Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Nature of Operations. Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc (“Avadel,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is a branded specialty pharmaceutical company focused on being a leading provider of innovative medicines for chronic urological, central nervous system, and sleep disorders. We are committed to growing our portfolio of product offerings across these therapeutic categories through acquisition and internal development. We also have a commercial portfolio of sterile injectables used in the hospital setting.

Our current portfolio of products and product candidates focuses on the urology, central nervous system (CNS), and hospital markets. Our current marketed products include:

Akovaz® (ephedrine sulfate injection, USP), an alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonist and a norepinephrine-releasing agent that is indicated for the treatment of clinically important hypotension occurring in the setting of anesthesia.

Bloxiverz® (neostigmine methylsulfate injection), a cholinesterase inhibitor, is indicated for the reversal of the effects of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) after surgery.

Vazculep® (phenylephrine hydrochloride injection), an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of clinically important hypotension resulting primarily from vasodilation in the setting of anesthesia.

Noctiva™, a vasopressin analog indicated for the treatment of nocturia due to nocturnal polyuria in adults who awaken at least two times per night to void.

The Company was incorporated in Ireland on December 1, 2015 as a private limited company, and re-registered as an Irish public limited company on November 21, 2016. Our headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland and we have operations in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, and Lyon, France. For more information, please visit www.avadel.com.

The Company is an Irish public limited company, or plc, and is the successor to Flamel Technologies S.A., a French société anonyme (“Flamel”), as the result of the merger of Flamel with and into the Company which was completed at 11:59:59 p.m., Central Europe Time, on December 31, 2016 (the “Merger”) pursuant to the agreement between Flamel and Avadel entitled Common Draft Terms of Cross-Border Merger dated as of June 29, 2016 (the “Merger Agreement”). Immediately prior to the Merger, the Company was a wholly owned subsidiary of Flamel. As a result of the Merger Agreement:


•	Flamel ceased to exist as a separate entity and the Company continued as the surviving entity and assumed all of the assets and liabilities of Flamel.


•	our authorized share capital is $5,500 divided into 500,000 ordinary shares with a nominal value of $0.01 each and 50,000 preferred shares with a nominal value of $0.01 each.


◦	all outstanding ordinary shares of Flamel, €0.122 nominal value per share, were canceled and exchanged on a one-for-one basis for newly issued ordinary shares of the Company, $0.01 nominal value per share.

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our board of directors is authorized to issue preferred shares on a non-pre-emptive basis, for a maximum period of five years, at which point it may be renewed by shareholders. The board of directors has discretion to dictate terms attached to the preferred shares, including voting, dividend, conversion rights, and priority relative to other classes of shares with respect to dividends and upon a liquidation.


•	all outstanding American Depositary Shares (ADSs) representing ordinary shares of Flamel were canceled and exchanged on a one-for-one basis for ADSs representing ordinary shares of the Company.

Thus, the Merger changed the jurisdiction of our incorporation from France to Ireland, and an ordinary share of the Company held (either directly or represented by an ADS) immediately after the Merger continued to represent the same proportional interest in our equity owned by the holder of a share of Flamel immediately prior to the Merger.

Prior to completion of the Merger, the Flamel ADSs were listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the trading symbol “FLML”; and immediately after the Merger the Company’s ADSs were listed for and began trading on Nasdaq on January 3, 2017 under the trading symbol “AVDL.”

Further details about the reincorporation, the Merger and the Merger Agreement are contained in our definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 5, 2016.

Under Irish law, the Company can only pay dividends and repurchase shares out of distributable reserves, as discussed further in the Company’s proxy statement filed with the SEC as of July 5, 2016. Upon completion of the Merger, the Company did not have any distributable reserves. On February 15, 2017, the Company filed a petition with the High Court of Ireland seeking the court’s confirmation of a reduction of the Company’s share premium so that it can be treated as distributable reserves for the purposes of Irish law. On March 6, 2017, the High Court issued its order approving the reduction of the Company’s share premium by $317,254 which can be treated as distributable reserves.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017, which is primarily derived from the prior year 2017 audited consolidated financial statements, and the interim condensed consolidated financial statements presented herein, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP), the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, consequently, do not include all information or footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements or all the disclosures normally made in an annual report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2018.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and subsidiaries, and reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the dates and periods presented. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected during the remainder of the current year or for any future period.

Revenue

Revenue. Revenue includes sales of pharmaceutical products, licensing fees, and, if any, milestone payments for research and development (“R&D”) achievements.

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” using the modified retrospective transition method applied to all open contracts as at December 31, 2017. The adoption of the new standard did not have a material effect on the overall timing or amount of revenue recognized when compared to prior accounting standards. See Note 3: Revenue Recognition for expanded disclosures related to this new pronouncement.

ASC 606 applies to all contracts with customers, except for contracts that are within the scope of other standards, such as leases, insurance, collaboration arrangements and financial instruments. Under ASC 606, an entity recognizes revenue when the performance obligations to the customer have been satisfied through the transfer of control of the goods or services. To determine the appropriate revenue recognition for arrangements that the Company believes are within the scope of ASC 606, we perform the following five steps: (i) Identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) Identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) Determine the transaction price; (iv) Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The Company applies the five-step model to contracts only when the Company and its customer’s rights and obligations under the contract can be determined, the contract has commercial substance, and it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. For contracts that are determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, the Company identifies the promised goods or services in the contract to determine if they are separate performance obligations or if they should be bundled with other goods and services into a single performance obligation. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.

Product Sales and Services

The Company sells products primarily through wholesalers and considers these wholesalers to be its customers. Under ASC 606, revenue from product sales is recognized when the customer obtains control of the Company’s product, which occurs typically upon receipt by the customer. As is customary in the pharmaceutical industry, the Company’s gross product sales are subject to a variety of price adjustments in arriving at reported net product sales. These adjustments include estimates of product returns, chargebacks, payment discounts, rebates, and other sales allowances and are estimated based on analysis of historical data for the product or comparable products, future expectations for such products and other judgments and analysis.

License Revenue

The Company from time to time may enter into out-licensing agreements which are within the scope of ASC 606 under which it licenses to third parties certain rights to its products or intellectual property. The terms of these arrangements typically include payment to the Company of one or more of the following: non-refundable, upfront license fees; development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments; and sales-based royalty payments. Each of these payments results in license revenue.

For a complete discussion of the accounting for net product revenue and license revenues, see Note 3: Revenue Recognition.

Revenue Recognition

The Company generates revenue primarily from the sale of pharmaceutical products to customers. From time to time the Company also generates revenue from licensing arrangements whereby the Company provides access to certain of its intellectual property.

Periods prior to January 1, 2018

Product Sales and Services

Revenue is generally realized or realizable and earned when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company recorded revenue from product sales when title and risk of ownership transferred to the customer, which was typically upon delivery to the customer and when the selling price was determinable.

Licensing Revenues

From time to time, the Company enters into licensing agreements for the license of technology used for developing modified/controlled release of oral pharmaceutical products. Non-refundable fees where the Company had continuing performance obligations were deferred and recognized ratably over the projected performance period. Milestone payments, which were typically related to regulatory, commercial or other achievements by the Company or their licensees and distributors, were recognized as revenues when the milestone was accomplished and collection was reasonably assured.

Periods commencing January 1, 2018

Product Sales and Services

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company implemented ASC 606, Revenue From Contracts With Customers. The Company sells products primarily through wholesalers and considers these wholesalers to be its customers. Under ASC 606, revenue from product sales is recognized when the customer obtains control of the Company’s product and the Company’s performance obligations are met, which occurs typically upon receipt of delivery to the customer. As is customary in the pharmaceutical industry, the Company’s gross product sales are subject to a variety of price deductions in arriving at reported net product sales. These adjustments include estimates for product returns, chargebacks, payment discounts, rebates, and other sales allowances and are estimated when the product is delivered based on analysis of historical data for the product or comparable products, as well as future expectations for such products.

Reserves to reduce Gross Revenues to Net Revenues

Revenues from product sales are recorded at the net selling price, which includes estimated reserves to reduce gross product sales to net product sales resulting from product returns, chargebacks, payment discounts, rebates, and other sales allowances that are offered within contracts between the Company and its customers and end users. These reserves are based on the amounts earned or to be claimed on the related sales and are classified as reductions of accounts receivable if the amount is payable to the customer, except in the case of the estimated reserve for future expired product returns, which are classified as a liability. The reserves are classified as a liability if the amount is payable to a party other than a customer. Where appropriate, these estimated reserves take into consideration relevant factors such as the Company’s historical experience, current contractual and statutory requirements, specific known market events and trends, industry data and forecasted customer buying and payment patterns. Overall, these reserves reflect the Company’s best estimates to reduce gross selling price to net selling price to which it expects to be entitled based on the terms of its contracts. The actual selling price ultimately received may differ from the Company’s estimates. If actual results in the future vary from the Company’s estimates, the Company adjusts these estimates, which would affect net product revenue and earnings in the period such variances become known.

Product Returns

Consistent with industry practice, the Company maintains a returns policy, that generally offers customers a right of return for product that has been purchased from the Company. The Company estimates the amount of product returns and records this estimate as a reduction of revenue in the period the related product revenue is recognized. The Company currently estimates product return liabilities based on analysis of historical data for the product or comparable products, as well as future expectations for such products.

Chargebacks, Discounts and Rebates

Chargebacks, discounts and rebates represent the estimated obligations resulting from contractual commitments to sell products to its customers or end users at prices lower than the list prices charged to our wholesale customers. Customers charge the Company for the difference between the gross selling price they pay for the product and the ultimate contractual price agreed to between the Company and these end users. These reserves are established in the same period that the related revenue is recognized, resulting in a reduction of product revenue and accounts receivable. Chargebacks, discounts and rebates are estimated at the time of sale to the customer.

Revenue from licensing arrangements

The terms of the Company’s licensing agreements may contain multiple performance obligations, including certain R&D activities. The terms of these arrangements typically include payment to the Company of one or more of the following: non-refundable, up-front license fees; development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments. Each of these payments results in license revenues.

License of Intellectual Property

If the license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified in the arrangement, the Company recognizes revenues from non-refundable, up-front fees allocated to the license when the license is transferred to the customer and the customer is able to use and benefit from the license. For licenses that are bundled with other promises, the Company utilizes judgment to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time and, if over time, the appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of recognizing revenue from non-refundable, up-front fees. The Company evaluates the measure of progress each reporting period and, if necessary, adjusts the measure of performance and related revenue recognition.

Milestone Payments

At the inception of each arrangement which includes development milestone payments, the Company evaluates whether the milestones are considered probable of being reached and estimates the amount to be included in the transaction price, if any, using the most likely amount method. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the associated milestone value is included in the transaction price.

Disaggregation of revenue

The Company’s primary source of revenue is from the sale of pharmaceutical products, which are equally affected by the same economic factors as it relates to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows. For further detail about the Company’s revenues by product, see Note 17: Company Operations by Product.

Contract Balances

The Company does not recognize revenue in advance of invoicing its customers and therefore has no related contract assets.

A receivable is recognized in the period the Company sells its products and when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional. See the condensed consolidated balance sheets for the balance of accounts receivable at September 30, 2018.

See below for contract liability discussion and balance related to a license agreement.

There were no material deferred contract costs at September 30, 2018.

Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligation

For product sales, the Company generally satisfies its performance obligations within the same period the product is delivered. Product sales recognized in 2018 from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods were immaterial.

For certain licenses of intellectual property, specifically those with performance obligations satisfied over time, the Company allocates a portion of the transaction price to that performance obligation and recognizes revenue using an appropriate measure of progress towards development of the product. At September 30, 2018, the Company had deferred revenue of $1,600 representing the unsatisfied performance obligations associated with a license agreement.

The Company has elected certain of the optional exemptions from the disclosure requirement for remaining performance obligations for specific situations in which an entity need not estimate variable consideration to recognize revenue. Accordingly, the Company applies the practical expedient in ASC 606 to its stand-alone contracts and does not disclose information about variable consideration from remaining performance obligations for which the Company recognizes revenue.

Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Newly Issued Accounting Standards

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Costs.” The standard requires the service component of pension and other postretirement benefit expense to be presented in the same statement of income lines as other employee compensation costs, however, the other components will be presented outside of operating income. In addition, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization in assets. The Company adopted this standard and it had an immaterial impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” This update eliminates step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and requires the goodwill impairment test to be performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. This guidance is effective for the Company in the first calendar quarter of 2020. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company will assess the timing of adoption and impact of this guidance to future impairment considerations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases” which supersedes ASC 840 “Leases” and creates a new topic, ASC 842 “Leases.” This update requires lessees to recognize on their balance sheet a lease liability and a lease asset for all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than 12 months. The update also expands the required quantitative and qualitative disclosures surrounding leases. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with earlier application permitted. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11 “Targeted Improvements”, amending certain aspects of the new leasing standard. The amendment allows an additional optional transition method whereby an entity records a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings in the year of adoption without restating prior periods, which the Company intends to elect. The Company has identified its population of lease agreements and is currently assessing other arrangements such as supply and service agreements for embedded leases. Although the Company is in process of determining the potential impact on its consolidated financial statements, it anticipates that the most significant change will be related to the Company recording additional assets and corresponding liabilities on the balance sheet for operating leases. The ultimate impact of the new standard will depend on the total amount of the Company's lease commitments as of the adoption date.