Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

v3.24.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(2)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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 disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in these consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the valuation of share-based compensation awards, the valuation of the RLNs and the Derivative liabilities, which consist of embedded features in the Exchangeable Notes, and the accrual for research and development expenses. 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. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates as there are changes in circumstances, facts and experience. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Specifically, management has estimated variables used to calculate the discounted cash flow analysis (DCF) to value the RLN liability (see Note 3 – Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities).

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss includes net loss as well as other changes in stockholders’ equity that result from transactions and economic events other than those with shareholders. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, these changes related to unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s available-for-sale short-term investments. There were no reclassifications out of comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Iterum Therapeutics plc and its wholly owned subsidiaries (which are referred to herein, collectively, as the Company where context requires). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. The Company has no involvement with variable interest entities.

Short-term Investments

The Company's investments consist primarily of debt securities, including investment-grade corporate bonds. The Company considers its portfolio of investments to be available-for-sale. Accordingly, these investments are recorded at fair value, which is based on quoted market prices. Investments with maturities beyond one year are generally classified 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. Unrealized gains and losses are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ (deficit) / equity. Realized gains and losses and declines in value are included as a component of interest expense, net based on the specific identification method. Any credit impairments are recorded through an allowance account.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist of cash balances and highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. Accounts held at U.S. financial institutions are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250, while accounts held at Irish financial institutions are insured under the Deposit Guarantee Scheme up to $110 (€100).

Cash accounts with any type of restriction are classified as restricted cash. If restrictions are expected to be lifted in the next twelve months, the restricted cash account is classified as current. Included within restricted cash on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet is $17 and $17 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, relating to the warrants issued on June 5, 2020 pursuant to the securities purchase agreement (June 3, 2020 SPA) in the June 3, 2020 registered direct offering (June 3, 2020 Offering), $6 and $6 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, relating to the warrants issued on July 2, 2020 pursuant to the securities purchase agreement (June 30, 2020 SPA) in the June 30, 2020 registered direct offering (June 30, 2020 Offering) and $11 and $11 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, relating to warrants issued in the underwritten offering in October 2020 (October 2020 Offering). On the closing date of each of the registered direct offerings in June 2020 (June 3 Offering) and July 2020 (June 30 Offering) and the underwritten offering in the October 2020 Offering, each investor deposited $0.01 per warrant issued being the nominal value of the underlying ordinary share represented by each warrant. This amount will be held in trust by the Company pending a decision by the relevant investor to exercise the warrant by means of a “cashless exercise” pursuant to the terms of the warrant, in which case the $0.01 will be used to pay up the nominal value of the ordinary share issued pursuant to the warrant. Upon the exercise of the warrants other than by means of a "cashless exercise", the amount held in trust will be returned to the relevant investor in accordance with the terms of the applicable purchase agreement or prospectus.

Foreign Currencies

Items included in the consolidated financial statements are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (functional currency). The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars.

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are retranslated into the functional currency at the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date, and the resulting gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. Non-monetary items in a foreign currency that are measured in terms of historical cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of transaction.

Intangible Assets

The Company’s finite-lived intangible asset was stated at cost less accumulated amortization. The Company calculated amortization expense using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset which the Company believed reasonably represented the time period in which the economic benefit of the intangible asset was consumed or otherwise realized. The Company reviewed the recoverability of the finite-lived intangible asset and, when there were indications that this asset was more likely than not to have become impaired, would test for impairment.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Property and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of each asset as follows:

 

 

Estimated Useful Life

Leasehold improvements

Shorter of life of lease or 10 years

Furniture and fixtures

5 years

Computer equipment

3 years

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. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. The Company reviews the recoverability of all long-lived assets, including the related useful life, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset might not be recoverable.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception or renewal. For arrangements that contain a lease, lease classification, recognition, and measurement are determined at the lease commencement or renewal date. The Company has elected to separately account for lease and non-lease components in determining the lease liabilities and right-of-use assets. Lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are recorded based on the present value of lease payments over the expected lease term. The Company’s lease agreements generally do not provide an implicit borrowing rate, therefore the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement to determine the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is an entity-specific rate which represents the rate of interest a lessee would pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term with similar payments. All operating lease expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Research and Development Expenses

The Company expenses the cost of research and development as incurred. Research and development expenses comprise costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including salaries, share-based compensation and benefits, facilities costs, depreciation, amortization, manufacturing expenses and external costs of third-parties engaged to supply active pharmaceutical ingredient and drug product and conduct preclinical and clinical development activities and trials, as well as the cost of licensing technology, license fees, and other external costs. Advance payments for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses and expensed when the activity is performed or when the goods have been received.

Accrued Research and Development Expenses

The Company has entered into various research and development contracts with research institutions and other companies. These agreements are generally cancelable, and related payments are recorded as research and development expenses as incurred. This

process involves reviewing open contracts and purchase orders, communicating with Company personnel to identify services that have been performed on the Company’s behalf and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when the Company has not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of actual costs. The majority of the Company’s service providers invoice in arrears for services performed, on a pre-determined schedule or when contractual milestones are met; however, some require advanced payments. The Company estimates accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date in the consolidated financial statements based on facts and circumstances known at that time. It periodically confirms the accuracy of these estimates with the service providers and makes adjustments if necessary. Examples of estimated accrued research and development expenses include fees paid to:

Vendors, including central laboratories, in connection with preclinical development activities;
Clinical Research Organizations, or CROs, and investigative sites in connection with preclinical studies and clinical trials; and
Contract Manufacturing Organizations, or CMOs, in connection with drug substance and drug product formulation of preclinical and clinical trial materials.

The Company bases expenses related to preclinical studies and clinical trials on estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to quotes and contracts with multiple research institutions and CROs that conduct and manage preclinical studies and clinical trials on its behalf. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. There may be instances in which payments made to vendors will exceed the level of services provided and result in a prepayment of the expense. Payments under some of these contracts depend on factors such as the successful enrollment of patients and the completion of clinical trial milestones. In accruing service fees, the Company estimates the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort to be expended in each period. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the estimate, the accrual or the amount of prepaid expenses is adjusted accordingly. Although the Company does not expect the estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, its understanding of the status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and timing of services performed may vary and may result in reporting amounts that are too high or too low in any particular period. To date, there have not been any material adjustments to prior estimates of accrued research and development expenses.

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.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company measures share-based awards granted to employees and directors with service based vesting conditions only based on the fair value on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Compensation expense of those awards is recognized over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award, using the straight-line method.

The Company measures share-based awards granted to employees and directors with both performance and service based vesting conditions based on the fair value on the date of grant using the Monte Carlo simulation model. Compensation expense of those awards is recognized over the determined vesting period, the period over which all the specified vesting conditions are to be satisfied, using the straight-line method.

For awards granted to consultants and non-employees, compensation expense is recognized over the period during which services are rendered until completed. At the end of each financial reporting period prior to completion of the service, the fair value of these awards is remeasured using the then-current fair value of the Company’s ordinary shares and updated assumption inputs in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model or the Monte Carlo simulation model.

The Company classifies share-based compensation expense in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss 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.

The Black-Scholes option-pricing model uses key inputs and assumptions including the expected term of the option, share price volatility, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, share price and exercise price which is equivalent to closing market value on the date of grant. Many of the assumptions require significant judgment and any changes could have a material impact in the determination of share-based compensation expense.

The Monte Carlo simulation model uses key inputs and assumptions including share price volatility, risk-free interest rate, the expected date of satisfaction of vesting conditions and share price. Many of the assumptions require significant judgment and any changes could have a material impact in the determination of share-based compensation expense.

The Company has elected to account for forfeitures as they occur.

Research and Development Credits

Research and development credits are available to the Company under the tax laws in both Ireland and the United States, based on qualifying research and development spend in each jurisdiction as defined under those tax laws. Research and development credits are generally recognized as a reduction of research and development expenses.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

FASB guidance specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect market assumptions. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 1 primarily consists of financial instruments whose value is based on quoted market prices such as exchange-traded instruments and listed equities.
Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly (e.g. quoted prices of similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active). Level 2 includes financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Financial instruments are considered Level 3 when their fair values are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flows or similar techniques and at least one significant model assumption or input is unobservable.

The Company’s short-term investments and RLNs are carried at fair value, determined according to the fair value hierarchy above, see Note 3 for further details. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable accrued expenses and other liabilities approximate their fair value based on the short-term maturity of these instruments.

Borrowings

Interest bearing long-term debt is recognized initially at fair value, net of transactions costs incurred. Subsequent to initial recognition, interest bearing long-term debt is measured at amortized cost with any difference between cost and redemption value being recognized as a non-cash component of interest expense in the income statement over the period of the borrowings on an effective interest basis.

Derivative Liability

The Company accounted for derivative instruments in accordance with ASC 815, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other financial instruments or contracts which require bifurcation and measurement at fair value for accounting purposes on the balance sheet date. Any liabilities recorded at fair value were revalued each reporting period with the resulting change in fair value reflected in adjustments to fair value of derivatives.

In determining the appropriate fair values, the Company used the binomial option pricing model, and in the case of the change of control component, in combination with a DCF analysis, which is discussed in Note 3 – Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities. The Company’s derivative financial instruments consisted of embedded features in the Exchangeable Notes. The embedded derivatives include provisions that provide the noteholder with certain exchange rights and protections on a fundamental change such as a change of control. The effects of interactions between embedded derivatives are calculated and accounted for in arriving at the overall fair value of the financial instruments.

Royalty-Linked Notes

On recognition, the RLNs qualified as debt instruments under ASC 470, Debt, and were initially recorded at fair value, applying a DCF model, and then subsequently measured at amortized cost. In January 2021, the RLNs were exchange listed, and therefore, derivative accounting has been applied in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other financial instruments or contracts which require bifurcation and measurement at fair value for accounting purposes on the balance sheet date. Any liabilities recorded at fair value are revalued at each reporting period with the resulting change in fair value reflected in adjustments to fair value of derivatives.

Ordinary Share Warrants

The Company accounts for ordinary share warrants in accordance with applicable accounting guidance provided in ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity's Own Equity, as either derivative liabilities or as equity instruments depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. Any warrants that (i) require physical settlement or net-share settlement or (ii) provide the Company with a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in its own shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement), provided that such warrants are indexed to the Company's own shares is classified as equity. The Company completed a number of offerings containing freestanding derivatives which satisfy the criteria for classification as equity instruments as the warrants do not contain cash settlement features or variable settlement provision that cause them to not be indexed to the Company's own stock. The Company assesses classification of its ordinary share warrants at each reporting date to determine whether the instruments still qualify for the scope exception under ASC 815.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. The Company has most of its cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at three accredited financial institutions in the United States and Ireland, in amounts that exceed federally insured limits. The Company does not believe that it is subject to unusual credit risk beyond the normal credit risk associated with commercial banking relationships.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method which requires deferred tax assets and liabilities to be recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as well as net operating loss carryforwards and research and development tax credits.

Valuation allowances are provided if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company records interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in general and administrative expenses.

Net Loss Per Ordinary Share

Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share is determined by dividing net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding during the period in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share. For the periods presented, the following ordinary shares underlying the options, unvested restricted share units, warrants and the Exchangeable Notes have been excluded from the calculation because they would be anti-dilutive.

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Options to purchase ordinary shares

 

 

1,109,654

 

 

 

355,591

 

 

 

1,068,639

 

Unvested restricted share units

 

 

16,666

 

 

 

128,728

 

 

 

119,017

 

Warrants

 

 

480,186

 

 

 

480,186

 

 

 

480,186

 

Exchangeable Notes

 

 

1,255,451

 

 

 

1,287,660

 

 

 

1,217,386

 

Total

 

 

2,861,957

 

 

 

2,252,165

 

 

 

2,885,228

 

Segment and Other Information

The Company determines and presents operating segments based on the information that is internally provided to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Medical Officer, who together are considered the Company’s chief operating decision maker, in accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting. The Company has determined that it operates as a single business segment, which is the development and commercialization of innovative treatments for drug resistant bacterial infections.

The distribution of total operating expenses by geographical area was as follows:

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

Operating expenses

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Ireland

 

$

41,829

 

 

$

22,015

 

 

$

15,926

 

U.S.

 

 

5,603

 

 

 

8,332

 

 

 

8,554

 

Bermuda

 

 

36

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

57

 

Total

 

$

47,468

 

 

$

30,383

 

 

$

24,537

 

 

The distribution of long-lived assets by geographical area was as follows:

 

Long lived assets

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Ireland

 

$

342

 

 

$

4,052

 

U.S.

 

 

287

 

 

 

303

 

Total

 

$

629

 

 

$

4,355

 

 

Retirement Plan

The Company has a defined contribution plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the 401(k) Plan). The 401(k) Plan covers all U.S. employees who meet defined minimum age and service requirements, and allows participants to defer a portion of their annual compensation on a pre-tax basis. If the 401(k) Plan is considered top-heavy at the end of the financial year, with key employee accounts accounting for greater than 60% of total 401(k) Plan assets, the Company is required to contribute a deferral rate of up to 3% to the 401(k) Plan on behalf of certain employees. The Company was required to make a top-heavy contribution for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 of $0.03 million and $0.02 million, respectively. No top-heavy contribution was required to be made for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Inventory

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method for all inventories. The Company’s policy is to write down inventory that has become obsolete, inventory that has a cost basis in excess of its expected net realizable value and inventory in excess of expected requirements. The estimate of excess quantities is subjective and primarily dependent on the estimates of future demand for a particular product. If the estimate of future demand changes, the Company considers the impact on the reserve for excess inventory and adjusts the reserve as required. Increases in the reserve are recorded as charges in cost of product sales. For product candidates that have not been approved by the FDA, inventory used in clinical trials is expensed at the time of production and recorded as research and development expenses. For products that have been approved by the FDA, inventory used in clinical trials is expensed at the time the inventory is packaged for the clinical trial. Prior to an advisory committee providing a recommendation to the FDA that the Company’s application should be approved, costs related to manufacturing the product candidates are recorded as research and development expenses. All direct manufacturing costs incurred after this recommendation will be capitalized into inventory. The Company had no inventory as of December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

Contingent Consideration

Certain license agreements contain milestone payments that could result in the requirement to make contingent consideration payments, see Note 15 for further details. Contingent consideration is recorded at the acquisition date estimated fair value of the contingent payment. The fair value of the contingent consideration is measured at each reporting period. Any related unwinding of discount is recognized as a finance expense. Other changes in fair value are recognized in profit or loss or capitalized as an intangible asset depending on the stage of development. As of December 31, 2023, no milestones had been met that required the Company to recognize contingent consideration.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016 the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, or ASU 2016-13. The FASB subsequently issued amendments to ASU 2016-13, which have the same effective date and transition date of January 1, 2023. These standards require that credit losses be reported using an expected losses model rather than the incurred losses model that is currently used, and establishes additional disclosures related to credit risks. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, these standards now require allowances to be recorded instead of reducing the amortized cost of the investment. These standards limit the amount of credit losses to be recognized for available-for-sale debt securities to the amount by which carrying value exceeds fair value and requires the reversal of previously recognized credit losses if fair value increases. The new standard became effective for the Company on January 1, 2023 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On November 27, 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, or ASU No. 2023-07, which enhances segment disclosures and requires additional disclosures of segment expenses. This ASU is effective for annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. ASU 2023-07 is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

On October 9, 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative, or 2023-06, which incorporates into the Codification several disclosures and presentation requirements currently residing in SEC Regulations S-X and S-K. For entities subject to the existing SEC disclosure requirements, including those preparing for sale or issuance of securities, the effective date for each amendment will be the date on which the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K becomes effective, with early adoption prohibited. For all other entities, the amendments will be effective two years later, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2023-06 is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.