Strategic License Agreement

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Research and Development [Abstract]

Strategic License Agreement

Strategic License Agreement

Tevard Collaboration, Option and License Agreement

In October 2019, we entered into an option agreement with Tevard Biosciences (Tevard), a privately-held company focused on advancing novel gene therapies and other genetic epilepsies. In December 2020, we exercised the option on Tevard’s Dravet syndrome program and entered into a collaboration, option and license agreement with Tevard (the Tevard Agreement) and will be responsible for funding preclinical studies and clinical development for this program. The financial terms of the Tevard Agreement included an upfront payment of $5.2 million. In connection with the transaction, we also purchased a convertible promissory note issued by Tevard in the amount of $5.0 million. The note matures in December 2022 and carries interest at 3.5% per year. The note will automatically convert into equity securities issued by Tevard upon the occurrence of an equity financing transaction at a conversion price equal to the price paid per share by other investors of the financing transaction.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, costs incurred to reimburse Tevard’s Dravet syndrome program of $0.8 million and $1.6 million were recorded as research and development expense. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, option maintenance fees of $1.5 million and $3.0 million incurred prior to our opt-in of Tevard’s Dravet syndrome program in December 2020 were immediately expensed to acquired in-process research and development costs.

At the inception of the agreement and through June 30, 2021, Tevard is a variable interest entity in which we held variable interests through our licensed Dravet syndrome program and convertible promissory note. We determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of Tevard as we do not have voting control or other forms of power to direct activities that most significantly impact Tevard’s economic performance.

At each reporting period, we evaluate the note receivable for current expected credit loss by considering factors such as historical experience, market data, issuer-specific factors, and current economic conditions. As of June 30, 2021, no provision for current expected credit losses was deemed necessary based on the expected timing of an equity financing that would result in the automatic conversion of the note to equity securities of Tevard and their existing cash on hand was sufficient to meet their operating requirements prior to the consummation of a financing transaction.

As of June 30, 2021, we do not have any current legal or contractual obligations to provide financing to Tevard and our maximum exposure to future loss is limited to the $5.0 million note receivable. While we have committed to fund the Dravet syndrome development program for Tevard’s early discovery activities, our obligation to fund these efforts is contingent upon continued involvement in the program and/or the lack of any adverse events which could cause the discontinuance of the program. Our exposure to future losses is limited as we have the unilateral right to terminate the agreement with 180 days advanced notice.