Cost Reduction Plan

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Cost Reduction Plan

Cost Reduction Plan

In the first quarter of 2022, the Board approved a cost reduction plan to enable the Company to execute its strategy of prioritizing the development of its most promising programs (the “Plan”). As part of the Plan, the Company announced plans to wind down internal development efforts of AVTX-006 and pause development efforts for AVTX-802. Accordingly, a reduction in workforce plan was approved to reduce headcount and related expenses. The reduction in workforce plan, which was considered a one-time termination benefit as defined by ASC 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations, was completed in the second quarter of 2022.

The one-time termination benefits mainly relate to severance payments to separated employees. As a result, the Company recognized $1.5 million of expense in the first quarter of 2022, of which $0.7 million was recognized in research and development expense, and $0.8 million was recognized in selling, general and administrative expense. $1.4 million was paid during the year ended December 31, 2022. The remaining liability will be paid in the first quarter of 2023 pursuant to the separation agreements. Additionally, $0.4 million of stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the first quarter of 2022 related to the Plan, which was mainly related to accelerated vesting of certain separated employees’ stock options.

In addition, previously and separately, during the first quarter of 2022, the Company separated certain section 16 executive officers. Each of the former executives are entitled to the benefits provided in their respective separation agreements, which include severance payments to be paid over twelve to eighteen months from the respective separation dates. As a result, the Company recognized $1.7 million of severance expense for the year ended December 30, 2022 in selling, general and administrative expenses. Additionally, the Company accelerated the vesting of certain outstanding stock options held by these former executives and extended the exercisability periods, which resulted in $3.9 million of stock-based compensation cost in the first quarter of 2022 in selling, general and administrative expenses. Refer to Note 12 for information regarding stock compensation expense related to separations entered into in the first quarter of 2022.