Technology Platform was being applied by NAV Technology Licensees inone commercial product, Zolgensma, and in the development of a number of other licensed products. Additionally, the Company has licensed intellectual property rights to collaborators for the joint development of certain product candidates. Consideration to the Company under its license agreements may include: (i) up-front and annual fees, (ii) milestone payments based on the achievement of certain development and sales-based milestones, (iii) sublicense fees, (iv) royalties on sales of licensed products, (v) fees for services related to the development of licensed products and (vi) other consideration payable upon optional goods and services purchased by licensees. Sublicense fees vary by license and range from a mid-single digit percentage to a low-double digit percentage of license fees received by licensees as a result of sublicenses. Royalties on net sales of commercialized products vary by license and range from a mid-single digit percentage to a low double-digit percentage of net sales by licensees.
License and royalty revenue consisted of the following (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Zolgensma royalties | $81,505 | $85,319 | $101,919 |
| Other license and royalty revenue | 1,823 | 4,923 | 10,805 |
| Total license and royalty revenue | $83,328 | $90,242 | $112,724 |
Outstanding development milestone payments are evaluated each reporting period and are only included in the transaction price of each license and recognized as license revenue to the extent the milestones are considered probable of achievement. Sales-based milestones are excluded from the transaction price of each license agreement and recognized as royalty revenue in the period of achievement. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s license agreements, excluding additional licenses that could be granted upon the exercise of options by licensees, contained unachieved milestones which could result in aggregate milestone payments to the Company of up to$1.51 billion, including (i)$524.9 million upon the commencement of various stages of clinical trials, (ii)$113.8 million upon the submission of regulatory approval filings or upon regulatory approval of licensed products, and (iii)$870.0 million upon the achievement of specified sales targets for licensed products, including milestones payable upon the first commercial sale of licensed products. To the extent the milestone payments are realized by the Company, the Company may be obligated to pay sublicense fees to licensors based on a specified percentage of the fees earned by the Company. The achievement of these milestones is highly dependent on the successful development and commercialization of licensed products and it is at least reasonably possible that some or all of the milestone fees will not be realized by the Company.
Changes in Accounts Receivable, Contract Assets and Deferred Revenue
The following table presents the balances of the Company’s net accounts receivable, contract assets and deferred revenue, as well as other information regarding revenue recognized, during the periods presented (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Accounts receivable, net, current and non-current: | |||
| Beginning of period | $25,491 | $29,586 | $34,701 |
| End of period | $20,947 | $25,491 | $29,586 |
| Contract assets: | |||
| Beginning of period | $— | $— | $1,074 |
| End of period | $239 | $— | $— |
| Deferred revenue: | |||
| Beginning of period | $148 | $1,829 | $3,333 |
| End of period | $115 | $148 | $1,829 |
| Revenue recognized during the period from: | |||
| Amounts included in deferred revenue at beginning of period | $148 | $1,708 | $3,333 |
| Performance obligations satisfied in previous periods | $81,585 | $87,152 | $101,921 |
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had recorded deferred revenue of $0.1 million which represents consideration received or unconditionally due from licensees for performance obligations that have not yet been satisfied by the Company. Unsatisfied performance obligations as of December 31, 2024 consisted of development services to be performed by the Company related to licensed products, which will be satisfied as the services are performed. As of December 31, 2024, the aggregate transaction price of the Company's license agreements allocated to performance obligations not yet satisfied, or partially satisfied, was $1.1 million, which is expected to be satisfied over a period of approximately two years.
Revenue recognized from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods, as presented in the table above, was primarily attributable to Zolgensma royalties and changes in the transaction prices of the Company’s license agreements. Changes in transaction prices were primarily attributable to development milestones achieved or deemed probable of achievement during the periods which were previously not considered probable of achievement, resulting in a cumulative catch-up adjustment to revenue. Revenue recognized during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 included zero, $2.0 million andzero, respectively, in cumulative catch-up adjustments for changes in the probability of achievement of development milestones.
Accounts Receivable, Contract Assets and the Allowance for Credit Losses
Accounts receivable, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Current accounts receivable: | ||
| Billed to customers | $65 | $265 |
| Unbilled Zolgensma royalties | 20,106 | 24,128 |
| Due from Abeona, net of present value discount | — | 4,587 |
| Other unbilled | 302 | 397 |
| Allowance for credit losses | — | (4,587) |
| Current accounts receivable, net | 20,473 | 24,790 |
| Non-current accounts receivable: | ||
| Other unbilled | 474 | 701 |
| Non-current accounts receivable, net | 474 | 701 |
| Total accounts receivable, net | $20,947 | $25,491 |
The following table presents the changes in the allowance for credit losses related to accounts receivable and contract assets for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
| Allowance for Credit Losses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Accounts Receivable | Contract Assets | |
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $4,152 | $— |
| Changes in present value discount of receivables | 435 | — |
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | 4,587 | — |
| Changes in present value discount of receivables | 413 | — |
| Credit recoveries | (5,000) | — |
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | $— | $— |
The Company’s allowance for credit losses during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was related solely to accounts receivable from Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (Abeona). Please refer to the section below, "Settlement Agreement with Abeona Therapeutics", for further information regarding amounts due from Abeona and the associated allowance for credit losses.
Zolgensma License with Novartis Gene Therapies
In March 2014, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement (as amended, the Novartis License) with Novartis Gene Therapies. Under the Novartis License, the Company granted Novartis Gene Therapies an exclusive, worldwide commercial license, with rights to sublicense, to the NAV Technology Platform, as well as other certain rights, for the treatment of SMA in humans byin vivo gene therapy.
In consideration for the rights granted under the license, Novartis Gene Therapies paid the Company (i) an up-front fee of $2.0 million upon the execution of the agreement in 2014, (ii) license fees totaling $180.0 million upon the amendment of the agreement in January 2018 and the subsequent acquisition of AveXis, Inc. (now Novartis Gene Therapies) by Novartis in May 2018, (iii) total cumulative payments of $12.3 million upon the achievement of various development milestones, and (iv) a sales-based milestone payment of $80.0 million upon the achievement of $1.0 billion in cumulative net sales of Zolgensma in the third quarter of 2020. In addition to the consideration above, Novartis Gene Therapies is obligated to pay to the Company fixed annual fees, royalties on net sales of licensed products and a percentage of any sublicense fees received by Novartis Gene Therapies from sublicensees for the licensed intellectual property rights. Royalties are payable by Novartis Gene Therapies at a mid-single to low double-digit percentage of net sales of licensed products using the NAV AAV9 vector, and a low double-digit percentage of net sales of licensed products using a licensed vector other than NAV AAV9, and are subject to reduction in specified circumstances.
In 2019, Novartis Gene Therapies launched commercial sales of Zolgensma, a licensed product under the Novartis License. In accordance with the Novartis License, the Company receives royalties on net sales of Zolgensma. All development and sales-based milestones under the Novartis License have been achieved and there are no further milestone payments payable to the Company under the license agreement.
The Company recognized the following amounts under the Novartis License (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Zolgensma royalties | $81,505 | $85,319 | $101,919 |
| Other license revenue | 28 | — | 31 |
| Total license and royalty revenue | $81,533 | $85,319 | $101,950 |
| Interest income from licensing | $123 | $29 | $92 |
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had recorded total accounts receivable of $20.4 million and $24.3 million, respectively, from Novartis Gene Therapies under the Novartis License, which consisted primarily of Zolgensma royalties receivable. The Zolgensma royalties receivable recorded as of December 31, 2024 included $14.4 million expected to be paid to HCR in accordance with the Royalty Purchase Agreement discussed in Note 7.
Settlement Agreement with Abeona Therapeutics
In November 2021, the Company entered into a settlement agreement and mutual release with Abeona (the Settlement Agreement) related to claims associated with a license agreement between the parties which was terminated in May 2020. The Settlement Agreement resolved all arbitration and legal proceedings and mutually released each party from any and all claims under the terminated license agreement. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, Abeona paid the Company a total of $30.0 million as follows: (i) $20.0 million paid in November 2021, (ii) $5.0 million paid in November 2022, and (iii) $5.0 million paid in November 2024. As of December 31, 2024, all amounts due from Abeona under the Settlement Agreement had been paid in full and no further amounts were due to the Company from Abeona.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had recorded accounts receivable of $4.6 million associated with the remaining amounts due from Abeona under the Settlement Agreement. The receivable of $4.6 million as of December 31, 2023 consisted of the $5.0 million payment due by November 2024, net of discount to present value. The Company assessed the credit risk of the receivable from Abeona as of December 31, 2023. Based on its evaluation of Abeona's credit profile and financial condition, and its expectations regarding Abeona's future cash flows and ability to satisfy the contractual obligations of the Settlement Agreement, the Company recorded an allowance for credit losses of $4.6 million as of December 31, 2023 related to the accounts receivable due from Abeona. Prior to collection, the present value discount of the Abeona receivable was accreted as interest income from licensing through the contractual due date using the effective interest method. The Company elected to record increases in the allowance for credit losses associated with the accretion of the present value discount as a reduction of the associated interest income, resulting in no interest income recognized during the periods related to the accretion of the present value discount. The Company collected the final payment of $5.0 million due from Abeona under the Settlement Agreement upon its contractual due date in November 2024. As a result of the full collection of the receivable, the Company recorded a credit recovery of $5.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 against the associated allowance for credit losses. No credit losses or recoveries were recorded on the Abeona receivable during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Collaboration Agreements
AbbVie Collaboration and License Agreement
In September 2021, the Company entered into a collaboration and license agreement with AbbVie Global Enterprises Ltd. (AbbVie), a subsidiary of AbbVie Inc., to jointly develop and commercialize ABBV-RGX-314, the Company’s product candidate for the treatment of wet AMD, DR and other chronic retinal diseases (the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement). The AbbVie Collaboration Agreement became effective in November 2021.
Pursuant to the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement, the Company granted AbbVie a co-exclusive license to develop and commercialize ABBV-RGX-314 in the United States and an exclusive license to develop and commercialize ABBV-RGX-314 outside the United States. The Company and AbbVie will collaborate to develop ABBV-RGX-314 in the United States, and AbbVie will be responsible for the development of ABBV-RGX-314 in specified markets outside the United States. Through December 31, 2022, the Company was responsible for the development expenses related to certain ongoing clinical trials of ABBV-RGX-314 and the parties shared the additional development expenses related to ABBV-RGX-314. Beginning on January 1, 2023, AbbVie became responsible for the majority of all ABBV-RGX-314 development expenses.
The Company will lead the manufacturing of ABBV-RGX-314 for clinical development and U.S. commercial supply, and AbbVie will lead the manufacturing of ABBV-RGX-314 for commercial supply outside the United States. Manufacturing expenses will be allocated between the parties in accordance with the terms of the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement and supply agreements determined in accordance with the agreement. If requested by AbbVie, the Company will manufacture up to a specified portion of ABBV-RGX-314 for commercial supply outside the United States at a price specified in the agreement. AbbVie will lead the commercialization of ABBV-RGX-314 globally, and the Company will participate in U.S. commercialization efforts as provided under a commercialization plan determined in accordance with the agreement. The Company and AbbVie will share equally in the net profits and net losses associated with the commercialization of ABBV-RGX-314 in the United States. Outside the United States, AbbVie will be responsible, at its sole cost, for the commercialization of ABBV-RGX-314.
In consideration for the rights granted under the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement, AbbVie paid the Company an up-front fee of $370.0 million upon the effective date of the agreement in November 2021 and is required to pay to the Company up to $1.38 billion upon the achievement of specified development and sales-based milestones, of which $562.5 million are based on development milestones and $820.0 million are sales-based milestones. AbbVie is also required to pay to the Company tiered royalties on net sales of ABBV-RGX-314 outside the United States at percentages in the mid-teens to low twenties, subject to specified offsets and reductions.
The AbbVie Collaboration Agreement contains provisions for termination, including termination for convenience by AbbVie. Contemporaneously with entering into the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement, the Company entered into a sublicense agreement with AbbVie (the AbbVie Sublicense Agreement) pursuant to which the Company granted AbbVie an exclusive sublicense to exploit licensed products in connection with the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement under specified patents licensed to the Company by Penn. The AbbVie Sublicense Agreement became effective contemporaneously with the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement in November 2021 and is coterminous with the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement.
The Company evaluated its various commitments under the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement and identified the following distinct units of account: (i) delivery of an intellectual property license for the rights to develop and commercialize ABBV-RGX-314 globally, (ii) development, manufacturing and commercialization activities for ABBV-RGX-314 in the United States, and (iii) manufacturing of commercial supply for sales of ABBV-RGX-314 outside the United States, if requested by AbbVie. In determining the distinct units of account, the Company concluded that the license granted to AbbVie to develop and commercialize ABBV-RGX-314 is distinct from the other goods and services promised under the agreement, as AbbVie can benefit from the license on a standalone basis and, based on the stage of development of ABBV-RGX-314, the underlying licensed products and know-how are not expected to be significantly modified as a result of other goods and services promised under the agreement.
For each of the distinct units of account identified under the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement, the Company determined whether the transactions should be accounted for as a contract with a customer within the scope of ASC 606 or as a collaborative arrangement within the scope of ASC 808. The Company concluded that the units of account for the delivery of the functional intellectual property license and the manufacturing of commercial supply for sales of ABBV-RGX-314 outside the United States should be accounted for as revenue under ASC 606, as AbbVie is deemed to be a customer for these transactions. The Company concluded that the unit of account for development, manufacturing and commercialization activities for ABBV-RGX-314 in the United States should be accounted for as a collaborative arrangement under ASC 808, as these represent joint operating activities for which the Company and AbbVie are both active participants and exposed to significant risks and rewards dependent on the commercial success of such activities.
The Company applied the requirements of ASC 606 to the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement for the units of account in which AbbVie was deemed to be a customer. The Company determined that there is only one material performance obligation under the agreement for the delivery of the intellectual property license to develop and commercialize ABBV-RGX-314 globally. The intellectual property licensed to AbbVie includes the rights to certain patents, data, know-how and other rights developed and owned by the Company, as well as other intellectual property rights exclusively licensed by the Company from various third parties. The Company evaluated options granted to AbbVie under the agreement and determined that the options do not represent material rights, and therefore are not considered separate performance obligations under the current contract. Specifically, the Company concluded that the option granted to AbbVie to purchase commercial supply of ABBV-RGX-314 from the Company for a portion of sales outside the United States does not convey a material right, as the option is not priced at an incremental discount to the standalone selling price of the underlying goods and services. Additionally, the Company identified various promises under the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement which were determined to be immaterial in the context of the contract and will not be accounted for as separate performance obligations.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the transaction price of the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement was $370.0 million, which consisted solely of the up-front payment received from AbbVie in November 2021. The $370.0 million transaction price was fully recognized as revenue upon the delivery of the license to AbbVie in November 2021. Variable consideration under the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement, which has been excluded from the transaction price, includes $562.5 million in payments for development milestones that have not yet been achieved and were not considered probable of achievement. Additionally, the transaction price excludes sales-based milestone payments of $820.0 million and royalties on net sales of ABBV-RGX-314 outside the United States. Development milestones will be added to the transaction price and recognized as revenue upon achievement, or if deemed probable of achievement. In accordance with the sale- or usage-based royalty exception under ASC 606, royalties on net sales and sales-based milestones will be recognized as revenue in the period the underlying sales occur or milestones are achieved. There wereno changes in the transaction price of the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
The Company applied the requirements of ASC 808 to the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement for the units of account which were deemed to be a collaborative arrangement. Both the Company and AbbVie will perform various activities related to the development, manufacturing and commercialization of ABBV-RGX-314 in the United States. Development costs are shared between the parties in accordance with the terms of the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement, and the parties will share equally in the net profits and losses derived from sales of ABBV-RGX-314 in the United States. The Company accounts for payments to and from AbbVie for the sharing of development and commercialization costs in accordance with its accounting policy for collaborative arrangements. Amounts owed to AbbVie for the Company’s share of development costs or commercialization costs incurred by AbbVie are recorded as research and development expense or general and administrative expense, respectively, in the period the costs are incurred.
Amounts owed to the Company for AbbVie’s share of development costs or commercialization costs incurred by the Company are recorded as a reduction of research and development expense or general and administrative expense, respectively, in the period the costs are incurred. At the end of each reporting period, the Company records a net amount due to or from AbbVie as a result of the cost-sharing arrangement. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had recorded $11.3 million and $17.7 million, respectively, due from AbbVie for net reimbursement of costs incurred for activities performed under AbbVie Collaboration Agreement, which was included in other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company recognized the following amounts under the AbbVie Collaboration Agreement (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Net cost reimbursement to (from) AbbVie included in: | |||
| Research and development expense | $(78,316) | $(74,209) | $(19,294) |
| General and administrative expense | 1,866 | 768 | 1,531 |
| Total net cost reimbursement to (from) AbbVie | $(76,450) | $(73,441) | $(17,763) |
Nippon Shinyaku Collaboration and License Agreement
In January 2025, the Company entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Nippon Shinyaku for the development and commercialization of RGX-121, the Company’s product candidate for the treatment of MPS II, and RGX-111, the Company's product candidate for the treatment of MPS I (the Nippon Shinyaku Collaboration Agreement). The Nippon Shinyaku Collaboration Agreement became effective in March 2025.
Pursuant to the Nippon Shinyaku Collaboration Agreement, the Company granted Nippon Shinyaku a license to develop and exclusively commercialize RGX-121 and RGX-111 in the United States and certain countries in Asia. The Company is responsible for the development of RGX-121 and RGX-111 in the United States, and Nippon Shinyaku is responsible for development in licensed territories outside the United States. The Company is responsible for the manufacturing of RGX-121 and RGX-111 for clinical development and commercial supply, and manufacturing expenses will be allocated between the parties in accordance with the terms of the Nippon Shinyaku Collaboration Agreement and supply agreements determined in accordance with the agreement. Nippon Shinyaku will be responsible, at its sole cost, for the commercialization of RGX-121 and RGX-111 in the licensed territories. The Company reserves the right to develop and commercialize RGX-121 and RGX-111 in countries outside the licensed territories.
In consideration for the rights granted and services to be performed under the Nippon Shinyaku Collaboration Agreement, Nippon Shinyaku is required to pay an up-front fee of $110.0 million to the Company following the effective date of the agreement, and the Company is eligible to receive up to $700.0 million from Nippon Shinyaku upon the achievement of specified development and sales-based milestones, of which $40.0 million are based on development milestones and $660.0 million are sales-based milestones. The Company is also eligible to receive double-digit royalties on net sales of RGX-121 and RGX-111 by Nippon Shinyaku, subject to specified offsets and reductions. The Company retains all rights to, and any proceeds related to the sale of, any priority review vouchers that may be issued upon the potential approvals of RGX-121 and RGX-111.
- Stock-based Compensation
In September 2014, the Board of Directors adopted the 2014 Stock Plan (the 2014 Plan). In June 2015, the Board of Directors adopted the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2015 Plan), which became effective upon the Company’s initial public offering in September 2015. The 2015 Plan replaced the 2014 Plan, and as of the effective date of the 2015 Plan, no further awards may be issued under the 2014 Plan. Any options or awards outstanding under the 2014 Plan as of the effective date of the 2015 Plan remained outstanding and effective. The number of authorized shares under the 2015 Plan automatically increases annually on the first business day of each fiscal year, by the lesser of (i)4% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31 of the prior year, or (ii) a number of common shares determined by the Board of Directors. As of December 31,2024, the total number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 2015 Plan and the 2014 Plan was 19,118,989, of which 1,512,367 remained available for future grants under the 2015 Plan. An additional 1,981,975 shares were authorized for issuance under the 2015 Plan effective in January 2025.
The 2014 Plan and 2015 Plan provide for the issuance of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted and unrestricted stock and unit awards, and performance cash awards to employees, members of the Board of Directors and consultants of the Company. Since the inception of the plans, the Company has issued only stock options and restricted stock units under the plans. Stock options under the 2014 Plan and 2015 Plan generally expire 10 years following the date of grant. Options typically vest over a four-year period, but vesting provisions can vary by award based on the discretion of the Board of Directors. Certain stock option awards granted by the Company may include performance conditions that must be achieved in order for vesting to occur. Stock options under the 2014 Plan and 2015 Plan have an exercise price at least equal to the estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Restricted stock units typically vest over a four-year period, but vesting provisions can vary by award based on the discretion of the Board of Directors. Upon vesting, restricted stock units are settled in common stock of the Company.
Shares of common stock underlying awards previously issued under the 2014 Plan and 2015 Plan which are reacquired by the Company, withheld by the Company in payment of the purchase price, exercise price or withholding taxes, expired, cancelled due to forfeiture or otherwise terminated other than by exercise or settlement, are added to the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2015 Plan. Shares available for issuance under the 2015 Plan may be either authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s common stock or common stock reacquired by the Company and held in treasury. The 2015 Plan expires in June 2025, 10 years from the date it was adopted by the Board of Directors, unless earlier terminated.
Stock-based Compensation Expense
The Company’s stock-based compensation expense by award type was as follows (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Stock options | $23,518 | $28,863 | $34,444 |
| Restricted stock units | 14,455 | 10,748 | 5,569 |
| Employee stock purchase plan | 490 | 656 | 775 |
| $38,463 | $40,267 | $40,788 | |
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had$59.7 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options, restricted stock units and the 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the 2015 ESPP), which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.3 years.
The Company recorded aggregate stock-based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as follows (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Research and development | $17,985 | $20,568 | $21,368 |
| General and administrative | 20,478 | 19,699 | 19,420 |
| $38,463 | $40,267 | $40,788 | |
Stock Options
The following table summarizes stock option activity under the 2014 Plan and 2015 Plan (in thousands, except per share data):
| Weighted- | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| average | ||||
| Weighted- · Remaining | ||||
| average · Contractual · Aggregate | ||||
| Exercise · Life · Intrinsic | ||||
| Shares | Price | (Years) | Value (a) | |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | 8,581 | $32.62 | 6.2 | $7,011 |
| Granted | 2,310 | $16.11 | ||
| Exercised | (291) | $5.20 | ||
| Cancelled or forfeited | (606) | $34.73 | ||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2024 | 9,994 | $29.48 | 5.9 | $240 |
| Exercisable at December 31, 2024 | 6,837 | $34.20 | 4.8 | $240 |
| Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2024 | 9,994 | $29.48 | 5.9 | $240 |
(a)
The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying options and the fair value of the common stock for the options that were in the money at the dates reported.
The weighted-average grant date fair value per share of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was$9.98,$13.66 and$19.43, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the total number of stock options exercised was 290,753,222,935 and 331,912, respectively, resulting in total proceeds of$1.5 million,$1.5 million and$2.8 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was$3.1 million,$2.9 million and$6.9 million, respectively.
The fair values of options granted were estimated at each grant date using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Expected volatility | 64% | 65% | 66% |
| Expected term (years) | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Risk-free interest rate | 4.0% | 3.9% | 1.7% |
| Expected dividend yield | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity under the 2015 Plan (in thousands, except per share data):
| Weighted-average | ||
|---|---|---|
| Grant Date | ||
| Shares | Fair Value | |
| Unvested balance at December 31, 2023 | 1,309 | $25.89 |
| Granted | 1,217 | $16.07 |
| Vested | (395) | $27.17 |
| Forfeited | (89) | $22.15 |
| Unvested balance at December 31, 2024 | 2,042 | $19.95 |
The total intrinsic value of restricted stock units vested during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $6.7 million, $3.9 million and $2.2 million, respectively.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In June 2015, the Board of Directors adopted the 2015 ESPP, which became effective upon the Company’s initial public offering in September 2015. The number of authorized shares reserved for issuance under the 2015 ESPP automatically increases on the first business day of each fiscal year by the lesser of (i)1% of the shares of common stock outstanding on the last business day of the prior fiscal year; or (ii) the number of shares determined by the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise determined by the administrator of the 2015 ESPP, two offering periods of six months’ duration will begin each year on January 1 and July 1. As of December 31,2024, the total number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 2015 ESPP was 1,426,994, of which 912,964 remained available for future issuance. During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022,105,400,103,388 and 75,733 shares of common stock, respectively, were issued under the 2015 ESPP.
- Retirement Plan
The Company sponsors a defined-contribution retirement plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the 401(k) Plan). The 401(k) Plan covers all employees who meet defined minimum age and service requirements, and allows participants to defer a portion of their annual compensation. The Company matches employee deferrals up to a specified percentage of eligible compensation. For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred expenses of$3.1 million,$3.3 million and$3.0 million, respectively, for matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan.
- Income Taxes
The components of loss before income taxes were as follows (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| United States | $(227,022) | $(263,574) | $(280,341) |
| Foreign | (80) | (72) | (64) |
| Total loss before income taxes | $(227,102) | $(263,646) | $(280,405) |
The components of the provision for income tax expense (benefit) were as follows (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Current: | |||
| Federal | $— | $— | $3 |
| State | — | (152) | (87) |
| Foreign | — | — | — |
| Total current | — | (152) | (84) |
| Deferred: | |||
| Federal | — | — | — |
| State | — | — | — |
| Foreign | — | — | — |
| Total deferred | — | — | — |
| Total income tax expense (benefit) | $— | $(152) | $(84) |
Beginning in 2022, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the TCJA) eliminated the option to deduct research and development expenses currently and requires taxpayers to amortize such costs over a period offive years for expenses incurred in the United States and a period of 15 years for expenses incurred outside the United States. This provision of the TCJA resulted in deferred tax assets of $122.1 million and $107.3 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to capitalized research and development expenses, net of amounts amortized to date. There was no material impact to the Company's current or deferred tax provision or operating cash flows during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 as a result of this provision of the TCJA given the Company incurred net operating losses (NOLs) during the periods and has recorded a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets.
The Inflation Reduction Act (the IRA) was enacted in August 2022 and contains revenue-raising provisions to include a book-income alternative minimum tax and an excise tax on stock buybacks, among other provisions. Based on the thresholds established by the IRA and a review of the Company’s transactions, the enactments of the IRA did not have an impact on the Company’s income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has introduced BEPS Pillar 2 rules that impose a global minimum tax rate of 15%. Numerous countries have enacted corresponding legislation that is effective beginning January 1, 2024. These rules generally apply to multinational companies with consolidated revenue of at least €750.0 million in at least two of the four preceding fiscal years. Based on the revenue thresholds established in the BEPS Pillar 2 rules, these changes do not have an impact on the Company’s income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The following table presents a reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) computed at the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% to income tax expense (benefit) reported in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Federal income tax benefit at statutory rate | $(47,692) | $(55,366) | $(58,885) |
| State income tax benefit, net of federal tax effect | (10,715) | (14,330) | (22,743) |
| Research and development credits | (9,617) | (14,435) | (16,844) |
| Stock-based compensation | 3,171 | 3,348 | 3,216 |
| Executive compensation | 2,633 | 2,894 | 1,839 |
| Other non-deductible expenses and reconciling items | (162) | 569 | 241 |
| Change in corporate tax rates | 3,503 | 4,860 | (3,636) |
| Change in valuation allowance | 58,879 | 72,308 | 96,728 |
| Total income tax expense (benefit) | $— | $(152) | $(84) |
The significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets were as follows (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Deferred tax assets: | ||
| Net operating loss carryforwards | $105,468 | $61,929 |
| Research and development tax credits | 87,030 | 77,178 |
| Stock-based compensation | 22,687 | 22,405 |
| Lease liabilities | 22,278 | 24,671 |
| Liability related sale of future royalties | 12,148 | 22,482 |
| Capitalized research and development costs | 122,082 | 107,302 |
| Accruals and other | 5,366 | 7,785 |
| Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance | 377,059 | 323,752 |
| Valuation allowance | (338,352) | (280,455) |
| Total deferred tax assets | 38,707 | 43,297 |
| Deferred tax liabilities: | ||
| Right-of-use assets | (14,293) | (16,523) |
| Depreciation and amortization | (24,414) | (26,774) |
| Total deferred tax liabilities | (38,707) | (43,297) |
| Net deferred tax assets | $— | $— |
The Company evaluated the positive and negative evidence bearing upon the realizability of its deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. Based on the Company’s history of operating losses, and other relevant facts and circumstances, the Company concluded that it was more likely than not that the benefit of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Accordingly, the Company provided a full valuation allowance for its net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The valuation allowance increased by$57.9 million and$69.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increases in the valuation allowance during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were due primarily to research and development expenses incurred during the periods which were capitalized for tax purposes, and federal and state NOLs and research and development tax credits generated during the periods.
The following table presents the Company's U.S. federal and state NOL and tax credit carryforwards, net of unrecognized tax benefits, which may be available to offset future income tax liabilities (in thousands):
| As of December 31, 2024 | Expiration Date (if not utilized) | |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. federal NOL carryforwards | $373,599 | Indefinite |
| U.S. federal tax credit carryforwards | $86,473 | Various dates between 2037 and 2044 |
| U.S. state NOL carryforwards | $273,319 | Indefinite |
| U.S. state NOL carryforwards | $135,591 | Various dates between 2029 and 2044 |
| U.S. state tax credit carryforwards | $750 | Various dates between 2029 and 2031 |
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had U.S. federal and state research and development tax credit carryforwards of approximately $87.2 million, net of unrecognized tax benefits of $0.1 million, which may be available to reduce future income tax liabilities. The calculation of these credits requires assumptions to be made by the Company to estimate qualified research expenses.
The Company conducts formal studies to document the qualified activities and expenses used to calculate these credits, however a portion of these credits may be subject to future examinations which have not yet occurred, the results of which may result in an adjustment to the Company’s credit carryforwards. The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the requirements of ASC 740, and recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that the benefit will more likely than not be realized. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had total unrecognized tax benefits of $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, which were reserved against its research and development tax credit carryforwards as uncertain tax positions. Further, a full valuation allowance has been provided against the net credit carryforwards and, if an adjustment is required upon the completion of the study, this adjustment would be offset by an adjustment to the deferred tax asset established for the research and development credit carryforwards and the valuation allowance. If these unrecognized tax benefits were to be recognized, the impact would be offset by an adjustment to the valuation allowance, resulting in no impact on the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company expects that all of its unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2024 will reverse in the next 12 months due to the expiration of the associated statute of limitations.
Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company’s NOL and tax credit carryforwards are subject to review and possible adjustment by the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities. NOL and tax credit carryforwards may be subject to an annual limitation in the event of certain cumulative changes in the ownership interest of significant stockholders over athree-year period in excess of 50%, as defined under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code, respectively, as well as similar state provisions. This could limit the amount of tax attributes that can be utilized annually to offset future taxable income or tax liabilities. The amount of the annual limitation is determined based on the value of the Company immediately prior to the ownership change. Subsequent ownership changes may further affect the limitation in future years. The Company has completed several financings since its inception which may have resulted in a change in control as defined by Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code, or could result in a change in control in the future.
The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the United States, at the federal level and in various states, and in foreign jurisdictions. The U.S. federal and state income tax returns are generally subject to tax examinations for the tax years ended December 31, 2020 onward. To the extent the Company has tax attribute carryforwards, the tax years in which the attribute was generated may still be adjusted upon examination by the Internal Revenue Service or state tax authorities to the extent utilized in a future period.
- Restructuring
In November 2023, the Company implemented a strategic pipeline prioritization and corporate restructuring designed to reduce operating expenses and prioritize the development of ABBV-RGX-314, RGX-202 for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and RGX-121, while pursuing strategic alternatives for the Company's other clinical stage programs. The restructuring included a reduction in workforce and other planned operating expenses, primarily in rare neurodegenerative disease development, early research and other general and administrative areas.
In connection with the restructuring, the Company implemented a reduction in workforce of approximately 15%, which was substantially completed in the fourth quarter of 2023. The Company recorded restructuring costs of $3.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, of which $3.0 million is included in research and development expense and $0.7 million is included ingeneral administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Restructuring costs primarily consisted of employee severance, continuing healthcare benefits and other employee-related costs. Restructuring costs associated with one-time termination benefits were recorded pursuant to ASC 420, while restructuring costs associated with ongoing benefit arrangements were recorded pursuant to ASC 712. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded reductions in the restructuring liability of $0.4 million associated with changes in total estimated restructuring costs. As of December 31, 2024, all of the restructuring costs had been paid by the Company andno restructuring liability was recorded.
The following table presents the changes in the Company's restructuring liability (in thousands):
| Restructuring Liability | |
|---|---|
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $— |
| Restructuring charges | 3,731 |
| Cash payments | (1,925) |
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | 1,806 |
| Cash payments | (1,370) |
| Other adjustments | (436) |
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | $— |
- Related Party Transactions
From 2016 until June 2022, the Company was a party to professional services agreements with FOXKISER LLP (FOXKISER), an affiliate of certain stockholders of the Company and an affiliate of a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, pursuant to which the Company paid a fixed monthly fee in consideration for certain strategic services provided by FOXKISER. The agreement with FOXKISER was terminated effective June 2022. Expenses incurred under the agreement with FOXKISER for the year ended December 31, 2022 were $2.4 million and were recorded as research and development expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. No expenses under the agreement with FOXKISER were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
- Net Loss Per Share
Since the Company incurred net losses for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, common stock equivalents were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share for such periods as their effect would be anti-dilutive. Accordingly, basic and diluted net loss per share were the same for such periods. The weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted net loss per share calculations includes the weighted-average effect of pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of the Company's common stock, as the pre-funded warrants are exercisable at any time for nominal cash consideration. The following potentially dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding at the end of the period were excluded from the computations of weighted-average diluted common shares for the periods indicated as their effects would be anti-dilutive (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Stock options issued and outstanding | 9,994 | 8,581 | 7,668 |
| Unvested restricted stock units outstanding | 2,042 | 1,309 | 613 |
| Employee stock purchase plan | 47 | 27 | 30 |
| 12,083 | 9,917 | 8,311 | |
- Segment and Geographical 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), or decision-making group, in making decisions on how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s CODM, its Chief Executive Officer, views the Company’s operations and manages the business as one operating segment focused on the development and commercialization of gene therapies to treat an array of diseases. The determination of a single operating segment is consistent with the consolidated financial information regularly provided to the CODM.
The CODM reviews and evaluates consolidated net income (loss) for purposes of assessing performance, making operating decisions and allocating resources. The CODM uses net income (loss) to assess performance versus operating budgets and in the preparation of near-term and long-range operating plans to inform decisions on resource and capital allocation. The CODM reviews consolidated cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as a measure of segment assets. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were$244.9 million and $314.1 million, respectively.
The following table presents information about the Company's segment revenues, significant segment expenses regularly provided to the CODM, other segment items and consolidated net income (loss) (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Revenues | $83,328 | $90,242 | $112,724 |
| Less: | |||
| Cost of revenues | 33,567 | 37,213 | 54,545 |
| Research and development expense | |||
| Personnel | 65,950 | 73,356 | 67,466 |
| Direct development and support (a) | 97,951 | 110,337 | 131,397 |
| Facilities | 11,410 | 11,653 | 10,284 |
| Stock-based compensation | 17,985 | 20,568 | 21,368 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 15,226 | 16,352 | 11,938 |
| Total research and development expense | 208,522 | 232,266 | 242,453 |
| General and administrative expense | |||
| Personnel | 20,816 | 22,304 | 21,270 |
| Other general and administrative (b) | 29,480 | 41,609 | 40,340 |
| Facilities | 4,856 | 3,914 | 3,280 |
| Stock-based compensation | 20,478 | 19,699 | 19,420 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 989 | 968 | 971 |
| Total general and administrative expense | 76,619 | 88,494 | 85,281 |
| Other segment items (c) | 8,278 | 4,237 | (10,766) |
| Net loss | $(227,102) | $(263,494) | $(280,321) |
(a)
Direct development and support includes external goods and services for the development of product candidates and early-stage research activities, laboratory costs, consulting, development cost reimbursement to and from collaborators and other expenses in support of research and development activities.
(b)
Other general and administrative expenses include professional and administrative services, consulting, commercial cost reimbursement to and from collaborators and other corporate overhead expenses.
(c)
Other segment items include credit losses (recoveries), impairment of long-lived assets, other operating expenses (income), interest income from licensing, investment income, interest expense and income tax benefit.
The Company’s interest income during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 included interest income from licensing as presented in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, as well as interest income from investments of $12.1 million, $9.1 million and $5.5 million, respectively, which is included within investment income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
The Company’s revenues consist of license and royalty revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2024,36%,10% and 10% of the Company’s revenues were attributed to the United States, Germany and United Arab Emirates, respectively, and no other countries accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s revenues. For the year ended December 31,2023,32% of the Company’s revenues were attributed to the United States and no other countries accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s revenues. For the year ended December 31,2022,35% and 10% of the Company’s revenues were attributed to the United States and Germany, respectively, and no other countries accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s revenues. The country of origin for license revenue is determined based on the country of domicile of the licensee. The country of origin for royalty revenue is determined based on the location of the underlying net sales of licensed products.
The substantial majority of the Company’s assets reside in the United States.
- Supplemental Disclosures
Other Current Assets
Other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Net cost reimbursement due from collaborators | $11,304 | $17,745 |
| Accrued interest on investments | 1,094 | 1,551 |
| Other | 1,376 | 1,107 |
| $13,774 | $20,403 | |
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Accrued personnel costs | $17,607 | $18,146 |
| Accrued external research and development expenses | 8,998 | 13,762 |
| Accrued sublicense fees and royalties | 8,658 | 14,234 |
| Accrued external general and administrative expenses | 2,002 | 2,717 |
| Accrued purchases of property and equipment | 156 | 386 |
| Other accrued expenses and current liabilities | 649 | 458 |
| $38,070 | $49,703 | |
Supplemental Disclosures of Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of December 31, 2024 were $0.3 million, a net decrease of $0.1 million from December 31, 2023. Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of December 31, 2023 were $0.4 million, a net decrease of $2.1 million from December 31, 2022. Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of December 31, 2022 were $2.5 million, a net decrease of $7.5 million from December 31, 2021.
Offering expenses for at-the-market offering programs included in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively. No such amounts were recorded as of December 31, 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company derecognized $0.6 million in deferred offering costs upon the termination of the BofA ATM Program in November 2024.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.