The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those
discussed here. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences
include, but are not limited to those discussed in this section as well as
factors described in Part II, Item 1A "Risk Factors."
Overview
Strategic Direction of Our Business
Nektar Therapeutics is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers
and develops innovative new medicines in areas of high unmet medical need. Our
research and development pipeline of new investigational drugs includes
potential therapies for oncology, immunology and virology. We leverage our
proprietary and proven chemistry platform to discover and design new drug
candidates. These drug candidates utilize our advanced polymer conjugate
technology platforms, which are designed to enable the development of new
molecular entities that target known mechanisms of action. We continue to make
significant investments in building and advancing our pipeline of proprietary
drug candidates as we believe that this is the best strategy to build long-term
stockholder value.
In oncology, we focus on developing medicines in the area of immuno-oncology
(I-O), which is a therapeutic approach based on targeting biological pathways
that stimulate and sustain the body's immune response in order to fight cancer.
In the I-O area, we are executing a clinical development program evaluating
bempegaldesleukin (previously referred to as NKTR-214) in combination with
Opdivo®, in collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS) as well as
other independent development work evaluating bempegaldesleukin in combination
with other checkpoint inhibitors and agents with potential complementary
mechanisms of action. We announced in August of 2019 that the FDA granted a
Breakthrough Therapy designation for bempegaldesleukin in combination with
Opdivo® for the treatment of patients with untreated unresectable or metastatic
melanoma. We expect our research and development expense to continue to grow
over the next few years as we expand and execute our broad clinical development
program for bempegaldesleukin.
On January 9, 2020, we and BMS entered into Amendment No. 1 (the Amendment) to
the February 13, 2018, Strategic Collaboration Agreement (the BMS Collaboration
Agreement). Pursuant to the Amendment, we and BMS agreed to update the
Collaboration Development Plan under which we are collaborating and developing
bempegaldesleukin. Specifically, pursuant to the updated Collaboration
Development Plan, bempegaldesleukin in combination with Opdivo® is currently
being evaluated in ongoing registrational trials in first-line metastatic
melanoma, first-line cisplatin ineligible, PD-L1 low, locally advanced or
metastatic urothelial cancer, first-line metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC),
muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and adjuvant melanoma, as well as a Phase 1/2
dose escalation and expansion study to evaluate bempegaldesleukin plus Opdivo®
in combination with either axitinib or cabozantinib in first line RCC in order
to support a future Phase 3 registrational trial. Several other
registrational-supporting pediatric and safety studies for the combination of
bempegaldesleukin and Opdivo® are currently underway.
Under the BMS Collaboration Agreement, we and BMS share development costs based
on each party's relative ownership interest in the compounds included in the
regimen. For example, we share clinical development costs for bempegaldesleukin
in combination with Opdivo®, BMS 67.5% and Nektar 32.5%. For costs of
manufacturing bempegaldesleukin, however, BMS is responsible for 35% and Nektar
is responsible for 65% of costs. BMS supplies Opdivo® free of charge. We also
share commercialization related costs, 35% BMS and 65% Nektar, which we present
in general and administrative expense. Our share of development costs is limited
to an annual cap of $125.0 million. To the extent this annual cap is exceeded,
BMS reimburses us for the excess, but we recognize our full share of the
research and development expense and recognize the reimbursement as a liability.
We repay the liability to the extent that our share of development costs is less
than the annual cap in a future year, or by reducing a portion of our share of
net profits following the first commercial sale of bempegaldesleukin, if
approved.
The BMS Collaboration Agreement entitles Nektar to receive up to $1.455 billion
of clinical, regulatory and commercial launch milestones. Of these milestones,
we received a non-refundable, creditable milestone payment of $25.0 million for
the first patient, first visit in the registrational muscle-invasive bladder
cancer trial, which was achieved on January 30, 2020, and also received a
non-refundable, non-creditable milestone payment of $25.0 million for the first
patient, first visit in the registrational adjuvant melanoma trial, which we
achieved on July 27, 2020. Of the remaining milestones, $625.0 million are
associated with the approval and launch of bempegaldesleukin in its first
indication in the U.S., EU and Japan (which reflects the reduction for the $25.0
million nonrefundable, creditable milestone for the first patient, first visit
in the muscle-invasive bladder cancer trial). As a result, whether and when
bempegaldesleukin is approved in any indication will have a significant impact
on our future results of operations and financial condition.
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Outside of the Collaboration Development Plan with BMS, we are conducting and
pursuing additional I-O research and development activities evaluating
bempegaldesleukin in combination with other agents that have potential
complementary mechanisms of action. For example, we are independently studying
bempegaldesleukin in combination with Keytruda® in a non-small cell lung cancer
(NSCLC) Phase 1/2 trial. In addition, on February 12, 2021, we entered into a
financing and co-development collaboration with SFJ Pharmaceuticals to support a
Phase 2/3 registrational clinical study of bempegaldesleukin plus Keytruda® in
patients with head and neck cancer whose tumors express PD-L1. Our strategic
objective is to establish bempegaldesleukin as a key component of many I-O
combination regimens with the potential to enhance the standard of care in
multiple oncology settings. As a result, we expect to continue to make
significant and increasing investments exploring the potential of
bempegaldesleukin with mechanisms of action that we believe are synergistic with
bempegaldesleukin based on emerging clinical development outcomes, scientific
findings in cancer biology and preclinical development work.
With our non-BMS clinical collaborations for bempegaldesleukin, generally each
party supports the collaboration based on its expertise and resources. For
example, our co-development collaboration agreement with SFJ includes both
financial support from SFJ in the form of up to $150.0 million to fund the Phase
2/3 registrational clinical study of bempegaldesleukin plus Keytruda® in head
and neck cancer, as well as operational support from SFJ in managing the
clinical trial. In addition, we announced on February 17, 2021, that we had
entered into a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Merck
wherein we will receive supplies of Keytruda® at no cost to us.
We are also combining bempegaldesleukin with NKTR-262. NKTR-262 is a small
molecule agonist that targets toll-like receptors (TLRs) found on innate immune
cells in the body. NKTR-262 is designed to stimulate the innate immune system
and promote maturation and activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such
as dendritic cells, which are critical to induce the body's adaptive immunity
and create antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells. NKTR-262 is being developed as an
intra-tumoral injection in combination with systemic bempegaldesleukin to induce
an abscopal response and achieve the goal of tumor regression in cancer patients
treated with both therapies. The Phase 1/2 dose-escalation and expansion trial
in patients with solid tumors is currently ongoing.
Our next most advanced I-O program is NKTR-255. NKTR-255 is a biologic that
targets the IL-15 pathway in order to activate the body's innate and adaptive
immunity. Activation of the IL-15 pathway enhances the survival and function of
NK cells and induces survival of both effector and CD8 memory T cells.
Recombinant human IL-15 is rapidly cleared from the body and must be
administered frequently and in high doses limiting its utility due to toxicity.
Through optimal engagement of the IL-15 receptor complex, NKTR-255 is designed
to enhance functional NK cell populations and formation of long-term
immunological memory, which may lead to sustained and durable anti-tumor immune
response. Preclinical findings suggest NKTR-255 has the potential to
synergistically combine with antibody-dependent cellular toxicity molecules as
well as enhance CAR-T therapies. We have initiated a Phase 1 dose escalation and
expansion clinical study of NKTR-255 in adults with relapsed or refractory
non-Hodgkin lymphoma or multiple myeloma, as well as a Phase 1/2 clinical study
of NKTR-255 in patients with relapsed or refractory head and neck squamous cell
carcinoma or colorectal cancer. At the 2020 Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer
(SITC) Annual Meeting, we reported early findings from the Phase 1 dose
escalation study that demonstrated expansion of NK and CD8+ T cells in patients
with multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
In immunology, we are developing NKTR-358, which is designed to correct the
underlying immune system imbalance in the body that occurs in patients with
autoimmune disease. NKTR-358 is designed to optimally target the IL-2 receptor
complex in order to stimulate proliferation and growth of regulatory T cells.
NKTR-358 is being developed as a once or twice monthly self-administered
injection for a number of autoimmune diseases. In 2017, we entered into a
worldwide license agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) to co-develop
NKTR-358. We received an initial payment of $150.0 million in September 2017 and
are eligible for up to an additional $250.0 million for development and
regulatory milestones. We were responsible for completing Phase 1 clinical
development and certain drug product development and supply activities. We also
share Phase 2 development costs with Lilly, with Lilly responsible for 75% and
Nektar responsible for 25% of these costs. We will have the option to contribute
funding to Phase 3 development on an indication-by-indication basis, ranging
from zero to 25% of the Phase 3 development costs and receive a royalty rate on
global NKTR-358 sales up to the low twenties based upon our Phase 3 development
cost contribution and the level of annual global product sales. Lilly will be
responsible for all costs of global commercialization and we will have an option
to co-promote in the U.S. under certain conditions.
We have completed a Phase 1 dose-finding trial of NKTR-358 to evaluate
single-ascending doses of NKTR-358 in approximately 100 healthy patients.
Results from this study demonstrated a multiple-fold increase in regulatory T
cells with no change in CD8 positive or natural killer cell levels and no
dose-limiting toxicities were observed. We also completed treatment of a Phase 1
multiple-ascending dose trial to evaluate NKTR-358 in patients with systemic
lupus erythematosus (SLE). Lilly is conducting two Phase 1b studies in patients
with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, has initiated a Phase 2 study in SLE in
October 2020, and has initiated a Phase 2 study in ulcerative colitis. In
addition, Lilly is planning to initiate two new Phase 2 studies in undisclosed
auto-immune indications.
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In virology, we received on October 22, 2020, FDA clearance for an
Investigational New Drug application for bempegaldesleukin to be evaluated in a
Phase 1b clinical study in adult patients who have been diagnosed with mild
COVID-19 infection. The study design allows us to evaluate whether
bempegaldesleukin's adaptive immune-stimulating mechanism to promote priming and
proliferation of T cells and NK cells could be useful in the emerging treatment
options for COVID-19. Enrollment in the Phase 1b randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial began in November 2020. We have also entered into a
preclinical research collaboration with Gilead to test the combination of
NKTR-255 with therapies in Gilead's antiviral portfolio.
The level of our future research and development investment will depend on a
number of trends and uncertainties including clinical study outcomes, future
studies required to advance programs to regulatory approval, and the economics
related to potential future collaborations that may include up-front payments,
development funding, milestones, and royalties. Over the next several years, we
plan to continue to make significant investments to advance our early drug
candidate pipeline.
We have historically derived all of our revenue and substantial amounts of
operating capital from our collaboration agreements including the BMS
Collaboration Agreement, pursuant to which we have recognized $1.11 billion in
revenue and recorded $790.2 million in additional paid in capital for shares of
our common stock issued in the transaction. While in the near-term we continue
to expect to generate substantially all of our revenue from collaboration
arrangements, including the potential remaining $1.405 billion in development
and regulatory milestones under the BMS collaboration, in the medium- to
long-term, our plan is to generate significant commercial revenue from
proprietary products, the first of which being bempegaldesleukin, if approved.
Since we do not have experience commercializing products or an established
commercialization organization, there will be substantial risks and
uncertainties in future years as we build commercial, organizational, and
operational capabilities.
Up until September 30, 2020, we received royalties and milestones from two
approved drugs: MOVANTIK®, for which we have a collaboration with AstraZeneca;
and ADYNOVATE®, for which we have a collaboration agreement with Baxalta Inc. (a
wholly owned-subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd.). MOVANTIK® is an
oral, peripherally-acting mu-opioid antagonist for the treatment of
opioid-induced constipation in adult patients with non-cancer pain which was
approved by the FDA and subsequently launched in March 2015 (wherein in the EU,
MOVANTIK® is sold as MOVENTIG® and is indicated for the treatment of
opioid-induced constipation in adult patients who have an inadequate response to
laxatives, which was approved by health authorities in the European Union and
many other countries beginning in 2014). ADYNOVATE®, a half-life extension
product of Factor VIII was approved by the FDA in late 2015 for use in adults
and adolescents, aged 12 years and older, who have Hemophilia A (wherein in the
EU, ADYNOVATE® is sold as ADYNOVI® and was approved by health authorities in
Europe in January 2018, and has also been approved in many other countries).

Beginning on October 1, 2020, our rights to receive royalties arising from the
worldwide net sales of MOVANTIK®/MOVANTIG® and ADYNOVATE®/ADYNOVI®, as well as
REBINYN® and specified licensed products under a Right to Sublicense Agreement,
dated October 27, 2017, were sold for $150.0 million pursuant to a capped return
sale arrangement to entities managed by Healthcare Royalty Management, LLC
(collectively, HCR) under a purchase and sale agreement (the 2020 Purchase and
Sale Agreement) entered into on December 16, 2020. With regard to the capped
return sale arrangement, the 2020 Purchase and Sale Agreement will automatically
expire, and HCR's right to receive the sold royalties, will cease when HCR has
received payments equaling $210.0 million (the 2025 Threshold), if the 2025
Threshold is achieved on or prior to December 31, 2025, or $240.0 million, if
the 2025 Threshold is not achieved on or prior to December 31, 2025 (or, if
earlier, the date on which the last royalty payment under the relevant license
agreements is made). After the 2020 Purchase and Sale Agreement expires, all
rights to receive these royalties return to Nektar.
Our business is subject to significant risks, including the risks inherent in
our development efforts, the results of our clinical trials, our dependence on
the marketing efforts by our collaboration partners, uncertainties associated
with obtaining and enforcing patents, the lengthy and expensive regulatory
approval process and competition from other products. For a discussion of these
and some of the other key risks and uncertainties affecting our business, see
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
While the approved drugs and clinical development programs described above are
key elements of our future success, we believe it is critically important that
we continue to make substantial investments in our earlier-stage drug candidate
pipeline. We have several drug candidates in earlier stage clinical development
or being explored in research that we are preparing to advance into the clinic
in future years. We are also advancing several other drug candidates in
preclinical development in the areas of I-O, immunology, and other therapeutic
indications. We believe that our substantial investment in research and
development has the potential to create significant value if one or more of our
drug candidates demonstrates positive clinical results, receives regulatory
approval in one or more major markets and achieves commercial success. Drug
research and development is an inherently uncertain process with a high risk of
failure at every stage prior to approval. The timing and outcome of clinical
trial results are extremely difficult to predict. Clinical development successes
and failures can have a disproportionately positive or negative impact on our
scientific and medical prospects, financial condition and prospects, results of
operations and market value.
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Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, COVID-19, the disease resulting from a novel strain of
coronavirus infection, was declared a global pandemic. Many countries, including
the United States and India, initially took steps such as restricting travel,
closing schools, and issuing shelter-in-place orders to slow or moderate the
spread of the virus. More recently, states and countries have adopted
individualized approaches to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular,
local resurgences in number and rates of infections, and the further spread of
the virus may result in the return of prior restrictions or the institution of
restrictions in the affected areas. Although vaccines intended to reduce the
incidence and severity of infection are available pursuant to an Emergency Use
Authorization granted by the FDA in the U.S. (and under similar authorizations
by other health authorities in our countries), it remains unclear how long the
negative impacts caused by the coronavirus will continue into the future.
Currently, with respect to the operation of our facilities, we are closely
adhering to applicable guidelines and orders. Operations in research,
manufacturing and maintenance that occur within our facilities are continuing in
accordance with the permissions granted under local government ordinances.
Recently, in view of the surge of COVID-19 cases occurring in India, we have
further decreased the number of employees working at our facilities in
Hyderabad. Across all our locations, we have instituted a temporary work from
home policy for all office personnel who do not need to work on site to maintain
productivity. At this time, we have not identified a material change to our
productivity as a result of these measures, but this could change, particularly
if restricted travel, closed schools, and shelter-in-place orders are not
removed or significantly eased in the areas in which we operate.
The safety and well-being of our employees, and the patients and healthcare
providers in our clinical trial programs, are of first and foremost importance
to us. We believe that the safety measures we are taking and instructing our
contractors to take in response to the COVID-19 pandemic meet or exceed the
guidance and requirements issued from government and public health officials.
We and our partners are currently engaged in the clinical testing of our
proprietary drug candidates and the COVID-19 pandemic introduces significant
challenges to our clinical development programs which are central to our
business. The evolving situation around the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the
resulting public health guidance measures that have been put into place, have
thus far had varying impacts on the clinical testing of our proprietary drug
candidates depending on the therapeutic indication, geographic distribution of
clinical trial sites, the clinical trial stage, and, in certain cases, our
partners' general corporate approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid
development and fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic precludes any firm estimates
as to the ultimate effect this disease will have on our clinical trials, our
operations and our business. As a result, any current assessment of the effects
of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact of this disease on our specific
clinical programs as discussed below, is difficult to predict and subject to
change.
Specifically, for the ongoing registrational clinical trials studying the
combination of bempegaldesleukin and Opdivo® in cancer indications being led by
Nektar (such as adjuvant melanoma, RCC and first-line cisplatin ineligible,
PD-L1 low, locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer), although we have
not seen evidence to date that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant
impact on enrollment for these trials, the future impact of the COVID-19
pandemic on these trials is very difficult to predict and, with regard to
individual clinical trial sites within these studies, will likely vary by the
geographic region in which they are located.
For Nektar's Phase 1/2 trial studying bempegaldesleukin and Keytruda® in NSCLC,
although the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the initiation of certain investigator
sites in Europe earlier in the trial, we currently expect to have initial safety
as well as preliminary overall response rate data for the dose-escalation and
0.006 mg/kg NSCLC expansion cohorts of this study in the second half of 2021.
With regard to Nektar's ongoing clinical study of NKTR-262 (the Phase 1/2 REVEAL
study), this study has largely remained on track although we have experienced
some challenges with new investigator site initiations. Nektar's Phase 1
clinical study of NKTR-255 in patients with relapsed/refractory hematologic
malignancies has enrolled slower than anticipated due to challenges caused by
the COVID-19 pandemic, and the dose-escalation monotherapy portion of the study
is expected to be completed in the first half of 2021. For both of these
Nektar-run clinical programs, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could still impact
investigator site initiations and trial enrollment despite our mitigation
efforts.
For clinical studies of our proprietary drug candidates being run by our
partners, BMS is enrolling patients in each of the BMS-led registration studies
and re-started initiation of new investigator sites in the third quarter of 2020
following a pause in the initiation of new investigator sites it instituted for
all of its studies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the summer of 2020,
BMS extended their timeline estimates by approximately six months for the first
data read-outs for the first-line melanoma trial. We will continue to monitor
the progress of enrollment of the BMS-led studies and projections for topline
clinical outcome data.
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Our partner Lilly, which is running clinical trials of NKTR-358, has indicated
it will likely have delays of at least three to six months following its
temporary suspension of recruitment for the ongoing Phase 1b studies in atopic
dermatitis and psoriasis as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lilly recently
started a Phase 2 study in moderate to severe lupus patients in October and has
initiated an additional Phase 2 study in ulcerative colitis. The rapid
development and fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic preclude any firm estimates as
to the ultimate effect this disease will have on our collaborators' clinical
trials. As a result, there remains substantial uncertainty as to potential
impacts on our collaboration partner studies.
With regard to our IND-enabling research, although the COVID-19 pandemic has
caused us to reduce the number of employees working at our sites, a subset of
our research-based employees continues to conduct laboratory work in our
research facilities (which is permitted under the applicable government
ordinances). As a result, we continue to make progress in the identification of
new drug candidates.
In an effort to mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our
clinical trials (both in terms of clinical trial timelines and integrity of
clinical study data), we have taken steps to help our clinical trial
investigators and their teams continue to provide care and uninterrupted access
to their patients. Particularly, in the context of our clinical trials directed
to investigational cancer treatments, for example, we are actively working with
our study sites to implement measures to prevent study protocol violations, to
minimize any disruption of treatment visits, to accommodate for patient visit
delays caused by limited access to healthcare facilities, to leverage
alternative methods for maintaining clinical trial integrity, and to properly
record patient event data that may be influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. In
addition, to the extent that the integrity of individual patient data is
negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we will consider measures to
maintain the integrity of the clinical study overall (such as over-enrolling
patients into the study and removing all patients originating from an affected
study site when performing statistical analyses of study endpoints). Although
these measures may have the benefit of preserving the overall integrity of a
clinical study, implementing these measures could result in a delay in
completing the study.
In this respect, we are also incorporating recent direction and flexibility
provided by regulatory authorities, including the FDA in its March 18, 2020
Guidance (most recently updated January 27, 2021) entitled "FDA Guidance on
Conduct of Clinical Trials of Medicinal Products during COVID-19 Public Health
Emergency." This Guidance is continually being updated by FDA and updates can be
found on the FDA's website at www.fda.gov. In addition, we may refer to guidance
documents from other regulatory agencies, such as, for example, the European
Medicines Agency's "Implications of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on
methodological aspects of ongoing clinical trials" found on www.ema.europa.eu,
which are also continually being updated.
With respect to financing our near-term business needs, as set forth below in
"Key Developments and Trends in Liquidity and Capital Resources," we estimate we
have working capital to fund our current business plans through at least the
next twelve months.
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Key Developments and Trends in Liquidity and Capital Resources
We estimate that we have working capital to fund our current business plans
through at least the next twelve months. As of March 31, 2021, we had
approximately $1.1 billion in cash and investments in marketable securities.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
Revenue (in thousands, except percentages)
                                                                                                               Percentage
                                                                                       Increase/                Increase/
                                                                                      (Decrease)               (Decrease)
                                               Three Months Ended March 31,          2021 vs. 2020            2021 vs. 2020
                                                  2021              2020
Product sales                                 $   4,795          $  3,444          $        1,351                        39  %
Royalty revenue                                       -             9,719                  (9,719)                     (100) %
Non-cash royalty revenue related to sale of
future royalties                                 18,798             9,895                   8,903                        90  %
License, collaboration and other revenue             54            27,515                 (27,461)                     (100) %
Total revenue                                 $  23,647          $ 50,573          $      (26,926)                      (53) %


Our revenue is derived from our collaboration agreements, under which we may
receive product sales revenue, royalties, and license fees, as well as
development and sales milestones and other contingent payments. We recognize
revenue when we transfer promised goods or services to our collaboration
partners. The amount of upfront fees received under our license and
collaboration agreements allocated to continuing obligations, such as
development or manufacturing and supply commitments, is generally recognized as
we deliver products or provide development services. As a result, there may be
significant variations in the timing of receipt of cash payments and our
recognition of revenue. We make our best estimate of the timing and amount of
products and services expected to be required to fulfill our performance
obligations. Given the uncertainties in research and development collaborations,
significant judgment is required to make these estimates.
Product Sales
Product sales include predominantly fixed price manufacturing and supply
agreements with our collaboration partners and are the result of firm purchase
orders from those partners. The timing of shipments is based solely on the
demand and requirements of our collaboration partners and is not ratable
throughout the year.
Product sales increased for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to
the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily due to an increase in product
demand from our collaboration partners. We expect product sales for the full
year of 2021 to increase compared to 2020 due to increased demand from our
collaboration partners.
Royalty Revenue
As discussed in Note 5 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, on
December 16, 2020, we entered into the 2020 Purchase and Sale Agreement with
entities managed by Healthcare Royalty Management, LLC (collectively, HCR),
under which we agreed to sell to HCR certain of our rights to receive royalty
payments arising on worldwide net sales of MOVANTIK®, ADYNOVATE® and REBINYN®
beginning October 1, 2020. As a result, we recognized royalty revenue for these
products for the three months ended March 31, 2020, and recognized these
royalties as non-cash royalty revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Please see Note 5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional
information on the 2020 Purchase and Sale Agreement.
We do not expect to recognize any royalty revenue during 2021, because we will
recognize all such royalties as non-cash royalty revenue as a result of the 2020
Purchase and Sale Agreement.
Non-cash Royalty Revenue Related to Sale of Future Royalties
For a discussion of our Non-cash royalty revenue, please see our discussion
below "Non-Cash Royalty Revenue and Non-Cash Interest Expense."
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License, Collaboration and Other Revenue
License, collaboration and other revenue includes the recognition of upfront
payments, milestone and other contingent payments received in connection with
our license and collaboration agreements and certain research and development
activities. The level of license, collaboration and other revenue depends in
part upon the estimated recognition period of the upfront payments allocated to
continuing performance obligations, the achievement of milestones and other
contingent events, the continuation of existing collaborations, the amount of
research and development work, and entering into new collaboration agreements,
if any.
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recognized $25.0 million in
license, collaboration and other revenue for the achievement of the first
patient, first visit in the registrational muscle-invasive bladder cancer trial
under the BMS Collaboration Agreement. Accordingly, license, collaboration and
other revenue decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to
the three months ended March 31, 2020 due to the recognition of this milestone.
We expect that our license, collaboration and other revenue will decrease
significantly for the full year of 2021 compared to 2020 as a result of the
recognition of this $25.0 million milestone and the $25.0 million milestone for
the first patient, first visit in the registrational adjuvant melanoma trial,
which we recognized in the three months ended June 30, 2020.
The timing and future success of our drug development programs and those of our
collaboration partners are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. See
Item 1A. Risk Factors for discussion of the risks associated with the complex
nature of our collaboration agreements.
Cost of Goods Sold and Product Gross Margin (in thousands, except percentages)
                                                                                                                      Percentage
                                                                                              Increase/                Increase/
                                                                                             (Decrease)               (Decrease)
                                                   Three Months Ended March 31,             2021 vs. 2020            2021 vs. 2020
                                                      2021                 2020
Cost of goods sold                              $       5,756           $  3,811          $        1,945                        51  %
Product gross profit (1)                                 (961)              (367)                   (594)                     (162) %
Product gross margin                                      (20)  %           

(11) % (1) Percentage change represents a worsening, since the negative gross margin has increased.




Our strategy is to manufacture and supply polymer reagents to support our
proprietary drug candidates or our third-party collaborators where we have a
strategic development and commercialization relationship or where we derive
substantial economic benefit. We have elected to only enter into and maintain
those manufacturing relationships associated with long-term collaboration
agreements which include multiple sources of revenue, which we view holistically
and in aggregate. We have a predominantly fixed cost base associated with our
manufacturing activities. As a result, our product gross profit and margin are
significantly impacted by the mix and volume of products sold in each period.
Product gross margin was negative for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and
March 31, 2020. We have a manufacturing arrangement with a partner that includes
a fixed price which is less than the fully burdened manufacturing cost for the
reagent, and we expect this situation to continue with this partner in future
years. In addition to product sales from reagent materials supplied to the
partner where our sales are less than our fully burdened manufacturing cost, we
also receive royalty revenue from this collaboration. In the three months ended
March 31, 2021 and 2020, the royalty revenue from this collaboration exceeded
the related negative gross profit.
We expect product gross margin to continue to fluctuate in future periods
depending on the level and mix of manufacturing orders from our customers. We
currently expect product gross margin to be negative in 2021 as a result of the
manufacturing arrangement described above.
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Research and Development Expense (in thousands, except percentages)
                                                                                                                    Percentage
                                                                                            Increase/                Increase/
                                                                                           (Decrease)               (Decrease)
                                                 Three Months Ended March 31,             2021 vs. 2020            2021 vs. 2020
                                                   2021                  2020
Research and development expense             $       95,604          $ 108,987          $      (13,383)                      (12) %


Research and development expense consists primarily of clinical study costs,
contract manufacturing costs, direct costs of outside research, materials,
supplies, licenses and fees as well as personnel costs (including salaries,
benefits, and stock-based compensation). Research and development expense also
includes certain overhead allocations consisting of support and
facilities-related costs. Where we perform research and development activities
under a clinical joint development collaboration, such as our collaboration with
BMS, we record the expense reimbursement from our partners as a reduction to
research and development expense, and we record our share of our partners'
expenses as an increase to research and development expense.
Research and development expense decreased for the three months ended March 31,
2021 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily due to
manufacturing activities for bempegaldesleukin which were completed during 2020.
Additionally, development costs for NKTR-358 decreased for the three months
ended March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020,
reflecting our completion of our Phase 1 clinical development and drug product
development deliverables, for which we were responsible for 100% of costs, to
the Phase 1B and Phase 2 development, for which we are responsible for 25% of
costs and Lilly is responsible for 75% of costs. The costs of our clinical
development program, including bempegaldesleukin, NKTR-262 and NKTR-255, were
consistent between the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the three
months ended March 31, 2020. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and
2020, we recorded net reductions to research and development expense for BMS's
reimbursements of our costs of $26.7 million and $30.7 million,
respectively. Under the BMS Collaboration Agreement, BMS generally bears 67.5%
of development costs for bempegaldesleukin in combination with Opdivo® and 35%
of costs for manufacturing bempegaldesleukin. Please see Note 8 to our Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our BMS
Collaboration Agreement.
We expect research and development expense to increase for 2021 compared to 2020
primarily as a result of our continued development of bempegaldesleukin,
including studies outside of the BMS Collaboration Agreement. In addition, we
are collaborating with Lilly to develop NKTR-358, and Lilly will be conducting
the recently started Phase 2 studies and other ongoing studies in 2021, for
which we are responsible for 25% of costs. We are continuing to enroll patients
in the expansion cohorts of the Phase 1/2 study for NKTR-262 in combination with
bempegaldesleukin. We will continue our Phase 1/2 dose-escalation and expansion
studies for NKTR-255 in multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, relapsed or
refractory head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and colorectal cancer. The
timing and amount of our future clinical investments will vary significantly
based upon our evaluation of ongoing clinical results and the structure, timing,
and scope of additional clinical development programs and potential clinical
collaboration partnerships (if any) for these programs.
In addition to our drug candidates that we are evaluating in clinical
development during 2021, we believe it is vitally important to continue our
substantial investment in a pipeline of new drug candidates to continue to build
the value of our drug candidate pipeline and our business. Our discovery
research organization is identifying new drug candidates by applying our polymer
conjugate technology platform to a wide range of molecule classes, including
small molecules and large proteins, peptides and antibodies, across multiple
therapeutic areas. We plan to continue to advance our most promising early
research drug candidates into preclinical development with the objective to
advance these early stage research programs to human clinical studies over the
next several years.
Our expenditures on current and future preclinical and clinical development
programs are subject to numerous uncertainties in timing and cost to completion.
In order to advance our drug candidates through clinical development, each drug
candidate must be tested in numerous preclinical safety, toxicology and efficacy
studies. We then conduct clinical studies for our drug candidates that take
several years to complete. The cost and time required to complete clinical
trials may vary significantly over the life of a clinical development program as
a result of a variety of factors, including but not limited to:
•the number of patients required for a given clinical study design;
•the length of time required to enroll clinical study participants;
•the number and location of sites included in the clinical studies;
•the clinical study designs required by the health authorities (i.e. primary and
secondary endpoints as well as the size of the study population needed to
demonstrate efficacy and safety outcomes);
•the potential for changing standards of care for the target patient population;
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•the competition for patient recruitment from competitive drug candidates being
studied in the same clinical setting;
•the costs of producing supplies of the drug candidates needed for clinical
trials and regulatory submissions;
•the safety and efficacy profile of the drug candidate;
•the use of clinical research organizations to assist with the management of the
trials; and
•the costs and timing of, and the ability to secure, approvals from government
health authorities.
Furthermore, our strategy includes the potential of entering into collaborations
with third parties to participate in the development and commercialization of
some of our drug candidates such as those collaborations that we have already
completed for bempegaldesleukin and NKTR-358, or clinical collaborations where
we would share costs and operational responsibility with a partner. In certain
situations, the clinical development program and process for a drug candidate
and the estimated completion date will largely be under the control of that
third party and not under our control. We cannot forecast with any degree of
certainty which of our drug candidates will be subject to future collaborations
or how such arrangements would affect our development plans or capital
requirements.
As noted above, the evolving situation around the COVID-19 pandemic has had
varying impacts on the clinical testing of our proprietary drug candidates
depending on the therapeutic indication, geographic distribution of clinical
trial sites, the clinical trial stage, and, in certain cases, our partners'
general corporate approach to the pandemic. We have experienced delays of
approximately three months for some Nektar-run, earlier-stage clinical studies
(such as the Phase 1/2 trial studying bempegaldesleukin and Keytruda® in NSCLC
and the Phase 1 dose escalation trial studying NKTR-255 in patients with
relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies) and given the evolving situation
around the COVID-19 pandemic it is possible there could be additional delays in
the future. In addition, for certain clinical studies involving our proprietary
drug candidates that are run by our partners, study timelines have been delayed
at least three to six months, and, given the evolving situation around the
COVID-19 pandemic, it is possible there could be additional delays in the
future. As a result of these delays and potential delays, we may incur
additional costs associated with these clinical trials. At this time, we cannot
estimate if such increases would have a material effect on our results of
operations or financial position.
The risks and uncertainties associated with our research and development
projects are discussed more fully in Item 1A. Risk Factors. As a result of the
uncertainties discussed above, we are unable to determine with any degree of
certainty the duration and completion costs of our research and development
projects, anticipated completion dates or when and to what extent we will
receive cash inflows from a collaboration arrangement or the commercialization
of a drug candidate.
General and Administrative Expense (in thousands, except percentages)
                                                                                                                 Percentage
                                                                                         Increase/                Increase/
                                                                                        (Decrease)               (Decrease)
                                                 Three Months Ended March 31,          2021 vs. 2020            2021 vs. 2020
                                                    2021              2020
General and administrative expense              $  31,679          $ 26,217          $        5,462                        21  %


General and administrative expense includes the cost of administrative staffing,
business development, commercial, finance and legal activities. General and
administrative expense increased during the three months ended March 31, 2021
compared with the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily due to increased
personnel costs as we continue a stage-appropriate build of our commercial
capability to co-commercialize bempegaldesleukin with BMS. We expect general and
administrative expenses in the full year of 2021 to increase compared to 2020,
as we continue to build our commercial capabilities.
Impairment of Assets and Other Costs for Terminated Program (in thousands,
except percentages)
                                                                                                                Percentage
                                                                                        Increase/                Increase/
                                                                                       (Decrease)               (Decrease)
                                               Three Months Ended March 31,           2021 vs. 2020            2021 vs. 2020
                                                  2021               2020
Impairment of assets and other costs for
terminated program                            $        -          $ 45,189          $      (45,189)                     (100) %


On January 14, 2020, the joint FDA Anesthetic Drug Products Advisory Committee
and Drug Safety and Risk Management Committee did not recommend approval of our
NDA for NKTR-181. As a result, we withdrew our NDA and decided to make no
further investments in this program. As a result, in the three months ended
March 31, 2020, we wrote off
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$19.7 million of advance payments to contract manufacturers for commercial
batches of NKTR-181. We also incurred $25.5 million of additional costs,
primarily for non-cancellable commitments to our contract manufacturers and
severance costs.
Interest Expense (in thousands, except percentages)
                                                                                                                    Percentage
                                                                                            Increase/                Increase/
                                                                                           (Decrease)               (Decrease)
                                                   Three Months Ended March 31,           2021 vs. 2020            2021 vs. 2020
                                                      2021               2020
Interest expense                                  $        -          $  6,204          $       (6,204)                     (100) %


Interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily
consisted of interest from our senior secured notes. In October 2015, we issued
$250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior secured notes due
October 2020. On April 13, 2020, we repaid the principal and accrued interest of
our senior notes totaling $254.8 million. As a result, we incurred no interest
expense after the repayment date.

Non-Cash Royalty Revenue and Non-Cash Interest Expense


                                                                                           Increase/           Percentage Increase/
                                                                                          (Decrease)                (Decrease)
                                                Three Months Ended March 31,             2021 vs. 2020             2021 vs. 2020
                                                   2021                 2020
2012 Purchase and Sale Agreement:
Non-cash royalty revenue related to sale of
future royalties                            $        9,489           $  9,719          $         (230)                         (2) %
Non-cash interest expense on liability
related to sale of future royalties         $        7,797           $  6,968          $          829                          12  %
Interest rates - end of period presented
Implicit interest rate over the life of the
agreement                                             20.2   %           19.5  %
Prospective effective interest rate                   48.0   %           38.0  %
2020 Purchase and Sale Agreement:
Non-cash royalty revenue related to sale of
future royalties                            $        9,309           $      -          $        9,309                          >100%
Non-cash interest expense on liability
related to sale of future royalties         $        5,499           $      -          $        5,499                          >100%
Interest rates - end of period presented
Implicit interest rate over the life of the
agreement                                             16.0   %           

N/A


Prospective effective interest rate                   16.0   %           

N/A


Total non-cash royalty revenue related to
sale of future royalties                    $       18,798           $  9,719          $        9,079                          93  %
Total non-cash interest expense on
liability related to sale of future
royalties                                   $       13,296           $  6,968          $        6,328                          91  %


As discussed in Note 5 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, we
continue to recognize non-cash royalty revenue for the 2012 Purchase and Sale
Agreement and the 2020 Purchase and Sale Agreement (as defined in Note 5).
2012 Purchase and Sale Agreement
Non-cash royalty revenue for the 2012 Purchase and Sale Agreement decreased
marginally for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the three
months ended March 31, 2020. Non-cash interest expense for the 2012 Purchase and
Sales Agreement increased for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to
the three months ended March 31, 2020 due to an increase in the estimated
implicit interest rate over the life of the transaction, as disclosed above.
When forecasted future revenues rise, this results in an increase to the
estimated implicit interest rate over the life of the transaction, which, in
turn, increases the prospective effective interest rate in the current and
future periods. The estimated implicit rate increased from the three months
ended March 31, 2020 to the three months ended March 31, 2021 due to an increase
in estimated future net sales of CIMZIA®.
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Over the term of this arrangement, the net proceeds of the transaction of $114.0
million, consisting of the original proceeds of $124.0 million, net of $10.0
million in payments from us to RPI, is amortized as the difference between the
non-cash royalty revenue and the non-cash interest expense. To date, we have
amortized $49.8 million of the net proceeds. We periodically assess future
non-cash royalty revenues, and we may adjust the prospective effective interest
rate based on our best estimates of future non-cash royalty revenue such that
future non-cash interest expense will amortize the remaining $64.2 million of
the net proceeds, since RPI (as defined in Note 5) receives all of the benefits
of the increases in future royalties. There are a number of factors that could
materially affect our estimated interest rate, in particular, the amount and
timing of royalty payments from future net sales of CIMZIA® and MIRCERA®. As a
result, future interest rates could differ significantly, and we will adjust any
such change in our estimated interest rate prospectively.
2020 Purchase and Sale Agreement
As discussed in Note 5 to our Condensed Consolidated Finance Statements and
above under Royalty Revenue, we sold our rights to receive royalties for
MOVANTIK®, ADYNOVATE® and REBINYN® for sales beginning on October 1, 2020, and
therefore we recognized non-cash royalty revenue and non-cash interest expense
for the three months ended March 31, 2021, but did not recognize non-cash
royalty revenue and non-cash interest expense for the three months ended March
31, 2020. Similarly, non-cash royalty revenue and non-cash interest expense will
increase for 2021 compared to 2020. Our estimate of the imputed interest rate
reflects our estimates for sales of MOVANTIK®, ADYNOVATE® and REBINYN®, which
result in meeting the 2025 Threshold (as defined in Note 5). Because the 2025
Threshold of $210.0 million and the increase in the threshold to $240.0 million
(if the 2025 Threshold is not achieved) limit the amount of royalties payable to
HCR, the potential for the implicit interest rate to vary is more limited.
Instead, we will receive the benefit of net sales if they exceed the threshold,
but do not bear risk of loss or payments to HCR if royalties are less than
expected.

Change in fair value of development derivative liability


                                                                                        Increase/            Percentage Increase/
                                                                                       (Decrease)                 (Decrease)
                                               Three Months Ended March 31,           2021 vs. 2020              2021 vs. 2020
                                                 2021                2020
Change in fair value of development
derivative liability                         $    1,599          $       -          $        1,599                            >100%



As discussed in Note 4 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, we
remeasure the development derivative liability under our co-development
agreement with SFJ to fair value at each reporting date. The change in fair
value recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily reflects the
accretion of the scenario-based probability-adjusted discounted cash flows of
our obligation to potentially pay Success Payments to SFJ using our imputed
borrowing rate of 12.2%, net of the accretion of SFJ's obligation to fund the
SCCHN Clinical Trial, using SFJ's estimated borrowing rate of 1.0%. We review
our estimates at each reporting period, and, in particular, in future periods,
as information becomes available, such as the applicable clinical trial results
and FDA approval decisions, we will re-evaluate our probability of success
estimates related to achieving FDA approval for bempegaldesleukin in the
Melanoma Indication, the SCCHN Indication and one additional indication, and
will record a corresponding increase or decrease in the fair value of the
development derivative liability. Additionally, in future periods, we may adjust
our estimate of the probability of a successful interim futility analysis and we
will record a corresponding decrease or increase to the fair value of the
development derivative liability, reflecting the increase or decrease (as
applicable) in the likelihood of SFJ's resulting obligation to complete the full
SCCHN Clinical Trial. Such changes in the probabilities of success may result in
a material expense or benefit in the period when the information is received.
However, based on current clinical timelines, we do not expect material changes
to our probability of success assumptions during 2021, and, therefore, we expect
to recognize primarily the accretion expense on the discounted cash flows
discussed above. See Note 4 for additional information about the development
derivative liability.

Interest Income and Other Income (Expense), net (in thousands, except
percentages)
                                                                                                                   Percentage
                                                                                           Increase/                Increase/
                                                                                          (Decrease)               (Decrease)
                                                Three Months Ended March 31,             2021 vs. 2020            2021 vs. 2020
                                                   2021                 2020
Interest income and other income (expense),
net                                          $        1,412          $  8,352          $       (6,940)                      (83) %


Interest income and other income (expense) decreased for the three months ended
March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020 due to lower
investment balances which have been utilized to fund our operations as well as
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decreases in market interest rates. The effective interest rate earned on
investments which we purchased after the COVID-19 pandemic began has been
significantly lower than historical interest rates, and we expect this trend to
continue. We expect that our interest income and other income (expense), net
will decrease for 2021 compared to 2020 for these same reasons.
Income Tax Expense
                                                                                                                 Percentage
                                                                                         Increase/                Increase/
                                                                                        (Decrease)               (Decrease)
                                              Three Months Ended March 31,             2021 vs. 2020            2021 vs. 2020
                                                 2021                 2020
Provision for income taxes                 $           92          $    200          $         (108)                      (54) %


For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, our income tax expense
primarily resulted from taxable income in our Nektar India subsidiary. We have
fully reserved our U.S. federal deferred tax assets generated from our net
operating losses, as we believe it is not more likely than not that the benefit
will be realized.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have financed our operations primarily through revenue from product sales,
royalties and strategic collaboration agreements, as well as public offering and
private placements of debt and equity securities. At March 31, 2021, we had
approximately $1.1 billion in cash and investments in marketable securities.
We estimate that we have working capital to fund our current business plans for
at least the next twelve months from the date of filing this Form 10-Q. We
expect the clinical development of our proprietary drug candidates including
bempegaldesleukin, NKTR-358, NKTR-262 and NKTR-255 will continue to require
significant investment to continue to advance in clinical development with the
objective of obtaining regulatory approval or entering into one or more
collaboration partnerships. In the past, we have received a number of
significant payments from collaboration agreements and other significant
transactions. In April 2018, we received a total of $1.85 billion from BMS
including a $1.0 billion upfront payment and an $850.0 million premium
investment in our common stock. In July 2017, we entered into a collaboration
agreement for NKTR-358 with Lilly, under which we received a $150.0 million
upfront payment. Pursuant to the 2020 Purchase and Sale Agreement, in December
2020 we received $150.0 million from HCR in exchange for certain of our rights
to receive royalty payments arising in respect of worldwide net sales of
specified products including ADYNOVATE®, MOVANTIK®, and REBINYN®. In the future,
we expect to receive substantial payments from our collaboration agreements with
BMS and Lilly. In particular, under the BMS Collaboration Agreement, we are
entitled to approximately $1.455 billion of clinical, regulatory and commercial
launch milestones (of which, we have received $50.0 million). Of the remaining
milestones, $625.0 million are associated with approval and launch of
bempegaldesleukin in its first indication in the U.S., EU and Japan (which
reflects the reduction for the $25.0 million nonrefundable, creditable milestone
for the first patient, first visit in the muscle-invasive bladder cancer trial
that BMS paid to us in March 2020). As a result, whether and when
bempegaldesleukin is approved in any indication will have a significant impact
on our future liquidity and capital resources. We have no credit facility or any
other sources of committed capital.
On February 12, 2021, we entered into a co-development agreement with SFJ
Pharmaceuticals (SFJ), pursuant to which SFJ will pay up to $150.0 million in
committed funding to support a Phase 2/3 study of bempegaldesleukin in
combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) for first-line treatment of patients
with metastatic or unresectable recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head
and neck (the SCCHN Clinical Trial) whose tumors express PD-L1 (the SCCHN
Indication). In exchange for funding the SCCHN Clinical Trial, SFJ is entitled
to a series of contingent success-based payments with the first payment due
after the substantial completion of the SCCHN Clinical Trial which we currently
expect to occur in late 2024 or early 2025 as follows: (i) if bempegaldesleukin
receives FDA approval for first line metastatic melanoma or the SCCHN
Indication, we would pay SFJ $450.0 million over a series of five annual
payments with the first annual payment being $30.0 million, with the earliest
possible payment expected to occur in 2024, subject to the substantial
completion of the SCCHN Clinical Trial.; (ii) if bempegaldesleukin receives FDA
approval in both first line metastatic melanoma and the SCCHN indication, we
would pay SFJ an additional $150.0 million paid over a series of seven annual
payments; and (iii) if bempegaldesleukin receives FDA approval in an indication
other than first line metastatic melanoma or the SCCHN indication, a one-time
payment of $37.5 million. See Note 4 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements for additional information.
In the short term, we do not anticipate that the effects of the COVID-19
pandemic will have a material effect on our results of operations or financial
position since we do not generate significant cash flows from recurring revenues
and our revenues are generally less affected by shelter-in place or similar
orders. However, if delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
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in commencing and enrolling patients in our clinical trials or those run by our
partners result in a delay in completing these trials, our ability to file for
regulatory approval and commercialize these products (if approved) and receive
associated milestone payments may also be delayed.
Due to the potential for adverse developments in the credit markets, we may
experience reduced liquidity with respect to some of our investments in
marketable securities. These investments are generally held to maturity, which,
in accordance with our investment policy, is less than two years. However, if
the need arises to liquidate such securities before maturity, we may experience
losses on liquidation. To date we have not experienced any liquidity issues with
respect to these securities. We believe that, even allowing for potential
liquidity issues with respect to these securities and the effect of the COVID-19
pandemic on the financial markets, our remaining cash and investments in
marketable securities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for
at least the next twelve months.
Our current business plan is subject to significant uncertainties and risks as a
result of, among other factors, clinical and regulatory outcomes for
bempegaldesleukin, the sales levels of our products, if and when they are
approved, the sales levels for those products for which we are entitled to
royalties, clinical program outcomes, whether, when and on what terms we are
able to enter into new collaboration transactions, expenses being higher than
anticipated, unplanned expenses, cash receipts being lower than anticipated, and
the need to satisfy contingent liabilities, including litigation matters and
indemnification obligations.
The availability and terms of various financing alternatives, if required in the
future, substantially depend on many factors including the success or failure of
drug development programs in our pipeline. The availability and terms of
financing alternatives and any future significant payments from existing or new
collaborations depend on the positive outcome of ongoing or planned clinical
studies, whether we or our partners are successful in obtaining regulatory
authority approvals in major markets, and if approved, the commercial success of
these drugs, as well as general capital market conditions. We may pursue various
financing alternatives to fund the expansion of our business as appropriate.
We currently have an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (the
2021 Shelf Registration Statement) on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, which expires in March 2024. The 2021 Shelf Registration Statement
currently permits the offering, issuance and sale by us of up to an aggregate
offering price of $300.0 million of common stock, preferred stock, debt
securities and warrants in one or more offerings and in any combination, all of
which may be offered, issued and sold in "at-the-market" sales pursuant to an
equity distribution agreement with Cowen and Company, LLC (the Equity
Distribution Agreement). No securities have been sold under the 2021 Shelf
Registration Statement or the Equity Distribution Agreement.
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31,
2021 totaled $77.1 million.
Cash flows used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31,
2020 totaled $78.1 million, which includes $98.1 million of net operating cash
uses as well as $5.0 million for interest payments on our senior secured notes,
partially offset by the receipt of the $25.0 million milestone payment from BMS
for the achievement of the first patient, first visit in the registrational
muscle invasive bladder cancer trial.
We expect that cash flows used in operating activities, excluding upfront,
milestone and other contingent payments received, will increase in the full year
of 2021 compared to 2020 primarily as a result of increased research and
development expenses.
Cash flows from investing activities
We paid $2.9 million and $0.9 million for the purchase or construction of
property, plant and equipment in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020,
respectively.
Cash flows from financing activities
We received proceeds from issuance of common stock related to our employee
option and stock purchase plans of $17.1 million and $11.1 million in the three
months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Additionally, during the
three months ended March 31, 2021, we received $0.8 million from SFJ pursuant to
our co-development agreement.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation and presentation of financial statements in conformity with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period.
We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions
that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which
form our basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and
liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We evaluate our
estimates on an ongoing basis. Actual results may differ from those estimates
under different assumptions or conditions. Other than the development derivative
liability under our co-development agreement with SFJ as described in Note 4 to
our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, there have been no material
changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates discussed in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

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