SEC Filing - Mersana Therapeutics

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mrsn-20200930

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 001-38129

Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware			04-3562403
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

840 Memorial Drive Cambridge, MA 02139

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(617) 498-0020

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value	MRSN	The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☒
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☒
		Emerging growth company	☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

There were 68,497,425 shares of Common Stock ($0.0001 par value per share) outstanding as of November 4, 2020.

Table of Contents

Unless otherwise stated or the context requires otherwise, all references to “us,” “our,” “we,” the “Company” and similar designations in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q refer to Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiary, Mersana Securities Corp.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, our clinical results and other future conditions. The words “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “on track,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.

These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about:

•the initiation, cost, timing, progress and results of our current and future research and development activities and preclinical and clinical studies;

•the adequacy of our inventory of XMT-1536 and XMT-1592 to support our ongoing clinical studies, as well as the outcome of planned manufacturing runs;

•the timing of, and our ability to obtain and maintain, regulatory approvals for our product candidates;

•unmet need of ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer;

•our ability to quickly and efficiently identify and develop additional product candidates;

•our ability to advance any product candidate into, and successfully complete, clinical studies;

•our intellectual property position, including with respect to our trade secrets;

•the potential benefits of strategic partnership agreements and our ability to enter into selective strategic partnerships;

•our estimates regarding expenses, future revenues, capital requirements, the sufficiency of our current and expected cash resources and our need for additional financing; and

•the potential impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We have included important factors in the cautionary statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, particularly in the “Risk Factors” sections, that we believe could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures or investments we may make.

In addition, while we expect that the COVID-19 pandemic might adversely affect our preclinical and clinical development efforts, business operations and financial results, the extent of the impact and the value of and market for our common stock will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence at this time, such as the ultimate duration of the pandemic, travel restrictions, quarantines, physical distancing and business closure requirements in the U.S. and in other countries, and the effectiveness of actions taken globally to contain and treat the disease.

The forward-looking statements contained herein represent our views as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS


			Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019			4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019			5
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019			6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019			7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			8
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			23
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			34
Item 4. Controls and Procedures			34
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION			36
Item 1. Legal Proceedings			36
Item 1A. Risk Factors			36
Item 6. Exhibits			36
Signatures			37

Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	270,936	$	62,351
Short-term marketable securities	—		37,439

Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,998		1,536
Total current assets	274,934		101,326
Property and equipment, net	1,698		2,164
Operating lease right-of-use assets	11,343		2,598
Other assets	2,153		1,453
Total assets	$	290,128	$	107,541
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	4,528	$	7,296
Accrued expenses	11,173		8,986
Deferred revenue	3,998		4,815
Operating lease liabilities	1,280		2,219
Short-term debt	—		667
Other liabilities	91		87
Total current liabilities	21,070		24,070
Operating lease liabilities	10,606		677
Long-term debt, net	4,944		4,201
Other liabilities	200		275
Total liabilities	36,820		29,223
Commitments (Note 11)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively	—		—
Common stock,$0.0001 par value; 175,000,000 shares authorized; 68,470,081 and 45,388,023 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively	7		5
Additional paid-in capital	504,876		270,662
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—		25
Accumulated deficit	(251,575)		(192,374)
Total stockholders’ equity	253,308		78,318
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	290,128	$	107,541

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Collaboration revenue	$	11	$	844	$	817	$	42,081
Operating expenses:
Research and development	16,546		13,701		44,179		42,610
General and administrative	5,881		4,436		15,988		13,072
Total operating expenses	22,427		18,137		60,167		55,682
Other income (expense):
Interest income	19		608		414		1,785
Interest expense	(92)		(107)		(267)		(146)
Total other income (expense), net	(73)		501		147		1,639
Net loss	(22,489)		(16,792)		(59,203)		(11,962)
Other comprehensive loss
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	(2)		17		(25)		36
Comprehensive loss	$	(22,491)	$	(16,775)	$	(59,228)	$	(11,926)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders — basic and diluted	$	(22,489)	$	(16,792)	$	(59,203)	$	(11,962)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders — basic and diluted	$	(0.33)	$	(0.35)	$	(1.00)	$	(0.28)

Weighted-average number of shares of common stock used in net loss per share attributable to common stockholders — basic and diluted	68,419,192		47,833,607		59,086,202		42,011,340

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)


	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Accumulated Deficit		Stockholders’ Equity
	Shares	Amount
Balance at December 31, 2018	23,234,472	$	3	$	172,966	$	(8)	$	(164,166)	$	8,795
Exercise of stock options	12,192	—		42		—		—		42
Issuance of common stock under public offering, net of issuance costs of $5,587	24,437,500	2		92,160		—		—		92,162
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		1,164		—		—		1,164
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		8		—		8
Net income	—	—		—		—		21,901		21,901
Balance at March 31, 2019	47,684,164	$	5	$	266,332	$	—	$	(142,265)	$	124,072
Exercise of stock options	32,693	—		58		—		—		58
Purchase of common stock under ESPP	82,281	—		283		—		—		283
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		1,161		—		—		1,161
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		11		—		11
Net loss	—	—		—		—		(17,071)		(17,071)
Balance at June 30, 2019	47,799,138	$	5	$	267,834	$	11	$	(159,336)	$	108,514
Exercise of stock options and warrants	83,759	—		21		—		—		21
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		1,285		—		—		1,285
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		17		—		17
Net loss	—	—		—		—		(16,792)		(16,792)
Balance at September 30, 2019	47,882,897	$	5	$	269,140	$	28	$	(176,128)	$	93,045
Retirement of common stock in exchange for common stock warrant	(2,575,000)	—		(8,986)		—		—		(8,986)
Issuance of common stock warrant in exchange for retirement of common stock	—	—		8,986		—		—		8,986
Purchase of common stock under ESPP	57,792	—		206		—		—		206
Exercise of stock options and warrants	22,334	—		54		—		—		54
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		1,262		—		—		1,262
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		(3)		—		(3)
Net loss	—	—		—		—		(16,246)		(16,246)
Balance at December 31, 2019	45,388,023	$	5	$	270,662	$	25	$	(192,374)	$	78,318
Exercise of common stock warrant in exchange for common stock	2,574,971	—		—		—		—		—
Exercise of stock options	43,055	—		119		—		—		119
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		1,609		—		—		1,609
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		(29)		—		(29)
Net loss	—	—		—		—		(16,926)		(16,926)
Balance at March 31, 2020	48,006,049	$	5	$	272,390	$	(4)	$	(209,300)	$	63,091
Issuance of common stock from at-the-market transactions, net of issuance costs of $2,176	10,900,599	1		62,976		—		—		62,977
Issuance of common stock under public offering, net of issuance costs of $10,809	9,200,000	1		163,990		—		—		163,991
Purchase of common stock under ESPP	68,419	—		333		—		—		333
Exercise of stock options	206,143	—		1,296		—		—		1,296
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		1,656		—		—		1,656
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		6		—		6
Net loss	—	—		—		—		(19,786)		(19,786)
Balance at June 30, 2020	68,381,210	$	7	$	502,641	$	2	$	(229,086)	$	273,564
Exercise of stock options	88,871	—		317		—		—		317
Stock-based compensation expense	—	—		1,918		—		—		1,918
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—		(2)		—		(2)
Net loss	—	—		—		—		(22,489)		(22,489)
Balance at September 30, 2020	68,470,081	$	7	$	504,876	$	—	$	(251,575)	$	253,308

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$	(59,203)	$	(11,962)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	750		963

Net amortization of premiums and discounts on investments	(86)		(87)
Stock-based compensation	5,183		3,610

Other non-cash items	110		65
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	—		161
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(2,460)		1,318
Other assets	(700)		—
Accounts payable	(2,766)		(3,102)
Accrued expenses	2,367		(4,518)
Operating lease assets	1,235		1,290
Operating lease liabilities	(990)		(1,356)
Deferred revenue	(817)		(41,550)
Net cash used in operating activities	(57,377)		(55,168)

Cash flows from investing activities
Maturities of marketable securities	37,500		10,500
Purchase of marketable securities	—		(53,688)
Purchase of property and equipment	(285)		(605)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	37,215		(43,793)

Cash flows from financing activities
Net proceeds from public offering of common stock	163,990		92,162
Net proceeds from the at-the-market (ATM) facility	62,976		—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,732		121
Proceeds from purchases of common stock under ESPP	333		283
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	(197)		4,965

Payments under capital lease obligations	(87)		(58)
Net cash provided by financing activities	228,747		97,473

Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	208,585		(1,488)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	62,672		60,005
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	271,257	$	58,517

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities:

Debt financing costs in accrued expenses	$	—	$	180

Cash paid for interest	$	173	$	64
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities	$	9,980	$	4,778
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for financing lease liabilities	$	—	$	429

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

1. Nature of business and basis of presentation

Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) that offer a clinically meaningful benefit for cancer patients with significant unmet need. The Company has leveraged 20 years of industry learning in the ADC field to develop proprietary and differentiated technology platforms that enable it to design ADCs to have improved efficacy, safety and tolerability relative to existing ADC therapies. The Company’s innovative platforms, which include Dolaflexin and Dolasynthen, each delivering its DolaLock payload, as well as Immunosynthen, delivering a novel stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist, provide an efficient product engine that has enabled a robust discovery pipeline for the Company and its partners. The Company’s product candidates include XMT-1536 and XMT-1592. The Company's early stage programs include a potentially first-in-class B7-H4-targeted DolaLock ADC as well as candidates leveraging the Immunosynthen platform.

XMT-1536, an ADC utilizing the Company’s Dolaflexin platform and targeting NaPi2b, an antigen broadly expressed in ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) adenocarcinoma, is currently in the expansion portion of a Phase 1 study in patients with ovarian cancer and NSCLC adenocarcinoma. XMT-1592 uses one of the Company’s new platforms, Dolasynthen, and also targets NaPi2b. The Company filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in the first quarter of 2020 and initiated the Phase 1 dose escalation study of XMT-1592 in the second quarter of 2020.

The Company has incurred cumulative net losses since inception. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the net loss was $59,203, compared to net loss of $11,962 in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The difference year over year is primarily attributable to $39,965 in deferred revenue that was recognized in the first quarter of 2019 as a result of the discontinuation of the partnership with Takeda in that quarter. The Company expects to continue to incur operating losses for at least the next several years. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $251,575. The future success of the Company is dependent on, among other factors, its ability to identify and develop its product candidates and ultimately upon its ability to attain profitable operations. The Company has devoted substantially all of its financial resources and efforts to research and development and general and administrative expense to support such research and development. Net losses and negative operating cash flows have had, and will continue to have, an adverse effect on the Company’s stockholders' equity and working capital.

In April 2020, the Company sold 10,900,599 shares of common stock and received net proceeds of $62,976. In addition, in June 2020, the Company sold 9,200,000 shares of common stock and received net proceeds of $163,991. The Company believes that its currently available funds will be sufficient to fund the Company’s operations through at least the next twelve months from the issuance of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Management’s belief with respect to its ability to fund operations is based on estimates that are subject to risks and uncertainties. If actual results are different from management’s estimates, the Company may need to seek additional funding.

The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the biotechnology industry, including but not limited to, the need for additional capital, risks of failure of preclinical and clinical studies, the need to obtain marketing approval and reimbursement for any drug product candidate that it may identify and develop, the need to successfully commercialize and gain market acceptance of its product candidates, dependence on key personnel, protection of proprietary technology, compliance with government regulations, development of technological innovations by competitors, reliance on third party manufacturers and the ability to transition from pilot-scale production to large-scale manufacturing of products.

The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative U.S. GAAP as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) and Accounting Standards

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

Updates (ASU) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). All dollar amounts, except per share data in the text and tables herein, are stated in thousands unless otherwise indicated. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted from this report, as is permitted by such rules and regulations. Accordingly, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on February 28, 2020.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments that are necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2020, the results of its operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, a statement of stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2020, or for any future period.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include those of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Mersana Securities Corp. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Company’s management evaluates its estimates which include, but are not limited to, management’s judgments with respect to the identification of performance obligations and standalone selling prices of those performance obligations within its revenue arrangements, accrued expenses, valuation of stock-based awards and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segment Information

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about 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 assess performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business as a single operating segment, which is the business of discovering and developing ADCs.

Summary of Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies used in preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are consistent with those discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, except as otherwise noted below in "Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements."

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability between market participants at measurement dates. ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurement (ASC 820) establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for instruments measured at fair value. The hierarchy is based on the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1—Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2—Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3—Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity, or a remaining maturity at the time of purchase, of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company invests excess cash primarily in money market funds, commercial paper and government agency securities, which are highly liquid and have strong credit ratings. These investments are subject to minimal credit and market risks. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market value.


	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020				Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	Beginning of period		End of period		Beginning of period		End of period
Cash and cash equivalents	$	62,351	$	270,936	$	59,634	$	58,196
Restricted cash included in other assets, noncurrent	321		321		371		321
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash per statement of cash flows	$	62,672	$	271,257	$	60,005	$	58,517

Marketable Securities

Short-term marketable securities consist of investments in debt securities with maturities greater than three months and less than one year from the balance sheet date. The Company classifies all of its marketable securities as available-for-sale. Accordingly, these investments are recorded at fair value. Amortization and accretion of discounts and premiums are recorded as interest income within other income. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in other accumulated comprehensive income (loss) as a component of stockholders’ equity until realized. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary are included as a component of other income (expense), net, based on the specific identification method. When determining whether a decline in value is other than temporary, the Company considers various factors, including whether the Company has the intent to sell the security, and whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. Fair value is determined based on quoted market prices.

Other Assets

The Company recorded other assets of $2,153 and $1,453 as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, comprised of $1,832 and $1,132, respectively, held by a service provider, and restricted cash of $321 at the end of each period held as security deposits for a standby letter of credit related to a facility lease.

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

Net Loss per Share

Basic net loss per common share is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, without further consideration for potentially dilutive securities. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock and potentially dilutive securities outstanding for the period determined using the treasury stock and if-converted methods.

For purposes of the diluted net loss per share calculation, stock options, unvested restricted stock units (RSUs), warrants to purchase common stock and options to purchase common stock are considered to be potentially dilutive securities, but are excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive and therefore, basic and diluted net loss per share were the same for all periods presented.

The following table sets forth the outstanding potentially dilutive securities that have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, because to include them would be anti-dilutive (in common stock equivalent shares):


	Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020	Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Stock options	6,215,368		4,718,597
Unvested restricted stock units	740,862		447,336
Warrants	39,474		39,474
	6,995,704		5,205,407

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606. The main provisions of ASU 2018-18 include: (i) clarifying that certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue when the collaborative arrangement participant is a customer in the context of a unit of account and (ii) precluding the presentation of transactions with collaborative arrangement participants that are not directly related to sales to third parties together with revenue. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, and early adoption is permitted. The guidance per ASU 2018-18 is to be adopted retrospectively to the date of initial application of Topic 606. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires that financial assets measured at amortized cost be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. Historically, U.S. GAAP delayed recognition of the full amount of credit losses until the loss was probable of occurring. Under this ASU, the income statement will reflect an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses. The measurement of expected credit losses will be based upon historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a direct write-down of the security. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, and early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

3. Collaboration agreements

Merck KGaA

In June 2014, the Company entered into a Collaboration and Commercial License Agreement with Merck KGaA (the Merck KGaA Agreement). Upon the execution of the agreement, Merck KGaA paid the Company a nonrefundable technology access fee of $12,000 for the right to develop ADCs directed to six exclusive targets over a specified period of time. No additional fees are due when a target is designated and the commercial license to the target is granted. Merck KGaA will be responsible for the product development and marketing of any products resulting from this collaboration. All six targets were designated prior to 2018. The Company is eligible to receive milestones under the Merck KGaA Agreement. The next potential milestone payment is a development milestone of $500 on Merck KGaA’s designation of a preclinical development candidate for a target. Revenue for the milestone is fully constrained until it is certain the milestone would be achieved.

Under the terms of the Merck KGaA Agreement, the Company and Merck KGaA develop research plans to evaluate Merck KGaA's antibodies as ADCs incorporating the Company's technology. The Company receives reimbursement for its efforts under the research plans. The goal of the research plans is to provide Merck KGaA with sufficient information to formally nominate a development candidate and begin IND-enabling studies or cease development on the designated target.

In May 2018, the Company entered into a Supply Agreement with Merck KGaA (the Merck KGaA Supply Agreement). Under the terms of the Merck KGaA Supply Agreement, the Company will provide Merck KGaA preclinical non-GMP ADC Drug Substance and clinical GMP Drug Substance for use in clinical trials associated with one of the antibodies designated under the Merck KGaA Agreement. The Company receives fees for its efforts under the Merck KGaA Supply Agreement and reimbursement equal to the supply cost. The Company may also enter into future supply agreements to provide clinical supply material should Merck KGaA pursue clinical development of any other candidates nominated under the Merck KGaA Agreement.

Accounting Analysis

The Company identified the following performance obligations under the Merck KGaA agreement: (i) exclusive license and research services for six designated targets, (ii) rights to future technological improvements and (iii) participation of project team leaders and providing joint research committee services.

The Company is recognizing revenue related to the exclusive license and research and development services over the estimated period of the research and development services using a proportional performance model. The Company measures proportional performance based on the costs incurred relative to the total costs expected to be incurred. To the extent that the Company receives fees for the research services as they are performed, these amounts are recorded as deferred revenue. Revenue related to future technological improvements and joint research committee services will be recognized ratably over the respective performance period (which in the case of the joint research committee services approximates the time and cost incurred each period), which are 10 and five years, respectively. The Company is continuing to reassess the estimated remaining term at each subsequent reporting period. As of December 31, 2019, the total transaction price for the Merck KGaA Agreement was $21,500, which represented the amount of consideration the Company was expected to receive for the transfer of goods and services to Merck KGaA. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company decreased the fees expected to be received for research and development activities by $175 to $6,325, resulting in a revised total transaction price for the Merck KGaA Agreement of $21,325.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company completed its performance obligations associated with one of the six designated targets. For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, and the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded collaboration revenue of $11, $800, $817, and $836, respectively, related to its efforts under the Merck KGaA Agreement. During the three and nine months ended

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

September 30, 2019, the Company recognized $34 and $1,255, respectively, in collaboration revenue and corresponding research and development expense of $34 and $1,255, respectively, related to the Merck KGaA Supply Agreement.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had $3,998 and $4,815, respectively, in deferred revenue related to the Merck KGaA Agreement and Merck KGaA Supply Agreement that will be recognized over the remaining performance period.

Takeda XMT-1522 Strategic Partnership

In January 2016, the Company entered into a Development Collaboration and Commercial License Agreement with Takeda's wholly owned subsidiary, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the development and commercialization of XMT-1522 (the XMT-1522 Agreement). Under the XMT-1522 Agreement, Takeda was granted the exclusive right to commercialize XMT-1522 outside of the United States and Canada. Under the XMT-1522 Agreement, the Company was responsible for conducting certain Phase 1 development activities for XMT-1522, including the ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial, at its own expense. The parties agreed to collaborate on the further development of XMT-1522 in accordance with a global development plan (Post-Phase 1 Development). On January 2, 2019, the Company received notice from Takeda stating that Takeda was exercising its right to terminate the XMT-1522 Agreement upon 30 days’ prior written notice. The XMT-1522 Agreement terminated in accordance with its provisions, and the Company and Takeda wound down activities related to the XMT-1522 Agreement as of March 31, 2019. Under the XMT-1522 Agreement, the Company and Takeda shared equally all budgeted Post-Phase 1 Development costs through the date of termination and for a period of 30 days after the effective termination date.

For the applicable period within the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company was billed $200 by Takeda, representing the Company’s share of Post-Phase 1 Development costs incurred by Takeda. This amount has been reflected as research and development costs in the consolidated statement of operations.

Takeda strategic research and development partnership

In March 2014, the Company entered into a Research Collaboration and Commercial License Agreement with Takeda through Takeda’s wholly owned subsidiary, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the 2014 Agreement). The 2014 Agreement was amended in January 2015 and amended and restated in January 2016 (the 2016 Restated Agreement). The agreements provided Takeda with the right to develop ADCs directed to a total of seven exclusive targets, designated by Takeda, over a specified period of time. On January 2, 2019, the Company received notice from Takeda stating that Takeda was exercising its right to terminate the 2016 Restated Agreement upon 45 days’ prior written notice. The 2016 Restated Agreement terminated in accordance with its provisions, and the Company and Takeda wound down activities related to the 2016 Restated Agreement as of March 31, 2019.

During the applicable period within the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company billed Takeda $195 related to ASC 808 costs.

Accounting Analysis

The Company’s collaboration agreements with Takeda were terminated following receipt of written notices during the first quarter of 2019. As there are no further performance obligations, the Company recognized the remaining deferred revenue of $39,965 related to the termination of the Takeda agreements in the first quarter of 2019.

Included in accounts payable as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $2,335 related to the Takeda agreements.

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

Summary of Contract Assets and Liabilities

The following table presents changes in the balances of our contract assets and liabilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:


	Balance at Beginning of Period		Additions		Deductions		Balance at End of Period
Nine months ended September 30, 2020
Contract assets	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Contract liabilities:
Deferred revenue	$	4,815	$	—	$	817	$	3,998


	Balance at Beginning of Period		Additions		Deductions		Balance at End of Period
Nine months ended September 30, 2019
Contract assets	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Contract liabilities:
Deferred revenue	$	46,196	$	—	$	41,550	$	4,646

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized the following revenues as a result of changes in the contract asset and the contract liability balances in the respective periods:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Revenue recognized in the period from:
Amounts included in the contract liability at the beginning of the period	$	11	$	834	$	817	$	41,550
Performance obligations satisfied in previous periods	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

Other Revenue

The Company has provided limited services for a collaboration partner, Asana BioSciences. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recognized $10 and $25, respectively, of revenue related to these services. The Company did not recognize any revenue related to these services for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. The next potential milestone the Company is eligible to receive is $2,500 upon dosing the fifth patient in a Phase 1 clinical study by Asana BioSciences. As of September 30, 2020, the Company considers this next milestone to be fully constrained as there is considerable judgment involved in determining whether it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would occur. As part of its evaluation of the constraint, the Company considered numerous factors, including the fact that achievement of the milestone is outside the control of the Company and there is a high level of uncertainty in achieving this milestone, as this would require successful initiation of clinical trials by the collaboration partner. The Company reevaluates the probability of achievement of a milestone subject to constraint at each reporting period and as uncertain events are resolved or other changes in circumstances occur.

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

4. Fair value measurements

The following table presents information about the Company's assets and liabilities regularly measured and carried at a fair value and indicates the level within fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such value as of December 31, 2019. The Company had no marketable securities as of September 30, 2020:


	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
December 31, 2019
Marketable securities:
Commercial paper	$	11,940	$	—	$	11,940	$	—
Corporate bonds	12,010		—		12,010		—
U.S. Treasuries	13,489		13,489		—		—
	$	37,439	$	13,489	$	23,950	$	—

There were no changes in valuation techniques or transfers between fair value measurement levels during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

The carrying amounts reflected in the consolidated balance sheets for prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature.

As of September 30, 2020, the carrying value of the Company’s outstanding borrowing under the Amended Credit Facility (as defined below) approximated fair value (a Level 2 fair value measurement), reflecting interest rates currently available to the Company. The Amended Credit Facility is discussed in more detail in Note 7, “Debt”.

5. Marketable securities

The following table summarizes marketable securities held at December 31, 2019. The Company had no marketable securities as of September 30, 2020:


	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
December 31, 2019
Commercial paper	$	11,940	$	—	$	—	$	11,940
Corporate bonds	11,990		20		—		12,010
U.S. Treasuries	13,484		5		—		13,489
	$	37,414	$	25	$	—	$	37,439

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

6. Accrued expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Accrued payroll and related expenses	$	3,647	$	4,037
Accrued preclinical, manufacturing and clinical expenses	6,600		4,230
Accrued professional fees and insurance	861		675
Accrued other	65		44
	$	11,173	$	8,986

7. Debt

On May 8, 2019, the Company entered into a loan and security agreement (the Original Agreement) with Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) pursuant to which the Company borrowed $5,000. The Original Agreement accrued interest at a floating per annum rate equal to the greater of (i) 4.0% and (ii) 1.50% below the Prime Rate. The Original Agreement had an interest-only period through August 31, 2020.

On August 28, 2020 (the Effective Date), the Company entered into a second amendment (the Amendment) to its existing loan and security agreement (as amended prior to the Amendment, the Existing Credit Facility) with SVB. Pursuant to the Amendment, the Company can borrow term loans in an aggregate amount of $30,000 (the Amended Credit Facility), at its option, (i) up to $25,000 in up to five principal advances through April 30, 2022, and (ii) an additional $5,000 in one principal advance, if the Company reaches certain development milestone events, as described in the Amendment, through April 30, 2022. The Company drew $5,200 upon execution of the Amendment, the proceeds of which were used to repay the Company’s existing balance and satisfy its obligations to SVB, including the final payment obligation under the Existing Credit Facility.

The Amended Credit Facility bears interest at a floating per annum rate equal to the greater of (i) 4.25% and (ii) 1.00% above the Prime Rate, as defined. The Company is obligated to make monthly interest-only payments on each outstanding term loan commencing on the first calendar day of the month following the funding date of such term loan, and continuing on the first calendar day of each month thereafter through May 31, 2022. The interest only period may be extended through January 31, 2023 upon the achievement of a regulatory milestone, as described in the Amendment. Following the interest-only period, the Company will be required to repay the outstanding principal balance under the term loans in equal monthly payments plus interest in arrears to SVB through November 1, 2024 (the Maturity Date).

The Company is also required to make a final payment to SVB equal to 5.5% of the original principal amount of the term loans then extended to the Company. This final payment is accreted under the effective interest method over the life of each term loan. The term loans are secured by substantially all of the Company's assets, except for its intellectual property which is subject to a negative pledge, and certain other customary exclusions.

At the Company’s option, it may prepay the outstanding principal balance of any term loans in whole but not in part, subject to a prepayment fee of: (a) 3.0% of the term loans then extended to the Company if the prepayment occurs on or prior to August 28, 2021, (b) 2.0% of the term loans then extended to the Company if the prepayment occurs after August 28, 2021 but on or prior to August 28, 2022, or (c) 1.0% of the term loans then extended to the Company if the prepayment occurs after August 28, 2022 but before November 1, 2024. The Amended Credit Facility includes customary affirmative and restrictive covenants applicable to the Company. Affirmative covenants include, among others, covenants requiring the Company to maintain its corporate existence and governmental approvals, deliver certain financial reports, maintain insurance coverage and satisfy certain requirements regarding

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

deposit accounts. The Amendment removed the requirement for the Company to maintain a minimum liquidity ratio. The restrictive covenants include, among others, requirements relating to the Company’s ability to transfer collateral, incur additional indebtedness, engage in mergers or acquisitions, pay dividends or make other distributions, make investments, create liens, sell assets and agree to a change in control, in each case subject to certain customary exceptions.

The Company’s payment obligations under the Amended Credit Facility are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of specified events of default, which include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of a material adverse change in the Company’s business, operations, or financial or other condition. Amounts outstanding upon the occurrence of an event of default are payable upon SVB’s demand and shall accrue interest at an additional rate of 5.0% per annum of the past due amount outstanding. As of September 30, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Amended Credit Facility. As such, as of September 30, 2020, the classification of the loan balance as stated on the balance sheet was based on the timing of defined future payment obligations.

The unamortized issuance costs under the Existing Credit Facility were $139 as of the date of the Amendment. The Company incurred debt issuance costs paid to the lender in connection with the Amended Credit Facility of $17. The Company recorded such costs, including the settlement of the final payment obligation under the Existing Credit Facility as a discount from the carrying value of the term loans which are amortized as interest expense using the effective-interest method over the term of the Amended Credit Facility.

As of September 30, 2020, there was $5,200 in term loans outstanding under the Amended Credit Facility and the debt consisted of the following:


	September 30, 2020
Total debt	$	5,200


Debt financing costs, net of accretion	(262)
Accretion related to final payment	6
Long-term debt, net	$	4,944

As of September 30, 2020, the estimated future principal payments due are as follows:


2020 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2020)	$	—
2021	—
2022	1,213
2023	2,080
2024	1,907
Total debt	$	5,200

During the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, and the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $60, $51, $173 and $64, respectively, of interest expense related to the Existing Credit Facility and Amended Credit Facility, as applicable.

8. Stockholders’ equity

Preferred stock

As of September 30, 2020, the Company had 25,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock. No shares of preferred stock have been issued.

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

At-the-market equity offering program

In July 2018, the Company established an at-the-market (ATM) equity offering program (the 2018 ATM) pursuant to which it offered and sold up to $75,000 of its common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices. In April 2020, the Company sold 8,938,599 and 1,962,000 shares of common stock at $5.59 per share and $7.74 per share, respectively, to raise aggregate gross proceeds of $65,153 through the 2018 ATM facility. Net proceeds to the Company after deducting fees, commissions and other expenses related to the offering were approximately $62,976.

In May 2020, the Company terminated the 2018 ATM and established a new ATM equity offering program (the 2020 ATM) pursuant to which it is able to sell up to $100,000 of its common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had not sold any shares under the 2020 ATM.

Follow-on offering

In June 2020, the Company sold 9,200,000 shares of common stock, in an underwritten public offering price to the public of $19.00 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $174,800. Net proceeds to the Company after deducting fees, commissions and other expenses related to the offering were approximately $163,991.

Warrants

In connection with a 2013 Series A-1 Preferred Stock issuance, the Company granted to certain investors warrants to purchase 129,491 shares of common stock. The warrants have a $0.05 per share exercise price and a contractual life of 10 years. The fair value of these warrants was recorded as a component of equity at the time of issuance. As of September 30, 2020, there were warrants to purchase 39,474 shares of common stock.

Exchange warrants

On November 26, 2019, the Company entered into an exchange agreement with entities affiliated with Biotechnology Value Fund, L.P. (the Exchanging Stockholders), pursuant to which the Exchanging Stockholders exchanged an aggregate of 2,575,000 shares of common stock for warrants (the Exchange Warrants) to purchase an aggregate of 2,575,000 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment in the event of any stock dividends and splits, reverse stock split, merger or consolidation, change of control, reorganization or similar transaction, as described in the Exchange Warrants), with an exercise price of $0.0001 per share.

On March 2, 2020, the Exchanging Stockholders exercised the Exchange Warrants in full on a net cashless exercise basis, resulting in the issuance of 2,574,971 shares of common stock.

Common stock

The holders of the common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held. Common stockholders are not entitled to receive dividends, unless declared by the Board of Directors (the Board).

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were 6,995,704 and 7,782,582, respectively, shares of common stock reserved for the exercise of outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and warrants, as follows:


	September 30, 2020	December 31, 2019
Stock options	6,215,368	4,720,772
Restricted stock units	740,862	447,336
Warrants	39,474	39,474
Exchange warrants	—	2,575,000
	6,995,704	7,782,582

9. Stock options

Stock option plans

In June 2017, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2017 Plan). Under the 2017 Plan, up to 2,255,000 shares of common stock were initially available to be granted to the Company's employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors in the form of options, restricted stock units (RSUs) or other stock-based awards. The number of shares of common stock issuable under the 2017 Plan will be cumulatively increased annually by 4% of the outstanding shares or such lesser amount specified by the Board. The terms of the awards are determined by the Board, subject to the provisions of the 2017 Plan. Any cancellations under the 2007 Plan, which expired in June 2017, would increase the number of shares that could be granted under the 2017 Plan. In January 2020, the number of shares of common stock issuable under the 2017 Plan was increased by 1,815,520 shares. As of September 30, 2020, there were 1,320,916 shares available for future issuance under the 2017 Plan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company granted 2,165,306 RSUs and options to purchase shares of common stock to employees under the 2017 Plan.

Inducement awards

On September 2, 2020, the Company granted its senior vice president of regulatory affairs an option to purchase up to 120,000 shares of common stock as an inducement to employment in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). No underwriters were involved in this issuance of securities. The securities were issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering. These options are subject to terms substantially the same as the 2017 Plan.

With respect to the stock option grants as described above, the exercise price per share will equal the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant, and the vesting period is generally four years. Nonqualified stock options will be granted at an exercise price established by the Board at its sole discretion (which has not been less than fair market value on the date of grant) and the vesting periods may vary. Options granted as described above expire no later than 10 years from the date of grant. The Board may accelerate vesting or extend the expiration of granted options in the case of a merger, consolidation, dissolution, or liquidation of the Company.

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

Stock option activity

A summary of the options activity under the Plans is as follows:


	Number of Shares	Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1, 2020	4,720,772	$	5.24
Granted	1,960,374	9.41
Exercised	(338,069)	5.13
Cancelled	(127,709)	7.70
Outstanding at September 30, 2020	6,215,368	$	6.52
Exercisable at September 30, 2020	3,256,514	$	4.87

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, was $6.17 and $2.47 per share, respectively.

Cash received from the exercise of stock options was $1,732 and $121 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Restricted stock units (RSUs)

In July 2019, the Company issued RSUs with service conditions to employees. The awards cliff-vest two years after the grant date. In January 2020, the Company issued 324,932 RSUs with a service condition to employees for which the vesting term is annually over four years. Vesting of these awards is contingent on the fulfillment of the service conditions during the vesting term.

A summary of the RSU activity under the 2017 Plan is as follows:


			Number of Shares
Unvested at January 1, 2020			447,336
Granted			324,932
Vested			—
Forfeited			(31,406)
Unvested at September 30, 2020			740,862

Stock-based compensation expense

The Company uses the provisions of ASC 718, Stock Compensation, to account for all stock-based awards to employees and non-employees.

The measurement date for employee awards is generally the date of grant. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period, using the straight-line method.

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Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

The following table presents stock-based compensation expense by award type included within the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Stock options	$	1,520	$	1,055	$	4,025	$	3,240
Restricted stock units	335		184		962		184
Employee stock purchase plan	63		46		196		186
Stock-based compensation expense included in Total operating expenses	$	1,918	$	1,285	$	5,183	$	3,610

The following table presents stock-based compensation expense as reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Research and development	$	952	$	587	$	2,554	$	1,636
General and administrative	966		698		2,629		1,974
Stock-based compensation expense included in Total operating expenses	$	1,918	$	1,285	$	5,183	$	3,610

As of September 30, 2020, there was $15,007 and $2,269 of unrecognized stock compensation expense related to unvested stock options and unvested RSUs, respectively, that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.5 years and 2.6 years, respectively.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Risk-free interest rate	0.4	%	1.9	%	1.3	%	2.4	%
Expected dividend yield	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%
Expected term (years)	6.10		6.11