Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2017 March (Form 10-Q)

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended March  31, 2017.

For the transition period from ______ to ______

Commission file number: 001-37625

 

 

 

Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

(857) 259-5340

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

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 and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post 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 outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, as of May 5, 2017 was 26,852,919.



 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans, objectives of management and expected market growth, are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about:

These forward-looking statements are only predictions and we may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, so you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition and operating results. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, particularly in Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors that could cause actual future results or events to differ

materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures or investments we may make.

You should read this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

VOYAGER THERAPEUTICS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

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

Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

 

 

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

 

 

Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(amounts in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

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

VOYAGER THERAPEUTICS INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Nature of business

Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (“the Company”) is a clinical stage gene therapy company focused on developing life changing treatments for patients suffering from severe neurological diseases. The Company focuses on neurological diseases where it believes that an adeno associated virus (“AAV”) gene therapy approach can have a clinically meaningful impact by either increasing or decreasing the production of a specific protein. The Company has created a product engine that enables it to engineer, optimize, manufacture and deliver its AAV based gene therapies that have the potential to provide durable efficacy following a single administration. The Company’s pipeline consists of six programs including advanced Parkinson's disease; a monogenic form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Huntington's disease; Friedreich's ataxia; frontotemporal dementia / Alzheimer’s disease; and severe, chronic pain. 

The Company is devoting substantially all of its efforts to product research and development, activities related to its product engine, and raising capital. The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the biotechnology and gene therapy industry, including but not limited to, risks of failure of pre-clinical studies, and clinical trials, the need to obtain marketing approval for its drug product candidates, the need to successfully commercialize and gain market acceptance of its drug product candidates, dependence on key personnel, protection of proprietary technology, compliance with government regulations, development by competitors of technological innovations and ability to transition from pilot scale manufacturing to large scale production of products.

In February 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with Genzyme (“Collaboration Agreement”), which included a non-refundable upfront payment of $65.0 million. In addition, contemporaneous with entering into the Collaboration Agreement, Genzyme entered into a Series B Stock Purchase Agreement, under which Genzyme purchased 10,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for $30.0 million.

Through March 31, 2017, the Company had raised approximately $278.0 million of proceeds from sales of convertible preferred stock and common stock, including its initial public offering, and proceeds from the Collaboration Agreement. The Company believes that its cash, cash equivalents, and marketable debt securities of $157.7 million as of March 31, 2017 is sufficient to fund its current operating plan into 2019. There can be no assurance, however, that the current operating plan will be achieved in the timeframe anticipated by the Company, or that its cash resources will fund the Company’s operating plan for the period anticipated by the Company, or if the Company needs additional funding that such funding will be available on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies and basis of presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and as required by Regulation S-X, Rule 10-01. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These interim condensed consolidated financial statements, in the opinion of management, reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative United States generally accepted accounting principles as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).

Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries as disclosed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, within the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” accompanying its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, the Company’s management evaluates its estimates, which include, but are not limited to, estimates related to revenue recognition, accrued expenses, stock‑based compensation expense, income taxes, and the fair value of common stock. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and other market specific or other relevant assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates or assumptions.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). Subsequently, the FASB also issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which adjusted the effective date of ASU 2014-09; ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which amends the principal-versus-agent implementation guidance and illustrations in ASU 2014-09; ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which clarifies identifying performance obligation and licensing implementation guidance and illustrations in ASU 2014-09; and ASU No. 2016‑12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which addresses implementation issues and is intended to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the new revenue standard in ASU 2014-09 (collectively, the “Revenue ASUs”).

The Revenue ASUs provide an accounting standard for a single comprehensive model for use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. The accounting standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with an option to early adopt for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (the full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the modified retrospective method). The Company will adopt the Revenue ASUs effective January 1, 2018. The Company has not yet determined which adoption method will be utilized. As of December 31, 2016, revenue is generated exclusively from the Company’s collaboration arrangement with Sanofi-Genzyme (“Genzyme”). The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that ASU 2014 may have on its financial position and results of operations as it relates to this single arrangement. The adoption of the Revenue ASUs is expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s notes to consolidated financial statements and its internal controls over financial reporting.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”), which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including income taxes consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods. The new standard was effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. Adoption of ASU 2016-09 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842), which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e., lessees and lessors). The standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight line basis over the

term of the lease, respectively. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similarly to existing guidance for operating leases today. ASC 842 supersedes the previous leases standard, ASC 840 Leases. The standard will be effective on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

3. Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

The Company measures the fair value of money market funds, U.S. Treasuries and equity securities based on quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. The Level 2 debt securities include U.S. Government agency securities that are valued either based on recent trades of securities in inactive markets or based on quoted market prices of similar instruments and other significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data. The Level 2 equity securities include warrants used to purchase equity securities that are valued using the Black-Scholes model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires inputs based on certain subjective assumptions, including (a) the expected stock price volatility, (b) the calculation of expected term of the awards, (c) the risk-free interest rate, and (d) expected dividends. The assumptions utilized to value the warrants to purchase equity securities as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

 

The expected volatility is based on the historic volatility for the equity securities underlying the warrants and is calculated based on a period of time commensurate with the expected term assumption. The expected term is based on the remaining contractual life of the warrants on each measurement date. The risk-free interest rate is based on a treasury instrument whose term is consistent with the expected term of the warrants. The expected dividend yield is assumed to be zero as the entity that issues the warrants has never paid and has not indicated any intention to pay dividends.

 

4. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Available for Sale Marketable Securities

Cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments maturing within 90 days from the date of purchase. Investments consist of securities with original maturities greater than 90 days when purchased. The Company classifies these investments as available-for-sale and records them at fair value in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized gains or losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Premiums or discounts from par value are amortized to investment income over the life of the underlying investment.

The Company classifies marketable debt securities with a remaining maturity when purchased of greater than three months as available‑for‑sale. Marketable debt securities with a remaining maturity date greater than one year and marketable equity securities are classified as non‑current where the Company has the intent and ability to hold these securities for at least the next 12 months. Available‑for‑sale debt securities are maintained by an investment manager and consist of U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government agency securities. During the third quarter in 2016, the Company invested in a supplier and received common stock and warrants to purchase common stock in that entity. The common stock is included in non-current marketable securities and the warrants are included in non-current assets.

All available‑for‑sale securities are carried at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income (loss) as a component of stockholders’ equity until realized. Any premium or discount arising at purchase is amortized and/or accreted to interest income and/or expense. Realized gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method and are included in other income (expense). If any adjustment to fair value reflects a decline in value of the investment, the Company considers all available evidence to evaluate the extent to which the decline is “other‑than‑temporary” and, if so, recognizes the unrealized loss through a charge to the Company’s statement of operations and comprehensive loss. No other temporary losses have been recognized.

Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities included the following at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

 

The estimated fair value of the Company’s debt securities balance at March 31, 2017, by contractual maturity, is as follows:

 

 

5. Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consist of the following:

 

6. Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

During March 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to lease its facility under a non‑cancelable operating lease that expires on December 15, 2019. The lease contains escalating rent clauses which require higher rent payments in future years. The Company expenses rent on a straight‑line basis over the term of the lease, including any rent‑free periods.

In January 2016, the Company executed an amendment to extend the 75 Sidney Street lease and executed an agreement to lease the 64 Sidney Street facility until December 31, 2024. The additional facility includes laboratory and office space, and was ready for occupancy in early 2017. The table below includes estimated payments related to the amended 75 Sidney Street lease and the new lease for 64 Sidney Street through December 2024.

The Company received leasehold improvement incentives from the landlord totaling $1.3 million and $3.5 million for 75 Sidney Street and 64 Sidney Street, respectively. The Company recorded these incentives as a component of deferred rent and will amortize these incentives as a reduction of rent expense over the life of the lease. The leasehold improvements have been recorded as fixed assets.

The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations as of payment due date by period at March 31, 2017:

Significant Agreements

Sanofi-Genzyme (“Genzyme”) Collaboration Agreement

Summary of Agreement

In February 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with Genzyme (“Collaboration Agreement”), which included a non‑refundable upfront payment of $65.0 million. In addition, contemporaneous with entering into the Collaboration Agreement, Genzyme entered into a Series B Stock Purchase Agreement, under which Genzyme purchased 10,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for $30.0 million. The fair value of the Series B Preferred Stock at the time of issuance was approximately $25.0 million. The $5.0 million premium over the fair value is accounted for as additional consideration under the Collaboration Agreement.

Under the Collaboration Agreement, the Company granted Genzyme an exclusive option to license, develop and commercialize (i) ex‑U.S. rights to the following programs, which are referred to as Split Territory Programs; VY‑AADC01 (“Parkinson’s Program”), VY‑FXN01 (“Friedreich’s Ataxia Program”), a future program to be designated by Genzyme (“Future Program”) and VY‑HTT01 (“Huntington’s Program”) with an incremental option to co‑commercialize VY‑HTT01 in the United States and (ii) worldwide rights to VY‑SMN101 (“Spinal Muscular Atrophy Program”). Genzyme’s option for the Split Territory Programs and the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Program is triggered following the completion of the first proof‑of‑principle human clinical study (“POP Study”), on a program-by-program basis.

Prior to any option exercise by Genzyme, the Company will collaborate with Genzyme in the development of products under each Split Territory Program and VY‑SMN101 pursuant to a written development plan and under the guidance of an Alliance Joint Steering Committee (“AJSC”), comprised of an equal number of employees from the Company and Genzyme.

The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop products under each Split Territory Program and the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Program through the completion of the applicable POP Study. During the development of these joint programs, the activities are guided by a Development Advisory Committee (“DAC”). The DAC may elect to utilize certain Genzyme technology relating to the Parkinson’s Program, the Huntington’s Program, or generally with the manufacture of Split Territory Program products.

The Company is solely responsible for all costs incurred in connection with the development of the Split Territory Programs and the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Program products prior to the exercise of an option by Genzyme with the exception of the following: (i) at the Company’s request and upon mutual agreement, Genzyme will provide “in‑kind” services valued at up to $5.0 million.

Other than the Parkinson’s Program (for which a POP Study has already been commenced), if the Company does not initiate a POP Study for a given Split Territory Program by December 31, 2026 (or for the Future Program by the tenth anniversary of the date the Future Program is nominated by Genzyme), and Genzyme has not terminated the Collaboration Agreement with respect to the collaboration program, then Genzyme shall be entitled, as its sole and exclusive remedy, to a credit of $10.0 million for each such program against other milestone or royalty payments payable by Genzyme under the Collaboration Agreement. However, if the POP Study is not initiated due to a regulatory delay or a force majeure event, such time period shall be extended for so long as such delay continues.

With the exception of the Parkinson’s Program, Genzyme is required to pay an option exercise payment of $20.0 million or $30.0 million for each Split Territory Program, as well as the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Program.

Upon Genzyme’s exercise of its option to license a given product in a Split Territory Program (“Split Territory Licensed Product”), the Company will have sole responsibility for the development of such Split Territory Licensed Product in the United States and Genzyme shall have sole responsibility for development of such Split Territory Licensed Product in the rest of the world. The Company and Genzyme will have shared responsibility for execution of ongoing development of such Split Territory Licensed Product that is not specific to either territory, including costs associated therewith. The Company is responsible for all commercialization activities relating to Split Territory Licensed Products in the United States, including all of the associated costs. Genzyme is responsible for all commercialization

activities relating to the Split Territory Licensed Products in the rest of the world, including all of the associated costs. If Genzyme exercised its co‑commercialization rights for the Huntingtons’ Program product (“Huntington’s Licensed Product”), Genzyme will be the lead party responsible for all commercialization activities related to such product in the United States.

Upon exercise of the option, Genzyme shall have the sole right to develop the licensed product from the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Program (the “Spinal Muscular Atrophy Licensed Product”) worldwide. Genzyme shall be responsible for all of the development costs that occur after the option exercise date for the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Program. Genzyme is also responsible for commercialization activities relating to the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Licensed Product worldwide.

Genzyme is required to pay the Company for specified regulatory and commercial milestones, if achieved, up to $645 million across all programs. The regulatory approval milestones are payable upon either regulatory approval in the United States or regulatory and reimbursement approval in the European Union and range from $40.0 million to $50.0 million per milestone, with an aggregate total of $265 million. The commercial milestones are payable upon achievement of specified annual net sales in each program and range from $50.0 million to $100 million per milestone, with an aggregate total of $380 million.

In addition, to the extent any Split Territory Licensed Products or the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Licensed Product are commercialized, the Company is entitled to tiered royalty payments ranging from the mid‑single digits to mid‑teens based on a percentage of net sales by Genzyme. Genzyme is entitled to receive tiered royalty payments related to sales of Split Territory Licensed Product ranging from the low‑single digits to mid‑single digits based on a percentage of net sales by the Company depending on whether the Company uses Genzyme technology in the Split Territory Licensed Product. If Genzyme elects to co‑commercialize VY‑HTT01 in the United States, the Company and Genzyme will share in any profits or losses from VY‑HTT01 product sales.

The Collaboration Agreement will continue in effect until the later of (i) the expiration of the last to expire of the option rights and (ii) the expiration of all payment obligations unless sooner terminated by the Company or Genzyme. The Company and Genzyme have customary termination rights including the right to terminate for an uncured material breach of the agreement committed by the other party and Genzyme has the right to terminate for convenience.

Accounting Analysis

The Collaboration Agreement includes the following deliverables: (i) research and development services for each of the Split Territory License Programs and the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Program, (ii) participation in the AJSC, (iii) participation in the DAC and (iv) the option to obtain a development and commercial license in the Parkinson’s Program and related deliverables. The Company has determined that the option to obtain a development and commercial license in the Parkinson’s Program is not a substantive option for accounting purposes, primarily because there is no additional option exercise payment payable by Genzyme at the time the option is exercised. Therefore, the option to obtain a license and other obligations of the Company that are contingent upon exercise of the option are considered deliverables at the inception of the arrangement. The options in the other Split Territory Programs and the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Program are considered substantive as there is substantial option exercise payments payable by Genzyme upon exercise. In addition, as a result of the uncertainties related to the discovery, research, development and commercialization activities, the Company is at risk with regard to whether Genzyme will exercise the options. Moreover, the substantive options are not priced at a significant incremental discount. Accordingly, the substantive options are not considered deliverables at the inception of the arrangement and the associated option exercise payments are not included in allocable arrangement consideration. The Company has also determined that any obligations which are contingent upon the exercise of a substantive option are not considered deliverables at the outset of the arrangement, as these deliverables are contingent upon the exercise of the options. In addition, any option exercise payments associated with the substantive options are not included in the allocable arrangement consideration.

The Company has concluded that each of the deliverables identified at the inception of the arrangement has standalone value from the other undelivered elements. Additionally, the Collaboration Agreement does not include return rights related to the initial collaboration term. Accordingly, each deliverable qualifies as a separate unit of accounting.

The Company has identified $79.3 million of allocable arrangement consideration consisting of the $65 million upfront fee, the $5.0 million premium paid in excess of fair value of the Series B Preferred Stock and $9.3 million of Genzyme “in‑kind” and other funding.

The Company has allocated the allocable arrangement consideration based on the relative selling price of each unit of accounting. For all units of accounting, the Company determined the selling price using the best estimate of selling price (“BESP”). The Company determined the BESP for the service related deliverable for the research and development activities based on internal estimates of the costs to perform the services, including expected internal expenses and expenses with third parties for services and supplies, marked up to include a reasonable profit margin and adjusted for the scope of the potential license. Significant inputs used to determine the total expense of the research and development activities include, the length of time required and the number and costs of various studies that will be performed to complete the applicable POP Study. The BESP for the AJSC and DAC have been estimated based on the costs incurred to participate in the committees, marked up to include a reasonable profit margin. The BESP for the license option was determined based on the estimated value of the license and related deliverables adjusted for the estimated probability that the option would be exercised by Genzyme.

Based on the relative selling price allocation, the allocable arrangement consideration was allocated as follows:

 

The Company recognizes the amounts associated with research and development services on a straight line basis over the estimated period of service as there is no discernable pattern or objective measure of performance for the services. Similarly, the Company recognizes the amount associated with the committee obligations on a straight line basis over the period of service consistent with the expected pattern of performance. The amounts allocated to the license option will be deferred until the option is exercised. The revenue recognition upon option exercise will be determined based on whether the license has standalone value from the remaining deliverables at the time of exercise.

During the first quarter of 2017, the Company reassessed the estimated period of performance for each of its units of accounting and, based on then current facts and circumstances, determined that the estimated period would be extended for two units of accounting. This adjustment was made on a prospective basis and will result in a decrease in revenue recognized by $0.4 million per quarter.

The Company has evaluated all of the milestones that may be received in connection with each Split Territory Licensed Product and the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Licensed Product. In evaluating if a milestone is substantive, the Company assesses whether: (i) the consideration is commensurate with either the Company’s performance to achieve the milestone or the enhancement of the value of the delivered item(s) as a result of a specific outcome resulting from the Company performance to achieve the milestone, (ii) the consideration relates solely to past performance and (iii) the consideration is reasonable relative to all of the deliverables and payment terms within the arrangement. All regulatory milestones are considered substantive on the basis of the contingent nature of the milestone, specifically reviewing factors such as the scientific, clinical, regulatory, and other risks that must be overcome to achieve the milestone as well as the level of effort and investment required. Accordingly, such amounts will be recognized as revenue in full in the period in which the associated milestone is achieved, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. All

commercial milestones will be accounted for in the same manner as royalties and recorded as revenue upon achievement of the milestone, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recognized $1.5 million of revenue associated with its collaboration with Genzyme related to research and development services performed during the period. As of March 31, 2017, there is $40.2 million of deferred revenue related to the Collaboration Agreement, which is classified as either current or noncurrent in the accompanying balance sheet based on the period the services are expected to be delivered.

Costs incurred relating to the programs that Genzyme has the option to license under the Collaboration Agreement consist of internal and external research and development costs, which primarily include: salaries and benefits, lab supplies and preclinical research studies. The Company does not separately track or segregate the amount of costs incurred under the Collaboration Agreement. All of these costs are included in research and development expenses in the Company’s statement of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Company estimates that the majority of research and development expense during the period relate to programs for which Genzyme has an option right.

MRI Interventions License and Securities Purchase Agreements

In September 2016, the Company entered into Securities Purchase and License agreements with MRI Interventions, Inc. (“MRIC”). MRIC is the primary supplier of the ClearPoint System, which is being used by the Company in ongoing development and clinical trials. Under the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company paid $2.0 million for shares of MRIC common stock and a warrant to purchase additional shares of MRIC common stock. The License Agreement provides for certain rights to MRIC technology, and for MRIC to transfer the rights and know-how to manufacture the ClearPoint System, in order to enable the Company to utilize an alternative supplier for the ClearPoint System for use in the Company’s development and clinical trials.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company terminated the License agreement with MRIC and all prior and future commitments and obligations under such agreement became null and void. The Company continues to hold the common stock and warrants to purchase additional shares of common stock as an available-for-sale security and non-current asset, respectively.

Other Agreements

During September 2016, the Company entered into a research and development funding arrangement with a non-profit organization that provides up to $4.0 million in funding upon the achievement of clinical and development milestones. The agreements provides that the Company repay amounts received under certain circumstances including termination of the agreement, and to pay an amount up to 2.6 times the funding received upon successful development and commercialization of any products developed. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company earned a milestone payment of $1.0 million. The Company has evaluated the arrangement and has concluded that it represents a research and development financing arrangement as it is probable that the Company will repay amounts received under the arrangement. As a result, the $1.0 million earned to date is recorded as a long-term liability in the accompanying balance sheet.    

Litigation

The Company is not a party to any litigation and does not have contingency reserves established for any litigation liabilities as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016.

7. Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

The Company has authorized preferred stock amounting to 5,000,000 shares as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The authorized preferred stock was classified under stockholders’ equity at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

8. Stock‑Based Compensation

2015 Stock Option Plan

In October 2015, the Company’s board of directors and stockholders approved the 2015 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, or 2015 Stock Option Plan, which became effective upon the completion of the IPO. The 2015 Stock Option Plan provides the Company with the flexibility to use various equity-based incentive and other awards as compensation tools to motivate its workforce. These tools include stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock, performance share awards and cash-based awards. The 2015 Stock Option Plan replaced the Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. 2014 Stock Option and Grant Plan, or the 2014 Plan. Any options or awards outstanding under the 2014 Plan remained outstanding and effective. The number of shares initially reserved for issuance under the 2015 Stock Option Plan is the sum of (i) 1,311,812 shares of common stock and (ii) the number of shares under the 2014 Plan that are not needed to fulfill the Company’s obligations for awards issued under the 2014 Plan as a result of forfeiture, expiration, cancellation, termination or net issuances of awards thereunder. The number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2015 Stock Option Plan is also subject to increase on the first day of each fiscal year by up to 4% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock on the immediately preceding December 31.

Effective January 1, 2016 and 2017, an additional 1,069,971 and 1,070,635 shares, respectively, were added to the Company’s 2015 Stock Option Plan for future issuance. As of March 31, 2017, there were 1,929,412 shares of common stock available for future award grants under the 2015 Stock Option Plan. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company issued a total of 1,043,800 stock options to employees and directors under the 2015 Stock Option Plan. There were no new stock options issued to non-employees under the 2015 Stock Option Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

2014 Stock Option and Grant Plan

In January 2014 the Company adopted the 2014 Plan, under which it may grant incentive stock options, non‑qualified stock options, restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards, or restricted stock units to purchase up to 823,529 shares of Common Stock to employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Company.

In April 2014 the Company amended the 2014 Plan to allow for the issuance of up to 1,411,764 shares of common stock. In August 2014, April 2015, August 2015, and October 2015, the Company further amended the 2014 Plan to allow for the issuance of up to 2,000,000,  2,047,058,  2,669,411, and 2,998,823 shares of Common Stock, respectively. During 2014 the Company issued only restricted stock awards under the 2014 Plan and during 2015 the Company only granted stock options under the 2014 Plan.

The terms of stock awards agreements, including vesting requirements, are determined by the Board of Directors and are subject to the provisions of the 2014 Plan.

Founder Awards

In January 2014 the Company issued 1,188,233 shares of restricted stock to its founders (“Founders”) at an original issuance price of $0.0425 per share. Of the total restricted shares awarded to the Founders, 835,292 shares generally vest over one to four years, based on each Founder’s continued service to the Company in varying capacity as a Scientific Advisory Board member, consultant, director, officer or employee, as set forth in each grantee’s individual restricted stock purchase agreement. The remaining 352,941 of the shares issued will begin vesting upon the achievement of certain performance objectives as well as continued service to the Company, as set forth in the agreements.

These performance conditions are tied to certain milestone events specific to the Company’s corporate goals, including but not limited to preclinical and clinical development milestones related to the Company’s product candidates. Stock‑based compensation expense associated with these performance‑based awards is recognized when the achievement of the performance condition is considered probable, using management’s best estimates. During 2016, management determined that the achievement of the performance milestone for one of the three performance‑based awards had become probable. Accordingly, stock-based compensation expense in the amount of $0.1 million and $1.3 million, was recorded related to this award during the three months ended and term to date ended March 31, 2017, respectively. No 

stock‑based compensation expense was recorded for the remaining two Founders’ awards with performance-based vesting as of March 31, 2017 as the performance-based milestones related to these awards were not probable.

2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In October 2015, the Company’s board of directors and stockholders approved the 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the 2015 ESPP. Under the 2015 ESPP, all full-time employees of the Company are eligible to purchase common stock of the Company twice per year, at the end of each six-month payment period. During each payment period, eligible employees who so elect, may authorize payroll deductions in an amount of 1% to 10% (whole percentages only) of the employee’s base pay for each payroll period. At the end of each payment period, the accumulated dedications are used to purchase shares of common stock from the Company at a discount. A total of 262,362 shares of common stock were initially authorized for issuance under this plan. The 2015 ESPP became effective upon the completion of the IPO. Effective January 1, 2016 and 2017, 267,492 and 267,658 shares of common stock, respectively, were added to the 2015 ESPP.

Stock‑Based Compensation Expense

Total compensation cost recognized for all stock‑based compensation awards in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss is as follows:

 

Restricted Stock

A summary of the status of and changes in unvested restricted stock unit activity under the Company’s equity award plan was as follows:

 

The expense related to awards granted to employees and non-employees was $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The expense related to awards granted to employees and non-employees was $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to its unvested restricted stock awards of $8.8 million, which is expected to be recognized over the remaining average vesting period of 1.1 years.

Stock Options

The following is a summary of stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017:

 

Using the Black‑Scholes option pricing model, the weighted average fair value of options granted to employees and directors during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $7.82 per share. The expense related to awards granted to employees and directors was $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The weighted average fair value of options granted to employees and directors during the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $7.22 per share. The expense related to awards granted to employees and directors was $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

The fair value of each option issued to employees and directors was estimated at the date of grant using the Black‑Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted‑average assumptions:

 

There were no new options granted to non‑employees during the three months ended March 31, 2017. Unvested options granted to non‑employees are revalued at each measurement period until fully vested. The expense related to awards granted to non‑employees was $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted to non-employees during the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $7.10 per share. The expense related to awards granted to non-employees was $12.0 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

The fair value of each option issued to non‑employees was estimated at each vesting and reporting date using the Black‑Scholes option pricing model. The reporting date fair value was determined using the following weighted‑average assumptions:

 

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to its unvested stock options of $14.8 million which is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted average vesting period of 3.4 years.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, expected volatility was estimated using the historical volatility of the common stock of a peer group of publicly-traded companies that are similarly situated to the Company. The Company will continue to apply this process until a sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of its own stock price becomes available.

 

9. Income taxes

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are recognized based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities using statutory rates. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the realization of the favorable tax attributes in future tax returns, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against the Company’s otherwise recognizable net deferred tax assets.

For the three ended March 31, 2017, the Company recognized a  tax expense in other comprehensive income of $0.2 million related to the unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities.

10. Net Loss Per Share

The following table sets forth the outstanding potentially dilutive securities that have been excluded in the calculation of diluted net loss per share because to do so would be anti-dilutive (in common stock equivalent shares):

 

11. Related‑Party Transactions

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, the Company received consulting and management services from one of its investors. The total amount of consulting and management services provided by this investor was approximately $10.0 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2017.  The total amount of services provided by this investor was approximately $3.0 thousand during the months ended March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2017, the Company did not have a  balance in accounts payable related to consulting and management service fees charged by this investor.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017,  the Company recognized $1.5 million of revenue associated with the Collaboration Agreement related to research and development services provided during this period. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recognized $4.8 million of revenue associated with the Collaboration Agreement related to research and development services provided during the period. The Company also recognized $43.8 thousand of expense during the three months ended March 31, 2017, related to in‑kind services provided by Genzyme associated with the Collaboration Agreement. The Company recognized $0.5 million of expense during the three months ended March 31, 2016, related to in-kind services provided by Genzyme under the Collaboration Agreement.

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited financial information and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on March 15, 2017.

Our actual results and timing of certain events may differ materially from the results discussed, projected, anticipated, or indicated in any forward-looking statements. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, they may not be predictive of results or developments in future periods.

The following information and any forward-looking statements should be considered in light of factors discussed elsewhere in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including those risks identified under Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors.

These forward-looking statements and are made under the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us, which speak only as of the date they are made. We disclaim any obligation, except as specifically required by law and the rules of the SEC, to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Overview

We are a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing treatments for patients suffering from severe neurological diseases. We focus on neurological diseases where we believe an adeno-associated virus, or AAV, gene therapy approach that either increases or decreases the production of a specific protein can slow or reduce the symptoms experienced by patients, and therefore have a clinically meaningful impact. We have built a product engine, that we believe positions us to be the leading company at the intersection of AAV gene therapy and severe neurological disease. Our product engine enables us to engineer, optimize, manufacture and deliver our AAV-based gene therapies that have the potential to provide durable activity following a single administration. Our team of experts in the fields of AAV gene therapy and neuroscience first identifies and selects severe neurological diseases that are well-suited for treatment using AAV gene therapy. We then engineer and optimize AAV vectors for delivery to the targeted tissue or cells. Our manufacturing process employs an established system to enable production of high quality AAV vectors at commercial-scale. Finally, we leverage established routes of administration and advances in dosing techniques to optimize delivery of our AAV gene therapies directly to discrete regions of the brain, more broadly to the spinal cord region, and to target cells that are critical to the disease of interest. In November 2016, we elected to deprioritize the development of VY-SMN101 for spinal muscular atrophy due to, among other things, the progress we have made in our other preclinical programs and the evolving competitive landscape.

Our pipeline of gene therapy programs is summarized in the table below:

Since our inception, our operations have focused on organizing and staffing our company, business planning, raising capital, establishing our intellectual property portfolio, determining which neurological diseases to pursue and conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials. We do not have any product candidates approved for sale and have not generated any revenue from product sales.

We have incurred significant operating losses since our inception. Our net losses were $16.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. As of March 31, 2017, we had an accumulated deficit of $106.7 million. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future. We anticipate that our expenses will increase significantly in connection with our ongoing activities, as we:

Financial Operations Overview

Collaboration Revenue

To date, we have not generated any revenue from product sales and do not expect to generate any revenue from product sales for the foreseeable future. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, we recognized $1.5 million of collaboration revenue from the Genzyme Collaboration.

For the foreseeable future, we expect substantially all of our revenue will be generated from the Genzyme Collaboration, and any other strategic relationships we may enter into. If our development efforts are successful, we may also generate revenue from product sales.

Expenses

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred for our research activities, including our program discovery efforts, and the development of our programs and product engine, which include:

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Costs for certain activities such as manufacturing, preclinical studies, and clinical trials, are generally recognized based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks using information and data provided to us by our vendors and collaborators.

At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate or know the nature, timing, and estimated costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete the development of our product candidates. We are also unable to predict when, if ever, material net cash inflows will commence from sales of our product candidates. This is due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing such product candidates, including the uncertainty of: