Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Heron Therapeutics, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Heron Therapeutics B.V., which was organized in the Netherlands in March 2015. Heron Therapeutics B.V. has no operations and no material assets or liabilities, and there have been no significant transactions related to Heron Therapeutics B.V. since its inception.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and disclosures made in the accompanying notes to the financial statements. Our significant accounting policies that involve significant judgment and estimates include revenue recognition, investments, inventory and the related reserves, accrued clinical and manufacturing liabilities, income taxes and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with contractual maturities of three months or less from the original purchase date.

Short-term investments consist of securities with contractual maturities of greater than three months from the original purchase date. Securities with contractual maturities greater than one year are classified as short-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets, as we have the ability, if necessary, to liquidate these securities to meet our liquidity needs in the next 12 months. We have classified our short-term investments as available-for-sale securities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair market value, with net changes in unrealized gains and losses reported in other comprehensive loss and realized gains and losses included in other income (expense), net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale are included in interest income within other income (expense), net.

Our bank and investment accounts have been placed under a control agreement in accordance with our working capital line of credit (see Note 8).

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

A company may elect to use fair value to measure accounts receivable, available-for-sale securities, accounts payable, guarantees and issued debt, among others. If the use of fair value is elected, any upfront costs and fees related to the item such as debt issuance costs must be recognized in earnings and cannot be deferred. The fair value election is irrevocable and generally made on an instrument-by-instrument basis, even if a company has similar instruments that it elects not to measure based on fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on existing items for which fair value has been elected are reported as a cumulative adjustment to beginning retained earnings and any changes in fair value are recognized in earnings. We have elected to not apply the fair value option to our financial assets and liabilities.

Financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, receivables, inventory, prepaid expenses, other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses, are carried at cost, which is considered to be representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. Short-term available-for-sale investments are carried at fair value. Our convertible notes and non-current notes payable outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022 do not have a readily available ascertainable market value, however, their carrying value, which is measured at carrying value less unamortized debt issuance costs or debt discounts, is considered to approximate their fair value.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk. We deposit our cash in financial institutions. At times, such deposits may be in excess of insured limits. We have not experienced any losses in such accounts and believe we are not exposed to significant risk on our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Any loss incurred or a lack of access to such funds could have a significant adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

We may also invest our excess cash in money market funds, U.S. government and agencies, corporate debt securities and commercial paper. We have established guidelines relative to our diversification of our cash investments and their maturities in an effort to maintain safety and liquidity. These guidelines are periodically reviewed and modified to take advantage of trends in yields and interest rates.

ZYNRELEF, APONVIE, CINVANTI and SUSTOL (collectively, our “Products”) are distributed in the U.S. through a limited number of specialty distributors and full line wholesalers (collectively, “Customers”) that resell to healthcare providers and hospitals, the end users of our Products.

The following includes the percentage of net product sales and accounts receivable balances for our three major Customers, each of which comprised 10% or more of our net product sales:


	Net Product Sales			Accounts Receivable
	Year Ended December 31, 2023			As of December 31, 2023
Customer A		43.3	%		42.1	%
Customer B		36.8	%		36.1	%
Customer C		19.0	%		21.5	%
Total		99.1	%		99.7	%

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoice amount, net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses reflects accounts receivable balances that are believed to be uncollectible. In estimating the allowance for credit losses, we consider: (1) our historical experience with collections and write-offs; (2) the credit quality of our Customers and any recent or anticipated changes thereto; (3) the outstanding balances and past due amounts from our Customers; and (4) reasonable and supportable forecast of economic conditions expected to exist throughout the contractual term of the receivable.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we determined that an allowance for credit losses was not required. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we did not have any material write-offs of accounts receivable balances.

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value on a first-in, first-out, or FIFO, basis. We periodically analyze our inventory levels and write down inventory that has become obsolete, inventory that has a cost basis in excess of its estimated realizable value and inventory quantities that are in excess of expected sales requirements as cost of product sales. The determination of whether inventory costs will be realizable requires estimates by management. If actual market conditions are less favorable than projected by management, additional write-downs of inventory may be required, which would be recorded as cost of product sales.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (generally 5 years). Leasehold improvements are stated at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

If indicators of impairment exist, we assess the recoverability of the affected long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows. If impairment is indicated, we measure the amount of such impairment by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the fair value of the asset and record the impairment as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset with a corresponding charge to operating expenses. Estimating the undiscounted future operating cash flows associated with long-lived assets requires judgment and assumptions that could differ materially from actual results.

Leases

We determine if an arrangement is a lease or contains lease components at inception. Operating leases with an initial term greater than 12 months are recorded as lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use (“ROU”) lease assets on the consolidated balance sheets. ROU lease assets represent our right to use the underlying assets over the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the present value of our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. We use the implicit rate when readily determinable. The ROU lease assets equal the lease liabilities, less unamortized lease incentives, unamortized initial direct costs and the cumulative difference between rent expense and amounts paid under the lease. The lease term includes any option to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We have elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“Topic 606”). Topic 606 is based on the principle that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

Product Sales

Our Products are distributed in the U.S. through a limited number of Customers that resell to healthcare providers and hospitals, the end users of our Products.

Revenue is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for our Products. To determine revenue recognition for contracts with customers within the scope of Topic 606, we perform the following 5 steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations of the contract(s); (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract(s); and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy the performance obligations. We recognize revenue from product sales when there is a transfer of control of the product to our Customers. We typically determine transfer of control based on when the product is delivered, and title passes to our Customers.

Product Sales Allowances

We recognize product sales allowances as a reduction of product sales in the same period the related revenue is recognized. Product sales allowances are based on amounts owed or to be claimed on the related sales. Such variable consideration includes estimates that take into consideration the terms of our agreements with Customers, historical product returns, rebates or discounts taken, the shelf life of the product and specific known market events, such as competitive pricing and new product introductions. If actual future results vary from our estimates, we may need to adjust these estimates, which could have an effect on product sales and earnings in the period of adjustment. Our product sales allowances include:

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Product Returns—We allow our Customers to return product for credit beginning three months prior to the product expiration date and up to 12 months after the product expiration date. As such, there may be a significant period of time between the time the product is shipped and the time the credit is issued on returned product.

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Distributor Fees—We pay distribution service fees to our Customers based on a contractually fixed percentage of the wholesale acquisition cost and fees for data. These fees are paid no later than two months after the quarter in which product was shipped.

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Group Purchasing Organization (“GPO”) Discounts and Rebates—We offer cash discounts to GPO members. These discounts are taken when the GPO members purchase product from our Customers, who then charge back to us the discount amount. Additionally, we offer volume and contract-tier rebates to GPO members. Rebates are based on actual purchase levels during the quarterly rebate purchase period.

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GPO Administrative Fees—We pay administrative fees to GPOs for services and access to data. These fees are based on contracted terms and are paid after the quarter in which the product was purchased by the GPOs’ members.

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Medicaid Rebates—We participate in Medicaid rebate programs, which provide assistance to certain low-income patients based on each individual state’s guidelines regarding eligibility and services. Under the Medicaid rebate programs, we pay a rebate to each participating state, generally within six months after the quarter in which the product was sold.

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Prompt Pay Discounts—We may provide discounts on product sales to our Customers for prompt payment based on contractual terms.

We believe our estimated allowance for product returns and GPO discounts requires a high degree of judgment and is subject to change based on our experience and certain quantitative and qualitative factors. We believe our estimated allowances for distributor fees, GPO rebates and administrative fees, Medicaid rebates and prompt pay discounts do not require a high degree of judgment because the amounts are settled within a relatively short period of time.

Our product sales allowances and related accruals are evaluated each reporting period and adjusted when trends or significant events indicate that a change in estimate is appropriate. Changes in product sales allowance estimates could materially affect our results of operations and financial position.

Accrued Clinical Liabilities

We accrue clinical costs based on work performed, which relies on estimates of the progress of the trials and the related expenses incurred. Clinical trial related contracts vary significantly in duration, and may be for a fixed amount, based on the achievement of certain contingent events or deliverables, a variable amount based on actual costs incurred, capped at a certain limit or contain a combination of these elements. Revisions are recorded to research and development expense in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Historically, revisions have not resulted in material changes to research and development expense; however, a modification in the protocol of a clinical trial or cancellation of a clinical trial could result in a material charge to our results of operations.

Research and Development Expense

All costs of research and development are expensed in the period incurred. Research and development expense primarily consists of personnel and related costs, stock-based compensation expense, fees paid to outside service providers and consultants, facilities costs and materials used in clinical and preclinical trials and research and development.

Patent Costs

We incur outside legal fees in connection with filing and maintaining our various patent applications. All patent costs are expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

We estimate the fair value of each option grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and for market-based stock option grants using the Monte Carlo simulation model. This fair value is then amortized using the straight-line single-option method of attributing the value of stock-based compensation to expense over the requisite service periods of the awards. Forfeitures are accounted for, as incurred, as a reversal of stock-based compensation expense related to awards that will not vest. The Black-Scholes option pricing model and the Monte Carlo simulation model both require inputs of complex and subjective assumptions, including each option’s expected life and price volatility of the underlying stock.

Warrants

We have issued warrants to purchase shares of our common stock in conjunction with certain equity and debt financings or in exchange for services. The terms of the warrants were evaluated to determine the appropriate classification as equity or a liability.

Income Taxes

We recognize the impact of a tax position in our consolidated financial statements if the position is more likely than not to be sustained on examination and on the technical merits of the position. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect other tax accounts, primarily deferred taxes in future periods, and would not affect our effective tax rate, since we maintain a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets (see Note 12). We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Net changes in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in other comprehensive income (loss) and represent the difference between our net loss and comprehensive loss for both periods presented.

Net Loss per Share

Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period, including pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of common stock. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury stock method. For purposes of this calculation, stock options, restricted stock units, warrants and shares of common stock underlying convertible notes are considered to be common stock equivalents and are included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share only when their effect is dilutive.

Because we have incurred a net loss for both periods presented in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, the following common stock equivalents were not included in the computation of net loss per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive (in thousands):


	December 31,
	2023		2022
Stock options outstanding		24,575		20,749
Restricted stock units outstanding		1,405		3,167
Warrants outstanding		298		8,548
Shares of common stock underlying convertible notes outstanding		9,819		9,819

Segment Reporting

Management has determined that we operate in one business segment which is the development and commercialization of therapeutic innovations. All revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were generated from customers in the U.S.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Not Yet Adopted

In December 2023, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”), to enhance income tax reporting disclosures and require disclosure of specific categories in the tabular rate reconciliation. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, on a prospective basis. Early adoption and retrospective application are permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact on our disclosures.