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Zai Lab Ltd

For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Feb 27, 2025.

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About this filing

A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2024 · Filed Feb 27, 2025

ZLAB$26.86+5.4%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

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Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  1. Organization and Principal Activities

Zai Lab Limited was incorporated on March 28, 2013 in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Act of the Cayman Islands (as amended). Zai Lab Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) are focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing products that address medical conditions with significant unmet needs in the areas of oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and infectious disease.

The Company’s principal operations and geographic markets are in Greater China. The Company has a substantial presence in Greater China and the United States.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s significant operating subsidiaries were as follows:

Name of CompanyPlace ofIncorporationDate ofIncorporationPercentage ofOwnershipPrincipal Activities
Zai Lab (Hong Kong) LimitedHong KongApril 29, 2013100%Operating company for business development and R&D activities and commercialization of innovative medicines and device
Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.MainlandChinaJanuary 6, 2014100%Development and commercialization of innovative medicines and devices
Zai Lab (AUST) Pty. Ltd.AustraliaDecember 10, 2014100%Clinical trial activities
Zai Lab (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.MainlandChinaNovember 30, 2015100%Development and commercialization of innovative medicines
Zai Biopharmaceutical (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.MainlandChinaJune 15, 2017100%Development and commercialization of innovative medicines
Zai Lab (US) LLCUnitedStatesApril 21, 2017100%Operating company for business development, R&D activities and certain business activities, including legal, compliance and communication functions of the Company
Zai Lab International Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.MainlandChinaNovember 6, 2019100%Commercialization of innovative medicines and devices
Zai Auto Immune (Hong Kong) LimitedHong KongNovember 4, 2020100%Operating company for business development and R&D activities
Zai Lab (Taiwan) LimitedTaiwanDecember 10, 2020100%Commercialization of innovative medicines and devices
Zai Lab Trading (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.MainlandChinaOctober 27, 2020100%Commercialization of innovative medicines
  1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a)Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Significant accounting policies followed by the Company in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements are summarized below.

(b)Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Zai Lab Limited and its subsidiaries, which are wholly owned. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated upon consolidation.

(c)Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Areas where management uses subjective judgment include, but are not limited to, accrual of rebates, recognition of research and development expenses based on the Company’s estimates of the actual services performed by the CROs and CMOs, fair value of share-based compensation expenses, recoverability of deferred tax assets, and useful life of intangible assets for commercial products. These estimates, judgments, and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

(d)Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of Zai Lab Limited, Zai Lab (Hong Kong) Limited, Zai Lab (US) LLC, and Zai Auto Immune (Hong Kong) Limited are the U.S. dollar (“$”). The Company’s subsidiaries in mainland China determined their functional currency to be the Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”). The Company’s subsidiary in Australia determined its functional currency to be the Australian dollar (“A$”). The Company’s subsidiary in Taiwan determined its functional currency to be the Taiwan dollar (“TWD”). The determination of the respective functional currency is based on the criteria of Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 830, Foreign Currency Matters. The Company uses the U.S. dollar as its reporting currency.

Assets and liabilities are translated from each entity’s functional currency to the reporting currency at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Equity amounts are translated at historical exchange rates. Revenues, expenses, gains, and losses are translated using the average rate for the period presented. The resulted foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive loss in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, and the accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the applicable functional currencies are translated into the functional currencies at the prevailing rates of exchange at the balance sheet date.

Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated into the applicable functional currencies at historical exchange rates. Transactions in currencies other than the applicable functional currencies during the year are converted into the functional currencies at the applicable rates of exchange prevailing at the transaction dates. Transaction gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

(e)Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on hand, demand deposits, and highly liquid investments with maturity of less than three months and are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash mainly consists of bank deposits held as collateral for issuances of letters of credit for the Company’s loan facility (see Note 12).

(f)Short-Term Investments

Short-term investments are time deposits with original maturities between three months and one year. Short-term investments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Interest earned is included in interest income.

(g)Accounts Receivable

The Company’s accounts receivable arise from product sales and represent amounts due from its customers. From January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the ASU 2016-13, Credit Losses, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. Accounts receivable are recorded at the amounts net of allowances for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses reflects the Company’s current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the receivables. The Company considers various factors in establishing, monitoring, and adjusting its allowance for credit losses including the aging of receivables and aging trends, customer creditworthiness, and specific exposures related to particular customers. The Company also monitors other risk factors and forward-looking information, such as country-specific risks and economic factors that may affect a debtor’s ability to pay in establishing and adjusting its allowance for credit losses. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible.

(h)Notes Receivable

Notes receivable are equal to contractual amounts owed from signed, secured promissory notes issued from customers to the Company. The Company considers the notes receivable to be fully collectible. Accordingly, no allowance for credit loss has been established as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

(i)Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined on a weighted average basis. The Company periodically reviews the composition of inventory and shelf life of inventory to identify obsolete, slow-moving, or otherwise non-saleable items. The Company will record a write-down to its net realizable value in cost of product revenue in the period that the decline in value is first identified.

(j)Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets as follows:

Useful life
Office equipment3 years
Electronic equipment1.25-3 years
Vehicles4 years
Laboratory equipment5 years
Manufacturing equipment10 years
Leasehold improvementslesser of useful life or lease term

Construction in progress represents property and equipment under construction and pending installation and is stated at cost less impairment losses, if any.

(k)Leases

The Company leases facilities for its offices, research and development center, and manufacturing facilities in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the United States. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the ASC 842, Leases (“ASC 842”), using the modified retrospective transition approach by applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application and not restating historical periods before the adoption date.

The Company assessed whether an arrangement contains a lease at inception. The Company’s leases are all classified as operating leases with fixed lease payments, or minimum payments, as contractually stated in the lease agreements. The Company’s leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease liabilities that become due within one year of the balance sheet date are classified as current operating lease liabilities. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

At the commencement date of a lease, the Company recognizes a lease liability for future fixed lease payments and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset representing the right to use the underlying asset during the lease term. The lease liability is initially measured as the present value of the future fixed lease payments that will be made over the lease term. The lease term includes periods for which the Company is reasonably certain that the renewal options will be exercised and the termination options will not be exercised. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the lease liabilities as the Company’s leases generally do not provide an implicit rate. The incremental borrowing rate is reevaluated upon a lease modification. The Company considered information available at the adoption date of ASC 842 to determine the incremental borrowing rate for leases in existence as of this date.

The ROU asset is measured at the amount of the lease liability with adjustments, if applicable, for lease prepayments made prior to or at lease commencement, initial direct costs incurred by the Company, and lease incentives. Under ASC 842, land use rights agreements are also considered to be operating lease contracts.

The Company elected to apply each of the practical expedients described in ASC 842 which allow companies (i) not to reassess prior conclusions on whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain a lease, lease classification, and initial direct costs upon adoption of ASC 842, (ii) combine lease and non-lease components for all underlying assets groups, and (iii) not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities for short term leases. A short-term lease is a lease that, at the commencement date, has a lease term of 12 months or less and does not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise.

(l)Land Use Rights

All land in mainland China is subject to government or collective ownership. Land use rights can be purchased for a specified period of time. The purchase price of land use rights represents the operating lease prepayments under ASC 842 and is recorded as land use rights on the consolidated balance sheet, which is amortized over the remaining lease term.

The Company acquired land use rights in 2019 for a term of 30 years from the local Bureau of Land and Resources in Suzhou for the purpose of constructing and operating a research center and biologics manufacturing facility in Suzhou. In 2023, the Company returned a portion of the land use rights and received cash in an amount equal to the respective portion of the original acquisition cost.

(m)Long-Term Deposits

Long-term deposits represent amounts paid in connection with the Company’s long-term lease agreements.

(n)Intangible Assets

Intangible assets for commercial products include capitalized post-approval milestone fees and acquired commercial manufacturing know-how and related development costs. The Company is amortizing intangible assets for commercial products as cost of product revenue over the estimated remaining useful life of the related products, which is generally based on expected patent life, the contractual period of the underlying license agreement, and expected commercial benefits of the products. Intangible assets for externally purchased software are amortized over three tofive years on a straight-line basis.

(o)Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates long-lived assets, which includes intangible assets, tangible assets, and ROU assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the related asset group to its future undiscounted cash flows. The Company measures the amount of impairment, if any, based on the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the impaired asset group.

(p)Fair Value Measurements

The Company applies ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, in measuring fair value (“ASC 820”). ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires disclosures to be provided on fair value measurement.

ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1 — Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 — Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

ASC 820 describes three main approaches to measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities: (i) market approach; (ii) income approach; and (iii) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount. The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that would currently be required to replace an asset.

Equity investments with readily determinable fair value are measured using level 1 inputs and were $3.1 million and $9.2 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The unrealized gains and losses from fair value changes are recognized in other income, net in the consolidated statements of operations.

Financial instruments of the Company primarily include cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable, notes receivable, prepayments, and other current assets, accounts payable, and other current liabilities. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, prepayments, and other current assets, accounts payable, short-term debt, and other current liabilities approximated their fair values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments, and the carrying value of notes receivable and restricted cash approximated their fair value based on the nature of the assessment of the ability to recover these amounts.

(q)Revenue Recognition

In 2018, the Company adopted ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers(“ASC 606”). Under ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that the Company determines are within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price, including variable consideration, if any; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration to which it is entitled in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. Once a contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606 at contract inception, the Company reviews the contract to determine which performance obligations it must deliver and which of these performance obligations are distinct. The Company recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to each performance obligation when that performance obligation is satisfied or as it is satisfied.

The Company’s revenue is mainly from product sales. The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when the Company has satisfied the performance obligation by transferring control of the product to the customers. Control of the product generally transfers to the customers when the delivery is made and when title and risk of loss transfers to the consumers. Cost of product revenue mainly consists of the acquisition cost of products, the manufacturing cost of products, royalty fees, and amortization of intangible assets for commercial products.

The Company has applied the practical expedients under ASC 606 with regard to assessment of the financing component and concluded that there is no significant financing component given that the period between delivery of goods and payment is generally one year or less.

In mainland China, the Company sells these products to distributors, who ultimately sell the products to health care providers. Based on the nature of the arrangements, the performance obligations are satisfied upon the delivery of the products to distributors. Rebates are offered to distributors, consistent with pharmaceutical industry practices. The estimated amount of unpaid or unbilled rebates, if any, are recorded as a reduction of revenue. Estimated rebates are determined based on contracted rates and sales volumes and to a lesser extent, distributor inventories. The Company regularly reviews the information related to these estimates and adjusts the amount accordingly.

In Hong Kong, the Company sells the products to customers, which are typically healthcare providers such as oncology centers. The Company utilizes a third party for warehousing services. Based on the nature of the arrangements, the Company has determined that it is a principal in the transaction since the Company is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the products to the customers, maintains inventory risk until delivery to the customers, and has latitude in establishing the price. Revenue is recognized upon delivery to customers at mutually agreed upon prices. Consideration paid to the third party is recognized in operating expenses.

The Company did not recognize any contract assets or contract liabilities as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

(r)Collaborative Arrangements

The Company analyzes its collaboration arrangements to assess whether such arrangements 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 and therefore within the scope of ASC Topic 808, Collaborative Arrangements (“ASC 808”). This assessment is performed throughout the life of the arrangement based on changes in the responsibilities of all parties in the arrangement.

For collaboration arrangements within the scope of ASC 808 that contain multiple elements, the Company first determines which elements of the collaboration are deemed to be within the scope of ASC 808 and which elements of the collaboration are more reflective of a vendor-customer relationship and therefore within the scope of ASC 606. For elements of collaboration arrangements that are accounted for pursuant to ASC 808, an appropriate recognition method is determined and applied consistently.

(s)Research and Development Expenses

Elements of research and development expenses primarily include (i) payroll and other related costs of personnel engaged in research and development activities; (ii) in-licensed patent rights fees for exclusive development rights for products granted to the Company; (iii) costs related to pre-clinical testing of the Company’s technologies under development and clinical trials such as payments to CROs and CMOs, investigators, and clinical trial sites that conduct its clinical studies; (iv) costs to develop the product candidates, including raw materials and supplies, product testing, depreciation, and facility-related expenses; and (v) other research and development expenses. Research and development expenses are charged to expense as incurred when they have no alternative future uses. Liabilities related to third-party research and development expenses are primarily included in accounts payable on the consolidated balance sheet.

The Company has acquired rights to develop and commercialize certain product candidates. Upfront payments that relate to the acquisition of a new product compound, as well as pre-commercial milestone payments, are immediately expensed as acquired in-process research and development in the period in which they are incurred, provided that the new product compound does not also include processes or activities that would constitute a “business” as defined under U.S. GAAP. Milestone payments made to third parties subsequent to regulatory approval which meet the capitalization criteria would be capitalized as intangible assets and amortized over the estimated remaining useful life of the related product, which is generally based on expected patent life, the contractual period of the underlying license agreement, and expected commercial benefits of the products.

(t)Deferred Income

Deferred income is mainly related to upfront payments received from collaborative partners and government grants.

The Company received certain upfront payments from collaborative partners, which are being amortized over the terms of the contracts. The Company had $30.7 million and $26.7 million in deferred income related to the upfront payments as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Government grants consist of cash subsidies received by the Company’s subsidiaries in mainland China from local governments for conducting business in certain local districts. Grant received before the fulfillment of government specified performance obligations is recorded into deferred income. When the performance obligations are satisfied, the Company records the grants into other income, net. The Company had $0.7 million and $2.1 million of deferred income related to government grants as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

(u)Share-Based Compensation

The Company grants share options and non-vested restricted shares to eligible employees, non-employees, and directors and accounts for these share-based awards in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”).

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The grant-date fair value of non-vested restricted shares is the market value of the underlying stock on the award’s grant date.

The Company has elected to use the straight-line method to recognize compensation expenses for share awards with graded vesting based on service conditions, provided that the minimum amount of cumulative compensation expense recognized is not less than the portion of the award vested to date. For share-based awards with service conditions only, the Company recognizes expenses (i) immediately at grant date if no vesting conditions are required; or (ii) using a straight-line method over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period, if vesting conditions are required. For share-based awards containing performance conditions, the Company recognizes expenses based on the estimated number of performance-based awards expected to vest using the graded vesting attribution method. The Company accounts for the effect of forfeitures as they occur.

(v)Income Taxes

Income tax expense includes (i) deferred tax expense, which generally represents the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability balance during the year plus any change in valuation allowances; (ii) current tax expense, which represents the amount of tax currently payable to or receivable from a taxing authority; and (iii) non-current tax expense, which represents the increases and decreases in amounts related to uncertain tax positions from prior periods and not settled with cash or other tax attributes.

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, which are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company evaluates its uncertain tax positions using the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes, which requires that realization of an uncertain income tax position be recognized in the financial statements. The benefit to be recorded in the financial statements is the amount most likely to be realized assuming a review by tax authorities having all relevant information and applying current conventions. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as a component of income tax expense.

(w)Loss Per Share

Basic loss per ordinary share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted loss per ordinary share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities were exercised or converted into ordinary shares. The Company had stock options and non-vested restricted shares, which could potentially dilute basic loss per share in the future. To calculate the number of shares for diluted loss per share, the effect of the stock options and non-vested restricted shares is computed using the treasury stock method. The computation of diluted loss per share does not assume exercise or conversion of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect.

(x)Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss is defined as the changes in equity of the Company during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. For each of the periods presented, the Company’s comprehensive loss includes net loss and foreign currency translation adjustments, which are presented in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

(y) Concentration of Risks

Concentration of Customers

In 2024, 2023, and 2022, the Company’s five largest customers accounted for approximately $128.7 million (32.4%), $104.7 million (35.0%), and $88.2 million (37.7%) of the product revenue, respectively. One customer accounted for approximately $67.3 million (16.9%), $59.4 million (19.9%), and $52.5 million (22.4%) of the product revenue, respectively for the same periods.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that are potentially subject to significant concentration of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable, and notes receivable.

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were held by major financial institutions located in mainland China and international financial institutions outside of mainland China which management believes are of high credit quality and continually monitors the credit worthiness of these financial institutions.

Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are derived from product sales. The Company manages credit risk of accounts receivable through ongoing monitoring of outstanding balances and limits the amount of credit extended based upon payment history and credit worthiness. Historically, the Company has collected receivables from customers within the credit terms with no significant credit losses incurred. One customer accounted for 10% or more of accounts receivable, with $16.7 million and $7.8 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Certain accounts receivable balances may be settled in the form of notes receivable. As of December 31, 2024, notes receivable represented bank acceptance promissory notes that are non-interest bearing and due within six months. Notes receivable were used to collect the receivables based on an administrative convenience, given these notes are readily convertible to be known amounts of cash. In accordance with the sales agreements, whether to use cash or bank acceptance promissory notes to settle the receivables is at the Company’s discretion, and this selection does not impact the agreed contractual purchase prices.

The Company’s other receivables were primarily due from its partners, which have good credit ratings. The credit risk for other receivables was generally very low.

Foreign Currency Risk

RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the People’s Bank of China, controls the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies. The value of RMB is subject to changes in central government policies and to international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the China Foreign Exchange Trading System market. The cash and cash equivalents of the Company included aggregated amounts denominated in RMB of $19.0 million and $25.1 million, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, representing 4% and 3% of the cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

(z)Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures(Topic 740). This ASU requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as additional information on income taxes paid. This ASU is effective on a prospective basis for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. This ASU will result in the required additional disclosures being included in the consolidated financial statements, once adopted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU and expects to adopt it for the year ending December 31, 2025.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. This ASU requires disclosure, in the notes to financial statements, of specified information about certain costs and expenses. This ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. This ASU will result in the required additional disclosures being included in the notes to consolidated financial statements, once adopted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU and expects to adopt it for the year ending December 31, 2027.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (Topic 280). This ASU requires all public entities, including public entities with a single reportable segment, to disclose the title and position of the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) and the significant segment expenses and any additional measures of a segment’s profit or loss used by the CODM to allocate resources and assess performance. This ASU is effective on a retrospective basis for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this ASU for the year ended December 31, 2024 and disclosed additional descriptive information as required under ASC 280(see Note 21).

  1. Cash and Cash Equivalents

The following table presents the Company’s cash and cash equivalents ($ in thousands):

December 31,
20242023
Cash448,508789,051
Cash equivalents (i)1,1591,100
449,667790,151
Denominated in:
US$429,887762,436
RMB (ii)18,97925,093
Hong Kong dollar (“HK$”)1141,974
Australian dollar (“A$”)522587
Taiwan dollar (“TW$”)16561
449,667790,151

(i)Cash equivalents represent short-term and highly liquid investments in a money market fund.

(ii)Certain cash and bank balances denominated in RMB were deposited with banks in mainland China. The conversion of these RMB-denominated balances into foreign currencies is subject to the rules and regulations of foreign exchange control promulgated by the Chinese government.

  1. Short-Term Investments

Short-term investments are primarily comprised of time deposits with original maturities between three months andone year. The short-term investments balance was $330.0 million and $16.3 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. No allowance for credit loss was recorded as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

  1. Inventories, Net

The following table presents the Company’s inventories, net ($ in thousands):

December 31,
20242023
Finished goods24,06322,702
Raw materials13,26817,655
Work in progress2,5444,470
Inventories, net39,87544,827

The Company writes down inventory for any excess or obsolete inventories or when the Company believes that the net realizable value of inventories is less than the carrying value. The Company recorded write-downs in inventory, which were included in cost of product revenue of $0.8 million, $1.0 million, and $0.5 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

  1. Long-Term Investments

In July 2021, the Company made an equity investment in MacroGenics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, in a private placement with total contributions of $30.0 million and obtained 958,467 newly issued common shares of MacroGenics at $31.30 per share. The Company recorded this investment at acquisition cost and subsequently measured it at fair value, with the changes in fair value recognized in other income, net in the consolidated statements of operations. The equity investments with readily determinable fair value are measured using level 1 inputs and were $3.1 million and $9.2 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company recognized a loss of $6.1 million, a gain of $2.8 million, and a loss of $9.0 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

  1. Property and Equipment, Net

The following table presents the components of the Company’s property and equipment, net ($ in thousands):

December 31,
20242023
Office equipment1,2301,047
Electronic equipment9,2119,161
Vehicle196199
Laboratory equipment20,51620,140
Manufacturing equipment17,49317,680
Leasehold improvements11,30611,371
Construction in progress25,12924,272
85,08183,870
Less: accumulated depreciation(37,120)(30,136)
Property and equipment, net47,96153,734

Depreciation expense was $8.6 million, $8.4 million, and $7.7 million for 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

  1. Leases

The Company leases facilities for its offices, research and development center, and manufacturing facilities in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the United States. Lease terms vary based on the nature of operations and market dynamics; however, all leased facilities are classified as operating leases with remaining lease terms betweenone andeight years.

The following table presents operating lease costs ($ in thousands). Total lease expense related to short-term leases was insignificant for those periods presented.

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
Operating fixed lease cost8,7518,6918,774

The following table presents operating cash flows related to leases ($ in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities8,8319,3178,084
Non-cash operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining operating right-of-use assets15,1503,66814,801

The maturities of lease liabilities in accordance with ASC 842, Leases in each of the next five years and thereafter were as follows ($ in thousands):

Year EndedDecember 31, 2024
20258,611
20264,994
20273,725
20282,908
20292,312
Thereafter609
Total lease payments23,159
Less: imputed interest(1,399)
Present value of minimum operating lease payments21,760

Weighted-average remaining lease terms and discount rates were as follows:

December 31,
20242023
Weighted-average remaining lease term3.7 years2.5 years
Weighted-average discount rate3.4%3.0%
  1. Intangible Assets, Net

The following table presents the components of the Company’s intangible assets, net ($ in thousands):

As of December 31,
20242023
Gross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet Carrying ValueGross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet Carrying Value
Finite-lived intangible assets
Commercial products (i)57,104(2,637)54,46711,351(186)11,165
Software4,360(2,800)1,5604,340(2,116)2,224
Total61,464(5,437)56,02715,691(2,302)13,389

(i) The increase in the net carrying value is primarily driven by $33.4 million of regulatory milestone fees for repotrectinib and SUL-DUR (see Note 16) and $12.2 million of acquired commercial manufacturing know-how and related development costs.

Amortization expense was $3.2 million, $0.7 million, and $0.5 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. The weighted-average remaining amortization period for intangible assets for commercial products and software was 9.5 years and 3.0 years, respectively.

Expected future amortization expense for the five succeeding years and thereafter is as follows ($ in thousands):

Year Ended December 31
20255,834
20266,350
20276,859
20286,686
20294,336
Thereafter25,962
  1. Revenues

Product Revenue, Net

The Company’s product revenue is derived from the sales of its commercial products in Greater China. The table below presents the Company’s gross and net product revenue ($ in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
Product revenue - gross423,855298,911234,009
Less: Rebates and sales returns(26,241)(32,192)(21,337)
Product revenue - net397,614266,719212,672

Sales rebates are offered to distributors in mainland China, and the amounts are recorded as a reduction of product revenue. Estimated rebates are determined based on contracted rates, sales volumes, and level of distributor inventories.

The following table presents the Company’s net revenue by commercial program ($ in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
ZEJULA187,082168,843145,194
VYVGART / VYVGART Hytrulo93,63910,011—
NUZYRA43,19921,6565,200
OPTUNE40,47546,96947,321
QINLOCK28,82619,24014,957
XACDURO3,305——
AUGTYRO1,088——
Product revenue - net397,614266,719212,672
  1. Income Tax

Cayman Islands

Zai Lab Limited, ZLIP Holding Limited, Zai Auto Immune Limited, and Zai Anti Infectives Limited are incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, Zai Lab Limited, ZLIP Holding Limited, Zai Auto Immune Limited, and Zai Anti Infectives Limited are not subject to tax on income or capital gain. Additionally, the Cayman Islands does not impose a withholding tax on payments of dividends to shareholders.

British Virgin Islands Taxation

ZL Capital Limited is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands, ZL Capital Limited is not subject to income tax.

Australia

Zai Lab (AUST) Pty. Ltd. is incorporated in Australia and is subject to corporate income tax at a rate of 30%. Zai Lab (AUST) Pty. Ltd. hadno taxable income for the periods presented; therefore, no provision for income taxes is required.

United States

Zai Lab (US) LLC is incorporated in the United States and is subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax at a rate of 21%. Zai Lab (US) LLC is also subject to state income tax in Delaware. Zai Lab (US) LLC hadno taxable income for the periods presented; therefore, no provision for income taxes is required.

Taiwan

Zai Lab (Taiwan) Limited is incorporated in Taiwan and is subject to corporate income tax at a rate of 20%. Zai Lab (Taiwan) Limited hadno taxable income for the periods presented; therefore, no provision for income taxes is required.

Hong Kong

Zai Lab (Hong Kong) Limited, ZL China Holding Two Limited, Zai Auto Immune (Hong Kong) Limited, and Zai Anti Infectives (Hong Kong) Limited are incorporated in Hong Kong. Companies registered in Hong Kong are subject to Hong Kong profits tax on the taxable income as reported in their respective statutory financial statements adjusted in accordance with relevant Hong Kong tax laws. Under the two-tiered profits tax rates regime in Hong Kong, the first HK$2.0 million of profits of the qualifying group entity will be taxed at 8.25%, and profits above HK$2.0 million will be taxed at 16.5%. In 2024, 2023, and 2022, Zai Lab (Hong Kong) Limited, ZL China Holding Two Limited, Zai Auto Immune (Hong Kong) Limited, and Zai Anti Infectives (Hong Kong) Limited didnot make any provisions for Hong Kong profit tax as there wereno assessable profits derived from or earned in Hong Kong for any of the periods presented. Under the Hong Kong tax law, Zai Lab (Hong Kong) Limited, ZL China Holding Two Limited, Zai Auto Immune (Hong Kong) Limited, and Zai Anti Infectives (Hong Kong) Limited are exempted from income tax on its foreign-derived income, and there areno withholding taxes in Hong Kong on remittance of dividends.

People’s Republic of China

Under EIT Law, the statutory income tax rate is 25%, and the EIT rate will be reduced to 15% for state-encouraged High and New Technology Enterprises (“HNTE”). Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., first obtained an HNTE certificate in 2018 and began to enjoy the preferential tax rate of 15% from 2018 to 2020 and further extended the certificate effective for 2021 to 2026. Zai Lab International Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Zai Lab (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Zai Biopharmaceutical (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., and Zai Lab Trading (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. are subject to the statutory rate of 25%.

No provision for income taxes has been required to be accrued because the Company is in a cumulative loss position for the periods presented.

The following table presents loss (income) before income taxes ($ in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
Cayman Islands(2,453)(16,792)19,454
British Virgin Islands——2
Mainland China146,725253,274290,056
Hong Kong1,8084,48353,425
United States110,42292,86979,620
Australia1914(260)
Taiwan582772989
257,103334,620443,286

Reconciliations of the differences between the Chinese statutory income tax rate and the Company’s effective income tax rate were as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
Statutory income tax rate25%25%25%
Tax-exempted income0.42%0.19%—%
Share-based compensation(3.52%)(2.08%)(1.40%)
Research and development super deduction5.28%7.11%2.51%
Non-deductible expenses(0.77%)(2.83%)(2.31%)
Prior year tax filing adjustment(3.05%)1.32%6.33%
Effect of different tax rate of subsidiary operation in other jurisdictions(0.73%)0.02%(2.85%)
Preferential tax rate(5.05%)(7.12%)(6.26%)
Expiration of tax loss(2.72%)—%—%
Expiration of deductible qualified donation(0.78%)2.28%—%
Changes in valuation allowance(14.08%)(23.89%)(21.02%)
Effective income tax rate—%—%—%

The following table presents the principal components of deferred tax assets and liabilities ($ in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
20242023
Deferred tax assets:
Depreciation of property and equipment171131
Research and experimental capitalization38,21530,429
Share-based compensation3,7973,422
Accrued expenses1,038707
Government grants98467
Deferred revenue3,4424,354
Qualified donation26,83222,992
Lease liability3,8852,967
Net operating loss carry forwards321,068295,313
Less: valuation allowance(394,778)(357,956)
Total Deferred tax assets3,7682,826
Deferred tax liabilities:
Right-of-use assets(3,768)(2,826)
Deferred tax assets, net——

ASC 740, Income Taxes, provides for the recognition of deferred tax assets if realization of such assets is more likely than not. The Company’s ability to realize deferred tax assets depends on its ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carry forward periods provided for in the tax law. In assessing the need for any additional valuation allowance for 2024, the Company considered all available evidence both positive and negative, including potential for prudent and feasible tax planning strategies, recent losses, and forecasts of future profitability. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company determined that the deferred tax assets on temporary differences and net operating loss carry forwards related to certain subsidiaries will not be realized, and as such it has fully provided the corresponding valuation allowance.

The following table presents that movement of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets ($ in thousands):

20242023
Balance as of January 1,(357,956)(284,072)
Additions(36,822)(73,884)
Balance as of December 31,(394,778)(357,956)

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had net operating loss carry forwards of $1,951.5 million and $1,804.9 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, net operating losses were primarily comprised of: $1,497.0 million derived from a certain entity in mainland China which expires in years 2025 through 2034; $83.6 million derived from other entities in mainland China which expire in years 2025 through 2029; $2.5 million derived from Taiwan which expires in years 2025 through 2034; and $57.7 million, $306.9 million, and $3.8 million derived from Hong Kong, the United States, and Australia, respectively, that have indefinite carryforwards. Net operating loss carryforwards in mainland China and Taiwan expire through 2034 and those in Hong Kong, the United States, and Australia do not expire.

Uncertainties exist with respect to how the current income tax law in mainland China applies to the Company’s overall operations, and more specifically, with regard to tax residency status. The EIT Law includes a provision specifying that legal entities organized outside of mainland China will be considered residents for Chinese income tax purposes if the place of effective management or control is within mainland China. The implementation rules to the EIT Law provide that non-resident legal entities will be considered Chinese residents if substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting, and properties occurs within mainland China. Despite the present uncertainties resulting from the limited Chinese tax guidance on the issue, the Company does not believe that the legal entities organized outside of mainland China within the Company should be treated as residents for EIT Law purposes. If the Chinese tax authorities subsequently determine that the Company and its subsidiaries registered outside of mainland China should be deemed resident enterprises, the Company and its subsidiaries registered outside of mainland China will be subject to Chinese income taxes, at a rate of 25%. The Company is not subject to any other uncertain tax position.

According to the PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, the statute of limitation is three years if the underpayment of taxes is due to computational errors made by the taxpayer or the withholding agent. The statute of limitation is extended to five years under special circumstances where the underpayment of taxes is more than RMB0.1 million. In the case of transfer pricing issues, the statute of limitation is 10 years. There is no statute of limitation in the case of tax evasion. The income tax returns of the Company’s PRC subsidiary for the years from 2015 to 2024 are open to examination by the PRC tax authorities.

For Hong Kong income tax purposes, the statute of limitations is six years after the relevant year of assessment. This can be extended to 10 years in the case of fraud or willful evasion of taxes. There are no provisions that govern the time limit for tax collection.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the statute of limitations is generally 3 years after the due date of the return, or 3 years after the date the return was actually filed, whichever is later. The statute of limitations does not apply to fraud or tax evasion. Also, the statute of limitations is indefinite if no tax return is filed. For state income tax purposes, the statute of limitations is generally 4 years from the return filing date or due date in states including California, Kentucky, and New Jersey, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., fraud, failure to file).

  1. Borrowings

The Company has debt arrangements with the Bank of China, SPD Bank, CMB, and Ningbo Bank to support its working capital needs in mainland China. The following table presents the Company’s short-term debt as of December 31, 2024 ($ in thousands):

Weighted average interest rate per annumDecember 31, 2024
Bank of China Working Capital Loans2.77%69,138
SPD Bank Working Capital Loans3.13%27,823
China Merchant Bank Working Capital Loans2.91%34,750
Total short-term debt2.88%131,711

Bank of China Working Capital Loan Facility

On February 5, 2024, the Company entered into an uncommitted facility letter with the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited (“BOC HK”) pursuant to which BOC HK will provide standby letters of credit for loans of up to $100.0 million for a term ofone year. In connection with this agreement, the Company paid a one-time, non-refundable fee of $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2024. In accordance with this agreement, the Company also maintained restricted deposits of $100.0 million, which are presented as restricted cash-current on the consolidated balance sheet, to secure the standby letters of credit. On February 6, 2024 and June 20, 2024, upon the Company’s application, BOC HK provided standby letters of credit in favor of the Bank of China Pudong Development Zone Branch (“BOC Pudong Branch”) for $50.0 million and $23.0 million, respectively, which are or may become payable by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (“Zai Lab Shanghai”). BOC HK and BOC Pudong Branch are collectively referred to as Bank of China. Zai Lab Shanghai entered into working capital loans with BOC Pudong Branch under this facility in the first half of 2024, and the aggregate principal amount outstanding was RMB 497.0 million (approximately $69.1 million) as of December 31, 2024. Each working capital loan has aone-year term and is subject to a floating interest rate, which is subject to adjustment everysix months.

SPD Bank Working Capital Loan Facility

On February 6, 2024, the Company entered into a maximum-amount guarantee contract with the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co., Ltd. Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park Sub-Branch (“SPD Bank”), pursuant to which the Company will guarantee working capital loans of up to RMB 300.0 million (approximately $42.0 million) from SPD Bank to Zai Lab Shanghai over athree-year period. Zai Lab Shanghai entered into working capital loan contracts with SPD Bank under this debt facility in 2024, and the aggregate principal amount outstanding was RMB 200.0 million (approximately $27.8 million) as of December 31, 2024. Each working capital loan has aone-year term and is subject to a fixed interest rate.

Ningbo Bank Working Capital Loan Facility

On February 6, 2024, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Zai Lab (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (“Zai Lab Suzhou”), entered into a maximum credit contract with Bank of Ningbo Co., Ltd. Suzhou Sub-branch (“Ningbo Bank”) as well as an Electronic Commercial Draft Discounting Master Agreement and Online Working Capital Loan Master Agreement (collectively, the “Ningbo Bank Agreements”). The Ningbo Bank Agreements permit Zai Lab Suzhou to utilize, including through discounting or working capital loan agreements and subject to the terms and conditions in related master agreements, up to RMB 230.3 million (approximately $32.4 million), of which Zai Lab Suzhou is authorized to utilize up to RMB 160.0 million (approximately $22.5 million). In connection with the arrangements described in the Ningbo Bank Agreements, Zai Lab Suzhou agreed to pledge certain real property it owns in Suzhou. As of December 31, 2024, Zai Lab Suzhou had not entered into any discounting arrangements or working capital loans under this Ningbo Bank working capital loan facility.

China Merchants Bank Working Capital Loan Facility

On July 5, 2024, the Company issued a maximum-amount irrevocable letter of guarantee to China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. Shanghai Branch (“CMB”), pursuant to which the Company will guarantee working capital loans of up to RMB 250.0 million (approximately $34.4 million) from CMB to Zai Lab Shanghai, and Zai Lab Shanghai entered into a Credit Agreement with CMB with respect to the RMB 250.0 million facility. The credit facility will be available forone year. As of December 31, 2024, Zai Lab Shanghai has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of RMB 249.8 million (approximately $34.8 million) under this debt facility. Each working capital loan has aone-year term and is subject to a floating interest rate, which is subject to adjustment every three months.

  1. Other Current Liabilities

The following table presents the Company’s other current liabilities ($ in thousands):

December 31,
20242023
Accrued payroll30,19833,711
Accrued professional service fee5,7287,520
Payables for purchase of property and equipment4492,474
Accrued rebate to distributors10,83916,926
Tax payables5,15416,988
Other (i)6,3525,353
Total58,72082,972

(i)Other primarily includes accrued travel, business-related expenses, other payables to employees, and advance payments from partners.

  1. Loss Per Share

The following table presents the computation of the basic and diluted net loss per share ($ in thousands, except share and per share data):

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
Numerator:
Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders(257,103)(334,620)(443,286)
Denominator:
Weighted average number of ordinary shares - basic and diluted989,477,730966,394,130958,067,140
Net loss per share-basic and diluted(0.26)(0.35)(0.46)

As a result of the Company’s net loss for 2024, 2023, and 2022, share options and non-vested restricted shares outstanding in the respective periods were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

December 31,
202420232022
Share options101,015,470104,584,05091,181,420
Non-vested restricted shares31,951,71031,279,60033,433,890
  1. Share-Based Compensation

The Company has adopted equity incentive plans, pursuant to which the Company grants share options, SARs, restricted and unrestricted shares, and share units, performance awards, and other awards that are convertible into or otherwise based on ordinary shares to employees and directors of the Company as well as to certain advisors and service providers. In March 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved such an Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”). In August 2017, in connection with the completion of the Company’s initial public offering on Nasdaq (the “IPO”), the Board of Directors approved the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”). No new equity-based awards would be granted under the 2015 Plan subsequent to the IPO; new equity-based awards would be granted under the 2017 Plan.

The Company adopted the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Plan”), which became effective in June 2022 following required approvals from the Company’s shareholders and Board of Directors. No new equity-based awards will be made under the 2017 Plan as of the effective date of the 2022 Plan. The initial aggregate number of shares available for issuance under the 2022 Plan was 97,908,743 ordinary shares.

The Company adopted the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2024 Plan”), which became effective in June 2024 following required approvals from the Company’s shareholders and Board of Directors. No new equity-based awards will be made under the 2022 Plan as of the effective date of the 2024 Plan. The initial aggregate number of shares available for issuance under the 2024 Plan was 99,208,743 ordinary shares.

The share options granted under the equity incentive plans described above have a contractual term often years. Share options granted since April 2023 generally vest ratably over afour-year period, and share options granted prior to April 2023 generally vest ratably over afive-year period, with 25% or 20% of the awards vesting on each anniversary of the grant date, respectively, subject to continued employment/service with the Company on the vesting date. The restricted shares granted generally vest ratably over a specified period on the anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued employment/service with the Company on the vesting date. The shares underlying restricted share grants represent shares not yet vested until they have met related consideration or vesting requirements, which are generally continued employment/service to the Company or satisfaction of specified performance conditions. The restricted shares will be released from the restrictions once they vest. Upon termination of the award holders’ service with the Company for any reason, any shares that are outstanding and not yet vested will be immediately forfeited unless otherwise determined by the administrator or set forth in an agreement between the Company and the award holder.

Before November 2023, upon each settlement date of the share awards, shares were generally withheld to cover the required withholding tax, which was based on the value of a share on the settlement date as determined by the closing price of the ADSs on the trading day of the applicable settlement date. The remaining shares after the withholding were delivered to the recipient. The amount remitted to the tax authorities for employee tax obligations was reflected as a financing activity on the consolidated statements of cash flows. These shares withheld by the Company as a result of the net settlement were accounted for as treasury stock and considered issued but not outstanding.

Stock Option Activity

The following table presents a summary of option activity and related information in 2024:

Number ofoptionsWeightedaverage exerciseprice($)Weightedaverageremainingcontractual term (years)Aggregateintrinsic value ($ in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2023104,584,0503.145.9783,424
Granted20,947,4801.69
Exercised(5,147,140)0.64
Forfeited(19,368,920)3.93
Outstanding at December 31, 2024101,015,4702.825.8183,381
Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 202455,805,3602.503.7365,797

The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during 2024, 2023, and 2022 was $9.4 million, $20.3 million, and $14.3 million, respectively.

Stock Option Valuation Assumptions

The following table presents the assumptions used to estimate the fair values of the share options granted:

202420232022
Risk-free rate of return3.5%-4.5%3.5%-4.7%1.4%-4.0%
Expected term (in years)6.256, 6.25 or 6.56.5
Estimated volatility rate70%70%65%
Expected dividend rate0%0%0%

Options granted are measured based on grant-date fair value using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted-average grant-date fair value per share for options granted during 2024, 2023, and 2022 were $1.12, $2.21, and $2.74 per share, respectively.

Non-Vested Restricted Shares Activity

The following table summarized the Company’s non-vested restricted share activity in 2024:

Numbersof non-vestedrestricted sharesAggregateintrinsic value ($ in thousands)
Non-vested as of December 31, 202331,279,60085,487
Granted17,687,410
Vested(10,120,260)
Forfeited(6,895,040)
Non-vested as of December 31, 202431,951,71083,682

The grant-date fair value of restricted shares is the fair value of the underlying stock on the award’s grant date. The weighted-average grant-date fair value per share for restricted shares granted in 2024, 2023, and 2022 were $1.73, $3.18, and $3.71 per share, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation Expenses

The following table presents the share-based compensation expense which has been reported in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations ($ in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
Selling, general and administrative42,53248,01738,118
Research and development28,11931,61723,184
Total70,65179,63461,302

As of December 31, 2024, there was unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested share options and unvested restricted shares of $70.3 million and $73.3 million, respectively, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.63 years and 2.45 years, respectively.

  1. License and Collaboration Agreements

The Company may enter into collaboration agreements with third parties to license intellectual property. These agreements may require the Company to make upfront payments and payments related to certain future development, regulatory, and sales-based milestones as well as certain royalties at tiered percentage rates on annual sales of the licensed products in the licensed territory. These agreements generally remain in effect, unless earlier terminated, until the expiration of the last-to-expire royalty term for the last licensed product. The royalty terms generally continue until the latest of: (i) the expiration of the last-to-expire valid claim with respect to licensed patent rights; (ii) the expiration of market or regulatory exclusivity; or (iii) a specified period of time, generally aroundten years, after the date of the first commercial sale of the licensed product. These agreements also contain customary provisions for termination by either party, including in the event of a material breach by the other party that remains uncured; by the Company for convenience upon a specified notice period; for certain bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar events; and by its partners upon challenge of their licensed patent rights.

Payments under these agreements generally become due and payable upon the achievement of such milestones or sales. These commitments are not recorded as liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet because the achievement and timing of these milestones are not fixed and determinable. The following is a description of the Company’s significant license and collaboration agreements as of December 31, 2024, including milestone fees incurred in 2024, 2023, and 2022.

Significant License and Collaboration Arrangements

License and Collaboration Agreement with GSK (Niraparib)

In September 2016, the Company entered into a collaboration, development, and license agreement with Tesaro, a company later acquired by GSK, pursuant to which the Company obtained an exclusive sublicense under certain patents and know-how of GSK to develop, manufacture, and commercialize GSK’s proprietary PARP inhibitor, niraparib, for the diagnosis and prevention of any human diseases or conditions (other than prostate cancer) in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The Company will purchase ZEJULA from GSK for commercial use in Hong Kong. The Company is not otherwise obligated to purchase ZEJULA or other licensed products from GSK.

The Company recorded development milestone fees into research and development expenses of $4.0 million in 2022. The Company recorded a sales-based milestone fee into an intangible asset of $12.0 million in 2023. The Company may be required to pay an additional aggregate amount of up to $16.0 million in sales-based milestones as well as certain royalties at tiered percentage rates ranging from mid- to high-teens on annual net sales of the licensed products in the licensed territories.

Collaboration and License Agreement with argenx (Efgartigimod)

In January 2021, the Company entered into a collaboration and license agreement with argenx, pursuant to which the Company obtained an exclusive license under certain patients and know-how of argenx to develop and commercialize products containing efgartigimod as an active ingredient in all human and animal uses for any preventative or therapeutic indications in Greater China. The Company will purchase the licensed products exclusively from argenx.

Pursuant to the collaboration and license agreement, the Company and argenx entered into a share issuance agreement. The Company issued as an upfront payment to argenx of 5,681,820 ordinary shares of the Company. In determining the fair value of the ordinary shares at closing, the Company considered the closing price of the ordinary shares on the closing date and included a lack of marketability discount because the shares were subject to certain restrictions. The fair value of the shares on the closing date was determined to be $62.3 million in the aggregate.

The Company may be required to pay an additional aggregate amount of up to $42.5 million in sales-based milestones as well as certain royalties at tiered percentage rates ranging from mid-teens to low-twenties on annual net sales of licensed products in the licensed territory.

License and Collaboration Agreement with Novo Holdings (Omadacycline)

In April 2017, the Company entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Paratek Bermuda Ltd. (“Paratek”), a subsidiary of Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (which was subsequently acquired by Gurnet Point Capital and Novo Holdings A/S), pursuant to which the Company obtained both an exclusive license under certain patents and know-how of Paratek and an exclusive sub-license under certain intellectual property that Paratek licensed from Tufts University to develop, manufacture, and commercialize products containing omadacycline as an active ingredient in the field of all human therapeutic and preventative uses other than biodefense in Greater China.

The Company may be required to pay an additional aggregate amount of up to $40.5 million in sales-based milestones as well as certain royalties at tiered percentage rates ranging from low- to mid-teens on annual net sales of licensed products in the licensed territory.

License and Collaboration Agreement with NovoCure (Tumor Treating Fields)

In September 2018, the Company entered into a license and collaboration agreement with NovoCure, pursuant to which it obtained an exclusive license under certain patents and know-how of NovoCure to develop and commercialize any Tumor Treating Fields treatment or delivery system, including the device branded as OPTUNE, in all human therapeutic and preventative uses in the field of oncology in Greater China. The Company will purchase the licensed products exclusively from NovoCure.

The Company may be required to pay an additional aggregate amount of up to $68.0 million in regulatory and sales-based milestones as well as certain royalties at tiered percentage rates ranging from low- to mid-teens on annual net sales of the licensed products in the licensed territory.

License and Collaboration Agreement with Deciphera (Ripretinib)

In June 2019, the Company entered into a license agreement with Deciphera, pursuant to which it obtained an exclusive license under certain patents and know-how of Deciphera to develop and commercialize products containing ripretinib in the field of the prevention, prophylaxis, treatment, cure, or amelioration of any disease or medical condition in humans in Greater China. The Company will purchase the licensed products exclusively from Deciphera.

The Company may be required to pay an additional aggregate amount of up to $173.0 million in development, regulatory, and sales-based milestones as well as certain royalties at tiered percentage rates ranging from low- to high-teens on annual net sales of the licensed products in the licensed territory.

License and Collaboration Agreement with Innoviva (SUL-DUR)

In April 2018, the Company entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Entasis (now a wholly owned subsidiary of Innoviva), pursuant to which it obtained an exclusive license under certain patents and know-how of Entasis to develop and commercialize products containing Entasis’s proprietary compounds known as durlobactam with Sulbactam (the combination, SUL-DUR) with the possibility of developing and commercializing a combination of such compounds with Imipenem in all human diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic uses in Greater China, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. The Company will purchase the licensed products exclusively from Innoviva.

The Company recorded a regulatory milestone fee of $8.0 million as an intangible asset in 2024. The Company recorded development milestone fees into research and development expenses of $3.0 million in 2023. The Company may be required to pay an additional aggregate amount of up to $78.0 million in development, regulatory, and sales-based milestones as well as certain royalties at tiered percentage rates ranging from high single digits to low-teens on annual net sales of the licensed products in the licensed territory. The Company is also responsible for a portion of the costs of the global pivotal Phase III ATTACK clinical trial of SUL-DUR outside of the licensed territory.

License Agreement with BMS (Repotrectinib)

In July 2020, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with Turning Point (now a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMS), pursuant to which the Company received an exclusive license to develop and commercialize products containing repotrectinib as an active ingredient in all human therapeutic indications in Greater China. The Company will purchase the licensed products exclusively from BMS.

The Company recorded regulatory milestone fees of $25.0 million as an intangible asset in 2024. The Company recorded development milestone fees into research and development expenses of $5.0 million in 2023. The Company may be required to pay an additional aggregate amount of up to $116.0 million in development, regulatory, and sales-based milestones as well as certain royalties at tiered percentage rates ranging from low- to high-teens on annual net sales of the licensed products in the licensed territory.

License and Collaboration Agreement with Amgen (Bemarituzumab)

In December 2017, the Company entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Five Prime (a company later acquired by Amgen), pursuant to which it obtained an exclusive license under certain patents and know-how of Five Prime to develop and commercialize products containing Five Prime’s proprietary afucosylated FGFR2b antibody known as bemarituzumab (FPA144) as an active ingredient in the treatment or prevention of any disease or condition in humans in Greater China. The Company will purchase the licensed products exclusively from Amgen.

The Company may be required to pay an additional aggregate amount of up to $37.0 million in development and regulatory milestones as well as certain royalties at tiered percentage rates in high-teens on annual net sales of the licensed products in the licensed territory.

Under the terms of the agreement, provided that the Company enrolls and treats a specified number of patients in the bemarituzumab FPA144-004 study in mainland China, the Company is eligible to receive a low single-digit percentage quarterly royalty, on a licensed product-by-licensed product basis on net sales of all licensed products outside of the licensed territory until the tenth (10 th) anniversary of the first commercial sale of each such licensed product outside of the licensed territory.

Collaboration and License Agreement with Pfizer (Tisotumab Vedotin)

In September 2022, the Company entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Seagen (a company later acquired by Pfizer), pursuant to which the Company and Seagen agreed to collaboratively develop and commercialize tisotumab vedotin (TIVDAK). Under the agreement, the Company obtained an exclusive license to develop and commercialize TIVDAK in Greater China. The Company will purchase the licensed products exclusively from Pfizer.

The Company recorded an upfront payment of $30.0 million into research and development expenses in 2022. The Company may be required to pay an additional aggregate amount of up to $258.0 million in development, regulatory, and sales-based milestone payments as well as certain royalties at tiered percentage rates ranging from mid-teens to low-twenties on annual net sales of the licensed products in Greater China.

License Agreement with BMS (Xanomeline and Trospium Chloride)

In November 2021, the Company entered into a license agreement with Karuna (a company later acquired by BMS), pursuant to which the Company obtained an exclusive license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize xanomeline-trospium (KarXT) in Greater China.

The Company recorded development milestone fees into research and development expenses of $10.0 million in each of 2024 and 2022, respectively. The Company may be required to pay an additional aggregate amount of up to $132.0 million in regulatory and sales-based milestones as well as certain royalties at tiered percentage rates ranging from low- to high-teens on annual net sales of the licensed products in Greater China.

Collaboration and License Agreement with MediLink Therapeutics (DLL3 ADC)

In April 2023, the Company entered into a collaboration and license agreement with MediLink, pursuant to which the Company obtained an exclusive global license to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize MediLink’s proprietary ADC compound targeting DLL3.

The Company recorded an upfront payment into research and development expenses of $10.0 million in 2023. The Company may be required to pay an additional aggregate amount of up to $592.0 million in development, regulatory, and sales-based milestone payments as well as certain royalties at tiered percentage rates ranging from high single digits to low double digits on annual net sales of the licensed products.

Other License and Collaboration Arrangements That Are Not Individually Significant

The Company may be required to pay an additional aggregate amount of up to $2,045.4 million in development, regulatory, and sales-based milestones as well as certain royalties at tiered percentage rates on annual net sales under such agreements.

  1. Other Income, Net

The following table presents the Company’s other income, net ($ in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
Government grants8,1702,43311,471
(Loss) Gain on equity investments with readily determinable fair value(6,105)2,789(8,952)
Other miscellaneous gain3,2351,784594
Total5,3007,0063,113
  1. Restricted Net Assets

The Company’s ability to pay dividends may depend on the Company receiving distributions of funds from its Chinese subsidiaries. Relevant Chinese laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries only out of its retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. The results of operations reflected in the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP differ from those reflected in the statutory financial statements of the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries.

In accordance with the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China, a domestic enterprise is required to provide statutory reserves of at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit until such reserve has reached 50% of its respective registered capital based on the enterprise’s Chinese statutory accounts. A domestic enterprise may provide discretionary surplus reserve, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, from the profits determined in accordance with the enterprise’s Chinese statutory accounts. The aforementioned reserves can only be used for specific purposes and are not distributable as cash dividends. The Company’s Chinese subsidiaries were established as domestic enterprises and therefore are subject to the above-mentioned restrictions on distributable profits.

No appropriation to statutory reserves was made in 2024, 2023, and 2022 because the Chinese subsidiaries had substantial losses during such periods.

As a result of these Chinese laws and regulations, subject to the limits discussed above that require annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax profit to be set aside, prior to payment of dividends, as a general reserve fund, the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer out a portion of their net assets.

Foreign exchange and other regulation in mainland China may further restrict the Company’s subsidiaries in mainland China from transferring out funds in the form of dividends, loans, and advances. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, amounts restricted included the paid-in capital of the Company’s subsidiaries in mainland China and were $506.0 million.

  1. Employee Defined Contribution Plans

Full-time employees of the Company in mainland China participate in a government mandated defined contribution plan, pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, employee housing fund, and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require that the Company’s subsidiaries in mainland China make contributions to the government for these benefits primarily based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries subject to certain caps and other government requirements. The total amounts for such employee benefits, which were expensed as incurred, were $26.0 million, $25.8 million, and $23.6 million for 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

The Company’s employees who are U.S. taxpayers and who meet certain age and service requirements are eligible to participate in a broad-based, defined contribution retirement plan which is qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “401(k) plan”). The Company makes a matching contribution equal to 100% in 2024 and 2023 and 50% in 2022 of the first 5% of the employee’s elective contributions under the plan, up to 5.0% of an employee’s eligible compensation. Contributions made by the Company vest 100% upon contribution. The total amounts for such employee benefits, which were expensed as incurred, were $1.1 million, $1.0 million, and $0.5 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

The Company also provides required Mandatory Provident Fund contribution for its full-time employees located in Hong Kong and provides social benefits contribution for its full-time employees located in Taiwan. The total amounts for these contributions, which were expensed as incurred, was $0.2 million in each of 2024, 2023, and 2022.

There is no forfeiture of contribution related to any of the Company’s employee defined contribution plans as described above.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024

  1. Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Purchase Commitments

As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s commitments related to commercial manufacturing development and facilities construction and improvement activities that are contracted but not yet reflected in the consolidated financial statements were $6.8 million and were expected to be incurred within one year.

(b) Legal Proceedings

The Company is not currently a party to any material legal proceedings. Each quarter, the Company evaluates whether there have been any developments in legal proceedings that would require an accrual. In accordance with the accounting guidance for contingencies, the Company will accrue for losses that are both probable and reasonably estimable. The Company will record any legal and other third-party costs related to its legal contingencies as incurred.

(c) Indemnifications

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements that indemnify others for certain liabilities that may arise in connection with a transaction or certain events and activities. If the indemnified party were to make a successful claim pursuant to the terms of the indemnification, the Company may be required to reimburse the loss. These indemnifications are generally subject to various restrictions and limitations. The Company’s exposure under these agreements is unknown because it involves claims that may be made against the Company in the future but have not yet been made. To date, the Company has not paid any claims or been required to defend any action related to its indemnification obligations.

  1. Segment Information

The Company operates as a single operating segment engaged in discovering, developing, and commercializing products that address medical conditions with significant unmet needs in the areas of oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and infectious disease. A global research and development organization and a supply chain organization discover, develop, manufacture, and supply our products. A global commercial organization markets, distributes, and sells the products. The business is also supported by global corporate staff functions. The Company’s CODM is the Chief Executive Officer, who assesses performance and allocates resources based on the significant expenses and net income on a consolidated basis. The significant expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM include those amounts that are also reported on the consolidated statement of operations as well as below additional disaggregated measures. The CODM also reviews cash position (which are cash and cash equivalents, current restricted cash, and short-term investments) that are also reported on the consolidated balance sheets when making operating decisions. In accordance with ASC 280, the Company has onlyone reportable segment.

The following tables present disaggregated expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM:

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
Selling and marketing expenses190,367169,555159,136
General and administrative expenses108,374112,05399,835
Total selling, general, and administrative expenses298,741281,608258,971

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
Personnel compensation and related costs106,154115,749105,561
Licensing fees30,99719,29153,441
CROs/CMOs/Investigators expenses69,870103,333100,544
Other costs27,48327,49526,862
Total research and development expenses234,504265,868286,408
Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
Clinical programs86,126112,158155,792
Pre-clinical programs31,91317,3566,644
Unallocated research and development expenses116,465136,354123,972
Total research and development expenses234,504265,868286,408
Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
Personnel compensation and related costs174,958173,389162,045
Other costs123,783108,21996,926
Total selling, general, and administrative expenses298,741281,608258,971
  1. Subsequent Events

In January 2025, the Company identified an additional opportunity to access capital denominated in RMB through a debt facility with Bank of Communications on favorable commercial terms to support its working capital needs in mainland China. As a result, on January 2, 2025, the Company entered into a guarantee contract with Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. Shanghai Zhangjiang Sub-Branch (“BOCOM”) pursuant to which the Company will guarantee working capital loans from BOCOM to Zai Lab Shanghai, and Zai Lab Shanghai entered into a working capital loan contract with BOCOM with respect to a revolving credit facility of up to RMB 300.0 million (approximately $41.1 million), of which the full amount was subsequently withdrawn by Zai Lab Shanghai in February 2025. The working capital loan has aone-year term and is subject to a floating interest rate, which is subject to adjustment every three months.

In February 2025, upon the maturity of a portion of the short-term debt with BOC Pudong Branch (see Note 12), Zai Lab Shanghai repaid RMB 340.0 million (approximately $46.9 million) of the loan balance.

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