v3.23.1
Business acquisition
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2022
Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract]  
Business acquisition Business acquisition
AbX Biologics, Inc. (“Abveris”)
On December 1, 2021, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of AbX Biologics, Inc. (“Abveris”), a privately-held company providing in vivo antibody discovery services. Abveris offers animal-based antibody discovery and screening services for its customers using the Berkeley Lights Beacon Platform and its proprietary DiversimAb and DivergimAb mouse models, which the Company can humanize using its antibody optimization solution.
The acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred for Abveris was $102.6 million, consisting of cash totaling $9.5 million, 759,601 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $66.1 million based on the Company’s closing stock price on December 1, 2021, employee stock awards issued to certain Abveris employees valued at $6.4 million, contingent consideration of $8.5 million, holdbacks of $12.8 million, and a net working capital adjustment of $0.7 million.
The contingent consideration is subject to the attainment of the calendar year 2022 revenue target. The contingent consideration becomes payable after December 31, 2022 and will be settled in a combination of cash and up to 334,939 shares of the Company’s common stock. The acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration was based on forecasted revenue of Abveris relative to the 2022 revenue target as well as the Company’s stock price as of December 1, 2021.
The Company maintains an indemnity and adjustment holdback for the purposes of providing security against any adjustment to the amounts at closing. The indemnity holdback period extends for 18 months from the anniversary of the closing date. The indemnity holdback will be settled by transferring up to 128,351 shares of the Company’s stock, 15,304 options of the Company’s common stock and an immaterial amount of cash. The fair value of the indemnity holdback was $12.5 million as of the acquisition date. The adjustment holdback will be settled by transferring up to 3,416 shares of the Company’s stock, 408 options of the Company’s common stock and an immaterial amount of cash. The holdback adjustment liability was $0.3 million as of the acquisition date.
As at acquisition date, post-combination compensation expense excluded from the purchase price includes employee stock awards issued to certain Abveris employees valued at $41.0 million. This includes awards valued at $17.7 million which vest over a two year service period following the acquisition date and awards valued at $3.2 million with no future vesting requirements, which were deemed accelerated by the Company at the acquisition date and expensed within the three months ended December 31, 2021. Finally, post-combination expense includes awards valued at approximately $20.1 million which vest based on achievement of the calendar year 2022 revenue target and continuing employment through the payout date, and for certain employees, additional continuing employment through the two year anniversary of the acquisition date. As at September 30, 2022, the fair value of post-combination awards which vest based on performance was $15.4 million.
This acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with the business combination guidance in ASC 805. Under the acquisition accounting method, the total estimated purchase price was allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the net of the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recorded as goodwill. Management’s estimate of the fair values of the acquired intangible assets at December 1, 2021 is preliminary and subject to change and is based on established and accepted valuation techniques performed with the assistance of third-party valuation specialists. Additional information, which existed as of the acquisition date but is yet unknown to the Company may become known to the Company during the remainder of the measurement period, which will not exceed twelve months from the acquisition date. Changes to amounts will be recorded as adjustments to the provisional amounts recognized as of the acquisition date and may result in a corresponding adjustment to goodwill in the period in which new information becomes available. The goodwill that arose from the acquisition consists of synergies expected from integrating Abveris into the Company’s operations and customer base. The goodwill recognized is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date, as well as the purchase consideration:
(in thousands)December 1, 2021
Assets acquired 
Cash and cash equivalents$1,306 
Accounts receivable2,309
Other current assets and prepaid expenses1,654
Property, plant and equipment 1,078
Other non-current assets2,970
Intangible assets46,500
Liabilities assumed
Current liabilities3,549
Non-current liabilities846
Deferred tax liability10,545
Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed$40,877 
Goodwill61,768
Total purchase price$102,645 
Consideration transferred
Cash$9,467 
Company common stock72,514
Contingent consideration8,500
Holdback liabilities12,838
Net working capital adjustment(674)
Fair value of purchase consideration$102,645 

The following table summarizes the preliminary estimate of the intangible assets as of the acquisition date:

(in thousands except for years)Estimated
Weighted
Average
Useful Lives
in Years
Estimated Fair
Value
Developed technology14$30,900
Customer relationships1014,700
Trade name3900
Estimated fair value of acquired intangible assets$46,500

The Company estimated the fair value of the developed technology intangible asset and a portion of the customer relationships intangible assets using an excess earnings model. An additional portion of the customer relationships intangible assets was valued using the with and without method. The Company estimated the fair value of the trade name intangible asset using a relief from royalty approach. These fair value measurements were based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent a Level 3 measurement. Key assumptions include the level and timing of expected future revenue, conditions and demands specific to each intangible asset over its remaining useful life, and discount rates the Company believes to be consistent with the inherent risks associated with each type of asset, which was approximately 9.6%. The fair value of these intangible assets is primarily affected by the projected revenues, gross margins, operating expenses, the technology obsolescence curve, and the anticipated timing of the projected income associated with each intangible asset coupled with the discount rates used to derive their estimated present values. The Company believes the level and timing of expected future cash flows appropriately reflects market participant assumptions.
Revenue from Abveris included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations since the acquisition date through September 30, 2022 is $12.3 million. Net loss included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations from Abveris since the acquisition date through September 30, 2022 is $6.6 million. The Company incurred transaction costs related to the acquisition of $1.5 million, which were recorded as an selling, general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended September 30, 2022.
The following table provides a reconciliation of contingent consideration and holdbacks balances from acquisition date to September 30, 2022:

(in thousands)Contingent
consideration
HoldbacksTotal
Balance at December 1, 2021 – acquisition date $8,500 $12,164 $20,664 
Change in fair value during the period (6,400)(7,071)(13,471)
Balance at September 30, 2022
$2,100 $5,093 $7,193 

The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration liability decreased as a result of the change in the Company’s stock price from December 1, 2021 and a change in the probability of the attainment of the calendar year 2022 revenue target as calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation model. The estimated fair value of the holdback liability decreased as a result of the change in the Company’s stock price as of September 30, 2022. For the year ended September 30, 2022, the Company recognized a gain of $13.5 million relating to the change in fair value of acquisition consideration in its consolidated statement of operations.
The post-combination effect from net deferred tax liability assumed from the Abveris acquisition also caused a release of the Company’s deferred income tax valuation allowance. On the acquisition date, the release resulted in an income tax benefit of $10.5 million.
The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations for the Company and Abveris as if the Abveris acquisition had occurred on October 1, 2020. The pro forma information contains the actual operating results of the Company, adjusted to include the pro forma impact of the Abveris acquisition, which is primarily additional expense as a result of the amortization of identifiable intangible assets. The unaudited pro forma financial information is prepared for comparative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the actual operating results that would have been recorded had the Abveris acquisition actually taken place on October 1, 2020 and should not be taken as indicative of future consolidated operating results. Additionally, the unaudited pro forma financial results do not include any anticipated synergies or other expected benefits from the Abveris acquisition.
Year ended September 30,
(in thousands) 20222021
Revenues206,011143,632
Net loss attributable to common stockholders(216,796)(146,515)

iGenomX International Genomics Corporation (iGenomX)
On June 14, 2021, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of iGenomX International Genomics Corporation (iGenomX). iGenomX offers multiplex library preparation tools for next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows. The Company’s acquisition is expected to enhance its capabilities to support multiplex sequencing preparations across multiple markets and to accelerate the Company’s conversion of customers from static microarray platforms to genotyping by sequencing workflows.
The acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred for iGenomX was approximately $27.3 million, consisting of a combination of cash totaling $0.5 million and 237,409 of the Company’s common stock valued at $26.8 million based on the Company’s closing stock price on June 14, 2021 and contingent consideration of up to 48,478 shares valued at $5.5 million based on the Company’s closing stock price on June 14, 2021 and indemnity holdback of up to 43,662 shares valued at $4.9 million based on the Company’s closing stock price on June 14, 2021. The contingent consideration was settled in shares of the Company’s common stock upon completion of the transition milestones. The Company maintains an indemnity holdback for the purposes of providing security against any adjustment to the amounts at closing. The indemnity holdback period extends for 18 months from the anniversary of the closing date.
This acquisition has been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with the business combination guidance in FASB ASC 805. Under the acquisition accounting method, the total estimated purchase price was allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recorded as goodwill. The goodwill that arose from the acquisition consists of synergies expected from integrating iGenomX into the Company’s operations and customer base. The goodwill recognized is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The goodwill acquired from the iGenomX transaction was assigned to the Company’s only reportable and
operating segment business activity, which is manufacturing of synthetic DNA using its semiconductor-based silicon platform.
The estimated fair value of the consideration as of the acquisition date was approximately $37.7 million.
The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date, as well as the purchase consideration:

(in thousands)June 14, 2021
Assets acquired
Cash and cash equivalents$
Accounts receivable37
Inventories14
Intangible assets18,410
Goodwill21,538
Liabilities assumed
Accounts payable57
Accrued expenses44
Deferred tax liability2,252
Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed$37,653 
Consideration transferred
Cash$490 
Company common stock26,772
Contingent consideration5,467
Indemnity holdback4,924
Fair value of purchase consideration$37,653 

The following table summarizes the preliminary estimate of the intangible assets as of the acquisition date:

(in thousands, except for years)Estimated
Weighted
Average
Useful Lives
in Years
Estimated Fair
Value
Developed technology17$17,900
Customer relationships1.5510
Estimated fair value of acquired intangible assets$18,410

The Company estimated the fair value of the developed technology intangible asset using a discounted cash flow model. Significant judgment was exercised in determining the fair value of the developed technology intangible assets acquired, which included estimates and assumptions related to the projected revenues (specifically volume of sales), discount rate, and technology obsolescence curve. The Company estimated the fair value of the customer relationships intangible asset using a cost approach. These fair value measurements were based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent a Level 3 measurement. Key assumptions include the level and timing of expected future cash flows, conditions and demands specific to each intangible asset over its remaining useful life, and discount rates, the Company believes to be consistent with the inherent risks associated with each type of asset, which was approximately 8.5%. The fair value of these intangible assets is primarily affected by the projected revenues, gross margins, operating expenses, the technology obsolescence curve, and the anticipated timing of the projected income associated with each intangible asset coupled with the discount rates used to derive their estimated present values. The Company believes the level and timing of expected future cash flows appropriately reflects market participant assumptions.
The Company has included the financial results of iGenomX in its consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition, which were not material. The Company incurred transaction costs related to the acquisition of $0.8 million, which were recognized as an expense on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended September 30, 2021.
The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration and indemnity holdback decreased from $10.4 million as of June 14, 2021 to $4.5 million as of September 30, 2022. For the year ended September 30, 2022, the Company recognized a gain of $0.8 million as change in fair value of acquisition consideration in its consolidated statement of operations due to the change in fair value of such liabilities, as a result of the change in the Company’s stock price.
The post-combination effect from net deferred tax liability assumed from the iGenomX acquisition also caused a release of the Company’s income tax valuation allowance. The release resulted in an income tax benefit of $2.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2021.
Issuance of contingent consideration for iGenomX acquisition

In December 2021, the Company determined that the transition milestones specified in the iGenomX acquisition agreement were completed, and the Company became obligated to issue 59,190 shares of its common stock to satisfy the contingent consideration. The shares of common stock, valued at $4.6 million, were subsequently issued by the Company during January 2022 along with an immaterial cash payment for fractional shares.