Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue can be reliably measured.
Up-front License Payments
The Company maintains research and license agreements with ONO and Incyte. In connection with these arrangements, the Company received upfront fees, which relate to the integrated package of deliverables under the contract (one single performance obligation) and are initially recorded in deferred revenue. The applicable period over which to recognize the upfront payment is a significant judgment. Up-front payments or similar non-refundable payments are initially reported as deferred revenue on the consolidated statements of financial position and are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the period of the related performance obligation or the contractual term of the arrangement. The estimated period of the performance obligation is re-assessed at each consolidated statement of financial position date.
Collaboration Income
Collaboration income, which is typically related to reimbursements from collaborators for the Company’s performance of research and development services under the respective agreements, is recognized on the basis of labor hours valued at a contractually agreed rate. Collaboration income includes reimbursements for related out-of-pocket expenses. Cost reimbursements to which the Company is entitled under agreements are recognized as revenues in the same quarter of the recorded cost they are intended to compensate. The Company acts as the principal and therefore records these reimbursements as collaboration income.
Government Grants
The Company receives certain government and regional grants, which support its research efforts in defined projects, and include contributions towards the cost of research and development. When there is reasonable assurance that the Company will comply with the conditions attached to a received grant, and when there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received, government grants are recognized as revenue on a gross basis in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and comprehensive loss on a systematic basis over the periods in which the entity recognizes expenses for the related costs for which the grants are intended to compensate. In the case of grants related to assets, the received grant will be deducted from the carrying amount of the asset.
Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses represent costs which primarily include (i.) payroll and related costs (including share-based payment expenses) associated with research and development personnel, (ii.) costs related to clinical trials and preclinical testing of the Company’s technologies under development, (iii.) costs to develop product candidates, including raw materials and supplies, product testing, depreciation, and facility related expenses, (iv.) expenses for research services provided by universities and contract laboratories, and (v.) other research and development expenses. Research and development expenses are recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and comprehensive loss as incurred when these expenditures relate to the Company’s research and development services and have no alternative future uses.
The Company has entered into various research and development contracts with research institutions and other companies. These agreements are generally cancelable. The Company records accruals for estimated ongoing research costs. When evaluating the adequacy of the accrued liabilities, the Company analyzes progress of the studies, including the phase or completion of events, invoices received and contracted costs. Significant judgments and estimates may be made in determining the accrued balances at the end of any reporting period. Actual results could differ from the Company’s estimates. The Company’s historical accrual estimates have not been materially different from the actual costs.
WBSO
The WBSO (afdrachtvermindering speur- en ontwikkelingswerk) is a Dutch fiscal facility that provides subsidies to companies, knowledge centers and self-employed people who perform research and development activities (as defined in the WBSO Act). Under this Act, a contribution is paid towards the labor costs of employees directly involved in research and development and other related expenditures. The contribution is in the form of a reduction of payroll taxes. Subsidies relating to labor costs are deferred and recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and comprehensive loss as negative labor costs over the period necessary to match them with the labor costs that they are intended to compensate (see Note 17).