ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements about our plans and expectations of what may happen in the future. You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with “Item 6. Selected Financial Data,” “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” and our consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1 of this report. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and our results could differ materially from the results anticipated by our forward-looking statements as a result of many known or unknown factors, including, but not limited to, those factors discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” See also the “Special Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” set forth at the beginning of this report.

Overview

We are a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for the management of central nervous system, or CNS, disorders for which there are limited treatment options. By focusing on this therapeutic area, we are addressing significant and growing markets where current treatment options are limited or inadequate. Our core CNS portfolio includes five CNS product candidates, AXS-05, AXS-07, AXS-09, AXS-12, and AXS-14 which are being developed for multiple indications. AXS-05 is being developed for the treatment of major depressive disorder, or MDD, for which we have completed a Phase 2 controlled trial and Phase 3 controlled trial, which we refer to as the ASCEND study and the GEMINI study, respectively, and a Phase 3 long-term open-label study, which we refer to as the COMET study. A New Drug Application, or NDA, has been submitted for AXS-05 for the treatment of MDD. AXS-05 is also under development for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease agitation, or AD agitation. We have completed one Phase 2/3 controlled trial, which we refer to as the ADVANCE study, for this indication. We are conducting a Phase 3 placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal trial in AD agitation, which we refer to as the ACCORD study, and one open-label long-term safety study in AD agitation. AXS-05 is also being developed for smoking cessation and a Phase 2 trial in this indication has been completed. AXS-07 is being developed for the acute treatment of migraine, for which we have completed two Phase 3 controlled trials, which we refer to as MOMENTUM and INTERCEPT, and one Phase 3 long-term open-label trial, which we refer to as the MOVEMENT study. We plan to submit an NDA for AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine. AXS-09 is being developed for the treatment of CNS disorders. AXS-12 is being developed for the treatment of narcolepsy. We have completed a Phase 2 trial with AXS-12, which we refer to as the CONCERT study. A Phase 3 trial with AXS-12 in narcolepsy is planned. AXS-14 is being developed for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Additionally, we are currently evaluating other product candidates, which we intend to develop for CNS disorders. We aim to become a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes differentiated therapies that increase available treatment options and improve the lives of patients living with CNS disorders.

AXS-05 is a novel, oral, investigational NMDA receptor antagonist with multimodal activity under development for the treatment of CNS disorders. AXS-05 utilizes a proprietary formulation and dose of dextromethorphan and bupropion and utilizes our metabolic inhibition technology, to modulate the delivery of the components. We are developing AXS‐05 initially for the following indications: MDD, AD agitation, and as an aid to smoking cessation. The dextromethorphan component of AXS-05 is an uncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate, or NMDA, receptor, also known as a glutamate receptor modulator, which is a novel mechanism of action, meaning it works differently than currently approved therapies for MDD. The dextromethrophan component of AXS-05 is also a sigma-1 receptor agonist. The bupropion component of AXS-05 serves to increase the bioavailability of dextromethorphan, and is also a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor. AXS-05 has been granted FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for the treatment of MDD, and Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track designations for the treatment of AD agitation. We are developing AXS‐05 via the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway.

AXS-07 is a novel, oral, rapidly absorbed, multi-mechanistic, investigational medicine under development for the acute treatment of migraine. AXS-07 consists of MoSEICTM (Molecular Solubility Enhanced Inclusion Complex) meloxicam and rizatriptan. Meloxicam is a long-acting nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, with COX-2, an enzyme involved in inflammation and pain pathways, preferential inhibition and potent pain-relieving effects. AXS-07 utilizes our proprietary MoSEICTM technology to substantially increase the solubility and speed the absorption of meloxicam while potentially maintaining durability of action. Meloxicam is a new molecular entity for migraine enabled by our MoSEICTM technology. Rizatriptan is a 5-HT1B/1D agonist that inhibits calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-mediated vasodilation, has been shown to have central trigeminal antinociceptive activity, and may reduce the release of

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inflammatory mediators from trigeminal nerves. Rizatriptan is approved as a single agent for the acute treatment of migraine. We are developing AXS-07 via the 505(b)(2) regulatory development pathway.

AXS-09 is an oral, investigational NMDA receptor antagonist with multimodal activity consisting of esbupropion and dextromethorphan, which is being developed for the treatment of CNS disorders. AXS-09 contains esbupropion, the chirally pure S-enantiomer of bupropion, as compared to the company’s first generation product candidate AXS-05 which contains racemic bupropion, equal amounts of the S- and R-enantiomers. We have demonstrated in a Phase 1 trial that dextromethorphan plasma levels are substantially increased into a potentially therapeutic range with repeated administration of AXS-09. Results of this Phase 1 trial coupled with preclinical data also indicate the potential for enhanced absorption and therapeutic effect of the S-enantiomer as compared to the R-enantiomer.

AXS-12, reboxetine, is a novel, oral, investigational medicine in development for the treatment of narcolepsy. AXS-12 is a highly selective and potent norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. AXS-12 has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation and Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA for the treatment of cataplexy in narcolepsy.

AXS-14, esreboxetine, is a novel, oral, investigational medicine in development for the treatment of fibromyalgia. AXS-14 is a highly selective and potent norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Esreboxetine, the SS-enantiomer of reboxetine, is more potent and selective than racemic reboxetine.

Since our incorporation in January 2012, our operations to date have included organizing and staffing our company, business planning, raising capital, developing our compounds, and engaging in other discovery and preclinical activities. Prior to our initial public offering, or IPO, in November 2015, we financed our operations primarily through private placements of our convertible notes and subsequent to our IPO, through proceeds from sales of our common stock and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock to equity investors and debt borrowings. For a further discussion, see the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.

Our ability to become profitable depends on our ability to generate revenue. We do not expect to generate significant revenue unless and until we obtain marketing approval for and successfully commercialize one of our product candidates.

We have incurred significant operating and net losses since inception. We incurred net losses of $102.9 million, $68.3 million, and $31.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. Our accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2020 was $278.8 million, and we expect to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future. We expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, as we continue the development and clinical trials of, and seek regulatory approval for our current product candidates and any other product candidates that we develop or in-license and advance to clinical development. If we obtain regulatory approval for a product candidate, we expect to incur significant expenses in order to create an infrastructure to support the commercialization of the product candidate, including manufacturing, sales, marketing, and distribution functions. Further, we have incurred and will continue to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. Accordingly, we may need additional financing to support our continuing operations. We may seek to fund our operations through public or private equity, debt financings, or other sources. Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. Our failure to raise capital as and when needed would have a negative impact on our financial condition and our ability to pursue our business strategy. We will need to generate significant revenue to achieve profitability, and we may never do so.

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Financial Overview

Revenue

We have not generated any revenue and have incurred significant operating losses since inception, and we do not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of any products unless or until we obtain regulatory approval. If we fail to complete the development of our product candidates in a timely manner or obtain regulatory approval for them, our ability to generate future revenue, and our results of operations and financial position, would be materially and adversely affected. If we enter into licensing or collaboration arrangements, such agreements may generate revenue in the future.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses primarily include preclinical studies, clinical trials, manufacturing costs, employee salaries and benefits, stock‐based compensation expense, contract services, including external research and development expenses incurred under arrangements with third parties, such as contract research organizations, or CROs, facilities costs, overhead costs, depreciation, and other related costs.

Research and development activities are central to our business model. We will incur substantial costs beyond our present and planned clinical trials in order to file a new drug application, or NDA, for any of our product candidates. It is difficult to determine with certainty the costs and duration of our current or future clinical trials and preclinical studies, or if, when, or to what extent we will generate revenue from the commercialization and sale of our product candidates if we obtain regulatory approval. We may never succeed in achieving regulatory approval. The duration, costs, and timing of clinical trials and development of our product candidates will depend on a variety of factors, including the uncertainties of future clinical trials and preclinical studies, uncertainties in clinical trial enrollment rate, and significant and changing government regulation. In addition, the probability of success for each product candidate will depend on numerous factors, including competition, manufacturing capability, and commercial viability. We will determine which programs to pursue and how much to fund each program in response to the scientific and clinical success of each product candidate, as well as an assessment of each product candidate’s commercial potential.

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 the 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.

The following table summarizes our research and development expenses by program for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018:

Year ended

December 31,

Other research and development expenses primarily consist of employee salaries and benefits, facilities and overhead costs, and expenses for terminated programs. For the year ended December 31, 2018, all employee salaries and

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benefits were allocated to Other research and development expenses whereas for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, a majority of employee salaries and benefits were allocated between the respective programs in the table above.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries and related costs for personnel in executive, finance, commercial and operational functions, including stock based compensation and travel expenses. Other general and administrative expenses include pre-commercialization costs, facility related costs, insurance expense, professional fees for legal and accounting services and patent filing and prosecution costs. General and administrative expenses are expensed when incurred.

Interest and Amortization of Debt Discount Expense

Interest and amortization of debt discount expense primarily consists of cash interest and non-cash costs related to our term loans (see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for a further discussion). We amortize these costs over the term of our debt agreements as interest expense in our consolidated statement of operations. Interest and amortization of debt discount expense also includes interest income earned on cash.

Tax Credit

The tax credits represent the receipt by Axsome Therapeutics Australia PTY, LTD, our Australian subsidiary, of the Australia Tax Incentive Credit, related to allowable research and development expenses incurred for our product candidates.

Loss on extinguishment of debt

We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt in connection with the repayment and retirement of our previous SVB Loan. The new Hercules Term Loan was considered substantially different from the SVB Loan, as such, the repayment qualified for extinguishment accounting. The loss on extinguishment of debt recorded represents the prepayment premium, the unamortized discount of the SVB Loan and the write-off of deferred financing costs.

Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liability

The warrants to purchase our common stock issued as part of the registered direct stock offering in December 2017 were classified as a warrant liability and recorded at fair value. The warrant liability was subject to re‐measurement at each balance sheet date and any change in fair value was recognized in our statements of operations as a change in fair value of the warrant liability. The warrants expired on December 11, 2018.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reported period. In accordance with GAAP, we base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report, we believe the following accounting policies are the most critical to the judgments and estimates we use in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Research and Development Expenses

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for the conduct of research, preclinical and clinical studies, laboratory supplies, product license fees, consulting and other related expenses. We estimate research, preclinical and clinical study expenses based on services performed, pursuant to contracts with third-party research and development organizations that conduct and manage research, preclinical and clinical activities on our behalf. We estimate these expenses based on discussions with internal management personnel and external service providers as to the progress or stage of completion of services and the contracted fees to be paid for such services. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the original estimates, we will adjust the accrual accordingly. Payments associated with licensing agreements to acquire licenses to develop, use, manufacture and commercialize products that have not reached technological feasibility and do not have alternative future use are expensed as incurred. Payments made to third parties under these arrangements in advance of the performance of the related services by the third parties are recorded as prepaid expenses until the services are rendered.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, operating losses, and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are provided if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances. When uncertain tax positions exist, we recognize the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that the benefit will more likely than not be realized. As of December 31, 2020, we do not believe any material uncertain tax positions are present.

As of December 31, 2020, we had U.S. federal net operating loss, or NOL carryforwards of approximately $249 million. NOLs amounting to $60 million generated before the 2018 tax year will start expiring beginning 2032, and the NOLs of approximately $189 million generated in 2018 and later have an indefinite carryforward period.

Utilization of the NOLs may be subject to a substantial annual limitation due to ownership change limitations provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The annual limitation for net operating losses incurred before the 2018 tax year may result in expiration before we can use them. We have recorded a valuation allowance on all of our deferred tax assets.

Stock‐based compensation

For issued stock options, we estimate the grant date fair value of each option using the Black‐Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes model takes into account the expected volatility of our common stock, the risk-free interest rate, the estimated life of the option, the closing market price of our common stock, expected dividend yield and the exercise price. The estimates utilized in the Black-Scholes calculation involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. In addition, we recognize expense for equity award forfeitures as they occur. For awards subject to service-based vesting conditions, we recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting term. For awards subject to performance-based vesting conditions, we recognize stock-based compensation expense using the accelerated attribution method when it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. The expense related to the stock-based compensation is recorded within the financial statement line item the grantee’s cash compensation is recorded in.

Our policy upon exercise of stock options is that shares will be issued as new shares drawing on our 2015 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan share pool that was adopted by the stockholders in November 2015.

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Results of Operations

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

Year ended

December 31,

Operating expenses:

Interest and amortization of debt discount expense (2,565,838 ) (1,239,537 )

Loss on extinguishment of debt (1,247,012 ) —

Research and Development Expenses. Our research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $70.2 million, compared to $53.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $16.6 million. R&D expense during the 2020 fiscal year included a one-time charge of $10.2 million for the Pfizer license agreement, of which $7.2 million was non-cash related. The remaining increase was due primarily to spend for clinical trials active in the beginning of the year which included the ADVANCE-1, INTERCEPT, and STRIDE-1 trials, close-out costs for our previously completed GEMINI, MOMENTUM, and CONCERT trials, costs associated with the COMET and MOVEMENT open-label safety and efficacy studies, and costs of studies to support our anticipated new drug application submissions for AXS-05 and AXS-07.

General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $28.9 million, compared to $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $15.3 million. The increase was primarily due to increased stock compensation expense, along with the build-out of the commercial function.

Interest and Amortization of Debt Discount Expense. Interest and amortization of debt discount expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $2.6 million, compared to $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $1.4 million. The increase was driven by a higher outstanding principal amount on our debt in 2020 as compared to 2019. The higher principal balance reflects our September 2020 loan and security agreement with Hercules from which we have drawn down $50 million as of December 31, 2020.

Tax Credit. Tax credit income for the year ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $0.1 million. This income represents the receipt by Axsome Therapeutics Australia PTY LTD, our Australian subsidiary, of the Australia Tax Incentive Credit related to the 2019 and 2018 research and development expenses incurred for our product candidates.

Loss on extinguishment of debt. In September 2020, we entered into the Loan Agreement with Hercules. A portion of the first tranche, which was funded upon execution of the 2020 Term Loan, was used to repay our 2019 Term Loan with SVB. As a result of the repayment of the 2019 Term Loan, we recorded a loss on the extinguishment of debt of approximately $1.2 million representing the difference between the amount paid to SVB and the carrying amount of the 2019 Term Loan. Included in the loss on extinguishment of debt is the prepayment premium, the unamortized discount and the write-off of deferred financing costs.

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Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

Year ended December 31,

Operating expenses:

Interest and amortization of debt discount expense (1,239,537 ) (1,127,305 )

Change in fair value of warrant liability — 2,791,000

Research and Development Expenses. Our research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $53.6 million, compared to $23.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $30.1 million. This increase was primarily due to trials that were initiated and completed in 2019, which included the GEMINI, MOMENTUM, and CONCERT trials, along with the initiation of the INTERCEPT and AXS-05 and AXS-07 open-label safety studies in 2019. Additionally, the 2019 expense included ongoing spend for our previously initiated clinical trials, which included STRIDE-1 and ADVANCE-1.

General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $13.6 million, as compared to $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $4.2 million. The change was primarily due to personnel costs, mainly associated with an increase in stock compensation expense, along with the build-out of the commercial function.

Interest and Amortization of Debt Discount Expense. Interest and amortization of debt discount expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $1.2 million, as compared to $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $0.1 million. The increase was primarily related to higher interest expense and amortization of the debt discount associated with our March 2019 loan and security agreement with SVB for $20 million, offset by interest income from our cash sweep account.

Tax Credit. Tax credit income for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $0.1 million, as compared to $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $0.1 million. This decrease reflects the receipt by Axsome Therapeutics Australia PTY LTD, our Australian subsidiary, of the Australia Tax Incentive Credit related to the 2018 and 2017 research and development expenses incurred for our product candidates.

Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liability.For the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded income of $2.8 million from the change in fair value of our warrant liability in connection with the warrants issued as part of our December 2017 registered direct offering. The change in fair value in 2018 is due to the decrease of our closing stock price over the course of the year, from when the warrants were initially issued in December 2017. These warrants expired in December 2018.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since our inception through December 31, 2020, we have financed our operations primarily through proceeds from equity offerings and debt borrowings. See discussion below.

In November 2015, we completed our IPO, in which we sold 5,666,667 shares of common stock at an offering price to the public of $9.00 per share. We received gross proceeds of approximately $51.0 million and net proceeds of approximately $45.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering-related transaction costs.

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In November 2016, we entered into a loan and security agreement with SVB for a term loan of up to $20.0 million, which we refer to as the Original Term Loan. The initial tranche of $10.0 million was funded shortly after executing the loan agreement. Because we did not achieve the conditional criteria to access the second and third tranches before the specified dates, the $10.0 million in additional term loan advances expired. In November 2018, we amended the loan and security agreement with SVB to provide an additional $4 million growth capital loan, related to our narcolepsy clinical program with AXS-12. We refer to this amendment as the First Amendment to the Original Term Loan. The additional capital was available to be drawn, at our option, subject to the achievement of a specified clinical milestone. Our obligations under the loan and security agreement, as amended, along with our ability to draw down on the additional $4.0 million tranche, were subsequently extinguished in connection with the establishment of a new term loan facility with SVB during March 2019 (see below).

On December 1, 2016, we filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC for the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights, debt securities and units up to an aggregate amount of $150.0 million, which we refer to as the 2016 Shelf Registration Statement. On December 16, 2016, the 2016 Shelf Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC. As discussed in greater detail below, we completed an offering of common stock in March 2017, entered into a sales agreement in October 2017 pursuant to which we sold shares of our common stock from time to time in an at-the-market offering until completion of the offering in January 2019, completed a registered direct offering priced at the market in December 2017 and September 2018, entered into a sales agreement in May 2019 pursuant to which we sold shares of our common stock from time to time in an at-the-market offering each utilizing the 2016 Shelf Registration Statement. The 2016 Shelf Registration expired in December 2019.

In March 2017, we completed an underwritten public offering, whereby we sold 4,304,813 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $3.74 per share. We received gross proceeds of approximately $16.1 million and net proceeds of approximately $14.8 million, net of underwriting discounts and offering expenses.

In October 2017, we entered into an “at-the-market” sales agreement, or the Sales Agreement, with Leerink Partners LLC, or now known as SVB Leerink, pursuant to which we could sell up to $30 million in shares of our common stock from time to time through SVB Leerink, acting as our sales agent, in one or more at-the-market offerings. In January 2019, we raised approximately $25.8 million in gross proceeds through the sale of 3,164,015 shares under the Sales Agreement. Upon completion of this final sale, the Sales Agreement was automatically terminated. SVB Leerink received a commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds for all shares sold under the Sales Agreement.

In December 2017, we completed a registered direct offering priced at the market, whereby we sold an aggregate of $9.5 million worth of units, or Units, at a purchase price of $5.325 per Unit, with each Unit consisting of (i) one share of our common stock, and (ii) a warrant to purchase one share of our common stock, or Common Warrant, at an exercise price equal to $5.25 per share. We sold an aggregate of 1,783,587 Units in the offering for gross proceeds of approximately $9.5 million and net proceeds of approximately $8.8 million, net of underwriting discounts and offering expenses. Additionally, we issued warrants to purchase up to 107,015 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $6.6562 per share to certain investors affiliated with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, placement agent for the offering, which we refer to as the Placement Agent Warrants. The Placement Agent Warrants had the same terms as the Common Warrants, except for the difference in exercise price noted above. Both the Common Warrants and the Placement Agent Warrants expired on December 11, 2018.

In September 2018, we entered into a purchase agreement with certain institutional and accredited investors, which we refer to as the RDO Investors, for the sale by us directly to the RDO Investors of an aggregate of 2,966,667 shares of our common stock, at a purchase price of $3.00 per share, which we refer to as the 2018 Registered Direct Offering, for gross proceeds of approximately $8.9 million. The 2018 Registered Direct Offering closed on October 1, 2018, and we received estimated net proceeds of approximately $8.8 million, after deducting transaction expenses. The 2,966,667 shares of common stock sold in the 2018 Registered Direct Offering were offered and sold by us directly to the RDO Investors, without a placement agent, underwriter, broker or dealer.

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In March 2019, we entered into a loan and security agreement, the 2019 Term Loan with SVB and WestRiver Innovation Lending Fund VIII, L.P., or WestRiver, for a term loan up to $24.0 million. The initial tranche of $20.0 million was funded shortly after executing the loan agreement. The second tranche of $4.0 million was available to be drawn, at our option, subject to the achievement of positive data, on or prior to August 15, 2019, with respect to our ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial for AXS‐12 in narcolepsy, sufficient to submit a Phase 3 protocol to FDA, provided that we had not received any objections from the FDA within thirty days after submission of such Phase 3 protocol A portion of the initial tranche was used to satisfy our existing obligations under our November 2016 term loan facility with SVB, as amended in November 2018, and such obligations are considered fully repaid and extinguished.In September 2020, we terminated and repaid all amounts outstanding under 2019 Term Loan in connection with our entry into the Loan Agreement (see below).

In May 2019, we entered into the May 2019 Sales Agreement with SVB Leerink, pursuant to which we may sell up to $50 million in shares of our common stock from time to time through SVB Leerink, acting as our sales agent, in one or more at-the-market offerings utilizing the 2016 Shelf Registration Statement. SVB Leerink is entitled to receive a commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds for any shares sold under the May 2019 Sales Agreement. Due to expiration of the 2016 Shelf Registration Statement, the shares that were unsold under the May 2019 Sales Agreement, were rolled over to the December 2019 Sales Agreement (see below).

In July 2019, we entered into the first amendment to the 2019 Term Loan, or the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan. Under the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan, the interest-only monthly payment period of the 2019 Term Loan was extended to 18 months after the date of the 2019 Term Loan, which could have been further extended to 24 months upon receipt by us of the Term B Loan Advance. Our ability to draw down the Term B Loan Advance was extended to December 31, 2019, subject to our achievement of the Milestone Event prior to or on December 31, 2019. The Loan Advances mature on February 1, 2023. See the subsection titled “July 2019 First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement – Silicon Valley Bank” under the “Contractual Obligations and Commitments” section below for a further description of the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan.

On December 5, 2019, we filed an automatic shelf registration statement with the SEC for the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights, debt securities and units up to an unlimited amount, which we refer to as the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement. It was declared effective by the SEC upon filing. As discussed in greater detail below, we entered into a sales agreement in December 2019 pursuant to which we sold shares of our common stock from time to time in an at-the-market offering and completed an offering of common stock in December 2019, each utilizing the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement. In the future, we may conduct additional offerings of one or more of these securities utilizing the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement in such amounts, prices and terms to be announced when and if the securities are offered. At the time any of our securities covered by the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement are offered for sale, a prospectus supplement will be prepared and filed with the SEC containing specific information about the terms of any such offering.

In December 2019, we entered into the December 2019 Sales Agreement with SVB Leerink, pursuant to which we may sell up to $80 million in shares of our common stock from time to time through SVB Leerink, acting as our sales agent, in one or more at-the-market offerings utilizing the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement. SVB Leerink is entitled to receive a commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds for any shares sold under the December 2019 Sales Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company received approximately $14.6 million in gross proceeds through the sale of 167,243 shares, of which net proceeds were approximately $14.1 million. For the year ended December 31, 2019, we received approximately $7.3 million in gross proceeds through the sale of 89,390 shares, of which net proceeds were approximately $7.1 million.

In December 2019, we completed an underwritten public offering, whereby we sold 2,300,000 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $87.00 per share. We received gross proceeds of approximately $200.1 million and net proceeds of approximately $187.1 million, net of underwriting discounts and offering expenses.

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In September 2020, we entered into the Loan Agreement with Hercules for the 2020 Term Loan, which consists of several tranches in an aggregate amount of up to $225.0 million. The first tranche consists of term loans in the amount of $60.0 million, of which $50.0 million was funded shortly after executing the Loan Agreement and the remaining $10.0 million is available at our option at any time through September 15, 2021. A portion of the initial tranche was used to repay the 2019 Term Loan along with associated final payment fees. The remaining $115 million may be drawn at our option, in three separate tranches, as described below under “Contractual Obligations - September 2020 Loan and Security Agreement – Hercules.” An additional $50 million is available, subject to the approval of Hercules, to support future strategic initiatives, including further pipeline advancement or expansion. The 2020 Term Loan bears interest at a calculated prime-based variable rate currently at 9.15%. It matures in October 2025 and has an initial interest-only payment period of 30 months, which may be extended to up to 48 months upon the drawing of future tranches.

In the future, we may conduct additional offerings of one or more of the securities covered by the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement in such amounts, prices and terms to be announced when and if the securities are offered. At the time any of our securities covered by the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement are offered for sale, a prospectus supplement will be prepared and filed with the SEC containing specific information about the terms of any such offering.

We believe our current cash, along with the committed capital from the Hercules Loan Agreement, will be sufficient to fund our anticipated operations, based on our current operating plans which includes costs for the commercial launch of AXS-05 in MDD and AXS-07 in migraine into at least 2024. Because the process of commercializing products and evaluating product candidates in clinical trials is costly and the timing of progress in these trials is uncertain, it is possible that the assumptions upon which we have based this estimate may prove to be wrong, and we could use our capital resources sooner than we currently expect.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our primary sources and uses of cash for the periods indicated:

Year ended December 31,

Net cash (used in) provided by:

Operating Activities. Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $78.5 million as compared to $46.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase of $32.1 million in net cash used was primarily related to higher research and development spend related to multiple product candidates in clinical trials as well as costs related to preparations for our anticipated NDA submissions, the build-out of the commercial function and the upfront cash payment of $3.0 million to Pfizer.

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $46.4 million as compared to $30.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase of $16.3 million in net cash used was primarily related to higher research and development spend related to multiple product candidates in clinical trials.

Investing Activities. Cash used in investing activities for the purchase of equipment was less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.

Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $42.4 million, which included proceeds from the 2020 Term Loan of $50.0 million, net proceeds from the sale of common stock through the December 2019 Sales Agreement of $14.1 million and proceeds from the issuance of common stock upon exercise of employee stock options of $1.0 million. These proceeds were offset by the repayment of the March 2019 term loan with SVB of $21.7 million.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $252.4 million, which includes net proceeds from the sale of common stock in the December 2019 public offering of $187.1 million, $51.6

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million in proceeds from sales made through at-the market offerings, $1.4 million from the exercise of options and warrants, and $20.0 million in proceeds from our March 2019 term loan which was partially offset by principal repayment on our term loan of $7.2 million.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $10.0 million, which includes net proceeds from the sale of common stock in the October 2018 registered direct offering of $8.8 million, $4.1 million in proceeds from sales made through at-the-market offerings, as well as $0.5 million from the exercise of options and warrants, partially offset by principal repayment on our term loan of $3.3 million.

Funding requirements

We have not achieved profitability since our inception and we expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future. We expect our losses to increase as we continue the development of and seek regulatory approvals for our product candidates and begin to commercialize any approved products. We are subject to all of the risks pertinent to the development of new product candidates, and we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays, and other unknown factors that may harm our business.

We may need to raise additional financing in the future to fund our operations. In the event that we need additional financing, we may incur additional debt, license certain intellectual property, and seek to sell additional equity or convertible securities that may result in dilution to our stockholders. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible securities, these securities could have rights or preferences senior to those of our common stock and could contain covenants that restrict our operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional equity or debt financing on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

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

• the expenses needed to attract and retain skilled personnel;

• the general and administrative expenses related to being a public company;

Please see “Risk Factors” for additional risks associated with our substantial capital requirements.

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Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following is a summary of our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020:

Less than More than

Total one year 1 - 3 years 3 - 5 years 5 years

License agreement with Pfizer

In January 2020, we entered into a license agreement with Pfizer. Under the terms of our exclusive license agreement with Pfizer, Pfizer received 82,019 shares of our common stock having a value of $8.0 million, based on the average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the 10 prior trading days of $97.538, in consideration for the license and rights. Pfizer also received an upfront cash payment of $3.0 million and will also receive up to $323 million upon the achievement of certain regulatory and sales milestones, and tiered mid-single to low double-digit royalties on future sales. Pfizer will also have a right of first negotiation on any potential future strategic transactions involving AXS-12 and AXS-14. For a more detailed description of these agreements, please see “Business—Material License Agreements.”

License agreements with Antecip Bioventures

Under three exclusive license agreements with Antecip Bioventures II LLC, or Antecip, an entity owned by our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Herriot Tabuteau, M.D., we are obligated to make specified royalty payments ranging from 1.5% to 4.5%, subject to up to a 50% reduction depending on required payments to third parties, on net sales of licensed products. The amount, timing, and likelihood of such payments are not known. For a more detailed description of these agreements, please see “Business—Material License Agreements.”

November 2016 Loan and Security Agreement—Silicon Valley Bank

In November 2016, we entered into the 2016 Original Term Loan with SVB and Life Sciences Loans, LLC, for a term loan of up to $20.0 million. The initial tranche of $10.0 million was funded shortly after executing the loan agreement. We were scheduled to make interest only payments on the loan until December 1, 2017, which could have been extended under certain circumstances. Under the terms of the loan, we had the opportunity, but not the obligation to, draw two additional tranches of $5.0 million each prior to November 9, 2017 and December 31, 2017, subject to the achievement of certain clinical and financial milestones. Because we did not achieve the conditional criteria to access the second and third tranches before the specified dates, the $10.0 million in additional term loan advances expired.

The 2016 Original Term Loan accrued interest at an annual rate equal to 4.50% plus the prime rate, which was the greater of 3.50% or the Wall Street Journal prime rate, and was payable monthly. Following the interest only payment period, we began making monthly payments of principal and interest. In addition, we were required to pay a final payment fee of 8.5% of the principal amount extended to us on the date of repayment of the outstanding loan.

We were permitted to prepay all, but not less than all, of the 2016 Original Term Loan subject to a prepayment premium of 3.0% of the outstanding principal if prepaid within two years of the effective date of the loan, 2.0% of the outstanding principal if prepaid during the third year of the loan, and 1.0% of the outstanding principal if prepaid after the third year. The term loan was collateralized by a security interest in all of our assets except intellectual property. Our intellectual property was subject to a negative pledge.

In connection with the loan, SVB and Life Science Loans, LLC, received warrants to purchase an aggregate 65,228 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $7.41 per share, which were exercisable for seven years from the date of issuance.

We allocated the proceeds of $10.0 million based on the relative fair values of the debt instrument and the warrant instrument. The relative fair value of the warrants of approximately $0.3 million at the time of issuance, which

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was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was recorded as additional paid-in capital and reduced the carrying value of the debt. The discount on the debt was being amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt.

In November 2018, we amended the 2016 Original Term Loan with SVB and WestRiver Innovation Lending Fund VIII, L.P, to provide an additional $4 million growth capital loan, related to our narcolepsy clinical program with AXS-12. The additional capital was available to be drawn, at our option, subject to the achievement of a specified clinical milestone. In connection with the 2016 Amended Term Loan, SVB and WestRiver received warrants to purchase an aggregate 15,750 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.06 per share, which were exercisable for seven years from the date of issuance.

Our obligations under the 2016 Amended Term Loan, along with the ability to draw down on the additional $4.0 million tranche, were considered to be performed and completed in connection with the establishment of the 2019 Term Loan during March 2019.

March 2019 Loan and Security Agreement—Silicon Valley Bank

In March 2019, we entered into the 2019 Term Loan with SVB and WestRiver consisting of an initial $20.0 million tranche, which was funded shortly upon closing, with the remaining $4.0 million available to be drawn, at our option, subject to the achievement of positive data, on or prior to August 15, 2019, with respect to our ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial for AXS-12 in narcolepsy, sufficient to submit a Phase 3 protocol to the FDA, provided that we have not received any objections from the FDA within thirty days after submission of such Phase 3 protocol. A portion of the first tranche was used to satisfy our then-existing obligations under our 2016 Amended Term Loan and such obligations are considered to be fully repaid and completed.

The 2019 Term Loan accrued interest on the unpaid principal balance of the outstanding loan advances at a floating per annum rate equal to the greater of (i) seven and one-half of one percent (7.50%) and (ii) two percent (2.0%) above the prime rate and is payable monthly. The 2019 Term Loan initially had an interest-only monthly payment period for twelve months which was extendable to 18 months upon drawing of the second tranche. Following the interest only payment period, we would have begun making monthly payments of principal and interest. In addition, we were initially required to pay a final payment fee of 6.0% of the principal amount extended to us on the date of repayment of the outstanding loan, which was increased to 6.3% in connection with the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan, as described below.

We were permitted to prepay all, but not less than all, of the 2019 Term Loan, subject to a prepayment premium of 3.0% of the outstanding principal if prepaid within one year of the effective date of the loan, 2.0% of the outstanding principal if prepaid after the first anniversary of the effective date but on prior to the second anniversary of the effective date, and 1.0% of the outstanding principal if prepaid after the second anniversary of the effective date. The term loan was collateralized by a security interest in all of our assets except intellectual property. Our intellectual property was subject to a negative pledge.

In connection with the 2019 Term Loan, SVB and WestRiver received warrants, or the March 2019 Warrants, to purchase an aggregate 70,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $8.10 per share, which were exercisable for seven years from the date of issuance. The warrants were to be earned based upon the usage of the facility and are exercisable until March 4, 2026. The warrants were classified as a component of stockholders’ equity, of which 58,332 warrants were immediately exercisable and the remaining 11,668 warrants would be earned upon drawing of the second $4.0 million tranche under the loan. In connection with the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan, the shares of common stock issuable under each of the March 2019 Warrants were fixed at 29,167 shares, as described further below.

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We allocated the proceeds of $20.0 million based on the relative fair values of the debt instrument and the warrant instrument. The relative fair value of the warrants of approximately $0.4 million at the time of issuance, which was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was recorded as additional paid-in capital and reduced the carrying value of the debt. The discount on the debt was amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt.

July 2019 First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement—Silicon Valley Bank

In July 2019, we entered into the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan. Under the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan, the interest-only monthly payment period of the 2019 Term Loan was extended to 18 months after the date of the 2019 Term Loan, which may be further extended to 24 months upon receipt by us of the Term B Loan Advance. Our ability to draw down the Term B Loan Advance was extended to December 31, 2019, subject to our achievement of the Milestone Event prior to or on December 31, 2019. The Loan Advances matured on February 1, 2023.

Pursuant to the 2019 Term Loan, as amended by the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan, following the interest-only payment period, we would have begun making monthly payments of principal in equal monthly installments for 30 consecutive months (provided, that, upon the occurrence of the Milestone Event, the repayment schedule will be decreased to 24 consecutive months) and monthly payments of interest, until the Maturity Date. Interest accrued on the unpaid principal balance of the outstanding Loan Advances at a floating per annum rate equal to the greater of (i) seven and one-half of one percent (7.50%) and (ii) two percent (2.0%) above the prime rate. The First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan increased the final payment fee, payable upon our repayment of the Loan Advances from 6.0% to 6.30% of the original principal amount of the Loan Advances.

We could have prepaid all, but not less than all of the Loan Advances, subject to a prepayment fee of 3.0% of any amount prepaid prior to the first anniversary of July 25, 2019, or the First Amendment Effective Date, 2.0% of the amount prepaid if the prepayment occurs after the first anniversary of the First Amendment Effective Date through and including the second anniversary of the First Amendment Effective Date, or 1.0% of the amount prepaid if the prepayment occurs after the second anniversary of the First Amendment Effective Date, but prior to the Maturity Date. These percentages were unchanged from the original 2019 Term Loan.

In connection with the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan, the March 2019 Warrants were amended to fix the number of shares that may be issued upon exercise of each such March 2019 Warrant at 29,167 shares of common stock, and SVB and WestRiver were issued the July 2019 Warrants, which become exercisable only upon funding of the Term B Loan Advance, to purchase 5,750 shares of our common stock at a price per share equal to $25.71. The July 2019 Warrants replace the portion of the March 2019 Warrants that could originally be earned by SVB and WestRiver upon funding of the Term B Loan Advance. The July 2019 Warrants, if earned, would have been exercisable until July 24, 2026 and would be exercised automatically on a net issuance basis if not exercised prior to the expiration date and if the then-current fair market value of one share of our common stock is greater than the exercise price then in effect.

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September 2020 Loan and Security Agreement – Hercules

In September 2020, we entered into the Loan Agreement with Hercules, in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent and as a lender, and the other financial institutions that may from time to time become parties to the Loan Agreement as lenders, which we collectively refer to as the Lenders. The Loan Agreement provides for term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $225.0 million under multiple tranches. The tranches consist of (i) a first tranche consisting of term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $60.0 million, of which $50.0 million, or the First Advance, was funded at closing, and of which the remaining $10.0 million is available at our option at any time through September 15, 2021; (ii) subject to the FDA approval of our AXS-05 product candidate for the treatment of major depressive disorder, or the First Milestone, a second tranche consisting of additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $35.0 million, available at our option beginning on the date that the First Milestone is achieved through the earlier of (A) 181 days following such date and (B) June 30, 2022; (iii) subject to the approval of our AXS-07 product candidate for the treatment of migraine, or the Second Milestone, a third tranche consisting of additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $20.0 million, available at our option beginning on the date that the Second Milestone is achieved through the earlier of (A) 181 days following such date and (B) June 30, 2022; (iv) subject to the achievement of either the First Milestone or the Second Milestone and so long as we are in compliance with a required ratio of Lender indebtedness to net product revenue, a fourth tranche consisting of additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $60.0 million, available at our option beginning on January 1, 2022 and continuing through March 31, 2023; and (v) subject to approval by the Lenders in their discretion, a fifth tranche of additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $50.0 million, available through December 31, 2023. We intend to use the proceeds of the Term Loan Advances for working capital and general corporate purposes. In addition, approximately $21.7 million of the proceeds from the First Advance was used to satisfy in full and retire our indebtedness under the 2019 Term Loan, as amended.

The outstanding principal balance of the term loans bears interest at an annual rate equal to the greater of either (i) the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal plus 5.90% or (ii) 9.15%, subject to an ability by us, during certain periods, each such period a PIK Deferral Period, to request a reduction of the then-effective cash-pay interest rate by up to 1.00% per annum, which we refer to as the Cash Interest Reduction Amount. Accrued interest is payable monthly following the funding of each term loan. During each PIK Deferral Period, the term loans will bear cash-pay interest, at the reduced amount, and will accrue paid-in-kind interest at a rate equal to the Cash Interest Reduction Amount multiplied by 1.15, which amount will be capitalized and added to the outstanding principal balance of the term loans on each monthly interest payment date during the PIK Deferral Period. We are required to repay the term loans in equal installments of principal and interest commencing on May 1, 2023 through October 1, 2025, which is the Maturity Date. However, if either the First Milestone or the Second Milestone are achieved prior to May 1, 2023, and no default exists, the amortization commencement date will be automatically extended to November 1, 2023; if both the First Milestone and the Second Milestone are achieved prior to November 1, 2023, and no default exists, the amortization commencement date will be further automatically extended to May 1, 2024 and if any term loans are funded under the fourth tranche noted above prior to May 1, 2024, and no default exists, the amortization commencement date will be further automatically extended to November 1, 2024. On the Maturity Date, all unpaid term loans will be due and payable.

As collateral for the obligations, we have granted to Hercules a senior security interest in all our right, title, and interest in, to and under all of our property, inclusive of intellectual property, which includes one of our existing license agreements with Antecip, subject to limited exceptions. Antecip consented to the collateral assignment of the License Agreement, among other things, under a Direct Agreement with us and Hercules.

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The Loan Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including covenants by us limiting additional indebtedness, liens (including a negative pledge on intellectual property and other assets), guaranties, mergers and consolidations, substantial asset sales, investments and loans, certain corporate changes, transactions with affiliates and fundamental changes. At the initial closing, there were no applicable financial covenants contained in the Loan Agreement. Only after additional amounts are drawn down by us in the future, if we decide to do so, under the terms set forth in the Loan Agreement, there will be certain limited financial covenants that will apply, including:

Our obligations under the Loan Agreement are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of specified events of default, including payment default, insolvency and a material adverse change in our business, operations or financial or other condition.

In addition, we are required to pay a final payment fee equal to the greater of (A) $2,910,000 and (B) 4.85% of the aggregate amount of all term loan advances minus the aggregate amount of repayments made. The final payment fee is being accreted and amortized into interest expense using the effective interest rate method over the term of the loan.

We may, at our option prepay the term loans in full or in part, subject to a prepayment penalty equal to (i) 2.0% of the principal amount prepaid if the prepayment occurs prior to the first anniversary of the initial closing, (ii) 1.5% of the principal amount prepaid if the prepayment occurs on or after the first anniversary and prior to the second anniversary of the initial closing, and (iii) 1.0% of the principal amount prepaid if the prepayment occurs on or after the second anniversary and prior to the third anniversary of the initial closing.

Shelf Registration Statement

On December 5, 2019, we filed a Form S-3ASR (File No. 333-235372) with the SEC, or the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement, for the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights, debt securities and units, which became effective immediately upon filing. At the time any of the securities covered by the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement are offered for sale, a prospectus supplement will be prepared and filed with the SEC containing specific information about the terms of any such offering.

Impact of the CARES Act

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted and signed into law, and GAAP requires recognition of the tax effects of new legislation during the reporting period that

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includes the enactment date. The CARES Act, among other things, includes changes to the tax provisions that benefits business entities and makes certain technical corrections to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including, permitting net operating losses (“NOLs”), carryovers and carrybacks to offset 100% of taxable income for taxable years beginning before 2021. In addition, the CARES Act allows NOLs incurred in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back to each of the five preceding taxable years to generate a refund of previously paid income taxes. The CARES Act provides other reliefs and stimulus measures. We have evaluated the impact of the CARES Act, however, at present we do not expect that any provision of the CARES Act would result in a material cash benefit to us or have a material impact on our financial statements or internal controls over financial reporting.

Impact of COVID-19 on our Business

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China, causing outbreaks of the coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, that has now spread globally. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a public health emergency. The Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency in the United States on January 31, 2020, under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d), in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

Operations and Liquidity

The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown and rapidly evolving. While the potential economic impact brought by and over the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic may be difficult to assess or predict, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant disruption of global financial markets, which could in the future negatively affect our liquidity. In addition, a recession or market volatility resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic could affect our business. We have taken proactive, aggressive action throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to protect the health and safety of our employees, and expect to continue to implement these measures until we determine that the COVID-19 pandemic is adequately contained for purposes of our business. We may take further actions as government authorities require or recommend or as we determine to be in the best interests of our employees. To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had significant effects on the progression of our clinical trials. Given the nature and type of our short-term investments, we do not believe that the COVID-19 pandemic will have a material impact on our current investment liquidity.

Outlook

Although there is uncertainty related to the anticipated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our future results, we believe our current cash reserves, coupled with our access to additional capital through the December 2019 Sales Agreement, leave us well-positioned to manage our business through this crisis as it continues to unfold. However, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are broad-reaching and continuing and the financial impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic are still uncertain.

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its dynamic nature, including uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the pandemic, and actions that have been or may be taken by governmental authorities to contain the pandemic or to treat its impact, it is difficult to forecast the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.

Despite the economic uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we intend to continue to focus on the development of our product candidates. We continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation and guidance from international and domestic authorities, including federal, state and local public health authorities and we may take additional actions based on their recommendations. In these circumstances, there may be developments outside of our control requiring us to adjust our operating plan. As such, given the dynamic nature of this situation, we cannot reasonably estimate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in the future.

Off‐Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off‐balance sheet arrangements, as defined by applicable SEC regulations.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements included in Part IV, Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These market risks are principally limited to interest rate fluctuations. We had cash of $183.9 million as of December 31, 2020. The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal and liquidity while maximizing income without significantly increasing risk. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes. Due to the short‐term nature of our investment portfolio and debt agreement, we do not believe an immediate 100 basis point increase in interest rates would have a material effect on the fair market value of our portfolio, and, accordingly, we do not expect our operating results or cash flows to be materially affected by a sudden change in market interest rates.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We contract with vendors and third‐party manufacturers in several foreign countries. Several of these contracts are denominated in Euros, British pounds, and Australian dollars. We are therefore subject to fluctuations in foreign currency rates in connection with these agreements, and recognize foreign exchange gains or losses in our statement of operations. We have not historically hedged our foreign currency exchange rate risk. To date, we have not incurred any material effects from foreign currency changes on these contracts.

We do not believe a 10% change in these currencies on December 31, 2020 would have had a material effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Inflation Risk

Inflation generally affects us by increasing our cost of labor and pricing of contracts. We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations during the year ended December 31, 2020.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

Our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, included in Part IV, Item 15(a), part 1, are incorporated by reference into this Item 8.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

ITEM 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020. The term "disclosure controls and procedures," as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, mean controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in

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evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, or COSO Framework. Our management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on these criteria.

The independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting. The report on the audit of internal control over financial reporting is included in this Annual Report on Form 10 K.

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls. Our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, does not expect that our internal controls over financial reporting and procedures will prevent all errors and fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our Company have been detected.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

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PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from our Proxy Statement for our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or will be included in an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

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PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS and FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(a)1.Consolidated Financial Statements

The following consolidated financial statements of Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. are filed as part of this report.

Contents Page

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-1

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 F-4

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-8

2.Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules

The financial statement schedule entitled “Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts” has been omitted since the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. Other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the Financial Statements or notes thereto.

3.Exhibits

The list of exhibits filed with this report is set forth in the Exhibit Index following the signature page and is incorporated herein by reference.

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Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-1

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 F-4

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-8

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated March 1, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the account or disclosure to which it relates.

Accounting for the Hercules Capital, Inc. warrants

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/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.

New York, New York

March 1, 2021

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.’s (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and our report dated March 1, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York

March 1, 2021

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Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31,

Assets

Current assets:

Right-of-use asset - operating lease 1,739,475 —

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Current liabilities:

Operating lease liability, current portion 1,220,587 —

Loan payable, current portion — 2,602,292

Operating lease liability, long-term 581,708 —

Stockholders’ equity:

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

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Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Year ended December 31,

Operating expenses:

Change in fair value of warrant liability — — 2,791,000

Loss on extinguishment of debt (1,247,012 ) — —

Net loss per common share, basic and diluted $ (2.77 ) $ (2.01 ) $ (1.15 )

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

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Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Common stock

Additional Accumulated Total stockholders’

Shares Amount paid-in capital deficit equity (deficit)

Issuance of warrants upon debt financing — — 37,842 — 37,842

Issuance of warrants upon debt financing — — 387,000 — 387,000

Issuance of warrants upon debt financing — — 884,216 — 884,216

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

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Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Year ended December 31,

Cash flows from operating activities

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

Non-cash research and development license expense 7,155,337 — —

Loss on extinguishment of debt 1,247,012 — —

Amortization of operating lease right-of-use asset 53,854 — —

Change in fair value of warrants — — (2,791,000 )

Change in operating lease liability 8,967 — —

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash financing activity:

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

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Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (“Axsome” or the “Company”) is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for central nervous system (“CNS”) disorders for which there are limited treatment options. By focusing on this therapeutic area, the Company is addressing significant and growing markets where current treatment options are limited or inadequate. The Company’s core CNS portfolio includes five product candidates, AXS‐05, AXS-07, AXS-09, AXS-12, and AXS-14 which are being developed for multiple indications. The Company aims to become a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes differentiated therapies that expand the treatment options available to caregivers and improve the lives of patients living with CNS disorders. The Company was incorporated on January 12, 2012 in the State of Delaware and now has operations in the United States and Australia.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position for the periods presented. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated during the consolidation process.

Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation

In connection with the completion of the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) on November 24, 2015, the Company’s stockholders approved an amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation, in which its authorized capital stock consists of 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has incurred operating losses since its inception, and expects to continue to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future and may never become profitable. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $278.8 million.

The Company’s primary sources of cash have been proceeds from the issuance and sale of its common stock in public offerings. The Company has not yet commercialized any of its product candidates and cannot be sure if it will ever be able to do so. The Company’s ability to achieve profitability depends on a number of factors, including its ability to obtain regulatory approval for its product candidates, successfully complete any post-approval regulatory obligations and successfully commercialize its product candidates alone or in partnership. The Company may continue to incur substantial operating losses even if it begins to generate revenues from its product candidates.

The Company believes its existing cash will be sufficient to fund its anticipated operating cash requirements for at least twelve months following the date of this filing. The actual amount of cash that the Company will need to operate is subject to many factors, including, but not limited to, the timing, design and conduct of clinical trials for its product candidates. The Company may use a combination of public and private equity offerings, debt financings, other third-party funding, strategic alliances, licensing arrangements or marketing and distribution arrangements if market conditions are favorable or in light of other strategic considerations to finance its future cash needs.

The Company’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market and trades under the symbol “AXSM”.

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Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Impact of COVID-19

In December 2019, a novel (new) coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China, causing outbreaks of the coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, that has now spread globally. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a public health emergency. The Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency in the United States on January 31, 2020, under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d), in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown and rapidly evolving. While the potential economic impact brought by and over the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic may be difficult to assess or predict, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant disruption of global financial markets, which could in the future negatively affect the Company’s liquidity. In addition, a recession or market volatility resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic could affect the Company’s business. Given the nature and type of the Company’s short-term investments, the Company does not believe the COVID-19 pandemic has had a material impact on the Company’s current investment liquidity.

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, if approved; competition from products manufactured and sold or being developed by other companies; the price of, and demand for, the Company’s products, if approved; the Company’s ability to negotiate favorable licensing or other manufacturing and marketing agreements for its products, if approved; and the Company’s ability to raise additional financing. If the Company does not successfully commercialize any of its product candidates, it will be unable to generate recurring product revenue or achieve and maintain profitability.

Use of Estimates

Foreign Currency Translation

Expenses denominated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the date the expense is 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 financial statements.

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Segment and Geographic 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, which is the business of developing novel therapies for the management of CNS disorders.

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 December 31, 2020, the balance of cash and cash equivalents was $183.9 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.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist of cash. The Company maintains its cash at financial institutions, which at times, exceed federally insured limits. At December 31, 2020, the majority of the Company’s cash was held by one financial institution and the amount on deposit was in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. The Company has not recognized any losses from credit risks on such accounts since inception. The Company believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk on cash.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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—Inputs that are unobservable for the asset or liability.

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. A financial instrument’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, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and current and long-term debt. The carrying values for cash, accounts payable and accrued liabilities 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 (see Note 6 – Loan and Security Agreement), is estimated to approximate its fair value as the interest rate approximates the market rate for loans with similar terms and risk characteristics.

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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. These expenses are deferred and amortized as part of interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations using the effective interest rate method over the term of the debt agreement.

Equipment

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 personnel costs for our research and development employees, costs incurred to third-party service providers for the conduct of research, preclinical and clinical studies, laboratory supplies, product license fees, consulting and other related expenses. We estimate research, preclinical and clinical study expenses based on services performed, pursuant to contracts with third-party research and development organizations that conduct and manage research, preclinical and clinical activities on our behalf. We estimate these expenses based on discussions with internal management personnel and external service providers as to the progress or stage of completion of services and the contracted fees to be paid for such services. If the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from the original estimates, we will adjust the accrual accordingly. Payments associated with licensing agreements to acquire licenses to develop, use, manufacture and commercialize products that have not reached technological feasibility and do not have alternative future use are expensed as incurred. Payments made to third parties under these arrangements in advance of the performance of the related services by the third parties are recorded as prepaid expenses until the services are rendered.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, operating losses, and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are provided if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company’s annual effective tax rate was 0% for the year ending December 31, 2020 and has not recorded an income tax benefit for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 since it determined that a full valuation allowance is required against the Company’s deferred tax assets.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances. When uncertain tax positions exist, the Company recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that the benefit will more likely than not be realized. As of December 31, 2020, the Company does not believe any material uncertain tax positions are present. In the event the Company determines that accrual of interest or penalties are necessary in the future, the amount will be presented as a component of income tax expense.

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Stock‐Based Compensation

For stock options issued, the Company estimates the grant date fair value of each option using the Black‐Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes model takes into account the expected volatility of the Company’s common stock, the risk-free interest rate, the estimated life of the option, the closing market price of the Company’s common stock and the exercise price. The estimates utilized in the Black-Scholes calculation involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. In addition, the Company recognizes expense for equity award forfeitures as they occur. For awards subject to service-based vesting conditions, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting term.

For restricted stock units (“RSUs”), the Company issues them in the form of Company common stock. The fair market value of these awards is based on the market closing price per share on the grant date. Prior to January 1, 2020, the Company only granted stock options. Beginning in 2020, for grants to employees, the Company granted a mix of stock options and RSUs.

For awards subject to service-based vesting conditions, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting term. For awards subject to performance-based vesting conditions, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense using the accelerated attribution method when it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. The expense related to the stock-based compensation is recorded within the same financial statement line item as the grantee’s cash compensation.

The Company’s policy upon exercise of stock options and RSUs is that shares will be issued as new shares drawing on the Company’s 2015 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan share pool that was adopted by the stockholders in November 2015.

Tax Credit

The tax credit represents the receipt by Axsome Therapeutics Australia PTY, LTD, the Company’s Australian subsidiary, of the Australia Tax Incentive Credit, related to the Company’s research and development expenses incurred for its product candidates. These expenses were incurred in prior periods and therefore the grant income was recorded when the funds were received.

Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Common Share

Basic net loss per share of common stock is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share of common stock includes the effect, if any, from the potential exercise or conversion of securities, such as warrants, stock options, and RSUs, which would result in the issuance of incremental shares of common stock. As the impact of these items is anti-dilutive during periods of net loss, there was no difference between basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at contract inception. Operating lease assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. When evaluating whether a contract contains a lease, the Company considers whether (1) the contract explicitly or implicitly identifies assets that are contractually defined and (2) the Company obtains substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of that underlying asset and directs how and for what purpose the asset is used during the term of the contract.

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The Company’s lease agreement contains lease and non-lease components. Non-lease components primarily include payments for maintenance and utilities. The Company has applied the practical expedient to combine fixed payments for non-lease components withlease payments and account for them together as a single lease component, which increases the amount of lease assets and corresponding liabilities.Payments under the Company’s lease arrangement are primarily fixed, howevervariable payments,are expensed as incurred and not included in the operating lease asset and liability.

Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the lease based upon the present value of lease payments over the lease term. When determining the lease term, the Company includes options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The Company uses the implicit interest rate when readily determinable and uses the Company’s incremental borrowing rate when the implicit rate is not readily determinable based upon the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of the lease payments.

The Company’s operating leases are reflected in the right-of-use operating asset; operating lease liability, current portion; and operating lease liability, long-term portion in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Short-term leases, defined as leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less at the commencement date, and do not include an option to extend the term or purchase the underlying asset that that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise, are excluded from this treatment and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, enhances and simplifies various aspects of the income tax accounting guidance, including requirements such as tax basis step-up in goodwill obtained in a transaction that is not a business combination, ownership changes in investments, and interim-period accounting for enacted changes in tax law. ASU 2019-12 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating the expected impact of this standard, but does not expect it to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-10, Codification Improvements, which clarifies various topics in the Accounting Standards Codification, including the addition of existing disclosure requirements to the relevant disclosure sections. The amendments in ASU 2020-10 do not change GAAP and, therefore, are not expected to result in a significant change in practice. ASU 2020-10 should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the period that includes the adoption date. ASU 2020-10 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this new standard to have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Note 3. Fair Value Measurements

2017 Warrants associated with Registered Direct Offering

In connection with the Company’s 2017 Registered Direct Offering, the Company issued common stock warrants (“Common Warrants”) to certain investors to purchase an aggregate of 1,783,587 shares of its common stock. The Common Warrants were exercisable at $5.25 per share and expired on December 11, 2018. Additionally, as part of the 2017 Registered Direct Offering, the Company issued warrants (the “Placement Agent Warrants’) to certain investors affiliated with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, the placement agent in the 2017 Registered Direct Offering to purchase an aggregate of 107,015 shares of its common stock. The Placement Agent Warrants were exercisable at $6.6562 and expired on December 11, 2018. The Common Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants (collectively the “2017 Warrants”) were analyzed and it was determined that they required liability treatment. Under ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”), registered common stock warrants that require the issuance of registered shares upon exercise and do not expressly preclude an implied right to cash settlement are accounted for as derivative liabilities.

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The fair value of the Common Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants at December 31, 2017 were determined to be approximately $2,683,000 and $108,000, respectively, which total to $2,791,000 as calculated using Black-Scholes with the following assumptions: (1) stock price of $5.60; (2) a risk-free rate of 1.76%; and (3) an expected volatility of 62%.

The 2017 Warrants associated with 2017 Registered Direct Offering expired on December 11, 2018, and therefore, the warrant liability was zero as of December 31, 2018.

There were no financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Note 4.Net Loss per Common Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per common share:

Year ended December 31,

Basic and diluted net loss per common share:

Net loss per common share—basic and diluted $ (2.77 ) $ (2.01 ) $ (1.15 )

The following potentially dilutive securities outstanding at December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding, as they would be anti‐dilutive:

December 31,

Restricted stock units 136,067 — —

Note 5. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, accrued expenses consisted of the following:

December 31,

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Note 6.Loan and Security Agreement

Hercules Capital, Inc.

2020 Term Loan

In September 2020, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Hercules Capital, Inc., in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent and as a lender (in such capacity, the “Agent” or “Hercules”) and the other financial institutions that from time to time become parties to the Loan Agreement as lenders (collectively, the “Lenders”). The Loan Agreement provides for term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $225.0 million under multiple tranches (the “2020 Term Loan”). The tranches consist of (i) a first tranche consisting of term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $60.0 million, of which $50.0 million was funded to the Company on the Closing Date (the “First Advance”), and of which the remaining $10.0 million is available at the Company’s option at any time through September 15, 2021; (ii) subject to the approval of the Company’s AXS-05 product candidate for the treatment of major depressive disorder (the “First Milestone”), a second tranche consisting of additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $35.0 million, available at the Company’s option beginning on the date that the First Milestone is achieved through the earlier of (A) 181 days following such date and (B) June 30, 2022; (iii) subject to the approval of the Company’s AXS-07 product candidate for the treatment of migraine (the “Second Milestone”), a third tranche consisting of additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $20.0 million, available at the Company’s option beginning on the date that the Second Milestone is achieved through the earlier of (A) 181 days following such date and (B) June 30, 2022; (iv) subject to the achievement of either the First Milestone or the Second Milestone and so long as the Company is in compliance with a required ratio of Lender indebtedness to net product revenue, a fourth tranche consisting of additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $60.0 million, available at the Company’s option beginning on January 1, 2022 and continuing through March 31, 2023; and (v) subject to approval by the Lenders’ in their discretion, a fifth tranche of additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $50.0 million, available through December 31, 2023. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Term Loan Advances for working capital and general corporate purposes. In addition, approximately $21.7 million of the proceeds from the First Advance was used to satisfy in full and retire the Company’s indebtedness under the 2019 Term Loan, as amended.

The Company is required to repay the term loans in equal installments of principal and interest commencing on May 1, 2023 through October 1, 2025 (the “Maturity Date”). However, if either the First Milestone or the Second Milestone are achieved prior to May 1, 2023, and no default exists, the amortization commencement date will be automatically extended to November 1, 2023; if both the First Milestone and the Second Milestone are achieved prior to November 1, 2023, and no default exists, the amortization commencement date will be further automatically extended to May 1, 2024 and if any term loans are funded under the fourth tranche noted above prior to May 1, 2024, and no default exists, the amortization commencement date will be further automatically extended to November 1, 2024. On the Maturity Date, all unpaid term loans will be due and payable.

As collateral for the obligations, the Company has granted to Hercules a senior security interest in all of Company’s right, title, and interest in, to and under all of Company’s property, inclusive of intellectual property, which includes one of the Company’s existing license agreements (the “License Agreement”) with Antecip Bioventures II LLC (“Antecip”), an entity owned by Axsome’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Herriot Tabuteau, M.D., subject to limited exceptions. Antecip consented to the collateral assignment of the License Agreement, among other things, under a direct agreement (the “Direct Agreement”) with the Company and Hercules.

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The Loan Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including covenants by the Company limiting additional indebtedness, liens (including a negative pledge on intellectual property and other assets), guaranties, mergers and consolidations, substantial asset sales, investments and loans, certain corporate changes, transactions with affiliates and fundamental changes. At the initial closing, there were no applicable financial covenants contained in the Loan Agreement. Only after additional amounts are drawn down by the Company in the future, if the Company decides to do so, under the terms set forth in the Loan Agreement, there will be certain limited financial covenants that will apply, including:

The Company’s obligations under the Loan Agreement are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of specified events of default, including payment default, insolvency and a material adverse change in the Borrower’s business, operations or financial or other condition.

In addition, the Company is required to pay a final payment fee equal to the greater of (A) $2,910,000 and (B) 4.85% of the aggregate amount of all term loan advances minus the aggregate amount of repayments made. The final payment fee is being accreted and amortized into interest expense using the effective interest rate method over the term of the loan.

The Company may, at its option prepay the term loans in full or in part, subject to a prepayment penalty equal to (i) 2.0% of the principal amount prepaid if the prepayment occurs prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, (ii) 1.5% of the principal amount prepaid if the prepayment occurs on or after the first anniversary and prior to the second anniversary of the Closing Date, and (iii) 1.0% of the principal amount prepaid if the prepayment occurs on or after the second anniversary and prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date.

The Company evaluated whether the Hercules Term Loan entered into in September 2020 represented a debt modification or extinguishment of the SVB Loan in accordance with ASC 470-50, Debt – Modifications and Extinguishments. As a result of the repayment and retirement of the SVB Loan, the SVB Loan was accounted for by the Company under the extinguishment accounting model. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $1.2 million on the Company’s statement of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, representing a prepayment premium, the unamortized discount of the SVB Loan and the write-off of deferred financing costs.

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Silicon Valley Bank

In November 2016, the Company entered into an initial term loan agreement with Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”) for a total of $20.0 million (“2016 Original Term Loan”). The three-tranche term loan consisted of an initial $10.0 million tranche funded upon closing, and the remaining tranches were not drawn upon as the Company did not achieve the conditional criteria to access the second and third tranches before the specified dates and the $10.0 million in additional term loan advances subsequently expired. Therefore, the Company amended the 2016 Original Term Loan to provide an additional $4.0 million growth capital loan (“2016 Amended Term Loan”). The Company’s obligations under the 2016 Amended Term Loan, along with the ability to draw down on the additional $4.0 million tranche, were considered to be performed and completed in connection with the establishment of the 2019 Term Loan (as defined below).

In March 2019, the Company entered into a $24.0 million growth capital term facility (the “2019 Term Loan”) with SVB and WestRiver Innovation Lending Fund VIII, L.P. (“WestRiver”). The 2019 Term Loan consisted of an initial $20.0 million tranche, which was funded upon closing, and a second tranche of $4.0 million, which was available to be drawn subject to completion of a clinical milestone prior to August 15, 2019. A portion of the first tranche was used to satisfy the Company’s existing obligations under and fully extinguish the 2016 Amended Term Loan, which at the commencement of the 2019 Term Loan consisted of $5.6 million in outstanding principal balance and $0.85 million as a final payment fee. The 2019 Term Loan was subsequently amended in July 2019 (the “First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan”) to extend the interest-only monthly payment period for 18 months from the date of the 2019 Term Loan and the Company’s ability to draw down on the second tranche of $4.0 million was extended until December 31, 2019. The second tranche of $4.0 million was not drawn down by the Company. The 2019 Term Loan accrued interest at a fixed rate of 7.5%.

Interest on the 2019 Term Loan and the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan was payable monthly beginning April 1, 2019 and principal was due starting on October 1, 2020. In addition, the Company was required to make a final payment of $1.26 million on February 1, 2023, the maturity date of the 2019 Term Loan. However, the Company subsequently entered into the 2020 Term Loan (as defined below), the proceeds of which were used in part to fully satisfy and extinguish the 2019 Term Loan, as amended.

In connection with the 2019 Term Loan, the Company issued SVB and WestRiver a warrant to purchase shares of common stock. These warrants were fully exercised and no longer outstanding as of September 30, 2020 (see Note 6 – Stockholders’ Equity under “Warrants” section for further discussion).

In September 2020, the Company terminated and repaid all amounts outstanding under the 2019 Term Loan and recorded a loss on extinguishment of the loan (see further discussion below).

The book value of debt approximates its fair value given its short term maturity and variable interest rate. Interest expense was $2,362,083, $1,362,500, and $751,670 and amortization of the final payment was $469,676, $436,567, and $266,668 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

Long-term debt and unamortized debt discount balances are as follows:

December 31, December 31,

Less: unamortized debt discount, long term (1,830,064 ) (405,071 )

Less: current portion of long-term debt — (2,666,667 )

Current portion of outstanding principal amount — 2,666,667

Less: current portion of unamortized debt discount — (64,375 )

Loan payable, current portion $ — $ 2,602,292

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Further information on warrants issued related to the debt financings and amendments are disclosed in Note 9 - Warrants.

Amortization of the debt discount in relation to warrants issued in Note 9 - Warrants was $317,074, $213,426, and $108,968 for the year ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

Scheduled Principal Payments on Outstanding Debt, as of December 31, 2020, are as follows:

Total principal payments outstanding $ 50,000,000

Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

Starting in 2019, leases are accounted for under ASC Topic 842. The Company made an accounting policy election not to apply the recognition requirements to short-term leases. The Company recognizes the lease payments for short-term leases in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term, and variable lease payments in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. Therefore, the Company is not recognizing a lease liability or right-of-use asset for any lease that, at the commencement date, has a lease term of 12 months or less and does not include an option to extend the term or purchase the underlying asset that that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The Company has entered into a lease agreement for the Company’s principal executive offices located in New York, New York. The lease does not include any restrictions or covenants that had to be accounted for under the lease guidance.

In June 2020, the company entered into a lease for office space at 22 Cortlandt St, New York, NY consisting of the 16th floor which began on August 1, 2020. The term for this lease was to expire on July 31, 2021. At lease inception the lease arrangement was deemed to be a short-term lease due to its term not exceeding one year, and as such was accounted for on a straight-line basis until December 2020.

In December 2020, the company modified the lease agreement for office space at 22 Cortlandt St, New York, NY, consisting of the 16th floor which will begin on August 1, 2021 and extend through July 31, 2022. Due to the extension of term, the lease was no longer deemed to be a short term lease, and thus the guidance per ASC Topic 842 was applied.

Rent expense incurred during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $870,275, $485,548, and $315,301.

The following table summarizes the presentation of operating leases in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet:

Balance sheet location As of December 31, 2020

Assets

Right-of-use operating asset Right-of-use asset - operating lease $ 1,739,475

Liabilities

Total operating lease liabilities $ 1,802,295

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For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company noted the following lease expense:

Statement of Operations Location Year Ended December 31, 2020

Operating lease expense General and administrative $ 47,821

Total operating lease expense $ 47,821

Future minimum lease payments of our operating leases as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:

Years Ending December 31,

Thereafter —

Less imputed interest (77,705 )

Present value of operating lease liabilities $ 1,802,295

As of December 31, 2020, the remaining lease term for our operating lease was 1.6 years with a discount rate of 6.0%. The interest rate implicit in lease contracts is typically not readily determinable and as such, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date, which represents an internally developed rate that would be incurred to borrow, on a collateralized basis, over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment.

Note 8. Stockholders’ Equity

Capital Structure

In October 2017, the Company entered into the Sales Agreement with SVB Leerink, pursuant to which the Company may sell up to $30 million in shares of its common stock from time to time through SVB Leerink, acting as its sales agent, in one or more at-the-market offerings. In January 2019, the Company raised approximately $25.8 million in gross proceeds through the sale of 3,164,015 shares under the Sales Agreement. Upon completion of this final sale, the Sales Agreement was automatically terminated, SVB Leerink received a commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds for all shares sold under the Sales Agreement.

In December 2017, the Company completed the Registered Direct Offering, whereby it sold an aggregate of $9.5 million worth of units (“Units”) at a purchase price of $5.325 per Unit with each Unit consisting of (i) one share of the Company’s common stock, and (ii) a Common Warrant at an exercise price equal to $5.25 per share. The Company sold an aggregate of 1,783,587 Units for gross proceeds of approximately $9.5 million and net proceeds of approximately $8.8 million, net of underwriting discounts and offering expenses. Additionally, the Company issued 107,015 Placement Agent Warrants. The Company incurred issuance costs associated with the Units offering of $745,856, which included $81,000 related to issuance of 107,015 Placement Agent Warrants, of which, $583,768 was allocated to the common stock sold and was recorded as a reduction to equity. The remaining amount was allocated to the Common Warrants and was expensed. The Placement Agent Warrants have the same terms as the Common Warrants, except for the exercise price of $6.6562 per share. The Common Warrants priced at $5.25 and Placement Agent Warrants priced at $6.6562 utilized the 2016 Shelf Registration Statement for a total of $9.4 million and $712,313.

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On September 27, 2018, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with certain institutional and accredited investors (collectively, the “RDO Investors”) for the sale by the Company directly to the RDO Investors of an aggregate of 2,966,667 shares of the Company’s common stock, at a purchase price of $3.00 per share (the “2018 Registered Direct Offering”), for gross proceeds of approximately $8.9 million. The 2018 Registered Direct Offering closed on October 1, 2018, and the Company received net proceeds of approximately $8.8 million, after deducting transaction expenses. The 2,966,667 shares of common stock sold in the 2018 Registered Direct Offering were offered and sold by the Company directly to the RDO Investors, without a placement agent, underwriter, broker or dealer, pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the 2016 Shelf Registration Statement.

In May 2019, the Company entered into the May 2019 Sales Agreement with SVB Leerink, pursuant to which the Company may sell up to $50 million in shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time through SVB Leerink, acting as the Company’s sales agent, in one or more at-the-market offerings utilizing the 2016 Shelf Registration Statement. SVB Leerink is entitled to receive a commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds for any shares sold under the May 2019 Sales Agreement. Due to expiration of the 2016 Shelf Registration Statement, at the Company’s option, the shares that were unsold of approximately $29.9 million under the May 2019 Sales Agreement, may be rolled over to the December 2019 Sales Agreement (see below).

In December 2019, the Company entered into the December 2019 Sales Agreement with SVB Leerink, pursuant to which the Company may sell up to $80 million in shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time through SVB Leerink, acting as the Company’s sales agent, in one or more at-the-market offerings utilizing the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement. SVB Leerink is entitled to receive a commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds for any shares sold under the December 2019 Sales Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company received approximately $14.6 million in gross proceeds through the sale of 167,243 shares, of which net proceeds were approximately $14.1 million. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company received approximately $7.3 million in gross proceeds through the sale of 89,390 shares, of which net proceeds were approximately $7.1 million.

In December 2019, the Company completed an underwritten public offering, whereby the Company sold 2,300,000 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $87.00 per share. The Company received gross proceeds of approximately $200.1 million and net proceeds of approximately $187.1 million, net of underwriting discounts and offering expenses.

The holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held at all meetings of stockholders and written actions in lieu of meetings. The holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if and when declared by the board of directors.

Shelf Registration Statement

On December 5, 2019, the Company filed an automatic shelf registration statement (“2019 Shelf Registration”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, rights, debt securities and units. It became effective upon filing with the SEC and is currently the Company’s only active shelf registration. Through the date of this report, the Company has issued common stock of approximately $221.9 million pursuant to such shelf registration statement.

Under SEC rules, the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement allows for the potential future offer and sale by the Company, from time to time, in one or more public offerings, of an indeterminate amount of the Company’s common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, and units at indeterminate prices. At the time any of the securities covered by the 2019 Shelf Registration Statement are offered for sale, a prospectus supplement will be prepared and filed with the SEC containing specific information about the terms of any such offering.

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Equity Incentive Plans

The Company had granted stock options under its 2013 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2013 Plan”), which was adopted for employees and consultants for the purpose of advancing the interests of the Company's stockholders by enhancing its ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who are expected to make important contributions to the Company. In November 2015, the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2015 Plan”) was adopted by the Company’s stockholders. The 2015 Plan is the successor to the Company's 2013 Plan. In conjunction with the adoption of the 2015 Plan, no additional grants were made from the 2013 Plan and options from the 2013 Plan remain outstanding. As of December 31, 2020, there were 4,149,112 shares available for future grant under the 2015 Plan.

Modification and Cancellation of Stock Awards

In June 2020, in connection with the decision not to stand for re-election by a member of the Company’s Board of Director’s, the vesting of stock options covering 21,666 shares of common stock was accelerated. As a result of this modification, the Company recorded incremental stock-based compensation expense of approximately $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

In November 2020, certain employee Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units were cancelled. Stock options to purchase an aggregate of 38,267 shares of common stock were cancelled, and the Company recognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $2.1 million related to this cancellation for the year ended December 31, 2020. Restricted Stock Units for an aggregate of 11,735 shares of common stock were cancelled, and the Company recognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $0.5 million related to this cancellation for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes stock option activity as of December 31, 2020:

Weighted

Weighted average Aggregate

Number average contractual intrinsic

of shares exercise price term value

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The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black‐Scholes option pricing model. The expected term of the Company’s stock options has been determined utilizing the “simplified” method as described in the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 relating to stock‐based compensation. The simplified method was chosen because the Company has limited historical option exercise experience due to its short operating history. The risk‐free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant for a period approximately equal to the expected term of the award. Expected dividend yield is based on the fact that the Company has never paid cash dividends and does not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Expected volatility is based on historical volatilities of similar entities within the Company’s industry which were commensurate with the Company’s expected term assumption. The relevant data used to determine the value of the stock option grants for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 is as follows:

Dividend yield — — —

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted was $36.77, $12.49, and $1.99 per option for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, there was $20.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non‐vested stock options which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.8 years. These amounts do not include 10,716 options outstanding as of December 31, 2020, which are performance‐based and vest upon the achievement of certain corporate milestones. Stock‐based compensation will be measured and recorded if and when it is probable that the milestone will occur. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $9.4 million, $4.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

In 2020, the Company began granting RSUs covering an equal number of its shares of common stock to employees. The fair value of RSUs is determined on the date of the grant based on the market price of its shares of common stock as of that date. The fair value of the RSUs is recognized as an expense ratably over the vesting period of four years. As of December 31, 2020, total compensation cost not yet recognized related to unvested RSUs was $4.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.3 years.

The following table sets forth the RSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2020:

Weighted

average

Number grant date

of shares fair value

Outstanding at December 31, 2019 — $ —

Released — —

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Stock‐based compensation expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was as follows:

Note 9. Warrants

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had outstanding warrants to purchase 15,541 shares of common stock. The following table summarizes warrant activity as of December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018:

Warrants Weighted average exercise price

Outstanding Warrants

In connection with the entry into the Loan Agreement, the Company issued to Hercules a warrant to purchase a number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share equal to 2.5% of the aggregate amount of the Term Loan Advances that are funded, as such amounts are funded. With the first advance of the 2020 Term Loan, Hercules Capital Inc. received warrants to purchase an aggregate 15,541 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $80.43 per share, which was the volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock over the ten-day trading period immediately preceding the initial closing, subject to certain limited adjustments as specified in the warrant. The warrants are exercisable for seven years from the date of issuance. The warrants were classified as a component of stockholders’ equity. The relative fair value of the warrants of approximately $0.9 million at the time of issuance, which was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was recorded as additional paid-in capital and reduced the carrying value of the debt. The discount on the debt is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt utilizing the effective interest rate method.

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Fully Exercised Warrants

2019 and 2020 Exercise of March 2019 and July 2019 Warrants

In connection with the Company’s term loan facility with SVB and WestRiver which was completed in March 2019, the Company issued warrants for up to 70,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price per share equal to $8.10 based upon usage of the facility and were exercisable until March 4, 2026. The warrants were classified as a component of stockholders' equity of which 58,332 warrants were immediately exercisable and the remaining 11,668 warrants could be earned based on usage of the second tranche of the 2019 Term Loan. The additional warrants were initially immediately exercisable if and when the Term B Loan Advance was funded (however, the March 2019 Warrants were amended in connection with the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan, as discussed below). The relative fair value of the warrants of approximately $0.4 million at the time of issuance, which was determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was recorded as additional paid-in capital and reduced the carrying value of the debt. The discount on the debt was amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt utilizing the effective interest rate method. In July 2019, in connection with the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan, the March 2019 Warrants were amended to fix the number of shares that may be issued upon exercise of each such March 2019 Warrant at29,167 shares of common stock, and SVB and WestRiver were issued new warrants (the “July 2019 Warrants”), which would have become exercisable upon funding of the Term B Loan Advance, to purchase 5,750 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price per share equal to $25.71. The July 2019 Warrants replace the portion of the March 2019 Warrants that could originally be earned by SVB and WestRiver upon funding of the Term B Loan Advance. Due to the Company not drawing down on the Term B Loan Advance by December 31, 2019, the July 2019 Warrants have been terminated. In December 2019, SVB exercised in full its portion of 29,167 warrants it received in connection with the 2019 Term Loan via a cashless exercise. The Company issued SVB 24,185 shares of its common stock in connection with the warrant exercise and did not receive any cash proceeds. In August 2020, WestRiver exercised in full its portion of 29,167 warrants it received in connection with the 2019 Term Loan via a cashless exercise. The Company issued SVB 26,270 shares of its common stock in connection with the warrant exercise and did not receive any cash proceeds. As of December 31, 2020, noneof the warrants issued in connection with the First Amendment to the 2019 Term Loan were outstanding.

2019 and 2020 Exercise of 2018 Warrants

In connection with the First Amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement, SVB and WestRiver Innovation Lending Fund VIII, L.P. received warrants to purchase 15,750 shares of the Company’s stock at an exercise price of $3.06 per share, which are exercisable for seven years from the date of issuance (“2018 warrants”). The warrants were classified as a component of stockholders' equity. In August 2019, SVB exercised in full its portions of 7,875 warrants it received in connection with the 2016 Amended Term Loan via a cashless exercise. The Company issued SVB 6,969 shares of its common stock in connection with the warrant exercise, and did not receive any cash proceeds. In August 2020, WestRiver exercised in full the 7,875 warrants it received in connection with the 2016 Amended Term Loan via a cashless exercise. The Company issued SVB 7,579 shares of its common stock in connection with the warrant exercise, and did not receive any cash proceeds. As of December 31, 2020,none of the warrants issued in connection with the 2016 Amended Term Loan were outstanding.

2018 Expiration of 2017 Warrants

In connection with the Registered Direct Offering, which was completed on December 11, 2017, the Company issued Common Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants to purchase 1,783,587 shares and 107,015 shares of common stock, respectively, with an exercise price of $5.25 per share and $6.6562 per share, respectively, which are exercisable from the date of issuance until December 11, 2018 (“2017 warrants”). The Common Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants were classified as warrant liability. See Note 3, “Fair Value Measurements”, for the fair value calculations of the warrant liability. The 2017 warrants had a 1 year term and expired on December 11, 2018.

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2019 and 2020 Exercise of 2016 Warrants

In connection with the Company’s debt financing which was completed on November 9, 2016, the Company issued warrants to purchase 65,228 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $7.41 per share, which are exercisable upon issuance (“2016 warrants”) to SVB and Life Sciences. The warrants were classified as a component of stockholders' equity. In September 2019, SVB exercised its portion of 32,614 warrants it received in connection with the 2016 Original Term Loan via a cashless exercise. The Company issued SVB 24,328 shares of its common stock in connection with the warrant exercise, and did not receive any cash proceeds. In addition, in May 2020, Life Science exercised in full the 32,614 warrants it received in connection with the 2016 Original Term Loan via a cashless exercise. The Company issued Life Science 29,982 shares of its common stock in connection with the warrant exercise and did not receive any cash proceeds. As of December 31, 2020, none of the warrants issued in connection with the 2016 Original Term Loan were outstanding.

2019 Exercise of 2014 warrants

On November 3, 2014, the Company issued warrants to purchase 42,059 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $5.94 per share to the placement agent in connection with the issuance of certain convertible notes from September 2014 through November 2014 (the “September 2014 Notes”), which were exercisable upon issuance (“2014 warrants”). The warrants were initially classified as a liability in the consolidated financial statements, as upon a qualified financing, the warrant price would automatically adjust to a 10% premium to the conversion price of the September 2014 Notes in such mandatory conversion. The initial fair value of the warrant liability was $79,129 which was recorded as a discount to the notes and amortized over the term of the original September 2014 Notes. Upon the note amendment that occurred in September 2015, the discount was included in the carrying amount in the calculation of a loss on extinguishment. In connection with the automatic conversion of the September 2014 Notes upon the close of the Company’s IPO in November 2015, the warrant liability was reclassified to equity. The 2014 warrants had a five-year term and an expiration of November 2, 2019. All 42,059 warrants were exercised in 2019.

2017 and 2018 Exercise of 2013 Warrants

On October 29, 2013, the Company issued warrants to purchase 230,459 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $1.30 per share to the placement agent in connection with the June 2013 Notes, which were exercisable upon issuance (“2013 warrants”). The warrants were classified as a component of stockholders’ equity. The 2013 warrants had a five-year term. 129,149 warrants and 101,310 warrants were exercised in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

The initial fair value of the warrants were estimated using the Black‐Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:

Dividend yield — — — — — — —

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Note 10. License Agreements

In January 2020, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with Pfizer Inc. (“Pfizer”) for Pfizer’s clinical and nonclinical data, and intellectual property for reboxetine, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in AXS-12 which the Company is developing for the treatment of narcolepsy. The agreement also provides the Company exclusive rights to develop and commercialize esreboxetine, a new late-stage product candidate now referred to as AXS-14, in the U.S. for the treatment of fibromyalgia.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer received 82,019 shares of the Company’s common stock having a stated value of $8.0 million, based on the average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the ten prior trading days of $97.538, in consideration for the license and rights and also received an upfront cash payment of $3.0 million. The Company determined that the fair value of each share of common stock granted to Pfizer on the closing date of January 9, 2020 was $87.24, based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on that date. As a result, the fair value of the stock issued was $7.2 million and therefore, the total research and development expense recognized was $10.2 million related to the Pfizer license agreement during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.

Pfizer can also receive up to $323 million in regulatory and sales milestones, and tiered mid-single to low double-digit royalties on future sales. Pfizer will also have a right of first negotiation on any potential future strategic transactions involving AXS-12 and AXS-14. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, no milestone payments or royalties were paid to Pfizer by the Company.

AXSM US Equity

AXSM · 10-K · period ended 2020-12-31

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND

ITEM 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS and FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

AXSM US Equity☆

AXSM · 10-K · period ended 2020-12-31

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND

ITEM 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS and FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

AXSM US Equity