Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if applicable, have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, allowance of doubtful accounts, operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities, accrued expenses, income taxes and stock-based compensation. The Company bases its estimates on various assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. New Accounting Pronouncements – Issued But Not Yet Adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company invests its excess cash in bank deposits, consisting primarily of money market mutual funds. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company applies fair value accounting for all financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or an exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy requires that an entity maximize the use of observable inputs when estimating fair value. The fair value hierarchy includes the following three-level classification which is based on the market observability of the inputs used for estimating the fair value of the assets or liabilities being measured: Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 – Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. 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, which are three years for computer equipment and software, and three to seven years for furniture and leasehold improvements. Investments The Company invests its excess cash in investment grade, short to intermediate-term, fixed income securities and recognizes purchased securities on the settlement date. All investments have been classified as “available-for-sale” and are carried at estimated fair value based upon quoted market prices or pricing models for similar securities. Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each consolidated balance sheet date. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities are excluded from earnings and are reported as a component of comprehensive loss. Realized gains and losses and declines in fair value determined to be other-than-temporary, if any, on available-for-sale debt securities are included in interest and other income (expense), net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific-identification method. Interest on short-term investments is included in interest and other income (expense), net. Revenue Recognition License and Collaboration Arrangements The Company may enter into collaboration arrangements that fall under the scope Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808). The Company analyzes its collaboration arrangements to assess whether they are within the scope of ASC 808 to determine 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. This assessment is performed throughout the life of the arrangement based on changes in the responsibilities of all parties in the arrangement. The accounting for some of the activities under collaboration arrangements may be analogized to ASC 606 for distinct units of account that are reflective of a vendor-customer relationship. Under ASC 606, in determining the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized as it fulfills its obligations under its agreements, the Company performs the following steps: (i) identification of the promised goods or services in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations based on estimated selling prices; and (v) recognition of revenue when the Company satisfies each performance obligation. If a license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified in the arrangement, the Company recognizes revenues attributed to the license when the license is transferred to the customer and the customer is able to use and benefit from the license. For licenses that are bundled with other promises, the Company utilizes judgement to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time. At the inception of each arrangement that contain development milestones, the Company evaluates whether the development milestones included are considered probable of being reached and estimates the amount to be included in the transaction price using the most likely amount method. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the associated milestone value is included in the transaction price. Milestone payments that are not within the control of the Company or the licensee, such as regulatory approvals, are not generally considered probable of being achieved until those approvals are received. At the end of each reporting period, the Company re-evaluates the probability of achievement of any development milestones, and if necessary, adjusts its estimate of the transaction price. Any such adjustments would be recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis, which would affect revenues and earnings in the period of adjustment. For research and development services, the Company elected the practical expedient to recognize revenue as the research and development services are invoiced. As the Company has a right to consideration from the collaboration agreement with Biogen International GmbH (“Biogen”), in an amount that corresponds directly with the value of the Company’s performance completed to date for the research services, the Company recognized revenue related to the research services as invoiced, in line with the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-55-18. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative stand-alone selling price (“SSP”) basis. The Company recognizes revenue as or when the performance obligations under the contract are satisfied. As part of the accounting for these arrangements, the Company must develop assumptions that require judgment to determine the timing of recognition and the SSP for each performance obligation identified in the contract. The SSP for licenses are calculated using the residual approach if the Company has not yet established a price for such license and the license has not previously been sold on a standalone basis. Otherwise, selling prices for licenses are determined using an income approach model and include key assumptions such as: development timeline, revenue forecast, commercialization expenses, discount rate and probabilities of technical and regulatory success. To estimate the SSP for research and development services, the Company uses a cost-plus margin approach. Cost of License and Collaboration Cost of license revenue includes sublicense fees paid or payable to Mosaic Biosciences, Inc. (“Mosaic”), incurred in the period, under the terms of the Mosaic collaboration agreement, and fees for patent development and protection paid or payable to other third-party vendors corresponding to the recognition of license revenue from the Company’s collaboration agreement with Biogen. See Notes 8 and 12, Related Parties and Collaborations, respectively. Cost of license revenue does not include any allocated overhead costs. Cost of collaboration revenue includes fees for research and development services paid or payable to Mosaic and other third-party vendors and personnel cost, incurred in the period pertaining to the Company’s agreement with Biogen. See Notes 8 and 12, Related Parties and Collaborations, respectively. Cost of collaboration revenue does not include any allocated overhead costs. Research and Development Expenses Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services used in research and development are initially deferred and capitalized in prepaid and other current assets. The capitalized amounts are then expensed as the related goods are delivered or services are performed, or until it is no longer expected that the goods or services will be delivered. Research and development costs consist of payroll and other personnel-related expenses, laboratory supplies and reagents, contract research and development services, materials, and consulting costs, as well as allocations of facilities and other overhead costs. Under the Company’s collaboration agreement with Biogen, certain specific expenditures are reimbursed by third parties. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, $6.5 million and $5.4 million, respectively, of research and development expense was recorded as cost of collaboration revenue related to the collaboration agreement with Biogen signed in December 2019. Accrued Research and Development Expenses Accrued expenses include estimated costs of research and development activities conducted by external service providers, which include the conduct of preclinical studies and clinical trials and contract manufacturing activities. The Company records the estimated costs of research and development activities based upon the estimated amount of services provided but not yet invoiced and includes these costs in other accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and within research and development expense in the consolidated statement of operations. These costs are a significant component of the research and development expenses. The Company records accrued expenses for these costs based on the estimated amount of work completed and in accordance with agreements established with these external service providers. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, investments and accounts receivable. The Company’s investment policy restricts cash investments to high credit quality, investment grade investments. The Company believes that it has established guidelines for investment of its excess cash that maintain safety and liquidity through its policies on high quality of investment and investment duration. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of default by the institutions holding the cash and cash equivalents to the extent beyond the amount insured by the federal depository insurance corporation. The Company’s accounts receivable as of December 31, 2021 of $1.8 million as well as its total license and collaboration revenue of $7.3 million and $20.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are from one party, see Note 12, Collaborations Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Amounts payable to the Company are recorded as accounts receivable when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional. Customer payments are recorded as deferred revenue upon receipt or when due and may require deferral of revenue recognition to a future period until the Company performs its obligations under the arrangements. The Company continuously monitors collections and payments from its customers and maintains a provision for estimated credit losses. The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time balances are past due, the Company’s previous loss history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligations to the Company and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they are determined to be uncollectible. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no allowance for doubtful accounts deemed necessary. Income Taxes Income taxes are computed using the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company follows the authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. This guidance prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken in the Company’s income tax returns. This interpretation also provides guidance on accounting for interest and penalties and associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods and income tax disclosures. The Company’s policy is to include penalties and interest expense related to income taxes as a component of other expense and interest expense, respectively, as necessary. Stock-Based Compensation The Company measures the cost of employee, non-employee and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant and recognizes the related expense over the period during which the employee, non-employee or director is required to provide service in exchange for the award on a straight-line basis. The estimated fair value of equity awards that contain performance conditions is expensed over the term of the award once the Company has determined that it is probable that performance conditions will be satisfied. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing valuation model to estimate the grant-date fair value of stock-based awards. The determination of fair value for stock-based awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model requires management to make certain assumptions regarding a number of variables. T he Company elected to account for forfeitures when they occur. As such, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense, over their requisite service period, based on the vesting provisions of the individual grants. Restructuring Charges Costs and liabilities associated with restructuring are recorded in the period management commits to a restructuring or cost reduction plan, or executes specific actions contemplated by the plan and all criteria for liability recognition have been met. One-time employee termination costs are recognized at the time of communication to employees, unless future service is required, in which case the costs are recognized ratably over the future service period. Restructuring charges are recognized as an operating expense within the consolidated statements of operations and related liabilities are recorded within accrued compensation on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company periodically evaluates and, if necessary, adjusts its estimates based on currently available information. Leases At the inception of an arrangement, the Company determines whether the arrangement is or contains a lease based on the unique facts and circumstances present. Operating lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are recorded based on the present value of lease payments over the expected lease term. The interest rate implicit in lease contracts is typically not readily determinable. As such, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate, which is the rate incurred to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Certain adjustments to the right-of-use asset may be required for items such as initial direct costs paid or incentives received. The Company has elected to combine lease and non-lease components as a single component. The lease expense is recognized over the expected term on a straight-line basis. Operating leases are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet as right-of-use assets, operating lease liabilities, current and operating lease liabilities, non-current. Net Loss per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share, since the effects of potentially dilutive securities are antidilutive given the net loss of the Company for all periods presented. |