Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in these consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the accrual for research and development expenses, revenue recognition, the fair value of ordinary shares and the valuation of the warrant liability prior to the Company’s IPO, share-based compensation expense, and income taxes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, known trends and other market‑specific or other relevant factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates are periodically reviewed in light of reasonable changes in circumstances, facts and experience. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. Actual results could differ from those estimates or assumptions.

Foreign currency and currency translation

The functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which an entity’s operations are conducted. On June 1, 2019, Bicycle Therapeutics plc adopted the U.S. dollar as its functional currency. Bicycle Therapeutics plc is a holding company that has no operating activities and its primary functions are to serve as a financing vehicle to fund the operations of the Company’s operating entities, to serve as the listing company needed to access U.S. capital markets, and to hold investments. Therefore, its financing source is the primary indicator of its cash flows and its functional currency. The change in functional currency from the British Pound Sterling is due to a change in the source of Bicycle Therapeutics plc’s financing and cash flows, which following the completion of the IPO is now primarily the U.S. Dollar (“USD”). Historically its financing had been in British Pound Sterling.

The functional currency of Bicycle Therapeutics plc’s wholly owned non-U.S. subsidiaries, BicycleTx Limited and BicycleRD Limited, is the British Pound Sterling and the functional currency of its U.S. subsidiary, Bicycle Therapeutics Inc. is the USD. The functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries is the same as the local currency.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are remeasured into the functional currency at rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet dates. Non‑monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transaction. Exchange gains or losses arising from foreign currency transactions are included in the determination of net loss for the respective periods. Adjustments that arise from exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in a currency other than the local currency are included in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as incurred. The Company recorded a foreign exchange gain of $0.9 million, a foreign exchange gain of $0.3 million and a foreign exchange loss of $0.6 million and for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Company translates the assets and liabilities of BicycleTx Limited and BicycleRD Limited into USD at the exchange rate in effect on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate in effect during the period. Unrealized translation gains and losses are recorded as a cumulative translation adjustment, which is included in the consolidated statements of convertible preferred shares and shareholders’ equity (deficit) as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Concentrations of credit risk and of significant suppliers

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and accounts receivable. The Company deposits its cash in financial institutions in amounts that may exceed federally insured limits and has not experienced any losses on such accounts. The Company does not believe it is exposed to any unusual credit risk beyond the normal credit risk associated with commercial banking relationships.

Accounts receivable primarily consist of amounts due under the collaboration agreements between BicycleTx Limited and AstraZeneca AB (“AstraZeneca”) and Sanofi (formerly Bioverativ) and between BicycleRD Limited and Oxurion NV. (“Oxurion”), formerly ThromboGenics NV. (Note 10), for which the Company does not obtain collateral. As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s revenue to date has primarily been generated from the collaboration agreements with AstraZeneca, Sanofi, the Dementia Discovery Fund and Oxurion.

The Company relies, and expects to continue to rely, on a small number of vendors to manufacture supplies and raw materials for its development programs. These programs could be adversely affected by a significant interruption in these manufacturing services or the availability of raw materials.

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents. The Company had no cash equivalents at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Accounts receivable

The Company makes judgments as to its ability to collect outstanding receivables and provides an allowance for receivables when collection becomes doubtful. Provisions are made based upon a specific review of all significant outstanding invoices and the overall quality and age of those invoices. To date, the Company has not had any write‑offs of bad debt, and the Company did not have an allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Deferred offering costs

The Company capitalizes certain legal, professional accounting and other third‑party fees that are directly associated with in‑process equity financings as deferred offering costs until such financings are consummated. After consummation of the equity financing, these costs are recorded in shareholders’ equity (deficit) as a reduction of proceeds generated as a result of the offering. Should an in‑process equity financing be abandoned, the deferred offering costs will be expensed immediately as a charge to operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense is recognized using the straight‑line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets as follows:


		Estimated Useful Life
Laboratory equipment		3 to 5 years
Leasehold improvements		Lesser of lease term or useful life
Computer equipment		3 years
Furniture and office equipment		5 years

Costs for capital assets not yet placed into service are capitalized as construction‑in‑progress and depreciated in accordance with the above guidelines once placed into service. Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in loss from operations. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, there have been no significant asset retirements to date. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.

Impairment of long‑lived assets

Long‑lived assets consist of property and equipment. Long‑lived assets to be held and used are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. Factors that the Company considers in deciding when to perform an impairment review include significant underperformance of the business in relation to expectations, significant negative industry or economic trends and significant changes or planned changes in the use of the assets. If an impairment review is performed to evaluate a long‑lived asset group for recoverability, the Company compares forecasts of undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the long‑lived asset group to its carrying value. An impairment loss would be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of an asset group are less than its carrying amount. The impairment loss would be based on the excess of the carrying value of the impaired asset group over its fair value, determined based on discounted cash flows. To date, the Company has not recorded any impairment losses on long‑lived assets.

Fair value measurements

Certain assets and liabilities of the Company are carried at fair value under GAAP. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy, of which the first two are considered observable and the last is considered unobservable:

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

Level 2 — Observable inputs (other than Level 1 quoted prices), such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity that are significant to determining the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques.

Prior to the IPO, the Company’s warrant liability was carried at fair value, determined according to the fair value hierarchy described above (Note 3). The carrying values of accounts receivable, research and development incentives receivable, other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short‑term nature of these assets and liabilities.

Warrant liability

Prior to the IPO, the Company classified warrants to subscribe for Series A and Series B1 convertible preferred shares (Note 6) as a liability on its consolidated balance sheets as these warrants to subscribe for Series A and Series B1 convertible preferred shares were free‑standing financial instruments that might have required the Company to transfer assets upon exercise. The warrant liability was initially recorded at fair value upon the date of the warrants’ issuance and was subsequently remeasured to fair value at each reporting date. Changes in the fair value of the warrant liability were recognized as a component of other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Upon the closing of the IPO, warrants to subscribe for Series A and Series B1 convertible preferred shares that were not exercised or expired in conjunction with the IPO automatically became warrants to subscribe for ordinary shares, and meet the criteria to be classified as shareholders’ equity (deficit). As such, following the final remeasurement on May 28, 2019, the Company reclassified the carrying value of the warrant liability to additional paid-in-capital in the consolidated balance sheet.

Segment and geographic information

Operating segments are defined as components of a business for which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company and its chief operating decision maker, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, view the Company’s operations and manages its business as a single operating segment, which is developing a unique class of chemically synthesized medicines based on its proprietary constrained peptides.

The Company operates in two geographic regions: the United Kingdom and the United States.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right‑of‑use (“ROU”) assets, other current liabilities, and operating lease liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company has not entered into any financing leases.

ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use and control an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The ROU asset also includes lease payments made before the lease commencement date and excludes any lease incentives. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option.

The components of a lease shall be split into three categories, if applicable: lease components (e.g., land, building, etc.), non‑lease components (e.g., common area maintenance, maintenance, consumables, etc.), and non‑components (e.g., property taxes, insurance, etc.). The fixed and in‑substance fixed contract consideration (including any related to non‑components) must then be allocated based on fair values to the lease components and non‑lease components. The Company’s facilities operating leases may have lease and non‑lease components to which the Company has elected to apply a practical expedient to account for each lease component and related non‑lease component as one single component. The lease component results in a right‑of‑use asset being recorded on the balance sheet. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight‑line basis over the lease term.

Revenue recognition

The Company’s revenues are generated primarily through collaborative arrangements and license agreements with pharmaceutical companies. The terms of these arrangements may include (i) performing research and development services using the Company’s bicyclic peptide screening platform with the goal of identifying compounds for further development and commercialization, (ii) options to obtain additional research and development services or licenses for additional targets, or to optimize product candidates, upon the payment of option fees, or (iii) the transfer of intellectual property rights (licenses).

The terms of these arrangements typically include payment to the Company of one or more of the following: non‑refundable, upfront license fees; payments for research and development services; fees upon the exercise of options to obtain additional services or licenses; payments based upon the achievement of defined collaboration objectives; future regulatory and sales‑based milestone payments; and royalties on net sales of future products.

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASU 2014‑09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASC 606”) and all subsequent amendments. This standard applies to all contracts with customers, except for contracts that are within the scope of other standards, such as leases, insurance, collaboration arrangements and financial instruments.

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.

To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that the Company determines are within the scope of ASC 606, it performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies the performance obligations. The Company only applies the five‑step model to contracts when it is probable that the entity will collect substantially all of the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. As part of the accounting for these arrangements, the Company must make significant judgments, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each performance obligation.

Once a contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within the contract and determines those that are performance obligations. Arrangements that include rights to additional goods or services that are exercisable at a customer’s discretion are generally considered options. The Company assesses if these options provide a material right to the customer and if so, they are considered performance obligations.

Performance obligations are promised goods or services in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. The promised goods or services in the Company’s contracts with customers primarily consist of license rights to the Company’s intellectual property for research and development, research and development services, options to acquire additional research and development services, and options to obtain additional licenses, such as a commercialization license for a potential product candidate. Promised goods or services are considered distinct when: (i) the customer can benefit from the good or service on its own or together with other readily available resources, and (ii) the promised good or service is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. In assessing whether promised goods or services are distinct, the Company considers factors such as the stage of development of the underlying intellectual property, the capabilities of the customer to develop the intellectual property on their own and whether the required expertise is readily available. In addition, the Company considers whether the collaboration partner can benefit from a promise for its intended purpose without the receipt of the remaining promises, whether the value of the promise is dependent on the unsatisfied promises, whether there are other vendors that could provide the remaining promises, and whether it is separately identifiable from the remaining promises.

The Company estimates the transaction price based on the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive for transferring the promised goods or services in the contract. The consideration may include both fixed consideration and variable consideration. At the inception of each arrangement that includes variable consideration, the Company evaluates the amount of the potential payments and the likelihood that the payments will be received. The Company utilizes either the most likely amount method or expected value method to estimate variable consideration to include in the transaction price based on which method better predicts the amount of consideration expected to be received. The amount included in the transaction price is constrained to the amount for which it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. At the end of each subsequent reporting period, the Company re‑evaluates the estimated variable consideration included in the transaction price and any related constraint, and if necessary, adjusts its estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch‑up basis in the period of adjustment.

After the transaction price is determined it is allocated to the identified performance obligations based on the estimated standalone selling price. The Company must develop assumptions that require judgment to determine the standalone selling price for each performance obligation identified in the contract. The Company utilizes key assumptions to determine the standalone selling price, which may include other comparable transactions, pricing considered in negotiating the transaction, probabilities of technical and regulatory success and the estimated costs. Certain variable consideration is allocated specifically to one or more performance obligations in a contract when the terms of the variable consideration relate to the satisfaction of the performance obligation and the resulting amounts allocated to each performance obligation are consistent with the amounts the Company would expect to receive for each performance obligation.

The Company then recognizes as revenue in the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time or over time, and if over time based on the use of an input method.

Licenses of intellectual property: If a license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other promises or performance obligations identified in the arrangement, the Company recognizes revenue from non‑refundable, upfront fees allocated to the license when the license is transferred to the customer and the customer is able to use and benefit from the license. For licenses that are combined with other promises, such as research and development services and a research license, the Company utilizes judgment to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time and, if over time, the appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of recognizing revenue. The Company evaluates the measure of progress each reporting period and, if necessary, adjusts the measure of performance and related revenue recognition. The measure of progress, and thereby periods over which revenue should be recognized, are subject to estimates by management and may change over the course of the research and development and licensing agreement.

Research and Development Services: The promises under the Company’s collaboration agreements may include research and development services to be performed by the Company on behalf of the partner. Payments or reimbursements resulting from the Company’s research and development efforts are recognized as the services are performed and presented on a gross basis because the Company is the principal for such efforts.

Customer Options: The Company evaluates the customer options to obtain additional items (i.e. additional license rights) for material rights, or options to acquire additional goods or services for free or at a discount. Optional future services that reflect their standalone selling prices do not provide the customer with a material right and, therefore, are not considered performance obligations and are accounted for as separate contracts. If optional future services include a material right, they are accounted for as performance obligations. The Company determines an estimated standalone selling price of any material rights for the purpose of allocating the transaction price. The Company considers factors such as the identified discount and the probability that the customer will exercise the option. Amounts allocated to a material right are not recognized as revenue until, at the earliest, the option is exercised or expires.

Milestone payments: The Company’s collaboration agreements may include development and regulatory milestones. The Company evaluates whether the milestones are considered probable of being reached and estimates the amount to be included in the transaction price using the most likely amount method. The Company evaluates factors such as the scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial, and other risks that must be overcome to achieve the particular milestone in making this assessment. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the associated milestone value is included in the transaction price. Milestone payments that are not within the Company’s control or the licensee’s control, such as regulatory approvals, are not considered probable of being achieved until those approvals are received. At the end of each reporting period, the Company re‑evaluates the probability of achievement of such milestones and any related constraint, and if necessary, adjusts the estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch‑up basis, which would affect collaboration revenue and net loss in the period of adjustment.

Royalties: For sales‑based royalties, including milestone payments based on the level of sales, the Company determines whether the sole or predominant item to which the royalties relate is a license. When the license is the sole or predominant item to which the sales‑based royalty relates, the Company recognizes revenue at the later of: (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied). To date, the Company has not recognized any sales‑based royalty revenue resulting from the Company’s collaboration agreements.

The Company receives payments from customers based on billing schedules established in each contract. Up‑front payments and fees are recorded as deferred revenue upon receipt or when due until the Company performs its obligations under these arrangements. Amounts are recorded as accounts receivable when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional, such as when the Company has a contractual right to payment per the terms of the contract.

For a complete discussion of accounting for collaboration revenues, see Note 10, “Significant Agreements”

Government grants

From time to time, the Company may enter into arrangements with governmental entities for the purposes of obtaining funding for research and development activities. The Company recognizes government grant funding in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as the related expenses being funded are incurred. The Company classifies government grants received under these arrangements as a reduction to the related research and development expense incurred. The Company analyzes each arrangement on a case‑by‑case basis. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized $0.6 million, as a reduction of research and development expense related to government grant arrangements. There were no grant proceeds recognized for the years ended December 31, 2018 or 2017.

Research and development costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including salaries, share‑based compensation and benefits, travel, facilities costs, materials and laboratory supplies, and external costs of outside vendors engaged to conduct preclinical development, clinical development activities, as well as to manufacture clinical trial materials. Facilities costs primarily include the allocation of rent, utilities, and depreciation.

Non‑refundable prepayments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities are deferred and capitalized until the related goods are delivered or the related services are performed, or until it is no longer expected that the goods will be delivered, or the services rendered.

Research and manufacturing contract costs and accruals

The Company has entered into various research and development and manufacturing contracts, including contracts with respect to preclinical studies and clinical trials, with companies both inside and outside of the United States. These agreements are generally cancelable with 90 days or less notice, and related costs are recorded as research and development expenses as incurred. The Company records accruals for estimated ongoing costs. When evaluating the adequacy of the accrued liabilities, the Company analyzes progress of the research and development and manufacturing activities, including the phase or completion of events, invoices received and contracted costs. Significant judgments and estimates are made in determining the accrued balances at the end of any reporting period. Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates. The Company’s historical accrual estimates have not been materially different from the actual costs.

Research and development incentives and receivable

The Company, through its subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, receives reimbursements of certain research and development expenditures as part of a United Kingdom government’s research and development tax reliefs program. Under the program, the Company is able to surrender trading losses that arise from qualifying research and development expenses incurred by the Company’s subsidiaries in the United Kingdom for a tax credit of up to 14.5% of the surrenderable losses.

Management has assessed the Company’s research and development activities and expenditures to determine which activities and expenditures are likely to be eligible under the research and development incentive program described above. At each period end, management estimates the reimbursement available to the Company based on available information at the time.

The Company recognizes income from the research and development incentives when the relevant expenditure has been incurred, the associated conditions have been satisfied and there is reasonable assurance that the reimbursement will be received. The Company records these research and development incentives as a reduction to research and development expenses in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss, as the research and development tax credits are not dependent on us generating future taxable income, the Company’s ongoing tax status, or tax position. The research and development incentives receivable represent an amount due in connection with the above program. The Company recorded a reduction to research and development expense of $6.7 million, $5.9 million and $2.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Patent costs

All patent‑related costs incurred in connection with preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications are expensed as incurred due to the uncertainty about the recovery of the expenditure. Amounts incurred are classified as general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Share‑based compensation

The Company measures all equity awards granted to employees and directors based on the fair value on the date of grant. Compensation expense of those awards is recognized over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award. The Company records the expense for awards with only service‑based vesting conditions using the straight‑line method. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

The Company has granted awards with both a service condition that vest over time and a performance condition that will accelerate vesting upon the achievement of a specified collaboration revenue threshold. For equity awards that contain both performance and service conditions, the Company recognizes share‑based compensation expense using an accelerated attribution model over the requisite service period when the achievement of a performance‑based milestone is probable based on the relative satisfaction of the performance condition as of the reporting date.

For share‑based awards granted to non‑employee consultants, the measurement date for non-employee awards is the date of grant. The compensation expense is then recognized over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period of the respective award, without subsequent changes in the fair value of the award.

The fair value of each restricted ordinary share award is based on the fair value of the Company’s ordinary shares, less any applicable purchase price. The fair value of each share option is estimated using the Black‑Scholes option‑pricing model, which requires inputs based on certain subjective assumptions, including the fair value of ordinary shares, the expected share price volatility, the expected term of the award, the risk‑free interest rate, and expected dividends.

Prior to the IPO, the Company utilized significant estimates and assumptions in determining the fair value of its common stock. Given the absence of an active market for the Company’s ordinary shares, the board of directors determined the estimated fair value of the Company’s equity instruments based on input from management which utilized the most recently available independent third‑party valuation, and considering a number of objective and subjective factors, including external market conditions affecting the biotechnology industry sector. The third party valuation reports performed utilized various valuation methodologies in accordance with the framework of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Technical Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately‑Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, to estimate the fair value of its ordinary shares. Each valuation methodology includes estimates and assumptions that require judgment. These estimates and assumptions include a number of objective and subjective factors in determining the value of the Company’s ordinary shares at each grant date, including the following: (1) prices paid for the Company’s convertible preferred shares, which the Company had sold to outside investors in arm’s‑length transactions, and the rights, preferences, and privileges of the Company’s convertible preferred shares and ordinary shares; (2) the Company’s stage of development; (3) the fact that the grants of share‑based awards involved illiquid securities in a private company; and (4) the likelihood of achieving a liquidity event for the ordinary shares underlying the share‑based awards, such as an IPO or sale of the Company, given prevailing market conditions.

Expected volatility is calculated based on reported volatility data for a representative group of publicly traded companies for which historical information was available. The historical volatility is calculated based on a period of time commensurate with the assumption used for the expected term. The risk‑free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant commensurate with the expected term assumption. The Company uses the simplified method, under which the expected term is presumed to be the midpoint between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term. The Company utilizes this method due to the lack of historical exercise data and the plain nature of its share‑based awards. The Company uses the remaining contractual term for the expected life of non‑employee awards. The expected dividend yield is assumed to be zero as the Company has never paid dividends and has no current plans to pay any dividends on ordinary shares.

The Company classifies share‑based compensation expense in its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss in the same manner in which the award recipient’s payroll costs are classified or in which the award recipient’s service payments are classified.

Comprehensive loss

Comprehensive loss includes net loss as well as other changes in shareholders’ equity (deficit) that result from transactions and economic events other than those with shareholders. The Company records unrealized gains and losses related to foreign currency translation as a component of other comprehensive loss in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Contingencies

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. At each reporting date, the Company evaluates whether or not a potential loss amount or a potential loss range is probable and reasonably estimable under the provisions of the authoritative guidelines that address accounting for contingencies. The Company expenses costs as incurred in relation to such legal proceedings as general and administrative expense within the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Income taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements or in the Company’s tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between the consolidated financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded in the provision for income taxes. The Company assesses the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent it believes, based upon the weight of available evidence, that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established through a charge to income tax expense. Potential for recovery of deferred tax assets is evaluated by estimating the future taxable profits expected and considering prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the consolidated financial statements by applying a two‑step process to determine the amount of tax benefit to be recognized. First, the tax position must be evaluated to determine the likelihood that it will be sustained upon external examination by the taxing authorities. If the tax position is deemed more‑likely‑than‑not to be sustained, the tax position is then assessed to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the consolidated financial statements. The amount of the benefit that may be recognized is the largest amount that will more likely than not be realized upon ultimate settlement. The provision for income taxes includes the effects of any resulting tax reserves, or unrecognized tax benefits, that are considered appropriate as well as the related net interest and penalties.

Net loss per share

The Company follows the two‑class method when computing net loss per share as the Company has issued shares that meet the definition of participating securities. The two‑class method determines net loss per share for each class of ordinary and preferred securities according to dividends declared or accumulated and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The two‑class method requires income available to ordinary shareholders for the period to be allocated between ordinary and preferred securities based upon their respective rights to receive dividends as if all income for the period had been distributed.

Basic net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders is computed by adjusting net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders to reallocate undistributed earnings based on the potential impact of dilutive securities. Diluted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders is computed by dividing the diluted net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the period, including potential dilutive ordinary shares assuming the dilutive effect of ordinary share equivalents.

Prior to the Company’s IPO, convertible preferred shares contractually entitled the holders of such shares to participate in dividends but contractually do not require the holders of such shares to participate in losses of the Company. Accordingly, in periods in which the Company reported a net loss, such losses were not allocated to such preferred securities. In periods in which the Company reported a net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders, diluted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders is the same as basic net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, since dilutive ordinary shares are not assumed to have been issued if their effect is anti‑dilutive.

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016‑02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016‑02”). This guidance revises existing practice related to accounting for leases under ASC Topic 840 Leases (“ASC 840”). ASU 2016‑02 requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheet as a right‑of‑use asset and a lease liability. The lease liability is equal to the present value of lease payments and the right‑of‑use asset is based on the lease liability, subject to adjustment such as for initial direct costs. For income statement purposes, the new standard retains a dual model similar to ASC 840, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance. For lessees, operating leases will result in straight‑line expense (similar to current accounting by lessees for operating leases under ASC 840). In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018‑11, Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements, which provides an additional transition method that allows entities to initially apply the new standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative‑effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption without restating prior periods. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2019 by applying the new lease requirements at the adoption date without restating prior periods. In connection with the adoption of ASU 2016‑02 the Company recorded an impact of approximately $2.7 million on its consolidated balance sheet to record right‑of‑use‑assets and $2.6 million to record lease liabilities on January 1, 2019, which are primarily related to the lease of the Company’s corporate headquarters in the U.K. and the lease of its office and laboratory space in Lexington, Massachusetts. The adoption of ASU 2016‑02 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018‑07, Compensation — Stock Compensation: Improvements to Nonemployee Share‑Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2018‑07”) to simplify the accounting for share‑based payments to non‑employees by aligning it with the accounting for share‑based payments to employees, with certain exceptions. The new guidance expands the scope of ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation, to include share‑based payments granted to non‑employees in exchange for goods or services used or consumed in an entity’s own operations and supersedes the guidance in ASC Topic 505‑50, Equity‑Based Payments to Non‑Employees. The guidance is effective for public business entities in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2019. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018‑15, Intangibles (Topic 350): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. This standard also requires customers to amortize the capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract over the term of the hosting arrangement. The Company early adopted this standard, as of April 1, 2019, on a prospective basis for applicable implementation costs. The adoption of this standard would not have had a material impact to historical accounting periods. The Company capitalized approximately $0.1 million of implementation cost for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes: Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes by eliminating 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 primarily be made prospectively, with some changes to be made retrospectively. We are currently assessing the impact of this standard on our financial condition and results of operations.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 will change how companies account for credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade receivables, loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, companies will be required to recognize an allowance for credit losses rather than reducing the carrying value of the asset. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.