Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative United States generally accepted accounting principles as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and other market‑specific or other relevant assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. This process may result in actual results differing materially from those estimated amounts used in the preparation of the financial statements if these results differ from historical experience, or other assumptions do not turn out to be substantially accurate, even if such assumptions are reasonable when made. Significant estimates relied upon in preparing these financial statements include research and development accrued expenses, stock‑based compensation expense and the valuation allowance on the Company's deferred tax assets. Estimates are periodically reviewed in light of changes in circumstances, facts and experience. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Off‑Balance Sheet Risk and Concentrations of Credit Risk Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and short‑term investments, which are maintained at two federally insured financial institutions. The deposits held at these two institutions are in excess of federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and management believes that the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institutions in which those deposits are held. The Company has no off‑balance sheet risk, such as foreign exchange contracts, option contracts, or other foreign hedging arrangements. Segment Information Operating segments are defined as components of an entity 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 considers its chief executive officer, or CEO, as its chief operating decision maker. The Company and the CEO view the Company’s operations and manages its business in one operating segment operating exclusively in the United States. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original or remaining maturity from the date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents includes bank demand deposits, U.S. treasury bills and money market funds that invest primarily in U.S. government treasuries. Short‑term Investments Short‑term investments consist of investments with original maturities greater than 90 days, as of the date of purchase. The Company has classified its investments with maturities beyond one year as short term, based on their highly liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations. The Company considers its investment portfolio available‑for‑sale. Accordingly, these investments are recorded at fair value, which is based on quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary are included as a component of other income (expense), net based on the specific identification method. When determining whether a decline in value is other than temporary, the Company considers various factors, including whether the Company has the intent to sell the security, and whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. Fair value is determined based on quoted market prices. Restricted Cash Restricted cash consists of security deposits in the form of letter of credits placed in separate restricted bank accounts as required under the terms of the Company’s lease arrangement for its corporate office in Boston, Massachusetts and the Company’s corporate travel credit cards. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist primarily of costs incurred in advance of services being received, including services related to clinical trial programs. Prepaid expenses and other current assets consists of the following: December 31, 2019 2018 Prepaid research and development costs $ 6,438 $ 5,288 Other current assets 3,507 1,340 Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 9,945 $ 6,628 Property and Equipment Property and Equipment consists of the following: Useful December 31, Life 2019 2018 Leasehold improvements * $ 2,705 $ 1,103 Office equipment 5 years 70 70 Computers and software 3 years 411 411 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 5 years 1,237 345 4,423 1,929 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (752) (809) Property and Equipment, net $ 3,671 $ 1,120 * Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $834, $442 and $223, respectively. Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Upon disposal, retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance that do not improve or extend the lives of the respective assets are charged to expense as incurred. Fair Value Measurements Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories: Level 1 — Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 — Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were carried at fair value, determined according to the fair value hierarchy. See Note 4 for further discussion. The carrying amounts reflected in the consolidated balance sheets for accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values due to their short-term maturities at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Government Grants The Company obtained an Orphan Products Development grant entitled “Phase 2 study of the melanocortin 4 receptor agonist RM‑493 for the treatment of Prader‑Willi syndrome” in 36 patients. The grant was awarded by the Public Health Service, or PHS, Food and Drug Administration. The PHS grant is for a total of $999 and is effective July 2015 through June 2018 for reimbursement of expenses relating to the Phase 2 Prader‑Willi Study. The Company recognizes government grants upon the determination that it will comply with the conditions attached to the grant arrangement and the grant will be received. Government grants are recognized in the statements of operations on a systematic basis over the periods in which the Company recognizes the related costs for which the government grant is intended to compensate. Government grants for research and development efforts are deducted in reporting the related expense in the statement of operations. Government grant income received during the year ended December 31, 2018 of $210 is included as a deduction to research and development expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. No grant income was received during the years ended December 31, 2019 or 2017. Research and Development Expenses Costs incurred in the research and development of the Company’s products are expensed to operations as incurred. Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including salaries and benefits, facilities costs, overhead costs, contract services and other outside costs. The value of goods and services received from contract research organizations, or CROs, or contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs, in the reporting period are estimated based on the level of services performed and progress in the period for which the Company has not yet received an invoice from the supplier. When evaluating the adequacy of the accrued liabilities, the Company analyzes progress of the studies or clinical trials, including the phase or completion of events, invoices received and contracted costs. Significant judgments and estimates are made in determining the accrued balances at the end of any reporting period. Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates. The Company’s historical accrual estimates have not been materially different from the actual costs. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses, and expensed as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed. Income Taxes The Company is taxed as a C corporation for federal income tax purposes. Income taxes for the Company are recorded in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which provides for deferred taxes using an asset and liability approach. Income taxes have been calculated on a separate tax return basis. Certain of the Company’s activities and costs have been included in the tax returns filed by the LLC entity. Prior to the Corporate Reorganization, the Company’s operations were included in the tax returns filed by the Predecessor Company. The Company has filed tax returns on its own behalf since the Corporate Reorganization. The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, the Company determined deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognized deferred tax assets to the extent that it believes that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If the Company determines that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, it would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. The Company records uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) it determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits on the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. As of December 31, 2019, no accrued interest or penalties are included on the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheet. Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders Basic net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is calculated by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average shares outstanding during the period, without consideration for Common Stock equivalents. Net loss attributable to common stockholders is calculated by adjusting the net loss of the Company for cumulative preferred stock dividends. During periods of income, the Company allocates participating securities a proportional share of income determined by dividing total weighted-average participating securities by the sum of the total weighted-average common shares and participating securities (the “two class method”). The Company's convertible preferred stock participates in any dividends declared by the Company and are therefore considered to be participating securities. Participating securities have the effect of diluting both basic and diluted earnings per share during periods of income. During periods of loss, the Company allocates no loss to participating securities because they have no contractual obligation to share in the losses of the Company. Diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is calculated by adjusting weighted-average shares outstanding for the dilutive effect of Common Stock equivalents outstanding for the period, determined using the more dilutive of the treasury‑stock and if‑converted methods. For purposes of the diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders calculation, stock options are considered to be Common Stock equivalents but have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, as their effect would be anti‑dilutive for all periods presented. Therefore, basic and diluted net loss per share were the same for all periods presented. The following table includes the potential common share equivalents, presented based on amounts outstanding at each period end, that were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders for the periods indicated: Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Stock options 3,428,497 2,616,530 1,832,639 Basic and diluted earnings per share is calculated as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Numerator: Net loss $ (140,729) $ (74,064) $ (33,709) Cumulative dividends on convertible preferred shares — — (3,873) Loss attributable to common shares—basic and diluted $ (140,729) $ (74,064) $ (37,582) Denominator: Weighted-average number of common shares—basic and diluted 36,422,450 31,004,047 13,267,960 Loss per common share—basic and diluted $ (3.86) $ (2.39) $ (2.83) Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) represents the net change in shareholders’ equity during a period from sources other than transactions with shareholders. As reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, our comprehensive loss is comprised of net losses and unrealized gains and losses on marketable debt securities . These changes in equity are reflected net of tax. Patent Costs Costs to secure and defend patents are expensed as incurred and are classified as general and administrative expenses. Patent costs were $472, $ 637 and $180 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Subsequent Events The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but prior to the issuance of the financial statements to provide additional evidence for certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosure. Subsequent events have been evaluated as required. Application of New or Revised Accounting Standards From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB and adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations upon adoption. In April 2012, the Jump‑Start Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”) was signed into law. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, reduce certain reporting requirements for an “emerging growth company.” As an emerging growth company, the Company elected to not take advantage of the extended transition period afforded by the JOBS Act for the implementation of new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non‑emerging growth companies. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses-Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of credit losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company does not anticipate this standard to have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016‑18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”). ASU 2016-18 changes the presentation of restricted cash and cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows. Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents will be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning‑of‑period and end‑of‑period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018 and has applied its content to statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 presented herein. In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018‑07, Compensation‑Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2018-07”). ASU 2018‑07 expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. An entity should apply the requirements of Topic 718 to nonemployee awards except for certain exemptions specified in the amendment. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. The Company has early adopted ASU 2018‑07 in July 2018. The guidance has been adopted using the modified-retrospective approach, which requires that unsettled equity-classified awards for which a measurement date has not been established be measured using the adoption date fair value. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract (“ASU 2018-15”). ASU 2018-15 helps entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement (hosting arrangement) by providing guidance for determining when the arrangement includes a software license. The amendments align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license). The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by the amendments. This guidance will become effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The Company has early adopted ASU 2018‑15 in the fourth quarter of 2018 and the adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. Effective January 1, 2019 the Company adopted FASB ASU 2016‑02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016‑02”). ASU 2016‑02 requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and lease liability for most lease arrangements. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The original guidance required application on a modified retrospective basis with the earliest period presented. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements to ASC 842, which included an option to not restate comparative periods in transition and elect to use the effective date of ASC 842, as the date of initial application of transition, which the Company has elected. In addition, the Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard which allowed us to carry forward the historical lease classification. As a result of the adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, the Company recorded both an operating lease right-of-use asset of $3,265 and a lease liability of $3,636. Additional information and disclosures required by this new standard are contained in Note 5, Right Of Use Asset and Lease Liability. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes-Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”). ASU 2019-12 eliminates 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 guidance also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of the standard requires certain changes to be made prospectively, with some changes to be made retrospectively. We are currently assessing the impact of this standard on our financial condition and results of operations. |