Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and we intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. For this purpose, any statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q except for historical information may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “could,” “estimate,” “target,” “forecast,” or “continue” or the negative of these words or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, trends in our business, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements included herein are based on current expectations of our management based on available information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately, and many of which are beyond our control. In addition, many of these risks and uncertainties may be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and any worsening of the global business and economic environment as a result. As such, our actual results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Readers should carefully review the factors identified in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Risk Factors” as well as the additional risks and uncertainties described in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. In light of the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that such results will be achieved, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. Except as may be required by law, we disclaim any intent to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Description of Business
Unless otherwise noted, (1) the term “Arrowhead” refers to Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its Subsidiaries, (2) the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” refer to the ongoing business operations of Arrowhead and its Subsidiaries, whether conducted through Arrowhead or a subsidiary of Arrowhead, (3) the term “Subsidiaries” refers to Arrowhead Madison Inc. (“Arrowhead Madison”), Visirna Therapeutics Inc. ("Visirna"), and Arrowhead Australia Pty Ltd (“Arrowhead Australia”), (4) the term “Common Stock” refers to Arrowhead’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, (5) the term “Preferred Stock” refers to Arrowhead’s Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, and (6) the term “Stockholder(s)” refers to the holders of Arrowhead’s Common Stock.
Overview
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference (“RNAi”) is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing. The Company’s pipeline includes ARO-APOC3 for hypertriglyceridemia, ARO-ANG3 for dyslipidemia, ARO-ENaC2 for cystic fibrosis, ARO-DUX4 for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, ARO-COV for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and other possible future pulmonary-borne pathogens, ARO-C3 for complement mediated diseases, ARO-RAGE and ARO-MUC5AC for various muco-obstructive or inflammatory pulmonary conditions and ARO-MMP7 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. ARO-HSD for liver disease was out-licensed to Glaxosmithkline Intellectual Property (No. 3) Limited (“GSK”) in November 2021. ARO-XDH is being developed for uncontrolled gout under a collaboration agreement with Horizon Therapeutics Ireland DAC (“Horizon”). JNJ-75220795 (ARO-JNJ1) is being developed by Janssen as a potential treatment for patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). ARO-AAT for liver disease associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (“AATD”) was out-licensed to Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. (“Takeda”) in October 2020. JNJ-3989 (formerly referred to as ARO-HBV) for chronic hepatitis B virus was out-licensed to Janssen in October 2018. Olpasiran (formerly referred to as AMG 890 or ARO-LPA) for cardiovascular disease was out-licensed to Amgen Inc. (“Amgen”) in 2016. While the Company believes that initial ARO-HIF2 Phase 1 clinical data provides proof of concept for the ability to deliver siRNA to RCC tumors, the Company has decided not to pursue further clinical development of ARO-HIF2 based on a number of factors including the evolving competitive landscape for HIF2 inhibitors.
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Arrowhead operates lab facilities in Madison, Wisconsin and San Diego, California, where the Company’s research and development activities, including the development of RNAi therapeutics, take place. The Company’s principal executive offices are located in Pasadena, California.
During the first three quarters of fiscal 2022, the Company continued to develop and advance its pipeline and partnered candidates and expanded its facilities to support the Company’s growing pipeline. Several key recent developments include:
i) dosed the first patients in its PALISADE study, a phase 3 clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ARO-APOC3 in adults with familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS);
ii) entered into an exclusive license agreement with GSK for ARO-HSD;
iii) Janssen presented clinical data from REEF-1, a Phase 2b study of different combination regimens, including JNJ-73763989 (JNJ-3989), formerly called ARO-HBV, and/or JNJ-56136379 (JNJ-6379), and a nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB);
iv) filed for regulatory clearance to begin a Phase 1/2a study of ARO-C3 and subsequently dosed the first subjects in AROC3-1001, a Phase 1/2 clinical study of ARO-C3, the Company’s i nvestigational RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic designed to reduce production of complement component 3 (C3) as a potential therapy for various complement mediated diseases;
v) presented additional interim clinical data from AROHSD1001, AROAAT2002, and AROAPOC31001;
vi) completed the purchase of 13 acres of land in the Verona Technology Park in Verona, Wisconsin and held a groundbreaking ceremony on the site. The site is being developed into an approximately 160,000 square foot drug manufacturing facility and an approximately 140,000 square foot laboratory and office facility which will support the Company's process development and analytical activities. The Company also announced that it received awards for up to $16 million in tax increment financing from the city of Verona, and up to $2.5 million in refundable Wisconsin state income tax credits from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) as incentives to invest in the local community and create new jobs. Additionally, The Company entered into a lease agreement for a new 144,000 square foot laboratory and office facility in San Diego, California to support discovery activities;
vii) completed enrollment in Phase 2b ARCHES-2 study of investigational ARO-ANG3 for patients with mixed dyslipidemia;
viii) filed for regulatory clearance to initiate Phase 1/2a study of ARO-RAGE for treatment of Asthma;
ix) filed for regulatory clearance to initiate Phase 1/2a study of ARO-MUC5AC for treatment of muco-obstructive lung disease;
x) initiated and dosed the first patients in the Phase 2 GATEWAY clinical study of investigational ARO-ANG3 for the treatment of patients with homozygous familial hypercholersterolemia;
xi) entered into definitive agreements to form a joint venture, Visirna Therapeutics, Inc. (“Visirna”) with Vivo Capital (“Vivo”) through which the Company and Vivo intend to expand the reach of innovative medicines in Greater China;
xii) hosted a pulmonary research & development (R&D) Day to discuss the Company’s emerging pipeline of pulmonary targeted RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic candidates that leverage its proprietary Targeted RNAi Molecule (TRIM TM ) platform, including an announcement of its previously undisclosed candidate designed to reduce expression of matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) as a potential treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); and
xiii) in conjunction with Takeda, announced results from a Phase 2 clinical study (AROAAT-2002) of investigational fazirsiran (TAK-999/ARO-AAT) for the treatment of liver disease associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), and was recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) and presented in an oral presentation at The International Liver Congress™ 2022 -
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The Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL).
The Company is actively monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The financial results for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022 were not significantly impacted by COVID-19. Operationally, the Company has experienced delays in its earlier stage programs due to a shortage in non-human primates, which are critical to the Company’s preclinical programs. Additionally, the Company has experienced delays in enrollment in its clinical trials. The Company’s operations at its research and development facilities in Madison, Wisconsin and San Diego, California, and its corporate headquarters in Pasadena, California have continued with limited impact, other than for enhanced safety measures and intermittent lab supply shortages. However, the Company cannot predict the impact the progression of COVID-19 will have on future financial and operational results due to a variety of factors, including the ability of the Company’s clinical sites to continue to enroll subjects, the ability of the Company’s suppliers to continue to operate, the continued good health and safety of the Company’s employees and the length and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Net losses were $72.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to net losses of $29.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Net losses were $90.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to net losses of $77.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2021. Net losses per share-diluted were $0.68 for the three months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to net losses per share-diluted of $0.29 for the three months ended June 30, 2022. Net losses per share-diluted were $0.86 for the nine months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to net losses per share-diluted of $0.75 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021. The increase in net losses for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was due to an increase in research and development and general and administrative expenses as the Company’s pipeline of candidates has expanded and progressed through clinical trial phases, partially offset by an increase in revenue from the Company’s license and collaboration agreements, primarily from the Takeda License Agreement (as defined below) and the Horizon License Agreement (as defined below).
The Company has strengthened its liquidity and financial position through upfront and milestone payments received under its collaboration agreements, as well as equity financings. Under the terms of the Company’s agreements with Janssen, taken together, the Company has received $175.0 million as an upfront payment, $75.0 million in the form of an equity investment by JJDC in Arrowhead Common Stock, and four milestone payments totaling $70.0 million. Under the terms of the Company’s agreements with Amgen, the Company has received $35.0 million in upfront payments, $21.5 million in the form of an equity investment by Amgen in the Company’s Common Stock and $30.0 million in milestone payments. The Takeda License Agreement resulted in a $300.0 million upfront payment, and the Horizon License Agreement resulted in a $40.0 million upfront payment. Finally, the GSK License Agreement resulted in an upfront payment of $120.0 million, which was received in January 2022. The Company had $139.4 million of cash and cash equivalents, $277.1 million in short-term investments, $165.9 million of long term investments and $751.8 million of total assets as of June 30, 2022, as compared to $184.4 million of cash and cash equivalents, $126.7 million of marketable securities, $56.6 million in short-term investments, $245.6 million of long term investments and $710.1 million of total assets as of September 30, 2021. Based upon the Company’s current cash and investment resources and operating plan, the Company expects to have sufficient liquidity to fund operations for at least the next twelve months.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
There have been no changes to the significant accounting policies disclosed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
The following data summarizes our results of operations for the following periods indicated:
Three Months Ended June 30,
2022 2021
(in thousands, except per share
amounts)
Revenues $ 32,412 $ 45,891
Operating income (loss) $ (72,909) $ (31,868)
Net income (loss) $ (72,046) $ (29,924)
Net income (loss) per share-diluted (0.68) (0.29)
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Nine Months Ended June 30,
2022 2021
(in thousands, except per share
amounts)
Revenues $ 211,656 $ 100,004
Operating income (loss) $ (94,677) $ (84,153)
Net income (loss) $ (90,552) $ (77,474)
Net income (loss) per share-diluted (0.86) (0.75)
The increase in revenue for the nine months ended June 30, 2022 compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2021 was driven by the revenue recognized from the GSK, Takeda and Horizon License Agreements.
Revenue
Total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $32.4 million and $45.9 million, respectively. Total revenue for the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $211.7 million and $100.0 million, respectively. Revenue for the nine months ended June 30, 2022 is primarily related to the recognition of the $120.0 million of revenue associated with the upfront payment received from GSK under the GSK License Agreement in the second quarter of 2022.
Amgen Inc.
On September 28, 2016, the Company entered into two collaboration and license agreements and a common stock purchase agreement with Amgen. Under the Second Collaboration and License Agreement (the “Olpasiran Agreement”), Amgen has received a worldwide, exclusive license to Arrowhead’s novel RNAi Olpasiran (previously referred to as AMG 890 or ARO-LPA) program. These RNAi molecules are designed to reduce elevated lipoprotein(a), which is a genetically validated, independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Under the prior collaboration and license agreement (the “First Collaboration and License Agreement” or the “ARO-AMG1 Agreement”), Amgen received an option to a worldwide, exclusive license for ARO-AMG1, an RNAi therapy for an undisclosed genetically validated cardiovascular target. Under both agreements, Amgen is wholly responsible for clinical development and commercialization. Under the terms of the agreements taken together, the Company has received $35.0 million in upfront payments, $21.5 million in the form of an equity investment by Amgen in the Company’s Common Stock, and $30.0 million in milestone payments, and may receive up to an additional $400.0 million in remaining development, regulatory and sales milestone payments. The Company is further eligible to receive up to low double-digit royalties for sales of products under the Olpasiran Agreement. In July 2019, Amgen informed the Company that it would not be exercising its option for an exclusive license for ARO-AMG1, and as such, there will be no further milestone or royalty payments under the ARO-AMG1 Agreement.
The Company has evaluated these agreements in accordance with FASB Topics 808 – Collaboration Arrangements and 606 - Revenue for Contracts from Customers. The Company has substantially completed its performance obligations under the Olpasiran Agreement and the ARO-AMG1 Agreement. Future milestones and royalties achieved will be recognized in their entirety when earned. In July 2020, Amgen initiated a Phase 2 clinical study of Olpasiran, which resulted in a $20.0 million milestone payment to the Company. During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $0 and $0 of revenue associated with its agreement with Amgen, respectively. As of June 30, 2022, there were $0 in contract assets recorded as accounts receivable and $0 contract liabilities recorded as current deferred revenue on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
On October 3, 2018, the Company entered into a License Agreement (the “Janssen License Agreement”) and a Research Collaboration and Option Agreement (the “Janssen Collaboration Agreement”) with Janssen, part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. The Company also entered into a stock purchase agreement with JJDC (“JJDC Stock Purchase Agreement”). Under the Janssen License Agreement, Janssen has received a worldwide, exclusive license to the Company’s JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV) program, the Company’s third-generation subcutaneously administered RNAi therapeutic candidate being developed as a potential therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Beyond the Company’s Phase 1/2 study of JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV), which the Company was responsible for completing, Janssen is wholly responsible for clinical development and commercialization of JNJ-3989. Under the Janssen
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Collaboration Agreement, Janssen was able to select three new targets against which Arrowhead would develop clinical candidates. These candidates were subject to certain restrictions and do not include candidates that already were in the Company’s pipeline. The Company was obligated to perform discovery, optimization and preclinical research and development, entirely funded by Janssen, which on its own or in combination with Janssen development work, would have been sufficient to allow the filing of a U.S. Investigational New Drug Application or equivalent, at which time Janssen would have the option to take an exclusive license. If the option was exercised, Janssen would have been wholly responsible for clinical development and commercialization of each optioned candidate. Under the terms of the agreements taken together, the Company has received $175.0 million as an upfront payment, $75.0 million in the form of an equity investment by JJDC in Arrowhead Common Stock under the JJDC Stock Purchase Agreement, and milestone and option payments totaling $73.0 million, and the Company may receive up to $1.6 billion in development and sales milestones payments for the Janssen License Agreement, and up to $0.6 billion in development and sales milestone payments for the remaining target covered under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement. The Company is further eligible to receive tiered royalties on product sales up to mid-teens under the Janssen License Agreement and up to low teens under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement. During the three months ended June 30, 2022, Janssen’s option period expired unexercised for two of the three candidates (ARO-JNJ2 and ARO-JNJ3) under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement.
The Company has evaluated these agreements in accordance with FASB Topics 808 – Collaboration Arrangements and 606 - Revenue for Contracts from Customers. At the inception of these agreements, the Company identified one distinct performance obligation. Regarding the Janssen License Agreement, the Company determined that the key deliverables included the license and certain R&D services including the Company’s responsibility to complete the Phase 1/2 study of JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV) and the Company’s responsibility to ensure certain manufacturing of JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV) drug product is completed and delivered to Janssen (the “Janssen R&D Services”). Due to the specialized and unique nature of these Janssen R&D Services and their direct relationship with the license, the Company determined that these deliverables represent one distinct bundle and, thus, one performance obligation. The Company also determined that Janssen’s option to require the Company to develop up to three new targets is not a material right and, thus, not a performance obligation at the onset of the agreement. The consideration for this option is accounted for separately.
The Company determined the transaction price totaled approximately $252.7 million, which includes the upfront payment, the premium paid by JJDC for its equity investment in the Company, two $25.0 million milestone payments related to JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV), and estimated payments for reimbursable Janssen R&D Services to be performed. The Company has allocated the total $252.7 million initial transaction price to its one distinct performance obligation for the JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV) license and the associated Janssen R&D Services. The Company has recognized this transaction price in its entirety as of September 30, 2021, as its performance obligations were substantially completed. Future milestones and royalties achieved will be recognized in their entirety when earned. During the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized approximately $0 and $0 of revenue associated with this performance obligation, respectively. During the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized approximately $0 and $20.2 million of revenue associated with this performance obligation, respectively. As of June 30, 2022, there were $0 in contract assets recorded as accounts receivable, and $0 of contract liabilities recorded as current deferred revenue on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company has conducted its discovery, optimization and preclinical research and development of JNJ-75220795 (ARO-JNJ1), ARO-JNJ2, and ARO-JNJ3 under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement. All costs and labor hours spent by the Company have been entirely funded by Janssen. During the three months ended June 30, 2022, Janssen’s option period expired unexercised for two of the three candidates (ARO-JNJ2 and ARO-JNJ3) under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement as reported in the second quarter of 2022. During the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $0.0 million and $0.2 million of revenue associated with these efforts, respectively. During the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $0.1 million and $0.5 million of revenue associated with these efforts, respectively. In May 2021, Janssen exercised its option right for ARO-JNJ1, which resulted in a $10.0 million milestone payment to the Company. This $10 million milestone payment was recognized entirely during the three months ended June 30, 2021. As of June 30, 2022, there were $0 of contract assets recorded as accounts receivable and $0 of contract liabilities recorded as current deferred revenue on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.
On October 7, 2020, the Company entered into an Exclusive License and Co-funding agreement (the “Takeda License Agreement”) with Takeda. Under the Takeda License Agreement, Takeda and the Company will co-develop the Company’s ARO-AAT program, the Company’s second-generation subcutaneously administered RNAi therapeutic
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candidate being developed as a treatment for liver disease associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Within the United States, ARO-AAT, if approved, will be co-commercialized under a 50/50 profit sharing structure. Outside the United States, Takeda will lead the global commercialization strategy and will receive an exclusive license to commercialize ARO-AAT, while the Company will be eligible to receive tiered royalties of 20% to 25% on net sales. In January 2021, the Company received $300.0 million as an upfront payment and is eligible to receive potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones of up to $740.0 million.
The Company has evaluated the Takeda License Agreement in accordance with FASB Topics 808 – Collaborative Arrangements and 606 - Revenue for Contracts from Customers. At the inception of the Takeda License Agreement, the Company identified one distinct performance obligation. The Company determined that the key deliverables included the license and certain R&D services including the Company’s responsibilities to complete the initial portion of the SEQUOIA study, to complete the ongoing Phase 2 AROAAT2002 study and to ensure certain manufacturing of ARO-AAT drug product is completed and delivered to Takeda (the “Takeda R&D Services”). Due to the specialized and unique nature of these Takeda R&D Services and their direct relationship with the license, the Company determined that these deliverables represent one distinct bundle and, thus, one performance obligation. Beyond the Takeda R&D Services, which are the responsibility of the Company, Takeda will be responsible for managing future clinical development and commercialization outside the United States. Within the United States, the Company will also participate in co-development and co-commercialization efforts and will co-fund these efforts with Takeda as part of the 50/50 profit sharing structure within the United States. The Company considers the collaborative activities, including the co-development and co-commercialization, to be a separate unit of account within Topic 808, and as such, these co-funding amounts will be recorded as Research and Development Expenses or General and Administrative Expenses, as appropriate.
The Company determined the initial transaction price totaled $300.0 million, which includes the upfront payment. The Company has excluded any future milestones or royalties from this transaction price to date. The Company has allocated the total $300.0 million initial transaction price to its one distinct performance obligation for the ARO-AAT license and the associated Takeda R&D Services. Revenue will be recognized using a proportional performance method (based on actual patient visits completed versus total estimated visits completed for the ongoing SEQUOIA and AROAAT2002 clinical studies). Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $25.5 million and $35.7 million, respectively. Revenue for the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $67.1 million and $69.3 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2022, there were $0 in contract assets recorded as accounts receivable, $71.0 million in contract liabilities recorded as deferred revenue and $71.2 million in contract liabilities recorded as deferred revenue, net of the current portion, and $7.8 million in contract liabilities recorded as accrued expenses. The $7.8 million in accrued expenses was primarily driven by co-development and co-commercialization activities.
Horizon Therapeutics Ireland DAC
On June 18, 2021, the Company entered into the Horizon License Agreement with Horizon. Under the Horizon License Agreement, Horizon received a worldwide exclusive license for ARO-XDH, a previously undisclosed discovery-stage investigational RNAi therapeutic being developed by the Company as a potential treatment for people with uncontrolled gout. The Company will conduct all activities through the preclinical stages of development of ARO-XDH, and Horizon will be wholly responsible for clinical development and commercialization of ARO-XDH. In July 2021, the Company received $40 million as an upfront payment and is eligible to receive up to $660 million in potential development, regulatory and sales milestones. The Company is also eligible to receive royalties in the low- to mid-teens range on net product sales.
The Company has evaluated the Horizon License Agreement in accordance with FASB Topics 808 – Collaborative Arrangements and 606 - Revenue for Contracts from Customers. At the inception of the Horizon License Agreement, the Company identified one distinct performance obligation. The Company determined that the key deliverables included the license and certain R&D services, including the Company’s responsibilities to conduct all activities through the preclinical stages of development of ARO-XDH (the “Horizon R&D Services”). Due to the specialized and unique nature of these Horizon R&D Services and their direct relationship with the license, the Company determined that these deliverables represented one distinct bundle and, thus, one performance obligation. Beyond the Horizon R&D Services, which are the responsibility of the Company, Horizon will be responsible for managing future clinical development and commercialization of ARO-XDH.
The Company determined the initial transaction price totaled $40.0 million, including the upfront payment. The Company has excluded any future estimated milestones or royalties, from this transaction price to date. The Company will allocate the total $40.0 million initial transaction price to its one distinct performance obligation for the ARO-XDH license
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and the associated Horizon R&D Services. Revenue will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated timeframe for completing the Horizon R&D Services. The Company determined that the straight-line basis was appropriate as its efforts will be expended evenly over the course of completing its performance obligation. Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $6.7 million and $0, respectively. Revenue for the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $20.0 million and $0, respectively. As of June 30, 2022, there were $0 million in contract assets recorded as accounts receivable, $13.3 million in contract liabilities recorded as deferred revenue.
The Company has manufactured ARO-XDH material for Horizon in furtherance of the research plan entered into pursuant to the Horizon License Agreement, for which the Company has been reimbursed for its costs. During the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $1.3 million and $0 with these efforts, respectively. As of June 30, 2022, there were $0.0 million of contract assets recorded as accounts receivable and $0 of contract liabilities recorded as current deferred revenue on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Glaxosmithkline Intellectual Property (No. 3) Limited
On November 22, 2021, the Company entered into an Exclusive License Agreement (the “GSK License Agreement”) with GSK. Under the GSK License Agreement, GSK has received an exclusive license for ARO-HSD, the Company’s investigational RNAi therapeutic being developed as a treatment for patients with alcohol-related and nonalcohol related liver diseases, such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The exclusive license is worldwide with the exception of greater China, for which the Company retained rights to develop and commercialize. Beyond the Company’s Phase 1/2 study of (ARO-HSD), which the Company is responsible for completing, GSK is wholly responsible for clinical development and commercialization of ARO-HSD in its terr itory. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has received an upfront payment of $120 million and is eligible for additional payments of $30 million at the start of Phase 2 and $100 million upon achieving a successful Phase 2 trial readout and the first patient dosed in a Phase 3 trial. Furthermore, should the Phase 3 trial read out positively, and the potential new medicine receives regulatory approval in major markets, the deal provides for commercial milestone payments to the Company of up to $190 million at first commercial sale, and up to $590 million in sales-related milestone payments. The Company is further eligible to receive tiered royalties on net product sales in a range of mid-teens to twenty percent.
The Company has evaluated the GSK License Agreement in accordance with FASB Topics 808 – Collaborative Arrangements and 606 - Revenue for Contracts from Customers. At the inception of the GSK License Agreement, the Company identified one distinct performance obligation. The Company determined that the key deliverables included the license and certain R&D services, including the Company’s responsibility to complete the Phase 1/2 study, (the “GSK R&D Services”). Due to the specialized and unique nature of these GSK R&D Services and their direct relationship with the license, the Company determined that these deliverables represented one distinct bundle and, thus, one performance obligation. Beyond the GSK R&D Services, which are the responsibility of the Company, GSK will be responsible for managing future clinical development and commercialization in its territory.
The Company determined the initial transaction price totaled $120.0 million, including the upfront payment. The $120.0 million upfront payment was collected in January 2022. The Company has excluded any future estimated milestones or royalties from this transaction price to date. The Company has allocated the total $120.0 million initial transaction price to its one distinct performance obligation for the ARO-HSD license and the associated GSK R&D Services. As the Company has completed its performance obligation related to this agreement, the upfront payment of $120.0 million will be fully recognized as of the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022. Revenue for the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $120.0 million and $0, respectively. As of June 30, 2022, there were $0 in contract assets recorded as accounts receivable, $0 in contract liabilities recorded as deferred revenue.
Joint Venture and License Agreement with Visirna Therapeutics, Inc.
On April 25, 2022, the Company entered into a License Agreement (the “Visirna License Agreement”) with Visirna Therapeutics, Inc. (“Visirna”), pursuant to which Visirna received an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and commercialize four of Arrowhead’s RNAi-based investigational cardiobolic medicines in Greater China (including the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan). Pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement entered into simultaneously with the Visirna License Agreement (the “Visirna SPA”), the Company acquired a majority stake in Visirna (after accounting for shares reserved for Visirna’s employee stock ownership plan) as partial consideration for the Visirna License Agreement. Under the Visirna SPA, entities affiliated with Vivo Capital (“Vivo”) also acquired a minority stake in Visirna in exchange for $60 million in upfront capital to support the operations of Visirna. As further consideration under the Visirna License Agreement, the Company is also eligible to receive potential royalties on commercial sales.
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The Company has determined that Visirna is a variable interest entity upon its formation and as of June 30, 2022, and it has been determined that Arrowhead is the primary beneficiary; accordingly, Arrowhead consolidates the financial statements of Visirna.
Operating Expenses
The analysis below details the operating expenses and discusses the expenditures of the Company within the major expense categories. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior-period operating expense categories to conform to the current period presentation. For purposes of comparison, the amounts for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 are shown in the tables below.
Research and Development Expenses
R&D expenses are related to the Company’s research and development efforts and related program costs, which are comprised primarily of outsourced costs related to the manufacturing of clinical supplies, toxicity/efficacy studies and clinical trial expenses. Internal costs primarily relate to operations at our research facilities in Madison, Wisconsin and San Diego, California, including facility costs and laboratory-related expenses. Salaries and stock compensation expense consist of salary, bonuses, payroll taxes and related benefits and stock compensation for our R&D personnel. Depreciation and amortization expense consist of depreciation on lab equipment and leasehold improvements at our research facilities. We do not separately track R&D expenses by individual research and development projects, including by individual drug candidates. The Company operates in a cross-functional manner across projects and does not separately allocate facilities-related costs, candidate costs, discovery costs, compensation expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses, and other expenses for research and development activities. The following table provides details of research and development expenses for the periods indicated:
(table below in thousands)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 % of
Expense
Category
Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 % of
Expense
Category
Increase (Decrease)
$ %
Salaries $ 11,243 16 % $ 8,518 14 % $ 2,725 32 %
Facilities related $ 3,827 5 % $ 1,306 2 % $ 2,521 193 %
Candidate costs $ 31,732 44 % $ 31,468 54 % $ 264 1 %
R&D discovery costs $ 15,081 21 % $ 10,082 17 % $ 4,999 50 %
Total research and development expense, excluding non-cash expense $ 61,883 86 % $ 51,374 87 % $ 10,509 20 %
Stock compensation $ 8,098 11 % $ 6,530 11 % $ 1,568 24 %
Depreciation/amortization $ 2,200 3 % $ 1,421 2 % $ 779 55 %
Total research and development expense $ 72,181 100 % $ 59,325 100 % $ 12,856 22 %
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Nine Months Ended June 30, 2022 % of
Expense
Category
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2021 % of
Expense
Category
Increase (Decrease)
$ %
Salaries $ 33,641 16 % $ 25,375 18 % $ 8,266 33 %
Facilities related 7,644 4 % $ 4,456 3 % $ 3,188 72 %
Candidate costs 101,789 47 % $ 67,152 48 % $ 34,637 52 %
R&D discovery costs 40,347 19 % $ 20,295 14 % $ 20,052 99 %
Total research and development expense, excluding non-cash expense $ 183,421 86 % $ 117,278 83 % $ 66,143 56 %
Stock compensation $ 23,958 11 % $ 18,421 13 % $ 5,537 30 %
Depreciation/amortization $ 6,551 3 % $ 4,877 4 % $ 1,674 34 %
Total research and development expense $ 213,930 100 % $ 140,576 100 % $ 73,354 52 %
Salaries expense increased by $2,725,000 from $8,518,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 to $11,243,000 during the current period. Salaries expense increased by $8,266,000 from $25,375,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 to $33,641,000 during the current period. This increase is primarily due to an increase in R&D headcount that has occurred as the Company has expanded its pipeline of candidates. We anticipate this expense to continue to increase as we continue to expand our pipeline of candidates and increase headcount to support our discovery efforts to identify new drug candidates, in addition to inflationary pressures in the labor market.
Facilities expense increased by $2,521,000 from $1,306,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 to $3,827,000 during the current period. Facilities expense increased by $3,188,000 from $4,456,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 to $7,644,000 during the current period. This category includes rental costs for our research and development facilities in Madison, Wisconsin and San Diego, California. We expect this expense to continue to increase as we continue to build out our manufacturing capabilities to support our discovery efforts to identify new drug candidates. The increase in facilities expense is due to the recognition of rent expense from the San Diego research facility.
Candidate costs increased by $264,000 from $31,468,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 to $31,732,000 during the current period. Candidate costs increased by $34,637,000 from $67,152,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 to $101,789,000 during the current period. This increase is primarily due to the progression of our pipeline of candidates into and through clinical trials, which results in higher outsourced clinical trial, toxicity study and manufacturing costs. For example, our cardiometabolic candidates, ARO-ANG3 and ARO-APOC3, have advanced into phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials. We anticipate these expenses to continue to increase as our pipeline of candidates grows and progresses to later phase clinical trials, in addition to unforeseen inflationary pressure on goods and services.
R&D discovery costs increased by $4,999,000 from $10,082,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 to $15,081,000 in the current period. R&D discovery costs increased by $20,052,000 from $20,295,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 to $40,347,000 in the current period. This increase is primarily due to the growth of our discovery efforts, including the addition of our research facility in San Diego. We anticipate this expense to continue to increase as we increase headcount to support our discovery efforts to identify new drug candidates.
Stock compensation expense, a non-cash expense, increased by $1,568,000 from $6,530,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 to $8,098,000 during the current period. Stock compensation expense, a non-cash expense, increased by $5,537,000 from $18,421,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 to $23,958,000 during the current period. Stock compensation expense is based upon the valuation of stock options and restricted stock units granted to employees, directors and certain consultants. Many variables affect the amount expensed, including the Company’s stock price on the date of the grant, as well as other assumptions. The increase in the expense in the current period is primarily due to the increased headcount discussed above. We generally expect future stock compensation expense to continue to increase as our headcount continues to increase to support our clinical pipeline.
Depreciation and amortization expense, a non-cash expense, increased by $779,000 from $1,421,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 to $2,200,000 during the current period. Depreciation and amortization expense, a non-cash expense, increased by $1,674,000 from $4,877,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 to $6,551,000 during the current period. The majority of depreciation and amortization expense relates to depreciation on lab equipment and
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leasehold improvements at our Madison and San Diego research facilities. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense is due to an increase in laboratory equipment and leasehold improvements. We expect this amount to increase in the future as we continue to purchase additional lab equipment and increase our footprint expansions to support our growing pipeline.
General & Administrative Expenses
The following table provides details of our general and administrative expenses for the periods indicated:
(table below in thousands)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 % of
Expense
Category Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 % of
Expense
Category Increase (Decrease)
$ %
Salaries $ 3,175 10 % $ 2,570 14 % $ 605 24 %
Professional/outside services 1,576 5 % 379 2 % 1,197 316 %
Facilities related 703 2 % 610 3 % 93 15 %
Other G&A 1,992 6 % 2,278 12 % (286) (13) %
Total general & administrative expense, excluding non-cash expense $ 7,446 23 % $ 5,837 31 % $ 1,609 28 %
Stock compensation 25,292 76 % 12,020 66 % 13,272 110 %
Depreciation/amortization 403 1 % 577 3 % (174) (30) %
Total general & administrative expense $ 33,141 100 % $ 18,434 100 % $ 14,707 80 %
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2022 % of
Expense
Category Nine Months Ended June 30, 2021 % of
Expense
Category Increase (Decrease)
$ %
Salaries $ 10,365 11 % $ 8,411 19 % $ 1,954 23 %
Professional/outside services 6,083 7 % 4,199 10 % 1,884 45 %
Facilities related 2,085 2 % 2,127 5 % (42) (2) %
Other G&A 4,921 5 % 4,326 10 % 595 14 %
Total general & administrative expense, excluding non-cash expense $ 23,454 25 % $ 19,063 44 % $ 4,391 23 %
Stock compensation 67,739 74 % 23,631 54 % 44,108 187 %
Depreciation/amortization 1,210 1 % 887 2 % 323 36 %
Total general & administrative expense $ 92,403 100 % $ 43,581 100 % $ 48,822 112 %
Salaries expense increased by $605,000 from $2,570,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 to $3,175,000 during the current period. Salaries expense increased by $1,954,000 from $8,411,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 to $10,365,000 during the current period. This increase is primarily due to an increase in G&A headcount that has occurred as the Company has grown. We expect salaries expense to continue to increase as our headcount continues to increase to support our expanding clinical pipeline, in addition to inflationary pressures in the labor market.
Professional/outside services include legal, accounting, consulting, patent expenses, business insurance expenses and other outside services retained by the Company. Professional/outside services expense increased by 1,197,000 from $379,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 to $1,576,000 during the current period. Professional/outside services expense increased by $1,884,000 from $4,199,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 to $6,083,000 during the current period. We expect future professional/outside services expense to increase as we continue to increase discovery efforts. The increase in professional/outside services expense is due to intellectual property and general legal fees.
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Facilities-related expense increased by $93,000 from $610,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 to $703,000 during the current period. Facilities-related expense decreased by $42,000 from $2,127,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 to $2,085,000 during the current period. This category primarily includes rental costs for our corporate headquarters in Pasadena, California. The increase in facilities related expenses is due to an increase in building maintenance and repair costs. We expect future facilities related expenses to increase as we continue to increase our headcount and footprint to support our discovery efforts.
Other G&A expense decreased by $286,000 from $2,278,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 to $1,992,000 during the current period. Other G&A expense increased by $595,000 from $4,326,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 to $4,921,000 during the current period. This category consists primarily of travel, communication and technology, office expenses, and franchise and property tax expenses. The decrease during the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 is due to a decrease in consulting expenses from the prior year. The increase during the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 is due to software and software implementation costs..
Stock compensation expense, a non-cash expense, increased by $13,272,000 from $12,020,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 to $25,292,000 during the current period. Stock compensation expense, a non-cash expense, increased by $44,108,000 from $23,631,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 to $67,739,000 during the current period. Stock compensation expense is based upon the valuation of stock options and restricted stock units granted to employees, directors and certain consultants. Many variables affect the amount expensed, including the Company’s stock price on the date of the grant, as well as other assumptions. The increase in the current period is due to a performance award that was achieved earlier than anticipated, as well as a modification of certain performance awards to include market conditions. The fair value of market condition-based awards is expensed ratably over the service period and is not adjusted for actual achievement. We generally expect future stock compensation expense to continue to increase as our headcount continues to increase to support our clinical pipeline.
Depreciation and amortization expense, a noncash expense, decreased by $174,000 from $577,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 to $403,000 during the current period. Depreciation and amortization expense, a noncash expense, increased by $323,000 from $887,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 to $1,210,000 during the current period. The decrease in depreciation expense in the current quarter is due to reclassification of certain depreciation from general and administrative to research and development.
Other Income
Other income decreased by $1,080,000 from $1,944,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 to $863,000 during the current period. Other income decreased by $2,554,000 from $6,679,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $4,125,000 during the current period. Other income is primarily related to interest income and realized and unrealized gain/loss on our marketable securities. The decrease in other income is due to lower yields on more recently purchased bonds and increase in realized loss on the sale of marketable securities offset by a property tax credit the company received during the current period.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Arrowhead has historically financed its operations through the sale of its equity securities and revenue from its collaboration agreements. Research and development activities have required significant capital investment since the Company’s inception and are expected to continue to require significant cash expenditure as the Company’s pipeline continues to expand and matures into later stage clinical trials. Additionally, the Company plans to expand its facilities with its purchase of land in Verona, Wisconsin, and its entry into a new lease in San Diego, California. Each of these expansions is designed to increase the Company’s internal manufacturing and discovery capabilities, and each will require significant capital investment .
At June 30, 2022, the Company's cash and cash equivalents totalled approximately $139.4 million as compared to $184.4 million at September 30, 2021. Cash invested in short-term fixed income securities and marketable securities was $277.1 million at June 30, 2022, compared to $183.4 million at September 30, 2021. Cash invested in long-term fixed income securities was $165.9 million at June 30, 2022, compared to $245.6 million at September 30, 2021. The Company also entered into an Open Market Sale Agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) in August 2020, pursuant to which the Company may, from time to time, sell up to $250,000,000 in shares of the Company’s Common Stock through Jefferies LLC. As of June 30, 2022, no shares have been sold under the ATM Agreement. The Company believes its current financial resources are sufficient to fund its operations through at least the next twelve months.
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A summary of cash flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 is as follows:
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2022 Nine Months Ended June 30, 2021
(in thousands)
Cash flow from:
Operating activities (67,464) 195,341
Investing activities (41,862) (23,433)
Financing activities 64,331 10,490
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (44,995) 182,398
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 184,434 143,583
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 139,439 325,981
During the nine months ended June 30, 2022, cash flow used by operating activities was $67.5 million, which was primarily due to the receipt of the $120.0 million upfront payment from GSK, offset by the ongoing expenses related to the Company’s research and development programs and general and administrative expenses. Cash used in investing activities was $41.9 million, which was primarily related to the purchase of property and equipment of $20.1 million and net sales of investments of $21.8 million. Cash provided by financing activities of $64.3 million was primarily related to the formation of our joint venture, Viserna, as well as cash received from stock option exercises.
During the nine months ended June 30, 2021, cash flow provided by operating activities was $195.3 million, which was primarily due to the $300 million payment received under the Takeda License Agreement, partially offset by ongoing expenses of the Company’s research and development programs and general and administrative expenses. Cash used in investing activities was $23.4 million, which was primarily related to the purchase of property and equipment of $15.4 million, partially offset by the net sales of investments of $8.1 million. Cash provided by financing activities of $10.5 million was related to cash received from stock option exercises.
On December 20, 2021, the Company completed a purchase of 13 acres of land in the Verona Technology Park in Verona, Wisconsin, which is planned to be the site of an approximately 160,000 square foot drug manufacturing facility and an approximately 140,000 square foot laboratory and office facility to support process development and analytical activities. Arrowhead intends to invest between $200 million and $250 million into the buildout of the facilities. As part of this acquisition, the Company also entered into a development agreement with the City of Verona to construct certain infrastructure improvements within the TIF district, and will be reimbursed by the City of Verona by future tax increment revenue generated from the developed property. The total amount of funding that City of Verona will pay as reimbursements under the TIF program for these improvements is not guaranteed and will depend on future tax revenues generated from the developed property.
Capital Resources and Material Cash Requirements
A summary of our capital resources and material cash requirements is presented in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Other than as described above, there were no material changes to our capital resources and material cash requirements during the three months ended June 30, 2022.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There has been no material change in our exposure to market risk from that described in Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.