Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. 10-Q

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements about our plans and expectations of what may happen in the future. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and our results could differ materially from the results anticipated by our forward-looking statements as a result of many known or unknown factors, including, but not limited to, those factors discussed in “Risk Factors.” See also the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” set forth at the beginning of this report. You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, and the related footnotes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this report, and in conjunction with management’s discussion and analysis and the audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 which wa s filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 1, 2021 . Overview We are a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for the management of central nervous system, or CNS, conditions that have limited treatment options. By focusing on this therapeutic area, we are addressing significant and growing markets where current treatment options are limited or inadequate. Our core CNS portfolio includes five CNS product candidates, AXS-05, AXS-07, AXS-09, AXS-12, and AXS-14 which are being developed for multiple indications. AXS-05 is being developed for the treatment of major depressive disorder, or MDD, for which we have completed a Phase 2 controlled trial and Phase 3 controlled trial, which we refer to as the ASCEND study and the GEMINI study, respectively, and a Phase 3 long-term open-label study, which we refer to as the COMET study. A New Drug Application, or NDA, has been submitted and accepted for filing for AXS-05 for the treatment of MDD. The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date for the AXS-05 NDA of August 22, 2021. AXS-05 is also under development for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease agitation, or AD agitation. We have completed one Phase 2/3 controlled trial, which we refer to as the ADVANCE-1 study, for this indication. We are conducting a Phase 3 placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal trial in AD agitation, which we refer to as the ACCORD study, and one open-label long-term safety study in AD agitation. AXS-05 is also being developed for smoking cessation and a Phase 2 trial in this indication has been completed. AXS-07 is being developed for the acute treatment of migraine, for which we have completed two Phase 3 controlled trials, which we refer to as the MOMENTUM study and the INTERCEPT study, and one Phase 3 long-term open-label trial, which we refer to as the MOVEMENT study. An NDA has been submitted for filing for AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine. AXS-09 is being developed for the treatment of CNS disorders. AXS-12 is being developed for the treatment of narcolepsy. We have completed a Phase 2 trial with AXS-12, which we refer to as the CONCERT study. A Phase 3 trial with AXS-12 in narcolepsy is planned. AXS-14 is being developed for the treatment of fibromyalgia. We plan to submit an NDA for AXS-14 in fourth quarter of 2022 for the management of fibromyalgia following a pre-NDA meeting with the FDA. Additionally, we are currently evaluating other product candidates, which we intend to develop for CNS disorders. We aim to become a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes differentiated therapies that increase available treatment options and improve the lives of patients living with CNS disorders. AXS-05 is a novel, oral, investigational NMDA, or N-methyl-D-aspartate, receptor antagonist with multimodal activity under development for the treatment of CNS disorders. AXS-05 consists of a proprietary formulation and dose of bupropion and dextromethorphan and utilizes our metabolic inhibition technology. The dextromethorphan component of AXS-05 is an uncompetitive NMDA, receptor antagonist, also known as a glutamate receptor modulator. The dextromethorphan component of AXS-05 is also a sigma-1 receptor agonist, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, and inhibitor of the serotonin and norepinephrine transporters. The bupropion component of AXS-05 serves to increase the bioavailability of dextromethorphan, and is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, and a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. We are seeking U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, approval for AXS‑05 utilizing the 505(b)(2) regulatory development pathway. AXS-05 has been granted FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for both the treatment of MDD and the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease agitation, as well as Fast Track designations for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease agitation and treatment resistant depression. 20 Table of Contents We have completed two pivotal trials , one Phase 2 and one Phase 3, of AXS-05 in MDD, which we refer to as the ASCEND and GEMINI trials, respectively. AXS-05 achieved the primary endpoint in both the ASCEND and GEMINI trials. A Phase 3, open-label, long-term safety study with AXS-05 in patients with MDD and TRD known as the COMET trial has also been completed. Additionally, three Phase 2 open-label efficacy sub-studies of the COMET trial have been completed. These sub-studies evaluated the efficacy and safety of AXS-05 in three clinically pertinent MDD patient populations: the COMET-TRD trial in treatment resistant MDD (TRD), the COMET-AU trial in antidepressant unresponsive MDD, and the COMET-SI trial in MDD with suicidal ideation. In the overall COMET trial, AXS-05 treatment resulted in rapid, substantial, and durable improvement in depressive symptoms, measured using the MADRS, which was sustained or increased with long-term treatment. Additionally, AXS-05 was well tolerated with long-term dosing. Similar findings of rapid and durable improvements in depressive symptoms were demonstrated in the COMET-AU and COMET-TRD sub-studies. In the COMET-SI trial, a rapid reduction in suicidal ideation was observed with AXS-05 treatment, as demonstrated by reductions in the MADRS-SI score. We have completed a Phase 3 trial of AXS-05 in TRD, which we refer to as the STRIDE-1 trial, which met key secondary endpoints but did not reach statistical significance on the primary endpoint. Additionally, we have completed a Phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, relapse prevention study in patients with TRD , which we call the MERIT trial . In the MERIT trial, AXS-05 achieved its primary and secondary endpoint s by delaying time to relapse and preventing relapse as compared to placebo . We have also completed a Phase 2/3 trial of AXS-05 in AD agitation, which we refer to as the ADVANCE-1 trial. AXS-05 achieved the primary endpoint in the ADVANCE-1 trial. We are conducting the ACCORD trial, a Phase 3, double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal trial in patients with AD agitation, and one open-label long-term safety study in AD agitation. AXS-05 is also being developed as an aid to smoking cessation treatment and a positive Phase 2 trial in this indication has been completed under a research collaboration between us and Duke University. We have submitted a New Drug Application, or NDA, for AXS-05 for the treatment of MDD supported by the positive results from the ASCEND and GEMINI trials which has been accepted for filing by the FDA and has granted the application Priority Review resulting in a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of August 22, 2021. AXS-07 is a novel, oral, rapidly absorbed, multi-mechanistic, investigational medicine under development for the acute treatment of migraine. AXS-07 consists of MoSEIC™, or Molecular Solubility Enhanced Inclusion Complex, meloxicam and rizatriptan. Meloxicam is a long-acting nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, with COX-2, an enzyme involved in inflammation and pain pathways, preferential inhibition and potent pain-relieving effects. However, standard meloxicam has an extended time to maximum plasma concentration, or T max , which delays its onset of action. AXS-07 utilizes our proprietary MoSEIC™ technology to substantially increase the solubility and speed the absorption of meloxicam while potentially maintaining durability of action. Meloxicam is a new molecular entity for migraine enabled by our MoSEIC™ technology. Rizatriptan is a 5-HT 1B/ 1 D agonist that inhibits calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-mediated vasodilation, has been shown to have central trigeminal antinociceptive activity, and may reduce the release of inflammatory mediators from trigeminal nerves. Rizatriptan is approved as a single agent for the acute treatment of migraine. We intend to seek FDA approval for AXS-07 utilizing the 505(b)(2) regulatory development pathway. We have completed two Phase 3 trials of AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine, which we refer to as the MOMENTUM and INTERCEPT trials. AXS-07 achieved the co-primary endpoints in both the MOMENTUM and INTERCEPT trials. An NDA has been submitted for filing for AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine supported by the positive results from the MOMENTUM and INTERCEPT trials. An open-label, long-term, safety study of AXS-07 in patients with migraine known as the MOVEMENT trial has also been completed. In the MOVEMENT trial, administration of AXS-07 resulted in rapid, and substantial relief of migraine pain and associated symptoms and was well tolerated with long term dosing. AXS-09 is an oral, investigational NMDA receptor antagonist with multimodal activity consisting of esbupropion and dextromethorphan, which is being developed for the treatment of CNS disorders. AXS-09 contains esbupropion, the chirally pure S-enantiomer of bupropion, as compared to the company’s first generation product candidate AXS-05 which contains racemic bupropion, equal amounts of the S- and R-enantiomers. We have demonstrated in a Phase 1 trial that dextromethorphan plasma levels are substantially increased into a potentially therapeutic range with repeated administration of AXS-09. Results of this Phase 1 trial coupled with preclinical data also indicate the potential for enhanced absorption and therapeutic effect of the S-enantiomer as compared to the R-enantiomer. AXS-12, reboxetine, is a novel, oral, investigational medicine in development for the treatment of narcolepsy. AXS-12 is a highly selective and potent norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. AXS-12 has been granted FDA Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of narcolepsy. We have completed a Phase 2 trial with AXS-12, which we refer to as the CONCERT trial. AXS-12 achieved the primary endpoint in the CONCERT trial. We plan to initiate a Phase 3 trial with AXS-12 in narcolepsy in the third quarter of 2021. AXS-14, esreboxetine, is a novel, oral, investigational medicine in development for the treatment of fibromyalgia. AXS-14 is a highly selective and potent norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. We are initially developing esreboxetine for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Esreboxetine, the SS-enantiomer of reboxetine, is more potent and selective than racemic reboxetine. We have in-licensed data from Pfizer which includes a completed Phase 2 trial and Phase 3 trial in fibromyalgia, both of which were positive. We plan to submit an NDA for AXS-14 in the fourth quarter of 2022 for the management of fibromyalgia. 21 Table of Contents Since our incorporation in January 2012, our operations to date have included organizing and staffing our company, business planning, raising capital, developing our compounds, and engaging in other discovery and preclinical activities. Prior to our initial public offering, or IPO, in November 2015, we financed our operations primarily through private placements of our convertible notes and subsequent to our IPO, through proceeds from sales of our common stock and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock to equity investors and debt borrowings. For a further discussion, see the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below. Our ability to become profitable depends on our ability to generate revenue. We do not expect to generate significant revenue unless and until we or our collaborators obtain marketing approval for and successfully commercialize one of our product candidates. We have incurred significant operating expenses and net losses since inception. We incurred net losses of $61.5 million and $50.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our accumulated deficit as of June 30, 2021 was $340.3 million, and we expect to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future. We expect to continue to incur expenses in connection with the development of our product candidates, including with respect to conducting clinical trials and seeking regulatory approval for our current product candidates and any other product candidates that we develop or in-license and advance to clinical development. In preparation for obtaining regulatory approval for our product candidates, we expect to incur significant expenses in order to create an infrastructure and market readiness to support the commercialization of the product candidate, including manufacturing, sales, marketing, and distribution functions. Further, we have incurred and will continue to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. Accordingly, we will need additional financing to support our continuing operations. We will seek to fund our operations through public and/or private equity, debt financings or other sources. Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. Our failure to raise capital as and when needed would have a negative impact on our financial condition and our ability to pursue our business strategy. We will need to generate significant revenue to achieve profitability, and we may never do so. Year to Date and Recent Developments AXS-05 In April 2021, we announced that the FDA has accepted for filing the NDA for AXS-05 for the treatment of MDD, and has granted the application Priority Review resulting in a PDUFA target action date of August 22, 2021. In August 2021, we announced that AXS-05 achieved primary and key secondary endpoints in the MERIT Phase 2 Trial in treatment resistant depression. AXS-07 In June 2021, we submitted an NDA for filing for AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine. AXS-12 In July 2021, we announced that we were notified by the FDA that the FDA has rescinded our Breakthrough Therapy Designation for our AXS-12 product candidate for the treatment of cataplexy in narcolepsy, due to the FDA approving an additional drug product for the treatment of cataplexy in narcolepsy subsequent to granting AXS-12 Breakthrough Therapy Designation. AXS-14 In June 2021, we announced that we plan to submit an NDA for AXS-14 for the management of fibromyalgia following a pre-NDA meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Financial Overview Revenue We have not generated any revenue and have incurred significant operating losses since inception, and we do not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of any products unless or until we obtain regulatory approval. If we fail to complete the development of our product candidates in a timely manner or obtain regulatory approval for them, our ability to generate future revenue, and our results of operations and financial position, would be materially and adversely affected. If we enter into licensing or collaboration arrangements, such agreements may generate revenue in the future. 22 Table of Contents Research and Development Expenses Research and development expenses primarily include preclinical studies, clinical trials, manufacturing costs, employee salaries and benefits, stock‑based compensation expense, contract services, including external research and development expenses incurred under arrangements with third parties, such as contract research organizations, or CROs, facilities costs, overhead costs, depreciation, and other related costs. Research and development activities are central to our business model. We have and will incur substantial costs beyond our present and planned clinical trials in order to file a new drug application, or NDA, for any of our product candidates. It is difficult to determine with certainty the costs and duration of our current or future clinical trials and preclinical studies, or if, when, or to what extent we will generate revenue from the commercialization and sale of our product candidates if we obtain regulatory approval. We may never succeed in achieving regulatory approval. The duration, costs, and timing of clinical trials and development of our product candidates will depend on a variety of factors, including the uncertainties of future clinical trials and preclinical studies, uncertainties in clinical trial enrollment rate, and significant and changing government regulation. In addition, the probability of success for each product candidate will depend on numerous factors, including competition, manufacturing capability, and commercial viability. We will determine which programs to pursue and how much to fund each program in response to the scientific and clinical success of each product candidate, as well as an assessment of each product candidate’s commercial potential. Management considers many factors in developing the estimates and assumptions that are used in the preparation of these financial statements. Management must apply significant judgment in this process. In addition, other factors may affect estimates, including expected business and operational changes, sensitivity and volatility associated with the assumptions used in developing estimates, and whether historical trends are expected to be representative of future trends. The estimation process often may yield a range of potentially reasonable estimates of the ultimate future outcomes and management must select an amount that falls within that range of reasonable estimates. This process may result in actual results differing materially from those estimated amounts used in the preparation of the financial statements if these results differ from historical experience, or other assumptions do not turn out to be substantially accurate, even if such assumptions are reasonable when made. The following table summarizes our research and development expenses for our primary programs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 AXS-05 $ 2,184,776 $ 5,257,477 $ 12,228,922 $ 14,575,299 AXS-07 7,290,067 2,920,493 9,821,616 8,930,771 AXS-12 819,569 153,901 1,553,427 5,710,963 AXS-14 4,039 — 4,039 5,077,669 Other research and development 1,902,371 1,173,556 3,654,111 2,097,750 Stock-based compensation 2,302,504 1,037,530 3,836,899 1,671,905 Total research and development expenses $ 14,503,326 $ 10,542,957 $ 31,099,014 $ 38,064,357 Other research and development expenses primarily consist of employee salaries and benefits, facilities, and overhead costs. General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries and related costs for personnel in executive, commercial, finance, and operational functions, including stock based compensation and travel expenses. Also included in general and administrative expenses are pre-commercialization costs, facility-related costs, insurance expense, professional fees for legal and accounting services, and patent filing and prosecution costs. General and administrative expenses are expensed when incurred. Interest and amortization of debt discount (expense) income Interest and amortization of debt discount (expense) income primarily consists of cash interest and non-cash costs related to our term loans (see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for a further discussion). We amortize these costs over the term of our debt agreements as interest expense in our consolidated statement of operations. Interest and amortization of debt discount (expense) income also includes interest income earned on cash. 23 Table of Contents Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reported period. In accordance with GAAP, we base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies since the beginning of our fiscal year. Our critical accounting policies are described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Results of Operations The following table summarizes our results of operations for the periods indicated: Three Months Ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Operating expenses: Research and development $ 14,503,326 $ 10,542,957 $ 31,099,014 $ 38,064,357 General and administrative 16,344,361 7,235,877 27,592,734 12,205,934 Total operating expenses 30,847,687 17,778,834 58,691,748 50,270,291 Loss from operations (30,847,687 ) (17,778,834 ) (58,691,748 ) (50,270,291 ) Interest and amortization of debt discount (expense) income (1,436,522 ) (548,158 ) (2,852,431 ) (540,847 ) Net loss $ (32,284,209 ) $ (18,326,992 ) $ (61,544,179 ) $ (50,811,138 ) Comparison of the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 Research and Development Expenses. Our research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $14.5 million, compared to $10.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, an increase of $4.0 million. The increase was driven by costs to support the NDA filings and personnel expense which includes an increase in headcount along with an increase in stock compensation expense. General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $16.3 million, compared to $7.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, an increase of $9.1 million. The increase was primarily due to pre-commercial activities and personnel expense which includes an increase in headcount along with an increase in stock compensation expense. Interest and amortization of debt discount (expense) income. Interest and amortization of debt discount expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $1.4 million, compared to $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, an increase of $0.9 million. The change is mainly due to a higher outstanding principal amount on our debt in 2021 as compared to the comparable period in 2020. Comparison of the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 Research and Development Expenses. Our research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $31.1 million, compared to $38.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, a decrease of $7.0 million. The decrease was driven by a one-time charge of $10.2 million for the Pfizer license agreement in the comparable period in 2020, offset by costs to support the NDA filings. General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $27.6 million, compared to $12.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, an increase of $15.4 million. The increase was primarily due to pre-commercial activities and personnel expense which includes an increase in headcount along with an increase in stock compensation expense. 24 Table of Contents Interest and amortization of debt discount (expense) income. Interest and amortization of debt discount expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $ 2.9 million, compared to $ 0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 , an increase of $ 2.4 million. The change is mainly due to a higher outstanding principal amount on our debt in 202 1 as compared to the comparable period in 20 20 . Liquidity and Capital Resources Since our inception through June 30, 2021, we have financed our operations primarily through proceeds from equity offerings and debt borrowings. See discussion below. In November 2015, we completed our IPO, in which we sold 5,666,667 shares of common stock at an offering price to the public of $9.00 per share. We received gross proceeds of approximately $51.0 million and net proceeds of approximately $45.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering-related transaction costs. In November 2016, we entered into a loan and security agreement with SVB for a term loan of up to $20.0 million, which we refer to as the Original Term Loan. The initial tranche of $10.0 million was funded shortly after executing the loan agreement. Because we did not achieve the conditional criteria to access the second and third tranches before the specified dates, the $10.0 million in additional term loan advances expired. In November 2018, we amended the loan and security agreement with SVB to provide an additional $4 million growth capital loan, related to our narcolepsy clinical program with AXS-12. We refer to this amendment as the First Amendment to the Original Term Loan. The additional capital was available to be drawn, at our option, subject to the achievement of a specified clinical milestone. Our obligations under the loan and security agreement, as amended, along with our ability to draw down on the additional $4.0 million tranche, were subsequently extinguished in connection with the establishment of a new term loan facility with SVB during March 2019 (see below). On December 1, 2016, we filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC for the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights, debt securities and units up to an aggregate amount of $150.0 million, which we refer to as the 2016 Shelf Registration Statement. On December 16, 2016, the 2016 Shelf Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC. As discussed in greater detail below, we completed an offering of common stock in March 2017, entered into a sales agreement in October 2017 pursuant to which we sold shares of our common stock from time to time in an at-the-market offering until completion of the offering in January 2019, completed a registered direct offering priced at the market in December 2017 and September 2018, entered into a sales agreement in May 2019 pursuant to which we sold shares of our common stock from time to time in an at-the-market offering each utilizing the 2016 Shelf Registration Statement. The 2016 Shelf Registration expired in December 2019. In March 2017, we completed an underwritten public offering, whereby we sold 4,304,813 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $3.74 per share. We received gross proceeds of approximately $16.1 million and net proceeds of approximately $14.8 million, net of underwriting discounts and offering expenses. In October 2017, we entered into an “at-the-market” sales agreement, or the Sales Agreement, with Leerink Partners LLC, or now known as SVB Leerink, pursuant to which we could sell up to $30 million in shares of our common stock from time to time through SVB Leerink, acting as our sales agent, in one or more at-the-market offerings. In January 2019, we raised approximately $25.8 million in gross proceeds through the sale of 3,164,015 shares under the Sales Agreement. Upon completion of this final sale, the Sales Agreement was automatically terminated. SVB Leerink received a commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds for all shares sold under the Sales Agreement. In December 2017, we completed a registered direct offering priced at the market, whereby we sold an aggregate of $9.5 million worth of units, or Units, at a purchase price of $5.325 per Unit, with each Unit consisting of (i) one share of our common stock, and (ii) a warrant to purchase one share of our common stock, or Common Warrant, at an exercise price equal to $5.25 per share. We sold an aggregate of 1,783,587 Units in the offering for gross proceeds of approximately $9.5 million and net proceeds of approximately $8.8 million, net of underwriting discounts and offering expenses. Additionally, we issued warrants to purchase up to 107,015 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $6.6562 per share to certain investors affiliated with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, placement agent for the offering, which we refer to as the Placement Agent Warrants. The Placement Agent Warrants had the same terms as the Common Warrants, except for the difference in exercise price noted above. Both the Common Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants expired on December 11, 2018. In September 2018, we entered into a purchase agreement with certain institutional and accredited investors, which we refer to as the RDO Investors, for the sale by us directly to the RDO Investors of an aggregate of 2,966,667 shares of our common stock, at a purchase price of $3.00 per share, which we refer to as the 2018 Registered Direct Offering, for gross proceeds of approximately $8.9 million. The 2018 Registered Direct Offering closed on October 1, 2018, and we received estimated net proceeds of approximately $8.8 million, after deducting transaction expenses. The 2,966,667 shares of common stock sold in the 2018 Registered Direct Offering were offered and sold by us directly to the RDO Investors, without a placement agent, underwriter, broker or dealer. 25 Table of Contents In March 2019, we entered into a loan and security agreement, the 2019 Term Loan with SVB and WestRiver, for a term loan up to $24.0 million. The initial tranche of $20.0 million was funded shortly after executing the loan agreement. The second tranche of $4.0 million was available to be drawn, at our option, subject to the achievement of positive data, on or prior to August 15, 2019, with respect to our then ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial for AXS- 12 in narcolepsy, sufficient to submit a Phase 3 protocol to FDA, provided that we had not received any objections from the FDA within thirty days after submission of such Phase 3 protocol A portion of the initial tranche was used to satisfy our existing obligations under our November 2016 term loan facility with SVB, as amended in November 2018, and such obligations are considered fully repaid and extinguished. In September 2020, we terminated and repaid all amounts outstanding under 2019 Term Loan in connection with our entry into the Loan Agreement (see below). In May 2019, we entered into the May 2019 Sales Agreement with SVB Leerink, pursuant to which we may sell up to $50 million in shares of our common stock from time to time through SVB Leerink, acting as our sales agent, in one or more at-the-market offerings utilizing the 2016 Shelf Registration Statement. SVB Leerink is entitled to receive a commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds for any shares sold under the May 2019 Sales Agreement. Due to expiration of the 2016 Shelf Registration Statement, the shares that were unsold under the May 2019 Sales Agreement, were rolled over to the December 2019 Sales Agreement (see below). In July 2019, we entered into the first amendment to the 2019 Term Loan, or the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan. Under the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan, the interest-only monthly payment period of the 2019 Term Loan was extended to 18 months after the date of the 2019 Term Loan, which could have been further extended to 24 months upon receipt by us of the Term B Loan Advance. Our ability to draw down the Term B Loan Advance was extended to December 31, 2019, subject to our achievement of the Milestone Event prior to or on December 31, 2019. The Loan Advances mature on February 1, 2023. See the subsection titled “July 2019 First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement – Silicon Valley Bank” under the “Contractual Obligations and Commitments” section below for a further description of the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan. On December 5, 2019, we filed an automatic shelf registration statement with the SEC for the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights, debt securities and units up to an unlimited amount, which we refer to as the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement. It was declared effective by the SEC upon filing. As discussed in greater detail below, we entered into a sales agreement in December 2019 pursuant to which we sold shares of our common stock from time to time in an at-the-market offering and completed an offering of common stock in December 2019, each utilizing the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement. In the future, we may conduct additional offerings of one or more of these securities utilizing the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement in such amounts, prices and terms to be announced when and if the securities are offered. At the time any of our securities covered by the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement are offered for sale, a prospectus supplement will be prepared and filed with the SEC containing specific information about the terms of any such offering. In December 2019, we entered into the December 2019 Sales Agreement with SVB Leerink, pursuant to which we may sell up to $80 million in shares of our common stock from time to time through SVB Leerink, acting as our sales agent, in one or more at-the-market offerings utilizing the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement. SVB Leerink is entitled to receive a commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds for any shares sold under the December 2019 Sales Agreement. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we received approximately $7.4 million in gross proceeds through the sale of 110,296 shares, of which net proceeds were approximately $7.2 million. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we received approximately $14.6 million in gross proceeds through the sale of 167,243 shares, of which net proceeds were approximately $14.1 million. For the year ended December 31, 2019, we received approximately $7.3 million in gross proceeds through the sale of 89,390 shares, of which net proceeds were approximately $7.1 million. In September 2020, we entered into the Loan Agreement with Hercules for the 2020 Term Loan, which consists of several tranches in an aggregate amount of up to $225.0 million. The first tranche consists of term loans in the amount of $60.0 million, of which $50.0 million was funded shortly after executing the Loan Agreement and the remaining $10.0 million is available at our option at any time through September 15, 2021. A portion of the initial tranche was used to repay the 2019 Term Loan along with associated final payment fees. The remaining $115 million may be drawn at our option, in three separate tranches, as described below under “Contractual Obligations - September 2020 Loan and Security Agreement – Hercules.” An additional $50 million is available, subject to the approval of Hercules, to support future strategic initiatives, including further pipeline advancement or expansion. The 2020 Term Loan bears interest at a calculated prime-based variable rate currently at 9.15%. It matures in October 2025 and has an initial interest-only payment period of 30 months, which may be extended to up to 48 months upon the drawing of future tranches. In the future, we may conduct additional offerings of one or more of the securities covered by the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement in such amounts, prices and terms to be announced when and if the securities are offered. At the time any of our securities covered by the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement are offered for sale, a prospectus supplement will be prepared and filed with the SEC containing specific information about the terms of any such offering. We believe our current cash, along with the committed capital from the term loan facility, will be sufficient to fund our anticipated operations, based on our current operating plans which includes costs for the commercial launch of AXS-05 in MDD 26 Table of Contents and AXS-07 in migraine into at least 2024. Because the process of commercializing products and evaluating product candidates in clinical trials is costly and the timing of progress in these trials is uncertain, it is possible that the assumptions upon which we have based this estimate may prove to be wrong, and we could use our capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Cash Flows The following table summarizes our primary sources and uses of cash for the periods indicated: Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 2020 Net cash (used in) provided by: Operating activities $ (52,609,042 ) $ (42,168,466 ) Investing activities (48,872 ) (10,759 ) Financing activities 10,000,551 12,895,167 Net increase (decrease) in cash $ (42,657,363 ) $ (29,284,058 ) Operating Activities. Cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $52.6 million as compared to $42.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase of $10.4 million in net cash used was mainly due the build-out of the commercial function and related commercialization costs. Investing Activities. Cash used in investing activities for the purchase of property and equipment was less than $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. Financing Activities. Cash provided by financing activities was $10.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, which included net proceeds from the sale of common stock through our Sales Agreement with Leerink of $7.2 million and proceeds from the issuance of common stock upon exercise of employee stock options of $2.9 million, offset by cash paid out related to tax withholdings on stock awards of $0.08 million. Cash provided by financing activities was $12.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, which included net proceeds from the sale of common stock through our Sales Agreement with Leerink of $12.1 million and proceeds from the issuance of common stock upon exercise of employee stock options of $0.8 million. Funding requirements We have not achieved profitability since our inception and we expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future. We expect our losses to increase as we continue the development of and seek regulatory approvals for our product candidates and begin to commercialize any approved products. We are subject to all of the risks pertinent to the development of new product candidates, and we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays, and other unknown factors that may harm our business. We may need to raise additional financing in the future to fund our operations. In the event that we need additional financing, we may incur additional debt, license certain intellectual property, and seek to sell additional equity or convertible securities that may result in dilution to our stockholders. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible securities, these securities could have rights or preferences senior to those of our common stock and could contain covenants that restrict our operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional equity or debt financing on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including: • the scope, rate of progress, results, and cost of our clinical studies and other related activities; • our ability to enter into collaborative agreements for the development and commercialization of our product candidates; • the number and development requirements of any other product candidates that we pursue; • the costs, timing, and outcome of regulatory reviews of our product candidates; • the costs and timing of future commercialization activities, including product manufacturing, marketing, sales, and distribution, for any of our product candidates for which we receive marketing approval; • any product liability or other lawsuits related to our product candidates; 27 Table of Contents • the expenses needed to attract and retain skilled personnel; • the general and administrative expenses related to being a public company; • the revenue, if any, received from commercial sales of our product candidates for which we receive marketing approval; and • the costs involved in preparing, filing, and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and enforcing our intellectual property rights, and defending our intellectual property‑related claims. Please see “Risk Factors” for additional risks associated with our substantial capital requirements. Contractual Obligations and Commitments License agreement with Pfizer In January 2020, we entered into a license agreement with Pfizer. Under the terms of our exclusive license agreement with Pfizer, Pfizer received 82,019 shares of our common stock having a stated value of $8.0 million, based on the average closing price of our common stock for the ten prior trading days of $97.54, in consideration for the license and rights. Pfizer also received an upfront cash payment of $3.0 million. We determined that the fair value of each share of common stock granted to Pfizer on the closing date of January 9, 2020 was $87.24, based on the closing price of our common stock on that date. As a result, the fair value of the stock issued was $7.2 million. Pfizer can also receive up to $323 million upon the achievement of certain regulatory and sales milestones, and tiered mid-single to low double-digit royalties on future sales. Pfizer will also have a right of first negotiation on any potential future strategic transactions involving AXS-12 and AXS-14. License agreements with Antecip Bioventures Under three exclusive license agreements with Antecip Bioventures II LLC, or Antecip, an entity owned by our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Herriot Tabuteau, M.D., we are obligated to make specified royalty payments ranging from 1.5% to 4.5%, subject to up to a 50% reduction depending on required payments to third parties, on net sales of licensed products. The amount, timing, and likelihood of such payments are not known. In connection with the 2020 Term Loan, Antecip consented to the collateral assignment of one of the license agreements, among other things, under a direct agreement with us and Hercules. 28 Table of Contents September 2020 Loan and Security Agreement – Hercules In September 2020, we entered into the Loan Agreement with Hercules, in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent and as a lender, and the other financial institutions that may from time to time become parties to the Loan Agreement as lenders, which we collectively refer to as the Lenders. The Loan Agreement provides for term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $225.0 million under multiple tranches. The tranches consist of (i) a first tranche consisting of term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $60.0 million, of which $50.0 million, or the First Advance, was funded at closing, and of which the remaining $10.0 million is available at our option at any time through September 15, 2021; (ii) subject to the FDA approval of our AXS-05 product candidate for the treatment of major depressive disorder, or the First Milestone, a second tranche consisting of additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $35.0 million, available at our option beginning on the date that the First Milestone is achieved through the earlier of (A) 181 days following such date and (B) June 30, 2022; (iii) subject to the approval of our AXS-07 product candidate for the treatment of migraine, or the Second Milestone, a third tranche consisting of additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $20.0 million, available at our option beginning on the date that the Second Milestone is achieved through the earlier of (A) 181 days following such date and (B) June 30, 2022; (iv) subject to the achievement of either the First Milestone or the Second Milestone and so long as we are in compliance with a required ratio of Lender indebtedness to net product revenue, a fourth tranche consisting of additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $60.0 million, available at our option beginning on January 1, 2022 and continuing through March 31, 2023; and (v) subject to approval by the Lenders in their discretion, a fifth tranche of additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $50.0 million, available through December 31, 2023. We intend to use the proceeds of the Term Loan Advances for working capital and general corporate purposes. In addition, approximately $21.7 million of the proceeds from the First Advance was used to satisfy in full and retire our indebtedness under the 2019 Term Loan, as amended. The outstanding principal balance of the term loans bears interest at an annual rate equal to the greater of either (i) the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal plus 5.90% or (ii) 9.15%, subject to an ability by us, during certain periods, each such period a PIK Deferral Period, to request a reduction of the then-effective cash-pay interest rate by up to 1.00% per annum, which we refer to as the Cash Interest Reduction Amount. Accrued interest is payable monthly following the funding of each term loan. During each PIK Deferral Period, the term loans will bear cash-pay interest, at the reduced amount, and will accrue paid-in-kind interest at a rate equal to the Cash Interest Reduction Amount multiplied by 1.15, which amount will be capitalized and added to the outstanding principal balance of the term loans on each monthly interest payment date during the PIK Deferral Period. We are required to repay the term loans in equal installments of principal and interest commencing on May 1, 2023 through October 1, 2025, which is the Maturity Date. However, if either the First Milestone or the Second Milestone are achieved prior to May 1, 2023, and no default exists, the amortization commencement date will be automatically extended to November 1, 2023; if both the First Milestone and the Second Milestone are achieved prior to November 1, 2023, and no default exists, the amortization commencement date will be further automatically extended to May 1, 2024 and if any term loans are funded under the fourth tranche noted above prior to May 1, 2024, and no default exists, the amortization commencement date will be further automatically extended to November 1, 2024. On the Maturity Date, all unpaid term loans will be due and payable. As collateral for the obligations, we have granted to Hercules a senior security interest in all our right, title, and interest in, to and under all of our property, inclusive of intellectual property, which includes one of our existing license agreements with Antecip, subject to limited exceptions. Antecip consented to the collateral assignment of the License Agreement, among other things, under a Direct Agreement with us and Hercules. The Loan Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including covenants by us limiting additional indebtedness, liens (including a negative pledge on intellectual property and other assets), guaranties, mergers and consolidations, substantial asset sales, investments and loans, certain corporate changes, transactions with affiliates and fundamental changes. At the initial closing, there were no applicable financial covenants contained in the Loan Agreement. Only after additional amounts are drawn down by us in the future, if we decide to do so, under the terms set forth in the Loan Agreement, there will be certain limited financial covenants that will apply, including: • Effective upon the date the outstanding principal amount of the advances under the Loan Agreement equals or exceeds $55.0 million, which has not yet occurred, we at all times thereafter must maintain cash in an account or accounts in which Hercules has a first priority security interest, in an aggregate amount greater than or equal to $15.0 million, plus the amount of our accounts payable under U.S. GAAP not paid after the 180th day following the invoice for such account payable which amount we refer to as the Qualified Cash A/P Amount. 29 Table of Contents • Effective upon the later of (i) the last calendar month of the calendar quarter that is twelve months following the earlier of (x) the date that the First Milestone is achieved and (y) the date that the Second Milestone is achieved, or (ii) the date on which the outstanding principal amount of the term loan advances under the Loan Agreement is equal to or greater than $65.0 million, neither of which have occurred yet , we are required to (A) ensure that at all times its market capitalization exceeds $2.0 billion, and that it maintains cash in an account which Hercules has a first priority security interest in an amount not less than 65% of the sum of the outstanding principal amount of the term loan advances plus the Qualified Cash A/P Amount, (B) ensure that at all times that it maintains cash in an account which Hercules has a first priority security interest in an amount not less than 100% of the sum of the outstanding principal amount of the term loan advances plus the Qualified Cash A/P Amount, or (C) achieve at least 60% of the net product revenue per the board of directors approved forecast solely from the sale of AXS-05 and AXS-07 (which may include royalty, profit sharing, or sales-based milestone revenue recognized in accordance with GAAP, but will not include any upfront or non-sales-based milestone payments under business development or licensing transactions), measured on a trailing six-month basis as of the date of our most recent quarterly financial statement, determined on a quarterly basis. • Restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, encumber its intellectual property, or engage in certain fundamental business transactions, such as mergers or acquisitions of other businesses, with certain exceptions. Our obligations under the Loan Agreement are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of specified events of default, including payment default, insolvency and a material adverse change in our business, operations or financial or other condition. In addition, we are required to pay a final payment fee equal to the greater of (A) $2,910,000 and (B) 4.85% of the aggregate amount of all term loan advances minus the aggregate amount of repayments made. The final payment fee is being accreted and amortized into interest expense using the effective interest rate method over the term of the loan. We may, at our option prepay the term loans in full or in part, subject to a prepayment penalty equal to (i) 2.0% of the principal amount prepaid if the prepayment occurs prior to the first anniversary of the initial closing, (ii) 1.5% of the principal amount prepaid if the prepayment occurs on or after the first anniversary and prior to the second anniversary of the initial closing, and (iii) 1.0% of the principal amount prepaid if the prepayment occurs on or after the second anniversary and prior to the third anniversary of the initial closing. Employees and Human Capital Management As of August 2. 2021, we had 93 full‑time employees. None of our employees is represented by a collective bargaining agreement and we have never experienced any work stoppage. We believe that we maintain good relations with our employees. Our employees are highly skilled, and many hold advanced degrees. Most of our employees have experience with drug development. Our future performance depends significantly upon the continued service of our key scientific, technical and senior management personnel and our continued ability to attract and retain highly skilled employees. We provide our employees with competitive salaries and bonuses, opportunities for equity ownership, development programs that enable continued learning and growth and a robust employment package that promotes well-being across all aspects of their lives. In addition to salaries, these programs include potential annual discretionary bonuses, stock awards, healthcare and insurance benefits, health savings and flexible spending accounts, paid time off, family leave, and flexible work schedules, among other benefits. We have taken proactive steps throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to protect the health and safety of our employees. We expect to continue to implement these measures until we determine that the COVID-19 pandemic is adequately contained for purposes of our business. We may take further actions, in compliance with all appropriate government regulations, that we determine to be in the best interest of our employees. Impact of the CARES Act On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted and signed into law, and GAAP requires recognition of the tax effects of new legislation during the reporting period that includes the enactment date. The CARES Act, among other things, includes changes to the tax provisions that benefits business entities and makes certain technical corrections to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including, permitting net operating losses (“NOLs”), carryovers and carrybacks to offset 100% of taxable income for taxable years beginning before 2021. In addition, the CARES Act allows NOLs incurred in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back to each of the five preceding taxable years to generate a refund of previously paid income taxes. The CARES Act provides other reliefs and stimulus measures. We have evaluated the impact of the CARES Act, however, at present we do not expect that any provision of the CARES Act would result in a material cash benefit to us or have a material impact on our financial statements or internal controls over financial reporting. 30 Table of Contents Impact of COVID-19 on our Business In December 2019, a novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China, causing outbreaks of the coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, that has now spread globally. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a public health emergency. The Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency in the United States on January 31, 2020, under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d), in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Operations and Liquidity The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown and rapidly evolving. While the potential economic impact brought by and over the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic may be difficult to assess or predict, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant disruption of global financial markets, which could in the future negatively affect our liquidity. In addition, a recession or market volatility resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic could affect our business. We have taken proactive, aggressive action throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to protect the health and safety of our employees, and expect to continue to implement these measures until we determine that the COVID-19 pandemic is adequately contained for purposes of our business. We may take further actions as government authorities require or recommend or as we determine to be in the best interests of our employees. To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had significant effects on the progression of our clinical trials. Given the nature and type of our short-term investments, we do not believe that the COVID-19 pandemic will have a material impact on our current investment liquidity. Outlook Although there is uncertainty related to the anticipated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our future results, we believe our current cash reserves, coupled with our access to additional capital through the December 2019 Sales Agreement and the Hercules Loan Agreement, leave us well-positioned to manage our business through this crisis as it continues to unfold. However, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are broad-reaching and continuing and the financial impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic are still uncertain. As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its dynamic nature, including uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the pandemic, and actions that have been or may be taken by governmental authorities to contain the pandemic or to treat its impact, it is difficult to forecast the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. Despite the economic uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we intend to continue to focus on the development of our product candidates. We continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation and guidance from international and domestic authorities, including federal, state and local public health authorities and we may take additional actions based on their recommendations. In these circumstances, there may be developments outside of our control requiring us to adjust our operating plan. As such, given the dynamic nature of this situation, we cannot reasonably estimate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in the future. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined by applicable SEC regulations. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Refer to Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Financial Information, Item 1, Financial Statements, of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements. 31 Table of Contents