ARROWHEAD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 

Commission file number 001-38042

ARROWHEAD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

177 E. Colorado Blvd, Suite 700

Pasadena, California 91105

(626) 304-3400

(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of April 30, 2021 was 104,084,876.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

1

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

2

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

3

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

4

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

Unless otherwise noted, (1) the term “Arrowhead” refers to Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its Subsidiaries, (2) the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” refer to the ongoing business operations of Arrowhead and its Subsidiaries, whether conducted through Arrowhead or a subsidiary of Arrowhead, (3) the term “Subsidiaries” refers to Arrowhead Madison Inc. (“Arrowhead Madison”) and Arrowhead Australia Pty Ltd (“Arrowhead Australia”), (4) the term “Common Stock” refers to Arrowhead’s Common Stock, (5) the term “Preferred Stock” refers to Arrowhead’s Preferred Stock and (6) the term “Stockholder(s)” refers to the holders of Arrowhead Common Stock.

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business and Recent Developments

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference (“RNAi”) is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing. The Company’s pipeline includes ARO-APOC3 for hypertriglyceridemia, ARO-ANG3 for dyslipidemia, ARO-HSD for liver disease, ARO-ENaC for cystic fibrosis, ARO-HIF2 for renal cell carcinoma, ARO-DUX4 for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, ARO-LUNG2 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (“COPD”), and ARO-COV for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and other possible future pulmonary-borne pathogens. ARO-JNJ1, ARO-JNJ2 and ARO-JNJ3 are being developed for undisclosed liver-expressed targets under a collaboration agreement with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Janssen”).  ARO-AAT for liver disease associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (“AATD”) was out-licensed to Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. (“Takeda”) in October 2020. JNJ3989 (formerly referred to as ARO-HBV) for chronic hepatitis B virus was out-licensed to Janssen in October 2018.  Olpasiran (formerly referred to as AMG 890 or ARO-LPA) for cardiovascular disease was out-licensed to Amgen Inc. (“Amgen”) in 2016.

Arrowhead operates lab facilities in Madison, Wisconsin and San Diego, California, where the Company’s research and development activities, including the development of RNAi therapeutics, take place. The Company’s principal executive offices are located in Pasadena, California.

During the first half of fiscal year 2021, the Company continued to develop its pipeline and partnered candidates.  The Company hosted a key opinion leader webinar on its cardiometabolic candidates, ARO-APOC3 and ARO-ANG3. The Company presented positive interim clinical data from AROAAT2002, an open-label Phase 2 clinical study of ARO-AAT, the Company’s second-generation investigational RNAi therapeutic being developed as a treatment for the rare genetic liver disease associated with AATD.  The Company also announced positive clinical data on its cardiometabolic candidates, ARO-APOC3 and ARO-ANG3, at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2020. The Company filed two Investigational New Drug Applications with the United States Food and Drug Administration to begin a Phase 2b clinical study of ARO-APOC3 in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia and a Phase 2b clinical study of ARO-ANG3 in patients with mixed dyslipidemia. Finally, the Company announced a collaboration with Takeda to co-develop and co-commercialize ARO-AAT for alpha-1 antitrypsin-associated liver disease.  See Note 2 for more information regarding the collaboration with Takeda.

The Company’s partnered candidates under its collaboration agreements also continued to progress.  Janssen began dosing patients in a Phase 2b triple combination study called REEF-1, designed to enroll up to 450 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. In connection with the start of this study, Arrowhead earned a $25.0 million milestone payment under the Company’s License Agreement with Janssen (“Janssen License Agreement”).  The Company is currently performing discovery, optimization and preclinical research and development for ARO-JNJ1, ARO-JNJ2 and ARO-JNJ3 for Janssen as part of the Company’s Research Collaboration and Option Agreement with Janssen (“Janssen Collaboration Agreement”).  Under the terms of the Janssen agreements taken together, the Company has received $175.0 million as an upfront payment, $75.0 million in the form of an equity investment by Johnson & Johnson Innovation-JJDC, Inc. (“JJDC”) in Arrowhead Common Stock, two $25.0 million milestone payments and may receive up to $1.6 billion in development and sales milestones payments for the Janssen License Agreement, and up to $1.9 billion in development and sales milestone payments for the three additional targets covered under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement.  The Company is further eligible to receive tiered royalties on product sales up to mid-teens under the Janssen License Agreement and up to low teens under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement.

The Company’s collaboration agreement with Amgen for Olpasiran (previously referred to as AMG 890 or ARO-LPA) (the “Second Collaboration and License Agreement” or “Olpasiran Agreement”) continues to progress.  In July 2020, Amgen initiated a Phase 2 clinical study, which resulted in a $20.0 million milestone payment to the Company.  The Company has received $35.0 million in upfront payments, $21.5 million in the form of an equity investment by Amgen in the Company’s Common Stock, $30.0 million in milestone payments, and may receive up to an additional $400.0 million in remaining development, regulatory and sales

5

milestone payments.  The Company is eligible to receive up to low double-digit royalties for sales of products under the Olpasiran Agreement.

On October 7, 2020, the Company entered into an Exclusive License and Co-Funding Agreement with Takeda (the “Takeda License Agreement”).  Under the Takeda License Agreement, Takeda and the Company will co-develop the Company’s ARO-AAT program. Within the United States, ARO-AAT, if approved, will be co-commercialized under a 50/50 profit sharing structure.  Outside the United States, Takeda will lead the global commercialization strategy and receive an exclusive license to commercialize ARO-AAT with the Company eligible to receive tiered royalties of 20% to 25% on net sales.  In January 2021, the Company received $300.0 million as an upfront payment and is eligible to receive potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones of up to $740.0 million.  

The revenue recognition for these collaboration agreements is discussed further in Note 2 below.  

The Company is actively monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The financial results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 were not significantly impacted by COVID-19. During fiscal year 2020, the Company had temporarily paused enrollment in its two ARO-AAT studies, SEQUOIA and the ARO-AAT 2002 study, but resumed the process of screening and enrolling patients. During the pause in enrollment, patients already enrolled in these studies continued to be dosed per protocol and continued to come in for their follow up visits. Additional delays have occurred in the Company’s earlier stage programs, but the Company does not expect a material impact to any program’s anticipated timelines. Additionally, the Company’s operations at its research and development facilities in Madison, Wisconsin and San Diego, California, and its corporate headquarters in Pasadena, California have continued to operate with limited impact, other than for enhanced safety measures, including work from home policies. However, the Company cannot predict the impact the progression of COVID-19 will have on future financial results due to a variety of factors including the ability of the Company’s clinical sites to continue to enroll subjects, the ability of the Company’s suppliers to continue to operate, the continued good health and safety of the Company’s employees, and ultimately the length and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Liquidity

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which contemplate the continuation of the Company as a going concern.  Historically, the Company’s primary sources of financing have been through the sale of its securities and revenue from its collaboration agreements. Research and development activities have required significant capital investment since the Company’s inception. The Company expects its operations to continue to require cash investment to pursue its research and development goals, including clinical trials and related drug manufacturing. 

At March 31, 2021, the Company had $372.4 million in cash and cash equivalents (including $2.4 million in restricted cash), $79.1 million in short-term investments, $125.8 million in marketable securities and $97.5 million in long-term investments to fund operations.  During the six months ended March 31, 2021, the Company’s cash and investments balance increased by $221.8 million, which was primarily the result of the $300 million upfront payment from the Takeda License Agreement, partially offset by cash used to fund the Company’s research and development operations and general and administrative expenses.     

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

There have been no changes to the significant accounting policies disclosed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements  

In November 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-18 Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808). This update provides clarification on the interaction between Revenue Recognition (Topic 606) and Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808) including the alignment of unit of account guidance between the two topics. ASU 2018-18 became effective for the Company on October 1, 2020 and did not have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The new standard requires that certain implementation costs for cloud computing arrangements are capitalized and amortized over the term of the associated hosted cloud computing arrangement service. Capitalized implementation costs are classified in prepaid expenses and other assets. The amortization of the capitalized asset is presented in the same line on the statement of operations and comprehensive loss as the fees for the associated hosted cloud computing arrangement service and not included with depreciation or amortization expense related to property and equipment or intangible assets. Cash flows related to capitalized implementation costs are presented in cash flows used in operating activities. ASU 2018-15 became effective for the Company on October 1, 2020 and did not have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.  

6

NOTE 2. COLLABORATION AND LICENSE AGREEMENTS

Amgen Inc.

On September 28, 2016, the Company entered into two collaboration and license agreements and a common stock purchase agreement with Amgen. Under the Second Collaboration and License Agreement or Olpasiran Agreement, Amgen has received a worldwide, exclusive license to Arrowhead’s novel, RNAi Olpasiran (previously referred to as AMG 890 or ARO-LPA) program. These RNAi molecules are designed to reduce elevated lipoprotein(a), which is a genetically validated, independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Under the other collaboration and license agreement (the “First Collaboration and License Agreement” or the “ARO-AMG1 Agreement”), Amgen received an option to a worldwide, exclusive license for ARO-AMG1, an RNAi therapy for an undisclosed genetically validated cardiovascular target. In both agreements, Amgen is wholly responsible for clinical development and commercialization. Under the terms of the agreements taken together, the Company has received $35.0 million in upfront payments, $21.5 million in the form of an equity investment by Amgen in the Company’s Common Stock, and $30.0 million in milestone payments, and may receive up to an additional $400.0 million in remaining development, regulatory and sales milestone payments. The Company is further eligible to receive up to low double-digit royalties for sales of products under the Olpasiran Agreement. In July 2019, Amgen informed the Company that it would not be exercising its option for an exclusive license for ARO-AMG1, and as such, there will be no further milestone or royalty payments under the ARO-AMG1 Agreement.    

The Company substantially completed its performance obligations under the Olpasiran Agreement and the ARO-AMG1 Agreement.  Future milestones and royalties achieved will be recognized in their entirety when earned. In July 2020, Amgen initiated a Phase 2 clinical study, which resulted in a $20.0 million milestone payment to the Company. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $0 and $0 of revenue, respectively.  As of March 31, 2021, there were $0 in contract assets recorded as accounts receivable and $0 of contract liabilities recorded as current deferred revenue on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

On October 3, 2018, the Company entered into the Janssen License Agreement and the Janssen Collaboration Agreement with Janssen, part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.  The Company also entered into a stock purchase agreement with JJDC (“JJDC Stock Purchase Agreement”).  Under the Janssen License Agreement, Janssen has received a worldwide, exclusive license to the Company’s JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV) program, the Company’s third-generation subcutaneously administered RNAi therapeutic candidate being developed as a potential therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Beyond the Company’s Phase 1/2 study of JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV), Janssen is also wholly responsible for clinical development and commercialization of JNJ-3989.  Under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement, Janssen will be able to select three new targets against which Arrowhead will develop clinical candidates.  These candidates are subject to certain restrictions and do not include candidates that already were in the Company’s pipeline.  The Company will perform discovery, optimization and preclinical research and development, entirely funded by Janssen, which on its own or in combination with Janssen development work, is sufficient to allow the filing of a U.S. Investigational New Drug Application or equivalent, at which time Janssen will have the option to take an exclusive license. If the option is exercised, Janssen will be wholly responsible for clinical development and commercialization of each optioned candidate.  Under the terms of the agreements taken together, the Company has received $175.0 million as an upfront payment, $75.0 million in the form of an equity investment by JJDC in Arrowhead Common Stock under the JJDC Stock Purchase Agreement, and two $25.0 million milestone payments, and may receive up to $1.6 billion in development and sales milestones payments for the Janssen License Agreement, and up to $1.9 billion in development and sales milestone payments for the three additional targets covered under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement. The Company is further eligible to receive tiered royalties up to mid-teens under the Janssen License Agreement and up to low teens under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement on product sales.

The Company has evaluated these agreements in accordance with FASB Topic 606 - Revenue for Contracts from Customers, which became effective for the Company on October 1, 2018. At the inception of these agreements, the Company identified one distinct performance obligation.  Regarding the Janssen License Agreement, the Company determined that the key deliverables included the license and certain R&D services including the Company’s responsibility to complete the Phase 1/2 study of JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV) and the Company’s responsibility to ensure certain manufacturing of JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV) drug product is completed and delivered to Janssen (the “Janssen R&D Services”).  Due to the specialized and unique nature of these Janssen R&D Services and their direct relationship with the license, the Company determined that these deliverables represent one distinct bundle and, thus, one performance obligation.  The Company also determined that Janssen’s option to require the Company to develop up to three new targets is not a material right and, thus, not a performance obligation at the onset of the agreement.  The consideration for this option is accounted for separately.

7

The Company determined the transaction price totaled approximately $252.7 million which includes the upfront payment, the premium paid by JJDC for its equity investment in the Company, the two $25.0 million milestone payments earned and estimated payments for reimbursable Janssen R&D Services to be performed.  The Company has allocated the total $252.7 million initial transaction price to its one distinct performance obligation for the JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV) license and the associated Janssen R&D Services.  This revenue will be recognized using a proportional performance method (based on actual costs incurred versus total estimated costs incurred) beginning in October 2018 and ending as the Company’s efforts in overseeing the Phase 1/2 clinical trial are completed.  During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized approximately $7.5 million and $22.2 million of revenue associated with this performance obligation, respectively. During the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized approximately $20.2 million and $50.9 million of revenue associated with this performance obligation, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, there were $0.6 million in contract assets recorded as accounts receivable, and $0 of contract liabilities recorded as current deferred revenue on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.  

The Company has begun to conduct its discovery, optimization and preclinical research and development of ARO-JNJ1, ARO-JNJ2 and ARO-JNJ3 under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement.  All costs and labor hours spent by the Company will be entirely funded by Janssen.  During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $0.1 million and $1.4 million of revenue associated with these efforts, respectively. During the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $0.3 million and $2.1 million of revenue associated with these efforts, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, there were $0.3 million of contract assets recorded as accounts receivable and $0 of contract liabilities recorded as current deferred revenue on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.

On October 7, 2020, the Company entered into the Takeda License Agreement with Takeda. Under the Takeda License Agreement, Takeda and the Company will co-develop the Company’s ARO-AAT program, the Company’s second-generation subcutaneously administered RNAi therapeutic candidate being developed as a treatment for liver disease associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Within the United States, ARO-AAT, if approved, will be co-commercialized under a 50/50 profit sharing structure.  Outside the United States, Takeda will lead the global commercialization strategy and receive an exclusive license to commercialize ARO-AAT with the Company eligible to receive tiered royalties of 20% to 25% on net sales.  In January 2021, the Company received $300.0 million as an upfront payment and is eligible to receive potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones of up to $740.0 million.  

The Company has evaluated the Takeda License Agreement in accordance with FASB Topic 606 - Revenue for Contracts from Customers, which became effective for the Company on October 1, 2018. At the inception of the Takeda License Agreement, the Company identified one distinct performance obligation.  The Company determined that the key deliverables included the license and certain R&D services including the Company’s responsibilities to complete the initial portion of the SEQUOIA study, to complete the ongoing Phase 2 AROAAT2002 study and to ensure certain manufacturing of ARO-AAT drug product is completed and delivered to Takeda (the “Takeda R&D Services”).  Due to the specialized and unique nature of these Takeda R&D Services and their direct relationship with the license, the Company determined that these deliverables represent one distinct bundle and, thus, one performance obligation.  Beyond the Takeda R&D Services, Takeda will be responsible for managing future clinical development and commercialization.  The Company will co-fund certain of the development and commercialization costs that Takeda manages, and these co-funding amounts will be offset against amounts owed to Arrowhead, either from milestones or royalties earned, or profits earned under the 50/50 profit sharing structure for U.S. commercialization.

The Company determined the initial transaction price totaled approximately $300.0 million, which includes the upfront payment.  The Company will exclude any future estimated milestones, royalties, or profit-sharing payments from this transaction price to date.  The Company will allocate the total $300.0 million initial transaction price to its one distinct performance obligation for the ARO-AAT license and the associated Takeda R&D Services.  Revenue will be recognized using a proportional performance method (based on actual costs incurred versus total estimated costs incurred for the Takeda R&D Services). Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were $25.4 million and $0, respectively. Revenue for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were $33.6 million and $0, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, there were $0 in contract assets recorded as accounts receivable, $144.9 million in contract liabilities recorded as deferred revenue and $121.5 million in contract liabilities recorded as deferred revenue, net of the current portion.                            

8

NOTE 3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The following table summarizes the Company’s major classes of property and equipment:

Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $1.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $2.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

NOTE 4. INVESTMENTS

Investments at March 31, 2021 primarily consisted of corporate bonds that have maturities of less than 36 months and marketable equity securities. The Company’s corporate bonds consist of both short-term and long-term bonds and are classified as “held-to-maturity” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s marketable equity securities consist of mutual funds that primarily invest in U.S. government bonds, U.S. government agency bonds, corporate bonds and other asset-backed debt securities. Dividends from these funds are automatically reinvested.  The Company may also invest excess cash balances in certificates of deposits, money market accounts, government-sponsored enterprise securities, corporate bonds and/or commercial paper.  The Company accounts for its held to maturity investments in accordance with FASB ASC 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities and its marketable equity securities in accordance with ASC 321, Investments – Equity Securities.  

The following tables summarize the Company’s short-term and long-term investments and marketable securities as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 by measurement category.

9

Realized gains for marketable securities recorded at fair value consist of dividends received and re-invested into the associated fund.  

NOTE 5. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets subject to amortization include patents and a license agreement capitalized as part of the Novartis RNAi asset acquisition in March 2015. The license agreement associated with the Novartis RNAi asset acquisition is being amortized over the estimated life remaining at the time of acquisition, which was 21 years, and the accumulated amortization of the asset is $0.9 million.  The patents associated with the Novartis RNAi asset acquisition are being amortized over the estimated life remaining at the time of acquisition, which was 14 years, and the accumulated amortization of the assets is $9.4 million. Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Amortization expense for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Amortization expense is expected to be $0.9 million for the remainder of 2021, $1.7 million in 2022, $1.7 million in 2023, $1.7 million in 2024, $1.7 million in 2025 and $6.8 million thereafter.

The following table provides details on the Company’s intangible asset balances:

NOTE 6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

At March 31, 2021, the Company had a total of 150,000,000 shares of capital stock authorized for issuance, consisting of 145,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share.

At March 31, 2021, 104,019,546 shares of Common Stock were outstanding.  At March 31, 2021, 16,819,225 shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock units granted or available for grant under Arrowhead’s 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, 2013 Incentive Plan, and 2021 Incentive Plan, as well as for inducement grants made to new employees.

10

NOTE 7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

From time to time, the Company may be subject to various claims and legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business.  If the potential loss from any claim, asserted or unasserted, or legal proceeding is considered probable and the amount is reasonably estimable, the Company will accrue a liability for the estimated loss.  There were no contingent liabilities recorded as of the six months ended March 31, 2021.

Purchase Commitments

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various purchase commitments for the manufacture of drug components, for toxicology studies and for clinical studies.  As of March 31, 2021, these future commitments were estimated at approximately $136.0 million, of which approximately $78.0 million is expected to be incurred during the remainder of fiscal year 2021.

Technology License Commitments

The Company has licensed from third parties the rights to use certain technologies for its research and development activities, as well as in any products the Company may develop using these licensed technologies. These agreements and other similar agreements often require milestone and royalty payments.  Milestone payments, for example, may be required as the research and development process progresses through various stages of development, such as when clinical candidates enter or progress through clinical trials, upon a new drug application and upon certain sales level milestones.  These milestone payments could amount to the mid to upper double-digit millions of dollars. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, the Company did not reach any milestones. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, the Company accrued a $0.9 million milestone payment related to the progression of the ARO-ENaC program. In certain agreements, the Company may be required to make mid to high single-digit percentage royalty payments based on a percentage of the sales of the relevant products.     

NOTE 8. LEASES

Leases

In April 2019, the Company entered into a lease for its corporate headquarters in Pasadena, California.  The 91 month office building lease between the Company and 177 Colorado Owner, LLC is for approximately 24,000 square feet of office space located at 177 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, California.  The increased capacity of this new office space compared to the Company’s prior corporate headquarters will accommodate increased personnel as the Company’s pipeline of drug candidates expands and moves closer to market. Lease payments began on September 30, 2019 and are estimated to total approximately $8.7 million over the term.  The lease expires on April 30, 2027.  The Company has paid approximately $3.5 million for leasehold improvements, net of tenant improvement allowances.  The lease contains an option to renew for one additional term of five years. The exercise of this option was not determined to be reasonably certain and thus was not included in lease liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2021. On October 23, 2020, the Company entered into a lease expansion to add an additional approximately 24,000 square feet of office space at the same location for its corporate headquarters. The lease commencement date is expected to be in June 2021, after certain leasehold improvements are completed, and the lease expires in April 2027. The lease payments for the expansion are expected to total $6.9 million.  The Company anticipates paying approximately $4.2 million of leasehold improvements, net of tenant improvement allowances.  The increased capacity of this additional office space compared to the Company’s current corporate headquarters will accommodate increased personnel as the Company’s pipeline of drug candidates expands and moves closer to market. 

In January 2016, the Company entered into a lease for its research facility in Madison, Wisconsin.  The lease was for approximately 60,000 square feet of office and laboratory space and had an expiration date of September 30, 2026. The lease was amended in January 2019 and May 2020 to expand the rentable square feet by an additional 40,000 total square feet and extend the lease expiration date to September 30, 2031. Lease payments are estimated to total approximately $26.2 million for the term. The Company anticipates paying approximately $11.0 million of leasehold improvements for the additional 40,000 square feet, net of tenant improvement allowances. The lease contains two options to renew for two additional terms of five years. The exercise of these options were not determined to be reasonably certain and thus was not included in lease liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2021.  In November 2020 and December 2020, the Company entered into amendments to expand the rentable square space by an additional 10,743 square feet and these amendments added a total of approximately $1.2 million of lease payments for the remainder of the term.            

11

In March 2020, the Company entered into a sublease agreement (the “Sublease”) with Halozyme, Inc. for additional research and development facility space in San Diego, California.  The Sublease provides additional space needed to accommodate the recent growth of the Company’s personnel and discovery efforts. The Sublease is for approximately 21,000 rentable square feet.  The term of the Sublease commenced on April 1, 2020 and will end on January 14, 2023.  Sublease payments are estimated to total approximately $2.0 million over the term.

Operating lease cost during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $1.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Operating lease cost during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $2.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Variable lease costs for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Variable lease costs for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively.   There was no short-term lease cost during the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

The following table presents maturities of operating lease liabilities on an undiscounted basis as of March 31, 2021:

Cash paid for the amounts included in the measurement of the operating lease liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet and included in Other changes in operating assets and liabilities within cash flows from operating activities on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $1.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate for all leases as of March 31, 2021 was 8.5 years and 8.5%, respectively.

NOTE 9. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Arrowhead has three plans that provide for equity-based compensation. Under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2013 Incentive Plan, as of March 31, 2021, 468,993 and 6,593,291 shares, respectively, of Arrowhead’s Common Stock are reserved for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards and performance unit/share awards to employees, consultants and others. No further grants may be made under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.  As of March 31, 2021, there were options granted and outstanding to purchase 468,993 and 2,229,852 shares of Common Stock under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2013 Incentive Plan, respectively, and there were 3,177,950 restricted stock units granted and outstanding under the 2013 Incentive Plan. Also, as of March 31, 2021, there were 1,080,741 shares reserved for options and 676,200 shares reserved for restricted stock units issued as inducement grants to new employees outside of equity compensation plans. On March 18, 2021, the Company’s stockholders approved the Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2021 Incentive Plan (“2021 Incentive Plan”), which authorizes 8,000,000 shares (subject to certain adjustments) to be awarded for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted and unrestricted stock and stock units, performance awards, cash awards and other awards convertible into or otherwise based on shares of Arrowhead’s Common Stock. The maximum number of shares authorized under the 2021 Incentive Plan will be (i) reduced by any shares subject to awards made under the 2013 Incentive Plan after January 1, 2021, and (ii) increased by any shares subject to outstanding awards under the 2013 Incentive Plan as of January 1, 2021 that, after January 1, 2021, are canceled, expired, forfeited or otherwise not issued under such awards (other than as a result of being tendered or withheld to pay the exercise price or withholding taxes in connection with any such awards) or settled in cash. As of March 31, 2021, there had been no adjustments to the 8,000,000 authorized shares under the 2021 Incentive Plan, and 0 shares of Arrowhead’s Common Stock had been granted under the 2021 Incentive Plan.

12

The following table summarizes information about stock options:

Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $3.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $6.4 million and $4.1 million, respectively. For non-qualified stock options, the expense creates a timing difference, resulting in a deferred tax asset, which is fully reserved by a valuation allowance.

The grant date fair value of the options granted by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $1.4 million and $18.0 million, respectively. The grant date fair value of the options granted by the Company for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $8.1 million and $26.6 million, respectively.  

The intrinsic value of the options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $20.9 million and $8.6 million, respectively. The intrinsic value of the options exercised during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $52.8 million and $30.2 million, respectively.

As of March 31, 2021, the pre-tax compensation expense for all outstanding unvested stock options in the amount of $35.7 million will be recognized in the Company’s results of operations over a weighted average period of 2.9 years.

The fair value of each stock option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which do not have vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. The determination of the fair value of each stock option is affected by the Company’s stock price on the date of grant, as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. Because the Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

The assumptions used to value stock options are as follows:

The dividend yield is zero as the Company currently does not pay a dividend.

The risk-free interest rate is based on that of the U.S. Treasury bond.

Volatility is estimated based on volatility average of the Company’s Common Stock price.

13

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock units (“RSUs”), including time-based and performance-based awards, were granted under the Company’s 2013 Incentive Plan and as inducements grants granted outside of the Company’s equity-based compensation plans. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company issued 1,324,750 RSUs under the 2013 Incentive Plan and 0 RSUs as inducement awards. During the six months ended March 31, 2021, the Company issued 1,326,950 RSUs under the 2013 Incentive Plan and 116,000 RSUs as inducement awards. At vesting, each outstanding RSU will be exchanged for one share of the Company’s Common Stock. RSU awards generally vest subject to the satisfaction of service requirements or the satisfaction of both service requirements and achievement of certain performance targets.  

The following table summarizes the activity of the Company’s RSUs:

During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded $12.1 million and $10.4 million of expense related to RSUs, respectively. During the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded $17.1 million and $13.3 million of expense related to RSUs, respectively. Such expense is included in stock-based compensation expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). For RSUs, the expense creates a timing difference, resulting in a deferred tax asset, which is fully reserved by a valuation allowance.  

For RSUs, the grant date fair value of the award is based on the Company’s closing stock price at the grant date, with consideration given to the probability of achieving performance conditions for performance-based awards. The grant date fair value of the RSUs granted by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $101.6 million and $122.0 million, respectively. The grant date fair value of the RSUs granted by the Company for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $109.0 million and $136.0 million, respectively.

As of March 31, 2021, the pre-tax compensation expense for all unvested RSUs in the amount of $131.4 million will be recognized in the Company’s results of operations over a weighted average period of 3.1 years.  Unvested RSUs that we have deemed not probable of vesting as of March 31, 2021, have the potential of generating an additional $76.4 million of pre-tax compensation expense if we deem them probable of vesting in a future reporting period.  

NOTE 10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company measures its financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, the Company is required to provide disclosure and categorize assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three different levels depending on the assumptions (i.e., inputs) used in the valuation. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value while Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy is defined as follows:

Level 1—Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2—Valuations are based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices in markets that are not active for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3—Valuations are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability at the measurement date.

14

The following table summarizes fair value measurements at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  

March 31, 2021

September 30, 2020:

15

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and we intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. For this purpose, any statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q except for historical information may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “could,” “estimate,” or “continue” or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, trends in our businesses, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements included herein are based on current expectations of our management based on available information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond our control. In addition, many of these risks and uncertainties may be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and any worsening of the global business and economic environment as a result. As such, our actual results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Readers should carefully review the factors identified in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Risk Factors” as well as the additional risks and uncertainties described in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. In light of the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that such results will be achieved, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. Except as may be required by law, we disclaim any intent to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Description of Business

Unless otherwise noted, (1) the term “Arrowhead” refers to Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its Subsidiaries, (2) the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” refer to the ongoing business operations of Arrowhead and its Subsidiaries, whether conducted through Arrowhead or a subsidiary of Arrowhead, (3) the term “Subsidiaries” refers to Arrowhead Madison Inc. (“Arrowhead Madison”) and Arrowhead Australia Pty Ltd (“Arrowhead Australia”), (4) the term “Common Stock” refers to Arrowhead’s Common Stock, (5) the term “Preferred Stock” refers to Arrowhead’s Preferred Stock and (6) the term “Stockholder(s)” refers to the holders of Arrowhead Common Stock.

Overview

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference (“RNAi”) is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing. The Company’s pipeline includes ARO-APOC3 for hypertriglyceridemia, ARO-ANG3 for dyslipidemia, ARO-HSD for liver disease, ARO-ENaC for cystic fibrosis, ARO-HIF2 for renal cell carcinoma, ARO-DUX4 for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, ARO-LUNG2 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (“COPD”), and ARO-COV for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and other possible future pulmonary-borne pathogens. ARO-JNJ1, ARO-JNJ2 and ARO-JNJ3 are being developed for undisclosed liver-expressed targets under a collaboration agreement with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Janssen”).  ARO-AAT for liver disease associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (“AATD”) was out-licensed to Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. (“Takeda”) in October 2020. JNJ3989 (formerly referred to as ARO-HBV) for chronic hepatitis B virus was out-licensed to Janssen in October 2018.  Olpasiran (formerly referred to as AMG 890 or ARO-LPA) for cardiovascular disease was out-licensed to Amgen Inc. (“Amgen”) in 2016.

Arrowhead operates lab facilities in Madison, Wisconsin and San Diego, California, where the Company’s research and development activities, including the development of RNAi therapeutics, take place. The Company’s principal executive offices are located in Pasadena, California.

Arrowhead has focused its resources on therapeutics that exclusively utilize the Company’s Targeted RNAi Molecule (TRiM^TM) platform technology. Therapeutics built on the TRiM^TM platform have demonstrated high levels of pharmacologic activity in multiple animal models spanning several therapeutic areas. TRiM^TM enabled therapeutics offer several potential advantages over prior generation and competing technologies, including: simplified manufacturing and reduced costs; multiple routes of administration including subcutaneous injection and inhaled administration; the ability to target multiple tissue types including liver, lung and tumors; and the potential for improved safety and reduced risk of intracellular buildup, because there are less metabolites from smaller, simpler molecules.  

16

During the first half of fiscal year 2021, the Company continued to develop its pipeline and partnered candidates.  The Company hosted a key opinion leader webinar on its cardiometabolic candidates, ARO-APOC3 and ARO-ANG3. The Company presented positive interim clinical data from AROAAT2002, an open-label Phase 2 clinical study of ARO-AAT, the Company’s second-generation investigational RNAi therapeutic being developed as a treatment for the rare genetic liver disease associated with AATD.  The Company also announced positive clinical data on its cardiometabolic candidates, ARO-APOC3 and ARO-ANG3, at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2020. The Company filed two Investigational New Drug Applications with the United States Food and Drug Administration to begin a Phase 2b clinical study of ARO-APOC3 in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia and a Phase 2b clinical study of ARO-ANG3 in patients with mixed dyslipidemia. Finally, the Company announced a collaboration with Takeda to co-develop and co-commercialize ARO-AAT for alpha-1 antitrypsin-associated liver disease. See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information regarding the collaboration with Takeda.

The Company’s partnered candidates under its collaboration agreements also continued to progress.  Janssen began dosing patients in a Phase 2b triple combination study called REEF-1, designed to enroll up to 450 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. In connection with the start of this study, Arrowhead earned a $25.0 million milestone payment under the Company’s License Agreement with Janssen (“Janssen License Agreement”).  The Company is currently performing discovery, optimization and preclinical research and development for ARO-JNJ1, ARO-JNJ2 and ARO-JNJ3 for Janssen as part of the Company’s Research Collaboration and Option Agreement with Janssen (“Janssen Collaboration Agreement”).  Under the terms of the Janssen agreements taken together, the Company has received $175.0 million as an upfront payment, $75.0 million in the form of an equity investment by Johnson & Johnson Innovation-JJDC, Inc. (“JJDC”) in Arrowhead Common Stock, two $25.0 million milestone payments and may receive up to $1.6 billion in development and sales milestones payments for the Janssen License Agreement, and up to $1.9 billion in development and sales milestone payments for the three additional targets covered under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement.  The Company is further eligible to receive tiered royalties on product sales up to mid-teens under the Janssen License Agreement and up to low teens under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement.

The Company’s collaboration agreement with Amgen for Olpasiran (previously referred to as AMG 890 or ARO-LPA) (the “Second Collaboration and License Agreement” or “Olpasiran Agreement”) continues to progress.  In July 2020, Amgen initiated a Phase 2 clinical study, which resulted in a $20.0 million milestone payment to the Company.  The Company has received $35.0 million in upfront payments, $21.5 million in the form of an equity investment by Amgen in the Company’s Common Stock, $30.0 million in milestone payments, and may receive up to an additional $400.0 million in remaining development, regulatory and sales milestone payments.  The Company is eligible to receive up to low double-digit royalties for sales of products under the Olpasiran Agreement.

On October 7, 2020, the Company entered into an Exclusive License and Co-Funding Agreement with Takeda (the “Takeda License Agreement”).  Under the Takeda License Agreement, Takeda and the Company will co-develop the Company’s ARO-AAT program. Within the United States, ARO-AAT, if approved, will be co-commercialized under a 50/50 profit sharing structure.  Outside the United States, Takeda will lead the global commercialization strategy and receive an exclusive license to commercialize ARO-AAT with the Company eligible to receive tiered royalties of 20% to 25% on net sales.  In January 2021, the Company received $300.0 million as an upfront payment and is eligible to receive potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones of up to $740.0 million.  

The revenue recognition for these collaboration agreements is discussed further in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The Company continues to develop other clinical candidates for future clinical trials. Clinical candidates are tested internally and through GLP toxicology studies at outside laboratories.  Drug materials for such studies and clinical trials are either contracted to third-party manufactures or manufactured internally.  The Company engages third-party contract research organizations (“CROs”) to manage clinical trials and works cooperatively with such organizations on all aspects of clinical trial management, including plan design, patient recruiting, and follow up.  These outside costs, relating to the preparation for and administration of clinical trials, are referred to as “candidate costs.”  If the clinical candidates progress through human testing, candidate costs will increase. 

The Company is actively monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The financial results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 were not significantly impacted by COVID-19. During fiscal year 2020, the Company had temporarily paused enrollment in its two ARO-AAT studies, SEQUOIA and the ARO-AAT 2002 study, but resumed the process of screening and enrolling patients. During the pause in enrollment, patients already enrolled in these studies continued to be dosed per protocol and continued to come in for their follow up visits. Additional delays have occurred in the Company’s earlier stage programs, but the Company does not expect a material impact to any program’s anticipated timelines. Additionally, the Company’s operations at its research and development facilities in Madison, Wisconsin and San Diego, California, and its corporate headquarters in Pasadena, California have continued to operate with limited impact, other than for enhanced safety measures, including work from home policies. However, the Company cannot predict the impact the progression of COVID-19 will have on future financial results due to a variety of factors including the ability of the Company’s clinical sites to continue to enroll subjects, the ability of the Company’s suppliers to continue to operate, the continued good health and safety of the Company’s employees, and ultimately the length and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic.

17

Net losses were $26.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to net losses of $19.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Net losses were $47.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to net losses of $22.5 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020. Net losses per share-diluted were $0.26 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to net losses per share-diluted of $0.20 for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Net losses per share-diluted were $0.46 for the six months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to net losses per share-diluted of $0.23 for the six months ended March 31, 2020. The increase in net losses for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 was due to an increase in research and development expenses as the Company’s pipeline of candidates has expanded and progressed through clinical trial phases, partially offset by an increase in revenue from the Company’s license and collaboration agreements, primarily from the Takeda collaboration.  

The Company has strengthened its liquidity and financial position through upfront and milestone payments received under its collaboration agreements, as well as equity financings. Under the terms of the Company’s agreements with Janssen taken together, the Company has received $175.0 million as an upfront payment, $75.0 million in the form of an equity investment by JJDC in Arrowhead Common Stock and two $25.0 million milestone payments. Under the terms of the Company’s agreements with Amgen, the Company has received $35.0 million in upfront payments, $21.5 million in the form of an equity investment by Amgen in the Company’s Common Stock and $30.0 million in milestone payments. The Company’s October 2020 licensing agreement with Takeda resulted in a $300.0 million upfront payment, which was collected in the beginning of the second quarter of 2021. The Company had $372.4 million of cash and cash equivalents, $125.8 million of marketable securities, $79.1 million in short-term investments, $97.5 million of long term investments and $756.8 million of total assets as of March 31, 2021, as compared to $143.6 million, $85.0 million, $86.9 million, $137.5 million and $522.5 million as of September 30, 2020, respectively. Based upon the Company’s current cash and investment resources and operating plan, the Company expects to have sufficient liquidity to fund operations for at least the next twelve months.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There have been no changes to the significant accounting policies disclosed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Results of Operations

The following data summarizes our results of operations for the following periods indicated:

The increase in revenue for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 was driven by the revenue recognized for the Takeda collaboration. The increase in net losses during the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 was driven by an increase in research and development expenses as our pipeline of clinical candidates has continued to increase and progress through clinical trial phases, partially offset by an increase in revenue from the Takeda License Agreement.

Revenue

Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $32.8 million and $23.5 million, respectively. Total revenue for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $54.1 million and $53.0 million, respectively.  Revenue for the three

18

months ended March 31, 2021 is primarily related to the recognition of $25.4 million of revenue associated with the Takeda License Agreement and the recognition of a portion of the $252.7 million initial transaction price associated with our agreements with Janssen and JJDC for the progress we achieved towards completing our performance obligations under those agreements. Revenue for the six months ended March 31, 2021 is primarily related to the recognition of $33.6 million of revenue associated with the Takeda License Agreement and the recognition of a portion of the $252.7 million initial transaction price associated with our agreements with Janssen and JJDC for the progress we achieved towards completing our performance obligations under those agreements.

Amgen Inc.

On September 28, 2016, the Company entered into two collaboration and license agreements and a common stock purchase agreement with Amgen. Under the Second Collaboration and License Agreement or Olpasiran Agreement, Amgen has received a worldwide, exclusive license to Arrowhead’s novel, RNAi Olpasiran (previously referred to as AMG 890 or ARO-LPA) program. These RNAi molecules are designed to reduce elevated lipoprotein(a), which is a genetically validated, independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Under the other collaboration and license agreement (the “First Collaboration and License Agreement” or the “ARO-AMG1 Agreement”), Amgen received an option to a worldwide, exclusive license for ARO-AMG1, an RNAi therapy for an undisclosed genetically validated cardiovascular target. In both agreements, Amgen is wholly responsible for clinical development and commercialization. Under the terms of the agreements taken together, the Company has received $35.0 million in upfront payments, $21.5 million in the form of an equity investment by Amgen in the Company’s Common Stock, and $30.0 million in milestone payments, and may receive up to an additional $400.0 million in remaining development, regulatory and sales milestone payments. The Company is further eligible to receive up to low double-digit royalties for sales of products under the Olpasiran Agreement. In July 2019, Amgen informed the Company that it would not be exercising its option for an exclusive license for ARO-AMG1, and as such, there will be no further milestone or royalty payments under the ARO-AMG1 Agreement.    

The Company substantially completed its performance obligations under the Olpasiran Agreement and the ARO-AMG1 Agreement.  Future milestones and royalties achieved will be recognized in their entirety when earned. In July 2020, Amgen initiated a Phase 2 clinical study, which resulted in a $20.0 million milestone payment to the Company. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $0 and $0 in revenue, respectively.  As of March 31, 2021, there were $0 in contract assets recorded as accounts receivable and $0 of contract liabilities recorded as current deferred revenue on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

On October 3, 2018, the Company entered into the Janssen License Agreement and the Janssen Collaboration Agreement with Janssen, part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.  The Company also entered into a stock purchase agreement with JJDC (“JJDC Stock Purchase Agreement”). Under the Janssen License Agreement, Janssen has received a worldwide, exclusive license to the Company’s JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV) program, the Company’s third-generation subcutaneously administered RNAi therapeutic candidate being developed as a potential therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Beyond the Company’s Phase 1/2 study of JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV), Janssen is also wholly responsible for clinical development and commercialization of JNJ-3989.  Under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement, Janssen will be able to select three new targets against which Arrowhead will develop clinical candidates.  These candidates are subject to certain restrictions and do not include candidates that already were in the Company’s pipeline.  The Company will perform discovery, optimization and preclinical research and development, entirely funded by Janssen, which on its own or in combination with Janssen development work, is sufficient to allow the filing of a U.S. Investigational New Drug Application or equivalent, at which time Janssen will have the option to take an exclusive license. If the option is exercised, Janssen will be wholly responsible for clinical development and commercialization of each optioned candidate.  Under the terms of the agreements taken together, the Company has received $175.0 million as an upfront payment, $75.0 million in the form of an equity investment by JJDC in Arrowhead Common Stock under the JJDC Stock Purchase Agreement, and two $25.0 million milestone payments, and may receive up to $1.6 billion in development and sales milestones payments for the Janssen License Agreement, and up to $1.9 billion in development and sales milestone payments for the three additional targets covered under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement. The Company is further eligible to receive tiered royalties up to mid-teens under the Janssen License Agreement and up to low teens under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement on product sales.

The Company has evaluated these agreements in accordance with FASB Topic 606 - Revenue for Contracts from Customers, which became effective for the Company on October 1, 2018. At the inception of these agreements, the Company identified one distinct performance obligation.  Regarding the Janssen License Agreement, the Company determined that the key deliverables included the license and certain R&D services including the Company’s responsibility to complete the Phase 1/2 study of JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV) and the Company’s responsibility to ensure certain manufacturing of JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV) drug product is completed and delivered to Janssen (the “Janssen R&D Services”).  Due to the specialized and unique nature of these Janssen R&D Services and their direct relationship with the license, the Company determined that these deliverables represent one distinct bundle and, thus, one performance obligation.  The Company also determined that Janssen’s option to require the Company to develop up to three new targets is not a material right and, thus, not a performance obligation at the onset of the agreement.  The consideration for this option is accounted for separately.

19

The Company determined the transaction price totaled approximately $252.7 million which includes the upfront payment, the premium paid by JJDC for its equity investment in the Company, the two $25.0 million milestone payments earned and estimated payments for reimbursable Janssen R&D Services to be performed.  The Company has allocated the total $252.7 million initial transaction price to its one distinct performance obligation for the JNJ-3989 (ARO-HBV) license and the associated Janssen R&D Services.  This revenue will be recognized using a proportional performance method (based on actual costs incurred versus total estimated costs incurred) beginning in October 2018 and ending as the Company’s efforts in overseeing the Phase 1/2 clinical trial are completed.  During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized approximately $7.4 million and $22.2 million of revenue associated with this performance obligation, respectively. During the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized approximately $20.2 million and $50.9 million of revenue associated with this performance obligation, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, there were $0.6 million in contract assets recorded as accounts receivable, and $0 of contract liabilities recorded as current deferred revenue on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.  

The Company has begun to conduct its discovery, optimization and preclinical research and development of ARO-JNJ1, ARO-JNJ2 and ARO-JNJ3 under the Janssen Collaboration Agreement.  All costs and labor hours spent by the Company will be entirely funded by Janssen.  During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $0.1 million and $1.4 million of revenue associated with these efforts, respectively. During the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $0.3 million and $2.1 million of revenue associated with these efforts, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, there were $0.3 million of contract assets recorded as accounts receivable and $0 of contract liabilities recorded as current deferred revenue on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.

On October 7, 2020, the Company entered into the Takeda License Agreement with Takeda.  Under the Takeda License Agreement, Takeda and the Company will co-develop the Company’s ARO-AAT program, the Company’s second-generation subcutaneously administered RNAi therapeutic candidate being developed as a treatment for liver disease associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Within the United States, ARO-AAT, if approved, will be co-commercialized under a 50/50 profit sharing structure.  Outside the United States, Takeda will lead the global commercialization strategy and receive an exclusive license to commercialize ARO-AAT with the Company eligible to receive tiered royalties of 20% to 25% on net sales.  In January 2021, the Company received $300.0 million as an upfront payment and is eligible to receive potential development, regulatory and commercial milestones of up to $740.0 million.  

The Company has evaluated the Takeda License Agreement in accordance with FASB Topic 606 - Revenue for Contracts from Customers, which became effective for the Company on October 1, 2018. At the inception of the Takeda License Agreement, the Company identified one distinct performance obligation.  The Company determined that the key deliverables included the license and certain R&D services including the Company’s responsibilities to complete the initial portion of the SEQUOIA study, to complete the ongoing Phase 2 AROAAT2002 study and to ensure certain manufacturing of ARO-AAT drug product is completed and delivered to Takeda (the “Takeda R&D Services”).  Due to the specialized and unique nature of these Takeda R&D Services and their direct relationship with the license, the Company determined that these deliverables represent one distinct bundle and, thus, one performance obligation.  Beyond the Takeda R&D Services, Takeda will be responsible for managing future clinical development and commercialization.  The Company will co-fund certain of the development and commercialization costs that Takeda manages, and these co-funding amounts will be offset against amounts owed to Arrowhead, either from milestones or royalties earned, or profits earned under the 50/50 profit sharing structure for U.S. commercialization.

The Company determined the initial transaction price totaled approximately $300.0 million, which includes the upfront payment.  The Company will exclude any future estimated milestones, royalties, or profit-sharing payments from this transaction price to date.  The Company will allocate the total $300.0 million initial transaction price to its one distinct performance obligation for the ARO-AAT license and the associated Takeda R&D Services.  Revenue will be recognized using a proportional performance method (based on actual costs incurred versus total estimated costs incurred for the Takeda R&D Services). Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were $25.4 million and $0, respectively. Revenue for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were $33.6 million and $0, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, there were $0 in contract assets recorded as accounts receivable, $144.9 million in contract liabilities recorded as deferred revenue and $121.5 million in contract liabilities recorded as deferred revenue, net of the current portion. See Note 2 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information regarding our collaboration and license agreements.                                                         

Operating Expenses

The analysis below details the operating expenses and discusses the expenditures of the Company within the major expense categories. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior-period operating expense categories to conform to the current period presentation.  For purposes of comparison, the amounts for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are shown in the tables below.

20

Research and Development Expenses

R&D expenses are related to the Company’s research and development efforts, and related program costs which are comprised primarily of outsourced costs related to the manufacturing of clinical supplies, toxicity/efficacy studies and clinical trial expenses.  Internal costs primarily relate to operations at our research facilities in Madison, Wisconsin and San Diego, California, including facility costs and laboratory-related expenses. Salaries and stock compensation expense consist of salary, bonuses, payroll taxes and related benefits and stock compensation for our R&D personnel.  Depreciation and amortization expense relates to depreciation on lab equipment and leasehold improvements at our research facilities.  We do not separately track R&D expenses by individual research and development projects, including by individual drug candidates. The Company operates in a cross-functional manner across projects and does not separately allocate facilities-related costs, candidate costs, discovery costs, compensation expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses, and other expenses for research and development activities.  The following table provides details of research and development expenses for the periods indicated:

(table below in thousands)