| Summary of significant accounting policies | 2. Summary of significant accounting policies
Principles of consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Replimune UK, Replimune US and Replimune Securities Corporation, after elimination of all intercompany accounts and transactions. The consolidated financial statements reflect the capital as if Replimune Group, Inc. had been in existence for all periods presented.
Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in these consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the accrual for research and development expenses and the valuation of common stock and stock‑based awards. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, known trends and other market‑specific or other relevant factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.
The full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will directly or indirectly impact our business, results of operations and financial condition, including, expenses, research and development costs and employee-related amounts, will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain, including as a result of new information that may emerge concerning COVID-19 and the actions taken to contain it or treat COVID-19. We have made estimates of the impact of COVID-19 within our financial statements and there may be changes to those estimates in future periods.
Estimates are periodically reviewed in light of reasonable changes in circumstances, facts and experience. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. Actual results could differ from those estimates or assumptions.
Foreign currency and currency translation
The functional currency for the Company’s wholly owned foreign subsidiary, Replimune UK, is the British pound. Assets and liabilities of Replimune UK are translated into United States dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate in effect during the period. Unrealized translation gains and losses are recorded as a cumulative translation adjustment, which is included in the consolidated statements of convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ equity (deficit) as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Adjustments that arise from exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in a currency other than the local currency are included in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations as incurred.
Concentrations of credit risk and of significant suppliers
Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents as well as short‑term investments. The Company deposits its cash in financial institutions in amounts that may exceed federally insured limits, and has not experienced any losses on such accounts and does not believe it is exposed to any unusual credit risk beyond the normal credit risk associated with commercial banking relationships.
The Company relies, and expects to continue to rely, on a small number of vendors to manufacture supplies and raw materials for its development programs. These programs could be adversely affected by a significant interruption in these manufacturing services or the availability of raw materials.
Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consisted of money market funds at March 31, 2020. Cash equivalents consisted of money market funds, U.S. Treasury bonds, and U.S. Government Agency Bonds at March 31, 2019. As of March 31, 2020 and 2019, cash equivalents totaled $36,712 and $10,664, respectively.
Restricted cash
The Company maintains certain minimum balances in segregated bank accounts in connection with a letter of credit for the benefit of the landlords in connection with an operating lease. As of March 31, 2020 and 2019, restricted cash consisted of $1,636 and $1,186, respectively, held for the benefit of the landlords in connection with a financing lease and an operating lease. These amounts have been classified as non-current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Short‑term investments
The Company’s short‑term debt security investments are classified as available‑for‑sale and are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity (deficit). Realized gains and losses and declines in value determined to be other than temporary are based on the specific identification method and are included as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company evaluates its short-term debt security investments with unrealized losses for other-than-temporary impairment. When assessing short-term debt security investments for other-than-temporary declines in value, the Company considers such factors as, among other things, how significant the decline in value is as a percentage of the original cost, how long the market value of the investment has been less than its original cost, the Company’s ability and intent to retain the short-term debt security investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value and market conditions in general. If any adjustment to fair value reflects a decline in the value of the short-term debt security investment that the Company considers to be “other than temporary,” the Company reduces the short-term debt security investment to fair value through a charge to the consolidated statements of operations. No such adjustments were necessary during the periods presented.
The Company’s short‑term debt security investments as of March 31, 2020 and 2019 had maturities of less than one year.
Deferred offering costs
The Company capitalizes certain legal, professional accounting and other third‑party fees that are directly associated with in‑process equity financings as deferred offering costs until such financings are consummated. After consummation of the equity financing, these costs are recorded in stockholders’ equity (deficit) as a reduction of proceeds generated as a result of the offering. Should an in‑process equity financing be abandoned, the deferred offering costs will be expensed immediately as a charge to operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2019, the Company recorded $2,157 of deferred offering costs in stockholders’ equity (deficit) as a reduction of proceeds generated as a result of the IPO. The Company did not record any deferred offering costs as of March 31, 2020.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense is recognized using the straight‑line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets as follows:
Estimated Useful life
Office equipment
5 years
Computer equipment
3 years
Plant, plant and laboratory equipment
5 years
Leasehold improvements
Lesser of lease term or 10 years
Costs for capital assets not yet placed into service are capitalized as construction‑in‑progress and depreciated in accordance with the above guidelines once placed into service. Upon 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 loss from operations. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.
Impairment of long‑lived assets
Long‑lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment. Long‑lived assets to be held and used are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. Factors that the Company considers in deciding when to perform an impairment review include significant underperformance of the business in relation to expectations, significant negative industry or economic trends and significant changes or planned changes in the use of the assets. If an impairment review is performed to evaluate a long‑lived asset group for recoverability, the Company compares forecasts of undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the long‑lived asset group to its carrying value. An impairment loss would be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of an asset group are less than its carrying amount. The impairment loss would be based on the excess of the carrying value of the impaired asset group over its fair value, determined based on discounted cash flows. To date, the Company has not recorded any impairment losses on long‑lived assets.
Fair value measurements
Certain assets and liabilities of the Company are carried at fair value under GAAP. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy, of which the first two are considered observable and the last is considered unobservable:
·
Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
·
Level 2—Observable inputs (other than Level 1 quoted prices), such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
·
Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity that are significant to determining the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques.
The Company’s short‑term investments, cash equivalents and warrant liability are carried at fair value, determined according to the fair value hierarchy described above (see Note 3). The carrying values of research and development incentives receivable, other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short‑term nature of these assets and liabilities. The carrying value of the Company's outstanding loan agreement with Hercules approximates its fair value at March 31, 2020 because the debt bears interest at a variable market rate and the Company's credit risk has not materially changed since the inception of the agreement.
Warrant liability
Upon the closing of the IPO, the warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s series seed convertible preferred stock were converted into warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. As a result, the warrant liability was remeasured a final time on the closing date of the IPO and reclassified to stockholders’ equity (deficit).
Prior to the IPO, the Company classified warrants to purchase shares of series seed preferred stock (see Note 8) as a liability on its consolidated balance sheets as these warrants to purchase shares of series seed preferred stock were free-standing financial instruments that could require the Company to transfer assets upon exercise. The warrant liability was initially recorded at fair value upon the date of the warrants’ issuance and was subsequently remeasured to fair value at each reporting date. Changes in the fair value of the warrant liability were recognized as a component of total other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company utilized the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which incorporated assumptions and estimates, to value the warrant liability. The Company assessed these assumptions and estimates on a quarterly basis as additional information impacting assumptions was obtained. Estimates and assumptions impacting the fair value measurement included the expected stock price volatility, the expected term of the warrant, the risk-free interest rate for a period that approximated the expected term of the warrant, and the Company’s expected dividend yield (see Note 3).
Debt issuance costs
Debt issuance costs consist of payments made to secure commitments under certain debt financing arrangements. These amounts are recognized as interest expense over the period of the financing arrangement using the effective interest method. If the financing arrangement is canceled or forfeited, or if the utility of the arrangement to the Company is otherwise compromised, these costs are recognized as interest expense immediately. The Company's consolidated financial statements present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability.
Segment information
The Company manages its operations as a single operating segment for the purposes of assessing performance and making operating decisions. The Company’s current focus is on developing oncolytic immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer.
Research and development costs
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including salaries, stock‑based compensation and benefits, facilities costs and laboratory supplies, depreciation and external costs of outside vendors engaged to conduct preclinical development, clinical development activities and clinical trials as well as to manufacture clinical trial materials. Non‑refundable prepayments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities are deferred and capitalized. Such amounts are recognized as an expense as the goods are delivered or the related services are performed, or until it is no longer expected that the goods will be delivered or the services rendered. Upfront payments for materials and supplies acquired for particular research and development activities that have no alternative future use in other research and development projects or otherwise, and therefore have no separate economic value, are expensed as research and development costs at the time the costs are incurred.
Research contract costs and accruals
The Company has entered into various research and development‑related contracts with companies both inside and outside of the United States. These agreements are generally cancelable, and related costs are recorded as research and development expenses as incurred. The Company records accruals for estimated ongoing research costs. 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.
Patent costs
All patent‑related costs incurred in connection with filing and prosecuting patent applications are expensed as incurred due to the uncertainty about the recovery of the expenditure. Amounts incurred are classified as general and administrative expenses.
Stock‑based compensation
The Company measures all stock‑based awards granted to employees, consultants, and non-employees and directors based on the fair value on the date of the grant and recognizes compensation expense for those awards over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award. The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black‑Scholes option‑pricing model, which requires inputs based on certain subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility, the expected term of the option, the risk‑free interest rate for a period that approximates the expected term of the option, and the Company’s expected dividend yield (see Note 9). Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. To date, the Company has issued stock‑based awards with only service‑based vesting conditions and records the expense for these awards using the straight‑line method.
The Company classifies stock‑based compensation expense in its consolidated statements of operations in the same manner in which the award recipient’s payroll costs are classified or in which the award recipient’s service payments are classified.
Research and development incentives and receivable
The Company, through its subsidiary in the United Kingdom, receives reimbursements of certain research and development expenditures as part of a United Kingdom government’s research and development tax reliefs program. Under the program, a percentage of qualifying research and development expenses incurred by the Company’s subsidiary in the United Kingdom are reimbursed up to 14.5%.
Management has assessed the Company’s research and development activities and expenditures to determine which activities and expenditures are likely to be eligible under the research and development incentive program described above. At each period end, management estimates the reimbursement available to the Company based on available information at the time.
The Company recognizes income from the research and development incentives when the relevant expenditure has been incurred, the associated conditions have been satisfied and there is reasonable assurance that the reimbursement will be received. The Company records these research and development incentives as other income. The research and development incentives receivable represents an amount due in connection with the above program. The Company recorded other income from research and development incentives of $3,084, $2,528 and $2,267 during the years ended March 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations and a research and development incentives receivable of $2,962 and $2,474 as of March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets.
Comprehensive loss
Comprehensive loss includes net loss as well as other changes in stockholders’ equity (deficit) that result from transactions and economic events other than those with stockholders. For the year ended March 31, 2020, comprehensive loss included $(236) of foreign currency translation adjustments and $309 of unrealized gains on short-term investments, net of tax. For the year ended March 31, 2019, comprehensive loss included $(897) of foreign currency translation adjustments and $80 of unrealized gains on short-term investments, net of tax. For the year ended March 31, 2018, comprehensive loss included $2,376 of foreign currency translation adjustments and $(65) of unrealized losses on short-term investments, net of tax.
Income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using 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 recognized in the consolidated financial statements or in the Company’s tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between the consolidated financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded in the provision for income taxes. The Company assesses the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent it believes, based upon the weight of available evidence, that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established through a charge to income tax expense. Potential for recovery of deferred tax assets is evaluated by estimating the future taxable profits expected and considering prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.
The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the consolidated financial statements by applying a two‑step process to determine the amount of tax benefit to be recognized. First, the tax position must be evaluated to determine the likelihood that it will be sustained upon external examination by the taxing authorities. If the tax position is deemed more‑likely‑than‑not to be sustained, the tax position is then assessed to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the consolidated financial statements. The amount of the benefit that may be recognized is the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The provision for income taxes includes the effects of any resulting tax reserves, or unrecognized tax benefits, that are considered appropriate as well as the related net interest and penalties.
Net income (loss) per share
The Company follows the two‑class method when computing net income (loss) per share as the Company has issued shares that meet the definition of participating securities. The two‑class method determines net income (loss) per share for each class of common and participating securities according to dividends declared or accumulated and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The two‑class method requires income available to common stockholders for the period to be allocated between common and participating securities based upon their respective rights to receive dividends as if all income for the period had been distributed.
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders is computed by dividing the net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders is computed by adjusting net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders to reallocate undistributed earnings based on the potential impact of dilutive securities. Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders is computed by dividing the diluted net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period, including potential dilutive common shares assuming the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents.
The Company’s convertible preferred stock contractually entitled the holders of such shares to participate in dividends but contractually did not require the holders of such shares to participate in losses of the Company. Accordingly, in periods in which the Company reported a net loss, such losses were not allocated to such participating securities. In periods in which the Company reports a net loss attributable to common stockholders, diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is the same as basic net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, since dilutive common shares are not assumed to have been issued if their effect is anti-dilutive.
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements
In June 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) No. 2018-07, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2018-07”). ASU 2018-17 expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. ASU 2018-17 also clarifies that Topic 718 does not apply to share-based payments used to effectively provide (1) financing to the issuer or (2) awards granted in conjunction with selling goods or services to customers as part of a contract accounted for under Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2018-17 on April 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2018- 17 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) I. Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features II. Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception (“ASU 2017-11”). Part I applies to entities that issue financial instruments such as warrants, convertible debt or convertible preferred stock that contain down-round features. Part II replaces the indefinite deferral for certain mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests and mandatorily redeemable financial instruments of nonpublic entities contained within Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 with a scope exception and does not impact the accounting for these mandatorily redeemable instruments. ASU 2017-11 is required to be adopted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2017-11 on April 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2017-11 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes FASB Topic 840, Leases (Topic 840) and provides principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, respectively. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842) Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842, which amends ASU 2016-02 to provide entities an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate under Topic 842 existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases under the current leases guidance in Topic 842. An entity that elects this practical expedient should evaluate new or modified land easements under Topic 842 beginning at the date that the entity adopts Topic 842. In July 2018, the FASB also issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which provides an optional transition method that allows entities to elect to apply the standard prospectively at its effective date, versus recasting the prior periods presented.
The Company adopted ASU 2016-02, as amended, on April 1, 2019, which supersedes the current leasing guidance and upon adoption, requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases are classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. Upon the adoption of the guidance, operating leases are capitalized on the balance sheet at the present value of lease payments. The balance sheet amount recorded for existing leases at the date of adoption of ASU 2016-02 was calculated using the applicable incremental borrowing rate at the date of adoption.
The Company elected the available package of practical expedients, which allows the Company to not reassess previous accounting conclusions around whether arrangements are or contain leases, the classification of leases, and the treatment of initial direct costs. The Company also made an accounting policy election to utilize the short-term lease exemption, whereby leases with a term of 12 months or less will not follow the recognition and measurement requirements of the new standard. Upon adoption, the Company recognized total right-of-use assets of $789, with corresponding liabilities of $837 on the consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, the Company derecognized $11,514 of construction in progress assets and $6,561 of financing obligations and recorded long term prepaid rent of $5,006 on the consolidated balance sheet (see Note 12).
The following table summarizes the financial impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet upon the adoption of ASU 2016-02 and the cumulative effect adjustment on April 1, 2019:
March 31, 2019
Adjustments
April 1, 2019
Property, plant, and equipment, net
$
12,159
$
(11,514)
$
645
Right-to-use asset
$
—
$
789
$
789
Long term prepaid rent
$
—
$
5,006
$
5,006
Lease liabilities, current
$
—
$
388
$
388
Lease liabilities, non-current
$
—
$
449
$
449
Accrued expenses
$
2,801
$
(24)
$
2,777
Deferred rent, net of current portion
$
24
$
(24)
$
—
Financing obligation
$
6,561
$
(6,561)
$
—
Accumulated deficit
$
(59,766)
$
93
$
(59,673)
Recently issued accounting pronouncements
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework- Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”). The amendments in this ASU require certain existing disclosure requirements in Topic 820 to be modified or removed, and certain new disclosure requirements to be added to the Topic. In addition, this ASU allows entities to exercise more discretion when considering fair value measurement disclosures. ASU 2018-13 will be effective for the Company beginning April 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326). The standard changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. Financial assets measured at amortized cost will be presented at the net amount expected to be collected by using an allowance for credit losses. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which clarifies and corrects certain unintended applications of the guidance contained in each of the amended Topics. Additionally, in May 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-05, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), which provides an option to irrevocably elect to measure certain individual financial assets at fair value instead of amortized cost. The standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for all periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606 (“ASU2018-18”), which clarifies that certain transactions between collabo |
