Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (ARQT) FY 2022 MD&A

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the periods indicated:

______________

*Not applicable

Product revenue, net

We began recognizing product revenues in the third quarter of 2022 following the FDA approval of ZORYVE and our subsequent commercial launch in the United States in August 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized $3.7 million of net product revenues related to sales of ZORYVE. Revenues were primarily driven by end customer demand as well as an initial build up of inventories by our wholesaler customers. Sales discounts consisted primarily of co-pay card discounts and distribution fees.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales of $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 is related primarily to amortization of intangible assets as a result of the milestone payment to AstraZeneca in connection with the FDA approval of ZORYVE. Cost of sales also included product costs incurred after FDA approval as well as royalties on net sales payable to AstraZeneca under a license agreement. Prior to the initial date regulatory approval was received, costs of raw materials were recorded as research and development expense. Therefore, cost of sales will reflect a lower average per unit cost until the related inventory is sold, which is expected to be over the next two years. See Note 6.

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Research and Development Expenses

______________

*Not applicable

Research and development expenses increased by $36.9 million, or 25%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to In-process research and development (IPR&D) expense as a result of the acquisition of Ducentis of $29.7 million, an increase in compensation and personnel-related costs of $12.7 million, and an increase in other indirect costs of $7.3 million. These increases were partially offset by decreases in direct costs related to the topical roflumilast program of $6.2 million and the topical JAK inhibitor program (ARQ-252 and ARQ-255) of $7.2 million. The increase in compensation and personnel-related expenses, which includes stock-based compensation, was primarily due to an increase in headcount to sustain the development of our ongoing programs. The increase in other indirect costs was primarily due to an increase in medical affairs spending and consulting activity. The decrease in topical roflumilast program costs was primarily due to the completion of Phase 3 studies of roflumilast cream in plaque psoriasis and roflumilast foam in seborrehic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis, partially offset by the Phase 3 studies of roflumilast cream in atopic dermatitis. The decrease in topical JAK inhibitor program costs was primarily due to the conclusion of our Phase 2 studies of ARQ-252 in vitiligo and chronic hand eczema.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $61.2 million, or 100%, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in compensation and personnel related expenses of $31.3 million, an increase in sales and marketing expenses of $19.4 million and an increase in professional services of $6.5 million. The increase in compensation and personnel related expenses, which includes stock-based compensation, was primarily due to an increase in headcount related to commercialization efforts for ZORYVE. The increase in sales and marketing expenses, as well as professional services, was primarily related to commercialization efforts for ZORYVE.

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Other Income, Net

Other income, net increased by $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to the impact of rising interest rates and a larger marketable securities balance for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased by $15.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, due to interest expense related to our long-term debt. See Note 8.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the periods indicated:

Research and Development Expenses

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Research and development expenses increased by $30.3 million, or 26%, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to an increase in compensation and personnel-related costs of $15.0 million, an increase in other indirect costs of $9.8 million, and an increase in direct costs related to the topical roflumilast program of $8.2 million. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in direct costs related to the topical JAK inhibitor program (ARQ-252 and ARQ-255) of $3.0 million. The increase in compensation and personnel-related expenses, which includes stock-based compensation, was primarily due to an increase in headcount to manage our growing clinical programs. The increase in other indirect costs was primarily due to an increase in medical affairs spending and consulting activity. The increase in topical roflumilast program costs was primarily due to increased manufacturing costs partially offset by a decrease in clinical trial costs. Clinical trial costs declined due to the completion of Phase 3 studies of roflumilast cream in plaque psoriasis, partially offset by the initiation of Phase 3 studies of roflumilast cream in atopic dermatitis and Phase 3 studies of roflumilast foam in seborrheic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis. The decrease in topical JAK inhibitor program costs was primarily due to the completion of our Phase 2 study of ARQ-252 in chronic hand eczema.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $39.6 million, or 186%, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to an increase in compensation and personnel related expenses of $25.3 million, and an increase in professional services of $13.1 million. The increase in compensation and personnel related expenses, which includes stock-based compensation, was primarily due to an increase in headcount as we prepare for commercialization. The increase in professional services was due to an increase in sales and marketing expenses and consulting activity.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net decreased by $0.8 million, or 82%, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a lower yield on our investment portfolio.

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Requirements

To date, our primary sources of capital have been private placements of preferred stock, our IPO completed in January 2020, our follow-on financings in October 2020, February 2021, and August 2022, our Loan Agreement, our ATM, and revenue from the sale of our approved product. We have incurred operating losses since our inception and have an accumulated deficit as a result of ongoing efforts to develop and commercialize our products and product candidates, including conducting nonclinical and clinical trials and providing selling, general and administrative support for these operations. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities of $410.8 million and $388.6 million, respectively, and an accumulated deficit of $719.8 million and $408.3 million, respectively. Upon FDA approval of ZORYVE, we drew down an additional $125.0 million under the Loan Agreement and, as of December 31, 2022, had $200.0 million outstanding, with an additional $25.0 million in funding that may become available subject to the satisfaction of specified conditions. We received $161.6 million in aggregate net proceeds from the closing of the public offering of our common stock in August 2022 and $14.5 million from the sale of stock under our ATM facility in March 2022. See Notes 1 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

We believe that our existing capital resources will be sufficient to meet the projected operating requirements for at least 12 months from the date of issuance of our financial statements.

If our capital resources are insufficient to satisfy our requirements, we may need to fund our operations through the sale of our equity securities, accessing or incurring additional debt, entering into licensing or collaboration agreements with partners, grants, or other sources of financing. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available to us at all or on attractive terms when needed from these sources. If we are unable to obtain additional funding from these or other sources when needed it may be necessary to significantly reduce our current rate of spending through, among other things, reductions in staff and delaying, scaling back, or stopping certain research and development programs, nonclinical studies, clinical trials or other development activities, and commercialization efforts. Insufficient liquidity may also require us to relinquish rights to product candidates at an earlier stage of development or on less favorable terms than we would otherwise choose.

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We have based our projected operating requirements on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect and we may use all our available capital resources sooner than we expect. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with research, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products, we are unable to estimate the exact amount of our operating capital requirements. Any future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:

•the timing, receipt, and amount of sales of any current and future products;

•the scope, progress, results, and costs of researching and developing our lead product candidates or any future product candidates, and conducting nonclinical studies and clinical trials, in particular our planned or ongoing clinical studies of roflumilast cream in plaque psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, roflumilast foam in seborrheic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis, ARQ-255 in alopecia areata, and our formulation and nonclinical efforts for ARQ-234;

•suspensions or delays in the enrollment or changes to the number of subjects we decide to enroll in our ongoing clinical trials as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic;

•the number and scope of clinical programs we decide to pursue, and the number and characteristics of any product candidates we develop or acquire;

•the timing of, and the costs involved in, obtaining regulatory approvals for any future product candidates;

•the number and characteristics of any additional product candidates we develop or acquire;

•the cost of manufacturing ZORYVE or any future product candidates and any products we successfully commercialize, including costs associated with building out our supply chain;

•the cost of commercialization activities for ZORYVE or any future product candidates are approved for sale, including marketing, sales and distribution costs, and any discounts or rebates to obtain access;

•our ability to establish and maintain strategic collaborations, licensing or other arrangements and the financial terms of any such agreements that we may enter into;

•the costs related to milestone payments to AstraZeneca, Hengrui, or any future collaborator or licensing partner, upon the achievement of predetermined milestones;

•any product liability or other lawsuits related to our products;

•the expenses needed to attract and retain skilled personnel; and

•the costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining, defending, and enforcing our intellectual property portfolio.

Indebtedness

On December 22, 2021 we entered into a Loan Agreement with SLR and the lenders party thereto. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the lenders agreed to extend term loans to us in an aggregate principal amount of up to $225.0 million, comprised of: (i) a tranche A term loan of $75.0 million, (ii) a tranche B-1 term loan of $50.0 million, (iii) a tranche B-2 term loan of up to $75.0 million, available in minimum increments of $15.0 million, and (iv) a tranche C term loan of up to $25.0 million. We refer to the tranche A, tranche B, and tranche C term loans together as our Term Loans. As security for the obligations under the Loan Agreement, we granted SLR, for the benefit of the lenders, a continuing security interest in substantially all of our assets, including our intellectual property, subject to certain exceptions.

The tranche A term loan was funded on December 22, 2021. Following the approval of ZORYVE, we drew down $125.0 million on the tranche B term loans, which we received in August 2022. See Notes 1 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information. The tranche C term loan is available following the achievement of a net product revenue milestone of $110.0 million, calculated on a trailing six month basis. The tranche C term loan will remain available for funding until September 30, 2024.

Principal amounts outstanding under the Term Loans will accrue interest at a floating rate equal to the applicable rate in effect from time to time, as determined by SLR on the third business day prior to the funding date of the applicable Term Loan and on the first business day of the month prior to each payment date of each Term Loan. The applicable rate is a per annum interest rate equal to 7.45% plus the greater of (a) 0.10% and (b) the per

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annum rate published by the Intercontinental Exchange Benchmark Administration Ltd. (or on any successor or substitute published rate) for a term of one month, subject to a replacement with an alternate benchmark rate and spread in certain circumstances. On December 31, 2022, the rate was 11.62%.

Interest payments are payable monthly following the funding of any Term Loan. Any principal amounts outstanding under the Term Loans, if not repaid sooner, are due and payable on January 1, 2027, or the Maturity Date. We may voluntarily prepay principal amounts outstanding under the Term Loans in minimum increments of $5.0 million, subject to a prepayment premium of (i) 3.0% of the principal amount of such Term Loan so prepaid prior to December 22, 2022, (ii) 2.0% of the principal amount of such Term Loan so prepaid after December 22, 2022 and prior to December 22, 2023, or (iii) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Term Loan so prepaid after December 22, 2023 and prior to December 22, 2025.

If the Term Loans are accelerated due to, among others, the occurrence of a bankruptcy or insolvency event, we are required to make certain mandatory prepayments, including fees applicable by reason of such prepayment.

The Loan Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and customary affirmative and negative covenants, including, among others, restrictions on our ability to merge or consolidate with any other entity, to incur additional indebtedness, or to pay any dividends or other distributions on capital stock. We have also agreed to a financial covenant whereby, beginning with the month ending December 31, 2023, we must generate net product revenue in excess of specified amounts for applicable measuring periods; provided, however, that such financial covenant shall not apply if our average market capitalization over the trailing five day period prior to the last day of any measurement month is equal to or in excess of $400.0 million. We were in compliance with all covenants under the Loan Agreement as of December 31, 2022.

In addition, the Loan Agreement contains customary events of default that entitle the lenders to cause any indebtedness under the Loan Agreement to become immediately due and payable, and to exercise remedies against us and the collateral securing the Term Loans. Upon the occurrence and for the duration of an event of default, an additional default interest rate, or the Default Rate, equal to 4.0% per annum will apply to all obligations owed under the Loan Agreement.

In connection with the Loan Agreement, we are obligated to pay (i) a final fee equal to 6.95% of the aggregate original principal amount of the Term Loans funded upon the earliest to occur of the Maturity Date, the acceleration of any Term Loan and the prepayment, refinancing, substitution or replacement of any Term Loan and (ii) a certain amount of lenders’ expenses incurred in connection with the execution of the Loan Agreement. Additionally, in connection with the Loan Agreement, we entered into an Exit Fee Agreement, whereby we agreed to pay an exit fee in the amount of 3.0% of each Term Loan funded upon (i) any change of control transaction or (ii) a revenue milestone, calculated on a trailing six month basis. Notwithstanding the prepayment or termination of the Term Loan, the exit fee will expire 10 years from the date of the Loan Agreement.

Cash Flows

The following table sets forth our cash flows for the periods indicated:

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

During the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash used in operating activities was $257.7 million, which consisted of a net loss of $311.5 million and a change in net operating assets and liabilities of $10.2 million, partially offset by net non-cash and other charges of $63.9 million. The change in net operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to an increase in accounts receivable of $8.5 million and an increase in inventories of $7.5 million, partially offset by a decrease of prepaid expenses and other current assets of $3.5 million. The net non-cash and

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other charges were primarily related to stock-based compensation expense of $32.7 million and acquired in-process research and development of $29.6 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was $174.6 million, which consisted of a net loss of $206.4 million, partially offset by net non-cash charges of $28.1 million and a change in net operating assets and liabilities of $3.6 million. The net non-cash charges were primarily related to stock-based compensation expense of $23.9 million. The change in net operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to an increase of $10.7 million in accounts payable and accrued liabilities due to an increase in bonus and clinical accruals, partially offset by an increase of $7.3 million in prepaid expenses and other current assets.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash used in operating activities was $113.0 million, which consisted of a net loss of $135.7 million, offset by a change in net operating assets and liabilities of $14.1 million and net non-cash charges of $8.5 million. The change in net operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to an increase of $17.6 million in accounts payable and accrued liabilities due to our operating expense growth and timing of payments. The net non-cash charges were primarily related to stock-based compensation expense of $7.9 million.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

During the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash used in investing activities was $87.2 million, which was comprised primarily of purchases of marketable securities of $415.4 million, cash paid for IPR&D related to the acquisition of Ducentis of $15.5 million and a milestone payment made to AstraZeneca of $7.5 million, partially offset by the proceeds from the maturities of marketable securities of $351.5 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash used in investing activities was $76.0 million, which was comprised primarily of purchases of marketable securities of $292.5 million, partially offset by the proceeds from the maturities of marketable securities of $217.6 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash used in investing activities was $181.8 million, which was comprised primarily of purchases of marketable securities of $279.1 million, partially offset by proceeds from the maturities of marketable securities of $97.6 million.

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

During the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash provided by financing activities was $301.8 million, which was comprised primarily of the net cash proceeds received from our August 2022 public stock offering of $161.6 million, our August 2022 debt facility draw down of $125.0 million, and our March 2022 sale of stock under our ATM facility of $14.5 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash provided by financing activities was $281.9 million, which was comprised primarily of the net cash proceeds received from the follow-on financing in February 2021 of $207.5 million as well as from our debt financing in December 2021 of $72.4 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash provided by financing activities was $298.1 million, which was comprised primarily of the net cash proceeds received from the IPO of $168.6 million and follow-on financing in October 2020 of $128.4 million.

Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities

The following summarizes our significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2022:

Facility Operating Lease

In April 2020, we amended our lease agreement for our facility in Westlake Village, California to relocate to a new expanded space including 22,643 square feet. The lease payment term for the new space began on December 30, 2020 and will terminate 91 months thereafter, with a renewal option for a term of five years. We have a one-time option to cancel the lease after month 67.

The lease is subject to fixed rate escalation increases with an initial base rent of $76,000 per month and includes rent free periods aggregating approximately one year. The amended lease agreement required that we deliver a letter of credit to the landlord of $1.5 million upon occupying the space, which is allowed to be reduced throughout the lease period as rent obligations are met. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2022, we have a letter of credit and related restricted cash account of $1.2 million. The total commitment under the operating lease agreement is $5.8 million, including $1.0 million for each of the years 2023 through 2025, $1.1 million for each of the

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years 2026 and 2027, and $0.6 million for the year 2028. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Long-Term Debt Obligations

As of December 31, 2022, we had $200.0 million outstanding under our Loan Agreement. Upon FDA approval of ZORYVE, we drew down an additional $125.0 million under the Loan Agreement which we received on August 2, 2022. After this draw down, we have $25.0 million in additional funding remaining that may become available subject to the satisfaction of specified conditions. See Notes 1 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information. The total commitment under the Loan Agreement as of December 31, 2022 is $309.7 million, including $23.9 million for each of the years 2023 through 2026, and $213.9 million for 2027. These amounts do not represent or include any future draw downs, but instead represent only the contractually obligated minimum payments of interest, principal, and loan fees related to the funding of the $75.0 million tranche A term loan on December 22, 2021 and the $125.0 million tranche B term loan on August 2, 2022.

License Agreements & Acquisition

The terms of certain of our license agreements and our acquisition of Ducentis require us to pay potential future milestone payments based on product development and commercial success. The amount and timing of such obligations are unknown or uncertain. These potential obligations are further described in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.

Manufacturing Agreements

We have entered into manufacturing supply agreements for the commercial supply of ZORYVE, which include certain minimum purchase commitments. Firm future purchase commitments under these agreements are approximately $3.5 million for 2023, and approximately $0.7 million per year for 2024 and 2025. This amount does not represent all of our anticipated purchases, but instead represents only the contractually obligated minimum purchases or firm commitments of non-cancelable minimum amounts.

Indemnification

In the normal course of business, we enter into contracts and agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties and provide for general indemnifications. Our exposure under these agreements is unknown because it involves claims that may be made against us in the future, but have not yet been made. To date, we have not paid any claims or been required to defend any action related to our indemnification obligations. However, we may record charges in the future as a result of these indemnification obligations.

In accordance with our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, we have indemnification obligations to our officers and directors for specified events or occurrences, subject to some limits, while they are serving at our request in such capacities. There have been no claims to date, and we have director and officer insurance that may enable us to recover a portion of any amounts paid for future potential claims.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported expenses during the reporting periods. These items are monitored and analyzed by us for changes in facts and circumstances, and material changes in these estimates could occur in the future. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results for the period in which they become known. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we believe that the following accounting policies are critical to the process of making significant judgments and estimates in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements and understanding and evaluating our reported financial results.

Nonclinical and Clinical Accruals and Costs

We record accrued liabilities for estimated costs of research and development activities conducted by third-party service providers, which include the conduct of nonclinical studies, clinical studies, clinical trials and contract manufacturing activities. These costs are a significant component of our research and development expenses. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred unless there is an alternative future use in other research and development projects. We accrue for these costs based on factors such as estimates of the work completed and in accordance with agreements established with third-party service providers under the service agreements. As it relates to clinical trials, the financial terms of these contracts are subject to negotiations which vary from contract to contract and may result in payment flows that do not match the periods over which materials or services are provided under such contracts. Payments made prior to the receipt of goods or services to be used in research and development are capitalized until the goods or services are received. Such payments are evaluated for current or long-term classification based on when they will be realized. Additionally, if expectations change such that we do not expect goods to be delivered or services to be rendered, such prepayments are charged to expense. Our objective is to reflect the appropriate expense in our consolidated financial statements by matching those expenses with the period in which the services and efforts are expended. We account for these expenses according to the progress of the trial as measured by patient progression and the timing of various aspects of the trial utilizing financial models taking into consideration discussions with applicable personnel and outside service providers. In this manner, our clinical trial accrual is dependent in part upon the timely and accurate reporting of progress and efforts incurred from CROs, contract manufacturers and other third-party vendors. Although we expect our estimates to be materially consistent with actual amounts incurred, our understanding of the status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and timing of services performed may vary and may result in our reporting changes in estimates in any particular period. We make significant judgments and estimates in determining the accrued liabilities balance in each reporting period. As actual costs become known, we adjust our accrued liabilities. We have not experienced any material differences between accrued costs as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and actual costs incurred.

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Revenues

Pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), we recognize revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. We record the amount of revenue that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. We apply the following five-step model in order to determine this amount: (i) identification of the promised goods or services in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations, including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) we satisfy each performance obligation.

We only apply the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that it will collect the consideration to which we are entitled in exchange for the goods or services that we transfer to the customer. Once a contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606 at contract inception, we review the contract to determine which performance obligations we must deliver and which of these performance obligations are distinct. We recognize as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to each performance obligation when that performance obligation is satisfied or as it is satisfied.

Product Revenue, Net

We sell our product to our Customers in the United States. Our Customers subsequently resell the products to pharmacies, health care providers, and patients. In accordance with ASC 606, we recognize net product revenues from sales when the Customers obtain control of our products, which typically occurs upon delivery to the Customer. Our payment terms are generally between 31 - 65 days.

Revenues from product sales are recorded at the net sales price, or “transaction price,” which includes estimates of variable consideration that result from (a) invoice discounts for prompt payment and distribution service fees, (b) government and private payer rebates, chargebacks, discounts and fees, (c) product returns and (d) costs of co-pay assistance programs for patients, as well as other incentives. Reserves are established for the estimates of variable consideration based on the amounts earned or to be claimed on the related sales. The reserves are classified as reductions to trade receivables, net if payable to a Customer or accrued liabilities if payable to a third-party. Where appropriate, we utilize the expected value method to determine the appropriate amount for estimates of variable consideration based on factors such as our historical experience, current contractual and statutory requirements, specific known market events and trends, industry data and forecasted customer buying and payment patterns. The amount of variable consideration that is included in the transaction price may be constrained and is included in net product revenues only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized will not occur in a future period. Actual amounts of consideration ultimately received may differ from our estimates. If actual results vary from our estimates, we adjust these estimates, which would affect net product revenue and earnings in the period such variances become known.

Distribution Service Fees: We engage with wholesalers to distribute our products to end customers. We pay the wholesalers a fee for services such as: data reporting, inventory management, chargeback administration, and service level commitment. We estimate the amount of distribution services fees to be paid to the Customers and adjust the transaction price with the amount of such estimate at the time of sale to the Customer.

Prompt Pay Discounts: We provide our Customers with a percentage discount on their invoice if the Customers pay within the agreed upon timeframe. We estimate the probability of Customers paying promptly based on the percentage of discount outlined in the agreement, and deduct the full amount of these discounts from its gross product revenues and accounts receivable at the time such revenues are recognized.

Product Returns: We provide Customers a return credit in the amount of the purchase price paid by Customers for all products returned in accordance with our returned goods policy. In the initial sales period, we estimate our provision for sales returns based on industry data and adjust the transaction price with such estimate at the time of sale to the Customer. Once sufficient history has been collected for product returns, we will utilize that history to inform our returns estimate. Once the product is returned, it is destroyed. We do not record a right-of-return asset.

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Chargeback: A chargeback is the difference between the manufacturer's invoice price to the wholesaler and the wholesaler’s customer's contract price. The wholesaler tracks these sales and "charges back" the manufacturer for the difference between the negotiated prices paid between the wholesaler's customers and wholesaler's acquisition cost. We estimate the percentage of goods sold that are eligible for chargeback and adjust the transaction price for such discount at the time of sale to the Customer.

Co-payment Assistance: Patients who meet certain eligibility requirements may receive co-payment assistance. The Company recognizes contra-revenue expense, and adjusts the transaction price for, co-payment assistance based on actual program participation and estimates of program redemption using data provided by third-party administrators.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales includes direct and indirect costs related to the manufacturing and distribution of ZORYVE, including raw materials, third-party manufacturing costs, packaging services, freight-in, third-party royalties payable on our net product revenues, and amortization of certain intangible assets associated with ZORYVE. Cost of sales may also include period costs related to certain inventory warehouse and distribution operations and inventory adjustment charges. We began capitalizing inventory costs upon FDA approval of ZORYVE on July 29, 2022. As a result, manufacturing and other inventory costs incurred prior to FDA approval of ZORYVE were expensed and, therefore, are not included in cost of sales.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for share-based payments at fair value. For share-based awards that vest subject to the satisfaction of a service requirement, the fair value measurement date for such awards is the date of grant and the expense is recognized on a straight-line basis, over the expected vesting period. For share-based awards that vest subject to a performance condition, we recognize compensation cost for awards if and when we conclude that it is probable that the awards with a performance condition will be achieved on an accelerated attribution method. We account for forfeitures as they occur.

We calculate the fair value measurement of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and assumptions discussed below. Each of these inputs is subjective and generally requires significant judgement.

Fair value of common stock— Prior to our IPO in 2020, fair values of the shares of common stock underlying our share-based awards were estimated on each grant date in good faith by our board of directors using significant assumptions an estimates. If we had made different assumptions, the fair value of the underlying common stock and amount of our stock-based compensation expense, net loss and net loss per share amounts would have differed. Following the closing of our IPO, the fair value per share of our common stock for purposes of determining stock-based compensation will be the closing price of our common stock as reported on the applicable grant date.

Expected Term—The expected term represents the period that we expect our stock-based awards to be outstanding. We used the simplified method (based on the mid-point between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term) to determine the expected term.

Expected Volatility—Prior to 2022, we did not yet have sufficient trading history for our common stock to use it solely for our historical volatility, the expected volatility was estimated based a combination of our own historical common stock volatility as well as the average historical volatilities for comparable publicly traded pharmaceutical companies over a period equal to the expected term of the stock option grants. The comparable companies were chosen based on their similar size, stage in the life cycle and area of specialty. We applied that process until a sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of our stock price became available. Beginning in 2022, having over two years of trading history, we began using solely our own historical stock price for expected volatility.

Risk-Free Interest Rate—The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero coupon issues in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected term of option.

Dividend Yield—We have never paid dividends on common stock and have no plans to pay dividends on our common stock. Therefore, we used an expected dividend yield of zero.

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See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information concerning certain of the specific assumptions we used in applying the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the estimated fair value of our stock options. Certain of such assumptions involve inherent uncertainties and the application of significant judgment. As a result, if factors or expected outcomes change and we use significantly different assumptions or estimates, our stock-based compensation could be materially different.

We recorded stock-based compensation expense of $32.7 million, $23.9 million, and $7.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, there was $58.3 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested options, which are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.6 years. As of December 31, 2022, there was $25.6 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock, which are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 3.1 years. We expect to continue to grant stock options, restricted stock, and other equity-based awards in the future, and to the extent that we do, our stock-based compensation expense recognized in future periods will likely increase.

Income Taxes

As of December 31, 2022, we had net deferred tax assets of $162.7 million. The deferred tax assets have been offset by a valuation allowance due to uncertainties surrounding our ability to realize these tax benefits. The deferred tax assets are primarily composed of NOL tax carryforwards. As of December 31, 2022, we had federal, California, and other state NOL carryforwards of $471.2 million, $388.9 million and $79.8 million, respectively, available to potentially offset future taxable income. As of December 31, 2022, we also had federal and California research and development tax credit carryforwards of approximately $16.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively, available to potentially offset future federal income taxes. The federal research and development tax carryforwards, if not utilized, will expire beginning in 2037. The California research and development tax credit carryforwards are available indefinitely. Federal and California tax law impose significant restrictions on the utilization of NOL carryforwards in the event of a change in ownership, as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 382 and 383. We believe the Company has had one or more such ownership changes in the past, and we may have additional ownership changes in the future. These ownership changes could limit our ability to use all the Company's NOL carryforwards, credit carryforwards, or other tax attributes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements.

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Overview

We are an early commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for dermatological diseases with high unmet medical needs. Our current portfolio is comprised of highly differentiated topical and systemic treatments with significant potential to treat immune-mediated dermatological diseases and conditions. We believe we have built the industry's leading platform for dermatologic product development and commercialization. Our strategy is to focus on validated biological targets, and to use our drug development platform and deep dermatology expertise to develop differentiated products that have the potential to address the major shortcomings of existing therapies in our targeted indications. We believe this strategy uniquely positions us to rapidly advance our goal of bridging the treatment innovation gap in dermatology, while maximizing our probability of technical success and financial resources.

We launched our lead product, ZORYVE® (roflumilast) cream 0.3%, in August 2022 after obtaining Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, including psoriasis in the intertriginous areas (e.g. groin or axillae), in individuals 12 years of age or older. ZORYVE is approved for once-daily treatment of mild, moderate, and severe plaque psoriasis with no limitations on location or duration of use. In December 2022, we submitted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for ZORYVE for an expanded indication in plaque psoriasis down to the age of two, with potential FDA approval in the fourth quarter of 2023. In addition, we submitted and Health Canada has accepted a New Drug Submission (NDS) for roflumilast cream for plaque psoriasis in Canada with a target action date of April 30, 2023. ZORYVE is a once-daily topical formulation of roflumilast, a highly potent and selective phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor. PDE4 is an established biological target in dermatology, with multiple PDE4 inhibitors approved by the FDA for the treatment of dermatological conditions.

In addition to the recent approval of ZORYVE for plaque psoriasis, we are also developing roflumilast cream for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. In atopic dermatitis, we are conducting or have completed three pivotal Phase 3 clinical studies: INTEGUMENT-1 and -2 enrolled subjects six years of age or older and INTEGUMENT-PED is enrolling subjects between the ages of two and five years. In the fourth quarter of 2022, we announced positive topline data from both INTEGUMENT-1 and -2 in atopic dermatitis. We intend to submit an sNDA for topical roflumilast cream for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in patients aged six years or older in the second half of 2023 based on the results of INTEGUMENT-1 and -2. We expect to provide topline data from INTEGUMENT-PED in the second half of 2023 and submit a subsequent sNDA for the younger age cohort following the potential initial approval of roflumilast cream for treatment of atopic dermatitis in patients aged six years or older.

We are also developing a topical foam formulation of roflumilast and have successfully completed pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials in both seborrheic dermatitis and scalp and body psoriasis. In seborrheic dermatitis, we submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe seborrheic dermatitis to the FDA in February 2023, supported by the positive results from the pivotal Phase 3 STRATUM trial, with potential FDA approval in late 2023. In scalp and body psoriasis, we announced positive topline data in September 2022 and we expect the data to be a sufficient basis for an sNDA submission in the first quarter of 2024, following the potential approval of roflumilast foam for treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.

Beyond topical roflumilast, we are developing ARQ-255, a deep-penetrating topical formulation of ivarmacitinib, a potent and highly selective topical Janus kinase type 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, designed to preferentially deliver the drug deep into the hair follicle, the site of inflammation in alopecia areata, in order to potentially develop the first topical treatment for this disease. In December 2022, we announced that the first subject had been enrolled in a Phase 1b study evaluating ARQ-255 for the treatment of alopecia areata. We are also developing ARQ-252, an alternative cream formulation of ivarmacitinib for chronic hand eczema, vitiligo, and other inflammatory dermatoses.

In September 2022, we acquired Ducentis BioTherapeutics LTD (Ducentis) and its lead asset, DS-234 (now ARQ-234), a fusion protein that is a potent and highly selective checkpoint agonist of the CD200 Receptor (CD200R). Currently in the preclinical stage, we plan to develop ARQ-234 in atopic dermatitis, where we believe it could be a potentially highly complementary biologic treatment option to roflumilast cream in that indication, if approved. ARQ-234 could potentially be used to treat other inflammatory conditions as well.

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Since our inception in 2016, we have invested a significant portion of our efforts and financial resources in clinical development activities. We only recently started generating revenue from product sales and have historically funded our operations primarily with the net proceeds from equity and debt offerings. Prior to our IPO, we received $162.5 million in net cash proceeds from private placements of our convertible preferred stock. On February 4, 2020, we received $167.2 million in net proceeds in connection with our IPO. On October 6, 2020, we closed a public offering and a concurrent private placement of our common stock and received an aggregate of $128.4 million in net proceeds. Also, on February 5, 2021, we closed a public offering of our common stock and received an aggregate of $207.5 million in net proceeds. In December 2021, we received $72.4 million in net proceeds under the Loan Agreement with SLR. In March 2022, we received $14.5 million in net proceeds related to shares issued under our ATM. In August 2022, we received an additional $125 million in proceeds (excluding debt issuance costs) under the Loan Agreement with SLR and closed a public offering of our common stock, receiving an additional $161.6 million of aggregate net proceeds. See Notes 1 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

We have incurred net losses in each year since inception, including net losses of $311.5 million, $206.4 million and $135.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, we had an accumulated deficit of $719.8 million and cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities of $410.8 million. As of December 31, 2022, we had $200.0 million outstanding under the Loan Agreement and an aggregate of up to $25.0 million in additional funding under the Loan Agreement that may become available subject to the satisfaction of specified conditions.

We expect to continue to incur losses and significant expenses as we commercialize ZORYVE in psoriasis and as we advance our product candidates and label extensions through clinical trials, regulatory submissions, and commercialization. We expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to sales, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution of ZORYVE, and our product candidates and ZORYVE label extensions, if we obtain regulatory approval for them. If our available cash and marketable securities balances, amounts available under the Loan Agreement, and anticipated future cash flows from operations are insufficient to cover these expenses, we may need to fund our operations through equity or debt financings or other sources, such as future potential collaboration agreements. Adequate funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. Any failure to obtain sufficient funds on acceptable terms as and when needed could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. See “Liquidity, Capital Resources, and Requirements” below and Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

We rely on third parties in the conduct of our nonclinical studies and clinical trials and for manufacturing and supply of our product candidates. We have no internal manufacturing capabilities, and we will continue to rely on third parties, many of whom are single source suppliers, for our nonclinical and clinical trial materials, as well as the commercial supply of our products.

COVID-19 Update

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic related to the COVID-19 outbreak. COVID-19 has placed strains on the providers of healthcare services, including the sites where we conduct our clinical trials. These strains have resulted in some clinical sites slowing or halting enrollment in clinical trials and restricting the on-site monitoring of clinical trials. We follow FDA guidance on clinical trial conduct during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the remote monitoring of clinical data. We are monitoring the impact COVID-19 may have on the clinical development of our product candidates, including potential delays or modifications to ongoing and planned trials. We believe that the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in late 2021 and early 2022 has likely had a minor impact on the enrollment of our clinical trials. Because of this likely impact, along with the inherent challenges of enrolling young children in clinical trials, we have updated our expectation for providing topline data for the INTEGUMENT-PED trial, in atopic dermatitis subjects between two and five years of age, to 2023. We cannot, at this time, predict the specific extent, duration, or full impact that the COVID-19 outbreak will have on our ongoing and planned clinical trials and other business operations, including our commercialization activities.

There have been no disruptions in our supply chain of drug manufacturers necessary to conduct our clinical trials and, given our drug inventories, we believe that we will be able to supply the drug needs of our ongoing clinical studies and commercialization efforts.

In alignment with public health guidance designed to slow the spread of COVID-19, we implemented a remote work plan for all employees as of mid-March 2020. With COVID-19 moving to an endemic phase, we have formally returned to our previously existing hybrid work environment consisting of both local and remote employees.

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We may need to undertake additional actions that could impact our operations as required by applicable laws or regulations, or which we determine to be in the best interests of our employees.

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