Australia Research and Development Tax Incentive

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Research And Development [Abstract]

Australia Research and Development Tax Incentive

12. Australia Research and Development Tax Incentive

The Australian government has established a research and development tax incentive to encourage industry investment in research and development, which is available to companies incorporated under Australian law that have core research and development activities. In September 2016, the Company established Spero Potentiator Australia Pty Limited to carry out certain research and development activities. As this subsidiary meets the eligibility requirements of the Australian tax law, it is eligible to receive a 43.5% tax incentive for qualified research and development activities. The Company recorded $0.2 millionas a reduction to research and development expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss during both the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, and $0.4 million during both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, associated with this tax incentive, representing 43.5% of the Company’s qualified research and development spending in Australia. The tax incentive refund is denominated in Australian dollars and, therefore, the associated tax incentive receivable is re-measured to U.S. dollars as of each reporting date. The Company’s tax incentive receivables from the Australian government totaled $1.4 million and $1.1 million as of June 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively.