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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

9. Commitments and Contingencies

License and Merger Agreements

The Company has entered into various collaboration, licensing and merger agreements which provide the Company with rights to certain know-how, technology and patent rights. The agreements generally include upfront license fees, development and commercial milestone payments upon achievement of certain clinical and commercial development and annual net sales milestones, as well as royalties calculated as a percentage of product revenues, with rates that vary by agreement. The Company incurred $34.5 million, $102.5 million and $88.7 million in upfront and license payments in the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These upfront and license payments were included in the research and development expenses in the consolidated statements of operations as there was no alternative future use associated with the payments. As of December 31, 2024, the Company may be required to make milestone payments up to $4.0 billion in the aggregate for candidates in its pipeline, of which, pursuant to the license agreement with Neuren, $50.0 million is payable to Neuren within 60 days following Neuren’s invoice delivered after December 31, 2024 as the Company’s aggregate net revenue of trofinetide in North America for the treatment of Rett syndrome exceeded $250.0 million in 2024.

In May 2018, the Company signed an Exclusivity Deed (the Deed) with Neuren that provided for exclusive negotiations for a period of three months from the date of the Deed. Under the terms of the Deed, the Company invested $3.1 million to subscribe for 1,330,000 shares of Neuren and paid $0.9 million for the exclusive right to negotiate a deal with Neuren, which was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations in the second quarter of 2018. In 2023, the Company sold the 1,330,000 shares of Neuren for total proceeds of $12.3 million. Net gain on the strategic investments recognized in other income in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $5.1 million and $3.5 million, respectively. No gain was recorded in the year ended December 31, 2024.

In August 2018, the Company entered into a license agreement with Neuren and obtained exclusive North American rights to develop and commercialize trofinetide for Rett syndrome and other indications. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid Neuren an upfront license fee of $10.0 million and it may be required to pay up to an additional $455.0 million in milestone payments based on the achievement of certain development and annual net sales milestones. In addition, the Company will be required to pay Neuren tiered, escalating, double-digit percentage royalties based on net sales. The license agreement was accounted for as an asset acquisition and the upfront cash payment of $10.0 million was expensed to research and development in the third quarter of 2018 as there is no alternative use for the asset. In connection with the FDA approval of DAYBUE, the Company paid a milestone payment of $40.0 million to Neuren following the first commercial sale of DAYBUE pursuant to the license agreement. The Company capitalized the $40.0 million milestone payment as an intangible asset as it was deemed probable of occurring as of March 31, 2023. In addition, the Company was granted a Rare Pediatric Disease PRV following the FDA approval of DAYBUE. Pursuant to the license agreement, the Company is required to pay Neuren one third of the value of the PRV at the time of sale or use of the PRV. The Company capitalized the $29.6 million for the estimated PRV value owed to Neuren as an intangible asset in 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company sold the PRV to a third party for aggregate net proceeds of $146.5 million. Upon sale of the PRV, the Company capitalized an additional $19.2 million for the one third PRV value owed to Neuren as an intangible asset.

In July 2023, the Company expanded its licensing agreement for trofinetide with Neuren to acquire rights to the drug outside of North America as well as global rights in Rett syndrome and Fragile X syndrome to Neuren’s development candidate NNZ-2591. Under the terms of the expanded agreement, Neuren received an upfront payment of $100.0 million and is eligible to receive up to an additional $426.3 million in milestone payments based on the achievement of certain commercial and sales milestones for trofinetide outside of North America and up to $831.3 million in milestone payments based on the achievement of certain development and sales milestones for NNZ-2591. In addition, the Company will be required to pay Neuren tiered royalties from the mid-teens to low-twenties percent of trofinetide net sales outside of North America. Percentage royalties related to NNZ-2591 net sales are identical to the trofinetide in each of North America and outside North America. The expanded license agreement was accounted for as an asset acquisition and the upfront cash payment of $100.0 million was expensed to research and development in the third quarter of 2023 as there is no alternative use for the asset.

In January 2022, the Company entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Stoke Therapeutics, Inc. (Stoke) to discover, develop and commercialize novel RNA-based medicines for the potential treatment of severe and rare genetic neurodevelopmental diseases of the CNS. The collaboration includes SYNGAP1 syndrome, Rett syndrome (MECP2), and an undisclosed neurodevelopmental target. For the SYNGAP1 program, the two companies will jointly share global research, development and commercialization responsibilities and share 50/50 in all worldwide costs and future profits. In addition, Stoke is eligible to receive potential development, regulatory, first commercial sales and sales milestones. For the MECP2 program and the undisclosed neurodevelopmental program, the Company acquired an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize MECP2 program and the undisclosed neurodevelopmental program. Stoke will lead research and pre-clinical development activities, while the Company will lead clinical development and commercialization activities. The Company will fund research and pre-clinical development activities related to these two targets and Stoke is eligible to receive potential development, regulatory, first commercial sales and sales milestones as well as tiered royalty payments on worldwide sales starting in the mid-single digit range and escalating to the mid-teens based on revenue levels. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company paid Stoke a $60.0 million upfront payment which was accounted for as an asset acquisition and was expensed to research and development in the first quarter of 2022 as there is no alternative use for the asset. The Company may be required to pay up to an additional $907.5 million in milestones as well as royalties on future sales.

In November 2024, the Company entered into a license agreement with Saniona, for the development and commercialization of ACP-711, a highly selective GABAA-α3 positive allosteric modulator. The first indication the Company plans to pursue is development of ACP-711 for essential tremor, a neurological condition that includes shaking or trembling movements in one or more parts of the body. The Company will lead further clinical development, regulatory submissions, and global commercialization efforts for ACP-711 while also providing financial support for Saniona’s ongoing Phase 1 study and preparations for Phase 2. Under the terms of the license agreement, the Company paid Saniona an upfront fee of $28.0 million and it may be required to pay up to $582.0 million in milestone payments based on the achievement of certain development and annual net sales milestones. In addition, the Company will be required to pay Saniona tiered royalties of mid-single digits to low double digits on net sales of commercial products that may result from development of ACP-711. The license agreement was accounted for as an asset acquisition and the upfront cash payment of $28.0 million was expensed to research and development in the fourth quarter of 2024 as there is no alternative use for the asset. The potential milestone payments to Saniona consist of up to $147.0 million subject to achievement of development and commercial milestones related to potential first and second indications, and up to $435.0 million subject to achievement of thresholds of annual net sales of ACP-711 worldwide.

Corporate Credit Card Program

In connection with the Company’s credit card programs, the Company established letters of credit for a total of $5.0 million, which have automatic annual extensions and are fully secured by restricted cash.

Fleet Program

In connection with the Company’s fleet program, the Company established a letter of credit for $0.4 million, which has automatic annual extensions and is fully secured by restricted cash.

Legal Proceedings

Patent Infringement

On July 24, 2020, the Company filed complaints against (i) Aurobindo Pharma Limited and its affiliate Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. and (ii) Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. and its affiliate Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and on July 30, 2020, the Company filed complaints against (i) Hetero Labs Limited and its affiliates Hetero Labs Limited Unit-V and Hetero USA Inc., (ii) MSN Laboratories Private Ltd. and its affiliate MSN Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and (iii) Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. and its affiliate Cadila Healthcare Limited. These complaints, which were filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, allege infringement of certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID (Pimavanserin I Cases).

The Company entered into an agreement effective April 22, 2021 with Hetero settling all claims and counterclaims in the litigation. The agreement allows Hetero to launch its generic pimavanserin product on February 27, 2038, subject to certain triggers for earlier launch. The Hetero case was dismissed by joint agreement on May 3, 2021.

On September 30, 2022, the Company filed a stipulation and proposed order to stay the claims currently asserted against Teva and for Teva to be bound by the result of the litigation rendered against the remaining defendants Aurobindo and MSN, which was ordered by the Court on October 4, 2022.

On October 21, 2022, the Company filed additional complaints against Aurobindo, MSN and Zydus in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging infringement of an additional Orange Book-listed patent covering NUPLAZID (Pimavanserin II Cases).

The Company entered into an agreement, effective March 31, 2023, with Zydus settling all claims and counterclaims in the Pimavanserin I Cases and Pimavanserin II Cases. The agreement allows Zydus to launch its generic pimavanserin 10 mg tablet products on September 23, 2036 and 34 mg capsule products on February 27, 2038, subject to certain triggers for earlier launch. The Zydus case was dismissed by joint agreement on April 5, 2023.

As a result of the above, only MSN remained as an active defendant in the Pimavanserin I Cases. On January 11, 2024, following summary judgment motions, the District Court entered final judgment in the Company’s favor that MSN’s submission of ANDA No. 214925 was an act of infringement in the Pimavanserin I Case and the ’740 patent was not invalid. On January 18, 2024, MSN filed a Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit from the final judgment entered on January 11, 2024. The appeal is fully briefed and awaiting a date for oral argument.

In connection with the Pimavanserin II cases, MSN and Aurobindo are the remaining defendants. A bench trial was conducted from December 3, 2024 to December 6, 2024 in the matter. Post-trial briefing was completed on February 12, 2025 and the Company is awaiting the final decision of the Court.

On February 14, 2025, the Company filed a complaint against Zydus Lifesciences Limited, Zydus Worldwide DMCC, and Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. (collectively “Zydus”) in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging infringement of certain of the Company’s Orange Book-listed patents covering NUPLAZID (Pimavanserin) by Zydus’ proposed 34 mg pimavanserin tablet product. Zydus has not responded to the complaint as of yet and there is no schedule in place for the case.

Securities Class Action

On April 19, 2021, a purported stockholder of the Company filed a putative securities class action complaint (captioned City of Birmingham Relief Retirement Systems v. Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Case No. 21-cv-0762) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California against the Company and certain of the Company’s current executive officers. On September 29, 2021, the Court issued an order designating lead plaintiff and lead counsel. On December 10, 2021, lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint. The amended complaint generally alleges that defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, by failing to disclose that the materials submitted in support of its sNDA seeking approval of pimavanserin for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with dementia-related psychosis contained statistical and design deficiencies and that the FDA was unlikely to approve the sNDA in its current form. The amended complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and other relief. On March 11, 2024, the Court granted plaintiffs’ motion for class certification and appointment of class representatives and class counsel. The parties are currently engaged in expert discovery, which is scheduled to close on June 13, 2025.

Opt-Out Litigation

On March 7, 2024, a purported stockholder of the Company filed a complaint (captioned Alger Dynamic Opportunities Fund v. Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Case No. 24-cv-00451) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California against the Company and one executive officer. The complaint is based on the same underlying allegations as the Securities Class Action described above, and alleged claims under federal and state securities laws, and for common law fraud and negligent misrepresentations. On May 24, 2024, Defendants moved to dismiss the complaint. On October 31, 2024, the Court granted in part and denied in part Defendants’ motion to dismiss. The Court dismissed with leave to amend the purported stockholder’s state and common law claims, as well as the claim brought under Section 18(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Defendants filed their answer to the Sections 10(b) and 20(a) claims on December 16, 2024. On January 13, 2025, the Court stayed this suit pending the outcome of the Securities Class Action.

Derivative Suit

On December 15, 2023, a purported stockholder of the Company filed a derivative action (captioned Kanner et al v. Biggar et al., Case No. 23-cv-2293) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California against certain of the Company’s current directors. The Company is named as a nominal defendant. The complaint is based on the same alleged misconduct as the Securities Class Action, and asserts state law claims, on behalf of the Company, against the individual defendants for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, waste of corporate assets, and insider trading. The complaint also asserts federal claims under sections 10(b), 21D, and 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. On December 27, 2023, the action was reassigned to District Judge William Q. Hayes and Magistrate Judge Michael S. Berg due to its relation to the Securities Class Action. On January 30, 2024, the parties jointly requested a stay of the action. The Court granted that request and the action was stayed on February 20, 2024, pending the outcome of our Demand Review Committee’s investigation into the underlying claims.

Given the unpredictability inherent in litigation, the Company cannot predict the outcome of these matters. The Company is unable to estimate possible losses or ranges of losses that may result from these matters, and therefore it has not accrued any amounts in connection with these matters other than attorneys’ fees incurred to date.