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Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

9. Commitments and Contingencies

Collaboration, License and Merger Agreements

The Company has entered into various collaboration, licensing and merger agreements which provide the Company with rights to certain know-how, technology and patent rights. The agreements generally include upfront license fees, development and commercial milestone payments upon achievement of certain clinical and commercial development and annual net sales milestones, as well as royalties calculated as a percentage of product revenues, with rates that vary by agreement. As of March 31, 2023, the Company may be required to make milestone payments up to $1.6 billion in the aggregate for candidates in its pipeline.

In August 2018, the Company entered into a license agreement with Neuren and obtained exclusive North American rights to develop and commercialize trofinetide for Rett syndrome and other indications. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid Neuren an upfront license fee of $10.0 million and it may be required to pay up to an additional $455.0 million in milestone payments based on the achievement of certain development and annual net sales milestones. In addition, the Company will be required to pay Neuren tiered, escalating, double-digit percentage royalties based on net sales. The license agreement was accounted for as an asset acquisition and the upfront cash payment of $10.0 million was expensed to research and development in the third quarter of 2018 as there is no alternative use for the asset. In connection with the FDA approval of DAYBUE in March 2023, the Company is required to make a milestone payment of $40.0 million to Neuren following the first commercial sale of DAYBUE pursuant to the license agreement. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has not paid the $40.0 million milestone payment and will pay it within 60 days after its first commercial sale of DAYBUE in the U.S. The Company capitalized the $40.0 million milestone payment as an intangible asset as it was deemed probable of occurring as of March 31, 2023 and will begin amortizing it on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life upon the first commercial sale. In addition, the Company was granted a Rare Pediatric Disease PRV following the FDA approval of DAYBUE. Pursuant to the license agreement, the Company is required to pay Neuren one third of the value of the PRV at at the time of sale or use of the PRV. If the PRV is sold, the amount to be paid will be the sale value net applicable fees. If the PRV is not sold but used by the Company, the amount to be paid will be the average price of most recent three publicly announced sales of Rare Pediatric Disease PRVs immediately preceding the issuance of the PRV to the Company. The Company capitalized the $29.6 million for the estimated PRV value owed to Neuren as an intangible asset and will amortize it on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life.

In January 2022, the Company entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Stoke Therapeutics, Inc. (Stoke) to discover, develop and commercialize novel RNA-based medicines for the potential treatment of severe and rare genetic neurodevelopmental diseases of the CNS. The collaboration includes SYNGAP1 syndrome, Rett syndrome (MECP2), and an undisclosed neurodevelopmental target. For the SYNGAP1 program, the two companies will jointly share global research, development and commercialization responsibilities and share 50/50 in all worldwide costs and future profits. In addition, Stoke is eligible to receive potential development, regulatory, first commercial sales and sales milestones. For the MECP2 program and the undisclosed neurodevelopmental program, the Company acquired an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize MECP2 program and the undisclosed neurodevelopmental program. Stoke will lead research and pre-clinical development activities, while the Company will lead clinical development and commercialization activities. The Company will fund research and pre-clinical development activities related to these two targets and Stoke is eligible to receive potential development, regulatory, first commercial sales and sales milestones as well as tiered royalty payments on worldwide sales starting in the mid-single digit range and escalating to the mid-teens based on revenue levels. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid Stoke a $60.0 million upfront payment which was accounted for as an asset acquisition and was expensed to research and development in the first quarter of 2022 as there is no alternative use for the asset. The Company may be required to pay up to an additional $907.5 million in milestones as well as royalties on future sales.

Corporate Credit Card Program

In connection with the Company’s credit card program, the Company established a letter of credit for $2.0 million, which has automatic annual extensions and is fully secured by restricted cash.

Fleet Program

In connection with the Company’s fleet program, the Company established a letter of credit for $0.4 million, which has automatic annual extensions and is fully secured by restricted cash.

Legal Proceedings

Patent Infringement

On July 24, 2020, the Company filed complaints against (i) Aurobindo Pharma Limited and its affiliate Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. and (ii) Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. and its affiliate Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and on July 30, 2020, the Company filed complaints against (i) Hetero Labs Limited and its affiliates Hetero Labs Limited Unit-V and Hetero USA Inc., (ii) MSN Laboratories Private Ltd. and its affiliate MSN Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and (iii) Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. and its affiliate Cadila Healthcare Limited. These complaints, which were filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, allege infringement of certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID (Pimavanserin I Cases). The cases have been assigned to the Honorable Richard G. Andrews. On September 1, 2020, Aurobindo filed its answer and counterclaims seeking declaratory judgments of noninfringement and invalidity. On September 22, 2020, the Company filed its answer to Aurobindo’s counterclaims. On August 31, 2020, Teva filed its answer and counterclaims seeking declaratory judgments of noninfringement and invalidity. On September 21, 2020, the Company filed its answer to Teva’s counterclaims. On October 5, 2020, Hetero filed its answer and counterclaims seeking declaratory judgments of noninfringement and invalidity. On October 26, 2020, the Company filed its answer to Hetero’s counterclaims. On September 30, 2020, MSN filed its answer and counterclaims seeking declaratory judgments of noninfringement and invalidity regarding certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID. On November 5, 2020, the Company filed its first amended complaint against MSN in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging infringement of certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID. On November 19, 2020, MSN filed its answer and counterclaims seeking declaratory judgments of noninfringement and invalidity regarding certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID. On December 10, 2020, the Company filed its answer to MSN’s counterclaims. On November 2, 2020, Zydus filed its answer and counterclaims seeking declaratory judgments of noninfringement and invalidity. On November 23, 2020, the Company filed its answer to Zydus’s counterclaims. On December 8, 2020, the parties’ joint proposed scheduling order was entered by Judge Andrews. On April 7, 2021, the Company filed its first amended complaints against Hetero and Teva and its second amended complaint against MSN, to include an additional Orange Book-listed patent covering NUPLAZID. On April 8, 2021, the Company filed its first amended complaint against Zydus and on April 9, 2021, the Company filed its first amended complaint against Aurobindo. On April 20, 2021, MSN filed its answer, affirmative defenses, and counterclaims to the Company’s second amended complaint, seeking declaratory judgments of noninfringement and invalidity regarding certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID. On April 21, 2021, Teva filed its answer, affirmative defenses, and counterclaims to the Company’s first amended complaint, seeking declaratory judgments of noninfringement and invalidity. On April 22, 2021, Zydus filed its answer, affirmative defenses, and counterclaims to the Company’s first amended complaint, seeking declaratory judgments of noninfringement and invalidity.

On April 22, 2021, Aurobindo filed its answer, affirmative defenses, and counterclaims to the Company’s first amended complaint, seeking declaratory judgments of noninfringement and invalidity. On May 11, 2021, the Company filed its answer to MSN’s counterclaims. On May 12, the Company filed its answer to Teva’s counterclaims. On May 13, the Company filed its answer to Zydus’s counterclaims and its answer to Aurobindo’s counterclaims. A joint trial in the matters is scheduled for May 15, 2023. The Company entered into an agreement effective April 22, 2021 with Hetero settling all claims and counterclaims in the litigation. The agreement allows Hetero to launch its generic pimavanserin product on February 27, 2038, subject to certain triggers for earlier launch. The Hetero case was dismissed by joint agreement on May 3, 2021.

On August 27, 2021, the Company filed its second amended complaint against Zydus to include an additional Orange Book-listed patent covering NUPLAZID. On September 10, 2021, Zydus filed its answer, affirmative defenses, and counterclaims to the Company’s second amended complaint, seeking declaratory judgments of noninfringement and invalidity. Also on September 10, 2021, the parties filed their Joint Claim Construction Chart. On October 1, 2021, the Company filed its answer to Zydus’s counterclaims. On November 30, 2021, the Company filed a stipulation and proposed order to dismiss two of its Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID against Teva, which was ordered by the Court on December 1, 2021. On January 28, 2022, the parties filed their Joint Claim Construction Brief and Appendix. On February 23, 2022, the Court heard oral argument on claim construction. On April 6, 2022, the Court issued a Memorandum Opinion construing several terms at issue, adopting the Company’s construction on two terms, Defendants’ construction on two terms, and one agreed-upon construction. On February 28, 2022, the Company filed a stipulation and proposed order to dismiss one patent against MSN, which was ordered by the Court on March 1, 2022. On March 10, 2022, the Company filed a stipulation and proposed order to dismiss one patent against Teva, which was ordered by the Court on March 10, 2022. On March 22, 2022, the Company filed a stipulation and proposed order to dismiss seven patents against Aurobindo, which was ordered by the Court on March 22, 2022. On March 30, 2022, the Company filed a stipulation and proposed order to dismiss two patents against Zydus, which was ordered by the Court on March 31, 2022. On April 22, 2022, the Company filed a stipulation and proposed order of non-infringement against Aurobindo regarding certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID, which was ordered by the Court on April 22, 2022. On April 26, 2022, the Company filed a stipulation and proposed order of non-infringement against MSN regarding certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID, which was ordered by the Court on April 26, 2022. On April 26, 2022, the Company filed a stipulation and proposed order of non-infringement against Teva regarding certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID, which was ordered by the Court on April 27, 2022. On May 10, 2022, the Company filed its second amended complaint against Teva to include an additional Orange Book-listed patent covering NUPLAZID. On May 18, 2022, the Company filed a stipulation and proposed order of non-infringement against Zydus regarding certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID, which was ordered by the Court on May 19, 2022. On May 24, 2022, Teva filed its answer, affirmative defenses, and counterclaims to the Company’s second amended complaint, seeking declaratory judgments of noninfringement and invalidity regarding certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID. On June 1, 2022, the Company filed its second amended complaint against Aurobindo alleging infringement of certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID. On June 2, 2022, the Company filed its third amended complaint against Zydus alleging infringement of certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID. On June 14, 2022, the Company filed its answer to Teva’s counterclaims. June 15, 2022, Aurobindo filed its answer, affirmative defenses, and counterclaims to the Company’s second amended complaint, seeking declaratory judgments of noninfringement and invalidity regarding certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID. On June 16, 2022, Zydus filed its answer, affirmative defenses, and counterclaims to the Company’s third amended complaint, seeking declaratory judgments of noninfringement and invalidity regarding certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID. On July 6, 2022, the Company filed its answer to Aurobindo’s counterclaims.

On September 7, 2022, the consolidated cases were reassigned to the Honorable Judge Gregory B. Williams. On September 30, 2022, the Company filed a stipulation and proposed order to stay the claims currently asserted against Teva and for Teva to be bound by the result of the litigation rendered against the remaining Defendants, which was ordered by the Court on October 4, 2022. On October 21, 2022, the Company filed complaints against Aurobindo, MSN and Zydus in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging infringement of an additional Orange Book-listed patent covering NUPLAZID (Pimavanserin II Cases).

On March 29, 2023, following Aurobindo’s conversion of various patent certifications from Paragraph IV certifications to Paragraph III certifications in connection with the Pimavanserin I Case, the Company filed a stipulation and proposed order in the Pimavanserin I Case to dismiss the remaining asserted patents against Aurobindo. This stipulation was ordered by the Court on March 30, 2023.

The Company entered into an agreement, effective March 31, 2023, with Zydus settling all claims and counterclaims in the Pimavanserin I Cases and Pimavanserin II Cases. The agreement allows Zydus to launch its generic pimavanserin 10 mg products on September 23, 2036 and 34 mg products on February 27, 2038, subject to certain triggers for earlier launch. On April 4, 2023, the Company filed a stipulation and proposed order to dismiss all claims and counterclaims between the Company and Zydus in the Pimavanserin I Cases and Pimavanserin II Cases, which was ordered by the Court on April 5, 2023.

In connection with the Pimavanserin I Cases, only MSN remains as an active defendant. On April 6, 2023, the Company and MSN filed a stipulation and proposed order requesting adjournment of the final pre-trial conference and trial, and requesting resolution of the remaining issue – MSN’s validity challenge of the sole patent in suit – through summary judgment briefing by the parties, which was ordered by the Court on April 10, 2023. Briefing is scheduled to be completed on June 28, 2023.

Securities Class Action

On April 19, 2021, a purported stockholder of the Company filed a putative securities class action complaint (captioned Marechal v. Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Case No. 21-cv-0762) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California against the Company and certain of the Company’s current executive officers. On September 29, 2021, the Court issued an order designating lead plaintiff and lead counsel. On December 10, 2021, lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint. The amended complaint generally alleges that defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by failing to disclose that the materials submitted in support of its sNDA seeking approval of pimavanserin for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with dementia-related psychosis contained statistical and design deficiencies and that the FDA was unlikely to approve the sNDA in its current form. The amended complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and other relief. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint on February 15, 2022. On September 27, 2022, the Court issued an order denying Defendants’ motion to dismiss. Defendants filed their answer to the amended complaint on October 19, 2022, and filed a motion for reconsideration on October 25, 2022. On February 2, 2023, the Court issued an order denying the motion for reconsideration. On March 17, 2023, the Court issued a scheduling order, setting an August 21, 2023, deadline for lead plaintiff to file a motion for class certification, and setting a fact-discovery cutoff of December 15, 2023. The parties are currently engaged in discovery.

Management currently believes that none of the foregoing claims or other actions pending against the Company as of March 31, 2023 is likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, liquidity, financial position, or results of operations. Given the unpredictability inherent in litigation, however, the Company cannot predict the outcome of these matters. The Company is unable to estimate possible losses or ranges of losses that may result from these matters, and therefore it has not accrued any amounts in connection with these matters other than attorneys’ fees incurred to date.