Critical judgments and accounting estimates
The preparation of the Company’s Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with IAS 34 requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes, and the related application of accounting policies as it relates to the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.
The areas where AC Immune has had to make judgments, estimates and assumptions relate to (i) revenue recognition on Licensing and Collaboration Agreements, (ii) clinical development accruals, (iii) net employee defined benefit liability, (iv) income taxes, (v) share-based compensation, (vi) right-of-use assets and lease liabilities and (vii) our IPR&D asset. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.
Fair value of financial assets and liabilities
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are composed of receivables, short-term and long-term financial assets, cash and cash equivalents, trade and other payables, accrued expenses and lease liabilities. The fair value of these financial instruments approximates their respective carrying values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments, and are held at their amortized cost in accordance with IFRS 9, unless otherwise explicitly noted.
Accounting policies, new standards, interpretations and amendments adopted by the Company
The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The Company has not adopted any other standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective. Such standards are not currently expected to have a material impact on the entity in the current or future reporting periods, and on foreseeable future transactions.
Going concern
The Company believes that it will be able to meet all of its obligations as they fall due for at least 12 months from September 30, 2022, after considering the Company’s cash position of CHF 44.5 million and short-term financial assets of CHF 96.0 million as of September 30, 2022. Hence, the unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis.
To date, the Company has financed its cash requirements primarily from its public offerings, share issuances, contract revenues from license and collaboration agreements and grants. The Company is a clinical-stage company and is exposed to all the risks inherent to establishing a business. Inherent to the Company’s business are various risks and uncertainties, including the substantial uncertainty as to whether current projects will succeed. The Company’s success may depend in part upon its ability to (i) establish and maintain a strong patent position and protection, (ii) enter into collaborations with partners in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, (iii) successfully move its product candidates through clinical development, (iv) attract and retain key personnel and (v) acquire capital to support its operations.
In addition to the foregoing, based on the Company’s current assessment, the Company does not expect any material impact on its long-term development timeline, its liquidity or ability to remain a going concern due to the worldwide spread of the Covid-19 virus. The Company continues to assess the effect on its operations by carefully monitoring the spread of Covid-19 and taking appropriate steps intended to offset any negative impacts from the Covid-19 virus.