Critical judgments and accounting estimates
The preparation of the Company’s Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with IAS 34 requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes, and the related application of accounting policies as it relates to the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.
The areas where AC Immune has had to make judgments, estimates and assumptions relate to (i) revenue recognition on Licensing and Collaboration Agreements (LCAs), (ii) clinical development accruals, (iii) net employee defined benefit liability, (iv) share-based compensation, (v) right-of-use assets and lease liabilities and (vi) our IPR&D asset (intangible asset). Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.
Fair value of financial assets and liabilities
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are composed of receivables, short-term financial assets, cash and cash equivalents, trade payables and lease liabilities. The fair value of these financial instruments approximates their respective carrying values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments, and are held at their amortized cost in accordance with IFRS 9, unless otherwise explicitly noted.
Accounting policies, new standards, interpretations and amendments adopted by the Company
The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
There are no new IFRS standards, amendments or interpretations that are mandatory as of January 1, 2024 that are relevant to the Company. Additionally, in April 2024, the IASB issued IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements (IFRS 18). The new standard on presentation and disclosure in the financial statements will change the structure of the statement of profit or loss, require disclosures for certain profit or loss performance measure that are reported outside of the financial statements, and will enhance principles on aggregation and disaggregation within the notes to the financial statements. This new standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2027 and will require retroactive adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the new standard to determine if it will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Going concern
The Company believes that it will be able to meet all of its obligations as they fall due for at least 12 months from the filing date of this Form 6-K, after considering the Company’s cash position of CHF 57.0 million and short-term financial assets of CHF 47.8 million as of March 31, 2024. Hence, these unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis.
To date, the Company has financed its cash requirements primarily from its public offerings, share issuances, contract revenues from its LCAs and grants. The Company is a clinical stage company and is exposed to all the risks inherent to establishing a business. Inherent to the Company’s business are various risks and uncertainties, including the substantial uncertainty as to whether current projects will succeed and our ability to raise additional capital as needed. These risks may require us to take certain measures such as delaying, reducing or eliminating certain programs. The Company’s success may depend in part upon its ability to (i) establish and maintain a strong patent position and protection, (ii) enter into collaborations with partners in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, (iii) successfully move its product candidates through clinical development, (iv) attract and retain key personnel and (v) acquire capital to support its operations.