Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, regarding interim financial reporting. Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative United States generally accepted accounting principles as found in the Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, and Accounting Standards Updates, or ASU, of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB. As permitted under these rules, certain footnotes or other financial information that are normally required by GAAP have been condensed or omitted.

The accompanying interim balance sheet as of September 30, 2021, the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the statements of stockholders equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 and the statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 and the related footnote disclosures are unaudited. In management's opinion, the unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 and include all adjustments, which are all normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the interim financial statements. The results for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year, any other interim periods, or any future year or period.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the application of certain significant accounting policies as described below and elsewhere in these notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. As of September 30, 2021, there have been no material changes in the Company's significant accounting policies from those that were disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Certain amounts totaling $63 in the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2020, related to unrealized gains on marketable securities, have been reclassified from additional paid-in capital to accumulated other comprehensive income to conform to the current period presentation. This reclassification had no impact on the previously reported results of operations or cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Risks and Uncertainties

There are many uncertainties regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Company is closely monitoring the impact of the pandemic on all aspects of its business, including how the pandemic will impact its patients, employees, suppliers, vendors, business partners and distribution channels. While the pandemic did not materially affect the Company's financial results and business operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company is unable to predict the impact that COVID-19 will have on its financial position and operating results in future periods due to numerous uncertainties. The Company will continue to assess the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and will make adjustments to its operations as necessary.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and other market-specific or other relevant assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. This process may result in actual results differing materially from those estimated amounts used in the preparation of the financial statements if these results differ from historical experience, or other assumptions do not turn out to be substantially accurate, even if such assumptions are reasonable when made. Significant estimates relied upon in preparing these financial statements include accruals related to research and development expenses, assumptions used to record stock-based compensation expense and the valuation allowance on the Company's deferred tax assets.  Estimates are periodically reviewed in light of changes in circumstances, facts and experience.  Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known.  Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Off-Balance Sheet Risk and Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, which are maintained at two federally insured financial institutions. The deposits held at these two institutions are in excess of federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and management believes that the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institutions in which those deposits are held. The Company has no off-balance sheet risk, such as foreign exchange contracts, option contracts, or other foreign hedging arrangements.

Segment Information

Operating segments are defined as components of an entity about which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company currently operates in one business segment, which is the development and commercialization of therapies for patients with rare diseases. A single management team that reports to the Chief Executive Officer comprehensively manages the entire business. The Company does not operate separate lines of business with respect to its product or product candidates. Accordingly, the Company has one reportable segment.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASC 606. Under ASC 606, an entity recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services.

Product Revenue, Net

Subsequent to its regulatory approval in the U.S. on November 25, 2020, the Company began to sell IMCIVREE in the U.S. in March, 2021.  The product is distributed through an exclusive third-party logistics, or 3PL, distribution agent that does not take title to the product.  Once the product is delivered to the Company’s exclusive specialty pharmacy provider, our sole customer in the U.S., the customer (or “wholesaler”) takes title to the product.  The wholesaler then distributes the product to health care providers and patients.  In our exclusive distribution agreement with the 3PL company, the Company acts as principal because we retain control of the product.  The Company generally does not offer returns of product sold to the customer.

Revenue from product sales are recognized when the customer obtains control of our product, which occurs at a point in time, upon transfer of title to the customer because at that point in time we have no ongoing obligations to the customer.  There are no other performance obligations besides the sale of product.  We classify payments to our customer or other parties in the distribution channel for services that are distinct and priced at fair value as selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.  Otherwise, payments to a customer or other parties in the distribution channel that do not meet those criteria are classified as a reduction of revenue, as discussed further below.  Taxes collected from the customer relating to product sales and remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from revenue.  Because our payment terms are generally forty-five days, we conclude there is not a significant financing component because the period between the transfer of a promised good or service to the customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less.  The Company expenses incremental costs of obtaining a contract as and when incurred since the expected amortization period of the asset that we would have recognized is one year or less.

Reserves for Variable Consideration

Revenues from product sales are recorded at the net sales price, or the transaction price, which includes estimates of variable consideration for which reserves are established and which result from discounts, returns, chargebacks, rebates, co-pay assistance and other allowances that are offered within contracts between us and our customer, health care providers and other indirect customers relating to the sale of IMCIVREE.  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) or a current liability (if the amount is payable to a party other than a customer).  Where appropriate, these estimates take into consideration a range of possible outcomes that are probability-weighted for relevant factors such as our 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 our best estimates of the amount of consideration to which we are entitled based on the terms of the contract.  The amount of variable consideration that is included in the transaction price may be constrained and is included in the net sales price only to the extent that it is considered probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized will not occur in a future period.  Actual amounts of consideration ultimately received may differ from our estimates.  If actual results in the future vary from our estimates, we will adjust these estimates, which would affect net product revenue and earnings in the period such variances become known.

The following are the components of variable consideration related to product revenue:

Chargebacks:  The Company estimates obligations resulting from contractual commitments with the government and other entities to sell products to qualified healthcare providers and patients at prices lower than the list prices charged to our customer.  The government and other entities charge us for the difference between what they pay for the product and the selling price to our customer.  The Company records reserves for these chargebacks related to product sold to our customer during the reporting period, as well as our estimate of product that remains in the distribution channel at the end of the reporting period that we expect will be sold to qualified healthcare providers and patients in future periods.

Government rebates:  The Company is subject to discount obligations under government programs, including Medicaid programs, Medicare and Tricare in the United States.  We estimate Medicaid, Medicare and Tricare rebates based upon a range of possible outcomes that are probability-weighted for the estimated payer mix.  These reserves are recorded in the same period the related revenue is recognized, resulting in a reduction of product revenue and the establishment of a liability that is included in accrued expenses on our consolidated balance sheet.  For Medicare, we also estimate the number of patients in the prescription drug coverage gap for whom we will owe an additional liability under the Medicare Part D program.  On a quarterly basis, we update our estimates and record any adjustments in the period that we identify the adjustments.

Trade discounts and allowances:  The Company provides customary invoice discounts on IMCIVREE sales to our U.S. customer for prompt payment that are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the period the related product revenue is recognized.  In addition, we receive and pay for various distribution services from our customer in the distribution channel.  For services that are either not distinct from the sale of our product or for which we cannot reasonably estimate the fair value, such fees are classified as a reduction of product revenue.

Product Returns:  Our customer has limited return rights related to the product’s damage or defect.  The Company estimates the amount of product sales that may be returned and records the estimate as a reduction of revenue and a refund liability in the period the related product revenue is recognized.  Based on the distribution model for IMCIVREE and the price of IMCIVREE, the Company believes there will be minimal returns.

Other incentives:  Other incentives include co-payment assistance the Company provides to patients with commercial insurance that have coverage and reside in states that allow co-payment assistance.  The calculation of the accrual for co-pay assistance is based on an estimate of claims and the cost per claim that we expect to receive associated with product that has been recognized as revenue.  The estimate is recorded as a reduction of revenue in the same period the related revenue is recognized.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, we recorded product revenue, net, of $1,028 and $1,337.  The table that summarizes balances and activity in each of the product revenue allowance and reserve categories has not been included for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 due to the immateriality of the revenue recognized during the periods.

Cost of Product Sales

Prior to receiving approval from the FDA in November 2020 to sell IMCIVREE in the United States, the Company expensed all costs incurred related to the manufacture of IMCIVREE as research and development expense because of the inherent risks associated with the development of a drug candidate, the uncertainty about the regulatory approval process and the lack of history for the Company of regulatory approval of drug candidates.  Subsequent to receiving FDA approval in November 2020, the Company has capitalized a nominal amount of inventory related costs that were incurred subsequent to FDA approval. At September 30, 2021, the Company had $95 of inventory recorded as a component of other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Cost of product sales will consist of manufacturing costs, transportation and freight, amortization of capitalized intangibles, royalty payments and indirect overhead costs associated with the manufacturing and distribution of IMCIVREE. Cost of product sales may also include period costs related to certain manufacturing services and inventory adjustment charges.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this previously expensed inventory on the future cost of product sales.

Accounts Receivable, Net

In general, accounts receivable consists of amounts due from customers, net of customer allowances for cash discounts and chargebacks. The Company's contracts with customers have standard payment terms that generally require payment within 45 days. The Company analyzes accounts that are past due for collectability, and periodically evaluates the creditworthiness of its customers.  As of September 30, 2021, we determined an allowance for doubtful accounts was not required based upon our review of contractual payment terms and individual customer circumstances. 

Intangible Assets, Net

Definite-lived intangible assets related to capitalized milestones under license agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis over their remaining useful lives, which are estimated to be the remaining patent life. If our estimate of the product’s useful life is shorter than the remaining patent life, then a shorter period is used. Amortization expense is recorded as a component of cost of sales on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Intangible assets are evaluated for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if impairment indicators exist. Events that could result in an impairment, or trigger an interim impairment assessment, include the decision to discontinue the development of a drug, the receipt of additional clinical or nonclinical data regarding our drug candidate or a potentially competitive drug candidate, changes in the clinical development program for a drug candidate, or new information regarding potential sales for the drug. In connection with any impairment assessment, the fair value of the intangible assets as of the date of assessment is compared to the carrying value of the intangible asset. Impairment losses are recognized if the carrying value of an intangible asset is both not recoverable and exceeds its fair value.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1 — Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were carried at fair value, determined according to the fair value hierarchy.  See Note 4 for further discussion.

The carrying amounts reflected in the consolidated balance sheets for accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values due to their short-term maturities at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, without consideration of potential dilutive securities. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by adjusting the weighted average shares outstanding for the potential dilutive effects of common stock equivalents outstanding during the period calculated in accordance with the treasury stock method. For purposes of the diluted net loss per share calculation, stock options and restricted stock units are considered to be common stock equivalents but have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share, as their effect would be anti-dilutive

for all periods presented due to the net losses incurred. Therefore, basic and diluted net loss per share were the same for all periods presented.

The following table includes the potential common shares, presented based on amounts outstanding at each period end, that were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share due to their anti-dilutive effect, for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Stock options		5,966,664		5,096,252		5,966,664		5,096,252
Restricted stock units		439,957		179,662		439,957		179,662
Potential common shares		6,406,621		5,275,914		6,406,621		5,275,914

Subsequent Events

The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but prior to the issuance of the financial statements to provide additional evidence for certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosure. Subsequent events have been evaluated as required.

Application of New or Revised Accounting Standards

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB and adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses-Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which has been subsequently amended by ASU No. 2018-19, ASU No. 2019-04, ASU No. 2019-05, ASU No. 2019-10, ASU No. 2019-11 and ASU No. 2020-03, or ASU 2016-13. The provisions of ASU 2016-13 modify the impairment model to utilize an expected loss methodology in place of the currently used incurred loss methodology and require a consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. Since the Company ceased to be an emerging growth company as of December 31, 2020, the Company adopted the standard during the fourth quarter of 2020 and applied the modified retrospective method of adoption to the Company’s financial statements as of January 1, 2020.  Based on the composition of the investment portfolio as of the adoption date, the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the year ended December 31 2020 and no adjustment was required to be recorded to the opening retained earnings balance as of January 1, 2020.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes-Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, or ASU 2019-12. ASU 2019-12 eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. The new guidance also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of the standard requires certain changes to be made prospectively, with some changes to be made retrospectively. We have adopted ASU 2019-12 as of January 1, 2021 and the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.