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Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances

NOTE 5—MAJOR CUSTOMERS, PARTNERSHIPS AND STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

Collaboration Agreements

Collaboration and License Agreement with Bioverativ Inc. in Human Therapeutics

In January 2014 the Company entered into a Global Research, Development and Commercialization Collaboration and License Agreement with Biogen, Inc., and in January 2017 this agreement has been assigned by Biogen to its hemophilia spin-off, Bioverativ (the “Bioverativ Agreement”).  Pursuant to the Bioverativ Agreement, Sangamo and Bioverativ collaborate to discover, develop, seek regulatory approval for and commercialize therapeutics based on Sangamo’s zinc finger DNA-binding protein (ZFP) technology for hemoglobinopathies, including beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD).

Under the Bioverativ Agreement, Sangamo and Bioverativ jointly conduct two research programs: the beta-thalassemia program and the SCD program. For the beta-thalassemia program, Sangamo is responsible for all discovery, research and development activities through the first human clinical trial for the first therapeutic developed under the Bioverativ Agreement for the treatment of beta-thalassemia. For the SCD program, both parties are responsible for research and development activities through the submission of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for ZFP Therapeutics intended to treat SCD. For both programs, Bioverativ is responsible for subsequent world-wide clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of licensed products developed under the Bioverativ Agreement. At the end of specified research terms for each program or under certain specified circumstances, Bioverativ retains the right to step in and take over any remaining activities of Sangamo. Furthermore, Sangamo has an option to co-promote in the United States any licensed product to treat beta-thalassemia and SCD developed under the Bioverativ Agreement, and Bioverativ agrees to compensate Sangamo for such co-promotion activities.

Sangamo received an upfront license fee of $20.0 million upon entering into the Bioverativ Agreement. In addition, the Company will also be eligible to receive $115.8 million in payments upon the achievement of specified research, regulatory, clinical development milestones, as well as $160.5 million in payments upon the achievement of specified commercialization and sales milestones. Bioverativ reimburses Sangamo for agreed upon costs incurred in connection with research and development activities conducted by Sangamo. In addition, Sangamo is eligible to receive contingent payments upon the achievement of specified regulatory, clinical development, commercialization and sales milestones. The total amount of potential regulatory, clinical development, commercialization and sales contingent payments, assuming the achievement of all specified milestone events in the Bioverativ Agreement, is $276.3 million, including Phase 1 contingent payments of $7.5 million for the SCD program and $6.0 million for the beta-thalassemia program. In addition, if products are commercialized under the Bioverativ Agreement, Bioverativ will pay Sangamo incremental royalties for each licensed product that are a tiered double-digit percentage of annual net sales of such product. To date, no milestone payments have been received and no products have been approved and therefore no royalty fees have been earned under the Bioverativ Agreement.

In January 2016 the parties agreed on an updated beta-thalassemia development plan and budget using the BCL11A Enhancer target. In November 2016 Sangamo and Bioverativ agreed on an updated beta-thalassemia development plan and budget. As a result of this change, the Company updated the estimated performance period of the upfront license through June 2020. Sangamo also updated the milestones to be received based on the updated performance period of our deliverables under the Bioverativ Agreement.

All contingent payments under the Bioverativ Agreement, when earned, will be non-refundable and non-creditable. The Company has evaluated the contingent payments under the Bioverativ Agreement based on the authoritative guidance for research and development milestones and determined that certain of these payments meet the definition of a milestone and that all such milestones are evaluated to determine if they are considered substantive milestones. Milestones are considered substantive if they are related to events (i) that can be achieved based in whole or in part on either the Company’s performance or on the occurrence of a specific outcome resulting from the Company’s performance, (ii) for which there was substantive uncertainty at the date the agreement was entered into that the event would be achieved and (iii) that would result in additional payments being due to the Company. Accordingly, consideration received for the achievement of milestones that are determined to be substantive will be recognized as revenue in their entirety in the period when the milestones are achieved and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue for the achievement of milestones that are not substantive will be recognized over the remaining period of the Bioverativ Agreement, assuming all other applicable revenue recognition criteria have been met.

Subject to the terms of the Bioverativ Agreement, Sangamo grants Bioverativ an exclusive, royalty-bearing license, with the right to grant sublicenses, to use certain ZFP and other technology controlled by Sangamo for the purpose of researching, developing, manufacturing and commercializing licensed products developed under the Bioverativ Agreement. Sangamo also grants Bioverativ a non-exclusive, world-wide, royalty free, fully paid license, with the right to grant sublicenses, of Sangamo’s interest in certain other intellectual property developed pursuant to the Bioverativ Agreement.

The Company has identified the deliverables within the arrangement as a license to the technology and on-going research services activities. The Company concluded that the license is not a separate unit of accounting as it does not have stand-alone value to Bioverativ apart from the research services to be performed pursuant to the Bioverativ Agreement. As a result, the Company will recognize revenue from the upfront payment on a straight-line basis over a forty-four month estimated research term as of the November 2016 modification date, during which time the Company will perform research services. The estimated period of performance is reviewed quarterly and adjusted, as needed, to reflect our current assumptions regarding the timing of our deliverables. As of March 31, 2017, the Company has deferred revenue of $6.0 million related to the Bioverativ Agreement.

Revenues recognized under the agreement with Bioverativ for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Revenue related to Bioverativ Collaboration:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognition of upfront fee

 

$

442

 

 

$

608

 

Research services

 

 

1,709

 

 

 

2,031

 

Total

 

$

2,151

 

 

$

2,639

 

 

Costs and expenses incurred under the Bioverativ Agreement related to the beta-thalassemia project, which was co-funded with California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), were $1.6 million and $2.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Amended Collaboration and License Agreement with Shire International GmbH in Human Therapeutics and Diagnostics

In January 2012, the Company entered into a Collaboration and License Agreement with Shire (the “Shire Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Company and Shire collaborate to research, develop and commercialize human therapeutics and diagnostics for monogenic diseases based on Sangamo’s novel ZFP technology. This agreement was amended on September 1, 2015, as described in more detail below.  

Under the original Shire Agreement, the Company and Shire agreed to develop potential human therapeutic or diagnostic products for seven gene targets. The initial four gene targets selected were blood clotting Factors VII, VIII, IX and X, and products developed for such initial gene targets will be used for treating or diagnosing hemophilia A and B. In June 2012, Shire selected a fifth gene target for the development of a therapeutic for Huntington’s disease. Shire had the right, subject to certain limitations, to designate two additional gene targets. Pursuant to the Shire Agreement, the Company granted Shire an exclusive, world-wide, royalty-bearing license, with the right to grant sublicenses, to use Sangamo’s ZFP technology for the purpose of developing and commercializing human therapeutic and diagnostic products for the gene targets.

Under the terms of the Shire Agreement, the Company was responsible for all research activities through the submission of an IND or European Clinical Trial Application (CTA), while Shire was responsible for clinical development and commercialization of products generated from the research program from and after the acceptance of an IND or CTA for the product. Shire reimbursed Sangamo for agreed upon internal and external program-related research costs. The Company received an upfront license fee of $13.0 million upon entering into the Shire Agreement in 2012. In 2014 Sangamo recognized a $1.0 million milestone payment related to the hemophilia program.

On September 1, 2015, the Shire Agreement was amended such that Shire agreed to return to Sangamo the exclusive, world-wide rights to gene targets for the development and commercialization of therapeutics for hemophilia A and B.  Shire retains the rights and will continue to develop a therapeutic for Huntington’s disease.  Sangamo will provide certain target feasibility services, and upon Shire’s request, certain research activities according to a research plan as agreed upon by both companies. Such research activities performed by Sangamo will be reimbursed by Shire. Shire’s rights with respect to other targets contemplated in the original agreement revert to Sangamo. Under the amended agreement, each company is responsible for expenses associated with its own programs and will reimburse the other for any ongoing services provided. Sangamo has granted Shire a right of first negotiation to license Sangamo’s hemophilia A and B products based on Sangamo’s ZFP technology. Under the amended agreement, Shire does not have any milestone payment obligations with respect to the retained programs, but it is required to pay single digit percentage royalties to Sangamo, up to a specified maximum cap, on the commercial sales of therapeutic products from such programs. Under the Shire Agreement as amended, Sangamo has full control over, and full responsibility for the costs of, the hemophilia programs returned to us, subject to certain diligence obligations and Shire’s right of first negotiation to obtain a license to such programs under certain circumstances. The Company is required to pay single digit percentage royalties to Shire, up to a specified maximum cap, on commercial sales of therapeutic products from such returned programs.  

The Company has identified the deliverables within the amended arrangement as a license to the technology and on-going research services activities. The Company has concluded that the license is not a separate unit of accounting as it does not have stand-alone value to Shire apart from the research services to be performed pursuant to the Shire amendment. Sangamo continues to be responsible for research activities related to the licensed technology with Shire under the amendment. As a result, the Company will continue to recognize revenue from the upfront payment received upon entering into the original Shire agreement in 2012 on a straight-line basis over the six-year initial research term during which the Company expects to perform research services. As of March 31, 2017, the Company has deferred revenue of $1.8 million related to the Shire Agreement, as amended.

 

Revenues recognized under the agreement with Shire for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Revenue related to Shire Collaboration:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognition of upfront fee

 

$

583

 

 

$

542

 

Research services

 

 

107

 

 

 

429

 

Total

 

$

690

 

 

$

971

 

 

Related costs and expenses incurred under the Shire agreement were $0.1 million and $0.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

Agreement with Sigma-Aldrich Corporation in Laboratory Research Reagents, Transgenic Animal and Commercial Protein Production Cell-line Engineering

In July 2007 the Company entered into a license agreement (the “Sigma Agreement”) with Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (“Sigma”). Under the Sigma Agreement, Sangamo agreed to provide Sigma with access to Sangamo’s proprietary ZFP technology and the exclusive right to use the technology to develop and commercialize research reagent products and services in the research field, excluding certain agricultural research uses that Sangamo previously licensed to Dow AgroSciences LLC (DAS). Under the Sigma Agreement, Sangamo and Sigma agreed to conduct a three-year research program to develop laboratory research reagents using Sangamo’s ZFP technology during which time Sangamo agreed to assist Sigma in connection with its efforts to market and sell services employing the Company’s ZFP technology in the research field. Sangamo has transferred its ZFP manufacturing technology to Sigma.

In October 2009 the Company expanded the Sigma Agreement. In addition to the original terms of the Sigma Agreement, Sigma received exclusive rights to develop and distribute ZFP-modified cell lines for commercial production of protein pharmaceuticals and certain ZFP-engineered transgenic animals for commercial applications. Under the terms of the agreement, Sigma made an upfront cash payment of $20.0 million consisting of a $4.9 million purchase of 636,133 shares of Sangamo common stock, valued at $4.9 million, and a $15.1 million upfront license fee. Sangamo has received commercial license fees of $5.0 million based upon a percentage of net sales and sublicensing revenue and thereafter a reduced royalty rate of 10.5% of net sales and sublicensing revenue.  In addition, upon the achievement of certain cumulative commercial milestones Sigma will make milestone payments to Sangamo up to an aggregate of $25.0 million.

Revenues recognized under the agreement with Sigma for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Revenue related to Sigma Collaboration:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalty revenues

 

$

32

 

 

$

12

 

License fee revenues

 

 

267

 

 

 

7

 

Total

 

$

299

 

 

$

19

 

 

Related costs and expenses incurred under the Sigma agreement were $0.0 million during both the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Agreement with Dow AgroSciences in Plant Agriculture

In October 2005 the Company entered into an exclusive commercial license agreement with Dow AgroSciences, LLC (DAS). Under this agreement, Sangamo provides DAS with access to proprietary ZFP technology and the exclusive right to use the technology to modify the genomes or alter the nucleic acid or protein expression of plant cells, plants, or plant cell cultures. Sangamo has retained rights to use plants or plant-derived products to deliver ZFP transcription factors (ZFP TFs) or ZFP nucleases (ZFNs) into humans or animals for diagnostic, therapeutic or prophylactic purposes. The Company’s agreement with DAS provided for an initial three year research term. In June 2008, DAS exercised its option under the agreement to obtain a commercial license to sell products incorporating or derived from plant cells generated using the Company’s ZFP technology, including agricultural crops, industrial products and plant-derived biopharmaceuticals. The exercise of the option triggered a one-time commercial license fee of $6.0 million, payment of the remaining $2.3 million of the previously agreed $4.0 million in research milestones, development and commercialization milestone payments for each product, and royalties on sales of products. Furthermore, DAS has the right to sublicense Sangamo’s ZFP technology to third parties for use in plant cells, plants or plant cell cultures and Sangamo will be entitled to 25% of any cash consideration received by DAS under such sublicenses. In December 2010, the Company amended its agreement with DAS to extend the period of reagent manufacturing services and research services through December 31, 2012.

The agreement with DAS also provides for minimum sublicense fees each year due to Sangamo every October, provided the Agreement is not terminated by DAS. Annual fees range from $250,000 to $3.0 million and total $25.3 million over 11 years. The Company does not have any ongoing performance obligations with respect to the sublicensing activities to be conducted by DAS. DAS has the right to terminate the agreement at any time; accordingly, the Company’s actual sublicense fees over the term of the agreement could be lower than $25.3 million. In addition, each party may terminate the agreement upon an uncured material breach by the other party. In the event of any termination of the agreement, all rights to use the Company’s ZFP technology will revert to Sangamo, and DAS will no longer be permitted to practice Sangamo’s ZFP technology or to develop or, except in limited circumstances, commercialize any products derived from the Company’s ZFP technology.

There were no revenues recognized or costs and expenses incurred under this agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Funding from Research Foundations

California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (“CIRM”) - HIV

In May 2014 CIRM agreed to fund a $5.6 million Strategic Partnership Award to fund the clinical studies of a potentially curative therapeutic for HIV/AIDS based on the application of Sangamo’s ZFN genome editing technology in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). The four year grant provides matching funds to support evaluation of the Company’s stem cell-based therapeutic in a clinical trial in HIV-infected individuals conducted at City of Hope.

There were no revenues attributable to research and development performed under this Strategic Partnership Award during the three months ended either March 31, 2017 or 2016. Related costs and expenses incurred under the CIRM Strategic Partnership Award were $0.2 million and $0.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.