The Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | The Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business Chimerix, Inc. (the Company) is a development-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to accelerating the advancement of innovative medicines that make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients living with cancer and other serious diseases. The Company has two clinical-stage product candidates, dociparstat sodium (DSTAT) and brincidofovir (BCV). DSTAT is a heparin derivative with significantly decreased anticoagulant activity; this enables dosing at higher concentrations to achieve anti-inflammatory and other potentially beneficial effects that cannot be safely achieved with commercially available forms of heparin. DSTAT is in development as a potential first-line therapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and as a potential treatment for acute lung injury (ALI) in COVID-19 patients. BCV is an investigational lipid conjugate that is in development as a medical countermeasure for smallpox. The Company expects to continue its evaluation of external innovation in order to license, acquire or otherwise gain access to molecules that further broaden its pipeline of investigational agents in cancer or other serious diseases. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of its financial position, operating results and cash flows for the periods presented have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year, for any other interim period or for any future year. Reclassifications Certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income or stockholders' equity (deficit). Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of certain financial instruments, including accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of such instruments. For assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, it is the Company’s policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy. Fair value measurements for assets and liabilities where there exists limited or no observable market data are based primarily upon estimates and are often calculated based on the economic and competitive environment, the characteristics of the asset or liability and other factors. Therefore, fair value measurements cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability. Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the calculated current or future fair values. The Company utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. The Company groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The determination of where an asset or liability falls in the hierarchy requires significant judgment. These levels are: • Level 1 — Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. • Level 2 — Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and models for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. • Level 3 — Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had cash equivalents including money market funds, whose value is based on quoted market prices. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had short term investments, including U.S. Treasury securities, whose value is based on quoted market prices. Accordingly, these securities are classified as Level 1. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had short-term investments, including commercial paper and corporate bonds. As quoted prices are not available for these securities, they are valued using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions. Accordingly, these securities are classified as Level 2. There was no material re-measurement to fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. For additional information regarding the Company's investments, please refer to Note 2, "Investments." Below are tables that present information about certain assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements September 30, 2020 Total Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Cash equivalents Money market funds $ 34,816 $ 34,816 $ — $ — Total cash equivalents 34,816 34,816 — — Short-term investments U.S. treasury securities 34,227 34,227 — — Commercial paper 3,999 — 3,999 — Corporate bonds 11,409 — 11,409 — Total short-term investments 49,635 34,227 15,408 — Total assets $ 84,451 $ 69,043 $ 15,408 $ — Fair Value Measurements December 31, 2019 Total Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant Cash equivalents Money market funds $ 11,854 $ 11,854 $ — $ — Total cash equivalents 11,854 11,854 — — Short-term investments U.S. treasury securities 22,493 22,493 — — Commercial paper 43,119 — 43,119 — Corporate bonds 30,962 — 30,962 — Total short-term investments 96,574 22,493 74,081 — Total assets $ 108,428 $ 34,347 $ 74,081 $ — Accrued Liabilities Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Accrued research and development expenses $ 3,034 $ 1,868 Accrued compensation 2,752 3,626 Other accrued liabilities 746 1,336 Total accrued liabilities $ 6,532 $ 6,830 Revenue Recognition Policy The Company’s revenues generally consist of (i) contract revenue - revenue generated under federal contracts, and (ii) collaboration and licensing revenue - revenue related to non-refundable upfront fees, royalties and milestone payments earned under license agreements. Revenue is recognized in accordance with the criteria outlined in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606 issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Following this accounting pronouncement, a five-step approach is applied for recognizing revenue, including (1) identify the contract with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) In February 2011, the Company entered into a contract with BARDA for the advanced development of BCV as a medical countermeasure in the event of a smallpox release. Under the contract, the Company may receive up to $75.8 million in expense reimbursement and $5.3 million in fees over the performance of 1 base segment and 4 option segments. Exercise of each option segment is solely at the discretion of BARDA. The Company assessed the services in accordance with the authoritative guidance and concluded that there is a potential of 5 separate contracts (1 base segment and 4 option segments) within this agreement, each of which has a single performance obligation. At present, all option segments (1 through 4) have been exercised, as well as the base segment. The transaction price for each segment, based on the transaction price as defined in each segment contract, is allocated to the single performance obligation for each contract. The transaction price is recognized over time by measuring the progress toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation. For reimbursable expenses, this occurs as qualifying research activities are conducted based on invoices from company vendors. For the fixed fee, the progress toward complete satisfaction is estimated based on the costs incurred to date relative to the total estimated costs per the terms of each contract. The Company typically invoices BARDA monthly as costs are incurred. Any amounts received in advance of performance are recorded as deferred revenue until earned. The base segment and first option segment were completed prior to adoption of ASC 606. The Company is currently performing under the fourth option segment of the contract during which the Company may receive up to a total of $4.6 million in expense reimbursement and fees. The second and third option segments were completed on August 20, 2020. The fourth option segment is scheduled to end on February 15, 2021. SymBio Pharmaceuticals On September 30, 2019, the Company entered into a license agreement with SymBio Pharmaceuticals Limited (SymBio) under which the Company granted SymBio exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize BCV for all human indications, excluding the prevention and treatment of orthopoxviruses, including smallpox. The Company assessed the agreement in accordance with the authoritative guidance and concluded that the SymBio contract includes multiple performance obligations. The SymBio contract has one fixed transaction amount of a $5.0 million upfront payment received in October 2019 and several variable transaction amounts, up to $180 million, due to the Company at certain regulatory and commercial milestones, along with low double-digit percent royalties based on net sales of BCV. All variable transaction amounts are fully constrained, therefore the allocated transaction price is $5.0 million. The majority of the transaction price of the contract has been allocated to the combined performance obligation of the granting of the license to BCV and associated technology transfer which was recognized when the technology transfer was completed in the fourth quarter of 2019. The revenue from regulatory and commercial milestones and royalties from net sales will be recognized upon the occurrence of the triggering events or when those transaction amounts are no longer fully constrained. Research and Development Prepaids and Accruals As part of the process of preparing financial statements, the Company is required to estimate its expenses resulting from its obligation under contracts with vendors and consultants and clinical site agreements in connection with its research and development efforts. The financial terms of these contracts are subject to negotiations which vary contract to contract and may result in payment flows that do not match the periods over which materials or services are provided to the Company under such contracts. The Company’s objective is to reflect the appropriate research and development expenses in its financial statements by matching those expenses with the period in which services and efforts are expended. The Company accounts for these expenses according to the progress of its research and development efforts. The Company determines prepaid and accrual estimates through discussion with applicable personnel and outside service providers as to the progress or state of communication of clinical trials, or other services completed. The Company adjusts its rate of research and development expense recognition if actual results differ from its estimates. The Company makes estimates of its prepaid and accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date in its financial statements based on facts and circumstances known at that time. Although the Company does not expect its estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, its understanding of status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and timing of services performed may vary and may result in the Company reporting amounts that are too high or too low for any particular period. Through September 30, 2020, there had been no material adjustments to the Company’s prior period estimates of prepaid and accruals for research and development expenses. The Company’s research and development prepaids and accruals are dependent upon the timely and accurate reporting of contract research organizations and other third-party vendors. Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock Basic net loss per share of common stock is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, excluding the dilutive effects of non-vested restricted stock, stock options, and employee stock purchase plan purchase rights. Diluted net loss per share of common stock is computed by dividing net loss by the sum of the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period plus the potential dilutive effects of non-vested restricted stock, stock options, and employee stock purchase plan purchase rights outstanding during the period calculated in accordance with the treasury stock method, but are excluded if their effect is anti-dilutive. Because the impact of these items is anti-dilutive during the periods of net loss, there was no difference between basic and diluted loss per share of common stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments |