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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Seer, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions, including, but not limited to, those related to the determination of stand-alone selling price for revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, allowance for credit losses, inventory valuation, operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities, useful lives and valuation of property and equipment, income tax uncertainties, and tax valuation allowances.

Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties

Concentration of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, and investments. The Company maintains bank deposits in federally insured financial institutions, and these deposits may exceed federally insured limits. The Company is exposed to credit risk

in the event of default by the financial institutions holding its cash and cash equivalents and issuers of investments to the extent account balances exceed the amount insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

In fiscal year 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized revenue from a related party that represented 28% and 32%, respectively, of the Company’s total revenue.

In fiscal year 2023 and 2022, 30% and 26%, respectively, of the total revenue was generated outside of the United States, primarily from countries in Asia and Europe.

As of December 31, 2023, there were two customers which represented 14% and 10% of the total accounts receivable balance, including related party receivables. As of December 31, 2022, there were three customers which represented 25%, 12%, and 10% of the total accounts receivable balance, including related party receivables.

Equity Method Investments

Equity Method Investments

The Company utilizes the equity method to account for investments when it possesses the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the operating and financial decisions of the investee.

In applying the equity method, the Company records the investment at cost and subsequently increases or decreases the carrying amount of the investment by its proportionate share of the net earnings or losses and other comprehensive income of the investee based on its percentage of common stock ownership during the respective reporting period. Payments to investees such as additional investments and payments from investees such as dividends are recorded as adjustments to the carrying value of the investment. In the event that net losses of the investee reduce the carrying amount to zero, no additional net losses are recorded unless the Company makes additional investment in the investee, has guaranteed obligations of the investee, or is otherwise committed to provide further financial support for the investee.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company has an equity method investment in PrognomiQ. Refer to Note 11 for additional information.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2023, all amounts recorded as cash and cash equivalents consist of cash, money market funds, corporate debt securities and U.S. Treasury securities and are stated at fair value. As of December 31, 2022, all amounts recorded as cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and money market funds and are stated at fair value.

Restricted cash as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 represents cash held by a financial institution as security for a letter of credit issued to the lessor for one of the Company’s operating leases and is classified as noncurrent.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):


		December 31,
		2023				2022
Cash and cash equivalents		$	32,499			$	53,208
Restricted cash			524				524
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		$	33,023			$	53,732

Investments

The Company has designated all investments, which include U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Non-Treasury securities, commercial paper and corporate debt securities as available-for-sale, and therefore, such investments are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a component of other comprehensive loss. The cost of available-for-sale securities is adjusted for the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to expected maturity. Such amortization and accretion are included in other income (expense) on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Realized gains and losses and interest income on available-for-sale securities are also included in other income (expense). The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments in debt securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation at each balance sheet date. As of December 31, 2023, the Company classifies its available-for-sale securities as short-term investments or long-term investments based on the remaining contractual maturity of the securities.

All of the Company’s investments are subject to a periodic impairment review. The Company recognizes an impairment charge when a decline in the fair value of its investments below the cost basis is judged to be other than temporary. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the length of time and extent to which an investment’s fair value has been less than its cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, extent of the loss related to credit of the issuer, the expected cash flows from the security, the Company’s intent to sell the security and whether or not the Company will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company did not recognize any impairment charges on its investments.

Any unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities that are attributed to credit risk are recorded to the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss through an allowance for credit losses.

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable consist of amounts due from customers for the sales of products and services, net of any allowance for credit losses. The Company’s expected loss allowance methodology for receivables is developed using its historical collection experience, current and future economic market conditions and a review of the current aging status and financial condition of its customers. Balances are written off when they are ultimately determined to be uncollectible. There were $4,000 and $30,000 allowances for credit losses related to accounts receivable as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Inventory

Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value on a first-in, first-out basis. Provisions for slow-moving, excess or obsolete inventories are recorded when required to reduce inventory values to their estimated net realizable values based on product expiration, development plans, or quality issues. The Company writes down specifically identified unusable, obsolete, slow-moving or known unsalable inventory in the period that it is first recognized by using a number of factors, including product expiration dates, open and unfulfilled orders and sales forecasts. Any write-down of its inventory to net realizable value establishes a new cost basis and will be maintained even if certain circumstances suggest that the inventory is recoverable in subsequent periods. Costs associated with the write-down of inventory are recorded to cost of revenue on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives are as follows: laboratory equipment and furniture and fixtures - five years, and computer equipment and software - three years. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the related asset. Major replacements and improvements are capitalized, while general repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the consolidated balance sheet and any resulting gain or loss is included as a part of other expense within the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the carrying amount of its long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may not be recoverable. If indicators of impairment exist and the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by such assets are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recorded to write the asset down to its estimated fair value based on a discounted future cash flow approach or quoted market values. There have been no such impairment losses for the periods presented.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at contract inception and classifies each lease as operating, sales-type or finance lease.

Operating lease right-of-use (ROU) assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date of the lease. ROU assets also include any initial direct costs incurred and any lease payments made at or before the lease commencement date, less any lease incentive received. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of lease payments based on the information available at the date of lease commencement. The incremental borrowing rate reflects the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Lease expense for an operating lease is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Company elected to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease components and to not recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term of twelve months or less. Variable lease payments are primarily related to property taxes, insurance and common area maintenance, and are recognized as lease costs when incurred.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

The Company generates revenue primarily from sales of products and services. The Company’s product, the Proteograph Product Suite, consists of an instrument with embedded software essential to the instrument's functionality and consumables. The service revenue primarily consists of revenue received from the generation and analysis of proteomic data on behalf of the customer.

The Company recognizes revenue when control of the products and services is transferred to its customers in an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to be entitled to receive from its customers in exchange for those products and services. This process involves identifying the contract with a customer, determining the performance obligations in the contract, determining the transaction price, allocating the transaction price to the distinct performance obligations in the contract, and recognizing revenue when the performance obligations have been satisfied. A performance obligation is considered distinct from other obligations in a contract when it provides a benefit to the customer either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer and is distinct within the context of the contract. The Company considers a performance obligation satisfied once it has transferred control of a good or service to the customer, meaning the customer has the ability to direct the use and obtain substantially all the economic benefits from the good or service.

Revenue from product sales is recognized when control of the product is transferred, which is generally upon shipment to the customer. In instances where right of payment or transfer of title is contingent upon the customer’s acceptance of the product, revenue is deferred until all acceptance criteria have been met. Revenue from services is recognized once the report is delivered to a customer, which is when the customer obtains benefit of the service.

Revenue is recorded net of discounts and sales taxes collected on behalf of governmental authorities. Customers are invoiced generally upon shipment, or upon delivery of services, and payment is typically due within 30 or 60 days. Cash received from customers in advance of product shipment or providing services is recorded as a contract liability. The Company’s contracts with its customers generally do not include rights of return.

At times, the Company may enter into arrangements with payment terms which exceed one year from the transfer of control of the product or service. In such cases, the Company assesses whether the arrangement contains a significant financing component. If a significant financing component exists, the transaction price is adjusted for the financing portion of the arrangement, which is recorded as interest income over the payment term using the effective interest method. The Company does not assess whether a significant financing component exists when, at contract inception, the period between the transfer of control to a customer and final payment is one year or less.

The Company elected the practical expedient to account for shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer has obtained control as a fulfillment activity and not a separate performance obligation. The Company expenses incremental costs of obtaining a contract as and when incurred if the expected amortization period is one year or less or the amount is immaterial. The Company excludes from the transaction price all taxes assessed by a governmental authority on revenue-producing transactions that are collected by the Company from a customer.

The Company regularly enters into contracts that include various combinations of products and services, which are generally distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation in proportion to its standalone selling price. The Company determines the standalone selling price using average selling prices with consideration of current market conditions. If the product or service has no history of sales or if the sales volume is not sufficient, the Company relies upon prices set by management, adjusted for applicable discounts.

Grant and Other Revenue

Grant revenue represents funding under cost reimbursement programs from federal foundation sources for qualified research and development activities performed by the Company and are not based on estimates that are subject to change. Grants received are assessed to determine if the agreement should be accounted for as an exchange transaction or a contribution. An agreement is accounted for as a contribution if the resource provider does not receive commensurate value in return for the assets transferred. Such amounts are recorded as revenue as grant-funded activities are performed up to the amount of expenses incurred. Any advance funding payments are recorded as deferred revenue until the activities are performed.

A portion of the Company’s revenue relates to lease arrangements. Standalone lease arrangements are outside the scope of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606, Revenue From Contracts With Customers, and are therefore accounted for in accordance with ASC 842, Leases. The total consideration in a lease arrangement is allocated between lease and non-lease components on their relative stand-alone selling prices. The stand-alone selling price is based on the price the Company would separately sell that promised good or service to a customer. If a stand-alone price is not available for a component, it is estimated using the best information available.

In determining whether a transaction should be classified as a sales-type or operating lease, the Company considered the following criteria at lease commencement: (1) whether title of the system transfers automatically or for a nominal fee by the end of the lease term, (2) whether the present value of the minimum lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the leased system, (3) whether the lease term is for the major part of the remaining economic life of the leased system, (4) whether the lease grants the lessee an option to purchase the leased system that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise, and (5) whether the underlying system is of such a specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the Company at the end of the lease term. If any of these criteria were met, the lease was classified as a sales-type lease. If none of these criteria are met the lease was classified as an operating lease.

Shipping revenue is recognized when control of the product is transferred to the customer. The related shipping and handling costs are included in the cost of revenue.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses include costs associated with research and development of the Company’s technology and product candidates. Research and development expenses primarily consist of employee compensation, including stock-based compensation and employee benefits, laboratory supplies used for in-house research, consulting costs, and allocated costs, including rent, depreciation, information technology and utilities.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of employee compensation, including stock-based compensation, and benefits for executive management, sales and marketing, finance, administrative, human resources, legal functions, allocated costs, professional service fees and other general overhead costs to support the Company's operations.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense relates to stock options with service-based vesting conditions, stock options with performance and market-based vesting conditions, stock purchase rights under the employee stock purchase plan

(ESPP), restricted common stock awards (RSAs) and restricted stock units (RSUs). All awards are measured at fair value on grant date and forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

The fair value of stock options with service conditions and stock purchase rights under our ESPP on the grant date is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing valuation model. The fair value of the awards is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period in which the awards are expected to vest.

The Black-Scholes option pricing model considers several variables and assumptions in estimating the fair value of service-based stock options and stock purchase rights under the ESPP. These variables include the per share fair value of the underlying common stock, expected term, expected volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected dividend yield over the expected term. For all service-based stock options granted, the Company calculates the expected term using the simplified method for “plain vanilla” stock option awards. For the expected volatility, the Company uses a blended rate based on the historical volatility of the stock price of its Class A common stock and average volatility of comparable publicly traded peer companies. The comparable companies were chosen based on their similar size, life cycle stage, or area of specialty. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected term of the options. The expected dividend yield is assumed to be zero as the Company has never paid dividends and has no current plans to pay dividends on its common stock.

For stock options with performance and market-based vesting conditions, stock-based compensation expense is recognized using an accelerated attribution method based on the derived service periods and not reversed if the achievement of the market condition does not occur. The fair value of these stock options is estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation model.

The fair value of RSAs is the difference between the fair value of the underlying stock at the measurement date and the purchase price. The fair value of RSUs is the fair value of the underlying stock at the measurement date.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.

A valuation allowance is recorded for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating the ability to recover its deferred income tax assets, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including its operating results, ongoing tax planning, and forecasts of future taxable income on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis. In the event the Company determines that it would be able to realize its deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, it would make an adjustment to the valuation allowance that would reduce the provision for income taxes. Conversely, in the event that all or part of the net deferred tax assets are determined not to be realizable in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would increase the provision for income taxes in the period when such determination is made.

The Company records uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not

recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax liability that is more likely than 50 percent to be realized. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are included within the provision for income tax. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no interest and penalties.

Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders

Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

Net loss per share of common stock is computed using the two-class method required for multiple classes of common stock and participating securities based upon their respective rights to receive dividends as if all income for the period has been distributed. The rights, including the liquidation and dividend rights and sharing of losses, of the Class A and Class B common stock are identical, other than voting rights. As the liquidation and dividend rights and sharing of losses are identical, the undistributed earnings are allocated on a proportionate basis and the resulting net loss per share attributed to common stockholders is therefore the same for Class A and Class B common stock on an individual or combined basis.

The Company also considers any shares issued on the early exercise of stock options subject to repurchase to be participating securities because holders of such shares have non-forfeitable dividend rights in the event a dividend is paid on common stock. The holders of early exercised shares subject to repurchase do not have a contractual obligation to share in losses.

Basic net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, adjusted for outstanding shares that are subject to repurchase.

Diluted net loss per share is computed by giving effect to all potentially dilutive securities outstanding for the period using the treasury stock method or the if-converted method based on the nature of such securities. For periods in which the Company reports net losses, diluted net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders is the same as basic net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders, because potentially dilutive common shares are not assumed to have been issued if their effect is anti-dilutive.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, penalties, and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurement

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability, or an exit price, in the principal or most advantageous market for that asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Fair value measurement establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

The Company determined the fair value of financial assets and liabilities using the fair value hierarchy that describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, as follows:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are

observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and

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

To the extent that the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value

Segment Information

Segment Information

The Company operates as a single operating segment. The Company’s chief operating decision maker, its Chief Executive Officer, manages the Company’s operations on a consolidated basis for the purposes of allocating resources, making operating decisions and evaluating financial performance.

Prior Period Reclassifications

Prior Period Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation in the consolidated statements of cash flows. There was no change to total cash from operating, investing or financing activities as a result.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2021-10, Government Assistance (ASC Topic 832): Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance, which contains amendments that require annual disclosures about government that are accounted for by applying a grant or contribution accounting model. The amendments set forth in this ASU are effective for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021. Early application of the amendments in this ASU is permitted. The Company adopted this standard prospectively on January 1, 2022, which did not have a material impact on its financial statements as of the adoption date.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09), which requires that an entity disclose specific categories in the effective tax rate reconciliation as well as provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. Further, the ASU requires certain disclosures of state versus federal income tax expense and taxes paid. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2023-09 to have a material impact on its financial statements.