Excluding the $2.6 million of the upfront payment received from Novartis, which was allocated to the purchase of the Company’s equity securities, Intellia has recognized $48.6 million in collaboration revenue under these agreements from inception through December 31, 2017, and had a remaining deferred revenue balance of $65.3 million at December 31, 2017.
Operating Expenses
Research and Development expenses increased by $9.8 million to $21.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $11.3 million during the same period of 2016. This increase was driven primarily by the advancement of Intellia’s research programs, research personnel growth to support these programs, as well as the expansion of the development organization, and includes laboratory supplies, research materials and certain equipment. Additionally, salary and related headcount-based expenses increased, as the Company grew to 143 research and development personnel as of December 31, 2017, from 74 research and development employees as of December 31, 2016.
General and administrative expenses increased by $5.1 million to $10.2 million during the fourth quarter of this year, compared to $5.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. This increase was driven primarily by increased salary and related headcount-based expenses as the Company grew to 41 general and administrative employees as of December 31, 2017, from 29 general and administrative employees as of December 31, 2016, to support Intellia’s larger research and development organization, public company compliance and administrative obligations. The Company also incurred increased corporate insurance, legal, and other professional expenses related to our expanding operations since becoming a public company in May 2016.
The Company’s net loss was $24.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $10.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2016.
Balance Sheet
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2017, were $340.7 million, compared to $273.1 million at December 31, 2016. The base period cash and cash equivalents were primarily attributable to $115.5 million in proceeds from the Company’s initial public offering and $55.0 million in concurrent private placements in May 2016, in addition to a $75.0 million upfront payment from Regeneron in April 2016 and afollow-on public offering of $141.0 million in November 2017.
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