Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization	Organization We are a research-based biopharmaceutical company headquartered in San Francisco, California and incorporated in Delaware. We are developing a pipeline of drug candidates that utilize our advanced polymer conjugate technology platforms, which are designed to enable the development of new molecular entities that target known mechanisms of action. Our research and development pipeline of new investigational drugs includes investigational treatments for cancer, autoimmune disease and viral infections. Our research and development activities have required significant ongoing investment to date and are expected to continue to require significant investment. As a result, we expect to continue to incur substantial losses and negative cash flows from operations in the future. We have financed our operations primarily through cash generated from licensing, collaboration and manufacturing agreements and financing transactions.
Basis of Presentation, Principles of Consolidation and Use of Estimates	Basis of Presentation, Principles of Consolidation and Use of Estimates Our Consolidated Financial statements include the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of our wholly-owned subsidiaries: Nektar Therapeutics Europe GmbH, Nektar Therapeutics (India) Private Limited (Nektar India), Inheris Biopharma, Inc. (Inheris) and certain other entities in Europe. We have eliminated all intercompany accounts and transactions in consolidation. Our Consolidated Financial Statements are denominated in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates between the applicable foreign currency and the U.S. dollar will affect the translation of each foreign subsidiary’s financial results into U.S. dollars for purposes of reporting our consolidated financial results. We include translation gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the stockholders’ equity section of our Consolidated Balance Sheets. To date, such cumulative currency translation adjustments have not been significant to our consolidated financial position. Our comprehensive loss consists of our net loss plus our foreign currency translation gains and losses and unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities. There were no significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss to the statements of operations during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Accounting estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions. Our estimates include those related to the selling prices of performance obligations and amounts of variable consideration in collaboration agreements, royalty revenue, and other assumptions required for revenue recognition as described further below; the net realizable value of inventory; the impairment of investments, goodwill and long-lived assets; contingencies, accrued clinical trial, contract manufacturing and other expenses; non-cash royalty revenue and non-cash interest expense from our liabilities related to our sales of future royalties; assumptions used in the valuation of our development derivative liability as further described in Note 6; our assumptions used in stock-based compensation; and ongoing litigation, among other estimates. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities when these values are not readily apparent from other sources. As appropriate, we assess estimates each period, update them to reflect current information, and will generally reflect any changes in estimates in the period first identified.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Such reclassifications do not materially impact previously reported revenue, operating loss, net loss, total assets, liabilities or stockholders’ equity.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments The recorded amounts of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to their relatively short maturities. Investments that are classified as available-for-sale are recorded at estimated fair value. The disclosed fair value related to our cash equivalents and investments is based on market prices from a variety of industry standard data providers and generally represent quoted prices for similar assets in active markets or have been derived from observable market data. Development derivative liability is recorded at its estimated fair value based on management′s estimates of several unobservable inputs, including the probabilities of success of ongoing clinical trials and various other inputs described above and in Note 6. The fair value of our financial assets and liabilities are determined in accordance with the fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820). ASC 820 defines fair value 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. The fair value hierarchy of ASC Topic 820 requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value and classifies those inputs into three levels: Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities 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. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. 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.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Investments in Marketable Securities	Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Investments in Marketable Securities We consider all investments in marketable securities with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. We classify investments in securities with remaining maturities of less than one year, or where our intent is to use the investments to fund current operations or to make them available for current operations, as short-term investments. We classify investments in securities with remaining maturities of over one year as long-term investments. Our cash and investments are held or issued by financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. However, they are exposed to credit risk in the event of default by the third parties that hold or issue such assets. Our investment policy limits investments to fixed income securities denominated and payable in U.S. dollars such as corporate bonds, corporate commercial paper, U.S. government obligations, and money market funds and places restrictions on maturities and concentrations by type and issuer. For our available-for-sale securities, we have significant concentrations of issuers in the banking and financial services industry. While our investment policy requires that we only invest in highly-rated securities and limit our exposure to any single issuer, the COVID-19 pandemic may materially affect the financial condition of issuers. Additionally, pursuant to our investment policy, we may sell securities before maturity if the issuer’s credit rating has been downgraded below our minimum credit rating requirements, which may result in a loss on the sale. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen credit downgrades for certain of our securities. Accordingly, if the COVID-19 pandemic or other factors result in downgrades below our minimum credit rating requirements and if we decide to sell these securities, we may experience losses on such sales. Investments are designated as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). We review our portfolio of available-for-sale debt securities, using both quantitative and qualitative factors, to determine if declines in fair value below amortized cost have resulted from a credit-related loss or other factors. If the decline in fair value is due to credit-related factors, we recognize a loss in our Consolidated Statement of Operations, whereas if the decline in fair value is not due to credit-related factors, we recognize the loss in other comprehensive income (loss). We include coupon interest on securities classified as available-for-sale, as well as amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, in interest income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.
Accounts Receivable and Significant Customer Concentrations	Accounts Receivable and Significant Customer Concentrations Our customers are primarily pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that are primarily located in the U.S. and Europe and with whom we have multi-year arrangements. Our accounts receivable balance contains billed and unbilled trade receivables from product sales, milestones (to the extent that they have been achieved and are due from the counterparty), other contingent payments, as well as reimbursable costs from collaborative research and development agreements.We perform a regular review of our partners’ credit risk and payment histories when circumstances warrant, including payments made subsequent to year-end. When appropriate, we provide for an allowance for doubtful accounts by reserving for specifically identified doubtful accounts, although historically we have not experienced credit losses from our accounts receivable.
Inventory and Significant Supplier Concentrations	Inventory and Significant Supplier Concentrations We generally manufacture inventory upon receipt of firm purchase orders from our collaboration partners, and we may manufacture certain intermediate work-in-process materials and purchase raw materials based on purchase forecasts from our collaboration partners. Inventory includes direct materials, direct labor, and manufacturing overhead, and we determine cost on a first-in, first-out basis for raw materials and on a specific identification basis for work-in-process and finished goods. We value inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, and we write down defective or excess inventory to net realizable value based on historical experience or projected usage. We expense inventory related to our research and development activities when we purchase or manufacture it. Before the regulatory approval of our drug candidates, we recognize research and development expense for the manufacture of drug products that could potentially be available to support the commercial launch of our drug candidates, if approved. We are dependent on our suppliers and contract manufacturers to provide raw materials and drugs of appropriate quality and reliability and to meet applicable contract and regulatory requirements. In certain cases, we rely on single sources of supply of one or more critical materials. Consequently, in the event that supplies are delayed or interrupted for any reason, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our ability to develop and produce our drug candidates, our ability to supply comparator drugs for our clinical trials, or our ability to meet our supply obligations could be significantly impaired, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets We state property, plant and equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. We capitalize major improvements and expense maintenance and repairs as incurred. We generally recognize depreciation on a straight-line basis. We depreciate manufacturing, laboratory and other equipment over their estimated useful lives of generally three to ten years, depreciate buildings over the estimated useful life of generally twenty years and amortize leasehold improvements over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the remaining term of the related lease. Goodwill represents the excess of the price paid for another entity over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. We are organized in one reporting unit and evaluate the goodwill for the Company as a whole. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is not amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter of each year using an October 1 measurement date. We assess the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. In the case of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets for our leases, we determine whether there has been an impairment by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the anticipated undiscounted net cash flows associated with the asset. If such cash flows are less than the carrying value, we write down the asset to its fair value, which may be measured as anticipated discounted net cash flows associated with the asset. In the case of goodwill impairment, we compare the carrying value of the reporting unit to its fair value, which we generally measure using market capitalization for our single reporting unit. If an impairment exists, we write down goodwill such that the carrying value of the reporting units equals its fair value.
Leases	Leases We determine if an arrangement contains a lease at the inception of the arrangement. Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. We recognize operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the expected lease term. In determining the present value of lease payments, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date. We have elected the practical expedient to account for the lease and non-lease components, such as common area maintenance charges, as a single lease component for our facilities leases, and elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for our short-term leases, which allows us not to recognize lease liabilities and right-of-use assets for leases with an original term of twelve months or less. Our expected lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise any such options. We recognize lease expense for our operating leases on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. We have elected to recognize lease incentives, such as tenant improvement allowances, at the lease commencement date as a reduction of the right-of-use asset and lease liability until paid to us by the lessor to the extent that the lease provides a specified fixed or maximum level of reimbursement and we are reasonably certain to incur reimbursable costs at least equaling such amounts. Please see Note 7 for additional information regarding our leases.
Collaborative Arrangements	Collaborative Arrangements We enter into collaboration arrangements with pharmaceutical and biotechnology collaboration partners, under which we may grant licenses to our collaboration partners to further develop and commercialize one of our drug candidates, either alone or in combination with the collaboration partners’ compounds, or grant licenses to partners to use our technology to research and develop their own drug candidates. We may also perform research, development, manufacturing and supply activities under our collaboration agreements. Consideration under these contracts may include an upfront payment, development and regulatory milestones and other contingent payments, expense reimbursements, royalties based on net sales of approved drugs, and commercial sales milestone payments. Additionally, these contracts may provide options for the customer to purchase our proprietary PEGylation materials, drug candidates or additional contract research and development services under separate contracts. When we enter into collaboration agreements, we assess whether the arrangements fall within the scope of ASC 808, Collaborative Arrangements (ASC 808) based on whether the arrangements involve joint operating activities and whether both parties have active participation in the arrangement and are exposed to significant risks and rewards of the arrangement. To the extent that the arrangement falls within the scope of ASC 808, we assess whether the payments between us and our collaboration partner fall within the scope of other accounting literature. If we conclude that payments from the collaboration partner to us represent consideration from a customer, such as license fees and contract research and development activities, we account for those payments within the scope of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606). However, if we conclude that our collaboration partner is not a customer for certain activities and associated payments, such as for certain collaborative research, development, manufacturing and commercial activities, we present such payments as a reduction of research and development expense or general and administrative expense, based on where we present the underlying expense.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition For elements of those arrangements that we determine should be accounted for under ASC 606, we assess which activities in our collaboration agreements are performance obligations that should be accounted for separately and determine the transaction price of the arrangement, which includes the assessment of the probability of achievement of future milestones and other potential consideration. For arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, such as granting a license or performing contract research and development activities or participation on joint steering or other committees, we allocate upfront and milestone payments under a relative standalone selling price method. Accordingly, we develop assumptions that require judgment to determine the standalone selling price for each performance obligation identified in the contract. These key assumptions may include revenue forecasts, clinical development timelines and costs, discount rates and probabilities of clinical and regulatory success. Product sales Product sales are primarily derived from manufacturing and supply agreements with our customers. We have assessed our current manufacturing and supply arrangements and have generally determined that they provide the customer an option to purchase our proprietary PEGylation materials. Accordingly, we treat each purchase order as a discrete exercise of the customer’s option (i.e. a separate contract) rather than as a component of the overall arrangement. The pricing for the manufacturing and supply is generally at a fixed price and may be subject to annual producer price index (PPI) adjustments. We invoice and recognize product sales when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, which generally occurs upon shipment. Customer payments are generally due 30 days from receipt of invoice. We test our products for adherence to technical specifications before shipment; accordingly, we have not experienced any significant returns from our customers. We recognize costs related to shipping and handling of product to customers in cost of goods sold. Royalty revenue, including Non-cash royalty revenue Generally, for our collaboration arrangements that include sales-based royalties, we have granted our collaboration partner a license to our intellectual property. Pursuant to these arrangements, our collaboration partners are typically obligated to pay a royalty that is based on the net sales of their approved drugs that are sold in the countries where we have intellectual property rights covering their drugs. As of December 30, 2021, we have sold our rights to receive sales-based royalties for CIMZIA®, MIRCERA®, MOVANTIK®, ADYNOVATE® and REBINYN® as further described in Note 8. For collaboration arrangements that include sales-based royalties, we have concluded that the license is the predominant item to which the royalties relate, which include commercial milestone payments based on the level of sales. Accordingly, we recognize royalty revenue when the underlying sales occur based on our best estimates of sales of the drugs. Our aggregate royalty and non-cash royalty revenue of $77.7 million, $79.6 million and $77.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, represents revenue for granting licenses for which we had satisfied in prior periods. Our partners generally pay royalties or commercial milestones after the end of the calendar quarter in accordance with contractual terms. We present commercial milestone payments within license, collaboration and other revenue. License, collaboration and other revenue License Grants: For collaboration arrangements that include a grant of a license to our intellectual property, we consider whether the license grant is distinct from the other performance obligations included in the arrangement. Generally, we would conclude that the license is distinct if the customer is able to benefit from the license with the resources available to it. For licenses that are distinct, we recognize revenues from nonrefundable, upfront payments and other consideration allocated to the license when the license term has begun and we have provided all necessary information regarding the underlying intellectual property to the customer, which generally occurs at or near the inception of the arrangement. Milestone Payments: At the inception of the arrangement and at each reporting date thereafter, we assess whether we should include any milestone payments or other forms of variable consideration in the transaction price, based on whether a significant reversal of revenue previously recognized is not probable upon resolution of the uncertainty. Since milestone payments may become payable to us upon the initiation of a clinical study, filing for or receipt of regulatory approval or the first commercial sale of a product, we review the relevant facts and circumstances to determine when we should update the transaction price, which may occur before the triggering event. When we do update the transaction price for milestone payments, we allocate it on a relative standalone selling price basis and record revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis, which results in recognizing revenue for previously satisfied performance obligations in such period. As described further in Note 11, we recognized $50.0 million of milestones in the year ended December 31, 2020 because we had previously satisfied the performance obligation. If we update the transaction price before the triggering event, we recognize the increase in the transaction price as a contract asset. Our partners generally pay development milestones subsequent to achievement of the triggering event. Research and Development Services: For amounts allocated to our research and development obligations in a collaboration arrangement, we recognize revenue over time using a proportional performance model, representing the transfer of goods or services as we perform activities over the term of the agreement.
Research and Development Expense	Research and Development Expense Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and include salaries, benefits and other operating costs such as outside services, supplies and allocated overhead costs. We perform research and development activities for our drug candidates and technology development and for certain third parties under collaboration agreements. For our drug candidates and our internal technology development programs, we invest our own funds without reimbursement from a third party. Where we perform research and development activities under a joint development collaboration, such as our collaboration with BMS, we record the cost reimbursement from our partner as a reduction to research and development expense when reimbursement amounts are due to us under the agreement. We record an accrued expense for the estimated unbilled costs of our clinical study activities performed by third parties. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows to our vendors. Payments under the contracts depend on factors such as the achievement of certain events, successful enrollment of patients and completion of certain clinical trial activities. We generally recognize costs associated with the start-up and reporting phases of the clinical trials as incurred. We generally accrue costs associated with the treatment phase of clinical trials based on the estimated activities performed by our third party vendors, including our contract research organizations. We may also accrue expenses based on the total estimated cost of the treatment phase on a per patient basis and expense the per patient cost ratably over the estimated patient treatment period. In specific circumstances, such as for certain time-based costs, we recognize clinical trial expenses ratable over the service period, as we believe that this methodology may be more reflective of the timing of costs incurred. We record an accrued expense for the estimated costs of our contract manufacturing activities performed by third parties. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows to our vendors. Payments under the contracts include upfront payments and milestone payments, which depend on factors such as the achievement of the completion of certain stages of the manufacturing process. For purposes of recognizing expense, we assess whether we consider the production process to be sufficiently defined such that the resulting product can be considered the delivery of a good, as evidenced by predictive or contractually required yields in the production process or payment terms based on the actual yield, or the delivery of a service, where processes and yields are developing and less certain. If we consider the process to be the delivery of a good, we recognize expense when the drug product is delivered, or we otherwise bear risk of loss. If we consider the process to be the delivery of a service, we recognize expense based on our best estimates of the contract manufacturer’s progress towards completion of the stages in the contracts. We recognize and amortize upfront payments and accrue liabilities based on the specific terms of each arrangement. Certain arrangements may provide upfront payments for certain stages of the arrangement and milestone payments for the completion of certain stages, and, accordingly, we may record advance payments for services that have not been completed or goods not delivered and liabilities for stages where the contract manufacturer is entitled to a milestone payment. We capitalize advance payments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities and recognize expense as the related goods are delivered or services performed. We base our estimates on the best information available at the time. However, additional information may become available to us in the future which may allow us to make a more accurate estimate in future periods. In this event, we may be required to record adjustments to research and development expenses in future periods when the actual level of activity becomes more certain. We generally consider such increases or decreases in cost as changes in estimates and reflect them in research and development expenses in the period identified.
Impairment of Assets and Other Costs for Terminated Program	Impairment of Assets and Other Costs for Terminated ProgramOn January 14, 2020, the joint FDA Anesthetic Drug Products Advisory Committee and Drug Safety and Risk Management Committee did not recommend approval of our NDA for NKTR-181. As a result, we withdrew our NDA and decided to make no further investments in this program. On February 26, 2020, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors approved management’s plan for the wind-down of Inheris and the NKTR-181 program.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation Stock-based compensation arrangements include grants of stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), performance stock units (PSUs) under our equity incentive plans, as well as shares issued under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), through which employees may purchase our common stock at a discount to the market price. We expense the grant date fair value of options, RSUs, PSUs and ESPP shares on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and recognize forfeitures of options, RSUs and PSUs as they occur. For options and RSUs that vest upon the achievement of performance milestones, we recognize expense provided that we believe that the performance milestones are probable of achievement, and we estimate the vesting period based on our evaluation of the estimated date of achievement of these milestones. For PSUs, we recognize expense based on the grant date fair value regardless of whether the market condition is met. Additionally, we do not adjust the expense based on the number of shares ultimately issued, which may be higher or lower than the grant amount. We report expense amounts in cost of goods sold, research and development expense, and general and administrative expense based on the function of the applicable employee. Stock-based compensation charges are non-cash charges and have no effect on our reported cash flows. We estimate the grant date fair value of our stock-based compensation awards as follows: •We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the respective grant to determine the estimated fair value of the option on the date of grant (grant date fair value) and the estimated fair value of common stock purchased under the ESPP. The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including but not limited to, our stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. •The number of shares issuable under PSUs is based on our total shareholder return as compared to other companies within the Nasdaq biotechnology index over the measurement period and may be capped based on our absolute total shareholder return over such period. We use the Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the estimated grant date fair value. The Monte Carlo simulation model incorporates assumptions such as the volatility of our stock, the volatility of the stock of other peer companies within the index, and the correlation of both our stock and our peer companies’ stock to the index. •The fair value of an RSU is equal to the closing price of our common stock on the grant date.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We account for income taxes under the liability method. Under this method, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial reporting and tax reporting bases of assets and liabilities, measured using enacted tax rates and laws that we expect to be in effect when we expect the differences to reverse. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, the timing and amount of which are uncertain. We record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets to reduce their carrying value to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. When we establish or reduce the valuation allowance related to the deferred tax assets, our provision for income taxes will increase or decrease, respectively, in the period we make such determination. We utilize a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon tax authority examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis, that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Net Loss Per Share	Net Loss Per Share For all periods presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, the net loss available to common stockholders is equal to the reported net loss. We calculate basic net loss per share based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented.
Comprehensive Loss	Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive loss is the change in stockholders’ equity from transactions and other events and circumstances other than those resulting from investments by stockholders and distributions to stockholders. Our comprehensive loss includes our net loss, gains and losses from the foreign currency translation of the assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries, and unrealized gains and losses on investments in available-for-sale securities.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements And Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements We have reviewed recent accounting pronouncements and concluded they are either not applicable to us or that we do not expect adoption to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

We are a research-based biopharmaceutical company headquartered in San Francisco, California and incorporated in Delaware. We are developing a pipeline of drug candidates that utilize our advanced polymer conjugate technology platforms, which are designed to enable the development of new molecular entities that target known mechanisms of action. Our research and development pipeline of new investigational drugs includes investigational treatments for cancer, autoimmune disease and viral infections.

Our research and development activities have required significant ongoing investment to date and are expected to continue to require significant investment. As a result, we expect to continue to incur substantial losses and negative cash flows from operations in the future. We have financed our operations primarily through cash generated from licensing, collaboration and manufacturing agreements and financing transactions.

Basis of Presentation, Principles of Consolidation and Use of Estimates

Our Consolidated Financial statements include the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of our wholly-owned subsidiaries: Nektar Therapeutics Europe GmbH, Nektar Therapeutics (India) Private Limited (Nektar India), Inheris Biopharma, Inc. (Inheris) and certain other entities in Europe. We have eliminated all intercompany accounts and transactions in consolidation.

Our Consolidated Financial Statements are denominated in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates between the applicable foreign currency and the U.S. dollar will affect the translation of each foreign subsidiary’s financial results into U.S. dollars for purposes of reporting our consolidated financial results. We include translation gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the stockholders’ equity section of our Consolidated Balance Sheets. To date, such cumulative currency translation adjustments have not been significant to our consolidated financial position.

Our comprehensive loss consists of our net loss plus our foreign currency translation gains and losses and unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities. There were no significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss to the statements of operations during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Accounting estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions. Our estimates include those related to the selling prices of performance obligations and amounts of variable consideration in collaboration agreements, royalty revenue, and other assumptions required for revenue recognition as described further below; the net realizable value of inventory; the impairment of investments, goodwill and long-lived assets; contingencies, accrued clinical trial, contract manufacturing and other expenses; non-cash royalty revenue and non-cash interest expense from our liabilities related to our sales of future royalties; assumptions used in the valuation of our development derivative liability as further described in Note 6; our assumptions used in stock-based compensation; and ongoing litigation, among other estimates. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities when these values are not readily apparent from other sources. As appropriate, we assess estimates each period, update them to reflect current information, and will generally reflect any changes in estimates in the period first identified.

Reclassifications

Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Such reclassifications do not materially impact previously reported revenue, operating loss, net loss, total assets, liabilities or stockholders’ equity.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The recorded amounts of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to their relatively short maturities. Investments that are classified as available-for-sale are recorded at estimated fair value. The disclosed fair value related to our cash equivalents and investments is based on market prices from a variety of industry standard data providers and generally represent quoted prices for similar assets in active markets or have been derived from observable market data. Development derivative liability is recorded at its estimated fair value based on management′s estimates of several unobservable inputs, including the probabilities of success of ongoing clinical trials and various other inputs described above and in Note 6.

The fair value of our financial assets and liabilities are determined in accordance with the fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820). ASC 820 defines fair value 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. The fair value hierarchy of ASC Topic 820 requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value and classifies those inputs into three levels:

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

Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities 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. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

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.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Investments in Marketable Securities

We consider all investments in marketable securities with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. We classify investments in securities with remaining maturities of less than one year, or where our intent is to use the investments to fund current operations or to make them available for current operations, as short-term investments. We classify investments in securities with remaining maturities of over one year as long-term investments.

Our cash and investments are held or issued by financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. However, they are exposed to credit risk in the event of default by the third parties that hold or issue such assets. Our investment policy limits investments to fixed income securities denominated and payable in U.S. dollars such as corporate bonds, corporate commercial paper, U.S. government obligations, and money market funds and places restrictions on maturities and concentrations by type and issuer.

For our available-for-sale securities, we have significant concentrations of issuers in the banking and financial services industry. While our investment policy requires that we only invest in highly-rated securities and limit our exposure to any single issuer, the COVID-19 pandemic may materially affect the financial condition of issuers. Additionally, pursuant to our investment policy, we may sell securities before maturity if the issuer’s credit rating has been downgraded below our minimum credit rating requirements, which may result in a loss on the sale. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen credit downgrades for certain of our securities. Accordingly, if the COVID-19 pandemic or other factors result in downgrades below our minimum credit rating requirements and if we decide to sell these securities, we may experience losses on such sales.

Investments are designated as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). We review our portfolio of available-for-sale debt securities, using both quantitative and qualitative factors, to determine if declines in fair value below amortized cost have resulted from a credit-related loss or other factors. If the decline in fair value is due to credit-related factors, we recognize a loss in our Consolidated Statement of Operations, whereas if the decline in fair value is not due to credit-related factors, we recognize the loss in other comprehensive income (loss).

We include coupon interest on securities classified as available-for-sale, as well as amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, in interest income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.

Accounts Receivable and Significant Customer Concentrations

Accounts Receivable and Significant Customer Concentrations Our customers are primarily pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that are primarily located in the U.S. and Europe and with whom we have multi-year arrangements. Our accounts receivable balance contains billed and unbilled trade receivables from product sales, milestones (to the extent that they have been achieved and are due from the counterparty), other contingent payments, as well as reimbursable costs from collaborative research and development agreements.We perform a regular review of our partners’ credit risk and payment histories when circumstances warrant, including payments made subsequent to year-end. When appropriate, we provide for an allowance for doubtful accounts by reserving for specifically identified doubtful accounts, although historically we have not experienced credit losses from our accounts receivable.

Inventory and Significant Supplier Concentrations

We generally manufacture inventory upon receipt of firm purchase orders from our collaboration partners, and we may manufacture certain intermediate work-in-process materials and purchase raw materials based on purchase forecasts from our collaboration partners. Inventory includes direct materials, direct labor, and manufacturing overhead, and we determine cost on a first-in, first-out basis for raw materials and on a specific identification basis for work-in-process and finished goods. We value inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, and we write down defective or excess inventory to net realizable value based on historical experience or projected usage. We expense inventory related to our research and development activities when we purchase or manufacture it. Before the regulatory approval of our drug candidates, we recognize research and development expense for the manufacture of drug products that could potentially be available to support the commercial launch of our drug candidates, if approved.

We are dependent on our suppliers and contract manufacturers to provide raw materials and drugs of appropriate quality and reliability and to meet applicable contract and regulatory requirements. In certain cases, we rely on single sources of supply of one or more critical materials. Consequently, in the event that supplies are delayed or interrupted for any reason, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our ability to develop and produce our drug candidates, our ability to supply comparator drugs for our clinical trials, or our ability to meet our supply obligations could be significantly impaired, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Long-Lived Assets

We state property, plant and equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. We capitalize major improvements and expense maintenance and repairs as incurred. We generally recognize depreciation on a straight-line basis. We depreciate manufacturing, laboratory and other equipment over their estimated useful lives of generally three to ten years, depreciate buildings over the estimated useful life of generally twenty years and amortize leasehold improvements over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the remaining term of the related lease.

Goodwill represents the excess of the price paid for another entity over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. We are organized in one reporting unit and evaluate the goodwill for the Company as a whole. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is not amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter of each year using an October 1 measurement date.

We assess the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. In the case of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets for our leases, we determine whether there has been an impairment by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the anticipated undiscounted net cash flows associated with the asset. If such cash flows are less than the carrying value, we write down the asset to its fair value, which may be measured as anticipated discounted net cash flows associated with the asset. In the case of goodwill impairment, we compare the carrying value of the reporting unit to its fair value, which we generally measure using market capitalization for our single reporting unit. If an impairment exists, we write down goodwill such that the carrying value of the reporting units equals its fair value.

Leases

We determine if an arrangement contains a lease at the inception of the arrangement. Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. We recognize operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the expected lease term. In determining the present value of lease payments, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date. We have elected the practical expedient to account for the lease and non-lease components, such as common area maintenance charges, as a single lease component for our facilities leases, and elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for our short-term leases, which allows us not to recognize lease liabilities and right-of-use assets for leases with an original term of twelve months or less.

Our expected lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise any such options. We recognize lease expense for our operating leases on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. We have elected to recognize lease incentives, such as tenant improvement allowances, at the lease commencement date as a reduction of the right-of-use asset and lease liability until paid to us by the lessor to the extent that the lease provides a specified fixed or maximum level of reimbursement and we are reasonably certain to incur reimbursable costs at least equaling such amounts.

Please see Note 7 for additional information regarding our leases.

Collaborative Arrangements

We enter into collaboration arrangements with pharmaceutical and biotechnology collaboration partners, under which we may grant licenses to our collaboration partners to further develop and commercialize one of our drug candidates, either alone or in combination with the collaboration partners’ compounds, or grant licenses to partners to use our technology to research and develop their own drug candidates. We may also perform research, development, manufacturing and supply activities under our collaboration agreements. Consideration under these contracts may include an upfront payment, development and regulatory milestones and other contingent payments, expense reimbursements, royalties based on net sales of approved drugs, and commercial sales milestone payments. Additionally, these contracts may provide options for the customer to purchase our proprietary PEGylation materials, drug candidates or additional contract research and development services under separate contracts.

When we enter into collaboration agreements, we assess whether the arrangements fall within the scope of ASC 808, Collaborative Arrangements (ASC 808) based on whether the arrangements involve joint operating activities and whether both parties have active participation in the arrangement and are exposed to significant risks and rewards of the arrangement. To the extent that the arrangement falls within the scope of ASC 808, we assess whether the payments between us and our collaboration partner fall within the scope of other accounting literature. If we conclude that payments from the collaboration partner to us represent consideration from a customer, such as license fees and contract research and development activities, we account for those payments within the scope of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606). However, if we conclude that our collaboration partner is not a customer for certain activities and associated payments, such as for certain collaborative research, development, manufacturing and commercial activities, we present such payments as a reduction of research and development expense or general and administrative expense, based on where we present the underlying expense.

Revenue Recognition

For elements of those arrangements that we determine should be accounted for under ASC 606, we assess which activities in our collaboration agreements are performance obligations that should be accounted for separately and determine the transaction price of the arrangement, which includes the assessment of the probability of achievement of future milestones and other potential consideration. For arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, such as granting a license or performing contract research and development activities or participation on joint steering or other committees, we allocate upfront and milestone payments under a relative standalone selling price method. Accordingly, we develop assumptions that require judgment to determine the standalone selling price for each performance obligation identified in the contract. These key assumptions may include revenue forecasts, clinical development timelines and costs, discount rates and probabilities of clinical and regulatory success.

Product sales

Product sales are primarily derived from manufacturing and supply agreements with our customers. We have assessed our current manufacturing and supply arrangements and have generally determined that they provide the customer an option to purchase our proprietary PEGylation materials. Accordingly, we treat each purchase order as a discrete exercise of the

customer’s option (i.e. a separate contract) rather than as a component of the overall arrangement. The pricing for the manufacturing and supply is generally at a fixed price and may be subject to annual producer price index (PPI) adjustments. We invoice and recognize product sales when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, which generally occurs upon shipment. Customer payments are generally due 30 days from receipt of invoice. We test our products for adherence to technical specifications before shipment; accordingly, we have not experienced any significant returns from our customers. We recognize costs related to shipping and handling of product to customers in cost of goods sold.

Royalty revenue, including Non-cash royalty revenue

Generally, for our collaboration arrangements that include sales-based royalties, we have granted our collaboration partner a license to our intellectual property. Pursuant to these arrangements, our collaboration partners are typically obligated to pay a royalty that is based on the net sales of their approved drugs that are sold in the countries where we have intellectual property rights covering their drugs. As of December 30, 2021, we have sold our rights to receive sales-based royalties for CIMZIA®, MIRCERA®, MOVANTIK®, ADYNOVATE® and REBINYN® as further described in Note 8. For collaboration arrangements that include sales-based royalties, we have concluded that the license is the predominant item to which the royalties relate, which include commercial milestone payments based on the level of sales. Accordingly, we recognize royalty revenue when the underlying sales occur based on our best estimates of sales of the drugs. Our aggregate royalty and non-cash royalty revenue of $77.7 million, $79.6 million and $77.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, represents revenue for granting licenses for which we had satisfied in prior periods. Our partners generally pay royalties or commercial milestones after the end of the calendar quarter in accordance with contractual terms. We present commercial milestone payments within license, collaboration and other revenue.

License, collaboration and other revenue

License Grants: For collaboration arrangements that include a grant of a license to our intellectual property, we consider whether the license grant is distinct from the other performance obligations included in the arrangement. Generally, we would conclude that the license is distinct if the customer is able to benefit from the license with the resources available to it. For licenses that are distinct, we recognize revenues from nonrefundable, upfront payments and other consideration allocated to the license when the license term has begun and we have provided all necessary information regarding the underlying intellectual property to the customer, which generally occurs at or near the inception of the arrangement.

Milestone Payments: At the inception of the arrangement and at each reporting date thereafter, we assess whether we should include any milestone payments or other forms of variable consideration in the transaction price, based on whether a significant reversal of revenue previously recognized is not probable upon resolution of the uncertainty. Since milestone payments may become payable to us upon the initiation of a clinical study, filing for or receipt of regulatory approval or the first commercial sale of a product, we review the relevant facts and circumstances to determine when we should update the transaction price, which may occur before the triggering event. When we do update the transaction price for milestone payments, we allocate it on a relative standalone selling price basis and record revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis, which results in recognizing revenue for previously satisfied performance obligations in such period. As described further in Note 11, we recognized $50.0 million of milestones in the year ended December 31, 2020 because we had previously satisfied the performance obligation. If we update the transaction price before the triggering event, we recognize the increase in the transaction price as a contract asset. Our partners generally pay development milestones subsequent to achievement of the triggering event.

Research and Development Services: For amounts allocated to our research and development obligations in a collaboration arrangement, we recognize revenue over time using a proportional performance model, representing the transfer of goods or services as we perform activities over the term of the agreement.

Research and Development Expense

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and include salaries, benefits and other operating costs such as outside services, supplies and allocated overhead costs. We perform research and development activities for our drug candidates and technology development and for certain third parties under collaboration agreements. For our drug candidates and our internal technology development programs, we invest our own funds without reimbursement from a third party. Where we perform research and development activities under a joint development collaboration, such as our collaboration with BMS, we record the cost reimbursement from our partner as a reduction to research and development expense when reimbursement amounts are due to us under the agreement.

We record an accrued expense for the estimated unbilled costs of our clinical study activities performed by third parties. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in

uneven payment flows to our vendors. Payments under the contracts depend on factors such as the achievement of certain events, successful enrollment of patients and completion of certain clinical trial activities. We generally recognize costs associated with the start-up and reporting phases of the clinical trials as incurred. We generally accrue costs associated with the treatment phase of clinical trials based on the estimated activities performed by our third party vendors, including our contract research organizations. We may also accrue expenses based on the total estimated cost of the treatment phase on a per patient basis and expense the per patient cost ratably over the estimated patient treatment period. In specific circumstances, such as for certain time-based costs, we recognize clinical trial expenses ratable over the service period, as we believe that this methodology may be more reflective of the timing of costs incurred.

We record an accrued expense for the estimated costs of our contract manufacturing activities performed by third parties. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows to our vendors. Payments under the contracts include upfront payments and milestone payments, which depend on factors such as the achievement of the completion of certain stages of the manufacturing process. For purposes of recognizing expense, we assess whether we consider the production process to be sufficiently defined such that the resulting product can be considered the delivery of a good, as evidenced by predictive or contractually required yields in the production process or payment terms based on the actual yield, or the delivery of a service, where processes and yields are developing and less certain. If we consider the process to be the delivery of a good, we recognize expense when the drug product is delivered, or we otherwise bear risk of loss. If we consider the process to be the delivery of a service, we recognize expense based on our best estimates of the contract manufacturer’s progress towards completion of the stages in the contracts. We recognize and amortize upfront payments and accrue liabilities based on the specific terms of each arrangement. Certain arrangements may provide upfront payments for certain stages of the arrangement and milestone payments for the completion of certain stages, and, accordingly, we may record advance payments for services that have not been completed or goods not delivered and liabilities for stages where the contract manufacturer is entitled to a milestone payment.

We capitalize advance payments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities and recognize expense as the related goods are delivered or services performed. We base our estimates on the best information available at the time. However, additional information may become available to us in the future which may allow us to make a more accurate estimate in future periods. In this event, we may be required to record adjustments to research and development expenses in future periods when the actual level of activity becomes more certain. We generally consider such increases or decreases in cost as changes in estimates and reflect them in research and development expenses in the period identified.

Impairment of Assets and Other Costs for Terminated Program

Impairment of Assets and Other Costs for Terminated ProgramOn January 14, 2020, the joint FDA Anesthetic Drug Products Advisory Committee and Drug Safety and Risk Management Committee did not recommend approval of our NDA for NKTR-181. As a result, we withdrew our NDA and decided to make no further investments in this program. On February 26, 2020, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors approved management’s plan for the wind-down of Inheris and the NKTR-181 program.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation arrangements include grants of stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), performance stock units (PSUs) under our equity incentive plans, as well as shares issued under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), through which employees may purchase our common stock at a discount to the market price.

We expense the grant date fair value of options, RSUs, PSUs and ESPP shares on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and recognize forfeitures of options, RSUs and PSUs as they occur. For options and RSUs that vest upon the achievement of performance milestones, we recognize expense provided that we believe that the performance milestones are probable of achievement, and we estimate the vesting period based on our evaluation of the estimated date of achievement of these milestones. For PSUs, we recognize expense based on the grant date fair value regardless of whether the market condition is met. Additionally, we do not adjust the expense based on the number of shares ultimately issued, which may be higher or lower than the grant amount. We report expense amounts in cost of goods sold, research and development expense, and general and administrative expense based on the function of the applicable employee. Stock-based compensation charges are non-cash charges and have no effect on our reported cash flows. We estimate the grant date fair value of our stock-based compensation awards as follows:

•We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the respective grant to determine the estimated fair value of the option on the date of grant (grant date fair value) and the estimated fair value of common stock purchased under the ESPP. The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including but not limited to, our stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors.

•The number of shares issuable under PSUs is based on our total shareholder return as compared to other companies within the Nasdaq biotechnology index over the measurement period and may be capped based on our absolute total shareholder return over such period. We use the Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the estimated grant date fair value. The Monte Carlo simulation model incorporates assumptions such as the volatility of our stock, the volatility of the stock of other peer companies within the index, and the correlation of both our stock and our peer companies’ stock to the index.

•The fair value of an RSU is equal to the closing price of our common stock on the grant date.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the liability method. Under this method, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial reporting and tax reporting bases of assets and liabilities, measured using enacted tax rates and laws that we expect to be in effect when we expect the differences to reverse. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, the timing and amount of which are uncertain. We record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets to reduce their carrying value to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. When we establish or reduce the valuation allowance related to the deferred tax assets, our provision for income taxes will increase or decrease, respectively, in the period we make such determination.

We utilize a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon tax authority examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis, that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

Net Loss Per Share

Net Loss Per Share For all periods presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, the net loss available to common stockholders is equal to the reported net loss. We calculate basic net loss per share based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss is the change in stockholders’ equity from transactions and other events and circumstances other than those resulting from investments by stockholders and distributions to stockholders. Our comprehensive loss includes our net loss, gains and losses from the foreign currency translation of the assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries, and unrealized gains and losses on investments in available-for-sale securities.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements And Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

We have reviewed recent accounting pronouncements and concluded they are either not applicable to us or that we do not expect adoption to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.