Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Vericel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Marrow Donation, LLC, located in San Diego, California, Vericel Denmark ApS, in Kastrup, Demark and Vericel Security Corporation (collectively, the Company). All inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Marrow Donation, LLC and Vericel Denmark ApS ceased operations in 2015.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

The following table presents certain supplementary cash flows information for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016:



	Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2018		2017			2016
Supplementary Cash Flows information:
Non-cash information:
Warrant liabilities settled in common stock	$	3,538	$	—		$	—
Additions to equipment in process included in accounts payable	$	606	$	341		$	18
Shares exchanged between common and preferred stock	$	—	$	(38,389	)	$	(3,150	)
Cash information:
Interest paid (net of interest capitalized)	$	2,230	$	931		$	226
Income tax withholding paid	$	—	$	100		$	—

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase and consist primarily of demand deposits, money market funds, overnight repurchase agreements and short duration agency bonds and commercial paper.

Investments

Short-term investments consist of debt securities classified as available-for-sale and have maturities greater than 90 days, but less than one year as of the balance sheet date. All investments are carried at fair value based upon quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. The cost of available-for-sale securities sold is based on the specific-identification method. Realized gains and losses are included in earnings, and are derived for specific-identification method for determining the costs of investments sold. If a decline in the fair value is considered other-than-temporary, based on available evidence, the unrealized loss is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to the statements of operations. Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method and are included in investment and other income, net.

Inventory

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is calculated based upon standard-cost which approximates costs determined on the first-in, first-out method. The Company periodically reviews its inventories for excess or obsolescence and write-down obsolete or other unmarketable inventory to its estimated net realizable value. If the actual net realizable value is less than that estimated by us, or if it is determined that inventory utilization will further diminish based on estimates of demand, additional inventory write-downs may be required. In all cases, product inventory is carried at the lower of cost or its estimated net realizable value. Amounts written down are charged to cost of sales.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are initially recorded at the contractual amount owed by the customer or based on expected payments from the insurance provider, hospital or patient. Allowances for doubtful accounts are established when the facts and circumstances indicate that a receivable may not be collectible.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are initially measured and recognized at acquisition cost, including any directly attributable cost of preparing the asset for its intended use or, in the case of assets acquired in a business combination, at fair value as at the date of the combination. After initial measurement, property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Repair and maintenance costs of property, plant and equipment are expensed as incurred.

The depreciable value of property, plant and equipment, net of any residual value, is depreciated on a straight line basis over the useful life of the asset. The useful life of an asset is usually equivalent to its economic life. The useful lives of property, plant and equipment are as follows:

•Equipment and computers: 3 to 5 years

•Furniture and fixtures: 5 years

•Building improvements and leasehold improvements: Shorter of the remaining life of the lease or 10 years

The costs of assets retired or otherwise disposed of and the accumulated depreciation thereon are removed from the accounts, with any gain or loss realized upon sale or disposal credited or charged to operations.

Intangible Assets and Other Long Lived Assets

Intangible assets are initially measured at acquisition cost, including any directly attributable costs of preparing the asset for its intended use or, in the case of assets acquired in a business combination at fair value as at the date of the combination. Identifiable intangible assets related to commercial rights are amortized on a straight line basis over their expected useful lives. Amortization of intangible assets is recognized in these financial statements under Cost of product sales.

Intangible assets and long-lived assets are assessed for potential impairment when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recovered. An impairment loss would be recognized when an asset’s fair value, determined based on undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, is less than its carrying amount. The impairment loss would be measured as the amount by which the asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value and recognized in these financial statements. Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment. Upon the approval of MACI in December 2016 and the replacement of Carticel with MACI, it was determined that the Carticel commercial rights intangible asset was fully impaired as of December 31, 2016 resulting in a loss on intangible asset impairment of $2.6 million. The value of the intangible assets was determined using the income approach based on projected cash flows attributed to the commercial rights.

Revenue Recognition and Net Product Sales

The new revenue standard became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, and was adopted using the modified retrospective method. Based on the Company's evaluation of all of its product revenue contracts under the new revenue standard there was no cumulative adjustment recorded in the financial statements upon adoption of Accounting Standards Codification 606, Revenue Recognition, (ASC 606) on January 1, 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the timing and amount of revenue recognized under ASC 606 is not materially different from that under the previous guidance.

The Company recognizes product revenue from sales to a customer (distributor or hospital) following the five step model in ASC 606: (i) identify contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenues when (or as) the Company satisfies the performance obligation. Under this revenue standard, the Company recognizes revenue when its customer obtains control of the promised goods, in an amount that reflects the consideration which the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods. There are no contractual rights of returns, refunds or similar obligations related to MACI, kits, or Epicel as of December 31, 2018; however, in certain limited cases the Company will accept a product return if a surgery is canceled. Revenue is not recognized in these cases, and historically such amounts have been insignificant.

Currently, for MACI, MACI kits and Epicel there are no variable pricing arrangements related to warranties or rebates offered to customers. The majority of orders are due within 60 days of delivery. Shipping and handling fees are included as a component of revenue. The Company recognizes any commission fees as an expense when incurred. These fees are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses.

Research and Development Expense

Research and development activities represent a significant part of the Company’s business. These expenditures relate to the development of new products, improvement of existing products, technical support of products and compliance with governmental regulations for the protection of consumers and patients. Research and development expenses are expensed as incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s accounting for stock-based compensation requires it to determine the fair value of common stock issued in the form of stock option awards. The Company uses the value of its common stock at the date of the grant in the calculation of the fair value of its share-based awards. The fair value of stock options held by the employees is determined using a Black-Scholes option valuation method, which is a valuation technique that is acceptable for share-based payment accounting. Key assumptions in determining fair value include volatility, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield and expected term. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock options represent the Company’s best estimates; however, these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and different assumptions are used, the stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. In addition, the Company estimates the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those stock options expected to vest over the service period. The estimated forfeiture rate considers the historical experience of the Company’s stock-based awards. If the actual forfeiture rate is different from the estimate, expense is adjusted accordingly. For certain non-employee consultants, stock option awards continue to vest post-termination. The guidance for non-employee stock compensation accounting for equity-classified awards was updated, and these awards are now subject to fixed grant date fair value principles which eliminates the variable mark-to-market accounting. The options were valued as of the adoption date July 1, 2018.

The Company also has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) which is a compensatory plan. Compensation expense is recorded based on the fair value of the purchase options at the grant date, which corresponds to the first day of each purchase period, and is amortized over the purchase period.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss is the change in stockholders’ equity during a period arising from any gain or loss unrealized related to the Company's investments in short-term investments.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and tax credit carryforwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company records uncertain tax positions in the financial statements only if it is more likely than not that the uncertain tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. The Company records interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.

Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated using the two-class method. Basic earnings (loss) per share which is based on an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings (loss) per share for the holders of the Company’s common shares and holders of the Series B preferred stock. The Series B preferred stock shares contain participation rights in undistributed earnings, but do not share in the losses of the Company. The accumulated but undeclared dividends on the Series B preferred stock of $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 is treated as a reduction of earnings attributable to common shareholders. There were no undeclared dividends for the year ended December 31, 2018 or 2017. Diluted earnings (loss) per share includes convertible securities or common equivalent share (stock options and warrants) in addition to the Company's common shares. Common equivalent shares and treasury stock are not included in the diluted per share calculation where the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments include receivables for which the current carrying amounts approximate market value based upon their short-term nature.

Warrants

Warrants that could be cash settled or have anti-dilution price protection provisions are recorded as liabilities at their estimated fair value at the date of issuance, with subsequent changes in estimated fair value recorded in other income (expense) in our statement of operations in each subsequent period. Warrants that meet the requirements for equity classification are recorded at fair value with no subsequent remeasurement. In general, warrants are measured using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The methodology is based, in part, upon inputs for which there is little or no observable market data, requiring the Company to develop its own assumptions. The assumptions used in calculating the estimated fair value of the warrants represent our best estimates; however, these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and different assumptions are used, the change in estimated fair value of the warrant liability for those warrants that could be cash settled or have anti-dilution price protection provisions, could be materially different.