Nexobrid License and Supply Agreements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Nexobrid License and Supply Agreements

NexoBrid License and Supply Agreements

On May 6, 2019, the Company entered into exclusive license and supply agreements with MediWound to commercialize NexoBrid and any improvements to NexoBrid in North America. NexoBrid is a topically-administered biological product that enzymatically removes nonviable burn tissue, or eschar, in patients with deep partial and full-thickness thermal burns. NexoBrid is currently in clinical development in North America, and pursuant to the terms of the license agreement, MediWound will continue to conduct all clinical activities described in the development plan to support the Biologics License Application (BLA) filing with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the supervision of a Central Steering Committee comprised of members of each party. On June 30, 2020, the Company announced the submission of the BLA to the FDA seeking the approval of NexoBrid. On September 16, 2020, the Company announced that the FDA has accepted the BLA for review and has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of June 29, 2021. NexoBrid is approved in the European Union and other international markets and has been designated as an orphan biologic in the United States, European Union and other international markets.

In May 2019, the Company paid MediWound $17.5 million in consideration for the license. The $17.5 million upfront payment was recorded to research and development expense during 2019, as the license was considered in process research and development. The Company is also obligated to pay MediWound $7.5 million, which is contingent upon U.S. regulatory approval of the BLA for NexoBrid and up to $125 million contingent upon meeting certain sales milestones.  The first sales milestone of $7.5 million would be triggered when annual net sales of NexoBrid or improvements to it in North America exceed $75 million. As of September 30, 2020, the milestone payments are not yet probable and therefore, not considered a liability. The Company also will pay MediWound tiered royalties on net sales ranging from mid-high single-digit to mid-teen percentages, subject to customary reductions. The Company also entered into a supply agreement with MediWound under which MediWound will manufacture NexoBrid for the Company on a unit price basis which may be increased based on a published index. MediWound is obligated to supply the Company with NexoBrid for sale in North America on an exclusive basis for the first five years of the term of the supply agreement. After the exclusivity period or upon supply failure, the Company will be permitted to establish an alternate source of supply.

BARDA has committed to procure NexoBrid directly from MediWound under an emergency use authorization, and under such commitment the Company will receive a percentage of gross profit for sales directly to BARDA. If BARDA procures NexoBrid directly from Vericel, the Company will pay a percentage of gross profits to MediWound on initial committed amounts and a royalty on any additional BARDA purchases of NexoBrid beyond the initial committed amount. As of September 30, 2020, the Company does not hold a direct contract or distribution agreement with BARDA. On August 25, 2020, BARDA accepted the first shipment of NexoBrid for emergency use preparedness per the agreement between BARDA and MediWound. As a result, the Company recognized $1.2 million of revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2020; see note 4 for further information.