Wave Life Sciences (WVE) 10-Q 13 May 21 2021 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	May 05, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	WVE
Entity Registrant Name	WAVE LIFE SCIENCES LTD.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	U0
Entity Central Index Key	0001631574
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		49,857,376
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Tax Identification Number	00-0000000
Entity File Number	001-37627
Entity Address, Address Line One	7 Straits View #12-00
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Marina One
Entity Address, City or Town	East Tower
Entity Address, Country	SG
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	018936
City Area Code	+65
Local Phone Number	6236 3388
Title of 12(b) Security	$0 Par Value Ordinary Shares
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ

Unaudited Consolidated Balance

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 148,535	$ 184,497
Current portion of accounts receivable	30,000	30,000
Prepaid expenses	10,430	10,434
Other current assets	5,580	5,111
Total current assets	194,545	230,042
Long-term assets:
Property and equipment, net	27,370	29,198
Operating lease right-of-use assets	15,720	16,232
Restricted cash	3,651	3,651
Other assets	1,361	115
Total long-term assets	48,102	49,196
Total assets	242,647	279,238
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	13,418	13,795
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	6,661	11,971
Current portion of deferred revenue	24,763	91,560
Current portion of operating lease liability	3,838	3,714
Total current liabilities	48,680	121,040
Long-term liabilities:
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	108,278	41,481
Operating lease liability, net of current portion	24,587	25,591
Other liabilities	407	474
Total long-term liabilities	133,272	67,546
Total liabilities	181,952	188,586
Series A preferred shares, no par value; 3,901,348 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020	7,874	7,874
Shareholders’ equity:
Ordinary shares, no par value; 49,854,651 and 48,778,678 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively	702,649	694,085
Additional paid-in capital	75,636	71,573
Accumulated other comprehensive income	269	389
Accumulated deficit	(725,733)	(683,269)
Total shareholders’ equity	52,821	82,778
Total liabilities, Series A preferred shares and shareholders’ equity	$ 242,647	$ 279,238

Unaudited Consolidated Balanc_2

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Series A preferred stock, par value	$ 0	$ 0
Series A preferred stock, shares issued	3,901,348	3,901,348
Series A preferred stock, shares outstanding	3,901,348	3,901,348
Common stock, par value	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, shares issued	49,854,651	48,778,678
Common stock, shares outstanding	49,854,651	48,778,678

Unaudited Consolidated Statemen

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue		$ 4,161,000
Operating expenses:
Research and development	$ 33,393,000	41,158,000
General and administrative	10,078,000	12,996,000
Total operating expenses	43,471,000	54,154,000
Loss from operations	(43,471,000)	(49,993,000)
Other income, net:
Dividend income and interest income, net	11,000	388,000
Other income, net	996,000	2,112,000
Total other income, net	1,007,000	2,500,000
Loss before income taxes	(42,464,000)	(47,493,000)
Income tax provision	0	0
Net loss	$ (42,464,000)	$ (47,493,000)
Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders—basic and diluted	$ (0.86)	$ (1.38)
Weighted-average ordinary shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders—basic and diluted	49,101,606	34,461,505
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net loss	$ (42,464,000)	$ (47,493,000)
Foreign currency translation	(120,000)	6,000
Comprehensive loss	$ (42,584,000)	$ (47,487,000)

Unaudited Consolidated Statem_2

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Series A Preferred Shares and Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	At-The-Market Equity Program [Member]	Series A Preferred Shares [Member]	Ordinary Shares [Member]	Ordinary Shares [Member]At-The-Market Equity Program [Member]	Additional Paid-In-Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 63,732			$ 539,547		$ 57,277	$ 267	$ (533,359)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2019				34,340,690
Temporary equity, Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019			$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2019			3,901,348
Issuance of ordinary shares pursuant to the at-the-market equity program, net		$ 604			$ 604
Issuance of ordinary shares, shares					59,690
Share-based compensation	3,999					3,999
Vesting of RSUs, shares				198,202
Option exercises	10			$ 10
Option exercises, shares				3,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)	6						6
Net loss	(47,493)							(47,493)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020	20,858			$ 540,161		61,276	273	(580,852)
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2020				34,601,582
Temporary equity, Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020			$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2020			3,901,348
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020	82,778			$ 694,085		71,573	389	(683,269)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2020				48,778,678
Temporary equity, Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 7,874		$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2020	3,901,348		3,901,348
Issuance of ordinary shares pursuant to the at-the-market equity program, net		$ 8,028			$ 8,028
Issuance of ordinary shares, shares		844,796			844,796
Share-based compensation	$ 4,063					4,063
Vesting of RSUs, shares				155,184
Option exercises	200			$ 200
Option exercises, shares				31,957
Issuance of ordinary shares under the ESPP	336			$ 336
Issuance of ordinary shares under ESPP, shares				44,036
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(120)						(120)
Net loss	(42,464)							(42,464)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2021	52,821			$ 702,649		$ 75,636	$ 269	$ (725,733)
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2021				49,854,651
Temporary equity, Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2021	$ 7,874		$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2021	3,901,348		3,901,348

Unaudited Consolidated Statem_3

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$ (42,464)	$ (47,493)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	512	442
Depreciation of property and equipment	1,948	2,039
Share-based compensation expense	4,063	3,999
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		20,000
Prepaid expenses	4	(373)
Other assets	(1,715)	(1,983)
Accounts payable	(466)	7,336
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(5,310)	(5,191)
Deferred revenue		(4,161)
Operating lease liabilities	(880)	(765)
Other non-current liabilities	(67)	(100)
Net cash used in operating activities	(44,375)	(26,250)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(108)	(580)
Net cash used in investing activities	(108)	(580)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from the exercise of share options	200	10
Proceeds from the employee share purchase plan	336
Net cash provided by financing activities	8,641	614
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(120)	6
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(35,962)	(26,210)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	188,148	150,808
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	152,186	124,598
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
At-the-market offering costs in accounts payable at period end	77
At-The-Market Equity Program [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares, net of offering costs	$ 8,105	$ 604

The Company

The Company	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
The Company	1. THE COMPANY Organization Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (together with its subsidiaries, “Wave” or the “Company”) is a clinical-stage genetic medicines company committed to delivering life-changing treatments for people battling devastating diseases. PRISM, Wave’s proprietary discovery and drug development platform, enables Wave to target genetically defined diseases with stereopure oligonucleotides across multiple therapeutic modalities. The Company was incorporated in Singapore on July 23, 2012 and has its principal U.S. office in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Company was incorporated with the purpose of combining two commonly held companies, Wave Life Sciences USA, Inc. (“Wave USA”), a Delaware corporation (formerly Ontorii, Inc.), and Wave Life Sciences Japan, Inc. (“Wave Japan”), a company organized under the laws of Japan (formerly Chiralgen., Ltd.), which occurred on September 13, 2012. On May 31, 2016, Wave Life Sciences Ireland Limited (“Wave Ireland”) was formed as a wholly - - The Company’s primary activities since inception have been developing and evolving PRISM to design, develop and commercialize oligonucleotide therapeutics, advancing the Company’s differentiated neurology portfolio, as well as exploring other therapeutic areas of interest, building the Company’s research and development capabilities, advancing programs into the clinic, furthering clinical development of such clinical-stage programs, building the Company’s intellectual property, and assuring adequate capital to support these activities. Liquidity Since its inception, the Company has not generated any product revenue and has incurred recurring net losses. To date, the Company has primarily funded its operations through private placements of debt and equity securities, public offerings of its ordinary shares and collaborations with third parties. Until the Company can generate significant revenue from product sales, if ever, the Company expects to continue to finance operations through a combination of public or private equity or debt financings or other sources, which may include collaborations with third parties. Adequate additional financing may not be available to the Company on acceptable terms, or at all. The inability to raise capital as and when needed would have a negative impact on the Company’s financial condition and ability to pursue its business strategy. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $148.5 million. The Company expects that its existing cash and cash equivalents, together with committed cash from its existing collaboration, will be sufficient to fund its operations for at least the next twelve months. The Company has based this expectation on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, and the Company may use its available capital resources sooner than it currently expects. If the Company’s anticipated operating results are not achieved in future periods, planned expenditures may need to be further reduced in order to extend the time period over which the then-available resources would be able to fund the Company’s operations. In addition, the Company may elect to raise additional funds before it needs them if the conditions for raising capital are favorable due to market conditions or strategic considerations, even if the Company expects it has sufficient funds for its current or future operating plans. Risks and Uncertainties The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the biotechnology industry including, but not limited to, new technological innovations, protection of proprietary technology, maintaining internal manufacturing capabilities, dependence on key personnel, compliance with government regulations and the need to obtain additional financing. The Company’s therapeutic programs will require significant additional research and development efforts, including extensive preclinical and clinical testing and regulatory approval, prior to commercialization of any product candidates. These efforts require significant amounts of additional capital, adequate personnel infrastructure and extensive compliance-reporting capabilities. There can be no assurance that the Company’s research and development efforts will be successful, that adequate protection for the Company’s intellectual property will be obtained, that any products developed will obtain necessary government regulatory approval or that any approved products will be commercially viable. Even if the Company’s product development efforts are successful, it is uncertain when, if ever, the Company will generate significant revenue from product sales. The Company operates in an environment of rapid change in technology and substantial competition from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Basis of Presentation The Company has prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and in U.S. dollars.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The significant accounting policies described in the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the notes thereto, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 4, 2021, as amended (the “2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K”), Unaudited Interim Financial Data The accompanying interim consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2021, the related interim consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the consolidated statements of Series A preferred shares and shareholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related interim information contained within the notes to the consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and the notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The financial data and other information disclosed in these notes related to the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2021 or any other interim period or future year or period. Principles of Consolidation The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements The recently issued accounting pronouncements described in the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the notes thereto, which are included in the 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, have had no material changes during the three months ended March 31, 2021, except as described below. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In December 2019, the FASB finalized Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	3. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY The Company entered into an open market sales agreement with Jefferies LLC in May 2019, as amended in March 2020, for its “at-the-market” equity program. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company sold 844,796 ordinary shares under its at-the-market equity program for aggregate net proceeds of $8.0 million.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	4. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION The Wave Life Sciences Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2014 Plan”), authorizes the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors to, among other things, grant non-qualified share options, restricted awards, which include restricted shares and restricted share units (“RSUs”), and performance awards to eligible employees and directors of the Company. Options generally vest over periods of one to four years, and any options that are forfeited or cancelled are available to be granted again. The contractual life of options is generally five or ten years from the grant date. RSUs can be time-based or performance-based. Time-based RSUs generally vest over a period of one to four years. The vesting of performance-based RSUs is contingent on the achievement of certain performance milestones. Any RSUs that are forfeited are available to be granted again. In March 2021, the Compensation Committee approved an amendment and restatement of the Company’s outstanding 2019 performance-based RSUs to add an additional milestone to the existing milestones and granted 2021 performance-based RSUs with the same terms to employees who did not receive the 2019 performance-based RSUs. This modification did not result in any incremental expense and the Company did not recognize any expense related to the performance-based RSUs during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company granted 921,141 options and 1,020,559 RSUs to employees, of the RSUs granted 851,159 were time-based RSUs and 169,400 were performance-based RSUs. As of March 31, 2021, 579,478 ordinary shares remained available for future grant under the 2014 Plan. Employee Share Purchase Plan The Wave Life Sciences Ltd. Employee Share Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) allows all full-time and certain part-time employees to purchase the Company’s ordinary shares at a discount to fair market value. Eligible employees may enroll in a six-month offering period beginning on or about January 15 th th

Collaboration Agreements

Collaboration Agreements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Collaboration Agreements	5. COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS Pfizer Collaboration and Equity Agreements In May 2016, the Company entered into a Research, License and Option Agreement (as amended in November 2017, the “Pfizer Collaboration Agreement”) with Pfizer Inc. (“Pfizer”). Pursuant to the terms of the Pfizer Collaboration Agreement, the Company and Pfizer agreed to collaborate on the discovery, development and commercialization of stereopure oligonucleotide therapeutics for up to five programs, each directed at a genetically-defined hepatic target selected by Pfizer (the “Pfizer Collaboration”). The Company received $10.0 million as an upfront license fee under the Pfizer Collaboration Agreement. Subject to option exercises by Pfizer, the Company was entitled to earn potential research, development and commercial milestone payments. Simultaneously with the entry into the Pfizer Collaboration Agreement, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (the “Pfizer Equity Agreement,” and together with the Pfizer Collaboration Agreement, the “Pfizer Agreements”) with C.P. Pharmaceuticals International C.V., an affiliate of Pfizer (the “Pfizer Affiliate”). Pursuant to the terms of the Pfizer Equity Agreement, the Pfizer Affiliate purchased 1,875,000 of the Company’s ordinary shares (the “Shares”) at a purchase price of $16.00 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $30.0 million. The Company did not incur any material costs in connection with the issuance of the Shares. Under the Pfizer Collaboration Agreement, the parties agreed to collaborate during a four-year During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recognized revenue of $1.3 million under the Pfizer Collaboration Agreement. The research term for the Pfizer Collaboration Agreement commenced in May 2016 and ended by its original terms in May 2020, during the research term the Company recognized revenue of $18.5 million under the Pfizer Collaboration Agreement. Takeda Collaboration and Equity Agreements In February 2018, Wave USA and Wave UK entered into a global strategic collaboration (the “Takeda Collaboration”) with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”), pursuant to which Wave USA, Wave UK and Takeda agreed to collaborate on the research, development and commercialization of oligonucleotide therapeutics for disorders of the Central Nervous System (“CNS”). The Takeda Collaboration provides Wave with at least $230.0 million in committed cash and Takeda with the option to co-develop and co-commercialize Wave’s CNS development programs in (1) Huntington’s disease (“HD”); (2) amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (“ALS”) and frontotemporal dementia (“FTD”); and (3) Wave’s discovery-stage program targeting ATXN3 four-year Simultaneously with Wave USA and Wave UK’s entry into the collaboration and license agreement with Takeda (the “Takeda Collaboration Agreement”), the Company entered into a share purchase agreement with Takeda (the “Takeda Equity Agreement,” and together with the Takeda Collaboration Agreement, the “Takeda Agreements”) pursuant to which it agreed to sell to Takeda 1,096,892 of its ordinary shares at a purchase price of $54.70 per share. In April 2018, the Company closed the Takeda Equity Agreement and received aggregate cash proceeds of $60.0 million. The Company did not incur any material costs in connection with the issuance of shares. With respect to Category 1 Programs, Wave will be responsible for researching and developing products and companion diagnostics for Category 1 Programs through completion of the first proof of mechanism study for such products. Takeda will have an exclusive option for each target and all associated products and companion diagnostics for such target, which it may exercise at any time through completion of the proof of mechanism study. If Takeda exercises this option, Wave will receive an opt-in payment and will lead manufacturing and joint clinical co-development activities and Takeda will lead joint co-commercial activities in the United States and all commercial activities outside of the United States. Global costs and potential profits will be shared 50:50 and Wave will be eligible to receive development and commercial milestone payments. In addition to its 50% profit share, Wave is eligible to receive option exercise fees and development and commercial milestone payments for each of the Category 1 Programs. With respect to Category 2 Programs, Wave has granted Takeda the right to exclusively license multiple preclinical programs during a four-year Under the Takeda Collaboration Agreement, each party grants to the other party specific intellectual property licenses to enable the other party to perform its obligations and exercise its rights under the Takeda Collaboration Agreement, including license grants to enable each party to conduct research, development and commercialization activities pursuant to the terms of the Takeda Collaboration Agreement. The term of the Takeda Collaboration Agreement commenced on April 2, 2018 and, unless terminated earlier, will continue until the date on which: (i) with respect to each Category 1 Program target for which Takeda does not exercise its option, the expiration or termination of the development program with respect to such target; (ii) with respect to each Category 1 Program target for which Takeda exercises its option, the date on which neither party is researching, developing or manufacturing any products or companion diagnostics directed to such target; or (iii) with respect to each Category 2 Program target, the date on which royalties are no longer payable with respect to products directed to such target. Takeda may terminate the Takeda Collaboration Agreement for convenience on 180 days’ notice, in its entirety or on a target-by-target basis. Subject to certain exceptions, each party has the right to terminate the Takeda Collaboration Agreement on a target-by-target basis if the other party, or a third party related to such party, challenges the patentability, enforceability or validity of any patents within the licensed technology that cover any product or companion diagnostic that is subject to the Takeda Collaboration Agreement. In the event of any material breach of the Takeda Collaboration Agreement by a party, subject to cure rights, the other party may terminate the Takeda Collaboration Agreement in its entirety if the breach relates to all targets or on a target-by-target basis if the breach relates to a specific target. In the event that Takeda and its affiliates cease development, manufacturing and commercialization activities with respect to compounds or products subject to the Takeda Collaboration Agreement and directed to a particular target, Wave may terminate the Takeda Collaboration Agreement with respect to such target. Either party may terminate the Takeda Collaboration Agreement for the other party’s insolvency. In certain termination circumstances, Wave would receive a license from Takeda to continue researching, developing and manufacturing certain products, and companion diagnostics. The Takeda Collaboration is managed by a joint steering committee (“JSC”) in which both parties are represented equally. The JSC is tasked with overseeing the scientific progression of each Category 1 Program and the Category 2 Programs. The Company assessed this arrangement in accordance with ASC 606 and concluded that the contract counterparty, Takeda, is a customer for Category 1 Programs prior to Takeda exercising its option, and for Category 2 Programs during the Category 2 Research Term. The Company identified the following material promises under the arrangement: (1) the non-exclusive, royalty-free research and development license for each Category 1 Program; (2) the research and development services for each Category 1 Program through completion of the first proof of mechanism study; (3) the exclusive option to license, co-develop and co-commercialize each Category 1 Program; (4) the right to exclusively license the Category 2 Programs; and (5) the research and preclinical development services of the Category 2 Programs through completion of IND-enabling studies. The research and development services for each Category 1 Program were determined to not be distinct from the research and development license and should therefore be combined into a single performance obligation for each Category 1 Program. The research and preclinical development services for the Category 2 Programs were determined to not be distinct from the exclusive licenses for the Category 2 Programs and should therefore be combined into a single performance obligation. Additionally, the Company determined that the exclusive option for each Category 1 Program was priced at a discount, and, as such, provide material rights to Takeda, representing three separate performance obligations. Based on these assessments, the Company identified seven performance obligations in the Takeda Collaboration Agreement: (1) research and development services through completion of the first proof of mechanism and non-exclusive research and development license for HD; (2) research and development services through completion of the first proof of mechanism and non-exclusive research and development license for ALS and FTD; (3) research and development services through completion of the first proof of mechanism and non-exclusive research and development license for SCA3; (4) the material right provided for the exclusive option to license, co-develop and co-commercialize HD; (5) the material right provided for the exclusive option to license, co-develop and co-commercialize ALS and FTD; (6) the material right provided for the exclusive option to license, co-develop and co-commercialize SCA3; and (7) the research and preclinical development services and right to exclusively license the Category 2 Programs. At the outset of the arrangement, the transaction price included the $110.0 million upfront consideration received and the $60.0 million of committed research and preclinical funding for the Category 2 Programs. The Company determined that the Takeda Collaboration Agreement did not contain a significant financing component. The option exercise fees to license, co-develop and co-commercialize each Category 1 Program that may be received are excluded from the transaction price until each customer option is exercised. The potential milestone payments were excluded from the transaction price, as all milestone amounts were fully constrained at the inception of the Takeda Collaboration Agreement. The Company will reevaluate the transaction price at the end of each reporting period and as uncertain events are resolved or other changes in circumstances occur, if necessary, will adjust its estimate of the transaction price. The Company allocated the transaction price to the performance obligations on a relative standalone selling price basis. For the performance obligations associated with the research and development services through completion of the first proof of mechanism and non-exclusive research and development license for HD; the research and development services through completion of the first proof of mechanism and non-exclusive research and development license for ALS and FTD; the research and development services through completion of the first proof of mechanism and non-exclusive research and development license for SCA3; and the research and preclinical development services and right to exclusively license the Category 2 Programs, the Company determined the standalone selling price using estimates of the costs to perform the research and development services, including expected internal and external costs for services and supplies, adjusted to reflect a profit margin. The total estimated cost of the research and development services reflected the nature of the services to be performed and the Company’s best estimate of the length of time required to perform the services. For the performance obligations associated with the material right provided for the exclusive option to license, co-develop and co-commercialize HD; the material right provided for the exclusive option to license, co-develop and co-commercialize ALS and FTD; and the material right provided for the exclusive option to license, co-develop and co-commercialize SCA3, the Company estimated the standalone fair value of the option to license each Category 1 Program utilizing an adjusted market assessment approach, and determined that any standalone fair value in excess of the amounts to be paid by Takeda associated with each option represented a material right. Revenue associated with the research and development services for each Category 1 Program performance obligation is being recognized as the research and development services are provided using an input method, according to the costs incurred on each Category 1 Program and the total costs expected to be incurred to satisfy each Category 1 Program performance obligation. Revenue associated with the research and preclinical development services for the Category 2 Programs performance obligation is being recognized as the research and preclinical development services are provided using an input method, according to the costs incurred on Category 2 Programs and the total costs expected to be incurred to satisfy the performance obligation. The transfer of control for these performance obligations occurs over time and, in management’s judgment, this input method is the best measure of progress towards satisfying the performance obligations. The amount allocated to the material right for each Category 1 Program option will be recognized on the date that Takeda exercises each respective option, or immediately as each option expires unexercised. The amounts received that have not yet been recognized as revenue are recorded in deferred revenue on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Through March 31, 2021, the Company had recognized revenue of approximately $37.0 million as collaboration revenue in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss under the Takeda Collaboration Agreement. No revenue was earned under the Takeda Collaboration Agreement for the three months ended March 31, 2021 based on the revenue recognition standard and in light of the decision to discontinue clinical development of WVE-120101 and WVE-120102, while continuing the clinical development of WVE-003. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recognized revenue of $2.9 million in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss under the Takeda Collaboration Agreement. The aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the Company’s unsatisfied and partially unsatisfied performance obligations and recorded in deferred revenue at March 31, 2021 is $133.0 million, of which $24.8 million is included in current liabilities. The Company expects to recognize revenue for the portion of the deferred revenue that relates to the research and development services for each Category 1 Program and the Category 2 Programs as costs are incurred, over the remaining research term. The Company expects to recognize revenue for the portion of the deferred revenue that relates to the material right for each Category 1 Program option upon Takeda’s exercise of such option, or immediately as each option expires unexercised. The aggregate amount of the transaction price included in accounts receivable at March 31, 2021 is $30.0 million, all of which is included in current assets.

Net Loss Per Ordinary Share

Net Loss Per Ordinary Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Loss Per Ordinary Share	6. NET LOSS PER ORDINARY SHARE The Company applies the two-class method to calculate its basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, as its Series A preferred shares are participating securities. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that treats a participating security as having rights to earnings that otherwise would have been available to ordinary shareholders. Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted-average number of ordinary shares. The Company’s potentially dilutive shares, which include outstanding share options to purchase ordinary shares, RSUs and Series A preferred shares, are considered to be ordinary share equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share when their effect is dilutive. The following ordinary share equivalents, presented based on amounts outstanding at each period end, were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the periods indicated because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect: As of March 31, 2021 2020 Options to purchase ordinary shares 4,588,951 4,320,605 RSUs 2,022,268 1,272,350 Series A preferred shares 3,901,348 3,901,348 Additionally, for the periods presented, the two-class method does not impact the net loss per ordinary share as the Company was in a net loss position for each of the periods presented and holders of Series A preferred shares d o not participate in losses.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	7. INCOME TAXES During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded no income tax provision .

Geographic Data

Geographic Data	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Geographic Data [Abstract]
Geographic Data	8. GEOGRAPHIC DATA Substantially all of the Company’s long-lived assets were located in the United States as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

Related Parties

Related Parties	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Parties	9. RELATED PARTIES The Company had the following related party transaction for the periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements: In 2012, the Company entered into a consulting agreement for scientific advisory services with Dr. Gregory L. Verdine, one of the Company’s founders and a member of the Company’s board of directors. 14 days

Significant Accounting Polici_2

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Unaudited Interim Financial Data	Unaudited Interim Financial Data The accompanying interim consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2021, the related interim consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the consolidated statements of Series A preferred shares and shareholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related interim information contained within the notes to the consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and the notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The financial data and other information disclosed in these notes related to the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2021 or any other interim period or future year or period.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements The recently issued accounting pronouncements described in the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the notes thereto, which are included in the 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, have had no material changes during the three months ended March 31, 2021, except as described below. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In December 2019, the FASB finalized Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

Net Loss Per Ordinary Share (Ta

Net Loss Per Ordinary Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Anti-Dilutive Shares Excluded from Calculation of Diluted Net Loss Per Ordinary Share	The following ordinary share equivalents, presented based on amounts outstanding at each period end, were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the periods indicated because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect: As of March 31, 2021 2020 Options to purchase ordinary shares 4,588,951 4,320,605 RSUs 2,022,268 1,272,350 Series A preferred shares 3,901,348 3,901,348

The Company - Additional Inform

The Company - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 148,535	$ 184,497

Shareholders' Equity - Addition

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - At-The-Market Equity Program [Member] $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)shares
Equity [Line Items]
Issue of ordinary shares, shares | shares	844,796
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares, net | $	$ 8

Share-Based Compensation - Addi

Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021shares
Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted to employees	921,141
RSUs to Employees [Member}
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted to employees	1,020,559
Time-based RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted to employees	851,159
Performance-based RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted to employees	169,400
ESPP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Ordinary shares reserved for issuance	930,725
Share purchase price at equal to fair market value percentage	85.00%
Number of shares issued	44,036
2014 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Ordinary shares available for future grant	579,478
2014 Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	1 year
Contractual life of options	5 years
2014 Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member] | RSUs to Employees [Member}
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	1 year
2014 Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	4 years
Contractual life of options	10 years
2014 Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member] | RSUs to Employees [Member}
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	4 years

Collaboration Agreements - Addi

Collaboration Agreements - Additional Information (Detail)	Apr. 02, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018USD ($)Target$ / sharesshares	Feb. 28, 2018USD ($)	May 31, 2016USD ($)Program$ / sharesshares	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)	May 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Collaboration revenue recognized						$ 4,161,000
Collaboration and license agreement, deferred revenue current					$ 24,763,000		$ 24,763,000		$ 91,560,000
Pfizer Inc. [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Number of research programs, counterparty nomination | Program				5
Research term, description					Under the Pfizer Collaboration Agreement, the parties agreed to collaborate during a four-year research term, which ended by its original terms in May 2020. During the research term, the Company was responsible to use its commercially reasonable efforts to advance up to five programs through to the selection of clinical candidates.
Revenue recognized						1,300,000
Pfizer Inc. [Member] | Research Term [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Revenue recognized								$ 18,500,000
Takeda [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Up-front consideration received		$ 110,000,000
Research, License and Option Agreement [Member] | Pfizer Inc. [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Upfront payment under collaboration agreement				$ 10,000,000
Shares issued under equity agreement | shares				1,875,000
Equity investment aggregate purchase price				$ 30,000,000
Purchase price per share | $ / shares				$ 16
Collaborative agreement research term				4 years
Collaboration And License Agreement [Member] | Category One Programs [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Percentage of global costs and potential profits sharing ratio		50.00%
Collaboration And License Agreement [Member] | Takeda [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Upfront payment under collaboration agreement		$ 110,000,000
Collaboration and license agreement month and year		2018-02
Fund receivable for research and preclinical activities		$ 60,000,000
Research term under collaboration and license agreement		4 years
Collaboration agreement commencement date	Apr. 2, 2018
Collaboration agreement termination period	180 days
Collaboration revenue recognized					$ 0	$ 2,900,000	37,000,000
Collaboration and license agreement, deferred revenue					133,000,000		133,000,000
Collaboration and license agreement, deferred revenue current					24,800,000		24,800,000
Collaboration and license agreement, accounts receivable					$ 30,000,000		$ 30,000,000
Collaboration And License Agreement [Member] | Takeda [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Collaboration agreement, committed cash			$ 230,000,000
Collaboration And License Agreement [Member] | Takeda [Member] | Category One Programs [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Percentage of global costs and potential profits sharing ratio		50.00%
Collaboration And License Agreement [Member] | Takeda [Member] | Category Two Programs [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Fund receivable for research and preclinical activities		$ 60,000,000
Research term under collaboration and license agreement		4 years
Maximum targets for preclinical programs | Target		6
Option to reach maximum targets for preclinical programs					any one time
Collaboration and Share Purchase Agreements [Member] | Takeda [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Shares issued under equity agreement | shares		1,096,892
Purchase price per share | $ / shares		$ 54.70
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares, net of offering costs		$ 60,000,000
Equity investment agreement official closure month and year		2018-04

Net Loss Per Ordinary Share - A

Net Loss Per Ordinary Share - Anti-Dilutive Shares Excluded from Calculation of Diluted Net Loss Per Ordinary Share (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Options to Purchase Ordinary Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation of diluted net loss per share	4,588,951	4,320,605
RSUs [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation of diluted net loss per share	2,022,268	1,272,350
Series A Preferred Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation of diluted net loss per share	3,901,348	3,901,348

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax benefit (provision)	$ 0	$ 0

Related Parties - Additional In

Related Parties - Additional Information (Detail) - Scientific Advisor [Member] - Consulting Agreement [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Consulting agreement termination notice period	14 days
Consulting service expenses	$ 13