Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Risks and Uncertainties The Company’s operations are subject to a number of factors that can affect its operating results and financial condition. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the results of clinical testing and trial activities of the Company’s product candidates; the Company’s ability to obtain regulatory approval to market its products; competition from products manufactured and sold or being developed by other companies; the price of, and demand for, the Company’s products; the Company’s ability to negotiate favorable licensing or other manufacturing and marketing agreements for its products; and the Company’s ability to raise additional capital. If the Company's commercialization of its products is not financially successful, it will be unable to generate sufficient recurring product revenue to achieve and maintain profitability. The Company currently has two commercially approved products, Auvelity and Sunosi, and there can be no assurance that the Company’s research and development efforts will result in successfully commercialized products in addition to Auvelity and Sunosi. Developing and commercializing a product requires significant time and capital and is subject to regulatory review and approval as well as competition from other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. The Company operates in an environment of rapid change and is dependent upon the continued services of its employees and consultants and obtaining and protecting intellectual property. Use of Estimates Management considers many factors in developing the estimates and assumptions that are used in the preparation of these financial statements. Management must apply significant judgment in this process. In addition, other factors may affect estimates, including expected business and operational changes, sensitivity and volatility associated with the assumptions used in developing estimates, and whether historical trends are expected to be representative of future trends. The estimation process often may yield a range of potentially reasonable estimates of ultimate future outcomes, and management must select an amount that falls within that range of reasonable estimates. This process may result in actual results differing materially from those estimated amounts used in the preparation of the financial statements if these results differ from historical experience, or other assumptions do not turn out to be substantially accurate, even if such assumptions are reasonable when made. In preparing these financial statements, management used significant estimates in the following areas, among others: stock-based compensation expense; determination of fair value of warrants; accounting for research and development costs; accounting for acquisitions; impairments of goodwill and the intangible asset; determination of fair value of contingent consideration; chargebacks, cash discounts, sales rebates, returns and other adjustments; and the recoverability of the Company’s net deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance. Revenue Recognition In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) the Company recognizes revenue when the customer obtains control of a promised good or service, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for the good or service. Transfer of control is based on contractual performance obligations, which occurs upon transfer of the title along with the physical transfer of the Company's goods to the customer, as that is when the customer has obtained control of significantly all of the economic benefits and the Company obtains a right of payment. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that the Company determines are within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to arrangements that meet the definition of a contract under ASC 606, including when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. At contract inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract and determines those that are performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied. For a complete discussion of accounting for product sales, see Product Sales, net (below) and Note 13. Revenues . License Agreements The Company generates revenue from license or similar agreements with pharmaceutical companies for the development and commercialization of certain products. Such agreements may include the transfer of intellectual property rights in the form of licenses. Payments made by the customer may include non-refundable upfront fees, payments based upon the achievement of defined milestones and royalties on sales of products. If a license to the Company's intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified in the arrangement, the Company recognizes the transaction price allocated to the license as revenue upon transfer of control of the license. All other promised goods or services in the agreement are evaluated to determine if they are distinct. If they are not distinct, they are combined with other promised goods or services to create a bundle of promised goods or services that is distinct. Optional future services where any additional consideration paid to the Company reflects their standalone selling prices do not provide the customer with a material right, and, therefore, are not considered performance obligations. If optional future services are priced in a manner which provides the customer with a significant or incremental discount, they are material rights, and are accounted for as separate performance obligations. Contingent milestones at contract inception are estimated to the extent that it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur and are included in the transaction price using the most likely amount method. Milestone payments that are not within the Company's control, such as regulatory approvals, are not considered probable of being achieved until those approvals are received, and, therefore, the variable consideration is constrained. The transaction price is then allocated to each performance obligation on a relative stand-alone selling price basis, for which the Company recognizes revenue as or when the performance obligations under the contract are satisfied. At the end of each reporting period, the Company re-evaluates the probability of achieving development or sales-based milestone payments that a significant revenue reversal would not occur and, if necessary, adjusts the estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis, which would affect license and other revenue, as well as earnings, in the period of adjustment. For arrangements that include sales-based royalties, including sales-based milestone payments, and a license of intellectual property that is deemed to be the predominant item to which the royalties relate, revenue is recognized at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalties have been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied). Product Sales, net Revenues from product sales are recorded net of reserves for variable consideration. These reserves reflect the Company's best estimate of the amount of consideration to which the Company is entitled based on the terms of the contracts. The Company sells Auvelity and Sunosi in the United States to wholesale distributors with whom the Company has entered into formal agreements (collectively, the “Distributors”). These Distributors subsequently resell the Company's products to retail pharmacies. The Company also sells Sunosi to Distributors in Canada and on a product supply basis to Pharmanovia. Sunosi is subsequently sold by Pharmanovia in certain ex-U.S. markets. The Company does not sell products under consignment arrangements, and the collection of proceeds from product sales is not contingent upon customers’ sale of the goods to third parties. See Note 13. Revenues for a further breakout of product sales, net, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. Reserves for Variable Consideration The Company's estimates of variable consideration and determination of whether to include estimated amounts in the transaction price are based largely on an assessment of its anticipated performance and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available. These reserves reflect the Company's best estimate of the amount of consideration to which the Company is entitled based on the terms of the contracts and are classified as reductions to accounts receivables, net if payable to a customer or accrued expenses and other current liabilities if payable to a third-party. The amount of variable consideration that is included in the transaction price may be constrained and is included in the net sales price only to the extent that is considered 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 the estimates. If actual results in the future vary from our estimates, the Company will adjust these estimates, which would affect net product revenue and earnings in the period such variances become known. The provision for rebates, discounts, and other incentives is based on expected patient usage, as well as inventory levels in the distribution channel to determine the contractual obligation to the benefit providers. Additionally, sales are generally made with a limited right of return under certain conditions. Revenues are recorded net of provisions for rebates, discounts, and other incentives and returns, which are established at the time of sale. The Company uses customer segment utilization mix data, changes to product price, government pricing calculations and prior payment history in order to estimate the variable consideration. Amounts accrued for rebates, discounts, and other incentives are adjusted when trends indicate that adjustment is appropriate and to reflect actual experience. Trade Discounts and Allowances - The Company generally provides discounts which include incentive fees that are explicitly stated in the Company’s contracts and are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the period the related product revenue is recognized. In addition, the Company compensates (through trade discounts and allowances) its distributors for distribution services and data. These payments have been recorded as a reduction to product sales as well as a reduction to accounts receivables, net on the consolidated balance sheets. Product Returns - The Company generally offers a limited right of return for product that has been purchased from the Company based on the product’s expiration date. The Company estimates the amount of its product sales that may be returned and records this estimate as a reduction of revenue in the period the related product sale is recognized, as well as a component of accrued expense and other current liabilities. The Company currently estimates product return liabilities using available industry data, historical product sales information, and actual returns experience. Chargebacks and Discounts - Chargebacks for fees and discounts to providers represent the estimated obligations resulting from contractual commitments to sell products at prices lower than the list prices charged to distributors. Distributors charge the Company for the difference between what they pay for the product and the ultimate selling price. These reserves are established in the same period that the related product sales are recognized, resulting in a reduction to product sales and accounts receivables, net. Rebates - Rebates apply to: Medicaid, managed care, and supplemental rebates to all applicable states as defined by the statutory government pricing calculation requirements under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. Tricare rebates to the TRICARE third-party administrator are based on the statutory calculation defined in the agreement with the Defense Health Agency. Part D and Commercial Managed Care rebates are paid based on the contracts with Pharmacy Benefit Managers (“PBMs”) and Managed Care Organizations. Rebates are paid to these entities upon receipt of an invoice from the contracted entity which is based on the utilization of the product by the members of the contracted entity. Allowances for rebates also include amounts due under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for Medicare Part D. The Company estimates these rebates and records such estimates in the same period the related product sales are recognized, resulting in a reduction to product sales as well as a component of accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Coverage Gap - The Medicare Part D coverage gap is a period of consumer payment for prescription medication costs which lies between the initial coverage limit and the catastrophic-coverage threshold, when the patient is a member of a Medicare Part D prescription-drug program administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The Company estimates the percentage of goods sold to patients in the Coverage Gap and adjusts the transaction price for such discount at the time of sale resulting in a reduction to product sales as well as a component of accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Other Incentives - Other incentives which the Company offers include voluntary patient assistance programs, such as the co-pay assistance program, which are intended to provide financial assistance to qualified commercially-insured patients with prescription drug co-payments required by payers. The calculation of the accrual for co-pay assistance is based on an estimate of claims and the cost per claim that the Company expects to receive associated with product that has been recognized as revenue. The reserves are recorded in the same period the related revenue is recognized, resulting in a reduction of product sales as well as a component of accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The Company makes significant estimates and judgments that materially affect its recognition of net product revenue. Claims by third-party payors for rebates, chargebacks and discounts frequently are submitted to the Company significantly after the related sales, potentially resulting in adjustments in the period in which the new information becomes known. The Company will adjust its estimates based on new information, including information regarding actual rebates, chargebacks and discounts for its products, as it becomes available. Cost of Revenue The Company's cost of revenue consists of cost of product sales and a fee sharing expense related to the upfront license revenue received. Cost of product sales primarily include direct costs (inclusive of material, shipping, handling, and manufacturing costs), overhead and product royalties. Cost of product sales excludes depreciation and amortization. In the first quarter of 2023, the Company recorded a $ 5.0 million fee sharing expense related to the upfront license revenue received. The Company assumed royalty and sales-based milestone commitments of Jazz to SK Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. (“SK”) and Aerial Biopharma, LLC (“Aerial”). SK is the originator of Sunosi and retains rights in 12 Asian markets, including China, Korea and Japan. In 2014, Jazz acquired from Aerial worldwide rights to Sunosi excluding those Asian markets stated previously. The assumed commitments to SK and Aerial include single-digit tiered royalties based on the Company's sales of Sunosi, and the Company is committed to pay up to $ 165 million based on revenue milestones and $ 1 million based on development milestones. Additionally, the Company pays a royalty to Antecip Bioventures II LLC (“Antecip”), an entity owned by Axsome’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), Herriot Tabuteau, M.D., equal to 3.0 % of Auvelity net sales. Foreign Currency Translation Revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the date they are incurred. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated at period-end exchange rates. The effect of exchange rate fluctuations on translating foreign currency into U.S. dollars is included in the statements of operations and is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Segment Information Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker or decision-making group in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business as one operating segment and reporting unit, which is the business of developing and delivering novel therapies for the management of CNS disorders. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments that have maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents includes holdings in checking and overnight sweep accounts. The Company’s cash equivalents, which are money market funds held in a sweep account, are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. As of September 30, 2024, the balance of cash and cash equivalents was $ 327.3 million, which approximates fair value and was determined based upon Level 1 inputs. The sweep account is valued using quoted market prices with no valuation adjustments applied. Accordingly, these securities are categorized as Level 1 on the fair value hierarchy. Concentration of Risk Concentration of Credit Risk - Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents. The Company maintains its cash deposits at financial institutions, which cash deposits exceed insured limits. At September 30, 2024 , the majority of the Company’s cash was held by two financial institutions and amounts on deposit were in excess of government-provided insurance limits. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents in what it believes to be high credit quality banks and money market funds and has not recognized any losses from credit risks on such accounts since inception. See Accounts Receivables, net below for further information. Concentration of Risk, Other - The Company has a limited number of contract manufacturers for its products. At times, the Company may have only one manufacturer or supplier for its products. Business Combination The Company accounted for the Acquisition as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that all identifiable assets acquired, and liabilities assumed be recorded at their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. When determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, management makes significant estimates and assumptions. Critical estimates in valuing the intangible asset include but are not limited to future expected cash flows from acquired patented technology. Management’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. As a result of the Acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill and an intangible asset. Goodwill Goodwill is deemed to have an indefinite life and therefore not amortized. The Company tests the carrying amounts of goodwill for recoverability on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. When reviewing goodwill for impairment, the Company first evaluates the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the qualitative factors determine it is necessary to complete a goodwill impairment test, the fair value of the relevant reporting unit is determined and compared to its carrying value. If the fair value is greater than the carrying value, then the carrying value is deemed to be recoverable, and no further action is required. If the fair value estimate is less than the carrying value, goodwill is considered impaired for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, and a charge is reported in impairment of goodwill in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company completes its annual goodwill assessment as of December 31. As of September 30, 2024 , the Company has determined that it has one reporting unit. The Company has not identified any events or changes in circumstances that indicate the existence of potential impairment of goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The balance of goodwill at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 remains unchanged at $ 12.0 million. Intangible Asset The Company's intangible asset is amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated period of benefit of ten years. The Company evaluates recoverability of the intangible asset periodically by considering events or changes in circumstances that may warrant revised estimates of useful lives or that indicate the asset may be impaired. The Company has not identified any events or changes in circumstances that indicate the existence of potential impairment of the intangible asset during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 . Contingent Consideration Consideration paid in a business combination may include potential future payments that are contingent upon the acquired business achieving certain milestones in the future (“contingent consideration”). The royalty payments due to Jazz are a high single-digit royalty on the Company's U.S. net sales of Sunosi in the current indication and a mid-single-digit royalty on the Company's U.S. net sales of Sunosi for future indications. Contingent consideration liabilities are measured at their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition, with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations during such period a change is recognized. The Company estimates the fair value of the contingent consideration as of the acquisition date and reporting periods thereafter using the probability weighted income approach and makes significant assumptions, including estimated future sales of Sunosi in current and future indications, timing of regulatory and commercial milestone achievements, probability of technical and regulatory success rates, and discount rates. Contingent consideration liabilities expected to be settled within 12 months after the balance sheet date are presented in current liabilities, with the non-current portion recorded within total liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Fair Value Measurements Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value are reported using a three‑level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows: Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3—Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. An asset's or liability's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s financial instruments are cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, contingent warrant liability, current and long-term debt, and current and non-current contingent consideration. The Company's Level 1 financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other liabilities. They are considered Level 1 as the carrying values reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements approximate their respective fair values due to their short-term maturities. The carrying value of debt on the Company’s balance sheet is estimated to approximate its fair value. The Company's Level 3 financial instruments include contingent warrant liability and current and non-current contingent consideration due to the significant unobservable inputs required in determining their respective fair values. The Company categorized the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy as the estimate is based on significant unobservable inputs requiring management judgment. The fair value of contingent consideration liabilities is estimated by using the probability weighted income approach using significant assumptions, including estimated future sales of Sunosi in current and future indications, timing of regulatory and commercial milestone achievements, probability of technical and regulatory success and discount rates. Contingent consideration liabilities are subject to remeasurement at each prospective balance sheet date, with any changes in the fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 6. Fair Value of Financial Instruments for further detail. The Company estimated the fair value of the warrant liabilities using the Black-Scholes model based on key assumption and inputs. The Company utilizes a probability assessment to estimate the likelihood of vesting for the remaining Loan Agreement (as defined below) warrants and allocated the probability of occurrence percentage to the fair values calculated, and, therefore, is considered Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. The Company accounts for warrants anticipated to be issued in the future under the Loan Agreement as liabilities and measures them at fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The warrants are subject to remeasurement at each prospective balance sheet date, with any changes in the fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. Accounts Receivable, net The Company’s accounts receivable, net, arise from product sales and represent amounts due from its customers. They are generally stated at the gross sales amount, less reserves resulting from trade discounts and allowances and chargebacks. Accounts receivables typically have a standard p ayment term of 60 days or less and do not bear interest. The Company monitors the financial performance and creditworthiness of its customers so that it can properly assess and respond to changes in the customers’ credit profiles. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company began distributing products through wholesale customers. The Company estimates expected credit losses of its accounts receivable by assessing the risk of loss and available relevant information about collectability, including historical credit losses, existing contractual payment terms, actual payment patterns of its customers, individual customer circumstances, and reasonable and supportable forecast of economic conditions expected to exist throughout the contractual life of the receivable. The Company has not historically experienced significant credit losses. Based on its assessment, as of September 30, 2024 , the Company has no t recorded any allowances for doubtful accounts receivable. For further information about accounts receivable, see Note 3. Accounts Receivable, net . Debt Issuance Costs Debt issuance costs consist of costs incurred in obtaining long-term financing. These costs are classified on the consolidated balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability and subsequently amortized as interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations using the effective interest rate method. The Company evaluates amendments to its debt instruments in accordance with ASC 470-50, Debt – Modifications and Extinguishments (“ASC 470”) to determine whether the amendment should be accounted for as a modification or an extinguishment. An amendment may be considered modified when the terms of the new debt and original instrument are not “substantially different” (as defined in the debt modification guidance in ASC 470). Amendments that are considered modifications are accounted for prospectively as yield adjustments, based on the revised terms, and lender fees and costs directly incurred with third parties, to the extent material, are recorded as debt discount and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest rate method. Inventory The Company values its inventories at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value. The remaining inventory associated with the Acquisition is stated at fair value due to purchase accounting. The Company performs an assessment of the recoverability of capitalized inventory during each reporting period, and it writes down any excess and obsolete inventories to their estimated net realizable value in the period in which the impairment is first identified. Such impairment charges, if they occur, are recorded within cost of revenue. The Company capitalizes inventory costs associated with the Company’s products after regulatory approval when, based on management’s judgment, future commercialization is considered probable and the future economic benefit is expected to be realized. Inventory acquired and manufactured prior to receipt of regulatory approval of a product candidate is expensed as research and development expense as incurred. Inventory that can be used in either the production of clinical or commercial product is expensed as research and development expense when selected for use in a clinical manufacturing campaign. Inventory levels are evaluated for amounts that would be sold within one year. If the level of inventory exceeds the estimated amount that would be sold after the next 12 months, the Company classifies the estimate of such inventory as non-current. Equipment, net Equipment consists primarily of computer equipment and is recorded at cost. Equipment is depreciated on a straight‑line basis over its estimated useful life, which the Company estimates to be three years . When equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is included in operating expenses. Research and Development Costs Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses consist primarily of employee-related expenses, including salaries, benefits, travel and stock-based compensation expense, contract services, costs incu |