UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
| (Mark One) | ||||||||
| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||||||
For the fiscal year ended | ||||||||
| OR | ||||||||
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||||||
For the transition period from to | ||||||||
Commission File Number 0-30739
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. employer identification no.) | |||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) | ( (Registrant's telephone number including area code) | |||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading symbols | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company (See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a Shell Company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2020, was $2.8 billion (based on the closing price for shares of the registrant's common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on that date). In determining this figure, the registrant has assumed solely for this purpose that all of its directors, executive officers, persons beneficially owning 10% or more of the registrant's outstanding common stock and certain other stockholders of the registrant may be considered to be affiliates. This assumption shall not be deemed conclusive as to affiliate status for this or any other purpose.
On February 22, 2021, there were 103,043,347 shares of the registrant's common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding.
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
INSMED INCORPORATED
INDEX
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Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “Insmed Incorporated” refers to Insmed Incorporated, a Virginia corporation, and the “Company,” “Insmed,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Insmed Incorporated together with its consolidated subsidiaries. INSMED, PULMOVANCE, ARIKARES and ARIKAYCE are trademarks of Insmed Incorporated. This Annual Report on Form 10-K also contains trademarks of third parties. Each trademark of another company appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is the property of its owner.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. "Forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), are statements that are not historical facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words herein such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "predicts," "intends," "potential," "continues," and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results, performance and achievements and the timing of certain events to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements or timing discussed, projected, anticipated or indicated in any forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the following:
•failure to successfully commercialize ARIKAYCE, our only approved product, in the United States (US) or Europe (amikacin liposome inhalation suspension and Liposomal 590 mg Nebuliser Dispersion, respectively), or to maintain US or European approval for ARIKAYCE;
•uncertainties in the degree of market acceptance of ARIKAYCE by physicians, patients, third-party payors and others in the healthcare community;
•our inability to obtain full approval of ARIKAYCE from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including the risk that we will not timely and successfully complete the study to validate a patient reported outcome (PRO) tool and the confirmatory post-marketing clinical trial required for full approval of ARIKAYCE;
•inability of us, PARI Pharma GmbH (PARI) or our other third-party manufacturers to comply with regulatory requirements related to ARIKAYCE or the Lamira® Nebulizer System (Lamira);
•our inability to obtain adequate reimbursement from government or third-party payors for ARIKAYCE or acceptable prices for ARIKAYCE;
•development of unexpected safety or efficacy concerns related to ARIKAYCE or our product candidates;
•inaccuracies in our estimates of the size of the potential markets for ARIKAYCE or our product candidates or in data we have used to identify physicians, expected rates of patient uptake, duration of expected treatment, or expected patient adherence or discontinuation rates;
•our inability to create an effective direct sales and marketing infrastructure or to partner with third parties that offer such an infrastructure for distribution of ARIKAYCE or any of our product candidates that are approved in the future;
•failure to obtain regulatory approval to expand ARIKAYCE’s indication to a broader patient population;
•risk that brensocatib does not prove to be effective or safe for patients in ongoing and future clinical studies, including the ASPEN study;
•risk that treprostinil palmitil inhalation powder (TPIP) does not prove to be effective or safe for patients in ongoing and future clinical studies;
•failure to successfully conduct future clinical trials for ARIKAYCE, brensocatib, TPIP and our other product candidates due to our limited experience in conducting preclinical development activities and clinical trials necessary for regulatory approval and our potential inability to enroll or retain sufficient patients to conduct and complete the trials or generate data necessary for regulatory approval, among other things;
•risks that our clinical studies will be delayed or that serious side effects will be identified during drug development;
•failure to obtain, or delays in obtaining, regulatory approvals for ARIKAYCE outside the US or Europe, or for our product candidates in the US, Europe, Japan or other markets;
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•failure of third parties on which we are dependent to manufacture sufficient quantities of ARIKAYCE or our product candidates for commercial or clinical needs, to conduct our clinical trials, or to comply with our agreements or laws and regulations that impact our business or agreements with us;
•our inability to attract and retain key personnel or to effectively manage our growth;
•our inability to adapt to our highly competitive and changing environment;
•business or economic disruptions due to catastrophes or other events, including natural disasters or public health crises;
•impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to reduce its spread on our business, employees, including key personnel, patients, partners and suppliers;
•our inability to adequately protect our intellectual property rights or prevent disclosure of our trade secrets and other proprietary information and costs associated with litigation or other proceedings related to such matters;
•restrictions or other obligations imposed on us by agreements related to ARIKAYCE or our product candidates, including our license agreements with PARI and AstraZeneca AB (AstraZeneca), and failure to comply with our obligations under such agreements;
•the cost and potential reputational damage resulting from litigation to which we are or may become a party, including product liability claims;
•our limited experience operating internationally;
•changes in laws and regulations applicable to our business, including any pricing reform, and failure to comply with such laws and regulations;
•inability to repay our existing indebtedness and uncertainties with respect to our ability to access future capital; and
•delays in the execution of plans to build out an additional third-party manufacturing facility approved by the appropriate regulatory authorities and unexpected expenses associated with those plans.
We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Any forward-looking statement is based on information current as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. Actual events or results may differ materially from the results, plans, intentions or expectations anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. More information on factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated is included from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including, but not limited to, those described in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We disclaim any obligation, except as specifically required by law and the rules of the SEC, to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Business Overview
We are a global biopharmaceutical company on a mission to transform the lives of patients with serious and rare diseases. Our first commercial product, ARIKAYCE, is approved in the US as ARIKAYCE®
(amikacin liposome inhalation suspension) and in the EU as ARIKAYCE® Liposomal 590 mg Nebuliser Dispersion. ARIKAYCE received accelerated approval in the US in September 2018 for the treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease as part of a combination antibacterial drug regimen for adult patients with limited or no alternative treatment options in a refractory setting. In October 2020, the European Commission (EC) approved ARIKAYCE for the treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung infections caused by MAC in adults with limited treatment options who do not have cystic fibrosis. NTM lung disease caused by MAC (which we refer to as MAC lung disease) is a rare and often chronic infection that can cause irreversible lung damage and can be fatal.
Our clinical-stage pipeline includes brensocatib and TPIP. Brensocatib is a small molecule, oral, reversible inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP1), which we are developing for the treatment of patients with bronchiectasis and other neutrophil-mediated diseases. TPIP is an inhaled formulation of the treprostinil prodrug treprostinil palmitil which may offer a differentiated product profile for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and other rare pulmonary disorders.
The table below summarizes the current status and anticipated milestones for ARIKAYCE and our product candidates brensocatib and TPIP.
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| Principal Product/Product Candidate | Status | Next Expected Milestones | ||||||||||||
| ARIKAYCE for MAC lung disease | • We continue to focus on the commercialization of ARIKAYCE in the US. The product was granted accelerated approval by the FDA for the treatment of refractory MAC lung disease as part of a combination antibacterial drug regimen for adult patients who have limited or no alternative treatment options. We began commercial shipments of ARIKAYCE in October 2018. • In March 2020, we submitted a new drug application (JNDA) to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for the treatment of patients with MAC lung disease who did not sufficiently respond to prior treatment. • In June 2020, a Japanese Medical Device Notification (JMDN) was submitted to the MHLW for Lamira, the designated device for administration of ARIKAYCE. The JMDN was accepted and Lamira is authorized for use in Japan. • The FDA has designated ARIKAYCE as an orphan drug and a qualified infectious disease product (QIDP) for NTM lung disease, and the EC has granted an orphan designation for ARIKAYCE for the treatment of NTM lung disease. • In October 2020, the FDA approved a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for ARIKAYCE, adding important efficacy data regarding the durability and sustainability of culture conversion to the ARIKAYCE label. The data, which are from the Phase 3 CONVERT study of ARIKAYCE, demonstrate that the addition of ARIKAYCE to guideline-based therapy (GBT) was associated with sustained culture conversion through the end of treatment as well as durable culture conversion three months post-treatment compared with GBT alone. • In October 2020, the EC approved ARIKAYCE for the treatment of NTM lung infections caused by MAC in adults with limited treatment options who do not have cystic fibrosis. In the fourth quarter of 2020, we launched ARIKAYCE in Germany. In February 2021, we launched ARIKAYCE in the Netherlands. • In December 2020, we commenced the post-approval confirmatory frontline clinical trial program for ARIKAYCE in patients with MAC lung disease. The frontline clinical trial program consists of the ARISE trial, an interventional study designed to validate cross-sectional and longitudinal characteristics of the PRO tool in MAC lung disease, and the ENCORE trial, designed to establish the clinical benefits and evaluate the safety of ARIKAYCE in patients with newly diagnosed MAC using the PRO tool validated in the ARISE trial. We are running these global studies in parallel and approximately 200 sites are expected to be initiated for these clinical trials. | • We plan to commercialize ARIKAYCE in certain countries in Europe. In addition to our launches in Germany and the Netherlands, we plan to launch in other European countries, subject to local reimbursement processes. • If our JNDA is approved by the relevant regulatory authorities, we expect ARIKAYCE would be the first inhaled therapy specifically indicated for the treatment of MAC lung disease in Japan, and we would anticipate launching ARIKAYCE in Japan in the middle of 2021. • We will continue to advance the post-approval confirmatory, frontline clinical trial program for ARIKAYCE, through the ARISE trial and the ENCORE trial, which are intended to fulfill the FDA's post-marketing requirement to allow for the full approval of ARIKAYCE in the US, as well as to support the use of ARIKAYCE as a frontline treatment for patients with MAC lung disease in the US, Europe and Japan. | ||||||||||||
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| Principal Product/Product Candidate | Status | Next Expected Milestones | ||||||||||||
Brensocatib (oral reversible inhibitor of DPP1) for bronchiectasis and other neutrophil-mediated diseases | • In June 2020, we announced full results from our global, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled Phase 2 WILLOW study evaluating the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of brensocatib administered once daily in adults with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE). Final results from the WILLOW study were published online in the New England Journal of Medicine in September 2020. • Full results for the WILLOW study reflect that the study met its primary endpoint of time to first pulmonary exacerbation over the 24-week treatment period for both the 10 mg and 25 mg dosage groups of brensocatib compared to placebo (p=0.027, p=0.044, respectively). In addition, treatment with 10mg brensocatib resulted in a significant reduction in the rate of pulmonary exacerbations, a key secondary endpoint. Patients treated with brensocatib experienced a 36% reduction in the 10 mg arm (p=0.041) and a 25% reduction in the 25 mg arm (p=0.167) versus placebo. • In June 2020, the FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation for brensocatib for the treatment of adult patients with bronchiectasis for reducing exacerbations. The FDA's breakthrough therapy designation is designed to expedite the development and review of therapies that are intended to treat serious or life-threatening diseases and for which preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapy. • In November 2020, brensocatib received Priority Medicines (PRIME) designation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for patients with NCFBE. • In December 2020, we commenced a Phase 3 trial (the ASPEN trial) through which we will seek to confirm the positive results seen in the WILLOW study. This trial is designed to investigate brensocatib in patients with bronchiectasis and the primary endpoint is the rate of pulmonary exacerbations over a 52-week treatment period. Patients with bronchiectasis due to cystic fibrosis (CF) may not be enrolled in the trial. | • We will continue to advance the ASPEN trial, to seek to confirm the positive results seen in the WILLOW trial and to support a new drug application (NDA) for brensocatib for the treatment of adult patients with bronchiectasis. • We also plan to advance a clinical development program for brensocatib in CF and plan to initiate a pharmacokinetics study in CF patients in mid-2021. • We plan to explore the potential of brensocatib in additional neutrophil-mediated diseases in 2021. • In April 2020, we announced that we would provide funding and clinical drug supply for the STOP-COVID19 (Superiority Trial of Protease inhibition in COVID-19) trial, a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled investigator-initiated study of brensocatib in approximately 400 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) sponsored by the University of Dundee. The study, which has been prioritized and designated an Urgent Public Health trial by the UK’s National Institute for Health Research, has completed enrollment. | ||||||||||||
TPIP (inhalation formulation of a treprostinil prodrug) for PAH and other rare pulmonary disorders | • In September 2020, we initiated dosing of the first subjects in a Phase 1 healthy volunteer trial of TPIP in the US to assess the pharmacokinetics and tolerability in TPIP. • In February 2021, we announced topline results from the Phase 1 study of TPIP in healthy volunteers. Data from the study demonstrated that TPIP was generally well tolerated, with a pharmacokinetic profile that supports continued development with once-daily dosing. | • We plan to present full data from the Phase 1 healthy volunteer trial of TPIP at an upcoming medical meeting. • We plan to advance the development of TPIP with two studies in patients with PAH. The first is an open-label, proof-of-mechanism study to understand the impact of TPIP on pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) over a 24-hour period. We anticipate sharing topline data from this study in the second half of 2021. The second will aim to investigate the effect of TPIP on PVR and 6-minute walk distance over a 16-week treatment period using an up-titration, once-daily dosing schedule. We plan to initiate this trial in the fourth quarter of 2021. | ||||||||||||
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Our earlier-stage pipeline includes preclinical compounds that we are evaluating in multiple rare diseases of unmet medical need. To complement our internal research and development, we actively evaluate in-licensing and acquisition opportunities for a broad range of rare diseases.
Our Strategy
Our strategy focuses on the needs of patients with rare diseases. We secured accelerated approval for ARIKAYCE from the FDA for the treatment of refractory MAC lung disease in patients with limited or no alternative treatment options, and currently are primarily focused on the successful commercialization of ARIKAYCE. In the EU, we recently secured EC approval of ARIKAYCE for the treatment of NTM lung infections caused by MAC in adults with limited treatment options who do not have cystic fibrosis. We are also seeking regulatory approval of ARIKAYCE in Japan for the treatment of MAC lung disease in patients who did not sufficiently respond to prior treatment. We are not aware of any other approved inhaled therapies specifically indicated to treat MAC lung disease in North America, Europe or Japan. We believe that ARIKAYCE has the potential to prove beneficial in other patients with MAC. Our product candidates are brensocatib, our Phase 3 product candidate which we are developing for patients with bronchiectasis and potentially other neutrophil-mediated diseases, and TPIP, our product candidate that may offer a differentiated product profile for patients with PAH and other rare pulmonary disorders. We are also advancing earlier-stage programs in other rare pulmonary disorders.
Our current priorities are as follows:
•Continue our efforts to ensure the successful commercialization of ARIKAYCE;
•Develop and validate a PRO tool for NTM lung disease to be used in, among other trials, the ENCORE trial required for the full US approval of ARIKAYCE by the FDA in patients with MAC lung disease;
•Continue our expansion efforts in Europe to support commercial activities for ARIKAYCE in the region;
•Continue our expansion efforts in Japan to support pre-commercial activities in the country;
•Ensure our product supply chain will support the global commercialization and potential future lifecycle management programs of ARIKAYCE;
•Develop a core value dossier to support payor reimbursement for ARIKAYCE in Japan;
•Maintain or obtain determinations of coverage and reimbursement in the US and Europe for ARIKAYCE from governmental and other third-party payors;
•Support further research and lifecycle management strategies for ARIKAYCE, including the potential use of ARIKAYCE as part of a frontline, multi-drug regimen;
•Advance brensocatib, including in the Phase 3 ASPEN trial in patients with bronchiectasis;
•Advance TPIP into Phase 2;
•Generate preclinical findings from our earlier-stage programs; and
•Expand our pipeline through corporate development.
ARIKAYCE for Patients with MAC Lung Disease
ARIKAYCE is our first approved product. ARIKAYCE received accelerated approval in the US in September 2018 for the treatment of refractory MAC lung disease as part of a combination antibacterial drug regimen for adult patients with limited or no alternative treatment options. In October 2020, ARIKAYCE received approval in the EU for the treatment of NTM lung infections caused by MAC in adults with limited treatment options who do not have cystic fibrosis. MAC lung disease is a rare and often chronic infection that can cause irreversible lung damage and can be fatal. Amikacin solution for parenteral administration is an established drug that has activity against a variety of NTM; however, its use is limited by the need to administer it intravenously and by toxicity to hearing, balance, and kidney function. Unlike amikacin solution for intravenous administration, our proprietary Pulmovance™ technology uses charge-neutral liposomes to deliver amikacin directly to the lungs where liposomal amikacin is taken up by the lung macrophages where the MAC infection resides. This technology also prolongs the release of amikacin in the lungs, while minimizing systemic exposure, thereby offering the potential for decreased systemic toxicities. ARIKAYCE's ability to deliver high levels of amikacin directly to the lung and sites of MAC infection via the use of our Pulmovance technology, distinguishes it from intravenous amikacin. ARIKAYCE is administered once-daily, using Lamira, an inhalation device developed and manufactured by PARI. Lamira is a portable
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nebulizer that enables aerosolization of liquid medications via a vibrating, perforated membrane, and was designed specifically for ARIKAYCE delivery.
The FDA has designated ARIKAYCE as an orphan drug and a QIDP for NTM lung disease. Orphan designated drugs are eligible for seven years of exclusivity for the orphan indication. QIDP designation features an additional five years of exclusivity for the designated indication. The FDA granted a total of 12 years of exclusivity in the indication for which ARIKAYCE was approved.
ARIKAYCE also has been included in the international treatment guidelines for NTM lung disease. The evidence-based guidelines, issued by the American Thoracic Society (ATS), European Respiratory Society (ERS), European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID), and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), now strongly recommend the use of ARIKAYCE for MAC lung disease as part of a combination antibacterial drug regimen for adult patients with limited or no alternative treatment options who have failed to convert to a negative sputum culture after at least six months of treatment.
In October 2020, the FDA approved an sNDA for ARIKAYCE, adding important efficacy data regarding the durability and sustainability of culture conversion to the ARIKAYCE label. The data, which are from the Phase 3 CONVERT study of ARIKAYCE, demonstrate that the addition of ARIKAYCE to GBT was associated with sustained culture conversion through the end of treatment as well as durable culture conversion three months post-treatment compared with GBT alone.
Accelerated Approval
In March 2018, we submitted an NDA for ARIKAYCE to the FDA to request accelerated approval. Accelerated approval allows drugs that (i) are being developed to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and (ii) provide a meaningful therapeutic benefit over existing treatments to be approved substantially based on an intermediate endpoint or a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit, rather than a clinical endpoint such as survival or irreversible morbidity. In September 2018, the FDA granted accelerated approval for ARIKAYCE under the Limited Population Pathway for Antibacterial and Antifungal Drugs (LPAD) for the treatment of refractory MAC lung disease as part of a combination antibacterial drug regimen for adult patients with limited or no alternative treatment options via the accelerated approval pathway. LPAD, which was enacted as part of the 21st Century Cures Act, serves to advance the development of new antibacterial drugs to treat serious or life-threatening infections in limited populations of patients with unmet needs. As required for drugs approved under the LPAD pathway, labeling for ARIKAYCE includes certain statements to convey that the drug has been shown to be safe and effective only for use in a limited population.
As a condition of accelerated approval, we must conduct a post-approval confirmatory clinical trial. In December 2020, we commenced the post-approval confirmatory frontline clinical trial program for ARIKAYCE in patients with MAC lung disease. The frontline clinical trial program consists of the ARISE trial, an interventional study designed to validate cross-sectional and longitudinal characteristics of a PRO tool in MAC lung disease, and the ENCORE trial, designed to establish the clinical benefits and evaluate the safety of ARIKAYCE in patients with newly diagnosed MAC lung disease using the PRO tool validated in the ARISE trial. We are running these global studies in parallel and approximately 200 sites are expected to be initiated for these clinical trials. The frontline clinical program is intended to fulfill the FDA’s post-marketing requirement to allow for full approval of ARIKAYCE by the FDA, and verification and description of clinical benefit in the ENCORE trial will be necessary for full approval of ARIKAYCE.
Regulatory Pathway Outside of the US
In October 2020, the EC granted marketing authorization for ARIKAYCE for the treatment of NTM lung infections caused by MAC in adults with limited treatment options who do not have cystic fibrosis. We have launched in Germany and the Netherlands, and plan to launch in other European Union (EU) countries and the UK, subject to local reimbursement processes.
In March 2020, we submitted a JNDA to Japan's MHLW. The primary focus of the MHLW review is sputum culture conversion (defined as three consecutive sputum cultures) by Month 6, with durability of conversion at three months off treatment as a secondary consideration. In June 2020, a JMDN was submitted to the MHLW for Lamira, the designated device for administration of ARIKAYCE. The JMDN was accepted and Lamira is authorized for use in Japan. If our JNDA is approved, we anticipate launching ARIKAYCE in Japan in the middle of 2021.
The CONVERT Study
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Accelerated approval of ARIKAYCE was supported by preliminary data from the CONVERT study, a global Phase 3 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of ARIKAYCE in adult patients with refractory MAC lung disease, using achievement of sputum culture conversion (defined as three consecutive negative monthly sputum cultures) by Month 6 as the primary endpoint. Patients who achieved sputum culture conversion by Month 6 continued in the CONVERT study for an additional 12 months of treatment following the first monthly negative sputum culture in order to assess the durability of culture conversion, as defined by patients that have completed treatment and continued in the CONVERT study off all therapy for three months. In May 2019, we presented at the American Thoracic Society meeting that 41/65 (63.1%) of patients on ARIKAYCE plus GBT who had achieved culture conversion by Month 6 had maintained durable culture conversion for three months off all therapy compared to 0/10 (0%) on GBT only (p<0.0002). Safety data for these patients were consistent with safety data previously reported for patients by Month 6 of the CONVERT study.
Patients who did not culture convert by Month 6 may have been eligible to enroll in the 312 study, an open-label extension study for these non-converting patients who completed six months of treatment in the CONVERT study. The primary objective of the 312 study was to evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of ARIKAYCE in combination with a standard multi-drug regimen. The secondary objectives of the 312 study included evaluating the proportion of subjects achieving culture conversion (defined in the same way as the CONVERT study) by Month 6 and the proportion of subjects achieving culture conversion by Month 12, which was the end of treatment. We previously reported interim data as of December 2017 for patients in the 312 study, with 28.4% of patients who received GBT only in the CONVERT study (19/67) and 12.3% of patients who had received ARIKAYCE plus GBT in the CONVERT study (7/57) achieving culture conversion by Month 6 of the 312 study. The 312 study has concluded and final efficacy data regarding culture conversion were consistent with these interim data. We have analyzed the safety and efficacy data from the 312 study, and we did not observe any new safety signals.
Further Research and Lifecycle Management
We are currently exploring and supporting research and lifecycle management programs for ARIKAYCE beyond treatment of refractory MAC lung disease as part of a combination antibacterial regimen for adult patients who have limited or no treatment options. As noted above, we will continue to advance the post-approval confirmatory, frontline clinical trial program for ARIKAYCE, through the ARISE trial and the ENCORE trial, which are intended to fulfill the FDA's post-marketing requirement to allow for the full approval of ARIKAYCE in the US, as well as to support the use of ARIKAYCE as a frontline treatment for patients with MAC lung disease in the US, Europe and Japan.
The ARISE trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3b study in adult patients with newly diagnosed MAC lung disease that aims to generate evidence demonstrating the domain specification, reliability, validity, and responsiveness of PRO-based scores, including a respiratory symptom score. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive ARIKAYCE plus background regimen or placebo plus background regimen once daily for six months. Patients will then discontinue all study treatments and remain in the trial for one month for the continued assessment of PRO endpoints. The study is expected to enroll approximately 100 patients.
The ENCORE trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3b study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an ARIKAYCE-based regimen in patients with newly diagnosed MAC lung disease. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive ARIKAYCE plus background regimen or placebo plus background regimen once daily for 12 months. Patients will then discontinue all study treatments and remain in the trial for three months for the assessment of durability of culture conversion. The primary endpoint is change from baseline to Month 13 in respiratory symptom score. The key secondary endpoint is the proportion of subjects achieving durable culture conversion at Month 15. The study is expected to enroll approximately 250 patients.
We initiated the frontline clinical trial program of ARIKAYCE in December 2020 and are running the ARISE and ENCORE trials in parallel.
Subsequent lifecycle management studies could also potentially enable us to reach more patients. These initiatives include investigator-initiated studies, which are clinical studies initiated and sponsored by physicians or research institutions with funding from us and may also include new clinical studies sponsored by us.
Market Opportunity for ARIKAYCE in MAC Lung Disease
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NTM lung disease is associated with increased rates of morbidity and mortality, and MAC is the predominant pathogenic species in NTM lung disease in the US, Europe and Japan. The prevalence of NTM lung disease has increased over the past two decades, and we believe it is an emerging public health concern worldwide. Based on an analysis conducted in 2017, using information from external sources, including market research funded by us and third parties, and internal analyses and calculations, we estimated the potential patient populations in the US, the European 5 (comprised of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) and Japan in 2019 were as follows:
| Potential Market | Estimated Number of Patients with Diagnosed NTM Lung Disease | Estimated Number of Patients Treated for MAC Lung Disease | Estimated Number of MAC lung disease Patients Refractory to Treatment** | |||||||||||
| United States | 95,000-115,000 | 48,000-55,000 | 12,000-17,000 | |||||||||||
| European 5 | 14,000 | 4,400 | 1,400 | |||||||||||
| Japan | 125,000-145,000 | 60,000-70,000 | 15,000-18,000 | |||||||||||
** ARIKAYCE received accelerated approval for this population in the US in September 2018.
We are not aware of any other approved inhaled therapies specifically indicated for NTM lung disease in North America, Europe or Japan. Based on a burden of illness study that we conducted in the US with a major medical benefits provider, we previously concluded that patients with NTM lung disease are costly to healthcare plans, while a claims-based study in the US has shown that patients with NTM lung disease have higher resource utilization and costs than their age and gender-matched controls. Accordingly, we believe that a significant market opportunity for ARIKAYCE in NTM lung disease exists in the US and internationally.
In October 2020, the EC approved ARIKAYCE for the treatment of NTM lung infections caused by MAC in adults with limited treatment options who do not have cystic fibrosis. The CONVERT study included a comprehensive pharmacokinetic sub-study in Japanese subjects in lieu of a separate local pharmacokinetic study in Japan, as agreed with the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). We submitted regulatory filings in Japan in the first and second quarters of 2020. The JMDN was accepted and Lamira is authorized for use in Japan. We have established a Japanese subsidiary and, in 2018, began hiring local employees, including a general manager, to manage our regulatory and pre-commercial activities. If ARIKAYCE is approved by the relevant regulatory authorities in Japan, we anticipate launching ARIKAYCE in Japan in the middle of 2021.
Product Pipeline
Brensocatib
Brensocatib is a small molecule, oral, reversible inhibitor of DPP1, which we licensed from AstraZeneca in October 2016. DPP1 is an enzyme responsible for activating neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) in neutrophils when they are formed in the bone marrow. Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell and play an essential role in pathogen destruction and inflammatory mediation. Neutrophils contain the NSPs (including neutrophil elastase, proteinase 3, and cathepsin G) that have been implicated in a variety of inflammatory diseases. In chronic inflammatory lung diseases, neutrophils accumulate in the airways and result in excessive active NSPs that cause lung destruction and inflammation. Brensocatib may decrease the damaging effects of inflammatory diseases such as bronchiectasis by inhibiting DPP1 and its activation of NSPs.
Bronchiectasis is a severe, chronic pulmonary disorder in which the bronchi become permanently dilated due to a cycle of infection, inflammation, and lung tissue damage. The condition is marked by frequent pulmonary exacerbations requiring antibiotic therapy and/or hospitalizations. Symptoms include chronic cough, excessive sputum production, shortness of breath, and repeated respiratory infections, which can worsen the underlying condition. Bronchiectasis affects approximately 340,000 to 520,000 patients in the US, and reports suggest that bronchiectasis may affect approximately 350,000 to 500,000 patients in the European 5 and one to five million patients in the Asia-Pacific region. Today, there are no approved therapies in the US, Europe, or Japan for the treatment of patients with bronchiectasis.
Based on the positive results of the WILLOW study discussed below, in December 2020 we commenced our Phase 3 trial, ASPEN, which will investigate brensocatib in bronchiectasis. ASPEN is a global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of brensocatib in patients with bronchiectasis. Patients with bronchiectasis due to cystic fibrosis may not be enrolled in the study. Patients will be randomized to receive brensocatib 10 mg, brensocatib 25 mg, or placebo once daily for 52 weeks. The primary endpoint is the rate of pulmonary exacerbations over the 52-week treatment period. Secondary endpoints include time to first pulmonary exacerbation, percentage of subjects who remain pulmonary exacerbation-free, change from baseline in post-bronchodilator FEV1, rate of severe pulmonary exacerbations, change from baseline in the Bronchiectasis (QOL-B) Respiratory Symptoms Domain Score, and incidence and
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severity of treatment-emergent adverse events. The study is expected to enroll approximately 1,620 patients (540 in each arm) at approximately 480 sites in 40 countries.
In March 2020, AstraZeneca exercised its first option pursuant to our October 2016 license agreement under which AstraZeneca can advance clinical development of brensocatib in the indications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. Under the terms of the agreement, upon exercise of this option, AstraZeneca is solely responsible for all aspects of the development of brensocatib up to and including Phase 2b clinical trials in COPD or asthma. The agreement also includes a second and final option which, if exercised, would permit AstraZeneca to further develop brensocatib beyond Phase 2b clinical trials upon reaching agreement on commercial terms satisfactory to each party for the further development and commercialization of brensocatib in COPD or asthma. We retain full development and commercialization rights for brensocatib in all other indications and geographies.
In June 2020, the FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation for brensocatib for the treatment of adult patients with NCFBE for reducing exacerbations. The FDA's breakthrough therapy designation is designed to expedite the development and review of therapies that are intended to treat serious or life-threatening diseases and for which preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapy. The benefits of breakthrough therapy designation include more frequent communication and meetings with FDA, eligibility for rolling and priority review, intensive guidance on an efficient drug development program, and organizational commitment from the FDA involving senior managers. In November 2020, brensocatib received PRIME designation from the EMA for patients with NCFBE.
The WILLOW Study
The WILLOW study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multi-center, multi-national, Phase 2 study to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of brensocatib administered once daily for 24 weeks in patients with NCFBE. The WILLOW study was conducted at 116 sites and enrolled 256 adult patients diagnosed with NCFBE who had at least two documented pulmonary exacerbations in the 12 months prior to screening. Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive either 10 mg or 25 mg of brensocatib or matching placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was the time to first pulmonary exacerbation over the 24-week treatment period in the brensocatib arms compared to the placebo arm.
WILLOW Efficacy Data
We announced top-line data for the WILLOW study in February 2020 and full data for the WILLOW study in June 2020. In September 2020, final results from the WILLOW study were published online in the New England Journal of Medicine. The data demonstrate that the WILLOW study met its primary endpoint of time to first pulmonary exacerbation over the 24-week treatment period for both the 10 mg and 25 mg dosage groups of brensocatib compared to placebo (p=0.027, p=0.044, respectively). The risk of exacerbation at any time during the trial was reduced by 42% for the 10 mg group versus placebo (HR 0.58, p=0.029) and by 38% for the 25 mg group versus placebo (HR 0.62, p=0.046). In addition, treatment with brensocatib 10 mg also resulted in a significant reduction in the rate of pulmonary exacerbations, a key secondary endpoint, versus placebo. Specifically, patients treated with brensocatib experienced a 36% reduction in the 10 mg arm (p=0.041) and a 25% reduction in the 25 mg arm (p=0.167) versus placebo. Change in concentration of active NE in sputum versus placebo from baseline to the end of the treatment period was also statistically significant (p=0.034 for 10 mg, p=0.021 for 25 mg).
WILLOW Safety and Tolerability Data
Brensocatib was generally well-tolerated in the study. Rates of adverse events (AEs) leading to discontinuation in patients treated with placebo, brensocatib 10 mg, and brensocatib 25 mg were 10.6%, 7.4%, and 6.7%, respectively. The most common AEs in patients treated with brensocatib were cough, headache, sputum increase, dyspnea, fatigue, and upper respiratory tract infection. Rates of adverse events of special interest (AESIs) in patients treated with placebo, brensocatib 10 mg, and brensocatib 25 mg, respectively, were as follows: rates of skin events (including hyperkeratosis) were 11.8%, 14.8%, and 23.6%; rates of dental events were 3.5%, 16.0%, and 10.1%; and rates of infections that were considered AESIs were 17.6%, 13.6%, and 16.9%.
Further Research and Development
In August 2019, we received notice from the FDA that we were awarded a development grant of $1.8 million for specific work to be performed on a PRO tool over the next two years. The grant funding is for the development of a novel PRO tool for use in clinical trials to measure symptoms in patients with NCFBE with and without NTM lung infection.
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We plan to advance a clinical development program for brensocatib in cystic fibrosis and plan to initiate a pharmacokinetics study in CF patients in mid-2021. We are also exploring the potential of brensocatib in various neutrophil-driven inflammatory conditions.
Investigator-Initiated Study in Patients with Severe COVID-19
In April 2020, we announced we would provide funding and clinical drug supply for the STOP-COVID19 trial, an investigator-initiated study of brensocatib in hospitalized patients in the UK with COVID-19 sponsored by the University of Dundee. The study, which has been prioritized and designated an Urgent Public Health trial by the UK’s National Institute for Health Research.
The STOP-COVID19 trial is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of brensocatib in patients with severe COVID-19. The multicenter study has enrolled approximately 400 patients at 10 sites in the UK who present to the hospital with confirmed COVID-19 and are at risk of needing increased levels of supplemental oxygen and/or ventilation. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either brensocatib 25 mg once daily or matching placebo on top of standard of care. The primary endpoint is clinical improvement on a seven-point ordinal scale as defined by the World Health Organization. Patients were treated for up to 28 days. Enrollment of the STOP-COVID19 trial has been completed and results are expected to be shared by early in the second quarter of 2021.
Treprostinil Palmitil Inhalation Powder
TPIP is an investigational inhaled formulation of treprostinil prodrug that has the potential to address certain of the current limitations of existing prostanoid therapies. We believe that TPIP prolongs duration of effect and may provide PAH patients with greater consistency in pulmonary arterial pressure reduction over time. Current inhaled prostanoid therapies must be dosed four to nine times per day for the treatment of PAH. Reducing dose frequency has the potential to ease patient burden and improve compliance. Additionally, we believe that TPIP may be associated with fewer side effects, including elevated heart rate, low blood pressure, and severity and/or frequency of cough, associated with high initial drug levels and local upper airway exposure when using current inhaled prostanoid therapies. We believe TPIP may offer a differentiated product profile for PAH and other rare pulmonary disorders.
In February 2021, we announced topline results from the Phase 1 study of TPIP in healthy volunteers. The objective of this first-in-human single ascending dose and multiple ascending dose study was to assess the pharmacokinetics and tolerability profile of TPIP. Data from the study demonstrated that TPIP was generally well tolerated, with a pharmacokinetic profile that supports continued development with once-daily dosing. The most common adverse events (AEs) across all cohorts in the study were cough, dizziness, headache, and nausea. Most AEs were mild in severity and consistent in nature with those typically seen with other inhaled prostanoid therapies. There were few moderate AEs and no severe or serious AEs. Subjects in the multiple dose panel that incorporated an up-titration approach beginning at 112.5 µg once-daily and progressing to 225 µg once-daily reported fewer AEs compared to the panel dosed with 225 µg once-daily from the first dose.
Overall pharmacokinetic results demonstrated that treprostinil exposure (AUC and Cmax) was dose-proportional, with low to moderate inter-subject variability. Treprostinil was detected in the plasma at 24 hours at all doses and throughout the 48-hour sampling period for the two highest doses. Compared with currently available inhaled treprostinil therapy, TPIP showed substantially lower Cmax and longer half-life. We plan to present full data from this study at an upcoming medical meeting.
We plan to advance the development of TPIP with two studies in patients with PAH. The first is an open-label, proof-of-mechanism study to understand the impact of TPIP on PVR over a 24-hour period. We anticipate sharing topline data from this study in the second half of 2021. The second will aim to investigate the effect of TPIP on PVR and 6-minute walk distance over a 16-week treatment period using an up-titration, once-daily dosing schedule. We plan to initiate this trial in the fourth quarter of 2021. Beyond PAH, we continue to explore potential development pathways for TPIP in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and plan to initiate a study in patients with PH-ILD using an up-titration, once-daily dosing schedule.
Corporate Development
We plan to continue to develop, acquire, in license or co-promote other products, product candidates and technologies, including those that address rare diseases. We are focused broadly on rare disease therapeutics and prioritizing those areas that best align with our core competencies.
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Manufacturing
We do not have any in-house manufacturing capability other than for small-scale preclinical development programs, and depend completely on a small number of third-party manufacturers and suppliers for the manufacture of our product candidates for use in clinical trials. We plan to rely on third-party manufacturers and suppliers for the commercial manufacture and supply of any product candidates that we commercialize. ARIKAYCE is manufactured currently by Resilience Biotechnologies Inc. (Resilience) (formerly Therapure Biopharma Inc.) in Canada at a 200 kilogram (kg) scale and by Ajinimoto Althea, Inc. (Althea) in the US at a 50 kg scale. For additional information about our agreements with Resilience and Althea, see License and Other Agreements—ARIKAYCE-related Agreements.
In October 2017, we entered into certain agreements with Patheon UK Limited (Patheon) related to increasing our long-term production capacity for ARIKAYCE commercial inventory. The agreements provide for Patheon to manufacture and supply ARIKAYCE for our long-term anticipated commercial needs. Under these agreements, we are required to deliver to Patheon the required raw materials, including active pharmaceutical ingredients, and certain fixed assets needed to manufacture ARIKAYCE. The aggregate investment to increase the long-term production capacity, including under these agreements, and related agreements or purchase orders with third parties for raw materials and fixed assets, is estimated to be approximately $60 million. In addition, we have a commercialization agreement with PARI, the manufacturer of our drug delivery nebulizer for ARIKAYCE, to address our commercial supply needs (the Commercialization Agreement).
We expect our future requirements for brensocatib and TPIP will be manufactured by a contract manufacturing organization (CMO).
Intellectual Property
We own or license rights to more than 450 issued patents and pending patent applications in the US and in foreign countries, including more than 250 issued patents and pending patent applications related to ARIKAYCE. Our success depends in large part on our ability to maintain proprietary protection surrounding our product candidates, technology and know-how; to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of others; and to prevent others from infringing our proprietary rights. We actively seek patent protection by filing patent applications, including on inventions that are important to the development of our business in the US, Europe, Japan, Canada, and selected other foreign markets that we consider key for our product candidates. These international markets generally include Australia, China, India, Israel and Mexico.
Our patent strategy includes obtaining patent protection, where possible, on compositions of matter, methods of manufacture, methods of use, dosing and administration regimens and formulations. We also rely on trade secrets, know-how, continuing technological innovation, in-licensing and partnership opportunities to develop and maintain our proprietary position.
We monitor for activities that may infringe our proprietary rights, as well as the progression of third-party patent applications that may have the potential to create blocks to our products or otherwise interfere with the development of our business. We are aware, for example, of US patents, and corresponding international counterparts, owned by third parties that contain claims related to treating lung infections using inhaled antibiotics. If any of these patents were to be asserted against us, we do not believe that our marketed product or development candidates would be found to infringe any valid claim of these patents.
Reflecting our commitment to safeguarding proprietary information, we require our employees, consultants, advisors, collaborators and other third-party partners to sign confidentiality agreements to protect the exchange of proprietary materials and information. We also seek to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of our data and trade secrets by maintaining physical security of our premises and physical and electronic security of our information technology systems.
ARIKAYCE Patents and Trade Secrets
Of the patents and applications related to ARIKAYCE, there are 10 issued US patents that cover the ARIKAYCE composition and its use in treating NTM. These patents are listed in the FDA Orange Book. These patents and their expiration dates are as follows:
•US Patent No. 7,718,189 (expires June 6, 2025)
•US Patent No. 8,226,975 (expires August 15, 2028)
•US Patent No. 8,632,804 (expires December 5, 2026)
•US Patent No. 8,802,137 (expires April 8, 2024)
•US Patent No. 8,679,532 (expires December 5, 2026)
•US Patent No. 8,642,075 (expires December 5, 2026)
•US Patent No. 9,566,234 (expires January 18, 2034)
•US Patent No. 9,827,317 (expires April 8, 2024)
•US Patent No. 9,895,385 (expires May 15, 2035)
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•US Patent No. 10,251,900 (expires May 15, 2035)
•US Patent No. 10,751,355 (expires May 15, 2035)
In addition, we own five pending US patent applications that cover the ARIKAYCE composition and/or its use in treating NTM, including MAC lung infections. We also own a pending US application that covers methods for making ARIKAYCE. One or more of these patent applications, if issued as patents in their current form, may be eligible for listing in the FDA Orange Book for ARIKAYCE. We anticipate that in the US, we will have patent coverage for ARIKAYCE and its use in treating NTM lung disease, including NTM lung disease caused by MAC, through May 15, 2035.
Eight patents have been granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) (European Patent Nos. 1581236, 1909759, 1962805, 2823820, 3067046, 3142643, 3427742 and 3466432) that relate to ARIKAYCE and its use in treating NTM, including MAC lung infections. In addition, we have four patent applications pending before the EPO that relate to ARIKAYCE and its use in treating NTM lung disease. We also have a pending European application that describes certain methods of making ARIKAYCE. European Patent No. 2363114 was opposed by Generics (UK) Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mylan NV, and was revoked in November 2020. European Patent No. 1909759 (the '759 patent), owned by us, was previously opposed by Generics (UK) Ltd. A hearing was held on October 19, 2015, during which we submitted amended claims. The European Patent Office Opposition Division (EPOOD) maintained the patent as amended and Generics (UK) Ltd appealed the decision. The EPO Technical Board of Appeals heard arguments related to the appeal on January 8, 2019 and the product claims of the patent were held invalid. The method of manufacture claims was remitted to the EPOOD for further consideration, and remain enforceable. Oral proceedings related to the method of manufacture claims were scheduled to take place via videoconference on January 19, 2021, but the EPO has since indicated that the proceeding would instead continue based on written submissions. European Patent Nos. 1962805 and 3067046, both of which expire approximately five months after the ‘759 patent (December 5, 2026 vs. July 19, 2026), also include claims related to ARIKAYCE and its use in treating NTM lung disease. European Patent Nos. 3142643 and 3466432 each expire May 15, 2035 and include claims related to ARIKAYCE and its use for treating MAC lung infections.
More than 60 patents have also been issued in other major foreign markets, e.g., Japan, China, Korea, Australia, and India, that relate to ARIKAYCE and/or methods of using ARIKAYCE for treating various pulmonary disorders, including NTM lung disease. More than 30 foreign patent applications are pending that relate to the ARIKAYCE composition and/or its use in treating various pulmonary disorders, including NTM lung disease.
Through our agreements with PARI, we have license rights to US and foreign patents and applications that cover the Lamira Nebulizer System medical device through January 18, 2034. We have entered into a commercial supply agreement with PARI and we also have rights to use the nebulizers in expanded access programs and clinical trials.
Brensocatib Patents
Through our agreement with AstraZeneca, we have licensed US Patent Nos. 9,522,894, 9,815,805, 10,287,258 and 10,669,245, which have claims related to brensocatib and methods for using brensocatib. Each of these patents expires January 21, 2035 (not taking into account any potential patent term extension). Counterpart patent applications are pending in the US and throughout the world.
TPIP Patents
We own US Patent Nos. 9,255,064, 9,469,600 and 10,010,518, each expiring October 24, 2034 (not taking into account any potential patent term extensions or adjustments), each with claims covering hexadecyl-treprostinil, the treprostinil prodrug component of TPIP, or its use. US Patent No. 9,255,064 has claims reciting hexadecyl-treprostinil, and other treprostinil prodrugs. US Patent No. 9,469,600 has claims directed to TPIP and other treprostinil prodrug formulations. US Patent No. 10,010,518 has claims directed to methods of treating pulmonary hypertension, including PAH, with TPIP and other treprostinil prodrug formulations and expires October 24, 2034. Counterpart patent applications to these US Patents have issued in Europe, Japan and other foreign jurisdictions. Counterpart patent applications to these US Patents are also pending in select jurisdictions, including the US, Europe and Japan.
We own pending patent applications that relate to methods for using treprostinil prodrugs and formulations comprising the same, including TPIP in treating patients with PAH and other diseases, as well as methods for manufacturing such treprostinil prodrugs and formulations.
The basic terms of utility patents issued in the US are the longer of 17 years from the issue date or 20 years from the earliest effective filing date, if the patent was in force on or was issued from a patent application that was filed prior to June 8, 1995; or 20 years from the earliest effective filing date, if the patent application was filed on or after June 8, 1995. All ARIKAYCE, brensocatib and TPIP patents and patent applications have earliest effective filing dates falling after June 8, 1995. The basic term of foreign utility patents may vary in accordance with provisions of applicable local law, but is typically 20 years from the earliest effective filing date.
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Trademarks
In addition to our patents and trade secrets, we have filed applications to register certain trademarks in the US and/or abroad, including INSMED and ARIKAYCE. At present, we have received two registrations for the INSMED mark and one registration for the ARIKAYCE mark from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). We have also received notices of allowance or registrations in a number of countries abroad for the INSMED and ARIKAYCE marks, among others. The EMA has authorized the use of the name ARIKAYCE liposomal, and the FDA has approved our use of the name ARIKAYCE, as the trade name for amikacin liposome inhalation suspension. Our ability to obtain and maintain trademark registrations will in certain geographical locations depend on making use of the mark in commerce on or in connection with our products and approval of the trademarks for our products by regulatory authorities in each country.
License and Other Agreements
ARIKAYCE-related Agreements
We currently rely, and will continue to rely, on agreements with a number of third parties in connection with the development and manufacture of ARIKAYCE.
PARI
We have a licensing agreement with PARI for use of the optimized Lamira Nebulizer System for delivery of ARIKAYCE in treating patients with NTM lung infections, CF and bronchiectasis. Under the licensing agreement, we have rights under several US and foreign issued patents and patent applications involving improvements to the optimized Lamira Nebulizer System, to exploit the system with ARIKAYCE for the treatment of such indications, but we cannot manufacture the nebulizers except as permitted under our Commercialization Agreement with PARI, which is described in further detail below. Lamira has been approved for use in the US (in combination with ARIKAYCE) and EU and is authorized for use in Japan. We also currently have rights to use the nebulizers in expanded access programs and clinical trials. Lamira is labeled as investigational for use in our clinical trials in Japan, Canada and Australia and must receive regulatory approval before we can market ARIKAYCE outside the US and EU.
We have certain obligations under this licensing agreement in relation to specified licensed indications. With respect to NTM, we met all obligations to achieve certain commercial, developmental and regulatory milestones by the required deadlines. With respect to bronchiectasis, we have an obligation to use commercially reasonable efforts to initiate a Phase 3 trial for bronchiectasis by a set deadline. With respect to CF, we are obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop, obtain regulatory and reimbursement approval, market and sell ARIKAYCE in two or more major European countries, as well as to achieve certain milestones specified in the licensing agreement. Termination of the licensing agreement or loss of exclusive rights may occur if we fail to meet our obligations, including payment of royalties to PARI.
Under the licensing agreement, we paid PARI an upfront license fee and milestone payments. Upon FDA acceptance of our NDA and the subsequent FDA and EMA approvals of ARIKAYCE, we made additional milestone payments of €1.0 million, €1.5 million and €0.5 million, respectively, to PARI. In October 2017, we exercised an option to buy-down the royalties payable to PARI. PARI is entitled to receive royalty payments in the mid-single digits on the annual global net sales of ARIKAYCE pursuant to the licensing agreement, subject to certain specified annual minimum royalties.
This licensing agreement will remain in effect on a country-by-country basis until the final royalty payments have been made with respect to the last country in which ARIKAYCE is sold, or until the agreement is otherwise terminated by either party. We have the right to terminate this licensing agreement upon written notice for PARI's uncured material breach, if PARI is the subject of specified bankruptcy or liquidation events, or if PARI fails to reach certain specified obligations. PARI has the right to terminate this licensing agreement upon written notice for our uncured material breach, if we are the subject of specified bankruptcy or liquidation events, if we assign or otherwise transfer the agreement to a third-party that does not agree to assume all of our rights and obligations set forth in the agreement, or if we fail to reach certain specified milestones.
In July 2014, we entered into a Commercialization Agreement with PARI for the manufacture and supply of Lamira nebulizer systems and related accessories (the Device) as optimized for use with ARIKAYCE. Under the Commercialization Agreement, PARI manufactures the Device except in the case of certain defined supply failures, when we will have the right to make the Device and have it made by third parties (but not certain third parties deemed under the Commercialization Agreement to compete with PARI). The Commercialization Agreement has an initial term of 15 years that began to run in October 2018 (the Initial Term). The term of the Commercialization Agreement may be extended by us for an additional five years by providing written notice to PARI at least one year prior to the expiration of the Initial Term.
Resilience
In February 2014, we entered into a contract manufacturing agreement with Therapure Biopharma Inc., which has been assumed by Resilience, for the manufacture of ARIKAYCE, on a non-exclusive basis, at a 200 kg scale. Pursuant to the agreement, we collaborated with Resilience to construct a production area for the manufacture of ARIKAYCE in Resilience's
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existing manufacturing facility in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The agreement has an initial term of five years, which began in October 2018, and will renew automatically for successive periods of two years each, unless terminated by either party by providing the required two years' prior written notice to the other party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties have rights and obligations under the agreement prior to the commencement of the initial term. Under the agreement, we are obligated to pay a minimum of $6 million for commercial ARIKAYCE batches produced and certain manufacturing activities each calendar year. The agreement allows for termination by either party upon the occurrence of certain events, including (i) the material breach by the other party of any provision of the agreement or the quality agreement expected to be entered into between the parties, and (ii) the default or bankruptcy of the other party. In addition, we may terminate the agreement for any reason upon no fewer than 180 days' advance notice.
Althea
In September 2015, we entered into a Commercial Fill/Finish Services Agreement (the Fill/Finish Agreement) with Althea to produce, on a non-exclusive basis, ARIKAYCE in finished dosage form at a 50 kg scale. We are obligated to pay a minimum of $2.7 million for the batches of ARIKAYCE produced by Althea each calendar year during the term of the Fill/Finish Agreement. The Fill/Finish Agreement became effective as of January 1, 2015, and, following an extension in 2018, will remain in effect through December 31, 2021. The Fill/Finish Agreement may be extended for additional two-year periods upon mutual written agreement of the Company and Althea at least one year prior to the expiration of its then-current term.
Either we or Althea may terminate the Fill/Finish Agreement upon the occurrence of certain events, including (i) material breach of the Fill/Finish Agreement by either party, provided such breach is not cured within 30 days after receipt by the breaching party of written notice of the breach or (ii) insolvency or bankruptcy of the other party. In addition, we may terminate the Fill/Finish Agreement without cause with 12 months' prior written notice to Althea, and Althea may terminate the Agreement without cause with 24 months' prior written notice to us.
Patheon and related agreements
In October 2017, we entered into certain agreements with Patheon related to the increase of our long-term production capacity for ARIKAYCE. The agreements provide for Patheon to manufacture and supply ARIKAYCE for our anticipated commercial needs. Under these agreements, we are required to deliver to Patheon the required raw materials, including active pharmaceutical ingredients, and certain fixed assets needed to manufacture ARIKAYCE. Patheon's supply obligations will commence once certain technology transfer and construction services are completed. Our manufacturing and supply agreement with Patheon will remain in effect for a fixed initial term, after which it will continue for successive renewal terms unless either we or Patheon have given written notice of termination. The technology transfer agreement will expire when the parties agree that the technology transfer services have been completed. The agreements may also be terminated under certain other circumstances, including by either party due to a material uncured breach of the other party or the other party’s insolvency. These early termination clauses may reduce the amounts due to the relevant parties. The aggregate investment to increase our long-term production capacity, including under the Patheon agreements and related agreements or purchase orders with third parties for raw materials and fixed assets, is estimated to be approximately $60 million.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. (CFFT)
In 2004 and 2009, we entered into research funding agreements with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. (CFFT) whereby we received $1.7 million and $2.2 million in research funding for the development of ARIKAYCE. As a result of the US approval of ARIKAYCE and in accordance with the agreements, as amended, we owe milestone payments to CFFT of $13.4 million in the aggregate, of which $1.0 million has been paid through December 31, 2020, which are payable through 2025. Furthermore, if certain global sales milestones are met within five years of the commercialization of ARIKAYCE, we would owe up to an additional $3.9 million. We have determined the likelihood of meeting such global sales milestones and have accrued for these contingent obligations proportionally based on net sales of ARIKAYCE.
PPD Development, L.P.
In April 2020, we entered into a master services agreement with PPD Development, L.P. (PPD) pursuant to which we retained PPD to perform clinical development services in connection with certain of our clinical research programs. The master services agreement has an initial term of five years. Either party may terminate (i) any project addendum under the master services agreement for any reason and without cause upon 30 days’ written notice, (ii) any project addendum in the event of the other party’s breach of the master services agreement or such project addendum upon 30 days’ written notice, provided that such breach is not cured within such 30-day period, (iii) the master services agreement or any project addendum immediately upon the occurrence of an insolvency event with respect to the other party or (iv) any project addendum upon 30 days’ written notice if (a) the continuation of the services under such project addendum would post material ethical or safety risks to study participants, (b) any approval from a regulatory authority necessary to perform the applicable study is revoked, suspended or expires without renewal or (c) in the reasonable opinion of such party, continuation of the services provided under such project addendum would be in violation of applicable law. We have entered into project addenda with PPD to perform clinical
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development services over several years for, but not limited to, our ARISE, ENCORE and ASPEN studies. We currently expect to incur approximately $200 million of costs related to these project addenda.
Brensocatib-related Agreements
AstraZeneca
In October 2016, we entered into a license agreement with AstraZeneca (the AZ License Agreement), pursuant to which AstraZeneca granted us exclusive global rights for the purpose of developing and commercializing AZD7986 (renamed brensocatib). In consideration of the licenses and other rights granted by AstraZeneca, we made an upfront payment of $30.0 million in late October 2016. In December 2020, we incurred a $12.5 million milestone payment obligation upon the first dosing in a Phase 3 clinical trial of brensocatib. We are obligated to make a series of additional contingent milestone payments to AstraZeneca totaling up to $72.5 million upon the achievement of clinical development and regulatory filing milestones. If we elect to develop brensocatib for a second indication, we will be obligated to make an additional series of contingent milestone payments totaling up to $42.5 million, the first of which occurs at the initiation of a Phase 3 trial in the additional indication. We are not obligated to make any additional milestone payments for additional indications. In addition, we have agreed to pay AstraZeneca tiered royalties ranging from a high single-digit to mid-teens on net sales of any approved product based on brensocatib and one additional payment of $35.0 million upon the first achievement of $1 billion in annual net sales. The AZ License Agreement provides AstraZeneca with the option to negotiate a future agreement with us for commercialization of brensocatib in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma. If we fail to comply with our obligations under our agreements with AstraZeneca (including, among other things, if we fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize a product based on brensocatib, or we are subject to a bankruptcy or insolvency), AstraZeneca would have the right to terminate the license.
Competition
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are highly competitive. We face potential competitors from many different areas including commercial pharmaceutical, biotechnology and device companies, academic institutions and scientists, other smaller or earlier stage companies and non-profit organizations developing anti-infective drugs and drugs for respiratory, inflammatory, immunology, oncology, and rare diseases. Many of these companies have greater human and financial resources and may have product candidates in more advanced stages of development and may reach the market before our product candidates. Competitors may develop products that are more effective, safer or less expensive or that have better tolerability or convenience. We also may face generic competitors where third-party payors will encourage use of the generic products. Although we believe that our formulation delivery technology, respiratory and anti-infective expertise, experience and knowledge in our specific areas of focus provide us with competitive advantages, these potential competitors could reduce our commercial opportunity. Additionally, there currently are, and in the future there may be, already-approved products for certain of the indications for which we are developing, or in the future may choose to develop, product candidates. For instance, PAH is a competitive indication with established products, including other formulations of treprostinil.
In the lung disease market, our major competitors include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that have approved therapies or therapies in development for the treatment of chronic lung infections. There are other companies that are currently conducting early stage clinical trials for the treatment of lung disease. We are not aware of any approved inhaled therapies specifically indicated for refractory NTM lung infections in North America, Europe or Japan, but, there is recommended treatment regimen that is utilized. The international treatment guidelines, which are issued by the ATS, ERS, ESCMID and IDSA, strongly recommend the use of ARIKAYCE for the treatment of patients with refractory NTM lung disease caused by MAC as a part of a combination antibacterial drug regiment for adult patients with limited or no alternative treatment options who have failed to convert to a negative sputum culture after at least six months of treatment.
Government Regulation
Orphan Drug Designation
United States
Under the Orphan Drug Act (ODA), the FDA may grant orphan drug designation to drugs intended to treat a rare disease or condition, defined as a disease or condition for which the drug is intended affects fewer than 200,000 people in the US, if it meets certain criteria specified by the ODA and FDA. After the FDA grants orphan drug designation, the drug and the specific intended use(s) for which it has obtained designation are listed by the FDA in a publicly accessible database. The FDA has designated ARIKAYCE as an orphan drug for treatment of (i) infections caused by NTM, (ii) bronchiectasis in patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa or other susceptible microbial pathogens and (iii) bronchopulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in CF patients.
Orphan drug designation qualifies the sponsor for various development incentives of the ODA, including tax credits for qualified clinical testing, and a waiver of the PDUFA application fee (unless the application seeks approval for an indication
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not included in the orphan drug designation). Orphan drug designation also affords the company a period of exclusivity for the orphan indication upon approval of the drug. Specifically, the first NDA applicant with an FDA orphan drug designation for a particular active moiety to receive FDA approval of the drug for an indication covered by the orphan designation is entitled to a seven-year exclusive marketing period, often referred to as orphan drug exclusivity, in the US for that drug in that indication. A product that has several separate orphan designations may have several separate exclusivities for separate orphan indications. During the orphan drug exclusivity period, the FDA may not approve any other applications to market the same drug for the same indication for use, except in limited circumstances, such as a showing of clinical superiority to the product that has orphan drug exclusivity. Orphan drug exclusivity does not prevent the FDA from approving a different drug for the same disease or condition or the same drug for a different disease or condition, and it does not alter the timing or scope of the regulatory review and approval process; the sponsor must still submit evidence from clinical and non-clinical studies sufficient to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the drug.
European Union
The European Commission grants orphan drug designation to promote the development of drugs or biologics (1) for life-threatening or chronically debilitating conditions affecting not more than five in 10,000 people in the EU, or (2) for life threatening, seriously debilitating or serious and chronic condition in the EU where, without incentives, sales of the drug in the European Economic Area (the EU plus Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway) (EEA) are unlikely to be sufficient to justify its development. Orphan drug designation is available either if no other satisfactory method of diagnosing, preventing or treating the condition is approved in the EEA or if such a method does exist but the proposed orphan drug will be of significant benefit to patients. The European Commission has granted an orphan designation for ARIKAYCE for the treatment of NTM lung disease.
If a drug with an orphan drug designation subsequently receives a marketing authorization for a therapeutic indication which is covered by such designation, the drug is entitled to orphan exclusivity. Orphan exclusivity means that the EMA or a national medicines agency may not accept another application for authorization, or grant an authorization, for a same or similar drug for the same therapeutic indication. Competitors may receive such a marketing authorization despite orphan exclusivity, provided that they demonstrate that the existing orphan product is not supplied in sufficient quantities or that the 'second' drug or biologic is clinically superior to the existing orphan product. The 'second' drug may but need not have an orphan designation as well. The period of orphan exclusivity is 10 years, which can be extended by two years where an agreed pediatric investigation plan has been implemented. The exclusivity period may also be reduced to six years if the designation criteria are no longer met, including where it is shown that the product is sufficiently profitable not to justify maintenance of market exclusivity. Each orphan designation carries the potential for one market exclusivity for all the therapeutic indications that are covered by the designation. A product that has several separate orphan designations may have several separate market exclusivities.
Orphan drug designation also provides opportunities for free protocol assistance and fee reductions for access to the centralized regulatory procedure or fee exemptions for companies with a small and medium enterprises status. In addition, EU Member States may provide national benefits to orphan drugs, such as early access to the reimbursement procedure or exemption from any turnover tax imposed on pharmaceutical companies.
The orphan designation may be applied for at any time during the development of the drug but before the application for marketing authorization. At the time of marketing authorization, the criteria for orphan designation are examined again, and the European Commission decides on the maintenance of the orphan designation. The non-maintenance of the orphan designation means that the drug loses its orphan status and thus no longer benefits from orphan exclusivity, fee reductions or exemptions, and national benefits.
Japan
The MHLW may, after hearing the opinion of the Pharmaceutical Affairs and Food Sanitation Council, grant orphan drug designation to a drug intended to treat a rare disease or condition if the drug meets the following conditions: (i) the number of target patients is less than 50,000 in Japan, (ii) the necessity of orphan drug designation is high from a medical point of view, (iii) there are sufficient theoretical grounds to use the drug for the target disease, and (iv) the plan for development of the drug is appropriate. Even if a drug is granted orphan drug designation, however, it does not always receive the manufacturing and marketing approval that is necessary for the drug to be sold or marketed in Japan. ARIKAYCE did not qualify for orphan drug designation in Japan due to the estimated number of NTM patients in Japan exceeding 50,000.
Drug Approval
United States
In the US, pharmaceutical products are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and other government bodies. The US Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) and other federal and state statutes and regulations govern, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture, storage, recordkeeping, approval, labeling, promotion and marketing,
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distribution, post-approval monitoring and reporting, sampling and import and export of pharmaceutical products. Failure to comply with applicable US requirements at any time during product development, approval, or after approval may subject a company to a variety of administrative or judicial sanctions, such as imposition of clinical holds, FDA refusal to file or approve new drug applications, warning letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, refusals of government contracts, restitution, disgorgement, civil penalties, and criminal prosecution. The description below summarizes the current approval process in the US for our product and product candidates.
Preclinical Studies
Preclinical studies include laboratory evaluation of product chemistry, formulation and toxicity, and pharmacology, as well as animal trials to assess the characteristics and potential safety and efficacy of the product. The conduct of the preclinical tests must comply with federal regulations and requirements including the FDA's good laboratory practice (GLP) regulations and the US Department of Agriculture's regulations implementing the Animal Welfare Act. An Investigational New Drug application (IND) sponsor must submit the results of the preclinical tests, together with manufacturing information, analytical data, any available clinical data or literature, and a proposed clinical trial protocol, among other things, to the FDA as part of an IND. Certain non-clinical tests, such as animal tests of reproductive toxicity and carcinogenicity, may continue even after the IND is submitted. An IND automatically becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless before that time the FDA raises concerns or questions related to one or more proposed clinical trials and places the clinical trial on a clinical hold. In such a case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns before the clinical trial can begin. As a result, submission of an IND may not result in the FDA allowing clinical trials to commence.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational new drug to human subjects (healthy volunteers or patients) under the supervision of a qualified investigator. Clinical trials must be conducted (i) in compliance with all applicable federal regulations and guidance, including those pertaining to good clinical practice (GCP) standards that are meant to protect the rights, safety, and welfare of human subjects and to define the roles of clinical trial sponsors, investigators, and monitors as well as (ii) under protocols detailing, among other things, the objectives of the trial, the parameters to be used in monitoring safety, and the effectiveness criteria to be evaluated. Each protocol involving testing of a new drug in the US (whether in patients or healthy volunteers) must be included as a submission to the IND, and the FDA must be notified of subsequent protocol amendments, including new protocols. In addition, the protocol must be reviewed and approved by an institutional review board (IRB), and all study subjects must provide informed consent. Typically, before any clinical trial, each institution participating in the trial will require review of the protocol before the trial commences at that institution. Progress reports detailing the results of the clinical trials must be submitted at least annually to the FDA and there are additional, more frequent reporting requirements for certain adverse events.
A study sponsor might choose to discontinue a clinical trial or a clinical development program for a variety of reasons. The FDA may impose a temporary or permanent clinical hold, or other sanctions, if it believes that the clinical trial either is not being conducted in accordance with the FDA requirements or presents an unacceptable risk to the clinical trial subjects. An IRB also may require the clinical trial at the site to be halted, either temporarily or permanently, for failure to comply with the IRB's requirements, or may impose other conditions.
Clinical trials to support NDAs for marketing approval are typically conducted in three sequential pre-approval phases, but the phases may overlap or be combined. In Phase 1, short term (typically less than a few months) testing is conducted in a small group of subjects (typically 20-100), who may be patients with the target disease or condition or healthy volunteers, to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects. In Phase 2, the drug is given to a larger group of subjects (typically up to several hundred) with the target condition to further evaluate its safety and gather preliminary evidence of efficacy. Phase 3 studies typically last between several months and two years. In Phase 3, the drug is given to a large group of subjects with the target disease or condition (typically several hundred to several thousand), often at multiple geographical sites, to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, and collect data to support drug approval. Only a small percentage of investigational drugs complete all three phases of development and obtain marketing approval.
NDA
After completion of the required clinical testing, an NDA can be prepared and submitted to the FDA. FDA approval of the NDA is required before marketing of the product may begin in the US. The NDA is a large submission that must include, among other things, the results of all preclinical, clinical and other testing and a compilation of data relating to the product's pharmacology, chemistry, manufacture, and controls. The application also includes representative samples, copies of the proposed product labeling, patent information, and a financial certification or disclosure statement. The cost of preparing and submitting an NDA is substantial. Additionally, under federal law (as amended by the most recent reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA VI) in the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017), most NDAs are subject to a substantial application fee and, upon approval, the applicant will be assessed an annual prescription drug program fee, both of which are adjusted annually. NDAs for orphan drugs are not subject to an application fee, unless the application includes an indication
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other than the orphan-designated indication. FDA also has the authority to grant waivers of certain user fees, pursuant to the FDCA.
The FDA has 60 days from its receipt of an NDA to determine whether the application is accepted for filing based on the FDA's threshold determination that it is sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. Once the submission is accepted for filing, the FDA begins a substantive review. The FDA may refer applications for novel drug products or drug products that present difficult questions of safety or efficacy to an advisory committee, typically a panel that includes outside clinicians and other experts, for review, evaluation and a recommendation as to whether the application should be approved. The FDA is not bound by the recommendation of an advisory committee, but it generally follows such recommendations.
Before approving an NDA, the FDA will typically inspect one or more clinical sites to assure compliance with GCP. Additionally, the FDA will typically inspect the facility or the facilities at which the drug is manufactured. FDA will not approve the product unless compliance with current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) is satisfactory and the NDA contains data that provide substantial evidence of effectiveness for the proposed indication, generally consisting of adequate and well-controlled clinical investigations, and that the drug is safe for use under the conditions of use in the proposed labeling. The FDA also reviews the proposed labeling submitted with the NDA and typically requires changes in the labeling text.
After the FDA evaluates the NDA and the manufacturing and testing facilities, it issues either an approval letter or a complete response letter. Complete response letters generally outline the deficiencies in the submission and delineate the additional testing or information needed in order for the FDA to reconsider the application. If and when those deficiencies have been addressed to the FDA's satisfaction in a resubmission of the NDA, the FDA will issue an approval letter. An approval letter, which may specify post approval requirements, authorizes commercial marketing of the drug for the approved indication or indications and the other conditions of use set out in the approved prescribing information. Once granted, product approvals may be withdrawn if compliance with regulatory standards is not maintained or problems are identified following initial marketing. The FDA sets a goal date by which the FDA expects to issue either an approval letter or a complete response letter, unless the review period is adjusted by mutual agreement between the FDA and the applicant or as a result of the applicant submitting a major amendment. The FDA's current performance goals call for the FDA to complete review of 90 percent of standard (non-priority) NDAs within 10 months and priority NDAs within six months of NDA filing (in the case of new molecular entity (NME) NDA submissions) or receipt (in the case of non-NME original NDA submissions).
As a condition of NDA approval, the FDA may require substantial post-approval testing, known as Phase 4 studies, to be conducted in order to gather additional information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use. Beyond routine post marketing safety surveillance, the FDA may require specific additional surveillance to monitor the drug's safety or efficacy and may impose other conditions, including labeling restrictions that can materially affect the potential market and profitability of the drug. As a condition of approval, or after approval, the FDA also may require submission of a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) or a REMS with elements to assure safe use to mitigate any identified or suspected serious risks. The REMS may include medication guides, physician communication plans, assessment plans, and elements to assure safe use, such as restricted distribution methods, patient registries, or other risk minimization tools. Further post-approval requirements are discussed below.
Expedited Review and Approval of Eligible Drugs
Under the FDA's accelerated approval program, the FDA may approve certain drugs for serious or life-threatening conditions on the basis of a surrogate or intermediate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit, which can substantially reduce time to approval. A surrogate endpoint used for accelerated approval is a marker—a laboratory measurement, radiographic image, physical sign or other measure that is thought to predict clinical benefit, but is not itself a measure of clinical benefit. An intermediate clinical endpoint is a clinical endpoint that can be measured earlier than irreversible morbidity and mortality (IMM) that is reasonably likely to predict an effect on IMM or other clinical benefit. The FDA bases its decision on whether to accept the proposed surrogate or intermediate clinical endpoint on the scientific support for that endpoint.
As a condition of accelerated approval, the FDA typically requires certain post-marketing clinical studies to verify and describe clinical benefit of the product, and may impose restrictions on distribution to assure safe use. Post marketing studies would usually be required to be studies already underway at the time of the accelerated approval. In addition, promotional materials for an accelerated approval drug to be used in the first 120 days post-approval must be submitted to the FDA prior to approval, and materials to be used after that 120-day period must be submitted 30 days prior to first use. If the required post-marketing studies fail to verify the clinical benefit of the drug, or if the applicant fails to perform the required post-marketing studies with due diligence, the FDA may withdraw approval of the drug under streamlined procedures in accordance with the agency's regulations. The agency may also withdraw approval of a drug if, among other things, the promotional materials for the product are false or misleading, or other evidence demonstrates that the drug product is not shown to be safe or effective under its conditions of use.
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The FDA also has various programs—fast track designation, priority review and breakthrough designation—that are intended to expedite or streamline the process for the development and FDA review of drugs that meet certain qualifications. The purpose of these programs is to provide important new drugs to patients earlier than under standard FDA review procedures. The programs each have different eligibility criteria and provide different benefits, and can be applied either alone or in combination depending on an applicant's circumstances.
Fast track designation applies to a drug that is intended to treat a serious condition and for which nonclinical or clinical data demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical need. It should be requested at the time of IND submission or ideally no later than the pre-NDA meeting. The FDA must respond to requests for fast track designation within 60 days of receipt of the request. If granted, the applicant is eligible for actions to expedite development and review, such as frequent interaction with the review team, as well as for rolling review, meaning that the applicant may submit sections of the application as they are available. The timing of FDA's review of these sections depends on a number of factors, and the review clock does not start running until the agency has received a complete NDA submission. The FDA may withdraw fast track designation if the agency determines that the designation is no longer supported by data emerging in the clinical trial process.
Priority review applies to an application (both original and efficacy supplement) for a drug that treats a serious condition and that, if approved, would provide a significant improvement in safety or effectiveness. It also applies to any supplement that proposes a labeling change pursuant to a report on a pediatric study. A request for priority review is submitted at the time of NDA or supplemental NDA submission. The FDA must respond within 60 days of receipt of the request. If granted, the review time is shortened from the standard 10 months to 6 months, beginning either at the 60 day filing date (in the case of NME NDA submissions) or the date of receipt (in the case of non-NME original NDA submissions).
Breakthrough therapy designation applies to a drug that is intended to treat a serious condition and for which preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement on a clinically significant endpoint(s) over available therapies. It can be requested with the IND submission and ideally no later than the end-of-Phase 2 meeting. The FDA must respond within 60 days of receipt of the request. If granted, the applicant receives intensive guidance on efficient drug development, intensive involvement of senior managers and experienced review and regulatory health project management staff in a proactive, collaborative, cross-disciplinary review, rolling review, and other actions to expedite review. Designation may be rescinded if the product no longer meets the criteria for breakthrough therapy designation.
Drugs that are designated as QIDPs may be eligible for priority review and will receive fast track designation upon the request of the sponsor, and also may be eligible for market exclusivity. A product is eligible for QIDP designation if it is an antibacterial or anti-fungal drug for human use that is intended to treat serious or life-threatening infections, including: those caused by an anti-bacterial or anti-fungal resistant pathogen, including novel or emerging infectious pathogens; or caused by qualifying pathogens listed by the FDA. A drug sponsor may request that the FDA designate its product as a QIDP at any time prior to NDA submission. The FDA must make a QIDP determination within 60 days of receiving the designation request. ARIKAYCE has been designated as a QIDP for NTM lung disease.
Additionally, the FDA may approve eligible drugs under the LPAD. A product is eligible if it is intended to treat a serious or life-threatening infection in a limited population of patients with unmet needs, the drug otherwise meets the standards of approval, and the FDA receives a written request from the sponsor to approve the drug under this pathway. An antibacterial or anti-fungal drug approved through this pathway may follow a streamlined clinical development program involving smaller, shorter, or fewer clinical trials. Approval is based on a benefit-risk assessment in the intended limited population, taking into account the severity, rarity, or prevalence of the infection the drug is intended to treat and the availability or lack of alternative treatment for the patient population. Such drugs may not have favorable benefit-risk profiles in a broader population. Drugs approved under LPAD are subject to additional regulatory requirements, including labeling and advertising statements regarding the limited population and submission of promotional materials to the FDA at least 30 days prior to dissemination. The FDA may remove these additional requirements if the agency approves the drug for a broader population.
Exclusivities
After NDA approval, owners of relevant drug patents may obtain up to a five-year patent term extension on a single patent. The allowable patent term extension is calculated as half of the drug's testing phase (the time between IND application and NDA submission) and all of the review phase (the time between NDA submission and approval) up to a maximum of five years, to the extent such testing phase and approval phase occur after the issue date of the patent. The time can be shortened if the FDA determines that the applicant did not pursue approval with due diligence. The total post-NDA approval patent term including the extension may not exceed 14 years. For patents that might expire while a patent term extension application is pending, the patent owner may request an interim patent term extension. The Director of the USPTO shall extend, until a final determination is made, the term of the patent for periods of up to one year if the Director determines that the patent is eligible for extension. An interim patent term extension may be renewed up to four times until a final determination is made, and up to the amount of time for which the patent might be eligible for extension. For each interim patent term extension granted, the final patent term extension is reduced by a corresponding amount. Interim patent extensions may also be available for a patent that will expire before a drug is expected to be approved, but the NDA for the drug must have been submitted.
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A variety of non-patent exclusivity periods are available under the FDCA that can delay the submission or approval of certain applications for competing products.
A five-year period of non-patent exclusivity within the US is granted to the first applicant to gain approval of an NDA for a new chemical entity (NCE). An NCE is a drug that contains no active moiety (the molecule or ion responsible for the action of the drug substance) that has been approved by the FDA in any other application submitted under section 505(b) of the FDCA. During the exclusivity period for an NCE, the FDA may not accept for review an abbreviated new drug application, or ANDA, or a 505(b)(2) NDA submitted by another company that references (i.e., relies on the FDA's prior approval of) the NCE drug. However, an ANDA or 505(b)(2) NDA may be submitted after four years if it contains a certification of patent invalidity or non-infringement with respect to a patent listed with the FDA for the NCE drug.
A three-year period of non-patent exclusivity is granted for a drug product that contains an active moiety that has been previously approved, when the application contains reports of new clinical investigations (other than bioavailability studies) conducted or sponsored by the sponsor that were essential to approval of the application, for example, for new indications, dosages, strengths or dosage forms of an existing drug. This three-year exclusivity covers only the conditions of use associated with the new clinical investigations, which means that the FDA may approve applications for other versions of the original, unmodified drug product. Where this form of exclusivity applies, it prevents FDA approval of an ANDA or 505(b)(2) NDA that is subject to the exclusivity for the three-year period; however, the FDA may accept and review ANDAs or 505(b)(2) NDAs during the three-year period.
These exclusivities also do not preclude FDA approval of a 505(b)(1) NDA for a duplicate version of the drug during the period of exclusivity, provided that the applicant conducts or obtains a right of reference to all of the preclinical studies and adequate and well-controlled clinical trials necessary to demonstrate safety and effectiveness.
Products with QIDP designation may receive a five-year extension of other non-patent exclusivities for which the drug is also eligible, subject to certain limitations. Depending upon the scope of the non-patent exclusivity that is extended, the five-year extension might not prevent the FDA from approving a subsequent application for a change to the QIDP-designated drug that results in a new indication, route of administration, dosing, schedule, dosage form, delivery system, delivery device, or strength. A drug that has been designated as both an orphan drug and a QIDP for the same indication, like ARIKAYCE, might be eligible for a combined 12 years of exclusivity for that indication.
Medical Device Regulation
Medical devices, such as Lamira, may receive marketing authorization from the FDA as stand-alone devices, or in some cases, may receive marketing authorization as part of a combination product. In either case, the ultimate product will need to satisfy FDA requirements. The primary pathways for marketing authorization for devices in the US are 510(k) clearance or premarket approval (PMA).
Medical devices are also subject to certain post-clearance, post-approval requirements. Those requirements include continuing Quality System Regulation compliance, Medical Device Reporting, Correction and Removal, and requirements governing labeling and promotional advertising.
The FDCA permits medical devices intended for investigational use to be shipped to clinical sites if such devices comply with prescribed procedures and conditions. Devices intended for investigational use may be exempted from premarket notification and premarket approval requirements when shipped for use in clinical trials, but they must bear a label indicating that they are for investigational use. This labeling may not represent that the device is safe or effective for the purposes for which it is being investigated.
Combination Products
A combination product is a product comprising two or more regulated components (e.g., a drug and device) that are combined into a single product, co-packaged, or sold separately but intended for co-administration, as evidenced by the labeling for the products. Drugs that are administered using a nebulizer or another device, such as ARIKAYCE or TPIP, are examples of combination drug/device products.
The FDA is divided into various Centers, which each have authority over a specific type of product. NDAs are reviewed by personnel within the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, while device applications and premarket notifications are reviewed by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Combination products, such as drug/device combinations, generally will be reviewed by the Center that regulates the product's primary mode of action (PMOA), which is the single mode of a combination product that provides the most important therapeutic action of the combination product. If the PMOA is unclear or in dispute, a sponsor may file a Request for Designation with FDA’s Office of Combination Products (OCP), which will render a determination and assign a lead Center. OCP generally assigns jurisdiction based on PMOA. If there are two independent modes of action, neither of which is subordinate to the other, the FDA makes a determination as to which Center to assign the product based on consistency with other combination products raising similar types of safety and
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effectiveness questions or to the Center with the most expertise in evaluating the most significant safety and effectiveness questions raised by the combination product.
When evaluating an application for a combination product, a lead Center may consult other Centers and apply the standards that would be applicable but still retain reviewing authority, or it may assign review of a specific section of the application to another Center, delegating its review authority for that section. Depending on the type of combination product, approval or clearance could be obtained through submission of a single marketing application or through separate applications for the individual constituent parts (e.g., an NDA for the drug and a premarket notification for the device). The FDCA directs the FDA to conduct a review of a combination product under a single marketing application whenever appropriate. The agency has the discretion to require the submission of separate applications to more than one Center, and applicants may choose to submit separate applications for constituent parts of a combination (unless the FDA determines one application is necessary). One reason to submit multiple applications is if the applicant wishes to receive some benefit that accrues only from approval under a particular type of application, like new drug product exclusivity. If multiple applications are submitted, each application is generally reviewed by the Center with authority over each application type. For combination products that contain an approved constituent part (such as a drug-device combination product in which the device has previously received clearance), the FDA may require that the application(s) include only such information as is necessary to meet the standard for clearance or approval, taking into account any prior finding of safety or effectiveness for the approved constituent part.
Like their constituent products—e.g., drugs and devices—combination products are highly regulated and subject to a broad range of post marketing requirements including cGMP, adverse event reporting, periodic reports, labeling and advertising and promotion requirements and restrictions.
Disclosure of Clinical Trial Information
Under US and certain foreign laws intended to improve clinical trial transparency, sponsors of clinical trials may be required to register and disclose certain information about their clinical trials. This can include information related to the investigational drug, patient population, phase of investigation, study sites and investigators, and other aspects of the clinical trial. This information is then made publicly available. Under US regulations, sponsors are obligated to disclose the results of these trials after completion. In the US, disclosure of the results of these trials can be delayed for up to two years if the sponsor is seeking initial approval of the product or approval of a new indication. Competitors may use this publicly available information to gain knowledge regarding the progress of development programs.
Other Post-approval Regulatory Requirements
Once an NDA is approved, a product will be subject to certain post-approval requirements, including those relating to advertising, promotion, adverse event reporting, recordkeeping, and cGMP, as well as registration, listing, and inspection. There also are continuing, annual user fee requirements.
The FDA regulates the content and format of prescription drug labeling, advertising, and promotion, including direct-to-consumer advertising and promotional Internet communications. FDA also establishes parameters for permissible non-promotional communications between industry and the medical community, including industry-supported scientific and educational activities. The FDA and other agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion for uses not consistent with the approved labeling, and a company that is found to have improperly promoted off-label uses or otherwise not to have met applicable promotion rules may be subject to significant liability under both the FDCA and other statutes, including the False Claims Act.
Manufacturers are subject to requirements for adverse event reporting and submission of periodic reports following FDA approval of an NDA.
All aspects of pharmaceutical manufacture must conform to cGMP after approval. Drug manufacturers and certain of their subcontractors are required to register their establishments with the FDA and certain state agencies, and are subject to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA during which the FDA inspects manufacturing facilities to assess compliance with cGMP. Changes to the manufacturing process are strictly regulated and often require prior FDA approval before being implemented. FDA regulations also require investigation and correction of any deviations from cGMP and impose reporting and documentation requirements upon the sponsor and any third-party manufacturers that the sponsor may decide to use. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money and effort in the areas of production and quality control to maintain compliance with cGMP.
Drugs may be marketed only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved labeling. Changes to some of the conditions established in an approved application, including changes in indications, labeling, product formulation, or manufacturing processes or facilities, require submission and FDA approval of a new NDA or NDA supplement, in some cases before the change may be implemented. An NDA supplement for a new indication typically requires clinical data similar to that in the original application, and the FDA uses the same procedures and actions in reviewing NDA supplements as it does in reviewing NDAs.
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As previously mentioned, the FDA also may require Phase 4 studies and may require a REMS, which could restrict the distribution or use of the product.
In addition, the distribution of prescription pharmaceutical products is subject to the Prescription Drug Marketing Act (PDMA), which regulates the distribution of drugs and drug samples at the federal level, and sets minimum standards for the registration and regulation of drug distributors by the states. Both the PDMA and state laws limit the distribution of prescription pharmaceutical product samples and impose requirements to ensure accountability in distribution.
European Union
MAA
To obtain approval of a drug under the EU regulatory system, an application for a marketing authorization may be submitted under a centralized, a decentralized or a national procedure. The centralized procedure, which is compulsory for medicines produced by certain biotechnological processes or for orphan drugs, provides for the grant of a single marketing authorization that is valid for all EU member states, which grants the same rights and obligations in each member state as a national marketing authorization. As a general rule, only one marketing authorization may be granted for drugs approved through the centralized procedure and the marketing authorization is also relevant for the EEA countries.
Under the centralized procedure, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) is required to adopt an opinion on a valid application within 210 days, excluding clock stops when additional information is to be provided by the applicant in response to questions. More specifically, on day 120 of the procedure, once the CHMP has received the preliminary assessment reports and opinions from the Rapporteur and Co-Rapporteur designated by the CHMP, it adopts a list of questions, which are sent to the applicant together with the CHMP's overall conclusions. Applicants then have three months to respond to the CHMP (and can request a three-month extension). The Rapporteur and Co-Rapporteur assess the applicant's replies, revise the assessment report as necessary and may prepare a list of outstanding issues. The revised assessment report and list of outstanding issues are sent to the applicant together with the CHMP's recommendation by day 180 of the procedure. Applicants then have one month to respond to the CHMP (and can request a one or two-month extension). The Rapporteur and Co-Rapporteur assess the applicant's replies, submit them for discussion to the CHMP and prepare a final assessment report. Once its scientific evaluation is completed, the CHMP gives a favorable or unfavorable opinion as to whether to grant the marketing authorization. After the adoption of the CHMP opinion, a decision must be adopted by the European Commission, after consulting the Standing Committee of the Member States. The European Commission prepares a draft decision and circulates it to the member states; if the draft decision differs from the CHMP opinion, the Commission must provide detailed explanations. The European Commission adopts a decision within 15 days of the end of the consultation procedure.
Accelerated Procedure, Conditional Approval and Approval Under Exceptional Circumstances
Various programs, including accelerated procedure, conditional approval and approval under exceptional circumstances, are intended to expedite or simplify the approval of drugs that meet certain qualifications. The purpose of these programs is to provide important new drugs to patients earlier than under standard approval procedures.
For drugs which are of major interest from the point of view of public health, in particular from the viewpoint of therapeutic innovation, applicants may submit a substantiated request for accelerated assessment. If the CHMP accepts the request, the review time is reduced from 210 to 150 days.
Furthermore, for certain categories of medicinal products, marketing authorizations may be granted on the basis of less complete data than is normally required in order to meet unmet medical needs of patients or in the interest of public health. In such cases, the company may request, or the CHMP may recommend, the granting of a marketing authorization, subject to certain specific obligations; such marketing authorization may be conditional or under exceptional circumstances. The timelines for the centralized procedure described above also apply with respect to applications for a conditional marketing authorization or marketing authorization under exceptional circumstances.
Conditional marketing authorizations may be granted for products designated as orphan medicinal products, if all of the following conditions are met: (1) the risk-benefit balance of the product is positive, (2) the applicant will likely be in a position to provide the required comprehensive clinical trial data, (3) the product fulfills unmet medical needs, and (4) the benefit to public health of the immediate availability on the market of the medicinal product concerned outweighs the risk inherent in the fact that additional data are still required.
Conditional marketing authorizations are valid for one year, on a renewable basis until the holder provides a comprehensive data package. The granting of conditional marketing authorization depends on the applicant's ability to fulfill the conditions imposed within the agreed upon deadline. They are subject to "conditions", i.e. the holder is required to complete ongoing studies or to conduct new studies with a view to confirming that the benefit-risk balance is positive or to fulfill specific obligations in relation to pharmacovigilance. Once the holder has provided a comprehensive data package, the conditional marketing authorization is replaced by a 'regular' marketing authorization.
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Marketing authorizations under exceptional circumstances may be granted where the applicant demonstrates that, for objective and verifiable reasons, they are unable to provide comprehensive data on the efficacy and safety of the drug under normal conditions of use. Such marketing authorizations are subject to certain conditions, in particular relating to safety of the drug, notification of incidents relating to its use or actions to be taken. They are valid for an indefinite period of time, but the conditions upon which they are based are subject to an annual reassessment in order to ensure that the risk-benefit balance remains positive.
Exclusivities
If an approved drug contains a new active substance, it is protected by data exclusivity for eight years from the notification of the Commission decision granting the marketing authorization and then by marketing protection for an additional two or three years. Overall, the drug is protected for ten or eleven years against generic competition, and no additional exclusivity protection is granted for any new development of the active substance it contains.
During the eight-year period of data exclusivity, competitors may not refer to the marketing authorization dossier of the approved drug for regulatory purposes. During the period of marketing protection, competitors may not market their generic drugs. The period of marketing protection is normally two years but may become three years if, during the eight-year data exclusivity period, a new therapeutic indication is approved that is considered as bringing a significant clinical benefit over existing therapies.
Medical Devices Regulations
In the EU, the marketing of medical devices is not subject to a prior approval by a health authority, but, depending on the class of device, may require prior review by a Notified Body. Notified Bodies are technical review bodies that are accredited and supervised by national health authorities. They conduct conformity assessment procedures of, among others, medical devices.
Medical devices are generally governed by Directive 93/42/EEC on Medical Devices (Directive 93/42) that harmonizes the conditions for placing medical devices on the European market. This Directive however does not regulate certain important marketing aspects, such as advertising or pricing and reimbursement, which remain governed by national law.
Directive 93/42 requires medical devices to meet the essential requirements which are enumerated in the annexes to the Directive. Compliance with those requirements is demonstrated by the CE mark as the manufacturer may only affix the CE mark if it may declare conformity with the essential requirement for each medical device that is marketed. Directive 93/42 provides recourse to harmonized European standards in order to facilitate compliance with the essential requirements. Harmonized standards provide a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements.
Directive 93/42 institutes several conformity assessment procedures. The relevant conformity assessment procedure depends on the type of medical device and the risks involved. Devices are divided in four groups: Class I, Class IIa, Class IIb, and Class III. Class I devices present the lowest level of risk so that, for most of these devices the manufacturer can self-certify the product and need not rely on certification by a Notified Body. For the other classes, a Notified Body must review the manufacturer's procedures and/or the product. Every device is initially classified by the manufacturer. However, the Notified Body may dispute the classification and assert that the device should be included in a class requiring stricter conformity assessment procedures. Specific rules apply to custom-made medical devices, medical devices that are used in clinical trials, and medical devices that incorporate a medicinal ingredient.
For classes of devices other than Class I, a manufacturer must have a Notified Body test and certify conformity of its design and production procedures or its products with the essential requirements of Directive 93/42. Certification takes the form of a certificate of conformity issued by the Notified Body, which is valid throughout the EU. Upon certification by the Notified Body, the manufacturer affixes the CE mark to the medical device, which allows the product to move freely within the EU and thus prevents EU Member States from restricting sales and marketing of the devices, unless such measure is justified on the basis of evidence of non-compliance. Ultimately, the manufacturer is responsible for the conformity of the device with the essential requirements and for the affixing of the CE mark. Lamira is CE marked by PARI in the EU.
Manufacturers of medical devices are subject to materiovigilance obligations that require reporting of incidents or near incidents related to the use of a medical device, which incidents may demonstrate the need for corrective action by the manufacturer. In addition, Notified Bodies regularly reassess the conformity of a medical device to the essential requirements of Directive 93/42 and may from time to time audit the manufacturer and may, where needed, suspend or withdraw the manufacturer's certificate of conformity.
In May 2017, the EU adopted a new Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR), which will repeal and replace Directive 93/42 with effect from May 26, 2021. The MDR envisages, among other things, stricter controls of medical devices, including strengthening of the conformity assessment procedures, increased expectations as regards clinical data for devices and pre-market regulatory review of high-risk devices. Under transitional provisions, medical devices with notified
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body certificates issued under Directive 93/42 prior to May 26, 2021 may continue to be placed on the market for the remaining validity of the certificate, until May 27, 2024 at the latest. After the expiry of any applicable transitional period, only devices that have been CE marked under the MDR may be placed on the market in the EU.
Japan
Under the Japanese regulatory system administered by the MHLW and the PMDA (which is responsible for product review and evaluations under the supervision of the MHLW), pre-marketing approval and clinical studies are required for all pharmaceutical products. The Law on Securing Quality, Efficacy and Safety of Products Including Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (Act No. 145 of 1960) requires a license for marketing authorization when importing to Japan and selling pharmaceutical products manufactured in other countries. It also requires a foreign manufacturer to get each of its manufacturing sites certified as a manufacturing site of pharmaceutical products to be marketed in Japan. To receive a license for marketing authorization, the manufacturer or seller must, at the very least, employ certain manufacturing marketing, quality and safety personnel. A license for marketing authorization may not be granted if the quality management methods and post marketing safety management methods applied with respect to the pharmaceutical product fail to conform to the standards stipulated in the ordinances promulgated by the MHLW. To obtain manufacturing/marketing approval for a new product, a Company must submit an application for approval to the MHLW with results of nonclinical and clinical studies to show the quality, efficacy and safety of the product candidate. A data compliance review, on-site inspection for good clinical practice, audit and detailed data review for compliance with current good manufacturing practices are undertaken by the PMDA. The application is then discussed by the committees of the Pharmaceutical Affairs and Food Sanitation Council. Based on the results of these reviews, the final decision on approval is made by the MHLW. The time required for the approval process varies depending on the product, but it can take years. The product also needs approval for pricing to be applied for redemption of health insurance. The medical products which once are approved and marketed are also subject to regular post-marketing vigilance of safety and quality under the standards of Good Manufacturing Practice. In Japan, the National Health Insurance system maintains a Drug Price List specifying which pharmaceutical products are eligible for reimbursement, and the MHLW sets the prices of the products on this list. After receipt of marketing approval, negotiations regarding the reimbursement price with the MHLW would begin. Price would be determined within 60 to 90 days unless the applicant disagrees, which may result in extended pricing negotiations. The government generally introduces price cut rounds every other year and also mandates price decreases for specific products. New products judged innovative or useful, that are indicated for pediatric use, or that target orphan or small population diseases, however, may be eligible for a pricing premium. The government has also promoted the use of generics, where available.
Pediatric Information
United States
Under the Pediatric Research Equity Act of 2003 (PREA), certain NDAs and supplements must contain data that are adequate to assess the safety and effectiveness of the drug for the claimed indications in all relevant pediatric subpopulations and to support dosing and administration for each pediatric subpopulation for which the drug is safe and effective. The FDA may, on its own initiative or at the request of an applicant, grant deferrals for submission of data or full or partial waivers. Unless otherwise required by regulation, and subject to an exception for certain oncology drugs, PREA does not apply to any drug for an indication for which orphan designation has been granted. Under the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA), pediatric research is incentivized by the possibility of six months of pediatric exclusivity, which if granted, is added to existing exclusivity periods and patent-based exclusivity listed for the applicable drug in the FDA's Orange Book at the time the sponsor satisfies the FDA's "written request" for pediatric research. Sponsors may seek to negotiate the terms of a written request during drug development. While the sponsor of an orphan-designated drug may not be required to perform pediatric studies under PREA unless one of the above exceptions applies, they are eligible to participate in the incentives under the BPCA if the FDA issues a written request.
European Union
In the EU, new drugs (i.e. drugs containing a new active substance) for adults must also be tested in children. This mandatory pediatric testing is carried out through the implementation of a pediatric investigation plan (PIP), which is proposed by the applicant and approved by the EMA. A PIP contains all the studies to be conducted and measures to be taken in order to support the approval of the new drug, including pediatric pharmaceutical forms, in all subsets of the pediatric population. Validation of the MAA for adults is subject to the implementation of the PIP, subject to one or more waivers or deferrals. On the one hand, the PIP may allow a deferral for one or more of the studies or measures included therein in order not to delay the approval of the drug in adults, and, on another hand, the EMA may grant either a product-specific waiver for the (adult) disease/condition or one or more pediatric subsets or a class waiver for the disease/condition. PIPs are subject to modifications from time to time, when they no longer are workable. Prior to obtaining the validation of a MAA for adults, the applicant has to demonstrate compliance with the PIP at the time of submission of the application. In the case of orphan medicinal products, completion of an approved PIP can result in an extension of the market exclusivity period from ten to twelve years.
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Japan
In Japan, there is no statutory rule which imposes any obligation on pharmaceutical manufacturers engaging in pediatric drug development. However, the guidelines of the MHLW (Handling of Pharmaceuticals during the Reexamination Interval Period (Issue No. 107, February 1, 1999 and No. 1324, December 27, 2000)) state as follows: (i) since information on pediatric patients obtained in clinical trials may be limited, the MHLW recommends that pharmaceutical manufacturers conduct adequate post-marketing surveillance during the reexamination interval period and collect as much information as possible for proper use of drugs for pediatric patients; and (ii) if a pharmaceutical manufacturer plans to conduct a clinical trial to set the dose of a pediatric drug to prepare application for manufacturing/marketing approval or after receiving the same approval, the reexamination interval period may be extended up to 10 years. In addition, since 2010 the MHLW has been promoting the development of children’s drugs that have been approved for use in Europe and the US but are not yet approved in Japan, so that they can be used as early as possible in Japan as well.
Regulation Outside the US, Europe and Japan
In addition to regulations in the US, Europe and Japan, we will be subject to a variety of regulations in other jurisdictions governing clinical studies of our candidate products, including medical devices. Regardless of whether we obtain FDA approval for a product candidate, we must obtain approval by the comparable regulatory authorities of countries outside the US before we can commence clinical studies or marketing of the product candidate in those countries. The requirements for approval and the approval process vary from country to country, and the time may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA approval. Under certain harmonized medical device approval/clearance regulations outside the US, reference to US clearance permits fast-tracking of market clearance. Other regions are harmonized with EU standards, and therefore recognize the CE mark as a declaration of conformity to applicable standards. Furthermore, we must obtain any required pricing approvals in addition to regulatory approval prior to launching a product candidate in the approving country. The discussion of EU government regulations also applies to the United Kingdom.
Early Access Programs (EAPs)
Certain countries allow the supply or use of non-authorized medicinal products within strictly regulated EAPs. Some may also provide reimbursement for drugs provided in the context of EAPs. Under EU law, member states are authorized to adopt national legal regimes for the supply or use of non-authorized drugs in case of therapeutic needs. The most common national legal regimes are compassionate use programs and named patient sales, but other national regimes for early access may be available, depending on the member state. For drugs that must be approved through the centralized procedure, such as orphan drugs, compassionate use programs are also regulated at the European level. ARIKAYCE is available in certain countries under these early access programs.
Special programs can be set up to make available to patients with an unmet medical need a promising drug which has not yet been authorized for their condition (compassionate use). As a general rule, compassionate use programs can only be put in place for drugs or biologics that are expected to help patients with life-threatening, long-lasting or seriously disabling illnesses who currently cannot be treated satisfactorily with authorized medicines, or who have a disease for which no medicine has yet been authorized. The compassionate use route may be a way for patients who cannot enroll in an ongoing clinical trial to obtain treatment with a potentially life-saving medicine. Compassionate use programs are coordinated and implemented by the EU member states, which decide independently how and when to open such programs according to national rules and legislation. Generally, doctors who wish to obtain a promising drug for their seriously ill patients will need to contact the relevant national authority in their respective country and follow the procedure that has been set up. Typically, the national authority keeps a register of the patients treated with the drug within the compassionate use program, and a system is in place to record any side effects reported by the patients or their doctors. Orphan drugs very often are subject to compassionate use programs due to their very nature (rare diseases are life-threatening, long-lasting or seriously disabling diseases) and the long time required for both their approval and effective marketing.
Doctors can also obtain certain drugs for their patients by requesting a supply of a drug from the manufacturer or a pharmacist located in another country, to be used for an individual patient under their direct responsibility. This is often called treatment on a 'named-patient basis' and is distinct from compassionate use programs. In this case, the doctor responsible for the treatment will either contact the manufacturer directly or issue a prescription to be fulfilled by a pharmacist. While manufacturers or pharmacists do record what they supply, there is no central register of the patients that are being treated in this way.
Reimbursement of Pharmaceutical Products
In the US, many independent third-party payors, as well as the Medicare and state Medicaid programs, reimburse dispensers of pharmaceutical products. Medicare is the federal program that provides healthcare benefits to senior citizens and certain disabled and chronically ill persons. Medicaid is the need-based federal and state program administered by the states to provide healthcare benefits to certain persons.
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As one of the conditions for obtaining Medicaid and, if applicable, Medicare Part B coverage for our marketed pharmaceutical products, we will need to agree to pay a rebate to state Medicaid agencies that provide reimbursement for those products. We will also have to agree to sell our commercial products under contracts with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Public Health Service, and numerous other federal agencies as well as certain hospitals that are designated by federal statutes to receive drugs at prices that are significantly below the price we charge to commercial pharmaceutical distributors. These programs and contracts are highly regulated and will impose restrictions on our business. Failure to comply with these regulations and restrictions could result in adverse consequences such as civil money penalties, imposition of a Corporate Integrity Agreement and/or a loss of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for our drugs.
Private healthcare payors also attempt to control costs and influence drug pricing through a variety of mechanisms, including through negotiating discounts with the manufacturers and through the use of tiered formularies and other mechanisms that provide preferential access to certain drugs over others within a therapeutic class. Payors also set other criteria to govern the uses of a drug that will be deemed medically appropriate and therefore reimbursed or otherwise covered.
Members of Congress have indicated an interest in legislative measures designed to lower drug costs. The Biden Administration has also indicated that lowering prescription drug prices is a priority. Drug pricing is an active area for regulatory reform at both the federal and state levels, and significant changes to current drug pricing and reimbursement structures in the US could be forthcoming
Different pricing and reimbursement schemes exist in other countries. In the EU, governments influence the price of drugs through their pricing and reimbursement rules and control of national healthcare systems that fund a large part of the cost of those products to patients. Some jurisdictions operate positive and negative list systems under which drugs may only be marketed once a reimbursement price has been agreed. To obtain reimbursement or pricing approval, some of these countries may require the completion of clinical trials that compare the cost-effectiveness of a particular product candidate to currently available therapies. Other member states allow companies to fix their own prices for drugs, but monitor and control company profits. The downward pressure on healthcare costs in general, particularly prescription drugs, has become very intense. As a result, increasingly high barriers are being erected to the entry of new drugs. In addition, in some countries, cross-border imports from low-priced markets exert a commercial pressure on pricing within a country. There can be no assurance that any country that has price controls or reimbursement limitations for drugs will allow favorable reimbursement and pricing arrangements for any of our products.
In Japan, drugs can be sold on the market if they undergo the PMDA’s review of safety, effectiveness and quality and receive manufacturing/marketing approval. However, in order for drugs to be covered by the National Health Insurance, they must be included in a Drug Price List. The "Drug Pricing Organization," which is a division of the Central Social Insurance Medical Council (CSIMC), calculates the price of drugs, the general meeting of the CSIMC approves the calculated price, and the MHLW includes the drugs and the calculated price in the Drug Price List. After receiving manufacturing/marketing approval, drugs are included in the Drug Price List within 60 to 90 days unless the applicant disagrees, which may result in extended pricing negotiations. The MHLW updates the Drug Price List biennially after taking into account the survey result of the actual sales price of drugs and hearing the opinion of the CSIMC.
Fraud and Abuse and Other Laws
Physicians and other healthcare providers and third-party payors (government or private) often play a primary role in the recommendation and prescription of healthcare products. In the US and most other jurisdictions, numerous detailed requirements apply to government and private healthcare programs, and a broad range of fraud and abuse laws, transparency laws, and other laws are relevant to pharmaceutical companies. US federal and state healthcare laws and regulations in these areas include the following:
•The federal anti-kickback statute;
•The federal civil False Claims Act;
•The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act;
•The federal criminal false statements statute;
•The price reporting requirements under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992;
•The federal Physician Payment Sunshine Act, being implemented as the Open Payments Program; and
•Analogous and similar state laws and regulations.
Similar restrictions apply in the member states of the EU and Japan, which have been set out by laws or industry codes of conduct.
Employees
As of December 31, 2020, we had a total of 521 employees: 213 in research, clinical, regulatory, medical affairs and quality assurance; 41 in technical operations, manufacturing and quality control; 99 in general and administrative functions; and
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168 in commercial activities. We had 403 employees in the US, 74 employees in Europe and 44 employees in Japan. We anticipate increasing our headcount in 2021.
None of our employees are represented by a labor union and we believe that our relations with our employees are generally good. Generally, our employees are at-will employees; however, we have entered into employment agreements with certain of our executive officers.
Human Capital
Employee Attraction, Retention and Development
We are dedicated to attracting and retaining the best possible talent. Our compensation program, including short- and long-term incentives and benefits, is designed to allow us to attract and retain individuals whose skills are critical to our current and long-term success. Total compensation is generally positioned within a competitive range of the peer market median, with differentiation based on tenure, skills, proficiency, and performance to attract and retain key talent. With our compensation program, we also aim to align the interests of our employees with those of our stockholders.
We believe that continued growth and development are essential to the professional well-being of our team. We seek to develop our employee talent within the organization through access to training, continuous learning programs and other development initiatives. As our organization and capabilities grow, we aim to ensure we have provided our team members with the guidance and resources they need to develop as professionals and to support our business.
Core Values
Five core values—collaboration, accountability, passion, respect, and integrity—set the tone for our culture and guide the actions we take each day. We strive to ensure that these values drive all of our human capital endeavors, including our annual employee feedback process, our Leadership Competencies, our Recognition Program, and our new employee onboarding initiatives.
Diversity and Inclusion
We are focused on maintaining a diverse and inclusive atmosphere. Among other factors in hiring, we consider geographic, gender, age, racial and ethnic diversity. Currently, women represent 50% of our executive team, and 30% of our board of directors. We expect to continue implementing initiatives to enhance our workforce diversity, advance the development of diverse talent and ensure diverse succession plans both in our employee workforce and our board of directors. These initiatives include the establishment of a series of focus groups centered around diversity and inclusivity.
COVID-19
We are committed to the safety and well-being of our workforce. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our employees are provided the ability to work virtually in order to flexibly manage business and home responsibilities during the global pandemic. We have enhanced our internal communications and touch points to ensure connectivity to our workforce. With the exception of our laboratory personnel, who returned to the laboratories during the summer as other regions opened, our employees are able to use their own discretion to use our facilities. Returning to the office has not been required for the majority of our workforce. For those who do choose to work from the office, all of our facilities have been appropriately evaluated and maintained for social distancing and sanitation on a daily basis in line with state and CDC guidelines. We will continue to manage this situation with a focus towards the safety of our employees.
Available Information
We file electronically with the SEC our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). We make available on our website at http://www.insmed.com, free of charge, copies of these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after filing, or furnishing them to, the SEC. The public can also obtain materials that we file with the SEC through the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
Also available through our website's "Investors-Corporate Governance" page are charters for the Audit, Compensation, Nominations and Governance and Science and Technology Committees of our board of directors, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirements regarding any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics by making disclosures concerning such matters available on our website.
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The references to our website and the SEC's website are intended to be inactive textual references only. Neither the information in or that can be accessed through our website, nor the contents of the SEC's website, are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Financial Information
The financial information required under this Item 1 is incorporated herein by reference to Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Any of the risks and uncertainties described below, either alone or taken together, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects for growth, and the value of an investment in our common stock. In addition, these risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (please read the Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements appearing at the beginning of this Annual Report on Form 10-K).
Risk Factor Summary
An investment in our securities is subject to various risks, the most significant of which are summarized below.
•Our prospects are highly dependent on the success of our only approved product, ARIKAYCE. If we are unable to successfully commercialize or maintain approval for ARIKAYCE, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock will be materially adversely affected.
•The commercial success of ARIKAYCE will depend on the degree of market acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payors and others in the healthcare community.
•We obtained regulatory approval of ARIKAYCE in the United States (US) through an accelerated approval process, and full approval will be contingent on successful completion of a confirmatory post-marketing study.
•We remain subject to substantial, ongoing regulatory requirements in the US related to ARIKAYCE, and failure to comply with these requirements could lead to enforcement action or otherwise materially harm our business.
•If we are unable to obtain adequate reimbursement from government or third-party payors for ARIKAYCE or if we are unable to obtain acceptable prices for ARIKAYCE, our prospects for generating revenue and achieving profitability will be materially adversely affected.
•ARIKAYCE could develop unexpected safety or efficacy concerns, which would likely have a material adverse effect on us.
•If estimates of the size of the potential markets for ARIKAYCE, brensocatib, treprostinil palmitil inhalation powder (TPIP) and our other product candidates are overstated or data we have used to identify physicians is inaccurate, our ability to earn revenue to support our business could be materially adversely affected.
•If we are unable to successfully market and sell ARIKAYCE, our ability to generate revenue will be adversely affected.
•We may not be successful in clinical trials or in obtaining regulatory approvals required to expand the indications for which ARIKAYCE was approved, which may materially adversely affect our prospects and the value of our common stock.
•The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to reduce its spread have negatively impacted, and could continue to negatively impact, our business and operations.
•Pharmaceutical research and development is very costly and highly uncertain, and we may not succeed in developing product candidates in the future.
•We may not be able to obtain regulatory approvals for ARIKAYCE outside of the US or European Union (EU) or for our product candidates in the US, Europe, Japan or other markets, which may materially adversely affect us.
•We will not be able to commercialize ARIKAYCE if the Lamira Nebulizer System is not approved or cleared for use as a delivery system for ARIKAYCE by regulators in additional markets.
•If our clinical studies do not produce positive results or our clinical trials are delayed, or if serious side effects are identified during drug development, we may experience delays, incur additional costs and ultimately be unable to commercialize our product candidates in the US, Europe, Japan or other markets.
•We may not be able to enroll enough patients to conduct and complete our clinical trials or retain a sufficient number of patients in our clinical trials to generate the data necessary for regulatory approval of our product candidates.
•If we are unable to form and sustain relationships with third party service providers that are critical to our business, or if any third-party arrangements that we may enter into are unsuccessful, our ability to develop and commercialize our products may be materially adversely affected.
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•We may not have, or may be unable to obtain, sufficient quantities of ARIKAYCE, the Lamira Nebulizer System or our product candidates to meet our required supply for commercialization or clinical studies, which would materially harm our business.
•Adverse consequences to our business could result if we and our manufacturing partners fail to comply with applicable regulations or maintain required approvals.
•We are dependent upon retaining and attracting key personnel, the loss of whose services could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
•We may encounter difficulties in managing our growth, which could disrupt our operations.
•Any acquisitions we make, or collaborative relationships we enter into, may not be clinically or commercially successful, and may require financing or a significant amount of our available cash, which could adversely affect our business.
•Our business and operations, including our drug development programs, could be materially disrupted in the event of system failures, security breaches, violations of data protection laws or data loss or damage by us or our clinical research organizations (CROs) or other contractors or consultants.
•We have limited experience operating internationally, are subject to a number of risks associated with our international activities and operations and may not be successful in our efforts to expand internationally.
•We operate in a highly competitive and changing environment, and if we are unable to adapt to our environment, we may be unable to compete successfully.
•If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights adequately, the value of ARIKAYCE and our product candidates could be materially diminished.
•If we fail to comply with obligations in our third party agreements, our business could be adversely affected, including as a result of the loss of license rights that are important to our business.
•Government healthcare reform could materially increase our costs, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
•If we fail to comply with applicable laws, including "fraud and abuse" laws, anti-corruption laws and trade control laws, we could be subject to negative publicity, civil or criminal penalties, other remedial measures, and legal expenses, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
•If another party obtains orphan drug exclusivity for a product that is essentially the same as a product we are developing for a particular indication, we may be precluded or delayed from commercializing the product in that indication.
•Our use of hazardous materials could expose us to damages, fines, penalties and sanctions and materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
•We have a history of operating losses, expect to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never achieve or maintain profitability.
•We may need to raise additional funds to continue our operations, but we face uncertainties with respect to our ability to access capital.
•We have outstanding indebtedness in the form of convertible senior notes, and may incur additional indebtedness in the future, which could adversely affect our financial position, prevent us from implementing our strategy, and dilute the ownership interest of our existing shareholders.
•The accounting method for the Convertible Notes may have an adverse effect on our reported financial results.
•We may be unable to use certain of our net operating losses and other tax assets.
•The market price of our stock has been and may continue to be highly volatile, which could lead to shareholder litigation against us.
•Certain provisions of Virginia law, our articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and arrangements between us and our employees could hamper a third-party’s acquisition of, or discourage a third-party from attempting to acquire control of us.
Risks Related to the Commercialization and Continued Approval of ARIKAYCE
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Our prospects are highly dependent on the success of our only approved product, ARIKAYCE, which was approved in the United States as ARIKAYCE (amikacin liposome inhalation suspension) and in the EU as ARIKAYCE® Liposomal 590 mg Nebuliser Dispersion. If we are unable to successfully commercialize or maintain approval for ARIKAYCE, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock will be materially adversely affected.
Our long-term viability and growth depend on the successful commercialization of ARIKAYCE, our only approved product. ARIKAYCE was approved in the US for the treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease as part of a combination antibacterial drug regimen for adult patients with limited or no alternative treatment options in a refractory setting, as defined by patients who do not achieve negative sputum cultures after a minimum of six consecutive months of a multidrug background regimen therapy. Subsequently, ARIKAYCE was approved in the EU for the treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung infections caused by MAC in adults with limited treatment options who do not have cystic fibrosis. We refer to NTM lung disease caused by MAC as MAC lung disease. We have invested and continue to invest significant efforts and financial resources in the commercialization of ARIKAYCE, and our ability to generate revenue from ARIKAYCE will depend heavily on successfully commercializing and obtaining full regulatory approval for ARIKAYCE by conducting an appropriate confirmatory post-marketing study. ARIKAYCE was our first commercial launch, and its successful commercialization and our receipt of full regulatory approval for ARIKAYCE in the US are subject to many risks.
The commercial success of ARIKAYCE will depend on the degree of market acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payors and others in the healthcare community.
Despite receiving US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Commission (EC) approval of ARIKAYCE, market acceptance may vary among physicians, patients, third-party payors or others in the healthcare community. ARIKAYCE was the first product approved in the US via the LPAD pathway, and there is limited information on how this approval may impact market acceptance of the product. If ARIKAYCE does not achieve and maintain an adequate level of acceptance, it is not likely that we will continue to generate significant revenue or become profitable. The degree of market acceptance of ARIKAYCE, which we launched in the US early in the fourth quarter of 2018 and in the EU in the fourth quarter of 2020, is also dependent on a number of additional factors, including the following:
•The willingness of the target patient population to use, and of physicians to prescribe, ARIKAYCE;
•The efficacy and potential advantages of ARIKAYCE over alternative treatments;
•The risk and safety profile of ARIKAYCE, including, among other things, physician and patient concern regarding the US boxed warning and other safety precautions resulting from its association with an increased risk of respiratory adverse reactions, and any adverse safety information that becomes available as a result of longer-term use of ARIKAYCE;
•Relative convenience and ease of administration;
•The ability of the patient to tolerate ARIKAYCE;
•The pricing of ARIKAYCE;
•The ability and willingness of the patient to pay out of pocket costs for ARIKAYCE, for example, co-payments;
•Sufficient third-party insurance coverage and reimbursement;
•The strength of marketing and distribution support and timing of market introduction of competitive products and treatments; and
•Publicity concerning ARIKAYCE or any potential competitive products and treatments.
Our efforts to educate physicians, patients, third-party payors and others in the healthcare community on the benefits of ARIKAYCE has required and will continue to require significant resources, which may be greater than those required to commercialize more established technologies and these efforts may never be successful.
We obtained regulatory approval of ARIKAYCE in the US through an accelerated approval process, and full approval will be contingent on successful completion of a confirmatory post-marketing study. Failure to obtain full approval or otherwise meet our post-marketing requirements and commitments would have a material adverse effect on our business.
The FDA approved ARIKAYCE under the LPAD and accelerated approval pathways, and full approval will be based on results from a post-approval confirmatory clinical trial. Accelerated approval allows drugs that (i) are being developed to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and (ii) provide a meaningful therapeutic benefit over existing treatments to be approved substantially based on an intermediate endpoint or a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit, rather than a clinical endpoint such as survival or irreversible morbidity. Accelerated approval of ARIKAYCE was supported by preliminary data from the Phase 3 CONVERT study, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of ARIKAYCE
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in adult patients with refractory MAC lung disease, using achievement of sputum culture conversion (defined as three consecutive negative monthly sputum cultures) by Month 6 as the primary endpoint.
As a condition of accelerated approval, we must conduct a post-approval confirmatory clinical trial. In the fourth quarter of 2020, we commenced the post-approval confirmatory frontline clinical trial program for ARIKAYCE in patients with MAC lung disease. The front-line clinical trial program consists of the ARISE trial, an interventional study designed to validate cross-sectional and longitudinal characteristics of a PRO tool in MAC lung disease, and the ENCORE trial, designed to establish the clinical benefits and evaluate the safety of ARIKAYCE in patients with newly diagnosed MAC using the PRO tool validated in the ARISE trial. We are running these global studies in parallel and approximately 200 sites are expected to be initiated for these clinical trials. The frontline clinical program is intended to fulfill the FDA’s post-marketing requirement to allow for full approval of ARIKAYCE by the FDA, and verification and description of clinical benefit in the ENCORE trial will be necessary for full approval of ARIKAYCE. Pursuant to the timetable agreed upon with the FDA when the approval letter of ARIKAYCE was received, confirmatory trial results are to be reported by 2024. There is little precedent for clinical development and regulatory expectations for agents to treat MAC lung disease. If our PRO tool is not validated in the ARISE trial, we would need to develop a new clinical endpoint for the ENCORE trial. We may also encounter substantial delays in enrolling and conducting these trials, and we may not be able to enroll and conduct the trials in a manner satisfactory to the FDA or within the time period required by the FDA. If the ENCORE trial is not successful, the FDA could, among other things, withdraw its approval of ARIKAYCE. Separate from the confirmatory trial, additional results from ongoing and recently completed studies may affect the FDA’s benefit-risk analysis for the product. Additionally, ARIKAYCE is subject to post-marketing commitments consisting of implementation of a healthcare provider communication plan, conducting a drug utilization assessment, and conducting further studies to identify an optimal quality control in vitro drug release method. Failure to meet post-marketing commitments may raise additional regulatory challenges.
We remain subject to substantial, ongoing regulatory requirements in the US related to ARIKAYCE, and failure to comply with these requirements could lead to enforcement action or otherwise materially harm our business.
ARIKAYCE is subject to a variety of manufacturing, packaging, storage, labeling, advertising, promotion, and record-keeping requirements, including requirements to:
•Conduct sales, marketing and promotion, scientific exchange, speaker programs, charitable donations and educational grant programs in compliance with federal and state laws;
•Disclose clinical trial information and payments to healthcare professionals and healthcare organizations on publicly available databases;
•Monitor and report complaints, adverse events and instances of failure to meet product specifications; and
•Comply with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) and certain quality systems requirements for device components.
Failure to comply with these ongoing regulatory obligations could have significant negative consequences, including:
•Issuance of warning letters or untitled letters by FDA asserting that we are in violation of the law;
•Imposition of injunctions or civil monetary penalties or pursuit by regulators of civil or criminal prosecutions and fines against us or our responsible officers;
•Suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approval;
•Suspension or termination of ongoing clinical trials or refusal by regulators to approve pending marketing applications or supplements to approved applications;
•Seizure of products, required product recalls or refusal to allow us to enter into supply contracts, including government contracts, or to import or export products;
•Enforcement actions, such as a product recalls, or product shortages due to failure to meet certain manufacturing or regulatory requirements, including the successful completion and results of quality control or release testing;
•Suspension of, or imposition of restrictions on, our operations, including costly new manufacturing requirements with respect to ARIKAYCE; and
•Negative publicity, including communications issued by regulatory authorities, which could negatively impact the perception of us or ARIKAYCE by patients, physicians, third-party payors or the healthcare community.
We provide financial assistance with out-of-pocket costs to patients enrolled in commercial health insurance plans. In addition, independent foundations may assist with out-of-pocket financial obligations. The ability of these organizations to provide assistance to patients is dependent on funding from external sources, and we cannot guarantee that such funding will be
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available at adequate levels, if at all. Patient assistance programs, whether provided directly by manufacturers or charitable foundations, have come under recent government scrutiny. If we are deemed to fail to comply with relevant laws, regulations or government guidance with respect to these programs, we could be subject to significant fines or penalties.
Any of these events could reduce market acceptance of ARIKAYCE, substantially reduce our revenue, increase the costs of operating our business, and cause us significant reputational damage, among other consequences. We are subject to similar ongoing regulatory oversight in the EU and, if we ultimately receive approval for ARIKAYCE in other jurisdictions, we expect to be subject to similar ongoing regulatory oversight by the relevant foreign regulatory authorities.
If we are unable to obtain adequate reimbursement from government or third-party payors for ARIKAYCE or if we are unable to obtain acceptable prices for ARIKAYCE, our prospects for generating revenue and achieving profitability will be materially adversely affected.
Our prospects for generating revenue and achieving profitability depend heavily upon the availability of adequate reimbursement for the use of ARIKAYCE from governmental and other third-party payors, both in the US and in other markets. We expect a substantial majority of ARIKAYCE revenue will come from Medicare reimbursement. Reimbursement by a third-party payor depends upon a number of factors, including the third-party payor’s determination that use of a product is:
•A covered benefit under its health plan;
•Safe, effective and medically necessary;
•Appropriate for the specific patient;
•Cost-effective; and
•Neither experimental nor investigational.
Obtaining a determination of coverage and reimbursement for a product from each governmental or other third-party payor is a time-consuming and costly process that could require us to provide supporting scientific, clinical and cost-effectiveness data for the use of our products to each payor. Since commercializing ARIKAYCE, payors have evaluated ARIKAYCE for inclusion on formularies. Going forward, we may not be able to provide data sufficient to gain positive coverage and reimbursement determinations or we might need to conduct post-marketing studies in order to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of ARIKAYCE to such payors’ satisfaction. Such studies might require us to commit a significant amount of management time and financial and other resources.
Even when a payor determines that a product is eligible for reimbursement, the payor may impose coverage limitations that preclude payment for some uses that are approved by the FDA or non-US regulatory authorities and/or may set a reimbursement rate that is too low to support a profitable sales price for the product. In the US, payors have restricted and may also continue to restrict coverage of ARIKAYCE by using a variable co-payment structure that imposes higher costs on patients for drugs that are not preferred by the payor and by imposing requirements for prior authorization or step edits. Subsequent approvals of competitive products could result in a detrimental change to the reimbursement of our products. The occurrence of any of these events likely would adversely impact market acceptance and demand for ARIKAYCE, which, in turn, could affect our ability to successfully commercialize ARIKAYCE and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
There is a significant focus in the US healthcare industry and elsewhere on drug prices and value, and public and private payors are taking increasingly aggressive steps to control their expenditures for pharmaceuticals by, inter alia, negotiating manufacturer discounts and placing restrictions on reimbursement, and patient access to, medications. These pressures could negatively affect our business. We expect changes in the Medicare program and state Medicaid programs, as well as managed care organizations and other third-party payors, to continue to put pressure on pharmaceutical product pricing. For instance, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) expanded Medicare outpatient prescription drug coverage for the elderly through Part D prescription drug plans sponsored by private entities and authorized such plans to use formularies where they can limit the number of drugs that will be covered in any therapeutic class. The plans generally negotiate significant price concessions as a condition of formulary placement. The MMA also introduced a new reimbursement methodology based on average sales prices for physician-administered drugs, which is generally believed to have resulted in lower Medicare reimbursement for physician-administered drugs. These cost reduction initiatives and other provisions of this legislation provide additional pressure to contain and reduce drug prices and could decrease the coverage and price that we receive for any approved products and could seriously harm our business. Although the MMA applies only to drug benefits for Medicare beneficiaries, private payors often follow Medicare coverage policy and payment limitations when setting their own reimbursement rates, and any reimbursement reduction resulting from the MMA may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors. Additionally, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) revised the definition of “average manufacturer price” for reporting purposes and increased the minimum percentage for Medicaid drug
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rebates to states, required drug manufacturers to provide a significant discount (70% as of January 1, 2019) on prescriptions for branded drugs filled while the beneficiary is in the Medicare Part D coverage gap (also known as the donut hole), and imposed a significant annual fee on companies that manufacture or import branded prescription drug products. We believe it is likely that the ACA, or any legislation enacted to amend or replace it, will continue the pressure on pharmaceutical pricing, especially under the Medicare program, and also may increase our regulatory burdens and operating costs. Such changes may have a significant impact on our ability to set a product price we believe is fair and may adversely affect our ability to generate revenue and achieve or maintain profitability. For instance, we have observed an increase in the time to fill prescriptions, particularly for patients that are insured through Medicare, in the first quarter of the year as a result of the donut hole, and, while we do not expect this situation to extend through the entire year, this situation may recur in the first quarter of subsequent years. We expect further federal and state proposals and healthcare reforms to continue to be proposed, which could limit the prices that can be charged for the products we develop or may otherwise limit our commercial opportunity. See Reimbursement of Pharmaceutical Products in Item 1 of Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information. In addition, in connection with various government programs, we are required to report certain pricing information to the government, and the failure to do so may subject us to penalties.
In markets outside the US, including countries in Europe, Japan and Canada, pricing of pharmaceutical products is subject to governmental control. Evaluation criteria used by many government agencies in European countries for the purposes of pricing and reimbursement typically focus on a product’s degree of innovation and its ability to meet a clinical need unfulfilled by currently available therapies. The ACA created a similar entity, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, designed to review the effectiveness of treatments and medications in federally-funded healthcare programs. An adverse result could lead to a treatment or product being removed from Medicare or Medicare coverage. The decisions of such governmental agencies could affect our ability to sell our products profitably.
We have had discussions with third-party payors regarding our price for ARIKAYCE, but our pricing may meet resistance from them and the public generally. If we are unable to obtain adequate reimbursement of ARIKAYCE, the adoption of ARIKAYCE by physicians and patients may be limited. This, in turn, could affect our ability to successfully commercialize ARIKAYCE and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
ARIKAYCE could develop unexpected safety or efficacy concerns, which would likely have a material adverse effect on us.
ARIKAYCE was granted accelerated approval from the FDA based on Month 6 data from the CONVERT study. In the US, ARIKAYCE is now being used by larger numbers of patients, potentially for longer periods of time, and we and others (including regulatory agencies and private payors) will collect extensive information on the efficacy and safety of ARIKAYCE by monitoring its use in the marketplace. In addition, we are conducting a confirmatory trial to assess and describe the clinical benefit of ARIKAYCE in patients with MAC lung disease and may conduct additional trials in connection with lifecycle management programs for ARIKAYCE in the US. New safety or efficacy data from both market surveillance and our clinical trials may result in negative consequences including the following:
•Modification to product labeling or promotional statements, such as additional boxed or other warnings or contraindications, or the issuance of additional “Dear Doctor Letters” or similar communications to healthcare professionals;
•Required changes in the administration of ARIKAYCE;
•Imposition of additional post-marketing surveillance, post-marketing clinical trial requirements, distribution restrictions or other risk management measures, such as a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) or a REMS with elements to assure safe use;
•Suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approval;
•Suspension or termination of ongoing clinical trials or refusal by regulators to approve pending marketing applications or supplements to approved applications;
•Suspension of, or imposition of restrictions on, our operations, including costly new manufacturing requirements with respect to ARIKAYCE; and
•Voluntary or mandatory product recalls or withdrawals from the market and costly product liability claims.
Any of these circumstances could reduce ARIKAYCE’s market acceptance and would be likely to materially adversely affect our business.
If estimates of the size of the potential markets for ARIKAYCE, brensocatib, treprostinil palmitil inhalation powder (TPIP) and our other product candidates are overstated or data we have used to identify physicians is inaccurate, our ability to earn revenue to support our business could be materially adversely affected.
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We have relied on external sources, including market research funded by us and third parties, and internal analyses and calculations to estimate the potential market opportunities for ARIKAYCE, brensocatib, TPIP and our other product candidates. The externally sourced information used to develop these estimates has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, but we have not verified the data from such sources, and their accuracy and completeness cannot be assured. With respect to ARIKAYCE, our internal analyses and calculations are based upon management’s understanding and assessment of numerous inputs and market conditions, including, but not limited to, the projected increase in prevalence of MAC lung disease, Medicare patient population growth and ongoing population shifts to geographies with increased rates of MAC lung disease. These understandings and assessments necessarily require assumptions subject to significant judgment and may prove to be inaccurate. As a result, our estimates of the size of these potential markets for ARIKAYCE could prove to be overstated, perhaps materially.
In addition, we are relying on third-party data to identify the physicians who treat the majority of MAC lung disease patients in the US and to determine how to deploy our resources to market to those physicians; however, we may not be marketing to the appropriate physicians and may therefore be limiting our market opportunity.
We may develop estimates with respect to market opportunities for other product candidates in the future, and such estimates would be subject to similar risks. In addition, a potential market opportunity could be reduced if a regulator limits the proposed treatment population for one of our product candidates, similar to the limited population for which ARIKAYCE was approved. In either circumstance, even if we obtain regulatory approval, we may be unable to commercialize the product on a scale sufficient to generate significant revenue from such product candidates, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
We continue to build our global marketing and sales organization, and we have limited experience in marketing drug products. If we are unable to successfully market and sell ARIKAYCE, our ability to generate revenue will be adversely affected.
In order to commercialize ARIKAYCE, we must develop marketing, market access, sales and distribution capabilities on our own or make arrangements with third parties for its marketing, sale and distribution. We have commenced commercialization of ARIKAYCE in the US and Europe using our sales force, but we may not continue to be successful in these efforts. If approved, we also plan to commercialize ARIKAYCE in Japan using our own sales force. The establishment, development and maintenance of our own sales force is and will continue to be expensive and time-consuming. As a result, we may seek one or more partners to handle some or all of the sales and marketing of ARIKAYCE in certain markets outside the US following approval by the relevant regulatory authority in those markets. However, we may not be able to enter into arrangements with third parties to sell ARIKAYCE on favorable terms or at all. In the event that either our own marketing, market access, and sales force or third-party marketing, market access, and sales organizations are not effective, we would not be able to successfully commercialize ARIKAYCE, which would adversely affect our ability to generate revenue and materially harm us.
ARIKAYCE was approved for treatment in a limited population of patients with refractory MAC lung disease, and additional clinical studies and regulatory applications will be required to expand its indication. We may not be successful in these trials or in obtaining such regulatory approval, which may materially adversely affect our prospects and the value of our common stock.
The FDA granted accelerated approval of ARIKAYCE for the treatment of refractory MAC lung disease as part of a combination antibacterial drug regimen for adult patients with limited or no alternative treatment options in a refractory setting, as defined by patients who do not achieve negative sputum culture after a minimum of six consecutive months of a multidrug background regimen therapy. Our CONVERT study and 312 study focused on this refractory population, and we do not anticipate obtaining an indication for a broader population of patients with MAC lung disease or any other illnesses or infections without additional clinical data. Additional clinical trials will require additional time and expense. We are conducting our confirmatory clinical trial program for full approval of ARIKAYCE, through the ARISE trial and the ENCORE trial, in the broader population of patients with MAC lung disease, but this trial program, along with any other clinical trials of ARIKAYCE may not be successful. Additional results from ongoing and recently completed studies may affect the FDA’s benefit-risk analysis for the product. If we are unable to expand the indication for use of ARIKAYCE, our prospects and the value of our common stock may be materially adversely affected.
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to reduce its spread have negatively impacted, and could continue to negatively impact, our business and operations.
Our global operations expose us to risks associated with public health crises and pandemics, including COVID-19, particularly as the patients we seek to treat suffer from serious and rare diseases that may make them especially vulnerable. The degree to which COVID-19 affects us will depend on developments that are highly uncertain and beyond our knowledge or control, including, but not limited to, the duration and severity of the pandemic, the actions taken to reduce its transmission, and the speed with which and the extent to which normal economic and operating conditions resume.
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We modified our business practices in March 2020 in an effort to allow infectious disease specialists and pulmonologists to focus on critical COVID-19 relief efforts and to aid in the global containment effort, including through implementation of a remote working policy for all employees. The remote working policy included all of our field-based therapeutic specialists and employees who support ARIKAYCE prescribers. Beginning on June 1, 2020, certain of our field-based employees who support ARIKAYCE prescribers were permitted to return to the field. To date, access to prescribers has been limited with significant regional variability. In the event of further increases in the number of COVID-19 cases nationwide, we may once again impose our remote working policy on all field-based employees. If our remote working policy continues and the focus of pulmonologists and infectious disease specialists remains on COVID-19, we expect that our business and results of operations in future periods could be negatively impacted. We also may take further actions as required by government authorities or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, patients, partners, and suppliers in the future that harm our ability to promote ARIKAYCE or support patients beginning treatment with ARIKAYCE, which could negatively impact our business and results of operations.
COVID-19 may also have an adverse impact on our operations and supply chain as a result of (i) our or our third-party manufacturers’ employees or other key personnel becoming infected, (ii) preventive and precautionary measures that governments and we and other businesses, including our third-party manufacturers, are taking, such as border closures, prolonged quarantines and other travel restrictions, (iii) shortages of supplies necessary for the manufacture of ARIKAYCE, including as a result of government orders providing for the requisition of personal protective equipment and other medical supplies and equipment, and (iv) cold-chain storage and shipping limitations resulting from the need to prioritize delivery of one or more COVID-19 vaccines, which could cause disruptions or delays in our ability to distribute ARIKAYCE due to lack of sufficient cold-chain storage and shipping capacity. Any of these circumstances could impact the ability of third parties on which we rely to manufacture ARIKAYCE or its components and our ability to perform critical functions, which could significantly hamper our ability to supply ARIKAYCE to patients. While we have experienced no disruption to date in our supply chain, if we encounter delays or difficulties in the manufacturing process that disrupt our ability to supply ARIKAYCE, we may not be able to satisfy patient demand or we may experience a product stock-out, which would likely have a material adverse effect on our business.
The COVID-19 pandemic could also require us to delay the start of new clinical trials or otherwise impair our ability to complete those trials. For instance, our ability to enroll patients and retain principal investigators and site staff could be impaired due to an outbreak in their geography or prioritization of hospital resources toward the outbreak, or as a result of quarantines and other travel restrictions that interrupt healthcare services. Furthermore, patients, investigators, or site staff may be unwilling or unable to comply with clinical trial protocols due to COVID-19 illness, concerns about the pandemic, or quarantines or other travel restrictions that impede their movement. Additionally, any interruption in the supply of the study drug might delay our ability to start or complete clinical trials. Significant delays in the timing and completion of our clinical trials are costly and could adversely affect our ability to satisfy our post-marketing requirements for ARIKAYCE and to obtain regulatory approval for and to commercialize our product candidates.
Risks Related to the Development and Regulatory Approval of Our Product Candidates Generally
Pharmaceutical research and development is very costly and highly uncertain, and we may not succeed in developing product candidates in the future.
Product development in the pharmaceutical industry is an expensive, high-risk, lengthy, complicated, resource intensive process. In order to develop a product successfully, we must, among other things:
•Identify potential product candidates;
•Submit for and receive regulatory approval to perform clinical trials;
•Design and conduct appropriate preclinical and clinical trials, including confirmatory clinical trials, according to good laboratory practices and good clinical practices and disease-specific expectations of the FDA and other regulatory bodies;
•Select and recruit clinical investigators and subjects for our clinical trials;
•Obtain and correctly interpret data establishing adequate safety of our product candidates and demonstrating with statistical significance that our product candidates are effective for their proposed indications, as indicated by satisfaction of pre-established endpoints;
•Submit for and receive regulatory approvals for marketing; and
•Manufacture the product candidates and device components according to cGMP and other applicable standards and regulations.
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There is a high rate of failure inherent in this process, and potential products that appear promising at early stages of development may fail for a number of reasons. Importantly, positive results from preclinical studies of a product candidate may not be predictive of similar results in human clinical trials, and promising results from earlier clinical trials of a product candidate may not be replicated in later clinical trials. Many companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in late-stage clinical trials even after achieving positive results in earlier stages of development and have abandoned development efforts or sought partnerships in order to continue development.
In addition, there are many other difficulties and uncertainties inherent in pharmaceutical research and development that could significantly delay or otherwise materially impair our ability to develop future product candidates, including the following:
•Conditions imposed by regulators, ethics committees or institutional review boards for preclinical testing and clinical trials relating to the scope or design of our clinical trials, including selection of endpoints and number of required patients or clinical sites;
•Challenges in designing our clinical trials to support potential claims of superiority over current standard of care or future competitive therapies;
•Restrictions placed upon, or other difficulties with respect to, clinical trials and clinical trial sites, including with respect to potential clinical holds or suspension or termination of clinical trials due to, among other things, potential safety or ethical concerns or noncompliance with regulatory requirements;
•Delayed or reduced enrollment in clinical trials, or high discontinuation rates;
•Failure by third-party contractors, contract research organizations (CROs), clinical investigators, clinical laboratories, or suppliers to comply with regulatory requirements or meet their contractual obligations in a timely manner;
•Greater than anticipated cost of our clinical trials; and
•Insufficient product supply or inadequate product quality.
Failure to successfully develop future product candidates for any of these reasons may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
We may not be able to obtain regulatory approvals for ARIKAYCE outside of the US or the EU or for our product candidates in the US, Europe, Japan or other markets. Any such failure to obtain regulatory approvals may materially adversely affect us.
We are required to obtain various regulatory approvals prior to studying our products in humans and then again before we market and distribute our products, and the failure to obtain such approvals will prevent us from commercializing our products, which would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock. While we have obtained accelerated approval for ARIKAYCE in the US and approval in the EU, seeking approval for ARIKAYCE in other jurisdictions as well as approval for our product candidates in the US and foreign markets presents significant obstacles. Approval processes in the US, Europe and Japan require the submission of extensive preclinical and clinical data, manufacturing and quality information regarding the process and facility, scientific data characterizing our product and other supporting data in order to establish safety and effectiveness. These processes are complex, lengthy, expensive, resource intensive and uncertain. Regulators will also conduct a rigorous review of any trade name we intend to use for our products. Even after they approve a trade name, these regulators may request that we adopt an alternative name for the product if adverse event reports indicate a potential for confusion with other trade names and medication error. If we are required to adopt an alternative name, potential commercialization of ARIKAYCE or our product candidates could be delayed or interrupted. We have limited experience in submitting and pursuing applications necessary to obtain these regulatory approvals.
Data submitted to regulators are subject to varying interpretations that could delay, limit or prevent regulatory agency approval. Even if we believe our clinical trial results are promising, regulators may disagree with our interpretation of data, study design or execution and may refuse to accept our application for review or decline to grant approval.
In addition, the grant of a designation by the FDA or European Medicines Agency (EMA) or approval by the FDA or EC does not ensure a similar decision by the regulatory authorities of other countries, and a decision by one foreign regulatory authority does not ensure regulatory authorities in other foreign countries or the FDA will agree with the decision. For instance, although ARIKAYCE received orphan drug designation in the US, ARIKAYCE did not qualify for orphan drug designation in Japan due to the estimated number of NTM patients in Japan exceeding 50,000. Similarly, clinical studies conducted in one country may not be accepted by regulatory authorities in other countries. Approval procedures vary among countries and can involve additional product testing, including additional preclinical studies or clinical trials, and administrative review periods. The time required to obtain approval in these other territories might differ from that required to obtain FDA approval. We may
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never obtain approval for ARIKAYCE outside of the US and Europe or for our product candidates in the US or other jurisdictions, which would limit our market opportunities and materially adversely affect our business. Even if ARIKAYCE is approved outside of the US and Europe or if another product candidate is approved, regulators may limit the indications for which the product may be marketed, require extensive warnings on the product labeling or require expensive and time-consuming additional clinical trials or reporting as conditions of approval.
We routinely assess regulatory strategies which could expedite the development and regulatory review of our product candidates in the US and other markets, but we may be unsuccessful in pursuing such strategies. The FDA has denied our request for orphan drug designation for brensocatib for the treatment of bronchiectasis. In addition, although we believe that TPIP could be eligible for approval under Section 505(b)(2), and thus could rely at least in part on studies not conducted by or for us and for which we do not have a right of reference, we may not obtain approval from the FDA to use this pathway.
We may also encounter delays or rejections based on changes in regulatory agency policies during the period in which we develop a product and the period required for review of any application for regulatory agency approval of a particular product. Resolving such delays could force us or third parties to incur significant costs, limit our allowed activities or the allowed activities of third parties, diminish any competitive advantages that we or our third parties may attain or adversely affect our ability to receive royalties, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
We will not be able to commercialize ARIKAYCE if the Lamira Nebulizer System is not approved or cleared for use as a delivery system for ARIKAYCE by regulators in additional markets.
ARIKAYCE is administered using the Lamira Nebulizer System, and the Lamira Nebulizer System must receive regulatory approval or clearance on its own or in conjunction with ARIKAYCE as a combination product in order for us to develop and commercialize ARIKAYCE in a given market. The FDA granted accelerated approval of the Lamira Nebulizer System with ARIKAYCE as part of the approval of the drug/device combination product, and the Lamira Nebulizer System is CE marked by PARI in Europe. However, outside the US and Europe, the Lamira Nebulizer System is labeled as investigational for use in our clinical trials, including in Japan, Canada and Australia, and is not approved for commercial use in Canada or certain other markets in which we may seek to commercialize ARIKAYCE in the future.
If we seek regulatory approval in markets in which the Lamira Nebulizer System is not approved and we and PARI are not successful in obtaining approval for the Lamira Nebulizer System, our ability to commercialize ARIKAYCE in those markets would be materially impaired. In addition, failure to maintain regulatory approval or clearance of the Lamira Nebulizer System could result in increased development costs, withdrawal of regulatory approval, and delays in ARIKAYCE reaching the market. Failure to obtain or maintain regulatory approval or clearance of the Lamira Nebulizer System could result in potential loss of regulatory approval or otherwise materially harm our business.
If our clinical studies do not produce positive results or our clinical trials are delayed, or if serious side effects are identified during drug development, we may experience delays, incur additional costs and ultimately be unable to commercialize our product candidates in the US, Europe, Japan or other markets.
Before obtaining regulatory approval for the sale of our product candidates, we must conduct, at our own expense, extensive preclinical tests to demonstrate the safety of our product candidates in animals, and clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our product candidates in humans. If we experience delays in our clinical trials or other testing or the results of these trials or tests are not positive or are only modestly positive, including with respect to safety, we may:
•Experience increased product development costs;
•Be delayed in obtaining, or be unable to obtain, regulatory approval for one or more of our product candidates;
•Obtain approval for indications or patient populations that are not as broad as intended or entirely different than those indications for which we sought approval or with labeling with boxed warnings or other warnings or contraindications;
•Need to change the way the product is administered;
•Be required to perform additional clinical trials to support approval or be subject to additional post-marketing testing requirements;
•Have regulatory authorities withdraw, or suspend, their approval of the product or impose risk mitigation strategies such as restrictions on distribution or other REMS;
•Face a shortened patent protection period during which we may have the exclusive right to commercialize our products;
•Have competitors that are able to bring similar products to market before us;
•Be sued for alleged injuries caused to patients using our products; or
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•Suffer reputational damage.
Such circumstances would impair our ability to commercialize our products and harm our business and results of operations.
We may not be able to enroll enough patients to conduct and complete our clinical trials or retain a sufficient number of patients in our clinical trials to generate the data necessary for regulatory approval of our product candidates.
The completion rate of our clinical trials is dependent on, among other factors, the patient enrollment rate. Patient enrollment is a function of many factors, including:
•Investigator identification and recruitment;
•Regulatory approvals to initiate study sites;
•Patient population size;
•The nature of the protocol to be used in the trial;
•Patient proximity to clinical sites;
•Eligibility criteria for the trial;
•Patient willingness to participate in the trial;
•Discontinuation rates; and
•Competition from other companies’ potential clinical trials for the same patient population.
Delays in patient enrollment for our clinical trials, including in the confirmatory clinical trial for ARIKAYCE, like those we encountered in enrolling the CONVERT study, could increase costs and delay commercialization and sales, if any, of our products. Once enrolled, patients may elect to discontinue participation in a clinical trial at any time. If patients elect to discontinue participation in our clinical trials at a higher rate than expected, we may be unable to generate the data required by regulators for approval of our product candidates.
Risks Related to Our Reliance on Third Parties
We rely on third parties including collaborators, CROs, clinical and analytical laboratories, contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) and other providers for many services that are critical to our business. If we are unable to form and sustain these relationships, or if any third-party arrangements that we may enter into are unsuccessful, including due to non-compliance by such third parties with our agreements or applicable law, our ability to develop and commercialize our products may be materially adversely affected.
We currently rely, and expect to continue to rely, on third parties for significant research, analytical services, preclinical development, clinical development and manufacturing of our product candidates and commercial scale manufacturing of ARIKAYCE and the Lamira Nebulizer System. For example, we do not own facilities for clinical-scale or commercial manufacturing of our product candidates. We currently rely on Resilience Biotechnologies Inc. (Resilience) (formerly Therapure Biopharma Inc.) and Ajinimoto Althea, Inc. (Althea) to provide our clinical and commercial supply of ARIKAYCE, and intend to rely on Patheon in the future. Additionally, almost all of our clinical trial work is done by CROs, such as PPD Development, L.P., our CRO for the ARISE, ENCORE and ASPEN trials, and clinical laboratories. Reliance on these third parties poses a number of risks, including the following:
•The diversion of management time and cost of third-party advisers associated with the negotiation, documentation and implementation of agreements with third parties in the pharmaceutical industry;
•The inability to control whether third parties devote sufficient resources to our programs or products, including with respect to meeting contractual deadlines;
•The inability to control the regulatory and contractual compliance of third parties, including their quality systems, processes and procedures, systems utilized to collect and analyze data, and equipment used to test drug product and/or clinical supplies;
•The inability to establish and implement collaborations or other alternative arrangements on favorable terms;
•Disputes with third parties, including CROs, leading to loss of intellectual property rights, delay or termination of research, development, or commercialization of product candidates or litigation or arbitration;
•Contracts with our collaborators fail to provide sufficient protection of our intellectual property; and
•Difficulty enforcing our contractual rights if one of these third parties fails to perform.
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We also rely on third parties to select and enter into agreements with clinical investigators to conduct clinical trials to support approval of our product candidates, and the failure of these third parties to appropriately carry out such evaluation and selection can adversely affect the quality of the data from these studies and, potentially, the approval of our products. In particular, as part of future drug approval submissions to the FDA, we must disclose certain financial interests of investigators who participated in any of the clinical studies being submitted in support of approval, or must certify to the absence of such financial interests. The FDA evaluates the information contained in such disclosures to determine whether disclosed interests may have an impact on the reliability of a study. If the FDA determines that financial interests of any clinical investigator raise serious questions of data integrity, the FDA can institute a data audit, request that we submit further data analyses, conduct additional independent studies to confirm the results of the questioned study, or refuse to use the data from the questioned study as a basis for approval. A finding by the FDA that a financial relationship of an investigator raises serious questions of data integrity could delay or otherwise adversely affect approval of our products.
These risks could materially harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
We may not have, or may be unable to obtain, sufficient quantities of ARIKAYCE, the Lamira Nebulizer System or our product candidates to meet our required supply for commercialization or clinical studies, which would materially harm our business.
We do not have any in-house manufacturing capability other than for small-scale preclinical development programs and depend completely on a small number of third-party manufacturers and suppliers for the manufacture of our product candidates on a clinical or commercial scale. For instance, we are and expect to remain dependent upon Resilience, Althea and eventually Patheon to supply ARIKAYCE both for our clinical trials and commercial sale. Althea manufactures ARIKAYCE at a relatively small scale; Resilience, operates at a larger scale than Althea. We may not be able to maintain adequate quantities to meet future demand. As additional supporting data become available, we believe the current approved shelf life for product manufactured at our CMOs will increase. If we encounter delays or difficulties in the manufacturing process that disrupt our ability to supply our distributors with ARIKAYCE, we may experience a product stock-out, which would likely have a material adverse effect on our business and reputation. In addition, we have entered into certain agreements with Patheon related to increasing our long-term production capacity for ARIKAYCE commercial inventory, although Patheon’s supply obligations will commence only after certain technology transfer and construction services are completed. Any delay in the commencement of Patheon’s supply obligations, whether due to delays in technology transfer and construction or from adding Patheon to our NDA as a CMO, would increase the risks associated with either Resilience or Althea being unable to provide us with an adequate supply of ARIKAYCE.
We are also dependent upon PARI being able to provide an adequate supply of nebulizers both for commercial sale of ARIKAYCE and any ongoing clinical trials, as PARI is the sole manufacturer of the Lamira Nebulizer System. We have no alternative supplier for the nebulizer, and because significant effort and time were expended in the optimization of the nebulizer for use with ARIKAYCE, we do not intend to seek an alternative or secondary supplier. In the event PARI cannot provide us with sufficient quantities of the nebulizer, replication of the optimized device by another party would likely require considerable time and additional regulatory approval. In the case of certain specified supply failures, we have the right under our commercialization agreement with PARI to make the nebulizer and have it made by certain third parties, but not those deemed under the commercialization agreement to compete with PARI.
We do not have long-term commercial agreements with all of our suppliers and if any of our suppliers are unable or unwilling to perform for any reason, we may not be able to locate suppliers or enter into favorable agreements with them.
An inadequate supply of ARIKAYCE or the Lamira Nebulizer System would likely harm our commercial efforts or delay or impair clinical trials of ARIKAYCE or our product candidates and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
The manufacturing facilities of our third-party manufacturers are subject to significant government regulations and approvals, which are often costly and could result in adverse consequences to our business if we and our manufacturing partners fail to comply with the regulations or maintain the approvals.
Manufacturers of ARIKAYCE, the Lamira Nebulizer System and our product candidates are subject to cGMP, Quality System Regulations and similar standards. While we have policies and procedures in place to select third-party manufacturers for our product and product candidates that adhere, and monitor their adherence to, such standards, they may nonetheless fail to do so. Similarly, while we have entered into a Commercialization Agreement with PARI for the manufacture of the Lamira Nebulizer System for use with ARIKAYCE, PARI may fail to adhere to applicable standards. These manufacturers and their facilities will be subject to periodic review and inspections by the FDA and other regulatory authorities following regulatory approval of our products, as with ARIKAYCE. For instance, to monitor compliance with applicable regulations, the FDA routinely conducts inspections of facilities and may identify potential deficiencies. The FDA issues what are referred to as “Form 483s” that set forth observations and concerns identified during its inspections. Failure to satisfactorily address the
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concerns or potential deficiencies identified in a Form 483 could result in the issuance of a warning letter, which is a notice of the issues that the FDA believes to be significant regulatory violations requiring prompt corrective actions. Failure to respond adequately to a warning letter, or to otherwise fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements could result in enforcement, remedial and/or punitive actions by the FDA or other regulatory authorities.
If one of these manufacturers fails to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements or experiences supply problems, including in the scale-up of commercial production, the production of ARIKAYCE, the Lamira Nebulizer System and our product candidates could be interrupted, resulting in delays, additional costs or restrictions on the marketing or sale of our products. An alternative manufacturer would need to be qualified, through regulatory filings, which could result in further delay. The regulatory authorities may also require additional testing if a new manufacturer is relied upon for commercial production. In addition, with respect to our product candidates, our manufacturers and their facilities are subject to pre-approval cGMP inspection by the FDA and other regulatory authorities, and the findings of the cGMP inspection could result in a failure to obtain, or a delay in obtaining, regulatory approval for future product candidates.
Risks Related to the Operation of our Business
We are dependent upon retaining and attracting key personnel, the loss of whose services could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
We depend heavily on our management team and our principal clinical and commercial personnel, the loss of whose services might significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our research, development or commercialization objectives. Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to attract and retain qualified management, clinical and commercial personnel, and on our ability to develop and maintain important relationships with commercial partners, leading research institutions and key distributors.
Competition for skilled personnel in our industry and market is intense because of the numerous pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that seek similar personnel. These companies may have greater financial and other resources, offer a greater opportunity for career advancement and have a longer history in the industry than we do. We also experience competition for the hiring of our clinical and commercial personnel from universities, research institutions, and other third parties. We cannot assure that we will attract and retain such persons or maintain such relationships. Our inability to retain and attract qualified employees would materially harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
We expect to expand our development, regulatory and sales and marketing capabilities, and as a result, we may encounter difficulties in managing our growth, which could disrupt our operations.
In connection with our commercialization of ARIKAYCE in the US and Europe, and our continued international expansion efforts, we expect to continue to experience significant growth in the number of our employees and the scope of our operations, particularly in the areas of drug development, regulatory affairs, quality, commercial compliance, medical affairs, and sales and marketing. For example, we plan to continue to hire additional personnel to support ARIKAYCE and the advancement of our pipeline programs. To manage our anticipated future growth, we must continue to implement and improve our managerial, operational and financial systems, expand our facilities and continue to recruit and train additional qualified personnel. Due to the limited experience of our management team in managing a company with this anticipated growth, we may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of our operations or recruit and train additional qualified personnel. The physical expansion of our operations may lead to significant costs and may divert our management and business development resources. We may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of our operations, which could delay the execution of our business plans or disrupt our operations.
Any acquisitions we make, or collaborative relationships we enter into, may not be clinically or commercially successful, and may require financing or a significant amount of our available cash, which could adversely affect our business.
As part of our business strategy, we may effect acquisitions to obtain additional businesses, products, technologies, capabilities and personnel. Acquisitions involve a number of operational risks, including:
•Failure to achieve expected synergies;
•Difficulty and expense of assimilating the operations, technology and personnel of any acquired business;
•The inability to retain the management, key personnel and other employees of any acquired business;
•The inability to maintain any acquired company’s relationship with key third parties, such as alliance partners;
•Exposure to legal claims or other liabilities for activities of any acquired business prior to acquisition;
•Diversion of our management’s attention from our core business; and
•Potential impairment of intangible assets, adversely affecting our reported results of operations and financial condition.
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We also may enter into collaborative relationships that would involve our collaborators conducting proprietary development programs. Disagreements with collaborators may develop over the rights to our intellectual property, and any conflict with our collaborators could limit our ability to obtain future collaboration agreements and negatively influence our relationship with existing collaborators.
If we make one or more significant acquisitions or enter into a significant collaboration in which the consideration includes cash, we may be required to use a substantial portion of our available cash and/or need to raise additional capital, which could adversely affect our financial condition.
We may be subject to product liability claims, and we have only limited product liability insurance.
The manufacture and sale of human therapeutic products involve an inherent risk of product liability claims, particularly as we now commercialize ARIKAYCE in the US and Europe. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:
•Decreased demand for ARIKAYCE and any other products that we may commercialize, and a corresponding loss of revenue
•Substantial monetary awards to patients or trial participants;
•Significant time and costs to defend the related litigation;
•Withdrawal or reduced enrollment of clinical trial participants; and
•Reputational harm and significant negative media attention.
We currently have only limited product liability insurance for our products. We do not know if we will be able to maintain existing, or obtain additional, product liability insurance on acceptable terms or with adequate coverage against potential liabilities. This type of insurance is expensive and may not be available on acceptable terms. If we are unable to obtain or maintain sufficient insurance coverage on reasonable terms or to otherwise protect against potential product liability claims, we may be unable to commercialize our products. A successful product liability claim brought against us in excess of our insurance coverage, if any, may require us to pay substantial amounts and may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
Our business and operations, including our drug development programs, could be materially disrupted in the event of system failures, security breaches, violations of data protection laws or data loss or damage by us or our CROs or other contractors or consultants.
In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, our proprietary business information and that of our suppliers, as well as personally identifiable information of clinical trial participants and employees. Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems and those of our CROs and other contractors and consultants are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures. Such an event could have a material adverse effect on our business operations, including a material disruption of our drug development and commercialization programs. Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential patient or employee data, including personally identifiable information, whether through breach of computer systems, systems failure, employee negligence, fraud or misappropriation, or otherwise, or unauthorized access to or through our information systems and networks, whether by our employees or third parties, could result in negative publicity, legal liability and damage to our reputation. Unauthorized disclosure of personally identifiable information could also expose us to sanctions for violations of data privacy laws and regulations around the world. In addition, the loss of clinical trial data for our product candidates could result in delays in our regulatory submission and approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data, if possible. To the extent that any disruption or security breach resulted in a loss of or damage to our data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability and the further development of our product candidates could be delayed. For example, the loss of or damage to clinical trial data, such as from completed or ongoing clinical trials, for any of our product candidates could result in delays in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data.
Although we have general liability insurance coverage, including coverage for errors and omissions, our insurance may not cover all claims, continue to be available on reasonable terms or be sufficient in amount to cover one or more large claims; additionally, the insurer may disclaim coverage as to any claim. The successful assertion of one or more large claims against us that exceed or are not covered by our insurance coverage or changes in our insurance policies, including premium increases or the imposition of large deductible or co-insurance requirements, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
We have limited experience operating internationally, are subject to a number of risks associated with our international activities and operations and may not be successful in our efforts to expand internationally.
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We currently have limited operations outside of the US. As of December 31, 2020, we had 74 employees located in Europe and 44 employees located in Japan, although we have clinical trial sites and suppliers located around the world. In order to meet our long-term goals, we expect to grow our international operations over the next several years, including in Europe and Japan, and continue to source material used in the manufacture of our product candidates from abroad. Consequently, we are and will continue to be subject to risks related to operating in foreign countries, including:
•Limited experience with international regulatory requirements;
•An inability to achieve optimal pricing and reimbursement for ARIKAYCE, if approved in another jurisdiction, or subsequent changes in reimbursement, pricing and other regulatory requirements;
•Any implementation of, or changes to, tariffs, trade barriers and other import-export regulations in the US or other countries in which we, or our third-party partners, operate;
•Unexpected adverse events related to ARIKAYCE or our product candidates occurring in foreign markets that we have not experienced in the US;
•Economic and political conditions, including geopolitical events, such as war and terrorism, foreign currency fluctuations and inflation, which could result in reduced revenue, increased or unpredictable operating expenses and other obligations incident to doing business in, or with a company located in, another country;
•Changes resulting from the UK's exit from the EU, including: (i) the uncertainty and instability in economic and market conditions; (ii) the uncertainty regarding the UK’s access to the EU Single Market and the impact on the wider trading, legal, regulatory and labor environments; and (iii) the uncertainty in the European regulatory framework, including the relocation of the EMA from the UK to the Netherlands, and the subsequent potential disruption and delay of EMA regulatory actions and, following the transition period, UK regulatory actions; and
•Compliance with foreign or US laws, rules and regulations, including data privacy requirements, labor relations laws, tax laws, anti-competition regulations, import, export and trade restrictions, anti-bribery/anti-corruption laws, regulations or rules, which could lead to actions by us or our distributors, manufacturers, other third parties who act on our behalf or with whom we do business in foreign countries or our employees who are working abroad that could subject us to investigation or prosecution under such foreign or US laws.
These and other risks associated with our international operations may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
We operate in a highly competitive and changing environment, and if we are unable to adapt to our environment, we may be unable to compete successfully.
Biotechnology and related pharmaceutical technology have undergone and are likely to continue to experience rapid and significant change. Our future success will depend in large part on our ability to maintain a competitive position with respect to these technologies and to obtain and maintain protection for our intellectual property. Compounds, products or processes that we develop may become obsolete before we recover any expenses incurred in connection with their development. We face substantial competition from pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other companies, universities and research institutions with respect to NTM lung disease, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Relative to us, most of these entities have substantially greater capital resources, research and development staffs, facilities and experience in conducting clinical studies, obtaining regulatory approvals, and manufacturing and marketing pharmaceutical products. Many of our competitors may achieve product commercialization or obtain patent protection earlier than us. Furthermore, we believe that our competitors have used, and may continue to use, litigation to gain a competitive advantage. Our competitors may also use different technologies or approaches to develop products similar to ARIKAYCE and our product candidates.
We expect that competing successfully will depend, among other things, on the relative speed with which we can develop products, complete the clinical testing and regulatory approval processes and supply commercial quantities of the product to the market, as well as product efficacy, safety, reliability, availability, timing and scope of regulatory approval and price. We expect competition to increase as technological advances are made and commercial applications broaden. There are potential competitive products, both approved and in development, which include oral, systemic, or inhaled antibiotic products to treat chronic respiratory infections. For instance, certain entities have expressed interest in studying their products for lung disease and are seeking to advance studies in lung disease, including NTM lung disease caused by mycobacterial species other than MAC. We are not aware of any entities currently conducting clinical trials for the treatment of refractory MAC lung disease or of any other approved inhaled therapies specifically indicated for NTM lung disease in North America, Europe or Japan. If any of our competitors develops a product that is more effective, safe, tolerable or, convenient or less expensive than ARIKAYCE or our product candidates, it would likely materially adversely affect our ability to generate revenue. We also may face lower priced generic competitors if third-party payors encourage use of generic or lower-priced versions of our product or if competing products are imported into the US or other countries where we may sell ARIKAYCE. In addition, in an effort to
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put downward pressure on drug pricing, Congress and the FDA are working to facilitate generic competition, which could result in our experiencing competition earlier than otherwise would be the case.
There are also other amikacin products that have been approved by the FDA, MHLW and other regulatory agencies for use in other indications, and physicians may elect to prescribe those products rather than ARIKAYCE to treat the indications for which ARIKAYCE has received approval, which is commonly referred to as off-label use. Although regulations prohibit a drug company from promoting off-label use of its product, the FDA and other regulatory agencies do not regulate the practice of medicine and cannot direct physicians as to what product to prescribe to their patients. As a result, we would have limited ability to prevent any off-label use of a competitor’s product to treat diseases for which we have received FDA or other regulatory agency approval, even if this use violates our patents or any statutory exclusivities that the FDA may grant for the use of amikacin to treat such diseases. If we are unable to compete successfully, it will materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights adequately, the value of ARIKAYCE and our product candidates could be materially diminished.
The patent position of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies generally is highly uncertain and involves complex legal, technical, scientific and factual questions, and our success depends in large part on our ability to protect our proprietary technology and to obtain and maintain patent protection for our products, prevent third parties from infringing our patents, both domestically and internationally. We have sought to protect our proprietary position by filing patent applications in the US and abroad related to our novel technologies and products that are important to our business. This process is expensive and time-consuming, and we may not be able to file and prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner. It is also possible that we will fail to identify patentable aspects of our research and development output before it is too late to obtain patent protection. Our existing patents and any future patents we obtain may not be sufficiently broad to prevent others from using our technologies or from developing competing products and technologies.
Even if our owned and licensed patent applications issue as patents, they may not issue in a form that will provide us with any meaningful protection or otherwise provide us with any competitive advantage. Any conclusions we may reach regarding non-infringement, inapplicability or invalidity of a third-party’s intellectual property vis-à-vis our proprietary rights, or those of a licensor, are based in significant part on a review of publicly available databases and other information. There may be information not available to us or otherwise not reviewed by us that could render these conclusions inaccurate. Our competitors may also be able to circumvent our owned or licensed patents by developing similar or alternative technologies or products in a non-infringing manner.
Additionally, patents issued to us or our licensors may be challenged, narrowed, invalidated, held to be unenforceable or circumvented through litigation, which could limit our ability to stop competitors from marketing similar products or reduce the term of patent protection for amikacin liposome inhalation suspension or our product candidates. US patents and patent applications may also be subject to interference or derivation proceedings, and US patents may be subject to re-examination proceedings, reissue, post-grant review and/or inter partes review in the USPTO. Our foreign patents have been and may be in the future subject to opposition or comparable proceedings in the corresponding foreign patent office, which could result in either loss of the patent or denial of the patent application or loss or reduction in the scope of one or more of the claims of the patent or patent application. See Intellectual Property-ARIKAYCE Patents and Trade Secrets in Item 1 of Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information on our European patents that have been previously opposed.
Changes in either patent laws or in interpretations of patent laws in the US and other countries may also diminish the value of our intellectual property or narrow the scope of our patent protection, including making it easier for competitors to challenge our patents. For example, the America Invents Act included a number of changes to established practices, including the transition to a first-inventor-to-file system and new procedures for challenging patents and implementation of different methods for invalidating patents.
If we are not able to adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information, the value of ARIKAYCE and our product candidates could be materially diminished.
We rely on trade secrets to protect our proprietary technologies, especially where we do not believe patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. We rely in part on confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, advisors, collaborators, and other third parties and partners to protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information. These agreements may not effectively prevent disclosure of confidential information or may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. In addition, third parties may independently develop or discover our trade secrets and proprietary information. Regulators also may disclose information we consider to be proprietary to third parties under certain circumstances, including in response to third-party requests for such
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disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act or comparable laws. Additionally, the FDA, as part of its Transparency Initiative, continues to consider whether to make additional information publicly available on a routine basis, including information that we may consider to be trade secrets or other proprietary information, and it is not clear at the present time whether and how the FDA’s disclosure policies may change in the future.
We may not be able to enforce our intellectual property rights throughout the world, which could harm our business.
The legal systems of some foreign countries, particularly developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property protection, especially those relating to life sciences. Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in such foreign jurisdictions. For example, certain foreign countries have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner may be required to grant licenses to third parties. In addition, many countries limit the enforceability of patents against third parties, including government agencies or government contractors. In these countries, patents may provide limited or no benefit. This legal environment could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or in-licensed patents or the misappropriation of our other intellectual property rights. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, and our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights in such countries may be inadequate.
The drug research and development industry has a history of intellectual property litigation, and we could become involved in costly intellectual property disputes, which could delay or impair our product development efforts or prevent us from, or increase the cost of, commercializing ARIKAYCE or any other approved product candidate.
Third parties may claim that we have infringed upon or misappropriated their proprietary rights. Any existing third-party patents, or patents that may later issue to third parties, could negatively affect our commercialization of ARIKAYCE, brensocatib, TPIP or any other product candidate that receives regulatory approval. For instance, PAH is a competitive indication with established products, including other formulations of treprostinil. Our supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredient for TPIP is dependent upon a single supplier. The supplier owns patents on its manufacturing process, and we have filed patent applications for TPIP; however, a competitor in the PAH indication may claim that we or our supplier have infringed upon or misappropriated its proprietary rights. Moreover, in the event that we pursue approval of TPIP, or any other product candidate, via the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway, we will be required to file a certification against any unexpired patents listed in the Orange Book for the third-party drug we rely upon as part of our regulatory submission. This certification process may lead to litigation and could also delay launch of a product candidate, if approved by regulators.
In the event of successful litigation or settlement of claims against us for infringement or misappropriation of a third-party’s proprietary rights, we may be required to take actions including but not limited to the following:
•Paying damages, including up to treble damages, royalties, and the other party’s attorneys’ fees, which may be substantial;
•Ceasing development, manufacture, marketing and sale of products or use of processes that infringe the proprietary rights of others;
•Expending significant resources to redesign our products or our processes so that they do not infringe the proprietary rights of others, which may not be possible, or may result in significant regulatory delays associated with conducting additional clinical trials or other steps to obtain regulatory approval; and/or
•Acquiring one or more licenses from third parties, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.
We may also have to undertake costly litigation or engage in other proceedings, such as interference or inter partes review, to enforce or defend the validity of any patents issued or licensed to us, to confirm the scope and validity of our or a licensor’s proprietary rights or to defend against allegations that we have infringed a third-party’s intellectual property rights. Any proceedings regarding our intellectual property rights are likely to be time consuming and may divert management attention from operation of our business, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
Certain of the agreements to which we are, or may become, a party relating to ARIKAYCE and our product candidates impose, or may in the future impose, restrictions on our business or other material obligations on us. If we fail to comply with these obligations, our business could be adversely affected, including as a result of the loss of license rights that are important to our business.
We are a party to various agreements related to ARIKAYCE and our product candidates, including licensing agreements with PARI and AstraZeneca, which we view as material to our business. For additional information regarding the terms of these agreements, see Business-License and Other Agreements in Item 1 of Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These agreements impose a number of obligations on us and our business, including restrictions on our ability to freely develop or commercialize our product candidates and requirements to make milestone and royalty payments to our counterparties upon
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certain events. Under our license agreement with AstraZeneca, AstraZeneca retains a right of first negotiation pursuant to which it may exclusively negotiate with us before we can negotiate with a third-party regarding any transaction to develop or commercialize brensocatib, subject to certain exceptions. While this right of first negotiation is not triggered by a change of control, it may impede or delay our ability to consummate certain other transactions involving brensocatib.
If we fail to comply with our obligations under these agreements, our counterparties may have the right to take action against us, up to and including termination of a relevant license. For instance, under our licensing agreement with PARI, with respect to NTM lung disease and bronchiectasis, we have specific obligations to use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve certain developmental and regulatory milestones by set deadlines. Additionally, for NTM lung disease, we are obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve certain commercial milestones in Europe. The consequences of our failing to use commercially reasonable efforts to achieve certain commercial milestones are context-specific, but include ending PARI’s non-compete obligation, making the license non-exclusive and terminating the license, in each case with respect to the applicable indication. Similarly, under our license agreement with AstraZeneca, AstraZeneca may terminate our license to brensocatib if we fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize a product based on brensocatib, or we are subject to a bankruptcy or insolvency. Reduction or elimination of our licensed rights may result in our having to negotiate new or reinstated licenses with less favorable terms and may materially harm our business.
Finally, if we do not proceed with the development of our ARIKAYCE program in the NTM lung disease or CF indications, certain of our contract counterparties may elect to proceed with the development of these indications.
Risks Related to Government Regulation
Government healthcare reform could materially increase our costs, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
Our industry is highly regulated and changes in or revisions to laws and regulations that make gaining regulatory approval, reimbursement and pricing more difficult or subject to different criteria and standards may adversely impact our business, operations or financial results.
The Trump Administration and the then-majority party in the Senate indicated their desire to repeal the ACA and, in December 2017, Congress repealed the ACA's individual mandate, i.e., the penalty imposed on individuals who do not obtain healthcare coverage. It is unclear what the effect of this partial repeal will be and whether, when and how repeal of other sections of the law may be effectuated and what the effect on the healthcare sector will be. In December 2018, a federal district court judge in Texas found the ACA to be unconstitutional, although the ruling was stayed while the case is appealed. In December 2019, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit found the individual mandate to be unconstitutional and remanded the case to the district court to determine whether the individual mandate provision is severable from the rest of the law. The district court’s ruling remains stayed pending appeal. The case is currently under consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court, and a decision is expected by mid-2021. It is unclear what the outcome of this litigation and other pending challenges to the ACA's constitutionality, as well as the effect of these matters on the healthcare sector, will be. President Trump had indicated an interest in taking steps to lower drug prices, such as having the federal government negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical manufacturers and/or in indexing certain federally reimbursement payments to international drug prices. The incoming Biden Administration has also indicated that lowering prescription drug prices is a priority. See Reimbursement of Pharmaceutical Products in Item 1 of Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information. Changes to the ACA, to the Medicare or Medicaid programs, or to the ability of the federal government to negotiate or otherwise affect drug prices, or other federal legislation regarding healthcare access, financing or legislation in individual states, could affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock. It remains unclear how any new legislation or regulation might affect the prices we may obtain for ARIKAYCE or any of our product candidates for which regulatory approval is obtained.
If we are found in violation of federal or state “fraud and abuse” laws, we may be required to pay a penalty or may be suspended from participation in federal or state healthcare programs, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
In the US, we are subject to various federal and state healthcare “fraud and abuse” laws, including anti-kickback laws, false claims laws and other laws intended to reduce fraud and abuse in federal and state healthcare programs. Although we seek to structure our business arrangements in compliance with all applicable requirements, these laws are broadly written, and it is often difficult to determine precisely how the law will be applied in specific circumstances. Accordingly, it is possible that our practices may be challenged under these laws. Violations of fraud and abuse laws may be punishable by criminal and/or civil sanctions, including fines or exclusion or suspension from federal and state healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid and debarment from contracting with the US government, and our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock may be adversely affected. Our reputation could also suffer. In addition,
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private individuals have the ability to bring actions on behalf of the government under the federal False Claims Act as well as under the false claims laws of several states.
Under the ACA, we are required to report information on payments or transfers of value to US physicians and teaching hospitals, which is posted in searchable form on a public website. Failure to submit required information may result in civil monetary penalties.
Several states also impose other marketing restrictions or require pharmaceutical companies to make marketing or price disclosures to the state. In addition to the federal government, some states, as well as other countries, including France, require the disclosure of certain payments to healthcare professionals. The federal privacy regulations under HIPAA, state, and foreign medical record privacy laws may limit access to information identifying those individuals who may be prospective users. There are ambiguities as to what is required to comply with these requirements, and we could be subject to penalties if it is determined that we have failed to comply with an applicable legal requirement.
We are subject to anti-corruption laws and trade control laws, as well as other laws governing our operations. If we fail to comply with these laws, we could be subject to negative publicity, civil or criminal penalties, other remedial measures, and legal expenses, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
Our operations are subject to anti-corruption laws, including the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the UK Bribery Act and other anti-corruption laws that apply in countries where we do business. The FCPA, UK Bribery Act and these other laws generally prohibit us, our employees and our intermediaries from making prohibited payments to government officials or other persons to obtain or retain business or gain some other business advantage. We have conducted various studies at a broad range of trial sites around the world. Certain of these jurisdictions pose a risk of potential FCPA violations, and we have relationships with third parties whose actions could potentially subject us to liability under the FCPA or local anti-corruption laws. In addition, we cannot predict the nature, scope or effect of future regulatory requirements to which our international operations might be subject or the manner in which existing laws might be administered or interpreted.
We are also subject to other laws and regulations governing our international operations, including regulations administered by the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, and various non-US government entities, including applicable export control regulations, economic sanctions on countries and persons, customs requirements, currency exchange regulations and transfer pricing regulations (collectively, Trade Control laws).
We may not be effective in ensuring our compliance with all applicable anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA or other legal requirements, including Trade Control laws. If we are not in compliance with the FCPA and other anti-corruption laws or Trade Control laws, we may be subject to criminal and civil penalties, disgorgement and other sanctions and remedial measures, and legal expenses, which could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock. Likewise, even an investigation by US or foreign authorities of potential violations of the FCPA other anti-corruption laws or Trade Control laws could have an adverse impact on our reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects and the value of our common stock.
If another party obtains orphan drug exclusivity for a product that is essentially the same as a product we are developing for a particular indication, we may be precluded or delayed from commercializing the product in that indication.
Under the Orphan Drug Act (ODA), the FDA may grant orphan drug designation to drugs intended to treat a rare disease or condition. The company that obtains the first regulatory approval from the FDA for a designated orphan drug for a rare disease generally receives marketing exclusivity for use of that drug for the designated condition for a period of seven years. Similar laws exist in the EU with a term of 10 years. See Business-Government Regulation-Orphan Drug Designation in Item 1 of Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information. If a competitor obtains approval of the same drug for the same indication or disease before us, and the FDA grants such orphan drug exclusivity, we would be prohibited from obtaining approval for our product for seven or more years, unless our product can be shown to be clinically superior. In addition, even if we obtain orphan exclusivity, the FDA may approve another product during our orphan exclusivity period for the same indication under certain circumstances.
Our research, development and manufacturing activities used in the production of ARIKAYCE and our product candidates involve the use of hazardous materials, which could expose us to damages, fines, penalties and sanctions and materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We are subject to numerous environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including those governing laboratory procedures and the handling, use, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes. Our research and development program and manufacturing activities for ARIKAYCE and our product candidates involve the controlled use of hazardous materials and chemicals. We generally contract with third parties for the disposal of these materials and wastes.
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Although we strive to comply with all pertinent regulations, the risk of environmental contamination, damage to facilities or injury to personnel from the accidental or improper use or control of these materials remains. In addition to any liability we could have for any misuse by us of hazardous materials and chemicals, we could also potentially be liable for activities of our CMOs or other third parties. Any such liability, or even allegations of such liability, could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. We also could incur significant costs as a result of civil or criminal fines and penalties.
In addition, we may incur substantial costs to comply with current or future environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. These current or future laws and regulations may impair our research, development or production efforts. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations also may result in substantial fines, penalties or other sanctions.
Risks Related to Our Financial Condition and Need for Additional Capital
We have a history of operating losses, expect to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never achieve or maintain profitability.
We have incurred losses each previous year of our operation, except in 2009, when we sold our manufacturing facility and certain other assets to Merck & Co, Inc. As of December 31, 2020, our accumulated deficit was $1.8 billion. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, our consolidated net loss was $294.1 million, $254.3 million and $324.3 million, respectively. Our ability to generate revenue will depend on the success of commercial sales of ARIKAYCE; however, we do not anticipate our revenue from the sale of ARIKAYCE will be sufficient for us to become profitable without reductions in our operating expenses. Despite our commercialization of ARIKAYCE in the US and Europe, we expect to continue to incur substantial operating expenses, and resulting operating losses, for the foreseeable future as we:
•Initiate or continue clinical studies of our product candidates;
•Complete a post-marketing clinical trial of ARIKAYCE, as required by the FDA;
•Seek to discover or in-license additional product candidates;
•Seek regulatory approvals for ARIKAYCE in additional foreign markets;
•Scale-up manufacturing capabilities for future ARIKAYCE production, including the increase of production capacity at Patheon and process improvements in order to manufacture at a larger commercial scale; and
•Enhance operational, compliance, financial, quality and information management systems and hire more personnel, including personnel to support our commercialization efforts and development of our product candidates.
Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.
We may need to raise additional funds to continue our operations, but we face uncertainties with respect to our ability to access capital.
Our operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since our inception. We expect to expend substantial financial resources to commercialize, fund the confirmatory post-marketing ARISE study and, where applicable, seek regulatory approval for ARIKAYCE as well as continue research and development of our product candidates, brensocatib and TPIP. We may need to raise additional capital to fund these activities, including due to changes in our product development plans or misjudgment of expected costs, to fund corporate development, to maintain our intellectual property portfolio or for other purposes, including to resolve litigation. As of December 31, 2020, we had $532.8 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand. Our operating expenses and long-term investments were significantly higher in 2020 than in 2019, reflecting our continued investment in the build-out of our commercial organization to support global expansion activities for ARIKAYCE and manufacture of commercial inventory, which includes capital and long-term investments, and continued investment in research and development as well as selling, general and administrative expenses. We do not know whether additional financing will be available when needed, or, if available, whether the terms will be favorable. If adequate funds are not available to us when needed, we may be forced to delay, restrict or eliminate all or a portion of our development programs or commercialization efforts.
We have outstanding indebtedness in the form of convertible senior notes, and may incur additional indebtedness in the future, which could adversely affect our financial position, prevent us from implementing our strategy, and dilute the ownership interest of our existing shareholders.
In January 2018, we completed an underwritten public offering of 1.75% convertible senior notes due 2025 (the Convertible Notes). The Convertible Notes may be convertible into common stock at an initial conversion rate of 25.5384 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes. We sold $450.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes, including the exercise in full of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Convertible Notes,
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resulting in net proceeds of approximately $435.8 million. Holders of the Convertible Notes may convert their Convertible Notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding October 15, 2024 only under certain circumstances. On or after October 15, 2024 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their Convertible Notes at any time. Upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, we may deliver cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election.
The degree to which we are leveraged could have negative consequences, such as the following:
•We may be more vulnerable to economic downturns, less able to withstand competitive pressures, and less flexible in responding to changing economic conditions;
•Our ability to obtain financing in the future may be limited;
•A substantial portion of our cash flows from operations in the future may be required for the payment of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes when they or any additional indebtedness become due; and
•We may elect to make cash payments upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, which would reduce our available cash.
Our ability to pay principal or interest on or, if desired, to refinance our indebtedness, including the Convertible Notes, depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. Our business may not generate cash flow from operations in the future sufficient to satisfy any obligations under the Convertible Notes to make cash payments to noteholders or our obligations under any future indebtedness we may incur. If we are unable to generate such cash flow, we may be required to delay, restrict or eliminate all or a portion of our development programs or commercialization efforts or refinance or obtain additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. If we do not meet our debt obligations, it could materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and the value of our common stock.
The conversion of some or all of the Convertible Notes will dilute the ownership interests of our existing shareholders to the extent we deliver shares upon their conversion. Any sales in the public market of the common stock issuable upon such conversion could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock. In addition, the existence of the Convertible Notes may encourage short selling by market participants because the conversion of the Convertible Notes could be used to satisfy short positions, or anticipated conversion of the Convertible Notes into shares of our common stock could depress the price of our common stock.
The accounting method for the Convertible Notes may have an adverse effect on our reported financial results.
Accounting guidance requires that we separately account for the liability and equity components of the Convertible Notes because they may be settled entirely or partially in cash upon conversion in a manner that reflects our economic interest cost. As a result, the equity component of the Convertible Notes is required to be included in the additional paid-in capital section of shareholders’ equity on our consolidated balance sheet, and the value of the equity component is treated as original issue discount for purposes of accounting for the debt component of the Convertible Notes. We may report greater net loss (or lower net income) in our financial results because this guidance requires interest to include both the current period’s amortization of the debt discount and the instrument’s coupon interest, which could adversely affect our reported or future financial results, the market price of our common stock and the trading price of the Convertible Notes.
Holders may convert their Convertible Notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding October 15, 2024 only under certain circumstances. For example, after the quarter ending March 31, 2018, holders may convert their Convertible Notes at their option during any quarter (and only during such quarter) if the last reported sale price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day. If the Convertible Notes become convertible prior to October 15, 2024, we may be required to reclassify our Convertible Notes and the related debt issuance costs as current liabilities and certain portions of our equity outside of equity to mezzanine equity, which would have an adverse impact on our reported financial results for such quarter, and could have an adverse impact on the market price of our common stock and the trading price of the Convertible Notes.
We may be unable to use certain of our net operating losses and other tax assets.
We have substantial tax loss carry forwards for US federal income tax and state income tax purposes, and beginning in 2015, we had tax loss carry forwards in Ireland as well. In general, our net operating losses and tax credits have been fully offset by a valuation allowance due to uncertainties surrounding our ability to realize these tax benefits. In particular, our ability to fully use certain US tax loss carry forwards and general business tax credit carry forwards recorded prior to December 2010 to offset future income or tax liability is limited under section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
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Code). Changes in the ownership of our stock, including those resulting from the issuance of shares of our common stock offerings or upon exercise of outstanding options, may limit or eliminate our ability to use certain net operating losses and tax credit carry forwards in the future.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
The market price of our stock has been and may continue to be highly volatile, which could lead to shareholder litigation against us.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “INSM”. The market price of our stock has been and may continue to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in price in response to various factors, including those discussed herein, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, the stock market has from time to time experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations, which have particularly affected the market prices for emerging biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies like us, and which have often been unrelated to their operating performance.
Historically, when the market price of a stock has been volatile, shareholders are more likely to institute securities and derivative class action litigation against the issuer of such stock. We previously faced a shareholder suit following a decline in our stock price. If any of our shareholders bring a lawsuit against us in the future, it could have a material adverse effect on our business. We have insurance policies related to some of the risks associated with our business, including directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies; however, our insurance coverage may not be sufficient and our insurance carriers may not cover all claims in a given litigation. If we are not successful in our defense of claims asserted in shareholder litigation, those claims are not covered by insurance or they exceed our insurance coverage, we may have to pay damage awards, indemnify our executive officers, directors and third parties from damage awards that may be entered against them and pay our and their costs and expenses incurred in defense of, or in any settlement of, such claims. In addition, such shareholder suits could divert the time and attention of management from our business.
Certain provisions of Virginia law, our articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and arrangements between us and our employees could hamper a third-party’s acquisition of, or discourage a third-party from attempting to acquire control of us.
Certain provisions of Virginia law, our articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and arrangements with our employees could hamper a third-party’s acquisition of, or discourage a third-party from attempting to acquire control of, us or limit the price that investors might be willing to pay for shares of our common stock. These provisions or arrangements include:
•The ability to issue preferred stock with rights senior to those of our common stock without any further vote or action by the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to the holders of our common stock or could adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the holders of our common stock. In certain circumstances, such issuance could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.
•The existence of a staggered board of directors in which there are three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms, thus expanding the time required to change the composition of a majority of directors.
•The requirement that shareholders provide advance notice when nominating director candidates to serve on our board of directors.
•The inability of shareholders to convene a shareholders’ meeting without the chairman of the board, the president or a majority of the board of directors first calling the meeting.
•The prohibition against entering into a business combination with the beneficial owner of 10% or more of our outstanding voting stock for a period of three years after the 10% or greater owner first reached that level of stock ownership, unless certain criteria are met.
•In addition to severance agreements with our officers and provisions in our incentive plans that permit acceleration of equity awards upon a change in control, a severance plan for eligible full-time employees that provides such employees with severance equal to six months of their then-current base salaries in connection with a termination of employment without cause upon, or within 18 months following, a change in control.
We previously had a shareholder rights plan, or “poison pill,” which expired in May 2011. Under Virginia law, our board of directors may implement a new shareholders’ rights plan without shareholder approval. Our board of directors intends to regularly consider this matter, even in the absence of specific circumstances or takeover proposals, to facilitate its future ability to quickly and effectively protect shareholder value.
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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We currently lease 117,022 square feet of office space for our corporate headquarters in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The initial lease, which commenced in the fourth quarter of 2019, provides us a one-time option to expand the leased premises by up to 50,000 square feet prior to the fifth anniversary of the initial lease commencement. The initial term of this lease will expire in 2030.
We also lease laboratory space located in Bridgewater for which the initial lease term expires in December 2021. In October 2018, we expanded this lease to a total of 28,002 square feet. In addition, we lease office space in France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Japan.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we are a party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. While the outcomes of these matters are uncertain, management does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our trading symbol is "INSM." Our common stock currently trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. As of February 22, 2021, there were approximately 132 holders of record of our common stock.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We anticipate that we will retain all earnings, if any, to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business for the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the payment of dividends will be dependent upon these and any contractual or other restrictions to which we may be subject and, to the extent permissible thereunder, will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors our board of directors deems relevant at that time.
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COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among Insmed Incorporated, the NASDAQ Composite Index,
the S&P 500 Index, the NASDAQ Pharmaceutical Index and the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index
_________________________________
* $100 invested on 12/31/15 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.
Copyright© 2021 Standard & Poor's, a division of S&P Global. All rights reserved.
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ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
Not applicable.
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion also should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. As a result of many factors, such as those set forth under the section entitled Risk Factors, Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and elsewhere herein, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
We are a global biopharmaceutical company on a mission to transform the lives of patients with serious and rare diseases. Our first commercial product, ARIKAYCE, was approved in the US in September 2018 and in the EU in October 2020. Our clinical-stage pipeline includes brensocatib and TPIP. Brensocatib is a small molecule, oral, reversible inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase 1, which we are developing for the treatment of patients with bronchiectasis and other neutrophil-mediated diseases. TPIP is an inhaled formulation of the treprostinil prodrug treprostinil palmitil which may offer a differentiated product profile for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and other rare pulmonary disorders. We have legal entities in the US, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom (UK) and Japan.
Refer to Part I, Item 1. "Business" for a summary of our ongoing commercial and clinical programs for ARIKAYCE and our ongoing clinical programs for brensocatib and TPIP.
Prior to 2019, we had not generated significant revenue and through December 31, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $1.8 billion. We have financed our operations primarily through the public offerings of our equity securities and debt financings. Although it is difficult to predict our future funding requirements, based upon our current operating plan, we anticipate that our cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020 will enable us to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months.
Our ability to reduce our operating loss and begin to generate positive cash flow from operations depends on the continued success in commercializing ARIKAYCE, including expanding the commercial sale of ARIKAYCE to additional territories, as well as achieving positive results from the ARIKAYCE frontline clinical trial program in order to potentially reach more patients. Additionally, our continued success also depends on bringing additional clinical stage products to market, such as brensocatib and TPIP. We expect to continue to incur substantial expenses related to our research and development activities as we continue the ARIKAYCE frontline clinical program, conduct the Phase 3 ASPEN trial for brensocatib, and continue the required trials for TPIP. We also expect to continue to incur significant costs related to the commercialization of ARIKAYCE, especially as we anticipate launching in new markets. Our financial results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and will depend on, among other factors, the net sales of ARIKAYCE; the scope and progress of our research and development efforts; and the timing of certain expenses. We cannot predict whether or when new products or new indications for marketed products will receive regulatory approval or, if any such approval is received, whether we will be able to successfully commercialize such products and whether or when they may become profitable.
KEY COMPONENTS OF OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Product Revenues, Net
Product revenues, net, consist primarily of net sales of ARIKAYCE in the US and Europe. In October 2018, we began shipping ARIKAYCE to our customers in the US, which include specialty pharmacies and specialty distributors. In December 2020, we began commercial sales of ARIKAYCE in Germany. We recognize revenue for product received by our customers net of allowances for customer credits, including prompt pay discounts, service fees, estimated rebates, including government rebates, such as Medicaid rebates and Medicare Part D coverage gap reimbursements in the US, chargebacks and returns.
Cost of Product Revenues (Excluding Amortization of Intangible Assets)
Cost of product revenues (excluding amortization of intangible assets) consist primarily of direct and indirect costs related to the manufacturing of ARIKAYCE sold, including third-party manufacturing costs, packaging services, freight, and allocation of overhead costs, in addition to royalty expenses and revenue-based milestones. We began capitalizing inventory upon FDA approval of ARIKAYCE. All costs related to inventory for ARIKAYCE prior to FDA approval were expensed as incurred and therefore not included in cost of product revenues.
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses
R&D expenses consist primarily of salaries, benefits and other related costs, including stock-based compensation, for personnel serving in our research and development functions, including medical affairs and program management. R&D
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expense also includes other internal operating expenses, the cost of manufacturing product candidates, including the medical devices for drug delivery, for clinical study, the cost of conducting clinical studies, and the cost of conducting preclinical and research activities. In addition, R&D expenses include payments to third parties for the license rights to products in development (prior to marketing approval), such as brensocatib. Our R&D expenses related to manufacturing our product candidates and medical devices for clinical study are primarily related to activities at contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) that manufacture brensocatib and TPIP. Our R&D expenses related to clinical trials are primarily related to activities at contract research organizations (CROs) that conduct and manage clinical trials on our behalf. These contracts with CROs set forth the scope of work to be completed at a fixed fee or amount per patient enrolled. Payments under these contracts with CROs primarily depend on performance criteria such as the successful enrollment of patients or the completion of clinical trial milestones as well as time-based fees. Expenses are accrued based on contracted amounts applied to the level of patient enrollment and to activity according to the clinical trial protocol. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities are deferred and capitalized. Such amounts are then recognized as an expense as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed, or when the goods or services are no longer expected to be provided.
Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses
SG&A expenses consist primarily of salaries, benefits and other related costs, including stock-based compensation, for our non-employee directors and personnel serving in our executive, finance and accounting, legal and compliance, commercial and pre-commercial, corporate development, field sales, information technology and human resource functions. SG&A expenses also include professional fees for legal services, consulting services, including commercial activities, insurance, board of director fees, tax and accounting services and certain milestones related to ARIKAYCE.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Upon commercialization of ARIKAYCE, our intangible assets began to be amortized over their estimated useful lives. The fair values assigned to our intangible assets are based on estimates and assumptions we believe are reasonable based on available facts and circumstances. Unanticipated events or circumstances may occur that require us to review the assets for impairment.
Investment Income and Interest Expense
Investment income consists of interest and dividend income earned on our cash and cash equivalents. Interest expense consists primarily of the accretion of debt discount, contractual interest costs and the amortization of debt issuance costs related to our accretion of debt. Debt discount is accreted, and debt issuance costs are amortized, to interest expense using the effective interest rate method over the term of the debt. Our balance sheet reflects debt, net of the debt discount, debt issuance costs paid to the lender, and other third-party costs. Unamortized debt issuance costs associated with extinguished debt are expensed in the period of the extinguishment.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
COVID-19 Update
We are committed to the safety and well-being of our workforce. In March 2020, we implemented a number of corporate initiatives in response to the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) global pandemic which manifests as COVID-19. These initiatives included a remote working policy for all employees in order to aid the global containment effort and allow infectious disease specialists and pulmonologists to focus exclusively on treating patients and containing the virus. The policy included all of the field-based therapeutic specialists and employees who support ARIKAYCE prescribers. Beginning on June 1, 2020, certain of our field-based employees who support ARIKAYCE prescribers were permitted to return to the field. To date, access to prescribers has been limited with significant regional variability. Our Arikares® trainers are continuing to offer remote training for patients who initiate treatment with ARIKAYCE. While we continue to see use of ARIKAYCE, including new patient adds and continued prescription renewals, there remains a general uncertainty regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the ARIKAYCE patient population and physicians. Patients suffering from refractory NTM lung disease are typically older individuals with underlying lung conditions, and are often treated by infectious disease specialists and pulmonologists. These treating physicians are on the front lines in addressing this global pandemic and must now, understandably, focus their attention on COVID-19.
There are many uncertainties regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are closely monitoring the impact of the pandemic on all aspects of our business, including how it will impact our patients, employees, suppliers, vendors, business partners and distribution channels. While the pandemic did not materially affect our financial results and business operations through the year ended December 31, 2020, we are unable to predict the impact that COVID-19 will have on our financial position and operating results in future periods due to numerous uncertainties. We will continue to assess the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and will make adjustments to our operations as necessary.
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Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Overview - Operating Results
Our operating results for the year ended December 31, 2020, included the following:
•Product revenues, net, increased $27.9 million, or 20.5%, as compared to the prior year as a result of the growth in ARIKAYCE net sales;
•Cost of product revenues (excluding amortization of intangibles) increased $15.7 million, or 64.7%, as compared to the prior year as a result of the increase in net sales of ARIKAYCE and the decrease in the benefit from the sale of inventory for which the cost was incurred prior to FDA approval of ARIKAYCE;
•R&D expenses increased $49.4 million, or 37.5%, as compared to the prior year primarily resulting from increases in clinical development and research expenses related to our new clinical trials, achievement of a patient dosing milestone (resulting in a milestone payment obligation) in our agreement with AstraZeneca in December 2020, and an increase in compensation and benefit related expenses;
•SG&A expenses decreased $7.2 million, or 3.4%, as compared to the prior year resulting from decreases in professional fees and other external expenses related to ARIKAYCE;
•Amortization of intangible assets was consistent with the prior year; and
•Interest expense increased $1.9 million as compared to the prior year related primarily to finance lease interest expense for our corporate headquarters.
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $294.1 million, or $3.01 per share—basic and diluted, compared with a net loss of $254.3 million, or $3.01 per share—basic and diluted, for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Product Revenues, Net
Product revenues, net, consists of net sales of ARIKAYCE. The following table summarizes the sources of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Product revenues, net | $ | 164,413 | $ | 136,467 | $ | 27,946 | 20.5 | % | |||||||||||||||
Product revenues, net, for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased to $164.4 million as compared to $136.5 million in 2019 as a result of the growth in net sales of ARIKAYCE.
Cost of Product Revenues (Excluding Amortization of Intangibles)
Cost of product revenues (excluding amortization of intangibles) for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were comprised of the following (in thousands):
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of product revenues (excluding amortization of intangibles) | $ | 39,872 | $ | 24,212 | $ | 15,660 | 64.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of product revenues, as % of revenues | 24.3 | % | 17.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Cost of product revenues (excluding amortization of intangibles) increased by $15.7 million, or 64.7%, to $39.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to $24.2 million in 2019. The increase in cost of product revenues (excluding amortization of intangibles) in the year ended December 31, 2020 was directly attributable to the increase in total revenues discussed above and a decrease in the benefit from the sale of inventory for which the cost was incurred prior to FDA approval of ARIKAYCE. All product costs incurred prior to FDA approval of ARIKAYCE in September 2018 were expensed as R&D expenses.
R&D Expenses
R&D expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were comprised of the following (in thousands):
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| For the Years Ended December 31, | Increase (decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| External Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clinical development and research | $ | 45,709 | $ | 32,421 | $ | 13,288 | 41.0% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Milestone payment to AstraZeneca | 12,500 | — | 12,500 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturing | 16,912 | 10,416 | 6,496 | 62.4% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regulatory, quality assurance, and medical affairs | 15,557 | 13,343 | 2,214 | 16.6% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal—external expenses | $ | 90,678 | $ | 56,180 | $ | 34,498 | 61.4% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Internal Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefit related expenses | $ | 63,507 | $ | 53,535 | $ | 9,972 | 18.6% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 11,789 | 8,210 | 3,579 | 43.6% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other internal operating expenses | 15,183 | 13,786 | 1,397 | 10.1% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal—internal expenses | $ | 90,479 | $ | 75,531 | $ | 14,948 | 19.8% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 181,157 | $ | 131,711 | $ | 49,446 | 37.5% | |||||||||||||||||||
R&D expenses increased to $181.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 from $131.7 million in 2019. The $49.4 million increase was primarily due to a $13.6 million increase in compensation and benefit related expenses and stock-based compensation due to an increase in headcount, a $13.3 million increase in clinical development and research costs related to the initiation of the ARIKAYCE frontline clinical trial program and the Phase 3 ASPEN trial of brensocatib, and the $12.5 million milestone payment obligation due to AstraZeneca upon the first dosing in our Phase 3 ASPEN trial.
External R&D expenses by product for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were comprised of the following (in thousands):
| For the Year Ended December 31, | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ARIKAYCE external R&D expenses | $ | 46,509 | $ | 28,990 | $ | 17,519 | 60.4 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Brensocatib external R&D expenses | 37,775 | 21,994 | 15,781 | 71.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other external R&D expenses | 6,394 | 5,196 | 1,198 | 23.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 90,678 | $ | 56,180 | $ | 34,498 | 61.4 | % | |||||||||||||||
We expect R&D expenses to increase in 2021 relative to 2020 primarily due to our clinical trial activities and related spend including our Phase 3 ASPEN trial of brensocatib, our confirmatory clinical trial of ARIKAYCE in a front-line treatment setting for patients with MAC lung disease, and our TPIP clinical trials.
SG&A Expenses
SG&A expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were comprised of the following (in thousands):
| For the Years Ended December 31, | Increase (decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compensation and benefit related expenses | $ | 70,923 | $ | 67,064 | $ | 3,859 | 5.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 24,370 | 18,761 | 5,609 | 29.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Professional fees and other external expenses | 83,902 | 97,855 | (13,953) | (14.3) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Facility related and other internal expenses | 24,418 | 27,116 | (2,698) | (9.9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total SG&A expenses | $ | 203,613 | $ | 210,796 | $ | (7,183) | (3.4) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
SG&A expenses decreased to $203.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 from $210.8 million in 2019. The $7.2 million decrease was primarily due to a $14.0 million decrease in professional fees and other external expenses resulting from a $10.2 million milestone related to agreements with CFFT in the prior year and the reduction of certain commercial activities in the current year due to COVID-19 restrictions. In addition, there was a $2.7 million decrease in facility related and other internal expenses due to decreases in travel and other office related expenses. These decreases were partially
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offset by a $5.6 million increase in stock-based compensation and a $3.9 million increase in compensation and benefit related expenses.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $5.0 million and $5.0 million, respectively. Amortization of intangible assets is comprised of amortization of acquired ARIKAYCE R&D and amortization of the milestones paid to PARI for the FDA and EMA approvals of ARIKAYCE.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $29.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to $27.7 million for 2019. The $1.9 million increase in interest expense in the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the prior year period relates to finance lease interest expense for our corporate headquarters.
Provision for Income Taxes
The income tax provision was $1.4 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 reflects the current income tax expense recorded as a result of taxable income in certain of our subsidiaries in Europe and Japan as well as a liability for certain state income taxes.
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
Please refer to the section titled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 for a comparative discussion of our fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
There is considerable time and cost associated with developing potential pharmaceutical products to the point of regulatory approval and commercialization. We commenced commercial shipments of ARIKAYCE in October 2018. We expect to continue to incur operating losses at our US and certain international entities, as we plan to fund R&D for ARIKAYCE, brensocatib, TPIP and our other pipeline programs, continue commercialization activities for ARIKAYCE in the US and Europe, continue to invest in pre-commercial and regulatory activities for ARIKAYCE in Japan, and other general and administrative activities.
In the second quarter of 2020, we completed an underwritten public offering of 11,155,000 shares of our common stock, including 1,455,000 shares issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares, at a public offering price of $23.25 per share. Our net proceeds from the sale of the shares, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses of $13.5 million, were $245.9 million.
In the second quarter of 2019, we completed an underwritten public offering of 10,657,692 shares of common stock, including 1,042,307 shares issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares at a public offering price of $26.00. Our net proceeds from the sale of the shares, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses of $16.0 million, were $261.1 million. The offering also included the sale of 400,000 shares from our Chair and Chief Executive Officer, from which we received no proceeds.
In January 2018, we completed an underwritten public offering of $450.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes, including the exercise in full of the underwriter's option to purchase additional Convertible Notes. Our net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses of $14.2 million, were $435.8 million.
We may need to raise additional capital to fund our operations, including continued commercialization of ARIKAYCE and future clinical trials related to ARIKAYCE, to design and conduct ongoing and future clinical trials for brensocatib and TPIP, and to develop, acquire, in-license or co-promote other products or product candidates, including those that address orphan or rare diseases. We believe we currently have sufficient funds to meet our financial needs for at least the next 12 months. We expect to opportunistically raise additional capital and may do so through equity or debt financing(s), strategic transactions or otherwise. We expect such additional funding, if any, would be used to continue to commercialize ARIKAYCE, to conduct further trials of ARIKAYCE, to develop brensocatib, TPIP and our other product candidates, or to pursue the license
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or purchase of other technologies or products and product candidates. During 2021, we plan to continue to support the commercialization of ARIKAYCE in the US and Europe, to continue to fund further clinical development of ARIKAYCE, brensocatib and TPIP, and to fund our global expansion efforts to support commercial launch activities in additional countries in Europe and pre-commercial activities in Japan including obtaining regulatory approvals for ARIKAYCE in Japan. Our cash requirements for the next 12 months will be impacted by a number of factors, the most significant of which we expect to be expenses related to our commercialization efforts and our ARISE and ENCORE clinical trials for ARIKAYCE, expenses related to the ASPEN trial and other development activities for brensocatib, and to a lesser extent, expenses related to the clinical development of TPIP.
Cash Flows
As of December 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $532.8 million, as compared with $487.4 million as of December 31, 2019. The $45.3 million increase was due to cash received from the underwritten public offering of our common stock in the second quarter of 2020, partially offset by cash used in operating activities and, to a lesser extent, cash used in investing activities. Our working capital was $504.1 million as of December 31, 2020 as compared with $470.0 million as of December 31, 2019.
Net cash used in operating activities was $219.3 million and $250.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The net cash used in operating activities during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was primarily for the commercial, clinical and manufacturing activities related to ARIKAYCE, as well as other SG&A expenses and clinical trial expenses related to brensocatib. The decrease in cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019 was primarily due to increased cash collections from the sale of ARIKAYCE and the net change in working capital, driven by an in increase in accounts payable and accrued compensation and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in accounts receivable.
Net cash used in investing activities was $6.8 million and $42.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The net cash used in investing activities during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was primarily related to the investment in our long-term production capacity at Patheon.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $271.0 million and $285.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 included net cash proceeds of $245.9 million from our underwritten public offering of 11,155,000 shares of common stock in the second quarter of 2020 and cash proceeds from stock option exercises. Net cash provided by financing activities during 2019 primarily included net cash proceeds of $261.1 million from our underwritten public offering of 10,657,692 shares of common stock in the second quarter of 2019 and cash proceeds from stock option exercises.
Contractual Obligations
In January 2018, we completed an underwritten public offering of $450.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes pursuant to an indenture between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Our net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses of $14.2 million, were approximately $435.8 million. The Convertible Notes bear interest payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on July 15, 2018. The Convertible Notes mature on January 15, 2025, unless earlier converted, redeemed, or repurchased. The Convertible Notes are convertible into common stock of the Company under certain circumstances described in the indenture. For more information, see Note 8 - Debt in our notes to the consolidated financial statements.
In September 2018, we entered into an agreement (the Lease) with Exeter 700 Route 202/206, LLC to lease 117,022 square feet of office space located in Bridgewater, New Jersey for our corporate headquarters. Subject to certain conditions, we have the one-time option to expand the leased premises by up to 50,000 rentable square feet, exercisable prior to the fifth anniversary of the Commencement Date, which was October 1, 2019. The initial Lease term runs 130 months from the Commencement Date and we have the option to extend that term for up to three additional five-year periods. In addition, we are responsible for operating expenses and taxes pursuant to the Lease. Future minimum payments under the Lease during the initial Lease Term are approximately $23.8 million. The Lease contains customary default provisions, including those relating to payment defaults, performance defaults and events of bankruptcy.
In February 2014, we entered into a contract manufacturing agreement with Therapure Biopharma Inc., which has been assumed by Resilience, for the manufacture of ARIKAYCE, on a non-exclusive basis, at a 200 kg scale. Pursuant to the agreement, we collaborated with Resilience to construct a production area for the manufacture of ARIKAYCE in Resilience's existing manufacturing facility in Canada. The agreement has an initial term of five years, which began in October 2018, and will renew automatically for successive periods of two years each, unless terminated by either party by providing the required
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two years' prior written notice to the other party. Under the agreement, we are obligated to pay certain minimum amounts for the batches of ARIKAYCE produced each calendar year.
In September 2015, we entered into a Commercial Fill/Finish Services Agreement (the Fill/Finish Agreement) with Althea, for Althea to produce, on a non-exclusive basis, ARIKAYCE in finished dosage form at a 50 kg scale. Under the Fill/Finish Agreement, we are obligated to pay a minimum of $2.7 million for the batches of ARIKAYCE produced each calendar year during the term of the Fill/Finish Agreement. The Fill/Finish Agreement became effective as of January 1, 2015, and following an extension in 2018, the agreement remains in effect through December 31, 2021. The Fill/Finish Agreement may be extended for additional two-year periods upon mutual written agreement of the Company and Althea at least one year prior to the expiration of its then-current term.
We have a licensing agreement with PARI for the use of the optimized Lamira Nebulizer System for delivery of ARIKAYCE in treating patients with NTM lung infections, CF and bronchiectasis. Under the licensing agreement, we have rights under several US and foreign issued patents, and patent applications involving improvements to the optimized Lamira Nebulizer System, to exploit the system with ARIKAYCE for the treatment of such indications, but we cannot manufacture the nebulizers except as permitted under our Commercialization Agreement with PARI, as described below. The Lamira Nebulizer System has been approved for use in the US (in combination with ARIKAYCE) and the EU. Under the licensing agreement, we made an upfront license fee and milestone payments to PARI. Upon FDA acceptance of our NDA and the subsequent FDA and EMA approvals of ARIKAYCE, we made additional milestone payments of €1.0 million, €1.5 million, and €0.5 million, respectively, to PARI. In October 2017, we exercised an option to buy-down the royalties payable to PARI, which was included within selling, general and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2017. PARI is entitled to receive royalty payments in the mid-single digits on the annual global net sales of ARIKAYCE, pursuant to the licensing agreement, subject to certain specified annual minimum royalties.
In July 2014, we entered into a Commercialization Agreement with PARI for the manufacture and supply of the Lamira Nebulizer Systems and related accessories (the Device) as optimized for use with ARIKAYCE. Under the Commercialization Agreement, PARI manufactures the Device except in the case of certain defined supply failures, when the Company will have the right to make the Device and have it made by third parties (but not certain third parties deemed under the Commercialization Agreement to compete with PARI). The Commercialization Agreement has an initial term of 15 years that began in October 2018 (the Initial Term). The term of the Commercialization Agreement may be extended by us for an additional five years by providing written notice to PARI at least one year prior to the expiration of the Initial Term.
In October 2017, we entered into certain agreements with Patheon related to the increase of our long-term production capacity for ARIKAYCE. The agreements provide for Patheon to manufacture and supply ARIKAYCE for our anticipated commercial needs. Under these agreements, we are required to deliver to Patheon the required raw materials, including active pharmaceutical ingredients, and certain fixed assets needed to manufacture ARIKAYCE. Patheon's supply obligations will commence once certain technology transfer and construction services are completed. Our manufacturing and supply agreement with Patheon will remain in effect for a fixed initial term, after which it will continue for successive renewal terms unless either we or Patheon have given written notice of termination. The technology transfer agreement will expire when the parties agree that the technology transfer services have been completed. The agreements may also be terminated under certain other circumstances, including by either party due to a material uncured breach of the other party or the other party’s insolvency. These early termination clauses may reduce the amounts due to the relevant parties. The aggregate investment to increase our long-term production capacity, including under the Patheon agreements and related agreements or purchase orders with third parties for raw materials and fixed assets, is estimated to be approximately $60 million.
In 2004 and 2009, we entered into research funding agreements with CFFT whereby we received $1.7 million and $2.2 million in research funding for the development of ARIKAYCE. As a result of the US approval of ARIKAYCE and in accordance with the agreements, as amended, we owe milestone payments to CFFT of $13.4 million in the aggregate, of which $1.0 million has been paid through December 31, 2020, which are payable through 2025. Furthermore, if certain global sales milestones are met within five years of the commercialization of ARIKAYCE, we would owe up to an additional $3.9 million. We have determined the likelihood of meeting such global sales milestones and have accrued for these contingent obligations proportionally based on net sales of ARIKAYCE.
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In April 2020, we entered into a master services agreement with PPD Development, L.P. (PPD) pursuant to which we retained PPD to perform clinical development services in connection with certain of our clinical research programs. The master services agreement has an initial term of five years. Either party may terminate (i) any project addendum under the master services agreement for any reason and without cause upon 30 days’ written notice, (ii) any project addendum in the event of the other party’s breach of the master services agreement or such project addendum upon 30 days’ written notice, provided that such breach is not cured within such 30-day period, (iii) the master services agreement or any project addendum immediately upon the occurrence of an insolvency event with respect to the other party or (iv) any project addendum upon 30 days’ written notice if (a) the continuation of the services under such project addendum would post material ethical or safety risks to study participants, (b) any approval from a regulatory authority necessary to perform the applicable study is revoked, suspended or expires without renewal or (c) in the reasonable opinion of such party, continuation of the services provided under such project addendum would be in violation of applicable law. We have entered into project addenda with PPD to perform clinical development services over several years for, but not limited to, our ARISE, ENCORE and ASPEN studies. We currently expect to incur approximately $200 million of costs related to these project addenda.
In October 2016, we entered into the AZ License Agreement, pursuant to which AstraZeneca granted us exclusive global rights for the purpose of developing and commercializing AZD7986 (which we renamed brensocatib). In consideration of the licenses and other rights granted by AstraZeneca, we made an upfront payment of $30.0 million, which was included as research and development expense in the fourth quarter of 2016. In December 2020, we incurred a $12.5 million milestone payment obligation upon first dosing in a Phase 3 clinical trial of brensocatib. We are obligated to make a series of additional contingent milestone payments to AstraZeneca totaling up to an additional $72.5 million upon the achievement of clinical development and regulatory filing milestones. If we elect to develop brensocatib for a second indication, we will be obligated to make an additional series of contingent milestone payments totaling up to $42.5 million, the first of which occurs at the initiation of a Phase 3 trial in the additional indication. We are not obligated to make any additional milestone payments for any additional indications. In addition, we have agreed to pay AstraZeneca tiered royalties ranging from a high single-digit to mid-teens on net sales of any approved product based on brensocatib and one additional payment of $35.0 million upon the first achievement of $1 billion in annual net sales. The AZ License Agreement provides AstraZeneca with the option to negotiate a future agreement with us for commercialization of brensocatib in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma.
Future Funding Requirements
We may need to raise additional capital to fund our operations, including the continued commercialization of ARIKAYCE, current and future clinical trials related to ARIKAYCE, development of brensocatib and TPIP, and the potential development, acquisition, in-license or co-promotion of other products or product candidates, including those that address orphan or rare diseases. We expect that our future capital requirements may be substantial and will depend on many factors, including:
•The timing and cost of our current and future clinical trials of ARIKAYCE for the treatment of patients with NTM lung infections, including the ARISE and ENCORE trials;
•The decisions of the MHLW and PMDA with respect to our applications for marketing approval of ARIKAYCE in Japan;
•The costs of activities related to the regulatory approval process and the timing of approvals, if received;
•The cost of supporting the sales and marketing efforts necessary to support the continued commercial efforts of ARIKAYCE;
•The cost of filing, prosecuting, defending, and enforcing patent claims;
•The timing and cost of our ongoing and anticipated clinical trials for our product candidates, including our brensocatib Phase 3 ASPEN trial;
•The costs of our manufacturing-related activities;
•The costs associated with commercializing ARIKAYCE in Japan, if approved; and
•The levels, timing and collection of revenue earned from sales of ARIKAYCE and other products approved in the future, if any.
We have raised $943 million in net proceeds from securities offerings since 2018. We believe we currently have sufficient funds to meet our financial needs for at least the next 12 months. However, our business strategy may require us to raise additional capital at any time through equity or debt financing(s), strategic transactions or otherwise.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources. We do not have any interest in special purpose entities, structured finance entities or other variable interest entities.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the US requires us to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We use our historical experience and other relevant factors when developing our estimates and assumptions and we regularly evaluate these estimates and assumptions. The amounts of assets and liabilities reported in our consolidated balance sheets and the amounts reported in our consolidated statements of comprehensive loss are affected by estimates and assumptions, which are used for, but not limited to, the accounting for revenue recognition, research and development, stock-based compensation, inventory, finite-lived intangible assets, and accrued expenses. The accounting estimates discussed below involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Actual results could differ materially from our estimates. For additional accounting policies, see Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
Revenue Recognition
Product revenues, net, consist primarily of net sales of ARIKAYCE in the US and Europe. In October 2018, we began shipping ARIKAYCE to our customers in the US, which include specialty pharmacies and specialty distributors. In December 2020, we began commercial sales of ARIKAYCE in Germany, and plan to launch in other EU countries and the UK, subject to local reimbursement processes. Product revenues, net, are recognized for arrangements within the scope of ASC 606, once we perform the following five steps: (1) identify the contracts with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when or as the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
Revenue is recorded at net selling price (transaction price), which includes estimates of variable consideration for which reserves are established for (a) customer payments, such as invoice discounts for prompt pay and specialty pharmacies fees, (b) estimated government rebates, such as Medicaid and Medicare Part D reimbursements, and estimated managed care rebates, (c) estimated chargebacks, and (d) estimated costs of co-payment assistance. These reserves are based on the amounts earned or to be claimed on the related sales and are classified as reductions of accounts receivable (prompt pay discounts and chargebacks), prepaid expenses (co-payment assistance), or as a current liability (customer fees and rebates). Where appropriate, these estimates take into consideration a range of possible outcomes which are probability-weighted for relevant factors such as our historical experience, current contractual and statutory requirements, and forecasted customer buying and payment patterns. Overall, these reserves reflect our best estimates of the amount of consideration to which the relevant third party is entitled based on the terms of the applicable contract. The amount of variable consideration included in the transaction price may be constrained and is included in the net sales price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized will not occur in a future period. Actual amounts of consideration ultimately received may differ from our estimates. If actual results in the future vary from our estimates, we adjust these estimates, which would affect net product revenue and earnings in the period such variances become known.
Customer payments: Our customers are offered various forms of consideration, including fees for enhanced services and prompt payment discounts. The payment terms for sales to specialty pharmacies for prompt payment discounts and fees for services are based on contractual rates agreed with the respective specialty pharmacies. We anticipate that our customers will earn these discounts and fees and, therefore, we deduct the full amount of these discounts and fees from total gross product revenues at the time such revenues are recognized.
Rebates: We contract with government agencies and managed care organizations, or collectively, third-party payors, so that ARIKAYCE will be eligible for purchase by, or partial or full reimbursement from, such third-party payors. We estimate the rebates we will provide to third-party payors and deduct these estimated amounts from total gross product revenues at the time the revenues are recognized. These reserves are recorded in the same period in which the revenue is recognized, resulting in a reduction of product revenue and the establishment of a current liability, which is included in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets. We estimate the rebates that will be provided to third-party payors based upon (i) our contracts with these third-party payors, (ii) the government mandated discounts applicable to government-funded programs, (iii) a range of possible outcomes that are probability-weighted for the estimated payor mix, and (iv) information obtained from our specialty pharmacies.
Chargebacks: Chargebacks are discounts that occur when certain contracted customers, currently public health service institutions and federal government entities purchasing via the Federal Supply Schedule, purchase directly from our specialty distributor. Contracted customers generally purchase the product at a discounted price and the specialty distributor, in turn, charges back to us the difference between the price they initially paid and the discounted price paid by the contracted customers. We estimate the chargebacks provided to the specialty distributor and deduct these estimated amounts from gross product revenues at the time revenues are recognized.
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Co-payment assistance: Patients who have commercial insurance and meet certain eligibility requirements may receive co-payment assistance. Based upon the terms of the program and our historical experience with copay redemptions, we estimate the average co-pay mitigation amounts and the percentage of patients that we expect to participate in the program in order to establish our accruals for co-payment assistance. These reserves are recorded in the same period in which the related revenue is recognized, resulting in a reduction of product revenue. We adjust our accruals for co-pay assistance based on actual redemption activity and estimates of future redemptions related to sales in the current period.
If any, or all, of our actual experience vary from the estimates above, we may need to adjust prior period accruals, affecting revenue in the period of adjustment. For additional information regarding our estimates of variable consideration, including quantitative impacts on our financial results, see Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
We also have recognized revenue related to early access programs (EAPs) in Europe, primarily consisting of sales to the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety, which granted ARIKAYCE a Temporary Authorization for Use (Autorisation Temporaire d'Utilisation or ATU) and from the named patient program in Germany, both compassionate use programs. EAPs are intended to make products available on a named patient basis before they are commercially available in accordance with local regulations.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As of December 31, 2020, our cash and cash equivalents were in cash accounts or were invested in money market funds. Our investments in money market funds are not insured by the federal government.
As of December 31, 2020, we had $450.0 million of Convertible Notes outstanding which bear interest at a coupon rate of 1.75%. If a 10% change in interest rates had occurred on December 31, 2020, it would not have had a material effect on the fair value of our debt as of that date, nor would it have had a material effect on our future earnings or cash flows.
The majority of our business is conducted in US dollars. However, we do conduct certain transactions in other currencies, including Euros, British Pounds and Japanese Yen. Historically, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates have not materially affected our results of operations. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, our results of operations were not materially affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The information required by Item 8 is included in our Financial Statements and Supplementary Data set forth in Item 15 of Part IV of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020. The term "disclosure controls and procedures," as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d- 15(e) under the Exchange Act means controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on that evaluation our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020 at the reasonable assurance level.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial and accounting officers and effected by our board of directors and management to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
69
•Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
•Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of our company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and board of directors; and
•Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework. Based on management's assessment, management concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Attestation Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting. The report of Ernst & Young LLP is contained in Item 15 of Part IV of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by Item 10 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the discussion responsive thereto under the captions Election of Class II Directors, Corporate Governance and Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports in our definitive proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by Item 11 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the discussion responsive thereto under the captions Compensation Discussion and Analysis, Compensation Committee Report, Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation and Director Compensation in our definitive proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by Item 12 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the discussion responsive thereto under the captions Compensation Discussion and Analysis, Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Directors and Management in our definitive proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by Item 13 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the discussion responsive thereto under the captions Corporate Governance and Certain Relationships and Related Transactions in our definitive proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by Item 14 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the discussion responsive thereto under the caption Corporate Governance and Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in our definitive proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)Documents filed as part of this report.
1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The following consolidated financial statements of the Company are set forth herein, beginning on page 76:
(i) Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
(iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(iv) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
None required.
3. EXHIBITS.
The exhibits that are required to be filed or incorporated by reference herein are listed in the Exhibit Index.
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Articles of Incorporation of Insmed Incorporated, as amended through June 14, 2012 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Insmed Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 18, 2013). | ||||||||
| Amended and Restated Bylaws of Insmed Incorporated (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Insmed Incorporated's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2020). | ||||||||
| Specimen stock certificate representing common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Registrant (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to Insmed Incorporated's Registration Statement on Form S-4/A (Registration No. 333-30098) filed on March 24, 2000). | ||||||||
| Indenture, dated as of January 26, 2018, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Insmed Incorporated’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 26, 2018). | ||||||||
| First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 26, 2018, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to Insmed Incorporated’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 26, 2018). | ||||||||
| Form of 1.75% Convertible Senior Note due 2025 (included in Exhibit 4.3). | ||||||||
| Description of Securities Registered Under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (filed herewith). | ||||||||
| Insmed Incorporated Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Insmed Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 8, 2013). | ||||||||
| Insmed Incorporated 2013 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to Insmed Incorporated's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 24, 2013). | ||||||||
| Form of Award Agreement for Incentive Stock Options pursuant to the Insmed Incorporated 2013 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to Insmed Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 6, 2014). | ||||||||
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| Form of Award Agreement for Non-Qualified Stock Options pursuant to the Insmed Incorporated 2013 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.6 to Insmed Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 6, 2014). | ||||||||
| Insmed Incorporated 2015 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to Insmed Incorporated's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 28, 2015). | ||||||||
| Form of Award Agreement for Non-Qualified Stock Options pursuant to the Insmed Incorporated 2015 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Insmed Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 3, 2017). | ||||||||
| Insmed Incorporated 2017 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Insmed Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 3, 2017). | ||||||||
| Form of Award Agreements for Restricted Stock Units pursuant to the Insmed Incorporated 2017 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Insmed Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 3, 2017). | ||||||||
| Form of Award Agreement for Non-Qualified Stock Options pursuant to the Insmed Incorporated 2017 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to Insmed Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 3, 2017). | ||||||||
| Insmed Incorporated 2019 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Insmed Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 1, 2019). | ||||||||
Amendment No. 1 to the Insmed Incorporated 2019 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Appendix A to Insmed Incorporated’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed March 31, 2020). | ||||||||
| Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units pursuant to the Insmed Incorporated 2019 Incentive Plan (filed herewith). | ||||||||
| Form of Award Agreement for Non-Qualified Stock Options pursuant to the Insmed Incorporated 2019 Incentive Plan (filed herewith). | ||||||||
| Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units issued to directors pursuant to the Insmed Incorporated 2019 Incentive Plan (filed herewith). | ||||||||
Omnibus Amendment to Insmed Incorporated Incentive Plans, dated December 10, 2020 (filed herewith). | ||||||||
| Insmed Incorporated Senior Executive Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Insmed Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 5, 2013). | ||||||||
| Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Inducement Award Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.6 to Insmed Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 3, 2017). | ||||||||
| Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into with each of the Company's directors and officers (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Insmed Incorporated's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 16, 2014). | ||||||||
| Employment Agreement, effective as of September 10, 2012, between Insmed Incorporated and William Lewis (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Insmed Incorporated's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 11, 2012). | ||||||||
| Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective as of July 31, 2019, between Insmed Incorporated and William Lewis (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to Insmed Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 1, 2019). | ||||||||
| Employment Agreement, effective as of July 29, 2013, between Insmed Incorporated and Christine Pellizzari (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Insmed Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 5, 2013). | ||||||||
73
| Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective as of September 26, 2016, between Insmed Incorporated and Christine Pellizzari (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.31 to Insmed Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 23, 2017). | ||||||||
| Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective as of July 31, 2019, between Insmed Incorporated and Christine Pellizzari (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.7 to Insmed Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 1, 2019). | ||||||||
| Employment Agreement, effective as of January 2, 2013, between Insmed Incorporated and S. Nicole Schaeffer (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Insmed Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 7, 2015). | ||||||||
| Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective as of September 26, 2016, between Insmed Incorporated and S. Nicole Schaeffer (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.32 to Insmed Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 23, 2017). | ||||||||
Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective as of July 31, 2019, between Insmed Incorporated and S. Nicole Schaeffer (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Insmed Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed April 30, 2020). | ||||||||
| Employment Agreement, effective as of September 27, 2016, between Insmed Incorporated and Roger Adsett (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Insmed Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November 3, 2016). | ||||||||
| Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective as of July 31, 2019, between Insmed Incorporated and Roger Adsett (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.6 to Insmed Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 1, 2019). | ||||||||
| Employment Agreement, effective as of January 28, 2020, between Insmed Incorporated and Sara Bonstein (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.13 to Insmed Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 25, 2020). | ||||||||
| Employment Agreement, effective as of March 17, 2014, between Insmed Incorporated and John Goll (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.14 to Insmed Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 25, 2020). | ||||||||
| License Agreement, dated April 25, 2008, between Transave, Inc. and PARI Pharma GmbH, and Amendments No. 1-4 thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Insmed Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 29, 2020). | ||||||||
| Amendment No. 5 to License Agreement between Insmed Incorporated and PARI Pharma GmbH, effective as of October 5, 2015 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.14.1 to Insmed Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 25, 2016). | ||||||||
| Amendment No. 6 to License Agreement between Insmed Incorporated and PARI Pharma GmbH, effective as of October 9, 2015 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.14.2 to Insmed Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 25, 2016). | ||||||||
| Amendment No. 7 to License Agreement between Insmed Incorporated and PARI Pharma GmbH, effective as of July 21, 2017 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Insmed Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 2, 2017). | ||||||||
| Amendment No. 8 to License Agreement between Insmed Incorporated and PARI Pharma GmbH, effective as of December 19, 2018 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.15.4 to Insmed Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 22, 2019). | ||||||||
| Contract Manufacturing Agreement, dated February 7, 2014, between Insmed Incorporated and Resilience Biotechnologies Inc. (successor to Therapure Biopharma Inc.) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2.1 to Insmed Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 29, 2020). | ||||||||
| Amending Agreement, dated March 13, 2014, between Insmed Incorporated and Resilience Biotechnologies Inc. (successor to Therapure Biopharma Inc.) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2.2 to Insmed Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 29, 2020). | ||||||||
74
| Commercialization Agreement dated July 8, 2014 between Insmed Incorporated and PARI Pharma GmbH (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Insmed Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2014). | ||||||||
| Amendment No. 1 to Commercialization Agreement between Insmed Incorporated and PARI Pharma GmbH, effective as of July 21, 2017 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Insmed Incorporated’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 2, 2017). | ||||||||
| Master Agreement for Services, dated as of August 27, 2014, by and between Insmed Incorporated and SynteractHCR, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.29 to Insmed Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2015). | ||||||||
| Work Order 1, dated as of December 30, 2014, by and between Insmed Incorporated and SynteractHCR, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.30 to Insmed Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2015). | ||||||||
| Change in Scope 1 to Work Order 1, dated as of May 27, 2016, by and between Insmed Incorporated and SynteractHCR, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Insmed Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 4, 2016). | ||||||||
| Commercial Fill/Finish Services Agreement between Insmed Incorporated and Ajinomoto Althea, Inc., dated as of September 15, 2015 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Insmed Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November 6, 2015). | ||||||||
| Extension of Commercial Fill/Finish Services Agreement between Insmed Incorporated and Ajinomoto Althea, Inc., dated as of November 30, 2016 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.30 to Insmed Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 23, 2017). | ||||||||
| Extension of Commercial Fill/Finish Services Agreement between Insmed Incorporated and Ajinomoto Althea, Inc., dated as of December 18, 2018 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.29.2 to Insmed Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 22, 2019). | ||||||||
| Manufacturing and Supply Agreement between Insmed Incorporated and Patheon UK Limited, dated as of October 20, 2017 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.39 to Insmed Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 23, 2018). | ||||||||
| Technology Transfer Agreement between Insmed Incorporated and Patheon UK Limited, dated as of October 20, 2017 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.40 to Insmed Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 23, 2018). | ||||||||
| License Agreement, dated October 4, 2016, between Insmed Incorporated and AstraZeneca AB (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.29 to Insmed Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 23, 2017). | ||||||||
10.24 | Lease Agreement, effective as of July 1, 2016, by and between Insmed Incorporated and CIP II/AR Bridgewater Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Insmed Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 4, 2016). | |||||||
10.25 | Lease Agreement, dated September 11, 2018, by and between Insmed Incorporated and Exeter 700 Route 202/206, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Insmed Incorporated’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 17, 2018). | |||||||
| Subsidiaries of Insmed Incorporated (filed herewith). | ||||||||
| Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (filed herewith). | ||||||||
| Certification of William H. Lewis, Chair and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of Insmed Incorporated, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2003 (filed herewith). | ||||||||
| Certification of Sara Bonstein, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) of Insmed Incorporated, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2003 (filed herewith). | ||||||||
| Certification of William H. Lewis, Chair and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of Insmed Incorporated, pursuant to 18 USC Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2003 (filed herewith). | ||||||||
75
| Certification of Sara Bonstein, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) of Insmed Incorporated, pursuant to 18 USC Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2003 (filed herewith). | ||||||||
| 101 | The following materials from Insmed Incorporated’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and (vi) Cover Page. | |||||||
| 104 | The cover page from the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, formatted in iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101. | |||||||
| * | Certain portions of this exhibit have been redacted. | |||||||
| ** | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. | |||||||
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on February 25, 2021.
| INSMED INCORPORATED a Virginia corporation (Registrant) | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ WILLIAM H. LEWIS | |||||||
William H. Lewis Chair and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on February 25, 2021.
77
| Signature | Title | |||||||
| /s/ WILLIAM H. LEWIS | Chair and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |||||||
| William H. Lewis | ||||||||
| /s/ SARA BONSTEIN | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |||||||
| Sara Bonstein | ||||||||
| /s/ DAVID R. BRENNAN | Director | |||||||
| David R. Brennan | ||||||||
| /s/ ALFRED F. ALTOMARI | Director | |||||||
| Alfred F. Altomari | ||||||||
| /s/ CLARISSA DESJARDINS, PH.D. | Director | |||||||
| Clarissa Desjardins, Ph.D. | ||||||||
| /s/ STEINAR J. ENGELSEN, M.D. | Director | |||||||
| Steinar J. Engelsen, M.D. | ||||||||
| /s/ DAVID W.J. MCGIRR | Director | |||||||
| David W.J. McGirr | ||||||||
| /s/ ELIZABETH MCKEE ANDERSON | Director | |||||||
| Elizabeth McKee Anderson | ||||||||
| /s/ MELVIN SHAROKY, M.D. | Director | |||||||
| Melvin Sharoky, M.D. | ||||||||
| /s/ LEO LEE | Director | |||||||
| Leo Lee | ||||||||
| /s/ CAROL A. SCHAFER | Director | |||||||
| Carol A. Schafer | ||||||||
78
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Insmed Incorporated
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Insmed Incorporated (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 25, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
79
| Variable consideration in contracts with customers | |||||
| Description of the Matter | As discussed in Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements, the transaction price for product sales is typically adjusted for variable consideration, which includes rebates paid to government agencies. The Company estimates these reserves based upon a range of possible outcomes that are probability-weighted for the estimated payor mix. Auditing the Company's estimate of variable consideration for amounts to be paid to government agencies was complex and judgmental due to uncertainty about the ultimate third-party payor at the time of shipment to the specialty pharmacies and the amounts of rebates to be paid to those government agencies. The transaction price is sensitive to assumptions used in the rebate calculations. | ||||
| How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit | We identified, evaluated and tested controls over management’s review of the calculated reductions to gross product prices related to government agencies including management’s review of the significant assumptions and the data utilized in its calculations. To test the revenue adjustments related to government agencies our audit procedures included, among others, using internal specialists to assist with recalculating government rebates. We also tested the underlying data and inputs used by the Company in its determination of the estimated payor mix. We compared the inputs used by management to historical trends, evaluated the change in the estimated rebates amounts recorded throughout the year and assessed the historical accuracy of management’s estimates against actual results. | ||||
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since at least 1999, but we are unable to determine the specific year.
Iselin, New Jersey
February 25, 2021
80
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Insmed Incorporated
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Insmed Incorporated’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control— Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Insmed Incorporated (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, the related notes and our report dated February 25, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
| /s/ Ernst & Young LLP | ||||||||
Iselin, New Jersey
February 25, 2021
81
INSMED INCORPORATED
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except par value and share data)
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | ||||||||||||||
| Inventory | ||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||||||||
| Intangibles, net | ||||||||||||||
| Fixed assets, net | ||||||||||||||
| Finance lease right-of-use assets | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | ||||||||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities and shareholders' equity | ||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued compensation | ||||||||||||||
| Finance lease liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Debt, long-term | ||||||||||||||
| Finance lease liabilities, long-term | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, long-term | ||||||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity: | ||||||||||||||
Common stock, $ | ||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | |||||||||||||
| Total shareholders' equity | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
82
INSMED INCORPORATED
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands, except per share data)
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Product revenues, net | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of product revenues (excluding amortization of intangible assets) | |||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | |||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Investment income | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
| Weighted average basic and diluted common shares outstanding | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation gains (losses) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
See accompanying notes to audited consolidated financial statements
83
| Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Accumulated Deficit | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2017 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options and ESPP shares issuance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity component of convertible debt | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock for vesting of RSUs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock compensation expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2018 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options and ESPP shares issuance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net proceeds from issuance of common stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock for vesting of RSUs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock compensation expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of stock options and ESPP shares issuance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net proceeds from issuance of common stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock for vesting of RSUs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock compensation expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to audited consolidated financial statements
84
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | |||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of debt discount and back-end fee on debt | |||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease amortization expense | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Noncash operating lease expense | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Inventory | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Other assets | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Accrued compensation | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Investing activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of fixed assets | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| PARI milestone upon regulatory approvals | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Financing activities | |||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of | |||||||||||||||||
| Payment of debt principal and extinguishment costs | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options, ESPP, and RSU vesting | |||||||||||||||||
| Payment of debt issuance costs | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Payment of financing lease principal | ( | — | |||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from tenant improvement allowance | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for income taxes | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to audited consolidated financial statements
85
1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
Description of Business—Insmed is a global biopharmaceutical company on a mission to transform the lives of patients with serious and rare diseases. The Company's first commercial product, ARIKAYCE, is approved in the United States as ARIKAYCE (amikacin liposome inhalation suspension) and in the EU as ARIKAYCE® Liposomal 590 mg Nebuliser Dispersion. ARIKAYCE received accelerated approval in the United States (US) in September 2018 for the treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease as part of a combination antibacterial drug regimen for adult patients with limited or no alternative treatment options in a refractory setting. In October 2020, the European Commission (EC) approved ARIKAYCE for the treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung infections caused by MAC in adults with limited treatment options who do not have cystic fibrosis. NTM lung disease caused by MAC (which the Company refers to as MAC lung disease) is a rare and often chronic infection that can cause irreversible lung damage and can be fatal. The Company's clinical-stage pipeline includes brensocatib and treprostinil palmitil inhalation powder (TPIP). Brensocatib is a small molecule, oral, reversible inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase 1, which the Company is developing for the treatment of patients with bronchiectasis and other neutrophil-mediated diseases. TPIP is an inhaled formulation of the treprostinil prodrug treprostinil palmitil which may offer a differentiated product profile for pulmonary arterial hypertension and other rare pulmonary disorders.
The Company was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia on November 29, 1999 and its principal executive offices are located in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The Company has legal entities in the US, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom (UK), and Japan.
The Company had $532.8 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020 and reported a net loss of $294.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Historically, the Company has funded its operations primarily through public offerings of equity securities and debt financings. The Company commenced commercial shipments of ARIKAYCE in October 2018. The Company expects to continue to incur operating losses both at its US and certain international entities while funding research and development (R&D) activities for ARIKAYCE, brensocatib, TPIP and its other pipeline programs, continuing and commencing commercialization activities for ARIKAYCE in the US and Europe, respectively, continuing to invest in pre-commercial and regulatory activities for ARIKAYCE in Japan, and funding other general and administrative activities.
The Company expects its future cash requirements to be substantial, and the Company may need to raise additional capital to fund operations, including the continued commercialization of ARIKAYCE and additional clinical trials related to ARIKAYCE, to develop brensocatib and TPIP and to develop, acquire, in-license or co-promote other products or product candidates, including those that address orphan or rare diseases. The source, timing and availability of any future financing or other transaction will depend principally upon continued progress in the Company’s commercial, regulatory and development activities. Any equity or debt financing will also be contingent upon equity and debt market conditions and interest rates at the time. If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient additional funds when required, the Company may be forced to delay, restrict or eliminate all or a portion of its development programs or commercialization efforts. The Company believes it currently has sufficient funds to meet its financial needs for at least the next 12 months.
Risks and Uncertainties—There are many uncertainties regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the Company is closely monitoring the impact of the pandemic on all aspects of its business, including how the pandemic will impact its patients, employees, suppliers, vendors, business partners and distribution channels. While the pandemic did not materially affect the Company's financial results and business operations for the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company is unable to predict the impact that COVID-19 will have on its financial position and operating results in future periods due to numerous uncertainties. The Company will continue to assess the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and will make adjustments to its operations as necessary.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
86
INSMED INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Fair Value Measurements—The Company categorizes its financial assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels, which are directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs used to determine the fair value of financial assets and liabilities, are as follows:
•Level 1 — Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
•Level 2 — Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the assets or liability through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the instrument’s anticipated life.
87
INSMED INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
•Level 3 — Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model.
Each major category of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis is categorized based upon the lowest level of significant input to the valuations. The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Financial instruments in Level 1 generally include US treasuries and mutual funds listed in active markets.
The Company's only financial assets and liabilities which were measured at fair value as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were Level 1 assets comprised of cash and cash equivalents. The Company's cash and cash equivalents permit daily redemptions and the fair values of these investments are based upon the quoted prices in active markets provided by the holding financial institutions. The following table shows assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and their carrying value (in millions):
As of December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
The Company recognizes transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy, if any, at the end of each quarter. There were no
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company held no
The Company reviews the status of each security quarterly to determine whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. In making its determination, the Company considers a number of factors, including: (1) the significance of the decline; (2) whether the security was rated below investment grade; (3) how long the security has been in an unrealized loss position; and (4) the Company's ability and intent to retain the investment for a sufficient period of time for it to recover.
The estimated fair value of the liability component of the 1.75 % convertible senior notes due 2025 (the Convertible Notes) (categorized as a Level 2 liability for fair value measurement purposes) as of December 31, 2020 was $516.4 million, determined using current market factors and the ability of the Company to obtain debt on comparable terms to the Convertible Notes. The $356.3 million carrying value of the Convertible Notes as of December 31, 2020 excludes the $88.0 million of the unamortized portion of the debt discount.
Foreign Currency—The Company has operations in the US, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom (UK), and Japan. The results of its non-US dollar based functional currency operations are translated to US dollars at the average exchange rates during the period. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. Equity is translated at the prevailing exchange rate at the date of the equity transaction. Translation adjustments are included in shareholders' equity, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.
The Company realizes foreign currency transaction gains (losses) in the normal course of business based on movements in the applicable exchange rates. These gains (losses) are included as a component of other income, net.
88
INSMED INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Concentration of Credit Risk—Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company places its cash equivalents with high credit-quality financial institutions and may invest its short-term investments in US treasury securities, mutual funds and government agency bonds. The Company has established guidelines relative to credit ratings and maturities that seek to maintain safety and liquidity.
The Company is exposed to risks associated with extending credit to customers related to the sale of products. The Company does not require collateral to secure amounts due from its customers. The following table presents the percentage of gross product revenue represented by the Company's three largest customers as of the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
| Percentage of Total Gross Product Revenue | |||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
| Customer A | % | ||||||||||
| Customer B | % | ||||||||||
| Customer C | % | ||||||||||
The Company relies on third-party manufacturers and suppliers for manufacturing and supply of its products. The inability of the suppliers or manufacturers to fulfill supply requirements of the Company could materially impact future operating results. A change in the relationship with the suppliers or manufacturer, or an adverse change in their business, could materially impact future operating results.
Revenue Recognition—In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, the Company recognizes revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for the goods or services provided. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (1) identify the contracts with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when or as the entity satisfies a performance obligation. At contract inception, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract and determines those that are performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when or as the performance obligation is satisfied. For all contracts that fall into the scope of ASC 606, the Company has identified one performance obligation: the sale of ARIKAYCE to its customers. The Company has not incurred or capitalized any incremental costs associated with obtaining contracts with customers.
Product revenues, net consist primarily of net sales of ARIKAYCE in the US. Product revenues are recognized once the Company performs and satisfies all five steps mentioned above. The Company's customers in the US include specialty pharmacies and specialty distributors.
Revenue is recorded at net selling price (transaction price), which includes estimates of variable consideration for which reserves are established for (a) customer credits, such as invoice discounts for prompt pay and specialty pharmacies fees, (b) estimated government rebates, such as Medicaid and Medicare Part D reimbursements, and estimated managed care rebates, (c) estimated chargebacks, and (d) estimated costs of co-payment assistance. These reserves are based on the amounts earned or to be claimed on the related sales and are classified as reductions of accounts receivable (prompt pay discounts and chargebacks), prepaid expenses (co-payment assistance), or as a current liability (rebates). Where appropriate, these estimates take into consideration a range of possible outcomes which are probability-weighted for relevant factors such as the Company's historical experience, current contractual and statutory requirements, and forecasted customer buying and payment patterns. Overall, these reserves reflect the Company's best estimates of the amount of consideration to which it is entitled based on the terms of the applicable contract. The amount of variable consideration included in the transaction price may be constrained and is included in the net sales price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized will not occur in a future period. Actual amounts of consideration ultimately received may differ from the Company's estimates. If actual results in the future vary from estimates, the Company adjusts these estimates, which would affect net product revenue and earnings in the period such variances become known.
Customer credits: The Company's customers are offered various forms of consideration, including fees for enhanced services and prompt payment discounts. The payment terms for sales to specialty pharmacies for prompt payment discounts and
89
INSMED INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
fees for services are based on contractual rates agreed with the respective specialty pharmacies. The Company anticipates that its customers will earn these discounts and fees and, therefore, deducts the full amount of these discounts and fees from total gross product revenues at the time such revenues are recognized.
Rebates: The Company contracts with government agencies and managed care organizations, or collectively, third-party payors, so that ARIKAYCE will be eligible for purchase by, or partial or full reimbursement from, such third-party payors. The Company estimates the rebates it will provide to third-party payors and deducts these estimated amounts from total gross product revenues at the time the revenues are recognized. These reserves are recorded in the same period in which the revenue is recognized, resulting in a reduction of product revenue and the establishment of a current liability. The current liability is included in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company estimates the rebates that it will provide to third-party payors based upon (i) the Company's contracts with these third-party payors, (ii) the government mandated discounts applicable to government-funded programs, (iii) a range of possible outcomes that are probability-weighted for the estimated payor mix, and (iv) information obtained from the Company's specialty pharmacies.
Chargebacks: Chargebacks are discounts that occur when certain contracted customers, currently public health service institutions and federal government entities purchasing via the Federal Supply Schedule, purchase directly from the Company's specialty distributor. Contracted customers generally purchase the product at a discounted price and the specialty distributor, in turn, charges back to the Company the difference between the price the specialty distributor initially paid and the discounted price paid by the contracted customers. The Company estimates chargebacks provided to the specialty distributor and deducts these estimated amounts from gross product revenues, and from accounts receivable, at the time revenues are recognized.
Co-payment assistance: Patients who have commercial insurance and meet certain eligibility requirements may receive co-payment assistance. Based upon the terms of the program and information regarding programs provided for similar specialty pharmaceutical products, the Company estimates the average co-pay mitigation amounts and the percentage of patients that it expects to participate in the program in order to establish accruals for co-payment assistance. These reserves are recorded in the same period in which the related revenue is recognized, resulting in a reduction of product revenue. The Company adjusts its accruals for co-pay assistance based on actual redemption activity and estimates of future redemptions related to sales in the current period.
If any, or all, of the Company's actual experience varies from its estimates, the Company may need to adjust prior period accruals, affecting revenue in the period of adjustment.
The following table provides a summary roll-forward of the Company's sales allowances and related accruals for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, which have been deducted in arriving at product revenues, net (in thousands).
| Customer Credits, Fees and Discounts | Rebates, Chargebacks and Co-pay Assistance | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Allowances for current period sales | |||||||||||||||||
| Allowances for prior period sales | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Payments and credits | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Allowances for current period sales | |||||||||||||||||
| Allowances for prior period sales | |||||||||||||||||
| Payments and credits | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The Company also recognizes revenue related to certain early access programs (EAPs) in Europe, consisting of sales to the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety, which granted ARIKAYCE a Temporary Authorization for Use (Autorisation Temporaire d'Utilisation, or ATU) and from the named patient program in Germany and
90
INSMED INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
Inventory and Cost of Product Revenues (excluding amortization of intangible assets)—Inventory is stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The Company began capitalizing inventory costs following FDA approval of ARIKAYCE in September 2018. Inventory is sold on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. The Company periodically reviews inventory for expiry and obsolescence and, if necessary, writes down accordingly. If quality specifications are not met during the manufacturing process, such inventory is written off to cost of product revenues (excluding amortization of intangible assets) in the period identified.
Cost of product revenues (excluding amortization of intangible assets) consist primarily of direct and indirect costs related to the manufacturing of ARIKAYCE sold, including third-party manufacturing costs, packaging services, freight, and allocation of overhead costs, in addition to royalty expenses and revenue-based milestones. Cost is determined using a standard cost method, which approximates actual cost, and assumes a first-in, first-out (FIFO) flow of goods.
Prior to FDA approval of ARIKAYCE, the Company expensed all inventory related costs in the period incurred. Inventory used for clinical development purposes is expensed to research and development (R&D) expense when consumed.
Income Taxes—The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is expected to be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, the Company takes into account various factors, including the expected level of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies. If actual results differ from the assumptions made in the evaluation of a valuation allowance, the Company records a change in valuation allowance through income tax expense in the period such determination is made.
91
INSMED INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
The Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based solely on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that is more likely than not to be sustained upon ultimate settlement. As any adjustment to the Company’s uncertain tax positions would not result in a cash tax liability, it has not recorded any accrued interest or penalties related to its uncertain tax positions.
The Company's policy for interest and penalties related to income tax exposures is to recognize interest and penalties as a component of the income tax provision in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.
Net Loss Per Share—Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares and other dilutive securities outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive securities from stock options and restricted stock units would be anti-dilutive as the Company incurred a net loss in all periods presented. Potentially dilutive common shares resulting from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options would be determined based on the treasury stock method.
The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the weighted average number of shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||
| Numerator: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
| Denominator: | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares used in calculation of basic net loss per share: | |||||||||||||||||
| Effect of dilutive securities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Common stock options | |||||||||||||||||
| Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units | |||||||||||||||||
| Convertible debt securities | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding used in calculation of diluted net loss per share | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss per share: | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
The following potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the computations of diluted weighted average common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 as their effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands).
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Common stock options | |||||||||||||||||
| Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units | |||||||||||||||||
| Convertible debt securities | |||||||||||||||||
92
INSMED INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
A lease is a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of explicitly or implicitly identified property, plant or equipment in exchange for consideration. Control of an asset is conveyed to the Company if the Company obtains the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits of the asset or the right to direct the use of the asset. The Company recognizes ROU assets and lease liabilities at the lease commencement date based on the present value of future, fixed lease payments over the term of the arrangement. ROU assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease or are amortized based on consumption, if this approach is more representative of the pattern in which benefit is expected to be derived from the underlying asset. Lease liabilities accrete to yield and are reduced at the time when the lease payment is payable to the vendor. Variable lease payments are recognized at the time when the event giving rise to the payment occurs and are recognized in the statement of comprehensive income in the same line item as expenses arising from fixed lease payments.
In accordance with Topic 842, leases are measured at present value using the rate implicit in the lease or, if the implicit rate is not determinable, the lessee's implicit borrowing rate. As the implicit rate is not typically available, the Company uses its implicit borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date to determine the present value of future lease payments. The implicit borrowing rate approximates the rate the Company would pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments.
Financial information presented prior to January 1, 2019 has not been adjusted and is presented in accordance with ASC 840. Refer to the Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements section within this note below and Note 7 - Leases for details about the Company's lease portfolio, including Topic 842 required disclosures.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements—In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses, which requires financial assets measured at an amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. This ASU amends the impairment model to utilize an expected loss methodology in place of the incurred loss methodology for financial instruments, including trade receivables. The Company's measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2020. Different aspects of the guidance required modified retrospective or prospective adoption. Adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Not Yet Adopted)—In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt — Accounting for Convertible Instruments, to reduce the complexity associated with applying US GAAP to certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. For convertible instruments, the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments is reduced, which results in fewer embedded conversion features being separately recognized from the host contract as compared with current GAAP. Only convertible instruments that meet the definition of a derivative or are issued with substantial premiums will continue to be subject to the separation models. ASU 2020-06 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. A modified retrospective and a fully retrospective transition method are both permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2020-06 on its consolidated financial statements.
3. Inventory
The Company's inventory balance consists of the following (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
| Raw materials | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Work-in-process | |||||||||||
| Finished goods | |||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
93
4. Intangible Assets, Net
As of December 31, 2020, the Company's finite-lived intangible assets consisted of acquired ARIKAYCE R&D, which resulted from the initial amount recorded at the time of the Company's merger with Transave in 2010 and subsequent adjustments in the value as well as milestones paid to PARI for the license to use PARI's Lamira® Nebulizer System for the delivery of ARIKAYCE to patients of $1.7 million as a result of the FDA approval of ARIKAYCE in September 2018 and $0.6 million as a result of the EMA approval of ARIKAYCE in October 2020. Total intangible assets, net was $49.3 million and $53.7 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Company began amortizing its finite-lived intangible assets in October 2018, over ARIKAYCE's initial regulatory exclusivity period of 12 years. Amortization of these assets during each of the next five years is estimated to be approximately $5.1
A rollforward of the Company's finite-lived intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 follows (in thousands):
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible Asset | January 1, | Additions | Amortization | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquired ARIKAYCE R&D | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| PARI milestones | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible Asset | January 1, | Additions | Amortization | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquired ARIKAYCE R&D | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| PARI milestone | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
5. Fixed Assets, Net
94
Estimated Useful Life (years) | As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| Asset Description | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lab equipment | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Furniture and fixtures | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Computer hardware and software | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Office equipment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturing equipment | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Leasehold improvements | lease term | |||||||||||||||||||
| Construction in progress (CIP) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation expense was $9.1 million, $5.2 million and $3.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
6. Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
| Accrued clinical trial expenses | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accrued professional fees | |||||||||||
| Accrued technical operation expenses | |||||||||||
| Accrued royalty payable | |||||||||||
| Accrued interest payable | |||||||||||
| Accrued sales allowances and related costs | |||||||||||
| Accrued construction costs | |||||||||||
| Other accrued expenses | |||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
7. Leases
The Company's lease portfolio consists primarily of office space, manufacturing facilities and fleet vehicles. All of the Company's leases are classified as operating leases, except for the Company's corporate headquarters lease, which is classified as a finance lease. The terms of the Company's lease agreements that have commenced range from less than one year to ten years, ten months . In its assessment of the term of each such lease, the Company has not included any options to extend or terminate the lease due to the absence of economic incentives in its lease agreements. Leases that qualify for treatment as a short-term lease are expensed as incurred. These short-term leases are not material to the Company's financial position. Furthermore, the Company does not separate lease and non-lease components for all classes of underlying assets. The Company's leases do not contain residual value guarantees and it does not sublease any of its leased assets.
The Company outsources its manufacturing operations to CMOs. Upon review of the agreements with its CMOs, the Company determined that these contracts contain embedded leases for dedicated manufacturing facilities. The Company obtains substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the manufacturing facilities, has the right to direct how and for what purpose the facility is used throughout the period of use, and the supplier does not have the right to change the operating
95
INSMED INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
7. Leases (Continued)
instructions of the facility. The operating lease right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities associated with the manufacturing facilities is the sum of the minimum guarantees over the life of the production contracts.
The table below summarizes the Company's total lease costs included in its consolidated financial statements, as well as other required quantitative disclosures (in thousands).
| As of December 31, 2020 | As of December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Finance lease cost: | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of right-of-use assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Interest on lease liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Total finance lease cost | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Operating lease cost | ||||||||||||||
| Variable lease cost | ||||||||||||||
| Total lease cost | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Other information: | ||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Operating cash flows for finance leases | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Operating cash flows for operating leases | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Financing cash flows for finance leases | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease term - finance leases | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease term - operating leases | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average discount rate - finance leases | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average discount rate - operating leases | % | % | ||||||||||||
In addition to the operating lease costs disclosed above, the Company also records variable consideration for variable lease payments in excess of fixed fees or minimum guarantees. Variable consideration related to the Company's leasing arrangements was $9.9 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Variable costs related to CMO manufacturing agreements are direct costs related to the manufacturing of ARIKAYCE and are capitalized within inventory in the Company's consolidated balance sheet, while the variable costs related to other leasing arrangements, not related to the manufacturing of ARIKAYCE, have been classified within operating expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.
INSMED INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
7. Leases (Continued)
| Year Ending December 31, | Finance Lease | Operating Leases | |||||||||
| 2021 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| 2022 | |||||||||||
| 2023 | |||||||||||
| 2024 | |||||||||||
| 2025 | |||||||||||
| Thereafter | |||||||||||
| Total | |||||||||||
Less: present value discount | |||||||||||
| Present value of lease liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Balance Sheet Classification at December 31, 2020: | |||||||||||
| Current lease liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Long-term lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total lease liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
8. Debt
In January 2018, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of the Convertible Notes, in which the Company sold $450.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes, including the exercise in full of the underwriters' option to purchase additional Convertible Notes of $50.0 million. The Company's net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses of $14.2 million, were approximately $435.8 million. The Convertible Notes bear interest payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on July 15, 2018. The Convertible Notes mature on January 15, 2025, unless earlier converted, redeemed, or repurchased.
On or after October 15, 2024, until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding January 15, 2025, holders may convert their Convertible Notes at any time. Upon conversion, holders may receive cash, shares of the Company's common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company's common stock, at the Company's option. The initial conversion rate is 25.5384 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $39.16 per share of common stock). The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment in some events but will not be adjusted for any accrued and unpaid interest.
Holders may convert their Convertible Notes prior to October 15, 2024, only under the following circumstances, subject to the conditions set forth in an indenture, dated as of January 26, 2018, between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (Wells Fargo), as trustee, as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture, dated January 26, 2018, between the Company and Wells Fargo (as supplemented, the Indenture): (i) during the five business day period immediately after any five consecutive trading day period (the measurement period) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of convertible notes, as determined following a request by a holder of the convertible notes, for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98 % of the product of the last reported sale price of the common stock and the conversion rate on such trading day, (ii) the Company elects to distribute to all or substantially all holders of the common stock (a) any rights, options or warrants (other than in connection with a stockholder rights plan for so long as the rights issued under such plan have not detached from the associated shares of common stock) entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 days from
INSMED INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Debt (Continued)
the declaration date for such distribution, to subscribe for or purchase shares of common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sale prices of the common stock for the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the declaration date for such distribution, or (b) the Company’s assets, debt securities or rights to purchase securities of the Company, which distribution has a per share value, as reasonably determined by the board of directors, exceeding 10 % of the last reported sale price of the common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the declaration date for such distribution, (iii) if a transaction or event that constitutes a fundamental change or a make-whole fundamental change occurs, or if the Company is a party to (a) a consolidation, merger, combination, statutory or binding share exchange or similar transaction, pursuant to which the common stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, cash, securities or other property or assets, or (b) any sale, conveyance, lease or other transfer or similar transaction in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, all or any portion of the Convertible Notes may be surrendered by a holder for conversion at any time from or after the date that is 30 scheduled trading days prior to the anticipated effective date of the transaction, (iv) if during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on March 31, 2018 (and only during such calendar quarter), the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130 % of the conversion price on each applicable trading day, or, (v) if the Company sends a notice of redemption, a holder may surrender all or any portion of its Convertible Notes, to which the notice of redemption relates, for conversion at any time on or after the date the applicable notice of redemption was sent until the close of business on (a) the second business day immediately preceding the related redemption date or (b) if the Company fails to pay the redemption price on the redemption date as specified in such notice of redemption, such later date on which the redemption price is paid.
The Convertible Notes can be settled in cash, common stock, or a combination of cash and common stock at the Company's option, and thus, the Company determined the embedded conversion options in the convertible notes are not required to be separately accounted for as a derivative. However, since the Convertible Notes are within the scope of the accounting guidance for cash convertible instruments, the Company is required to separate the Convertible Notes into liability and equity components. The carrying amount of the liability component was calculated by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated equity component. The fair value was based on data from readily available pricing
sources which utilize market observable inputs and other characteristics for similar types of instruments. The carrying amount of the equity component representing the embedded conversion option was determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the gross proceeds of the Convertible Notes. The excess of the principal amount of the liability component over its carrying amount is amortized to interest expense over the expected life of a similar liability that does not have an associated equity component using the effective interest method. The equity component is not remeasured as long as it continues to meet the conditions for equity classification in the accounting guidance for contracts in an entity’s own equity. The fair value of the liability component of the Convertible Notes on the date of issuance was estimated at $309.1 million using an effective interest rate of 7.6 %, and accordingly, the residual equity component on the date of issuance was $140.9 million. The discount is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Convertible Notes and has a remaining period of approximately 4.04 years.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, total interest expense related to the Convertible Notes was $28.3 million, which includes the contractual interest coupon payable semi-annually in cash, the amortization of the issuance costs, and accretion of debt discount, as described in the table below. The following table presents the carrying value of the Company’s debt balance as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs, unamortized | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Discount on debt | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Long-term debt, net | $ | $ | |||||||||
98
INSMED INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. Debt (Continued)
| Year Ending December 31: | |||||
| 2021 | $ | ||||
| 2022 | |||||
| 2023 | |||||
| 2024 | |||||
| 2025 | |||||
| $ | |||||
In February 2018, the Company used part of the net proceeds from the issuance of the Convertible Notes to pay off its outstanding debt to Hercules Capital (Hercules). The payments to Hercules consisted of $55.0 million for the principal amount and an additional $3.2 million in back-end fees, outstanding interest, and prepayment penalty fees, which resulted in a $2.2 million loss on extinguishment of debt in the quarter ended March 31, 2018.
The estimated fair value of the debt (categorized as a Level 2 liability for fair value measurement purposes) is determined using current market factors and the ability of the Company to obtain debt at comparable terms to those that are currently in place. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the fair value of the Company's debt approximated the carrying amount.
Interest Expense
Interest expense related to debt and the finance lease for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, which includes the contractual interest coupon payable semi-annually in cash, the amortization of the issuance costs, and accretion of debt discount is as follows (in thousands):
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Contractual interest expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | |||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of back-end fee on debt | |||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of debt discount | |||||||||||||||||
| Total convertible debt interest expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Finance lease interest expense | |||||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
9. Shareholders' Equity
Common Stock—As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 500,000,000 shares of common stock authorized with a par value of $0.01 and 102,763,060 12,263,402 shares of common stock for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding common stock options and 844,391 shares of common stock for issuance upon the vesting of restricted stock units.
In the second quarter of 2020, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 11,155,000 shares of the Company's common stock, including 1,455,000 shares issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares from the Company, at a public offering price of $23.25 per share. The Company's net proceeds from the sale of the shares, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses of $13.5 million, were $245.9 million.
In the second quarter of 2019, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 10,657,692 shares of the Company's common stock, including 1,042,307 shares issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares at a public offering price of $26.00 . The Company's net proceeds from the sale of the shares, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses of $16.0 million, were $261.1 million. The
99
INSMED INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
9. Shareholders' Equity (Continued)
offering also included the sale of 400,000 shares from the Company's Chair and Chief Executive Officer, from which the Company received no proceeds.
In January 2018, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of $450.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes, including the exercise in full of the underwriter's option to purchase additional Convertible Notes. The fair value of the liability component of the Convertible Notes on the date of issuance was estimated at $309.1 million, and accordingly, the equity component (included in additional paid-in capital) on the date of issuance was calculated as $140.9 million using the residual method, as further described in Note 8 Debt.
Preferred Stock—As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had 200,000,000 0.01 no
10. Stock-Based Compensation
The Company’s current equity compensation plan, the 2019 Incentive Plan, was approved by shareholders at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders in May 2019. The 2019 Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company. Under the terms of the 2019 Incentive Plan, the Company is authorized to grant a variety of incentive awards based on its common stock, including stock options (both incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options), RSUs, performance options/shares and other stock awards to eligible employees and non-employee directors. On May 16, 2019, upon the approval of the 2019 Incentive Plan by shareholders, 3,500,000 shares were authorized for issuance thereunder, plus any shares subject to then-outstanding awards under the 2017 Incentive Plan, the 2015 Incentive Plan and the 2013 Incentive Plan that subsequently were canceled, terminated unearned, expired, were forfeited, lapsed for any reason or were settled in cash without the delivery of shares. On May 12, 2020, at the Company's 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Company's shareholders approved an amendment of the 2019 Incentive Plan providing for the issuance of an additional 4,500,000 shares under the plan. As of December 31, 2020, 5,200,879 shares remained for future issuance under the 2019 Incentive Plan. The 2019 Incentive Plan will terminate on May 16, 2029 unless it is extended or terminated earlier pursuant to its terms. In addition, from time to time, the Company makes inducement grants of stock options. These awards are made pursuant to the Nasdaq inducement grant exception as a component of new hires’ employment compensation in connection with the Company’s equity grant program. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company granted inducement stock options covering 996,830 and 305,180 shares, respectively, of the Company's common stock to new employees.
Stock Options—The Company calculates the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The following table summarizes the grant date fair value and assumptions used in determining the fair value of all stock options granted, including grants of inducement options, during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Volatility | |||||||||||||||||
| Risk-free interest rate | |||||||||||||||||
| Dividend yield | |||||||||||||||||
| Expected option term (in years) | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average fair value of stock options granted | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the volatility factor was based on the Company’s historical volatility during the expected option term. The company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.
From time to time, the Company grants performance-condition options to certain employees. Vesting of these options is subject to the Company achieving certain performance criteria established at the date of grant and the individuals fulfilling a service condition (continued employment). The Company had no
100
INSMED INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
10. Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)
The following table summarizes stock option activity for stock options granted for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 as follows:
Number of Shares | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in '000) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Options outstanding at January 1, 2018 | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited and expired | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Options outstanding at December 31, 2018 | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable at December 31, 2018 | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited and expired | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Options outstanding at December 31, 2019 | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable at December 31, 2019 | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited and expired | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Options outstanding at December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable at December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $24.0 million, $16.5 million and $5.6 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2020, there was $59.7 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units—The Company may grant Restricted Stock (RS) and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to employees and non-employee directors. Each share of RS vests upon and each RSU represents a right to receive one share of the Company's common stock upon the completion of a specific period of continued service.
RS and RSU awards granted are valued at the market price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes noncash compensation expense for the fair values of these RS and RSUs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of these awards.
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INSMED INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
10. Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)
The following table summarizes RSU awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:
Number of RSUs | Weighted Average Grant Price | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding at January 1, 2018 | $ | |||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | |||||||||||||
| Released | ( | $ | ||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | $ | ||||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2018 | $ | |||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | |||||||||||||
| Released | ( | $ | ||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | $ | ||||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2019 | $ | |||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | |||||||||||||
| Released | ( | $ | ||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | $ | ||||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2020 | $ | |||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2020, there was $15.0 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.
The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss related to stock options and RSUs during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):
| Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Research and development expenses | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Employee Stock Purchase Plan - On May 15, 2018, the Company's shareholders approved the Company’s 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). As part of the ESPP, eligible employees may acquire an ownership interest in the Company by purchasing common stock, at a discount, through payroll deductions. The ESPP is compensatory under GAAP and the Company recorded stock compensation expense of $1.2 million, $1.6 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
11. Income Taxes
The income tax provision was $1.4 million, $0.8 million and $0.2 million and the effective rates were approximately 0 %, 0 % and 0 % for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act), the Company recorded a noncurrent receivable to reflect the refund due to the Company in future periods relating to the previously paid alternative minimum tax. In addition, the income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 reflected current income tax expense recorded as a result of the taxable income in certain of the Company's non-US subsidiaries and certain state income taxes.
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company was also subject to foreign income taxes as a result of legal entities established for activities in Europe and Japan. The Company's loss before income taxes in the US and globally was as follows (in thousands):
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
11. Income Taxes (Continued)
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| US | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
| Foreign | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
The Company's income tax provision consisted of the following (in thousands):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Current: | |||||||||||||||||
| Federal | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| State | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred: | |||||||||||||||||
| Federal | |||||||||||||||||
| State | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The reconciliation between the federal statutory tax rates and the Company's effective tax rate is as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Statutory federal tax rate | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Permanent items | % | ( | % | % | |||||||||||||
| State income taxes, net of federal benefit | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| R&D and other tax credits | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign income taxes | % | % | ( | % | |||||||||||||
| Change in valuation allowance | ( | % | ( | % | ( | % | |||||||||||
| Change in Irish trading status | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
The trading income tax rate for an Irish company is 12.5 % and the non-trading income tax rate is 25 %. During 2019, the Company determined that it qualifies as a non-trading company. As such, the Company’s Irish NOLs were revalued to the higher rate. Further, not all expenses incurred will result in a non-trading company loss carryforward. These changes had no impact to income tax expense as a result of the valuation allowance.
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11. Income Taxes (Continued)
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between financial statement and tax bases using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following:
| As of December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets: | |||||||||||
| Net operating loss carryforwards | $ | $ | |||||||||
| General business credits | |||||||||||
| Product license | |||||||||||
| Inventory | |||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Intangibles | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Right-of-use assets | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Convertible debt | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Net deferred tax assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Valuation allowance | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net deferred tax assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
The net deferred tax assets (prior to applying the valuation allowance) of $509.8 million and $413.5 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, primarily consist of net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes. Due to the Company's history of operating losses, the Company recorded a valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets by increasing the valuation allowance by $96.3 million and $80.9 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively, as it was more likely than not that such tax benefits will not be realized.
At December 31, 2020, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes of approximately $1.2 billion. Due to the limitation on NOLs as more fully discussed below, $1.0 billion of the NOLs are available to offset future taxable income, if any. The NOL carryovers and general business tax credits expire in various years beginning in 2018. For state tax purposes, the Company has approximately $456.7 million of New Jersey NOLs available to offset against future taxable income. The Company also has California and Virginia NOLs that are entirely limited due to Section 382 (as discussed below). The Company has $202.8 million of non-trading loss carryforwards for Irish tax purposes. The Company has disallowed interest expense carryover of $6.1 million which carryforward indefinitely.
From 2014 through 2017, the Company completed an Internal Revenue Code Section 382 (Section 382) analysis in order to determine the amount of losses that are currently available for potential offset against future taxable income, if any. It was determined that the utilization of the Company's NOL and general business tax credit carryforwards generated in tax periods up to and including December 2010 were subject to substantial limitations under Section 382 due to ownership changes that occurred at various points from the Company's original organization through December 2010. In general, an ownership change, as defined by Section 382, results from transactions increasing the ownership of shareholders that own, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of a corporation's stock, in the stock of a corporation by more than 50 percentage points over a testing period (usually 3 years). Since the Company's formation in 1999, it has raised capital through the issuance of common stock on several occasions which, combined with the purchasing shareholders' subsequent disposition of those shares, have resulted in multiple changes in ownership, as defined by Section 382. These ownership changes resulted in substantial limitations on the use of the Company's NOLs and general business tax credit carryforwards up to and including December 2010. The Company
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11. Income Taxes (Continued)
continues to track all of its NOLs and tax credit carryforwards but has provided a full valuation allowance to offset those amounts.
Law Changes
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was enacted into law in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act contains numerous income tax provisions, such an enhanced interest deductibility, repeal of the 80% limitation with respect to net operating losses arising in taxable years 2018-2020, and additional depreciation deductions related to qualified improvement property. The Company has concluded the analysis of these provisions as of year-end and the CARES Act did not have a material impact on the Company’s income taxes for 2020.
The financial statement recognition of the benefit for a tax position is dependent upon the benefit being more likely than not to be sustainable upon audit by the applicable taxing authority. If this threshold is met, the tax benefit is then measured and recognized at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. If such unrecognized tax benefits were realized and not subject to valuation allowances, the Company would recognize a tax benefit of $5.6 million. The following table summarizes the gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands):
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Additions related to prior period tax positions | |||||||||||
| Reductions related to prior period tax positions | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Additions related to current period tax positions | |||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, | $ | $ | |||||||||
The Company is subject to US federal and state income taxes and the statute of limitations for tax audit is open for the federal tax returns for the years ended 2016 and later, and is generally open for certain states for the years 2015 and later. The Company has incurred net operating losses since inception, except for the year ended December 31, 2009. Such loss carryforwards would be subject to audit in any tax year in which those losses are utilized, notwithstanding the year of origin.
The Company's policy is to recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties in income tax expense. The Company has recorded no 5.6 million and $4.8 million, respectively. As any adjustment to the Company’s uncertain tax positions would not result in a cash tax liability, it has not recorded any accrued interest or penalties related to its uncertain tax positions. The Company does not anticipate any material changes in the amount of unrecognized tax positions over the next 12 months.
12. License and Other Agreements
In-License Agreements
PARI Pharma GmbH—In April 2008, the Company entered into a licensing agreement with PARI Pharma GmbH (PARI) for use of the optimized Lamira Nebulizer System for delivery of ARIKAYCE in treating patients with NTM lung infections, CF and bronchiectasis. Under the licensing agreement, the Company has rights under several US and foreign issued patents and patent applications involving improvements to the optimized Lamira Nebulizer System, to exploit the system with ARIKAYCE for the treatment of such indications, but the Company cannot manufacture the nebulizers except as permitted under the commercialization agreement with PARI, which is described in further detail below. The Lamira Nebulizer System has been approved for use in the US (in combination with ARIKAYCE) and the EU. Under the licensing agreement, the Company paid PARI an upfront license fee and certain milestone payments. Upon FDA acceptance of the Company's New Drug Application and the subsequent FDA and EMA approval of ARIKAYCE, the Company paid PARI additional milestone payments of €1.0 million, €1.5 million and €0.5 million, respectively. In October 2017, the Company exercised an option to buy-down the royalties that will be paid to PARI on ARIKAYCE net sales. As a result, PARI is entitled to receive royalty
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12. License and Other Agreements (Continued)
payments in the mid-single digits on the annual global net sales of ARIKAYCE, pursuant to the licensing agreement, subject to certain specified annual minimum royalties. See below for information related to the commercialization agreement with PARI.
Other Agreements
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc.—In 2004 and 2009, the Company entered into research funding agreements with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. (CFFT) whereby it received $1.7 million and $2.2 million in research funding for the development of ARIKAYCE. As a result of the US approval of ARIKAYCE and in accordance with the agreements, as amended, the Company owes milestone payments to CFFT of $13.4 million in the aggregate, of which $1.0 million has been paid through December 31, 2020, which are payable through 2025. Furthermore, if certain global sales milestones are met within five years of the commercialization of ARIKAYCE, the Company would owe up to an additional $3.9 million. The Company has determined the likelihood of meeting such global sales milestones and have accrued for these contingent obligations proportionally based on net sales of ARIKAYCE.
Resilience Biotechnologies Inc. (successor to Therapure Biopharma Inc.)—In February 2014, the Company entered into a contract manufacturing agreement with Therapure Biopharma Inc., which was assumed by Resilience Biotechnologies Inc. (Resilience) for the manufacture of ARIKAYCE, on a non-exclusive basis, at a 200 kg scale. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company and Resilience collaborated to construct a production area for the manufacture of ARIKAYCE in Resilience's existing manufacturing facility in Canada. The agreement has an initial term of five years , which began in October 2018, and will renew automatically for successive periods of two years each, unless terminated by either party by providing the required two years prior written notice to the other party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties have rights and obligations under the agreement prior to the commencement of the initial term. Under the agreement, the Company is obligated to pay a minimum of $6 million for commercial ARIKAYCE batches produced and certain manufacturing activities each calendar year.
PARI Pharma GmbH—In July 2014, the Company entered into a commercialization agreement with PARI (the Commercialization Agreement) for the manufacture and supply of Lamira Nebulizer Systems and related accessories (the Device) as optimized for use with ARIKAYCE. Under the Commercialization Agreement, PARI manufactures the Device except in the case of certain defined supply failures, when the Company will have the right to make the Device and have it made by third parties (but not certain third parties deemed under the Commercialization Agreement to compete with PARI). The Commercialization Agreement has an initial term of fifteen years from the first commercial sale of ARIKAYCE in October 2018 (the Initial Term). The term of the agreement may be extended by the Company for an additional five years by providing written notice to PARI at least one year prior to the expiration of the Initial Term. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties have certain rights and obligations under the agreement prior to the commencement of the Initial Term.
Ajinomoto Althea, Inc.—In September 2015, the Company entered into a Commercial Fill/Finish Services Agreement (the Fill/Finish Agreement) with Ajinomoto Althea, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Althea), for Althea to produce, on a non-exclusive basis, ARIKAYCE in finished dosage form at a 50 kg scale. Under the Fill/Finish Agreement, the Company is obligated to pay a minimum of $2.7 million for the batches of ARIKAYCE produced by Althea each calendar year during the term of the Fill/Finish Agreement. The Fill/Finish Agreement became effective as of January 1, 2015, and following an extension in 2018, is expected to remain in effect through December 31, 2021. The Fill/Finish Agreement may be extended for additional two-year periods upon mutual written agreement of the Company and Althea at least one year prior to the expiration of its then-current term.
AstraZeneca AB—In October 2016, the Company entered into a license agreement (AZ License Agreement) with AstraZeneca AB, a Swedish corporation (AstraZeneca). Pursuant to the terms of the AZ License Agreement, AstraZeneca granted the Company exclusive global rights for the purpose of developing and commercializing AZD7986 (renamed brensocatib). In consideration of the licenses and other rights granted by AstraZeneca, the Company made an upfront payment of $30.0 million, which was included as research and development expense in the fourth quarter of 2016. In December 2020, the Company incurred a $12.5 million milestone payment obligation upon the first dosing in a Phase 3 clinical trial of brensocatib. The Company is also obligated to make a series of additional contingent milestone payments totaling up to an additional $72.5 million upon the achievement of clinical development and regulatory filing milestones. If the Company elects to develop brensocatib for a second indication, the Company will be obligated to make an additional series of contingent milestone payments to AstraZeneca totaling up to $42.5 million, the first of which occurs at the initiation of a Phase 3 trial in the additional indication. The Company is not obligated to make any additional milestone payments for additional indications. In addition, the Company will pay AstraZeneca tiered royalties ranging from a high single-digit to mid-teens on net sales of any approved product based on brensocatib and one additional payment of $35.0 million upon the first achievement of $1.0 billion
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12. License and Other Agreements (Continued)
in annual net sales. The AZ License Agreement provides AstraZeneca with the option to negotiate a future agreement with the Company for commercialization of brensocatib in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma.
Patheon UK Limited—In October 2017, the Company entered into certain agreements with Patheon UK Limited (Patheon) related to the increase of its long-term production capacity for ARIKAYCE commercial inventory. The agreements provide for Patheon to manufacture and supply ARIKAYCE for its anticipated commercial needs. Under these agreements, the Company is required to deliver to Patheon the required raw materials, including active pharmaceutical ingredients, and certain fixed assets needed to manufacture ARIKAYCE. Patheon's supply obligations will commence once certain technology transfer and construction services are completed. The Company's manufacturing and supply agreement with Patheon will remain in effect for a fixed initial term, after which it will continue for successive renewal terms unless either party has given written notice of termination. The technology transfer agreement will expire when the parties agree that the technology transfer services have been completed. The agreements may also be terminated under certain other circumstances, including by either party due to a material uncured breach of the other party or the other party’s insolvency. These early termination clauses may reduce the amounts due to the relevant parties.
PPD Development, L.P.—In April 2020, the Company entered into a master services agreement with PPD Development, L.P. (PPD) pursuant to which it retained PPD to perform clinical development services in connection with certain of its clinical research programs. The master services agreement has an initial term of five years . Either party may terminate (i) any project addendum under the master services agreement for any reason and without cause upon 30 days’ written notice, (ii) any project addendum in the event of the other party’s breach of the master services agreement or such project addendum upon 30 days’ written notice, provided that such breach is not cured within such 30-day period, (iii) the master services agreement or any project addendum immediately upon the occurrence of an insolvency event with respect to the other party or (iv) any project addendum upon 30 days’ written notice if (a) the continuation of the services under such project addendum would post material ethical or safety risks to study participants, (b) any approval from a regulatory authority necessary to perform the applicable study is revoked, suspended or expires without renewal or (c) in the reasonable opinion of such party, continuation of the services provided under such project addendum would be in violation of applicable law. The Company entered into project addenda with PPD to perform clinical development services over several years for, but not limited to, its ARISE, ENCORE and ASPEN studies.
13. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
In September 2018, the Company entered into a lease for its new corporate headquarters in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The initial lease term commenced in October 2019 and expires in September 2030. In July 2016, the Company signed an operating lease for laboratory space, also located in Bridgewater, for which the initial lease term expires in September 2021. In October 2018, the Company expanded its lease for laboratory space located in Bridgewater, which commenced in January 2019. Future minimum rental payments under the Bridgewater leases are $24.9 million.
Rent expense charged to operations was $3.7 million, $3.2 million, and $2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the applicable leases.
In addition to rent, the Company has several firm purchase commitments, primarily related to the manufacturing of ARIKAYCE and annual minimum royalties on global net sales of ARIKAYCE. Future firm purchase commitments under these agreements, the last of which ends in 2034, total $83.1 million. These amounts do not represent the Company's entire anticipated purchases in the future, but instead represent only purchases that are the subject of contractually obligated minimum purchases. The minimum commitments disclosed are determined based on non-cancelable minimum spend amounts or termination amounts. Additionally, the Company purchases products and services as needed with no firm commitment.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company is a party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. While the outcomes of these matters are uncertain, management does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
14. Retirement Plan
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14. Retirement Plan (Continued)
108