| Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2020 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Basis of Presentation | The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). |
| Consolidation | The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aerie and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts, transactions and profits have been eliminated in consolidation. |
| Use of Estimates | The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include revenue recognition, acquisitions, stock-based compensation and fair value measurements. Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates. |
| Segment Information | Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision-maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business as one operating segment. |
| Concentration of Risk | Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents and investments. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents, which include short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, are held at several financial institutions. The Company’s investment policy permits investments in U.S. federal government and federal agency securities, corporate bonds or commercial paper, money market instruments, and certain qualifying money market mutual funds, and places restrictions on credit ratings, maturities, and concentration by type and issuer. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of a default by the financial institutions holding its cash, cash equivalents and investments to the extent recorded on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company relies on its manufacturing plant in Athlone, Ireland, and its current contract manufacturers to produce commercial supplies of Rhopressa ® and Rocklatan ® and may rely on its third-party manufacturers to produce the active pharmaceutical ingredient (“API”). The Company may rely on a combination of internal manufacturing and third-party manufacturers for its product candidates and future product candidates. The commercial production of the final drug product is supported by a combination of internal and outsourced manufacturing. The Company has established its own manufacturing plant in Athlone, Ireland, for t he production of our FDA approved products and clinical supplies . The Athlone manufacturing plant began manufacturing commercial supplies of Rocklatan ® during the first quarter of 2020 and Rhopressa ® in the third quarter of 2020 for distribution to the United States. Shipments of commercial supply of Rocklatan ® and Rhopressa ® from the Athlone manufacturing plant to the United States commenced in the third quarter of 2020 and in the fourth quarter of 2020, respectively . The Athlone manufacturing plant has also manufactured clinical supplies of Rhopressa ® for the Phase 3 clinical trials in Japan. As the Athlone manufacturing plant commenced operations in 2020, it has not yet reached full capacity. The Company expects that the Athlone manufacturing plant will have adequate capacity to produce Rhopressa ® and Rocklatan ® for the United States as well as the European and Japanese commercial markets. The Company expects that in 2021 the Athlone manufacturing plant will manufacture most of its needs for Rhopressa ® and Rocklatan ® in the United States. The Company may continue to use contract manufacturers to produce commercial supplies of Rhopressa ® and Rocklatan ® for distribution in the United States , but at reduced levels compared to before the Athlone manufacturing plant was operational . In addition to the current contract manufacturers, the Company obtained FDA approval for an additional Rhopressa ® drug product contract manufacturer in the first quarter of 2019, which began to supply commercial product in the second quarter of 2019. Further, the Company has obtained FDA approval for an additional API contract manufacturer, which began to supply commercial API in the second quarter of 2019. The Company has also received FDA approval of an additional Rocklatan ® drug product contract manufacturer in January 2020, which began to supply commercial product in the first quarter of 2020. Latanoprost, used in the manufacture of Rocklatan ® , is available in commercial quantities from multiple reputable third-party manufacturers. |
| Revenue Recognition | The Company accounts for its revenue transactions under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC Topic 606”). In accordance with ASC Topic 606, the Company recognizes revenues when its customers obtain control of its product for an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive from its customers in exchange for that product. To determine revenue recognition for contracts that are determined to be in scope of ASC Topic 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; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies the performance obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. Once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC Topic 606, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract and determines those that are performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when such performance obligation is satisfied. Product Revenues Aerie’s customers include a limited number of national and select regional wholesalers (the “distributors”). These distributors subsequently resell the product, primarily to retail pharmacies that dispense the product to patients. Net product revenue is typically recognized when distributors obtain control of the Company’s products, which occurs at a point in time, typically upon delivery of product to the distributors. The Company evaluates the creditworthiness of each of its distributors to determine whether it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. The Company does not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component if the expectation is such that the period between the transfer of the promised goods to the customer and the receipt of payment will be less than one year. Standard credit terms do not exceed 75 days. The Company expenses incremental costs of obtaining a contract as and when incurred if the expected amortization period of the asset that would have been recognized is one year or less or the amount is immaterial. Shipping and handling costs related to the Company’s product sales are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company’s net product revenues through December 31, 2020 were generated through sales of Rhopressa ® and sales of Rocklatan ® . Product revenue is recorded net of trade discounts, allowances, commercial and government rebates, co-pay program coupons, chargebacks, U.S. government funding requirements for the coverage gap (commonly called the “donut hole”) portion of the Medicare Part D program and estimated returns and other incentives. These reserves are classified as either reductions of accounts receivable or as current liabilities. The estimates of reserves established for variable consideration reflect current contractual and statutory requirements, known market events and trends, industry data, forecasted customer mix and lagged claims. The transaction price, which includes variable consideration reflecting the impact of discounts and allowances, may be subject to constraint and is included in the net product revenues only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of the amount of the cumulative revenues recognized will not occur in a future period. Actual amounts may ultimately differ from these estimates. If actual results vary, estimates may be adjusted in the period such change in estimate becomes known, which could have an impact on earnings in the period of adjustment. See Note 3 for additional information. Contract Revenues from License Agreements In the normal course of business, the Company conducts research and development activities pursuant to which the Company may license certain rights of the Company’s intellectual property to third parties. The terms of these arrangements typically include payment to the Company for a combination of one or more of the following: upfront license fees; development, regulatory and sales-based milestone payments; clinical or commercial supply services and royalties on net sales of licensed products. The Company would first assess any arrangements under ASC 808 , Collaborative Arrangements (“ASC 808”) to determine whether the agreement (or part of the agreement) represents a collaborative arrangement based on the risks and rewards and activities of the parties. The Company accounts for collaborative arrangements (or elements within the contract that are deemed part of a collaborative arrangement), which represent a collaborative relationship and not a customer relationship, outside the scope of ASC Topic 606. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606 (“ASU 2018-18”), which was effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. This standard makes targeted improvements for collaborative arrangements as follows: • Clarifies that certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue under ASC Topic 606, when the collaborative arrangement participant is a customer in the context of a unit of account. In those situations, all the guidance in ASC Topic 606 should be applied, including recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure requirements; • Adds unit-of-account guidance to ASC 808, to align with the guidance in ASC Topic 606 (that is, a distinct good or service) when an entity is assessing whether the collaborative arrangement or a part of the arrangement is within the scope of ASC Topic 606; and • Requires that in a transaction with a collaborative arrangement participant that is not directly related to sales to third parties, presenting that transaction together with revenue recognized under ASC Topic 606 is precluded if the collaborative arrangement participant is not a customer. For arrangements within the scope of ASC Topic 606, in determining the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized as it fulfills its obligations under its agreements, the Company performs the five steps outlined in “— Revenue Recognition ” above. As part of the accounting for these arrangements, the Company must use judgment to determine: (a) the performance obligations based on the determination under step (ii) above; (b) the transaction price under step (iii) above; (c) the stand-alone selling price for each performance obligation identified in the contract for the allocation of transaction price under step (iv) above; and (d) in some circumstances when control transfers and the appropriate measure of progress in order to recognize revenue under step (v) above. The Company uses judgment to determine whether milestones or other variable consideration should be included in the transaction price as described further below. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative stand-alone selling price basis, for which the Company recognizes revenue as or when the performance obligations under the contract are satisfied. Amounts received prior to revenue recognition are recorded as deferred revenue. Amounts expected to be recognized as revenue within the 12 months following the balance sheet date are classified as current portion of deferred revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amounts not expected to be recognized as revenue within the 12 months following the balance sheet date are classified as deferred revenue, non-current. Upfront license fees : If the license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified in the arrangement, the Company will recognize revenue from upfront license fees allocated to the license when the license is transferred to the licensee and the licensee is able to use and benefit from the license. For licenses that are bundled with other promises, the Company determines whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time. Development, regulatory or commercial milestone payments : At the inception of each arrangement that includes payments based on the achievement of certain development, regulatory and sales-based or commercial events, the Company evaluates whether the milestones are considered probable of being achieved 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 Company’s or the licensee’s control, such as regulatory approvals, are not considered probable of being achieved until uncertainty associated with the approvals has been resolved. At the end of each subsequent reporting period, the Company will re-evaluate the probability of achieving such development and regulatory milestones and any related constraint, and if necessary, adjust the Company’s estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis and recorded as part of license revenues from collaborations during the period of adjustment. Clinical or commercial supply services : Arrangements that include a promise for the future supply of drug product for either clinical development or commercial supply at the licensee’s discretion are generally considered as customer options. The Company assesses if these options provide a material right to the licensee and if so, they would be accounted for as separate performance obligations. Sales-based milestone payments and royalties : For arrangements that include sales-based royalties, including milestone payments based on the volume of sales, the Company will determine whether the license is deemed to be the predominant item to which the royalties or sales-based milestones relate and if such is the case, the Company will recognize revenue at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied). Upfront payments and fees may require deferral of revenue recognition to a future period until the Company performs its obligations under these arrangements or when it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with any variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Amounts payable to the Company are recorded as accounts receivable when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional. The Company does not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component if the expectation at contract inception is such that the period between payment by the customer and the transfer of the promised goods or services to the customer will be one year or less. See Note 3 for additional information. |
| Cash Equivalents | The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held at several financial institutions. The Company considers money market accounts and short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. |
| Credit Losses | Trade accounts receivable : The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company’s assessment of the collectability of customer accounts. The Company regularly reviews the allowance by considering factors such as historical experience, creditworthiness of its customers, the age of the accounts receivable balances and current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. Available-for-sale investments : The Company’s investments in debt securities can consist of U.S. federal government and federal agency securities, corporate bonds or commercial paper, money market instruments and certain qualifying money market mutual funds. The investments are short-term in nature and are rated investment grade by at least one bond credit rating service. |
| Inventories | Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The Company determines the cost of inventory using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. The Company analyzes its inventory levels at least quarterly and writes down inventory that is expected to expire prior to being sold, inventory in excess of expected sales requirements and inventory that fails to meet commercial sale specifications, with a corresponding charge to cost of goods sold. The determination of whether inventory costs will be realizable requires estimates by management of future expected inventory requirements based on sales forecasts. If actual net realizable value is less than the estimated amount or if actual market conditions are less favorable than the Company’s projections, additional inventory write-downs may be required. Charges for inventory write-downs are not reversed if it is later determined that the product is saleable.Prior to the date the Company obtains regulatory approval for its product candidates or its manufacturing facilities such as its manufacturing plant in Athlone, Ireland, manufacturing costs related to commercial production are expensed as pre-approval commercial manufacturing expense on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Once regulatory approval is obtained, the Company capitalizes such costs as inventory on the consolidated balance sheets. |
| Property, Plant and Equipment, Net | Property, plant and equipment is recorded at historical cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Construction-in-progress reflects amounts incurred for property, plant or equipment construction or improvements that have not been yet placed in service and are not depreciated or amortized, which primarily relates to the completion of the Company’s manufacturing plant in Athlone, Ireland. Repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred. Upon retirement or sale, the cost of the assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is included in the determination of net loss. Estimated useful lives by major asset category are as follows: Manufacturing equipment 10 years Laboratory equipment 7 years Furniture and fixtures 5 years Software, computer and other equipment 3 years Leasehold improvements Lower of estimated useful life or term of lease |
| Leases | The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. For each lease, the lease term is determined at the commencement date and includes renewal options and termination options when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Operating leases with lease terms greater than one year are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and current and long-term operating lease liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term using an estimated rate of interest the Company would have to pay to borrow equivalent funds on a collateralized basis at the lease commencement date. The operating lease ROU assets are based on the liability adjusted for any prepaid or deferred rent and lease incentives. The incremental borrowing rate was utilized to discount lease payments over the expected term given that the Company’s operating leases do not provide an implicit rate. The Company estimates the incremental borrowing rate to reflect the profile of secured borrowing over the expected term of the leases based on the information available at the later of the date of adoption or the lease commencement date. Rent expense for the operating lease is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. |
| Impairment of Long-Lived Assets | The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. |
| Acquisitions | The Company evaluates acquisitions to determine whether the acquisition is a business combination or an acquisition of assets under ASC Topic 805. Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, whereby assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded as of the acquisition date at their respective fair values and excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. In an asset acquisition that does not constitute a business, no goodwill is recognized, and the net assets acquired are generally recorded at cost. Significant judgment is required in estimating the fair value of intangible assets and in a determination of whether an acquisition is a business combination or an acquisition of assets. The fair value estimates are based on available historical information and on future expectations and assumptions deemed reasonable by management, but are inherently uncertain. |
| Research and Development Costs | Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred and include, but are not limited to: • employee-related expenses including salaries, benefits, travel and stock-based compensation expense for research and development personnel; • expenses incurred under agreements with contract research organizations (“CROs”), contract manufacturing organizations and service providers that assist in conducting clinical and preclinical studies; • costs associated with any collaboration arrangements, licenses or acquisitions of preclinical molecules, product candidates or technologies; • costs associated with preclinical activities and development activities; • costs associated with regulatory operations; and • depreciation expense for assets used in research and development activities. Costs for certain development activities, such as clinical studies, are recognized based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks using data such as patient enrollment, clinical site activations, or information provided to the Company by its vendors on their actual costs incurred. Payments for these activities are based on the terms of the individual arrangements, which may differ from the patterns of costs incurred, and are reflected in the consolidated financial statements as prepaid expenses or accrued expenses as deemed appropriate. No material adjustments to these estimates have been recorded in these consolidated financial statements. Research and development costs also include the cost of in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) projects acquired as part of an asset acquisition that have no alternative future use. Milestone payments due to third parties in connection with research and development activities prior to regulatory approval are expensed as incurred, while milestone payments due to third parties upon, or subsequent to, regulatory approval are capitalized and amortized over the estimate useful life. |
| Stock-Based Compensation | Stock-based compensation for awards granted to employees and non-employees is measured at grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award. The Company estimates the fair value of options to purchase common stock and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model utilizes assumptions including expected term, volatility, a risk-free interest rate and an expected dividend yield. The Company utilized the guidance set forth in the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin 107, Share-Based Payment (“SAB 107”), to determine the expected term of options, as it does not have sufficient historical exercise and post-vesting termination data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term of stock options granted to employees. The simplified method utilizes the midpoint between the vesting date and the maximum contractual expiration date as the expected term. Volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company as well as several public entities that are similar to the Company. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yields of U.S. Treasury securities with maturities similar to the expected term. The Company uses an expected dividend yield of zero as it does not expect to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Upon issuance and at each reporting period, the fair value of each SARs award is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and is marked to market through stock-based compensation expense. SARs are liability-based awards as they may only be settled in cash. The fair value of restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”), including restricted stock awards with non-market performance and service conditions (“PSAs”) are determined based on the fair value of Aerie’s common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense related to RSAs and RSUs are recognized ratably over the vesting period. As the PSAs have multiple performance conditions, compensation expense is recognized for each vesting tranche over the respective requisite service period of each tranche if and when the Company’s management deems it probable that the performance conditions will be satisfied. Stock-based compensation related to stock options, RSAs, RSUs and PSAs is expensed on a straight-line basis over the relevant vesting period, although the Company may recognize a cumulative true-up adjustment related to PSAs once a condition becomes probable of being satisfied if the related service period had commenced in a prior period. All stock-based compensation expense is recorded between selling, general and administrative, pre-approval commercial manufacturing, research and development costs and cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss based upon the underlying employees’ roles within the Company. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur. |
| Investments | The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments in debt and equity securities at the time of purchase. The Company’s investments are comprised of debt securities, including commercial paper and corporate bonds, that are classified as available-for-sale in accordance with ASC Topic 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities . The Company classifies investments available to fund current operations as current assets on its consolidated balance sheets. Investments are classified as long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets if (i) the Company has the intent and ability to hold the investments for a period of at least one year and (ii) the contractual maturity date of the investments is greater than one year. Available-for-sale investments in debt securities are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses included in comprehensive loss on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s investments also includes equity securities, which in accordance with the fair value hierarchy described below are recorded at fair value using Level l inputs on the consolidated balance sheets and the subsequent changes in fair values are recorded in other income (expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. As of December 31, 2020, the fair value of the equity securities held at the end of the period was $1.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company had $1.3 million of unrealized investments gains on equity securities held at the end of the period. Realized gains and losses, interest income earned on the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and investments, and amortization or accretion of discounts and premiums on investments are included within other income (expense), net. Interest income was $2.0 million, $3.0 million and $3.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Realized gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method and are included as a component of other income (expense), net. Realized gains or losses were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. |
| Fair Value Measurements | The Company records certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures . As defined in the guidance, fair value, defined as an exit price, represents the amount that would be received to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As a result, fair value is a market-based approach that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. As a basis for considering these assumptions, the guidance defines a three-tier value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value. • Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active, accessible markets for identical assets or liabilities. • Level 2—Other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace. • Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity. The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. |
| Convertible Notes Transactions | The Company separately accounts for the liability and equity components of convertible notes transactions that can be settled in cash by allocating the proceeds from issuance between the liability component and the embedded conversion option in accordance with accounting for convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash (including partial cash settlement) upon conversion. The value of the equity component is calculated by first measuring the fair value of the liability component, using the interest rate of a similar liability that does not have a conversion feature, as of the issuance date. The difference between the proceeds from the convertible debt issuance and the amount measured as the liability component is recorded as the equity component with a corresponding discount recorded on the debt. The Company recognizes amortization of the resulting discount using the effective interest method as interest expense on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The equity component is not remeasured as long as it continues to meet the conditions for equity classification. The Company allocates issuance costs incurred to the liability and equity components. Issuance costs attributable to the liability component are amortized to expense on an effective interest basis over the respective term of the convertible notes, and issuance costs attributable to the equity component are netted with the respective equity component in additional paid-in capital. In September 2019, the Company bought capped call options from financial institutions to minimize the impact of potential dilution of Aerie common stock upon conversion of the Convertible Notes. The capped call options meet the definition of a derivative in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging |
| Comprehensive Loss | Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and other comprehensive loss. Other comprehensive loss includes changes in stockholders’ equity that are excluded from net income (loss), specifically changes in unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s available-for-sale debt securities. |
| Income Taxes | Deferred tax assets or liabilities are recorded for temporary differences between financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, using enacted rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded if it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company has provided a full valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets that consist of federal and state net operating losses (“NOLs”), stock-based compensation and tax credits as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 (Note 11). As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no uncertain tax positions. The Company recognizes the impact of an uncertain tax position in the consolidated financial statements only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. The Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties on uncertain tax |
| Adoption of New Accounting Standards and Recently Issued Accounting Standards | In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820-10): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”), which changes the fair value measurement disclosure requirements of ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures . Under this ASU, certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements are eliminated, amended or added. These changes aim to improve the overall usefulness of disclosures to financial statement users and reduce unnecessary costs to companies when preparing the disclosures. The guidance became effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2020 and prescribes different transition methods for the various provisions. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires that financial assets measured at amortized cost be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. Currently, U.S. GAAP delays recognition of the full amount of credit losses until the loss is probable of occurring. Under this ASU, the income statement will reflect an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses. The measurement of expected credit losses will be based upon historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a direct write-down of the security. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (“ASU 2018-19”), which clarifies that receivables from operating leases are accounted for using the lease guidance and not as financial instruments. The guidance became effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2020. The new guidance prescribes different transition methods for the various provisions. The Company adoption of ASU 2016-13 or ASU 2018-19 did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASC Topic 842”). ASC Topic 842 is intended to improve financial reporting of leasing transactions by requiring organizations that lease assets to recognize assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases that extend more than twelve months on the balance sheet. This accounting update also requires additional disclosures surrounding the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. ASC Topic 842 became effective for financial statements issued for annual and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2019. The Company had elected the optional transition method that provided the option to use the effective date of ASC Topic 842 as the date of initial application on transition. Accordingly, the Company did not adjust comparative periods or make the new required lease disclosures for periods before the effective date of January 1, 2019. There was no cumulative effect adjustment recognized to accumulated deficit upon adoption. As of the date of adoption of the new leasing standards, the Company recognized an operating lease ROU asset of approximately $17.3 million and a corresponding operating lease liability of approximately $17.9 million, which are included in the consolidated balance sheets. The adoption of the new leasing standards did not have a material impact on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company elected to utilize the package of practical expedients permitted in ASC Topic 842. Accordingly, the Company accounted for its existing operating leases as operating leases under the new guidance (i) without reassessing the classification of the operating leases in accordance with ASC Topic 842, (ii) without reassessing whether an existing contract contained a lease and (iii) without reassessing initial direct costs. In addition, the Company elected not to allocate the consideration between lease and non-lease components for its operating leases. The Company also reassessed its lease conclusions for its manufacturing plant in Athlone, Ireland, under ASC Topic 842 since construction was still in progress as of the date of adoption. Upon the reassessment, the Company concluded it was the owner of the leased space for accounting purposes under ASC Topic 842 as of the date of adoption and therefore, maintained its previous build-to-suit lease accounting under the transition guidance of ASC Topic 842. In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, which amends ASC 350-40, Internal-Use Software, to include in its scope implementation costs of a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. Consequently, the accounting for costs incurred to implement a cloud computing arrangement that is a service arrangement, is aligned with the guidance on capitalizing costs associated with developing or obtaining internal-use software. This ASU became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this standard during the third quarter of 2018, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2018-07”), which expands the scope of ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation to include share-based payments issued to non-employees for goods or services. Consequently, the accounting for share-based payments to non-employees and employees will be substantially aligned. This ASU was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2018-07 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) (“ASU 2018-05”), which adds guidance to clarify the treatment of income taxes based on changes enacted in December 2017 in H.R. 1 (referred to herein as the “Tax Act”). ASU 2018-05 incorporates references in ASC Topic 740 to SAB 118, which was issued in December 2017, to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant may not have the necessary information available in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects. The guidance became effective immediately upon the enactment of the Tax Act in accordance with U.S. GAAP which requires deferred tax assets and liabilities to be revalued during the period in which new tax legislation is enacted. The Company’s final impact assessment on the consolidated financial statements did not materially change from its initial estimates. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting (“ASU 2017-09”), which clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards must be accounted for as modifications. Under ASU 2017-09, an entity will not apply modification accounting to a share-based payment award if the award’s fair value, vesting conditions and classification as an equity or liability instrument are the same immediately before and after the change. ASU 2017-09 will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. The guidance became effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018. The impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements would be dependent on future modifications to share-based payment awards, if any. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (“ASU 2016-16”), which eliminates the exception to the principle in ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes , that generally requires comprehensive recognition of current and deferred income taxes for all intra-entity sales of assets other than inventory. As a result, a reporting entity would recognize the tax expense from the sale of the asset in the seller’s tax jurisdiction when the transfer occurs, even though the pre-tax effects of that transaction are eliminated in consolidation. This ASU became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 and was required to be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to accumulated deficit as of the beginning of the period of adoption. At December 31, 2017, the Company had $2.1 million of income tax effects deferred from past intercompany transactions that were recorded as prepaid assets within other assets, net, at December 31, 2017 that were adjusted through accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2018. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”), which provides guidance related to the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The guidance became effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018 and prescribes different transition methods for the various provisions. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). The standard states that an entity should recognize revenue based on the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The FASB subsequently issued amendments to ASU 2014-09 that had the same effective date of January 1, 2018. The Company did not generate any revenue prior to the three months ended June 30, 2018, and therefore the adoption of ASC Topic 606 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements for any prior periods or upon adoption. Revenue from sales of Rhopressa ® , as well as any other future revenue arrangements, are and will be recognized under the provisions of ASC Topic 606. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business . The new standard clarifies the definition of a business and provides a screen to determine when an integrated set of assets and activities is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired, or disposed of, is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. The new standard was effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018; however, Aerie elected to early adopt this standard as of July 1, 2017. Under this guidance, the October 4, 2017 transaction to acquire assets from Envisia was determined to meet the criteria of an asset acquisition rather than a business combination resulting in a $24.8 million charge to research and development expense on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss in the three months ended December 31, 2017. See Note 1 for additional information. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”) to address the complexity associated with applying GAAP to certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. This ASU includes amendments to the guidance on convertible instruments and the derivative scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 also simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments, which includes eliminating the cash conversion accounting model for convertible instruments. Additionally, ASU 2020-06 will require entities to use the “if-converted” method when calculating diluted earnings per share for convertible instruments. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2022, with early adoption permitted, and prescribes different transition methods for the various provisions. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2020-06 on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. The new ASU also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates. These changes aim to improve the overall usefulness of disclosures to financial statement users and reduce unnecessary costs to companies when preparing the disclosures. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2021 and prescribes different transition methods for the various provisions. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2019-12 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. |
| Net Loss per Common Share | Basic net loss per common share (“Basic EPS”) is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period, without consideration for potentially dilutive securities with the exception of warrants for common stock with a $0.05 exercise price, which are exercisable for nominal consideration and are therefore included in the calculation of the weighted-average number of shares of common stock as common stock equivalents. Diluted net loss per share (“Diluted EPS”) gives effect to all dilutive potential shares of common stock outstanding during this period. For Diluted EPS, net loss used in calculating Basic EPS may be adjusted for certain items related to the dilutive securities. |
