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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company's consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the accounts of the Company's subsidiaries. Any reference in these notes to applicable accounting guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative U.S. GAAP included in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), and Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

For consolidated entities where the Company owns or is exposed to less than 100% of the economics, the Company allocates net losses between the controlling and the noncontrolling interests in its consolidated statements of operations after considering the liquidation preference and the equity ownership percentages. The Company continually assesses whether changes to existing relationships or future transactions may result in the consolidation or deconsolidation of subsidiaries.

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 amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates and assumptions made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to the fair value of the Company’s short term notes receivable—related party with COMPASS Pathways plc, investment in Intelgenx Technologies Corp. (“IntelGenx”), warrant liability with Neuronasal Inc., convertible promissory notes issued in connection with the 2020 convertible note agreement (the “2020 Convertible Notes”), contingent consideration liability—related parties, derivative liability associated with the Perception convertible promissory notes, in-process research and development assets (“IPRD”), redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests recognized in acquisitions, the valuations of common shares prior to IPO and share-based awards, and accruals for research and development costs.

 

The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that it believes 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 could differ from those estimates.
 

 

Additionally, the Company assessed the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on its operations and financial results as of December 31, 2021 and through the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. The Company’s analysis was informed by the facts and circumstances as they were known to the Company. This assessment considered the impact COVID-19 may have on financial estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and expenses. The Company has not experienced any significant financial impacts due to COVID-19.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the biopharmaceutical industry. The Company believes that changes in any of the following areas could have a material adverse effect on future financial position or results of operations: ability to obtain future financing;

regulatory approval and market acceptance of, and reimbursement for, product candidates; performance of third-party clinical research organizations and manufacturers upon which the Company relies; protection of the Company’s intellectual property; litigation or claims against the Company based on intellectual property, patent, product, regulatory or other factors; and the Company’s ability to attract and retain employees.

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, and all notes receivables. The Company’s cash is mainly held in financial institutions in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Australia. Amounts on deposit may at times exceed federally insured limits. The credit risk associated with the Company’s investment in all notes receivables is deemed to be limited based on the Company’s evaluation and monitoring of the liquidity and capital resources of the counterparties. The Company has not experienced any credit losses related to these financial instruments and does not believe that it is exposed to any significant credit risk related to these instruments.

Segments

The Company operates and manages the business as one reporting and one operating segment, which is the business of identifying and advancing mental health innovations. The Company has determined that its chief executive officer is the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). The CODM reviews consolidated operating results to make decisions about allocating resources or capital to specific compounds or projects in line with overall Company’s strategies and goals. The Company operates in two geographic regions primarily in the United States and Germany.

Variable Interest Entities and Voting Interest Entities

The Company consolidates those entities in which it has a direct or indirect controlling financial interest based on either the variable interest model (the “VIE model”) or the voting interest model (the “VOE model”).
 

VIEs are entities that, by design, either (i) lack sufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties; or (ii) have equity investors that do not have the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations through voting rights, or do not have the obligation to absorb the expected losses, or do not have the right to receive the residual returns of the entity.
 

The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the assets and liabilities of the VIE. The primary beneficiary is the party that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE through its interest in the VIE.
 

To assess whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, the Company considers all the facts and circumstances, including its role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and identifying which party, if any, has power over those activities. In general, the parties that make the most significant decisions affecting the VIE (management and representation on the board of directors) and have the right to unilaterally remove those decision-makers are deemed to have the power to direct the activities of a VIE.

To assess whether the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, the Company considers all of its economic interests, which primarily include equity investments in preferred and common stock and notes receivable that are convertible into preferred stock, that are deemed to be variable interests in the VIE. This assessment requires the Company to apply judgment in determining whether these interests, in the aggregate, are considered potentially significant to the VIE. Factors considered in assessing the significance include: the design of the VIE, including its capitalization structure; subordination of interests; payment priority; relative share of interests held across various classes within the VIE’s capital structure; and the reasons why the interests are held by the Company.
 

At the VIE’s inception, the Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary and if the VIE should be consolidated based on the facts and circumstances. The Company then performs on-going reassessments of the VIE based on reconsideration events and reevaluates whether a change to the consolidation conclusion is required each reporting period. If the Company is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary in a VIE, the Company accounts for the investment or other variable interests in a VIE in accordance with the applicable GAAP (See Note 4).
 

Entities that do not qualify as a VIE are assessed for consolidation under the VOE model. Under the VOE model, the Company consolidates the entity if it determines that it, directly or indirectly, has greater than 50% of the voting shares and that other equity holders do not have substantive voting, participating or liquidation rights (See Note 4).

Acquisitions

 

The Company evaluates each of its acquisitions under the accounting framework in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations, to determine whether the transaction is a business combination or an asset acquisition. In determining whether an acquisition should be accounted for as a business combination or an asset acquisition, the Company first performs a screen test to determine whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If this is the case, the acquired set is not deemed to be a business and is instead accounted for as an asset acquisition. If this is not the case, the Company then further evaluates whether the acquired set includes, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. If so, the Company concludes that the acquired set is a business. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not have any acquisitions that were accounted for as business combinations.

 

For asset acquisitions that involve the initial consolidation of a VIE that is not a business for which atai is the primary beneficiary, the transactions are accounted for under ASC 810, Consolidation, and no goodwill is recognized. Rather, the Company recognizes the identifiable assets acquired (excluding goodwill), the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interests as though the VIE was a business and subject to the guidance on recognition and measurement in a business combination under ASC 805, and recognizes a gain or loss for the difference between (a) the sum of the fair values of consideration paid (including any contingent consideration) and noncontrolling interests, (b) the fair value of the VIE’s identifiable assets and liabilities, and (c) the reported amounts of any previously held interests. Acquisition-related expenses incurred by the Company in asset acquisitions that involve the initial consolidation of a VIE that is not a business, are not included as a component of consideration transferred, but are accounted for as an expense in the period in which the costs are incurred. In an asset acquisition, including the initial consolidation of a VIE that is not a business, acquired in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) with no alternative future use is charged to research and development expense at the acquisition date.
 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less from the purchase date to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, cash and cash equivalents consisted of cash on deposit and cash held in high-yield savings accounts and money market funds.

 

 

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. Generally, the ability to exercise significant influence is presumed when the investor possesses more than 20% of the voting interests of the investee. This presumption may be overcome based on specific facts and circumstances that demonstrate that the ability to exercise significant influence is not present. The Company applies the equity method to investments in common stock and to other investments in non-consolidated entities that have risk and reward characteristics that are substantially similar to an investment in the investee’s common stock.

 

In applying the equity method, the Company’s investments are initially recorded at cost on the consolidated balance sheets. Upon recording an equity method investment, the Company evaluates whether there are basis differences between the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s proportionate share of the investee’s underlying net assets. Typically, the Company amortizes basis differences identified on a straight-line basis over the underlying assets’ estimated useful lives when calculating the attributable earnings or losses, excluding the basis differences attributable to in-process research and development (IPR&D) that had no alternative future use. To the extent a basis difference relates to IPR&D and the investee is not a business as defined in ASC 805, the Company immediately expenses such basis difference related to IPR&D. If the Company is unable to attribute all the basis difference to specific assets or liabilities of the investee, the residual excess of the cost of the investment over the proportional fair value of the investee’s assets and liabilities is recognized within the equity investment balance.

 

The Company subsequently adjusts the carrying amount of the investment by the Company’s proportionate share of the net earnings or losses and other comprehensive income or loss of the investee based on the Company’s percentage of common stock or in-substance common stock ownership during the respective reporting period. The Company records its share of the results of equity method investees and any impairment related to equity method investments as earnings or losses from investments in equity method investees, net of tax in the consolidated statements of operations. In the event that net losses of the investee reduce the carrying amount to zero, additional net losses may be recorded if the Company has other investment or other outstanding loans and advances to the investee and would be determined based on the Company’s proportionate share of the respective class of securities.

 

Currently the Company is not obligated to make additional capital contributions for its equity method investments, and therefore only records losses up to the amount of its total investment, inclusive of other investments in and loans to the investee, which are not accounted for as equity method investments. To the extent that the Company’s share of losses of the equity method investee on a cumulative basis exceeds its total investment amount, inclusive of its equity method investment, other investments, and loans, the Company will discontinue equity method loss recognition as the Company does not have guaranteed obligations of the investee nor has the Company otherwise committed to provide further financial support for the investee. The Company will resume recording its share of losses in future periods only after its share of the earnings of the equity method investee equals the Company’s share of losses not recognized during the suspended period. The Company evaluates additional equity method investments made after the suspension of loss recognition to determine whether such investments represent the funding of prior suspended losses of the equity method investee.

 

Equity method investments are reviewed for indicators of other-than-temporary impairment at each reporting period. Equity method investments are written down to fair value if there is evidence of a loss in value that is other-than-temporary. Methodologies that the Company may use to estimate the fair value of its equity method investments include, but are not limited to, considering recent investee equity transactions, discounted cash flow analysis, recent operating results, comparable public company operating cash flow multiples and in certain situations, balance sheet liquidation values. If the fair value of the investment has declined below the carrying amount, management considers several factors when determining whether an other-than-temporary decline has occurred, such as the length of the time and the extent to which the estimated fair value or market value has been below the carrying value, the financial condition and the near-term prospects of the investee, the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the investee for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value and general market conditions. The estimation of fair value and whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred requires the application of significant judgment and future results may vary from current assumptions. If declines in the value of the equity method investments are determined to be other-than-temporary, a loss is recorded in earnings in the current period as a component of losses from investments in equity method investees, net of tax on the consolidated statements of operations. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity that would justify the carrying amount of the investment. This evaluation consists of several qualitative and quantitative factors including recent financial results and operating trends of the investee, implied values in recent transactions of investee securities, or other publicly available information that may affect the value of the Company’s investments. The Company presents income/losses from equity investments and any impairment related to equity method investments as losses from investments in equity method investees on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company did not identify factors that would indicate that a potential other-than-temporary impairment of the carrying values of its equity method investments had occurred during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

 

Other Investments Held at Fair Value

 

As permitted under Accounting Standards Codification 825, Financial Instruments, or ASC 825, the Company has elected the fair value option to account for its investment in common shares of IntelGenx, which otherwise would be subject to ASC 323. In accordance with ASC 825, the Company records this investment at fair value under the Other investments held at fair value in the Company's consolidated balance sheets and changes in fair value are recognized as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

 

Other Investments

 

Other investments include ownership rights that either (i) do not provide the Company with control or significant influence, or (ii) do not have risk and reward characteristics that are substantially similar to an investment in the investee’s common stock. The Company records such investments under the measurement alternative method pursuant to ASC 321 as these investments do not have readily determinable fair values. Under the measurement alternative method, the Company records the investment at cost less impairment losses, if any, unless it identifies observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer, in which case the Company will measure its investments at fair value as of the date that the observable transaction occurred. Such investments are presented as Other Investments on the consolidated balance sheets and any impairment recognized related to these investments are presented as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

The Company performs a qualitative assessment at each reporting period considering impairment indicators to evaluate whether the investment is impaired. Impairment indicators that the Company considers include but are not limited to; i) a significant deterioration in the earnings performance, credit rating, asset quality, or business prospects of the investee, ii) a significant adverse change in the regulatory, economic, or technological environment of the investee, iii) a significant adverse change in the general market condition of either the geographical area or the industry in which the investee operates, iv) a bona fide offer to purchase, an offer by the investee to sell, or a completed auction process for the same or similar investment for an amount less than the carrying amount of that investment; v) factors that raise significant concerns about the investee’s ability to continue as a going concern, such as negative cash flows from operations, working

capital deficiencies, or noncompliance with statutory capital requirements or debt covenants. If the qualitative assessment indicates that an investment is impaired, a loss is recorded equal to the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the investment.

 

Notes Receivable

 

The Company has certain notes receivable that are carried at cost, which includes the principal value of the note receivable, accrued interest and net of any payments received and impairment losses recognized. Generally, a loan is considered to be impaired when it is probable that the Company will not be able to collect any remaining amounts due in accordance with contractual terms of the loans and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. As of December 31, 2021, there is no impairment loss recognized associated with the notes receivable that are carried at cost. Based on the terms of the notes receivable, certain notes receivable are classified as long term as their payments are due after 12 months from the balance sheet date.

 

Fair Value Option

The Company has also elected the fair value option to account for its short term notes receivable—related party with COMPASS Pathways plc and the 2020 Convertible Notes. In accordance with ASC 825, the Company records the short term notes receivable - related party with COMPASS Pathways plc and the 2020 Convertible Notes at fair value with changes in fair value recorded as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations. The 2020 Convertible Notes converted into common shares of atai in November 2020. The short term notes receivable—related party with COMPASS Pathways plc converted into COMPASS common shares, which were exchanged for American Depository Shares in September 2020.

 

Contingent Consideration Liability—Related Parties

 

The Company may record contingent consideration as part of the cost of acquisitions. Contingent consideration is recognized at fair value as of the date of acquisition and recorded as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet. The contingent consideration is re-valued on a quarterly basis using a discounted cash-flow valuation technique until fulfillment of the contingency. Changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognized as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.
 

 

Convertible Promissory Notes and Derivative Instruments

 

The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to interest rate, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including convertible promissory notes, to determine if such instruments contain features that meet the definition of embedded derivatives. Embedded derivatives must be separately measured from the host contract if all the requirements for bifurcation are met. The assessment of the conditions surrounding the bifurcation of embedded derivatives depends on the nature of the host contract. Bifurcated embedded derivatives are recognized at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of operations at each reporting period. Bifurcated embedded derivatives are classified with the related host contract in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

On March 16, 2020, Perception entered into a convertible promissory note agreement with the Company and other investors, including related parties, which provided for the issuance of convertible notes of $3.3 million to the Company and $0.6 million to other investors. On December 1, 2020, Perception entered into an additional convertible promissory note agreement with the Company and other investors, including related parties, which provided for the issuance of convertible notes of up to $12.0 million to the Company in aggregate of which (i) $6.2 million and $0.8 million were issued in December 2020 and January 2021, respectively, under the First Tranche Funding and (ii) $5.0 million was issued under the Second Tranche Funding in May 2021 (See Note 10). The Perception convertible promissory notes issued to the Company represent intercompany debt and are eliminated upon consolidation.

 

In addition, the Perception convertible promissory notes contain certain embedded features, which are redemption features and meet the definition of derivative instruments. The Company classifies these instruments as a liability on its consolidated balance sheets as the redemption features involve substantial discounts, provide for the accelerated repayment of the notes upon the occurrence of specified events, and are not clearly and closely related to its host instrument. The derivative liability was initially recorded at fair value upon issuance of the convertible promissory notes and is subsequently remeasured to fair value at each reporting date. Both the Perception convertible promissory notes and the derivative liability have been classified as long-term and presented as convertible promissory notes and derivative liability in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

Changes in the fair value of the derivative liability are recognized as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations. Changes in the fair value of the derivative liability were recognized until the convertible promissory notes converted in June 2021. As such, the derivative liability balance is $0 as of December 31, 2021.

 

 

Research and Development Costs

 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development consist of salaries, benefits and other personnel related costs including equity-based compensation expense, laboratory supplies, preclinical studies, clinical trials and related clinical manufacturing costs, costs related to manufacturing preparations, fees paid to other entities to conduct certain research and development activities on the Company’s behalf and allocated facility and other related costs. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities are deferred and capitalized as prepaid expenses until the related goods are delivered or services are performed.

 

Preclinical and clinical study costs are accrued over the service periods specified in the contracts and adjusted as necessary based upon an ongoing review of the level of effort and costs actually incurred. Payments for a product license prior to regulatory approval of the product and payments for milestones achieved prior to regulatory approval of the product are expensed in the period incurred as R&D.

 

Warrant Liability

 

The Company accounts for its warrant liabilities in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40 under which the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and therefore must be recorded as liabilities. Warrants are included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The warrants are recorded at fair value and subsequently remeasured to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Contingencies

 

The Company may be, from time to time, a party to various disputes and claims arising from normal business activities. The Company continually assesses any litigation or other claims it may confront to determine if an unfavorable outcome would lead to a probable loss or reasonably possible loss which could be estimated. The Company will accrue for all contingencies at the earliest date at which the Company deems it probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of such liability can be reasonably estimated. If the estimate of a probable loss is a range and no amount within the range is more likely than another, the Company will accrue the minimum of the range. In the cases where the Company believes that a reasonably possible loss exists, the Company will disclose the facts and circumstances of the litigation, including an estimable range, if possible.

 

Licenses of Intellectual Property

 

The Company may enter into collaboration and out-licensing arrangements for research and development, manufacturing, and commercialization activities with counterparties for the development and commercialization of its product candidates. The agreements may have units of account within the scope of ASC 606 where the counterparties meet the definition of a customer as well as units of account within the scope of ASC 808 where both parties are determined to be active participants exposed to significant risk and rewards.

 

The arrangements may contain multiple components, which may include (i) licenses, or options to obtain licenses to the Company’s intellectual property or sale of the Company’s license, (ii) research and development activities, (iii) participation on joint steering committees, and (iv) the manufacturing of commercial, clinical or preclinical material. Payments pursuant to these arrangements may include non-refundable, upfront payments, milestone payments upon the achievement of significant development events, research and development reimbursements, sales milestones, and royalties on product sales. The amount of variable consideration is constrained until it is probable that the revenue is not at a significant risk of reversal in a future period. The contracts into which the Company enters generally do not include significant financing components.

 

In determining the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized as it fulfills its obligations under each of its collaboration and license agreements, the Company performs the following steps: (i) identification of the promised goods or services in the contract within the scope of ASC 606; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations including whether they are capable of being distinct and distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies each performance obligation. As part of the accounting for these arrangements, the Company must use significant judgment to determine: a) the number of performance obligations based on the determination under step (ii) above; b) the transaction price under step (iii) above; c) the stand-alone selling price for each performance obligation identified in the contract for the allocation of transaction price in step (iv) above; and d) the measure of progress in step (v) above. The Company uses judgment to determine whether milestones or other variable consideration, except for sales-based milestones and royalties on license arrangements, should be included in the transaction price as described further below.

 

If a license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other promises or performance obligations identified in the arrangement, the Company recognizes revenue from consideration allocated to the license when the license is transferred to the customer and the customer is able to use and benefit from the license. In assessing whether a promise or performance obligation is distinct from the other elements, the Company considers factors such as the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization capabilities of the counterparties and the availability of its associated expertise in the general marketplace. In addition, the Company considers whether the counterparties can benefit from a promise for its intended purpose without the receipt of the remaining elements, whether the value of the promise is dependent on the unsatisfied promise, whether there are other vendors that could provide the remaining promise, and whether it is separately identifiable from the remaining promise. For licenses that are combined with other promises, the Company utilizes judgment to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time and, if over time, the appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of recognizing revenue. The Company evaluates the measure of progress as of each reporting period and, if necessary, adjusts the measure of performance and related revenue recognition. The measure of progress, and thereby periods over which revenue should be recognized, is subject to estimates by management and may change over the course of the arrangement. Such a change could have a material impact on the amount of revenue the Company records in future periods.

 

Customer Options: If an arrangement is determined to contain customer options that allow the customer to acquire additional goods or services such as research and development services or manufacturing services, the goods and services underlying the customer options are not considered to be performance obligations at the inception of the arrangement unless a material right is provided to the customer. If the customer option does not represent a material right, the obligation to provide such goods and services is contingent on exercise of the option, and the associated consideration is not included in the transaction price. If a customer option is determined to include a significant and incremental discount and, therefore, represents a material right, the material right is recognized as a separate performance obligation at the outset of the arrangement. The Company allocates the transaction price to material rights based on the relative standalone selling price.

 

Milestone Payments: At the inception of each arrangement that includes milestone payments, the Company evaluates whether the milestones are considered probable of being achieved and estimates the amount to be included in the transaction price using the most-likely amount method. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the associated milestone value is included in the transaction price. Milestone payments that are not within the control of the Company or the licensee, such as regulatory approvals, are not considered probable of being achieved until those approvals are received. The Company evaluates factors such as the scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial, and other risks that must be overcome to achieve the respective milestone in making this assessment. There is considerable judgment involved in determining whether it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur. At the end of each subsequent reporting period, the Company reevaluates the probability of achievement of all milestones subject to constraint and, if necessary, adjusts its estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis, which would affect revenues and earnings in the period of adjustment.

 

Royalties: For license arrangements that include sales-based royalties, including milestone payments based on a level of sales, and the license is deemed to be the predominant item to which the royalties relate, the Company recognizes revenue at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied). To date, the Company has not recognized any royalty revenue resulting from any of its licensing arrangements.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for all stock-based payment awards granted to employees, directors and non-employees as stock-based compensation expense based on their grant date fair value. The stock-based payment awards are measured at fair value on the date of the grant and that fair value is recognized as share-based compensation expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations over the requisite service period of the respective award. The estimated fair value of awards that contain performance conditions is expensed when the Company concludes that it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. The Company may grant awards with graded-vesting features. When such awards have only service vesting requirements, the Company elected to record share-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis. Recognition of compensation cost relating to awards that vest on a “Liquidity Event” (as defined in the award) will be deferred until the consummation of such transaction.


The Company measures the fair value of its stock options that only have service vesting requirements or performance-based options without market conditions using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. For performance-based awards with market conditions, the Company determines the fair value of the awards as of the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation model.

 

Certain assumptions need to be made with respect to utilizing the Black-Scholes option pricing model, including the expected life of the award, volatility of the underlying shares, the risk-free interest rate and the fair value of the Company’s common shares. Since the Company has limited option exercise history, it has generally elected to estimate the expected life of an award based upon the “simplified method” with the continued use of this method extended until such time the Company has sufficient exercise history. The risk-free interest rate is based on the rates paid on securities issued by the U.S. Treasury with a term approximating the expected life of the equity award.

The expected share price volatility for the Company’s common shares is estimated by taking the average historical price volatility for industry peers. The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures of stock-based compensation awards as they occur.

 

As part of the valuation of stock-based compensation under the Black-Scholes option pricing model, it is necessary for the Company to use the fair value of its common stock as a valuation input. Prior to the closing of the IPO, the fair value of the Company’s common stock was estimated on each grant date. The fair value of the Company's privately held subsidiaries' common stock was also estimated on each grant date. Given the absence of a public trading market, and in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Practice Guide, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, the Company exercised reasonable judgment and considered numerous objective and subjective factors to determine its best estimate of the fair value of its common stock. The estimation of the fair value of the common stock considered factors including the following: the estimated present value of the Company’s future cash flows; the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations; the Company’s forecasted operating performance; the illiquid nature of the Company’s common stock; industry information such as market size and growth; market capitalization of comparable companies and the estimated value of transactions such companies have engaged in; and macroeconomic conditions.

 

After the closing of the IPO, the Company’s board of directors determined the fair value of each share of common stock underlying stock-based awards based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported by Nasdaq on the date of grant.

 

Noncontrolling Interests

 

The Company recognizes noncontrolling interests related to its consolidated VIEs in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of equity, separate from atai stockholders’ equity. Changes in the Company’s ownership interest in a consolidated VIE that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions. The noncontrolling interests related to its consolidated VIEs are initially recorded at fair value. Net losses in consolidated VIEs are attributed to noncontrolling interests considering the liquidation preferences of the different classes of equity held by the shareholders in the VIE and their respective interests in the net assets of the consolidated VIE in the event of liquidation, and their pro rata ownership.

 


 

In addition, the Company evaluates the classification of noncontrolling interests based upon a review of the legal provisions governing the redemption of such interests as the obligation to redeem these shares are triggered by events that are within the control of the Company. The Company evaluates individual noncontrolling interests for the ability to recognize the noncontrolling interest as permanent equity on the consolidated balance sheets at the time such interests are issued and on a continual basis. Any noncontrolling interest that fails to qualify as permanent equity are considered redeemable noncontrolling interests and reclassified as temporary equity.

 

The amount of net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests are included in consolidated net loss on the face of the consolidated statements of operations. Refer to Note 4 for further information.

 

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

 

Noncontrolling interests related to certain consolidated VIEs are subject to redemptions by third-party investors. As these interests are redeemable upon the occurrence of events that are not solely within the control of the Company, amounts relating to third-party interests in such consolidated entities are classified in the temporary equity as redeemable noncontrolling interest within the consolidated balance sheets. The redeemable noncontrolling interests related to its consolidated VIEs are initially recorded at fair value. Net losses in consolidated VIEs are attributed to redeemable noncontrolling interests considering their liquidation preferences for the different classes of equity held by the shareholders in the VIE and their respective interests in the net assets of the consolidated VIE.

 

The amount of net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests are included in the consolidated net loss on the face of the consolidated statements of operations. Refer to Note 4 for further information.

 

Income Taxes

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 the respective tax bases. 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 when, after consideration of all positive and negative evidence, it is not more likely than not that the Company’s deferred tax assets will be realizable. If the Company determines that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, the Company would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

 

When uncertain tax positions exist, the Company recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that the benefit will more likely than not be realized. The determination as to whether the tax benefit will more likely than not be realized is based upon the technical merits of the tax position as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to the underpayment of income taxes as a component of the provision for income taxes.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair values. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or an exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The authoritative guidance on fair value measurements establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements as follows:

 

Level 1—Observable inputs such as 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 asset or liability. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; 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 measurement.

The Company’s contingent consideration liability—related parties, derivative liability associated with the Perception convertible promissory notes, investment in common shares of IntelGenx, IntelGenx Initial Warrants and Additional Units Warrant, and warrant liability with Neuronasal Inc. are carried at fair value, determined according to Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy described above (See Note 7). The IntelGenx common stock is carried at fair value, determined according to Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy above. The carrying amount reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for cash, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values, due to their short-term nature.

 

The carrying amounts of the Company’s remaining outstanding convertible promissory notes—related parties issued in 2018 and 2020 (collectively, the “2018 Convertible Notes”) do not approximate fair value because the fair value is driven by the underlying value of the Company’s common stock into which the notes are to be converted. As of December 31, 2021, the carrying amount and fair value amount of the 2018 Convertible Notes was $0.8 million and $69.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, the carrying amount and fair value amount of the 2018 Convertible Notes was $1.2 million and $76.7 million, respectively. Subsequent to the IPO, several noteholders of the 2018 Convertible Notes elected to convert their promissory notes into shares of the Company's common stock. See Note 10 for additional discussion.

 

The carrying amounts of the Perception convertible promissory notes issued during 2020, do not approximate fair value because carrying amounts are net of unamortized debt discounts and bifurcated derivative liabilities. The fair value of the Perception convertible promissory notes was determined based on the changes in expectation and increase in probability of occurrence of certain conversion events, including a qualified equity financing and a licensing transaction, that would have beneficial conversion terms for the note holders. In June 2021, the Perception convertible promissory notes converted into shares of Series A preferred stock of Perception pursuant to their original terms. As of December 31, 2021, there were no Perception convertible promissory notes outstanding. As of December 31, 2020, the carrying amount and fair value amount for Perception convertible promissory notes was $0.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively. See Note 10 for additional discussion.

 

Foreign Currency

 

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and their results of operations are translated using average exchange rates for the year. Investments accounted for under the equity method and stockholders’ equity are translated based on historical exchange rates. Certain transactions of the Company and its subsidiaries are denominated in currencies other than their functional currency. Adjustments resulting from the translation of the financial statements of the Company’s foreign functional currency subsidiaries into U.S. dollars are excluded from the determination of net loss and are accumulated in a separate

component of shareholders’ equity. Foreign exchange transaction gains and losses are recognized as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Emerging Growth Company Status

 

The Company is an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Company has elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that it (i) is no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opts out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, these consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

 

As described in “Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements” below, the Company early adopted certain accounting standards, as the JOBS Act does not preclude an emerging growth company from adopting a new or revised accounting standard earlier than the time that such standard applies to private companies. The Company expects to use the extended transition period for any other new or revised accounting standards during the period in which it remains an emerging growth company.
 

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, “Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815—40)” (“ASU 2020-06”). ASU 2020-06 simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts on an entity’s own equity. The ASU is part of the FASB’s simplification initiative, which aims to reduce unnecessary complexity in U.S. GAAP. The ASU’s amendments are effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted this standard on January 1, 2021 applying the modified retrospective transition approach. Upon adoption of ASU 2020-06, the embedded conversion option related to the 2018 Convertible Notes is no longer separated from the host contract and recognized within additional paid-in-capital and is instead accounted for as a single liability measured at amortized cost within convertible promissory notes—related parties in the consolidated balance sheets. Therefore, the unamortized debt discount of $8,000 was eliminated.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” or ASU No. 2016-02, which is a comprehensive new lease standard that amends various aspects of existing accounting guidance for leases. The ASU will also require new qualitative and quantitative disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. For public entities, ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. As a result of the Company having elected the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act, ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company beginning after December 15, 2021. Early adoption is permitted. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11 Leases – Targeted Improvements, or ASU 2018-11, intended to ease the implementation of the new lease standard for financial statement preparers by, among other things, allowing for an additional transition method. In lieu of presenting transition requirements to comparative periods, as previously required, an entity may now elect to show a cumulative effect adjustment on the date of adoption without the requirement to recast prior period financial statements or disclosures presented in accordance with ASU 2016-02.
 

The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. We expect to elect the ‘package of practical expedients’, which permits us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. We do not expect to elect the use-of-hindsight or the practical expedient pertaining to land easements; the latter not being applicable to us.

While we continue to assess all of the effects of adoption, we currently believe the most significant effects relate to (1) the recognition of new ROU assets and lease liabilities on our balance sheet for our real estate operating leases and (2) providing significant new disclosures for our leasing activities.

The new standard also provides practical expedients and certain exemptions for an entity’s ongoing accounting. We currently expect to elect the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. This means, for those leases that qualify, we will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities, and this includes not recognizing ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in transition. We also currently expect to elect the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all of our leases.

We have determined the completeness of our lease population as of January 1, 2022. We expect to complete our assessment of the full financial impact of ASC 842 during the first quarter of 2022, and will include all required presentation and disclosures under ASC 842 in our Form 10-Q for the three months ending March 31, 2022.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. This update requires immediate recognition of management’s estimates of current expected credit losses. Under the prior model, losses were recognized only as they were incurred. The new model is applicable to most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, which delays adoption for smaller reporting companies. As such, ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.