GH US Equity☆

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion and other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations and intentions. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following generally compares our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. A detailed discussion comparing our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 can be found in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Overview

We are a leading precision oncology company focused on helping conquer cancer globally through use of our proprietary tests, vast data sets and advanced analytics. Today our proprietary tests are helping to realize the full potential of precision oncology by providing patients and their doctors critical insights that can inform decisions at all stages of the disease, from screening, to monitoring cancer recurrence, to treatment decisions. We believe that the key to conquering cancer is unprecedented access to its molecular information throughout all stages of the disease, which we intend to enable by our tests. By looking at the unique dimensions of cancer found in blood, including genomic alterations, methylation, and fragmentomics, we are unlocking insights that can increasingly help patients across all stages of cancer, including at its earliest, when it’s most treatable. To help identify cancer at the earliest stages, we are developing Guardant SHIELD, a blood test for cancer screening in average-risk adults without symptoms, that detects very early signs of cancer by interrogating genomic alterations, methylation, and fragmentomic signals from a simple blood draw. In pursuit of our goal to manage cancer across all stages of the disease, we provide our Guardant360, Guardant360 LDT, Guardant360 CDx and GuardantOMNI liquid biopsy-based tests for advanced stage cancer. Our Guardant360 CDx test was the first comprehensive liquid biopsy test approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, to provide tumor mutation profiling with solid tumors and to be used as a companion diagnostic in connection with non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC. In February 2021, we launched our Guardant Reveal liquid biopsy-based tests for residual and recurring cancer to first address the need in Stage II-III colorectal cancer. In June 2021, we launched Guardant360 TissueNext, our first tissue-based test which will be used to identify patients with advanced cancer who may benefit from biomarker-informed treatment, and Guardant360 Response which will be used to measure early indications to patients' response to treatment up to eight weeks earlier than response evaluation criteria in solid tumors. We have also developed our GuardantINFORM platform to further accelerate precision oncology drug development by biopharmaceutical companies by offering them an in-silico research platform to unlock further insights into tumor evolution and treatment resistance across various biomarker-driven cancers.

We perform our tests in our clinical laboratory located in Redwood City, California. Our laboratory is certified pursuant to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988, or CLIA, accredited by the College of American Pathologists, or CAP, permitted by the New York State Department of Health, or NYSDOH, and licensed in California and four other states.

We generated total revenue of $373.7 million, $286.7 million and $214.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. We also incurred net losses of $384.8 million, $246.3 million and $67.9 million in the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. We have funded our operations to date principally from the sale of our stock, convertible senior notes, and revenue from our precision oncology testing and development services and other. In May 2019, we completed an underwritten public offering of a total of 5,175,000 shares of our common stock, through which we received net proceeds of $349.7 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us. In June 2020, we completed an underwritten public offering of a total of 4,312,500 shares of our common stock, through which we received net proceeds of $354.6 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us. In November 2020, we issued our convertible senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $1.15

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billion. As of December 31, 2021, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of approximately $1.6 billion.

Factors affecting our performance

We believe there are several important factors that have impacted and that we expect will impact our operating performance and results of operations, including:

•Testing volume, pricing and customer mix.Our revenue and costs are affected by the volume of testing and mix of customers from period to period. We evaluate both the volume of tests that we perform for patients on behalf of clinicians and the number of tests we perform for biopharmaceutical companies. Our performance depends on our ability to retain and broaden adoption with existing customers, as well as attract new customers. We believe that the test volume we receive from clinicians and biopharmaceutical companies are indicators of growth in each of these customer verticals. Customer mix for our tests has the potential to significantly affect our results of operations, as the average selling price for biopharmaceutical sample testing is currently higher than our average reimbursement for clinical tests because we are not a contracted provider for, or our tests are not covered by clinical patients’ insurance for, the majority of the tests that we perform for patients on behalf of clinicians. Revenue from clinical tests for patients covered by Medicare represented approximately 45%, 42% and 29% of our precision oncology revenue from clinical customers for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

•Payer coverage and reimbursement. Our revenue depends on achieving broad coverage and reimbursement for our tests from third-party payers, including both commercial and government payers. Precision oncology revenue from tests for clinical customers is calculated based on our expected cash collections, using the estimated variable consideration. The variable consideration is estimated based on historical collection patterns as well as the potential for changes in future reimbursement behavior by one or more payers. Estimation of the impact of the potential for changes in reimbursement requires significant judgment and considers payers' past patterns of changes in reimbursement as well as any stated plans to implement changes. Any cash collections over the expected reimbursement period exceeding the estimated variable consideration is recorded in future periods based on actual cash received. Payment from commercial payers can vary depending on whether we have entered into a contract with the payers as a “participating provider” or do not have a contract and are considered a “non-participating provider”. Payers often reimburse non-participating providers, if at all, at a lower amount than participating providers. Because we are not contracted with these payers, they determine the amount that they are willing to reimburse us for any of our tests and they can prospectively and retrospectively adjust the amount of reimbursement, adding to the complexity in estimating the variable consideration. When we contract with a payer to serve as a participating provider, reimbursements by the payer are generally made pursuant to a negotiated fee schedule and are limited to only covered indications or where prior approval has been obtained. Becoming a participating provider can result in higher reimbursement amounts for covered uses of our tests and, potentially, no reimbursement for non-covered uses identified under the payer’s policies or the contract. As a result, the potential for more favorable reimbursement associated with becoming a participating provider may be offset by a potential loss of reimbursement for non-covered uses of our tests. Current Procedural Terminology, or CPT, coding plays a significant role in how our tests are reimbursed both from commercial and governmental payers. In addition, Z-Code Identifiers are used by certain payers, including under Medicare's Molecular Diagnostic Services Program, or MolDx, to supplement CPT codes for our molecular diagnostics tests. Changes to the codes used to report to payers may result in significant changes in its reimbursement. If their policies were to change in the future to cover additional cancer indications, we anticipate that our total reimbursement would increase. In March 2020, we began to receive reimbursement from Medicare for claims submitted, with respect to Guardant360 clinical tests performed for qualifying patients diagnosed with solid tumor cancers of non-central nervous system origin other than NSCLC. In May 2020, Noridian issued a coverage article and confirmed limited Medicare coverage for our Guardant360 test for qualifying patients diagnosed with solid tumor cancers of non-central nervous system origin who meet the criteria of Medicare’s National Coverage Determination for Next Generation Sequencing established in March 2018. Following the FDA approval of our Guardant360 CDx test, a new Z-Code Identifier was issued in August 2020. In January 2021, a proprietary laboratory analyses, or PLA code was issued for our Guardant360 CDx with an effective date in April 2021. Additionally, based on this new PLA code, we applied to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or CMS for our Guardant360 CDx test to become an advanced diagnostic laboratory test, or ADLT. In March 2021, CMS approved ADLT status to the Guardant360 CDx test, based on which Medicare paid us at the lowest available commercial rate per test, from April 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. After this period, Medicare would reimburse Guardant360 CDx services at the median rate of claims paid by commercial payers. We are in the process of negotiating reimbursement for our Guardant Reveal, Guardant Response and Guardant360 TissueNext tests from commercial and governmental payers. Due to the inherent

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variability and unpredictability of the reimbursement landscape, including related to the amount that payers reimburse us for any of our tests, we estimate the amount of revenue to be recognized at the time a test is provided and record revenue adjustments if and when the cash subsequently received for a test differs from the revenue recorded for the test. Due to this variability and unpredictability, previously recorded revenue adjustments are not indicative of future revenue adjustments from actual cash collections, which may fluctuate significantly. Additionally, if coding changes were to occur, payments for certain uses of our tests could be reduced, put on hold, or eliminated. This variability and unpredictability could increase the risk of future revenue reversal and result in our failing to meet any previously publicly stated guidance we may provide.

•Biopharmaceutical customers.Our revenue also depends on our ability to attract, maintain and expand relationships with biopharmaceutical customers. As we continue to develop these relationships, we expect to support a growing number of clinical studies globally and continue to have opportunities to offer our platform to such customers for development services, including companion diagnostic development, novel target discovery and validation, as well as clinical study enrollment. For example, our tests are being developed as companion diagnostics under collaborations with biopharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, Amgen, Daiichi Sankyo, Janssen Biotech and Radius Health.

•Research and development. A significant aspect of our business is our investment in research and development, including the development of new products. In particular, we have invested heavily in clinical studies as we believe these studies are critical to gaining physician adoption and driving favorable coverage decisions by payers. With respect to Guardant Reveal, in 2021, we initiated a 1,000-patient prospective, observational, multi-center study, which we refer to as the ORACLE study, designed to evaluate the performance of our Guardant Reveal liquid biopsy test to predict cancer recurrence after curative intent treatment, across 11 solid tumor types. With respect to Guardant SHIELD, we completed enrollment toward a prospective screening study, which we refer to as the ECLIPSE study, aiming to evaluate the performance of our Guardant SHIELD assay in detecting colorectal cancer in average-risk adults. In addition, in early 2022, we enrolled the first patient in a nearly 10,000-patient prospective, registrational study, which we refer to as the SHIELD study, to evaluate the performance of our next-generation Guardant SHIELD assay in detecting lung cancer in high-risk individuals ages 50-80 and the study is anticipated to run in approximately 100 centers in the United States and Europe. We have expended considerable resources, and expect to increase such expenditures over the next few years, to support our research and development programs with the goal of fueling further innovation.

•International expansion. A component of our long-term growth strategy is to expand our commercial footprint internationally, and we expect to increase our sales and marketing expense to execute on this strategy. We currently offer our tests in countries outside the United States primarily through distributor relationships, direct contracts with hospitals or partnerships with research organizations. In May 2018, we formed and capitalized a joint venture, Guardant Health AMEA, Inc., which we refer to as the Joint Venture, with SoftBank, relating to the sale, marketing and distribution of our tests generally outside the Americas and Europe. We expect to rely on the Joint Venture to accelerate commercialization of our products in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. In November 2021, we exercised our call right contained in the joint venture agreement with SoftBank to purchase all of the shares held by SoftBank and its affiliates in consideration for the payment of the aggregate purchase price to be determined based on an independent third-party valuation. The aggregate purchase price will be no less than an amount that yields a 20% internal rate of return on the $41.0 million of capital invested by SoftBank in May 2018 as stipulated in the joint venture agreement. SoftBank and us have initiated a process to determine the independent valuation of the Joint Venture, which includes the appointment of independent appraisers by both SoftBank and us. We expect to complete this transaction before the end of the second quarter of 2022.

•Sales and marketing expense. Our financial results have historically, and will likely continue to, fluctuate significantly based upon the impact of our sales and marketing expense, increase in headcount, and in particular, our various marketing programs around existing and new product introductions.

•General and administrative expense. Our financial results have historically, and will likely continue to, fluctuate significantly based upon the impact of our general and administrative expense, and in particular, our stock-based compensation expense. Our equity awards, including market-based and performance-based restricted stock units, are intended to retain and incentivize employees to lead us to sustained, long-term superior financial and operational performance.

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•COVID-19 Global Pandemic. The global outbreak of coronavirus 2019, or COVID-19, has disrupted, and we expect will continue to disrupt, our operations. To protect the health and well-being of our workforce, partners, vendors and customers, we have provided free COVID-19 testing for all of our employees, contractors and their dependents, implemented social distance and building entry policies at work, and followed California’s public health orders and the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The COVID-19 global pandemic has negatively affected, and we expect will continue to negatively affect, our revenue and our clinical studies. For example, our biopharmaceutical customers are facing challenges in recruiting patients and in conducting clinical studies to advance their pipelines, for which our tests could be utilized. In addition, disruptions caused by the pandemic have adversely affected the quantity and quality of certain sequencers, reagents, blood tubes and other similar materials that are critical to our commercial and research and development programs. We currently have a limited amount of stock of these components. Failure in the future to secure sufficient supply of critical components could materially and adversely affect our ability to manufacture or supply marketed products and product candidates or complete our ongoing research and development programs on the timelines previously established, which could materially and adversely affect our business and future prospects. The severity of the impact on our business will depend on a number of factors, including the duration and severity of the pandemic and the impact of any variants of the virus on us, our customers, and our suppliers. In August 2020, we launched our Guardant-19 test and received the FDA’s emergency use authorization for use in the detection of the novel coronavirus. The test was being offered to our employees and to select partner organizations via our CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Effective August 2021, we have discontinued offering the test to third parties.

While each of these areas presents significant opportunities for us, they also pose significant risks and challenges that we must address. See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.

Components of results of operations

Revenue

We derive our revenue from two sources: (i) precision oncology testing and (ii) development services and other.

Precision oncology testing. Precision oncology testing revenue is generated from sales of our tests to clinical and biopharmaceutical customers. In the United States, through December 31, 2021, we generally performed tests as an out-of-network service provider without contracts with health insurance companies. We submit claims for payment for tests performed for patients covered by U.S. private payers. We submit claims to Medicare for reimbursement for Guardant360 clinical testing performed for qualifying patients diagnosed with solid tumor cancers of non-central nervous system origin and for Guardant360 CDx clinical testing performed for qualifying patients diagnosed with solid tumor cancers who meet the criteria of Medicare’s National Coverage Determination for Next Generation Sequencing established since March 2018. Revenue from clinical tests for patients covered by Medicare represented approximately 45%, 42% and 29% of our precision oncology revenue from clinical customers for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Development services and other. Development services and other revenue primarily represents services, other than precision oncology testing, that we provide to biopharmaceutical companies and large medical institutions. We collaborate with biopharmaceutical companies in the development and clinical studies of new drugs. As part of these collaborations, we provide services related to regulatory filings to support companion diagnostic device submissions for our test panels. Under these arrangements, we generate revenue from progression of our collaboration efforts, as well as from provision of on-going support. In addition to companion diagnostic development and regulatory approval services, we also provide clinical study setup, monitoring and maintenance, testing development and support, GuardantConnect, GuardantINFORM, and kits fulfillment related services for our biopharmaceutical customers. In addition, we derive royalty revenues from licensing our technology. Development services and other revenue can vary over time as different projects start and complete.

Costs and operating expenses

Cost of precision oncology testing. Cost of precision oncology testing generally consists of cost of materials, inventory write-downs, direct labor, including employee benefits, bonus, and stock-based compensation; equipment and infrastructure expenses associated with processing test samples, such as sample accessioning, library preparation, sequencing, quality control analyses and shipping charges to transport blood samples; freight; curation of test results for physicians; and license fees due to third parties. Infrastructure expenses include depreciation of laboratory equipment, rent costs, depreciation of leasehold improvements and information technology costs. Costs associated with performing our tests are recorded as the tests are performed regardless of whether revenue was

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recognized with respect to the tests. Royalties for licensed technology are calculated as a percentage of revenues generated using the associated technology and recorded as expense at the time the related revenue is recognized. One-time royalty payments related to signing of license agreements or other milestones, such as issuance of new patents, are amortized to expense over the expected useful life of the patents.While we do not believe the technologies underlying these licenses are necessary to permit us to provide our tests, we do believe these technologies are potentially valuable and of possible strategic importance to us or our competitors.

We expect the cost of precision oncology testing to generally increase in line with the increase in the number of tests we perform, but we expect the cost per test to decrease modestly over time due to the efficiencies we may gain as test volume increases, and from automation and other cost reductions.

Cost of development services and other. Cost of development services and other primarily includes costs incurred for the performance of development services requested by our customers comprising of direct labor and material costs including any inventory write-downs. For development of new products, costs incurred before technological feasibility has been achieved are reported as research and development expenses, while costs incurred thereafter are reported as cost of revenue. Cost of development services and other will vary depending on the nature, timing and scope of customer projects.

Research and development expense. Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred to develop technology and include salaries and benefits including stock-based compensation, reagents and supplies used in research and development laboratory work, infrastructure expenses, including allocated facility occupancy and information technology costs, contract services, other outside costs and costs to develop our technology capabilities. Research and development expenses also include costs related to activities performed under contracts with biopharmaceutical companies before technological feasibility has been achieved. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Payments made prior to the receipt of goods or services to be used in research and development are deferred and recognized as expense in the period in which the related goods are received or services are rendered. Costs to develop our technology capabilities are recorded as research and development unless they meet the criteria to be capitalized as internal-use software costs. We expect that our research and development expenses will continue to increase in absolute dollars as we continue to innovate and develop additional products, expand our genomic and medical data management resources and conduct our ongoing and new clinical studies.

Sales and marketing expense. Our sales and marketing expenses are expensed as incurred and include costs associated with our sales organization, including our direct sales force and sales management, client services, marketing and reimbursement, medical affairs, as well as business development personnel who are focused on our biopharmaceutical customers. These expenses consist primarily of salaries, commissions, bonuses, employee benefits, travel expenses and stock-based compensation, as well as marketing, sales incentives, and educational activities and allocated overhead expenses. We expect our sales and marketing expenses to increase in absolute dollars as we expand our sales force, increase our presence within and outside of the United States, and increase our marketing activities to drive further awareness and adoption of our tests.

General and administrative expense. Our general and administrative expenses include costs for our executive, accounting and finance, information technology, legal and human resources functions. These expenses consist principally of salaries, bonuses, employee benefits, travel expenses and stock-based compensation, as well as professional services fees such as consulting, audit, tax and legal fees, and general corporate costs and allocated overhead expenses.

We expect that our general and administrative expenses will continue to increase in absolute dollars, primarily due to increased stock-based compensation expense, including resulting from the market-based restricted stock units granted to our Co-Chief Executive Officers in May 2020. These expenses, though expected to increase in absolute dollars, are expected to decrease modestly as a percentage of revenue in the long term, though they may fluctuate as a percentage of revenue from period to period due to the timing and extent of these expenses being incurred.

Interest income

Interest income consists of interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.

Interest expense

Interest expense consists primarily of charges relating to amortization of debt issuance costs.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net consists of foreign currency exchange gains and losses, non-recurring payments due and received in relation to the settlement of license and patent disputes, net of credit losses, and the relief fund grant

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from the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, under the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act. We expect our foreign currency gains and losses to continue to fluctuate in the future due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Provision for (Benefit from) income tax

Income taxes are recorded using an asset and liability approach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Tax benefits are recognized when it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained during an audit. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if current evidence indicates that it is considered more likely than not that these benefits will not be realized.

Our tax positions are subject to income tax audits. We recognize the tax benefit of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable upon examination by the taxing authority, based on the technical merits. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit which is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement with the taxing authority. We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in its tax provision. We evaluate uncertain tax positions on a regular basis. The evaluations are based on a number of factors, including changes in facts and circumstances, changes in tax law, correspondence with tax authorities during the course of the audit, and effective settlement of audit issues. The provision for (benefit from) income taxes includes the effects of any accruals that we believe are appropriate, as well as the related net interest and penalties.

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Results of operations

The following tables set forth the significant components of our results of operations for the periods presented.

Year Ended December 31,

(in thousands)

Revenue:

Costs and operating expenses:

Cost of development services and other 12,516 17,766

Provision for income taxes 300 379

(1)Amounts include stock-based compensation expense as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

(in thousands)

Cost of precision oncology testing $ 3,468 $ 1,839

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Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

Revenue

Year Ended December 31, Change

(in thousands)

Total revenue was $373.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $286.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $86.9 million, or 30%.

Precision oncology testing revenue increased to $304.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $236.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $68.0 million, or 29%.

Precision oncology revenue from tests for clinical customers was $236.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, up 38% from $171.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. This increase in clinical testing revenue was driven primarily by an increase in sample volume related to our Guardant360 LDT and Guardant360 CDx tests, and an overall increase in the average selling price per Guardant360 CDx test primarily due to ADLT status being received from Medicare effective April 1, 2021. Tests for clinical customers increased to 87,600 for year ended December 31, 2021, from 63,254 for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Precision oncology revenue from tests for biopharmaceutical customers was $67.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, and $64.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, respectively. The increase in revenue was primarily due to an increase in tests, partially offset by a decrease in average selling price per test primarily due to a greater proportion of such tests being the Guardant360 tests, which have a lower average selling price than the GuardantOMNI tests. Tests for biopharmaceutical customers increased to 18,600 for the year ended December 31, 2021, from 15,983 for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to an increase in the number of biopharmaceutical customers and their contracted projects.

Development services and other revenue increased to $69.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $50.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $18.9 million, or 38%. This increase in development services and other revenue was primarily due to the progression of collaboration projects with biopharmaceutical customers for companion diagnostic development services, including receipt of milestone payments for regulatory approval of two of our companion diagnostic programs during the year ended December 31, 2021, and royalty revenues earned during the year ended December 31, 2021, pursuant to a settlement and license agreement entered into in December 2021.

Our revenue may be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in future periods depending on the duration and severity of the pandemic and the impact of any variants of the virus.

Costs of Revenue and Gross Margin

Year Ended December 31, Change

(in thousands)

Gross margin 67 % 68 %

Cost of revenue was $122.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $92.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $30.4 million, or 33%.

Cost of precision oncology testing revenue was $110.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $74.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $35.6 million, or 48%. This increase in cost of precision oncology testing was primarily attributable to an increase in sample volumes, resulting in a $20.3 million increase in material costs, a $12.4 million increase in production labor and overhead costs, and a $3.3 million increase in other costs, including costs related to kits, freight and curation of test results for physicians.

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Cost of development services and other was $12.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $17.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of $5.3 million, or 30%. This decrease in cost of development services and other was primarily due to a decrease in labor costs and materials, related to the progression of companion diagnostic development and regulatory approval service contracts.

Gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2021 was 67%, compared to 68% for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to lower average selling price and higher average cost per test resulting from the varied product mix of precision oncology testing, partially offset by gross margin improvement of development services and other. The improvement of development services and other gross margin was primarily attributable to royalty revenues earned pursuant to a settlement and license agreement entered into in December 2021, and receipt of milestone payments for regulatory approval of two for our companion diagnostic programs in 2021. Our gross margin may be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic depending on how long the pandemic lasts and the severity of the situation in coming quarters.

Operating Expenses

Research and development expense

Year Ended December 31, Change

(in thousands)

Research and development expenses were $263.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $149.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $113.4 million, or 76%. This increase in research and development expense was primarily due to an increase of $49.7 million in personnel-related costs for employees in our research and development group, including a $8.9 million increase in stock-based compensation, as we increased our headcount to support continued investment in our technology. The increase was also attributable to an increase of $32.7 million in material costs related to various programs, an increase of $21.2 million in development consulting fees, an increase of $12.3 million related to allocated facility and information technology infrastructure costs, and an increase of $4.9 million in depreciation and amortization costs, partially offset by a decrease of $8.5 million relating to in-process research and development (IPR&D) technology expensed in connection with a patent license acquisition that occurred in March 2020.

Sales and marketing expense

Year Ended December 31, Change

(in thousands)

Selling and marketing expenses were $191.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $106.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $85.4 million, or 80%. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $58.9 million in personnel-related costs, including a $6.2 million increase in stock-based compensation, associated with the expansion of our commercial organization, an increase of $12.0 million related to allocated facilities and information technology infrastructure costs, an increase of $10.6 million in professional service expenses related to marketing activities, and an increase of $3.5 million in office administrative costs.

General and administrative expense

Year Ended December 31, Change

(in thousands)

General and administrative expenses were $206.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $192.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $13.9 million, or 7%. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $9.0 million in personnel-related costs, as we increased our headcount to support the

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business growth, an increase of $7.4 million in professional service expenses related to outside legal, accounting, consulting and IT services, an increase of $5.3 million related to allocated facilities and information technology infrastructure costs, and an increase of $2.0 million in office administrative costs, partially offset by a decrease of $9.4 million in stock-based compensation, as tranche 1 of the market-based restricted stock units issued to our Co-Chief Executive Officers were fully vested as of January 1, 2021, and a decrease of $1.2 million related to settlement costs in connection with a patent license acquisition that occurred in March 2020.

Interest income

Year Ended December 31, Change

(in thousands)

Interest income was $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $10.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of $6.2 million, or 61%. This decrease was primarily due to a significant decrease in interest rate as the U.S. Federal Reserve lowered the risk-free interest rate to nearly zero, offset by a significant increase in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities related to the receipt of cash proceeds from our follow-on public offering completed in June 2020 and borrowings on our convertible senior notes issued in November 2020.

Interest expense

Year Ended December 31, Change

(in thousands)

Interest expense was $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of $2.2 million, or 46%. For the year ended December 31, 2021, interest expense was primarily attributable to amortization of issuance costs, and for the year ended December 31, 2020, interest expense was primarily attributable to amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs, related to our convertible senior notes issued in November 2020. The decrease was due to the impact of adopting ASU 2020-06 in 2021.

Other income (expense), net

Year Ended December 31, Change

(in thousands)

* Not meaningful

For the year ended December 31, 2021, other income (expense), net primarily included $25.0 million related to the one-time payment pursuant to a settlement and license agreement entered into in December 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2020, other income (expense), net primarily included $1.8 million received from HHS’s relief fund under the CARES Act, and $1.0 million received in connection with settlement of a patent dispute.

Provision for income taxes

Year Ended December 31, Change

(in thousands)

Provision for income taxes $ 300 $ 379 $ (79) (21) %

Provision for income taxes was immaterial for both of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

Quarterly results of operations

The following tables set forth our unaudited quarterly consolidated statements of operations data for each of the

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eight quarters in the 24-month period ended December 31, 2021. The information for each of these quarters has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of our results of operations. This data should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These quarterly operating results are not necessarily indicative of our operating results for the full year or any future period.

Three Months Ended

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

Revenue:

Costs and operating expenses:

Liquidity and capital resources

We have incurred losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception, and as of December 31, 2021, we had an accumulated deficit of $1.0 billion. We expect to incur additional operating losses in the near future and our operating expenses will increase as we continue to invest in clinical studies and develop new products, expand our sales organization, and increase our marketing efforts to drive market adoption of our tests. As demand for our tests are expected to continue to increase from physicians and biopharmaceutical companies, we anticipate that our capital expenditure requirements could also increase if we require additional laboratory capacity.

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We have funded our operations to date principally from the sale of stock, convertible debt and through revenue from precision oncology testing and development services and other. As of December 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $492.2 million and marketable securities of $1.1 billion. Cash in excess of immediate requirements is invested in accordance with our investment policy, primarily with a view to provide liquidity while ensuring capital preservation. Additionally, we have investments held in marketable securities consisting of United States treasury securities that can be immediately liquid.

Based on our current business plan, we believe our current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and anticipated cash flows from operations, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for more than 12 months from the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We may consider raising additional capital to expand our business, to pursue strategic investments, to take advantage of financing opportunities or for other reasons. As revenue from precision oncology testing and development services and other is expected to grow long-term, we expect our accounts receivable and inventory balances to increase. Any increase in accounts receivable and inventory may not be completely offset by increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses, which could result in greater working capital requirements.

If our available cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and anticipated cash flows from operations are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements including because of lower demand for our products as a result of lower than currently expected rates of reimbursement from our customers or other risks described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we may seek to sell additional common or preferred equity or convertible debt securities, enter into a credit facility or another form of third-party funding or seek other debt financing. The sale of equity and convertible debt securities may result in dilution to our stockholders and, in the case of preferred equity securities or convertible debt, those securities could provide for rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of our common stock. The terms of debt securities issued or borrowings pursuant to a credit agreement could impose significant restrictions on our operations. If we raise funds through collaborations and licensing arrangements, we might be required to relinquish significant rights to our platform technologies or products or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. Additional capital may not be available to us on reasonable terms, or at all.

Cash flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods presented:

Year Ended December 31,

(in thousands)

Net cash used in operating activities $ (209,017) $ (103,927)

Net cash used in investing activities (63,155) (617,086)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (66,824) 1,410,307

Operating activities

Cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $209.0 million, which resulted from a net loss of $384.8 million and net change in our operating assets and liabilities of $40.5 million, partially offset by non-cash charges of $216.2 million. Non-cash charges primarily consisted of $151.4 million of stock-based compensation, $24.7 million of non-cash operating lease costs, $22.3 million of depreciation and amortization, $12.8 million of amortization of premium on investment, $2.6 million of amortization of debt issuance costs, and $2.4 million of revaluation adjustments to contingent consideration. The net change in our operating assets and liabilities was primarily the result of a $44.4 million increase in accounts receivables driven by increased sales to clinical and biopharmaceutical customers, and royalty revenues earned pursuant to a settlement and license agreement entered into in December 2021, a $35.8 million increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets, primarily driven by a $25.0 million one-time payment pursuant the above-mentioned settlement and license agreement, a $8.0 million increase in inventory due to higher testing volumes, and a $4.2 million increase in other assets, partially offset by a $14.2 million payment of operating lease liabilities net of receipt of tenant improvement allowance, a $14.2 million increase in accrued compensation due to increased personnel, a $11.9 million increase in accrued expense and other liabilities, a $8.6 million increase in accounts payable, and a $2.8 million increase in deferred revenue.

Cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2020 was $103.9 million, which resulted from a net loss of $246.3 million and net change in our operating assets and liabilities of $47.7 million, partially offset by non-cash charges of $190.0 million. Non-cash charges primarily consisted of $144.1 million of stock-based compensation, $16.1 million of depreciation and amortization, $8.5 million of charge of in-process research and

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development costs with no alternative future use, $7.2 million of credit loss adjustment and others, $5.6 million of non-cash operating lease costs, $4.7 million of amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs, and $4.0 million of amortization of premium on investment. The net change in our operating assets and liabilities was primarily the result of a $19.3 million increase in other assets for security deposits relating to new leases we entered into in 2020, a $7.9 million decrease in accounts payable, a $7.5 million increase in inventory due to higher testing volumes, a $6.1 million increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets, a $6.0 million payment of operating lease liabilities net of receipt of tenant improvement allowance, a $5.5 million increase in accounts receivables driven by increased sales to biopharmaceutical customers, and a $3.7 million decrease in deferred revenue, partially offset by a $9.7 million increase in accrued compensation due to increased personnel.

Investing activities

Cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $63.2 million, which resulted primarily from purchases of marketable securities of $900.8 million, purchases of property and equipment of $75.0 million, and purchases of non-marketable equity and other related investments of $39.4 million, partially offset by proceeds from the maturities of marketable securities of $952.1 million.

Cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2020 was $617.1 million, which resulted primarily from purchases of marketable securities of $1.1 billion, purchases of property and equipment of $36.2 million, and purchase of intangible assets of $17.9 million, partially offset by proceeds from the maturities of marketable securities of $562.5 million.

Financing activities

Cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $66.8 million, which was primarily due to taxes paid related to net share settlement of restricted stock units of $83.8 million, partially offset by proceeds of $9.8 million from issuances under employee stock purchase plan, and proceeds of $8.1 million from exercise of stock options.

Cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2020 was $1.4 billion, which was primarily due to net proceeds of $1.1 billion from borrowings on convertible senior notes, proceeds of $354.6 million from a follow-on offering of our common stock, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us, proceeds of $9.5 million from exercise of stock options, and proceeds of $7.1 million from issuances under employee stock purchase plan, partially offset by purchases of note hedges relating to the convertible senior notes of $90.0 million, and taxes paid related to net share settlement of restricted stock units of $3.4 million.

Critical accounting policies and estimates

We have prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. Our preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and related disclosures at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as revenue and expenses recorded during the reporting periods. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could therefore differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we believe the following accounting policies to be critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Revenue recognition

We derive revenue from the provision of precision oncology testing services provided to our ordering physicians and biopharmaceutical customers, as well as from biopharmaceutical research and development services provided to our biopharmaceutical customers. Precision oncology testing services include genomic profiling and the delivery of other genomic information derived from our platform. Development services and other include companion diagnostic development, clinical study setup, monitoring and maintenance, information solutions and laboratory services, and other miscellaneous revenue streams. We currently receive payments from third-party commercial and governmental payers, certain hospitals and oncology centers and individual patients, as well as biopharmaceutical companies, research institutes and international distributors.

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Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted the new revenue recognition standard, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASC 606. Revenues are recognized when control of services is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those services. ASC 606 provides for a five-step model that includes identifying the contract with a customer, identifying the performance obligations in the contract, determining the transaction price, allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations, and recognizing revenue when, or as, an entity satisfies a performance obligation.

Precision oncology testing

We recognize revenue from the sale of our precision oncology tests for clinical customers, including certain hospitals, cancer centers, other institutions and patients, at the time results of the test are reported to physicians. Most precision oncology tests requested by clinical customers are sold without a written agreement; however, we determine an implied contract exists with our clinical customers. We identify each sale of our test to a clinical customer as a single performance obligation. With the exception of certain limited contracted arrangements with insurance carriers and other institutions where the transaction price is fixed, a stated contract price does not exist and the transaction price for each implied contract with our clinical customers represents variable consideration. We estimate the variable consideration under the portfolio approach and consider the historical reimbursement data from third-party commercial and governmental payers and patients, as well as known or anticipated reimbursement trends not reflected in the historical data. We monitor the estimated amount to be collected in the portfolio at each reporting period based on actual cash collections in order to assess whether a revision to the estimate is required. Both the estimate and any subsequent revision contain uncertainty and require the use of significant judgment in the estimation of the variable consideration and application of the constraint for such variable consideration. We analyze actual cash collections over the expected reimbursement period and compare it with the estimated variable consideration for each portfolio and any difference is recognized as an adjustment to estimated revenue after the expected reimbursement period, subject to assessment of the risk of future revenue reversal.

Revenue from sales of precision oncology tests to biopharmaceutical customers are based on a negotiated price per test or on the basis of an agreement to provide certain testing volume over a defined period. We identify our promise to transfer a series of distinct tests to biopharmaceutical customers as a single performance obligation. Precision oncology tests to biopharmaceutical customers are generally billed at a fixed price for each test performed. For agreements involving testing volume to be satisfied over a defined period, revenue is recognized over time based on the number of tests performed as the performance obligation is satisfied over time.

Results of our precision oncology services are delivered electronically, and as such there are no shipping or handling fees incurred by us or billed to customers.

Development services and other

We perform development services for our biopharmaceutical customers utilizing our precision oncology information platform. Development services typically represent a single performance obligation as we perform a significant integration service, such as analytical validation and regulatory submissions. The individual promises are not separately identifiable from other promises in the contracts and, therefore, are not distinct. However, under certain contracts, a biopharmaceutical customer may engage us for multiple distinct development services which are both capable of being distinct and separately identifiable from other promises in the contracts and, therefore, distinct performance obligations.

We collaborate with pharmaceutical companies in the development of new drugs. As part of these collaborations, we provide services related to regulatory filings to support companion diagnostic device submissions for our liquid biopsy panels. Under these collaborations, we generate revenue from achievement of milestones, as well as provision of on-going support. For development services performed, we are compensated through a combination of an upfront fee and performance-based, non-refundable regulatory and other developmental milestone payments. The transaction price of our development services contracts typically represents variable consideration. Application of the constraint for variable consideration to milestone payments is an area that requires significant judgment. We evaluate factors such as the scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial, and other risks that must be managed to achieve the respective milestone and the level of effort and investment required to achieve the respective milestone. In making this assessment, we consider our historical experience with similar milestones, the degree of complexity and uncertainty associated with each milestone, and whether achievement of the milestone is dependent on parties other than us. The constraint for variable consideration is applied such that it is probable a significant reversal of revenue will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the contingency is resolved. Application of the constraint for variable consideration is assessed and updated at each reporting period as a revision to the estimated transaction price.

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We recognize development services and other revenue over the period in which biopharmaceutical research and development services are provided. Specifically, we recognize revenue using an input method to measure progress, utilizing costs incurred to-date relative to total expected costs as its measure of progress. We also assess the changes to the total expected cost estimates as well as any incremental fees negotiated resulting from changes to the scope of the original contract in determining the revenue recognition at each reporting period. For development of new products or services under these arrangements, costs incurred before technological feasibility is reached are included as research and development expenses in our consolidated statements of operations, while costs incurred thereafter are recorded as cost of development services and other.

We also have other miscellaneous revenue streams that are recognized in addition to development services noted above such as clinical study setup, monitoring and maintenance, testing development and support, GuardantConnect, GuardantINFORM, and kits fulfillment related revenues. In addition, we derive sales-based royalty revenues from licensing our technologies. Revenues related to clinical study setup, monitoring and maintenance, testing development and support, GuardantConnect, GuardantINFORM are generally recognized over time based on an input method to measure progress in the period when the associated services have been performed. Kits fulfillment related revenues are recognized when such products are delivered. Royalty revenues are recognized when actual sales incur.

Contracts with multiple performance obligations

Contracts with biopharmaceutical customers may include multiple distinct performance obligations, such as provision of precision oncology testing, biopharmaceutical research and development services, and clinical study enrollment assistance, among others. We evaluate the terms and conditions included within our contracts with biopharmaceutical customers to ensure appropriate revenue recognition, including whether services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately versus together. We first identify material promises, in contrast to immaterial promises or administrative tasks, under the contract and then evaluates whether these promises are both capable of being distinct and distinct within the context of the contract. In assessing whether a promised service is capable of being distinct, we consider whether the customer could benefit from the service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer, including factors such as the research, development, and commercialization capabilities of a third party as well as the availability of the associated expertise in the general marketplace. In assessing whether a promised service is distinct within the context of the contract, we consider whether we provide a significant integration of the services, whether the services significantly modify or customize one another, or whether the services are highly interdependent or interrelated.

For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to the separate performance obligations on a relative standalone selling price basis. We determine standalone selling price by considering the historical selling price of these performance obligations in similar transactions as well as other factors, including, but not limited to, the price that customers in the market would be willing to pay, competitive pricing of other vendors, industry publications and current pricing practices, and expected costs of satisfying each performance obligation plus appropriate margin.

Variable interest entity

We review agreements we enter into with third party entities, pursuant to which we may have a variable interest in the entity, in order to determine if the entity is a variable interest entity, or VIE. If the entity is a VIE, we assess whether or not we are the primary beneficiary of that entity. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of an entity, we apply a qualitative approach that determines whether we have both (1) the power to direct the economically significant activities of the entity and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to that entity. If we determine we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we consolidate the statements of operations and financial condition of the VIE into our consolidated financial statements. Accounting for the consolidation is based on our determination if the VIE meets the definition of a business or and asset. Assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests, excluding goodwill, of VIEs that are not determined to be businesses are recorded at fair value in our financial statements upon consolidation. Assets and liabilities that we have transferred to a VIE, after, or shortly before the date we became the primary beneficiary are recorded at the same amount at which the assets and liabilities would have been measured if they had not been transferred. Our determination about whether we should consolidate such VIEs is made continuously as changes to existing relationships or future transactions may result in a consolidation or deconsolidation event.

In May 2018, we and an affiliate of SoftBank formed and capitalized the Joint Venture for the sale, marketing and distribution of our tests in the JV Territory. We expect to rely on the Joint Venture to accelerate commercialization of our products in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The Joint Venture is deemed to be a VIE and we are identified

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as the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Consequently, we have consolidated the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Joint Venture in our financial statements and all intercompany balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The joint venture agreement also includes a put-call arrangement with respect to the shares of the Joint Venture held by SoftBank and its affiliates. The noncontrolling interest held by SoftBank contains embedded put-call redemption features that are not solely within our control and has been classified outside of permanent equity in our consolidated balance sheets. The put-call feature embedded in the redeemable noncontrolling interest do not currently require bifurcation as it does not meet the definition of a derivative and is considered to be clearly and closely related to the redeemable noncontrolling interest. The noncontrolling interest is considered probable of becoming redeemable as SoftBank has the option to exercise its put right to sell its equity ownership in the Joint Venture to us on or after the seventh anniversary of the formation of the Joint Venture, on each subsequent anniversary of the IPO and under certain other circumstances. We elected to recognize the change in redemption value immediately as they occur as if the put-call redemption feature were exercisable at the end of the reporting period. In November 2021, we exercised our call right contained in the joint venture agreement with SoftBank to purchase all of the shares held by SoftBank and its affiliates in consideration for the payment of the aggregate purchase price to be determined based on an independent third party valuation. The aggregate purchase price will be no less than an amount that yields a 20% internal rate of return on the $41.0 million of capital invested by SoftBank in May 2018 as stipulated in the joint venture agreement. As a result of exercising the call right, the noncontrolling interest has been recorded as a current liability in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, and future adjustments to the noncontrolling interest liability will be recorded in net loss in our consolidated statement of operations.

Stock-based compensation

After the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2018-07, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting on January 1, 2019, we measure stock-based compensation expense for stock options granted to our employees, directors, and nonemployee consultants on the date of grant based on the fair value of the awards and recognize the corresponding compensation expense of those awards over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective awards. Compensation expense for stock options with performance metrics is calculated based upon expected achievement of the metrics specified in the grant.

We estimate the fair value of stock options granted under the 2012 Stock Plan, the 2018 Incentive Award Plan, and under the Guardant Health AMEA, Inc.'s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan for the Joint Venture, and stock purchase rights granted under our 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires the use of assumptions regarding a number of variables that are complex, subjective and generally require significant judgment to determine. The assumptions used to calculate the fair value of our stock options were:

Fair Value of Common Stock

The fair value of our common stock is determined by the closing price, on the date of grant, of its common stock, which is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. The board of directors of the Joint Venture has determined the fair value of common stock of the Joint Venture. The grant date fair value of the Joint Venture’s common stock was determined using valuation methodologies which utilizes certain assumptions including probability weighting of events, volatility, time to liquidation, a risk-free interest rate and an assumption for a discount for lack of marketability. In determining the fair value of the Joint Venture’s common stock, the methodologies used to estimate the enterprise value of the Joint Venture were performed using methodologies, approaches, and assumptions consistent with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Accounting and Valuation Guide, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation.

Expected term

Our expected term represents the period that our stock options are expected to be outstanding. After the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2018-07, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting on January 1, 2019, the expected term of stock options issued to employees, directors and nonemployee consultants is determined using the simplified method (based on the mid-point between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term), as we do not have sufficient historical data to use any other method to estimate expected term.

Expected volatility

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Prior to the commencement of trading of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on October 4, 2018 in connection with the IPO, there was no active trading market for our common stock. Due to limited historical data for the trading of our common stock, expected volatility is estimated based on the average volatility for comparable publicly traded peer group companies in the same industry plus our expected volatility for the available periods. The comparable companies are chosen based on their similar size, stage in the life cycle or area of specialty.

The Joint Venture derived the expected volatility from the average historical volatility over a period approximately equal to the expected term of comparable publicly traded companies within its peer group that were deemed to be representative of future stock price trends as the Joint Venture does not have any trading history for its common stock. The Joint Venture will continue to apply this process until a sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility of its own stock price becomes available.

Risk-free interest rate

The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. treasury zero coupon issues in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected term of the stock option grants.

Expected dividend yield

We have never paid dividends on our common stock and have no plans to pay dividends on our common stock. Therefore, we use an expected dividend yield of zero.

Black-Scholes assumptions

The weighted-average assumptions used in our Black-Scholes option-pricing model, including the Joint Venture, were as follows for stock option granted to our employees, directors and nonemployees for the periods presented:

Year Ended December 31,

Expected dividend yield —% —% —%

For market-based restricted stock units, we derive the requisite service period using the Monte Carlo simulation model. The estimated fair value of the market-based restricted stock units was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model which requires the use of assumptions regarding a number of variables that are complex, subjective and generally require significant judgment to determine. Stock-based compensation expense will be recorded regardless of achieving the market conditions or not. If the related market condition is achieved earlier than its expected derived service period, the stock-based compensation expense will be recognized as a cumulative catch-up expense from the grant date to that point in time in achieving the share price goal.

The assumptions used to calculate the fair value of our market-based restricted stock units were as follows:

Fair Value of Common Stock

The fair value of our common stock is determined by the closing price, on the date of grant, of its common stock, which is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

Expected Volatility

Due to limited historical data for the trading of our common stock, expected volatility is estimated based on the average volatility for comparable publicly traded peer group companies and implied volatility of publicly traded options in the same industry plus our expected volatility for the available periods. The comparable companies are chosen based on their similar size, stage in the life cycle or area of specialty.

Expected Term

The expected term represents the derived service period for the respective tranches which has been estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation model.

Risk-Free Interest Rate

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The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rate, with maturities similar to the expected term of the market-based restricted stock units.

Risky Rate

The risky rate represents our cost of equity.

Expected Dividend Yield

We do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future and, therefore, uses an expected dividend yield of zero.

Discount for Lack of Marketability

The discount for lack of marketability represents the discount applied for post vest term restrictions and has been derived using the Monte Carlo simulation model.

The following assumptions were used to calculate the stock-based compensation for market-based restricted stock units: a weighted-average expected term of 0.83 – 2.07 years; expected volatility of 65.5%; a risk-free interest rate of 0.53%; a zero dividend yield; a risky rate (cost of equity) of 16%; and a discount for post-vesting restrictions of 10.4% – 14.5%.

We recognize stock-based compensation expense net of forfeitures as they occur.

We will continue to use judgment in evaluating the assumptions related to our stock-based compensation on a prospective basis. As we continue to accumulate additional data related to our common stock, we may have refinements to our estimates, which could materially impact our future stock-based compensation expense.

Recent accounting pronouncements

See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk in the ordinary course of our business. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates.

Interest rate risk

We are exposed to market risk for changes in interest rates related primarily to our cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and our indebtedness. As of December 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $492.2 million held primarily in cash deposits and money market funds. Our marketable securities are held in U.S. government debt securities. As of December 31, 2021, we had short-term marketable securities of $440.5 million and long-term marketable securities of $698.0 million. Our primary exposure to market risk is interest income sensitivity, which is affected by changes in the general level of the interest rates in the United States. As of December 31, 2021, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates would have resulted in an approximate $11.8 million decline of the fair value of our available-for-sale securities and a hypothetical 100 basis point decrease in interest rates would have resulted in an approximate $6.5 million increase of the fair value of our available-for-sale securities. This estimate is based on a sensitivity model that measures market value changes when changes in interest rates occur.

Foreign currency risk

The majority of our revenue is generated in the United States. Through December 31, 2021, we have generated an insignificant amount of revenues denominated in foreign currencies. As we expand our presence in the international market, our results of operations and cash flows are expected to increasingly be subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and may be adversely affected in the future due to changes in foreign exchange rates. As of December 31, 2021, the effect of a hypothetical 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates would not be material to our financial condition or results of operations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging arrangements with respect to foreign currency risk. As our international operations grow, we will continue to reassess our approach to manage our risk relating to fluctuations in currency rates.

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Guardant Health, Inc.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and

For the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42) 97

Consolidated Balance Sheets 99

Consolidated Statements of Operations 101

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss 102

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 104

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 106

The supplementary financial information required by this Item 8 is included in Part II, Item 7 under the caption “Quarterly Results of Operations”, which is incorporated herein by reference.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Guardant Health, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Guardant Health, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, 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, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, 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, 2021, 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 February 24, 2022 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.

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Precision Oncology Revenue (testing services provided to ordering physicians)

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2015.

Redwood City, California

February 24, 2022

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Guardant Health, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

As of December 31,

ASSETS

Current assets:

Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net 53,052 17,466

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Noncontrolling interest liability 78,000 —

99

As of December 31,

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

Redeemable noncontrolling interest — 57,100

Stockholders’ equity:

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (4,764) 2,697

(1) As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, this balance includes $20.4 million and $35.0 million of assets, respectively, that can be used only to settle obligations of the consolidated variable interest entity, or VIE, and VIE’s subsidiaries, and $4.3 million and $4.9 million of liabilities of the consolidated VIE and VIE’s subsidiaries, respectively, for which their creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company. See Note 3, Investment in Joint Venture.

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

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Guardant Health, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)

Year Ended December 31,

Revenue:

Costs and operating expenses:

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 300 379 (1,872)

Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interest (20,900) (7,500) (7,800)

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

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Guardant Health, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

(in thousands)

Year Ended December 31,

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax impact:

Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities (5,769) 1,131 1,110

Foreign currency translation adjustments (1,692) 455 84

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

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Guardant Health, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Stockholders’ Equity

(in thousands, except share data)

Shares Amount

Cumulative effect adjustment for Topic 606 adoption — — — — — 4,907 4,907

Cumulative effect adjustment for ASU 2018-07 adoption — — — 1,266 — (1,266) —

Vesting of restricted stock units — 22,208 — — — — —

Vesting of common stock exercised early — — — 95 — — 95

Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interest 7,800 — — — — (7,800) (7,800)

Other comprehensive gain, net of tax impact — — — — 1,194 — 1,194

Equity component of convertible senior notes, net — — — 330,403 — — 330,403

Purchase of convertible senior note hedges — — — (90,045) — — (90,045)

Vesting of restricted stock units — 97,188 — — — — —

Vesting of common stock exercised early — — — 52 — — 52

Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interest 7,500 — — — — (7,500) (7,500)

Other comprehensive gain, net of tax impact — — — — 1,586 — 1,586

Vesting of restricted stock units — 750,160 — — — — —

Vesting of common stock exercised early — — — 52 — — 52

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax impact — — — — (7,461) — (7,461)

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

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Guardant Health, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

Year Ended December 31,

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

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

Unrealized translation gains on obligation related to royalty — — (147)

Re-valuation of contingent consideration 2,380 (120) 300

Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs 2,564 4,729 —

Amortization of premium (discount) on marketable securities 12,849 4,016 (2,310)

Benefit from income tax differences — — (1,597)

Credit loss adjustment and others 47 7,151 —

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisition:

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (35,753) (6,077) (6,185)

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 11,942 (1,359) 9,289

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Purchase of non-marketable equity and other related investments (39,422) — —

Business acquisition, net of cash acquired — — (7,328)

Payment in connection with a license agreement — — (68)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Payments made on royalty obligations — — (311)

Payments made on finance lease obligations (146) (174) (127)

Proceeds from public offerings of common stock — 355,730 350,432

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Year Ended December 31,

Proceeds from borrowings on convertible senior notes, net — 1,132,750 —

Purchase of convertible note hedges — (90,045) —

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:

Cash paid for interest $ — $ — $ 1,181

Supplemental Disclosures of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:

Property and equipment acquired under finance leases $ 238 $ 47 $ —

Vesting of common stock exercised early $ 52 $ 52 $ 95

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

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Guardant Health, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Description of Business

Guardant Health, Inc., or the Company, is a leading precision oncology company focused on helping conquer cancer globally through use of its proprietary tests, vast data sets and advanced analytics. Today the Company's proprietary tests are helping to realize the full potential of precision oncology by providing patients and their doctors critical insights that can inform decisions at all stages of the disease, from screening, to monitoring cancer recurrence, to treatment decisions. The key to conquering cancer is unprecedented access to its molecular information throughout all stages of the disease, which the Company enables by its tests. By looking at the unique dimensions of cancer found in blood, including genomic alterations, methylation, and fragmentomics, the Company is unlocking insights that can increasingly help patients across all stages of cancer, including at its earliest, when it’s most treatable. To help identify cancer at the earliest stages, the Company is developing Guardant SHIELD, a blood test for cancer screening in average-risk adults without symptoms, that detects very early signs of cancer by interrogating genomic alterations, methylation, and fragmentomic signals from a simple blood draw. In pursuit of its goal to manage cancer across all stages of the disease, the Company provides its Guardant360, Guardant360 LDT, Guardant 360 CDx, and GuardantOMNI liquid biopsy-based tests for advanced stage cancer. In February 2021, the Company launched its Guardant Reveal liquid biopsy-based tests for residual and recurring cancer to first address the need in Stage II-III colorectal cancer. In June 2021, the Company launched Guardant360 TissueNext, the Company's first tissue-based test which will be used to identify patients with advanced cancer who may benefit from biomarker-informed treatment, and Guardant360 Response which will be used to measure early indications to patients' response to treatment up to eight weeks earlier than response evaluation criteria in solid tumors. Using data collected from the Company's tests, the Company has also developed the GuardantINFORM platform to further accelerate precision oncology drug development by biopharmaceutical companies by offering them an in-silico research platform to further unlock insights into tumor evolution and treatment resistance across various biomarker-driven cancers.

The Company was incorporated in Delaware in December 2011 and is headquartered in Redwood City, California. In May 2018, the Company formed and capitalized Guardant Health AMEA, Inc., or the Joint Venture, in the United States with an affiliate of SoftBank Vision Fund (AIV M1) L.P., or SoftBank. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, the Company holds a 50% ownership interest in the Joint Venture. In November 2021, the Company exercised its call right contained in the Joint Venture agreement with SoftBank to purchase all of the shares held by SoftBank and its affiliates, see Note 3. As of December 31, 2021, the Joint Venture has subsidiaries in Singapore and Japan (see Note 3, Investment in Joint Venture) and the Company has a subsidiary in Switzerland, which was incorporated in 2019.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Guardant Health, Inc., its consolidated Joint Venture and majority owned subsidiary. Other stockholders’ interests in the Joint Venture are shown in the consolidated financial statements as redeemable noncontrolling interest. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company believes that its existing cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities as of December 31, 2021 will be sufficient to allow the Company to fund its current operating plan through at least a period of one year after the date the accompanying consolidated financial statements are issued. As the Company continues to incur losses, its transition to profitability is dependent upon a level of revenues adequate to support the Company’s cost structure. If the Company’s transition to profitability is not consistent with its current operating plan, the Company may have to seek additional capital.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the related disclosures at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and other market-specific or other relevant assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates are used in several areas including, but not limited to, estimation of variable consideration, estimation of credit losses,

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standalone selling price allocation included in contracts with multiple performance obligations, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, stock-based compensation, incremental borrowing rate for operating leases, contingencies, certain inputs into the provision for (benefit from) income taxes, including related reserves, valuation of non-marketable securities, valuation of redeemable noncontrolling interest, among others. These estimates generally involve complex issues and require judgments, involve the analysis of historical results and prediction of future trends, can require extended periods of time to resolve and are subject to change from period to period. Actual results may differ materially from management’s estimates.

The extent to which the coronavirus 2019, or COVID-19 pandemic, will ultimately impact the Company’s business, results of operations, financial conditions, or cash flows continues to be highly uncertain. The severity of the impact on the Company's business will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the duration and severity of the pandemic, and the impact of any variants of the virus, the extent and severity of the impact on the Company's customers and suppliers, the continued disruption to demand for the Company's products and services, and the impact of the global business and economic environment on liquidity and the availability of capital, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted.

Foreign Currency

The functional currency of the subsidiaries of the consolidated Joint Venture is the local currency. The assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at each balance sheet date, with the resulting translation adjustments recorded to a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity. Income and expense accounts are translated at average exchange rates during the period. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses resulting from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, foreign currency transaction gains and losses were immaterial.

Segment Information

The Company operates as one operating and reportable segment. The Company's chief operating decision makers are its Co-Chief Executive Officers, who review financial information presented on a consolidated basis for the purposes of making operating decisions, assessing financial performance and allocating resources.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less. Cash equivalents include bank demand deposits and money market accounts that invest primarily in U.S. government-backed securities and treasuries. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates their fair value.

Restricted cash consists of payroll withholding related to the Company's enrollment in certain voluntary disability insurance plan. Restricted cash balance as of December 31, 2021, was $0.1 million, which was included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company did not have any restricted cash as of December 31, 2020.

Marketable Securities

Marketable securities consist primarily of high-grade U.S. government and agency securities and corporate bonds. Marketable securities with original maturities at the time of purchase between three and twelve months from balance sheet dates are classified as short-term marketable securities and those with maturities over twelve months from balance sheet dates are classified as long-term marketable securities. The Company classifies all marketable securities as available-for-sale, which are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Any premium or discount arising at purchase is amortized or accreted to interest income or expense.

The Company periodically evaluates its available-for-sale marketable securities for impairment. Prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326),Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, the Company assesses whether declines in fair values of its marketable securities below their book value are other-than-temporary. This evaluation consists of several qualitative and quantitative factors regarding the severity and duration of the unrealized loss as well as the Company’s ability and intent to hold the marketable security until a forecasted recovery occurs. Additionally, the Company assesses whether it has plans to sell the security or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell any marketable securities before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Factors considered include quoted market prices, recent financial results and operating trends, implied values from any recent transactions or offers of investee

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securities, credit quality of debt instrument issuers, other publicly available information that may affect the value of the marketable security, duration and severity of the decline in value, and management’s strategy and intentions for holding the marketable security. Realized gains and losses and declines in value, if any, judged to be other than temporary on available‐for‐sale securities are reported in other income (expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations. When securities are sold, any associated unrealized gain or loss initially recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity is reclassified out of stockholders’ equity on a specific‐identification basis and recorded in earnings for the period.

Starting January 1, 2020, upon adoption of ASU 2016-13, when the fair value of a marketable security is below its amortized cost, the amortized cost is reduced to its fair value if it is more likely than not that the Company is required to sell the impaired security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, or the Company has the intention to sell the security. If neither of these conditions are met, the Company determines whether the impairment is due to credit losses by comparing the present value of the expected cash flows of the security with its amortized cost basis. The amount of impairment recognized is limited to the excess of the amortized cost over the fair value of the security. An allowance for credit losses for the excess of amortized cost over the expected cash flows is recorded in other income (expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations. Impairment losses that are not credit-related are included in accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss) in stockholders’ equity.

Non-Marketable Securities

The Company acquires certain equity investments in private companies to promote business and strategic objectives. The Company's investments in non-marketable equity securities do not give the Company the ability to control or exercise significant influence over the investee. The Company's non-marketable equity and other related investments totaled $39.4 million as of December 31, 2021, and are included in other assets, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company did not have such non-marketable equity and other related investments as of December 31, 2020. Non-marketable securities are subject to periodic impairment reviews and adjustments for observable price changes from orderly transactions. The Company's evaluation of impairment of such non-marketable securities is based on adverse changes in market conditions and the regulatory or economic environment, qualitative and quantitative analysis of the operating performance of the investee; changes in operating structure or management of the investee; additional funding requirements; and the investee’s ability to remain in business. Pursuant to one of the investments in non-marketable securities purchased by the Company, and subject to the Company purchasing additional non-marketable securities from the same investee, the Company would acquire rights to purchase the investee at a pre-determined price subject to additional adjustments based on the performance of the investee, on or before December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, no impairment or adjustments to carrying value of non-marketable securities have been recorded. The Company’s assessment of these factors in determining whether an impairment exists could change in the future due to new developments or changes in applied assumptions.

Concentration of Risk

The Company is subject to credit risk from its portfolio of cash equivalents held at one commercial bank and investments in marketable securities. The Company limits its exposure to credit losses by investing in money market funds through a U.S. bank with high credit ratings. The Company’s cash may consist of deposits held with banks that may at times exceed federally insured limits, however, its exposure to credit risk in the event of default by the financial institution is limited to the extent of amounts recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company performs evaluations of the relative credit standing of these financial institutions to limit the amount of credit exposure.

The Company also invests in investment‐grade debt instruments and has policy limits for the amount it can invest in any one type of security, except for securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The goals of the Company’s investment policy, in order of priority, are as follows: safety and preservation of principal and diversification of risk; liquidity of investments sufficient to meet cash flow requirements; and a competitive after‐tax rate of return. Under its investment policy, the Company limits amounts invested in such securities by credit rating, maturity, investment type and issuer, as a result, the Company is not exposed to any significant concentrations of credit risk from these financial instruments.

The Company is subject to credit risk from its accounts receivable. The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable arises from the provision of precision oncology services and development services and other in the United States and are primarily with biopharmaceutical companies with high credit ratings. The Company has not experienced any material losses related to receivables from individual customers, or groups of customers. The Company does not require collateral. Accounts receivable are recorded at net amount.

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A significant customer is a biopharmaceutical customer or a clinical testing payer that represents 10% or more of the Company’s total revenue or accounts receivable balance. Revenue attributable to each significant customer, including its affiliated entities, as a percentage of the Company’s total revenue, for the respective period, and accounts receivable balance attributable to each significant customers, including its affiliated entities, as a percentage of the Company’s total accounts receivable balance, at the respective consolidated balance sheet date, are as follows:

Revenue Accounts Receivable, Net

Year Ended December 31, As of December 31,

Customer C * * * 10 % 12 %

Customer D * * * * 11 %

Customer E * * * 13 % *

* less than 10%

The Company is also subject to credit risk from its other receivables and other assets. The Company's other receivables and other assets include payments due from a third-party in relation to the settlement of a patent dispute reached in August 2020 for $8.0 million payable over a period of 6 years. In December 2020, the Company received the first installment payment of $1.0 million, and in December 2021, the Company received the second installment payment of $1.1 million. The Company has evaluated and recorded a credit loss for the remaining $5.9 million considering the third-party's credit worthiness and lack of financial history. The following table presents the receivable and the related credit loss amounts:

Gross Amount Allowance for Credit Losses Net Amount

(in thousand)

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable represent valid claims against commercial and governmental payers, biopharmaceutical companies, research institutes and international distributors, including unbilled receivables, and royalty payments due from third parties for licensing the Company’s technologies. Unbilled receivables include balances due from biopharmaceutical customers related to development services and other revenues that are recognized upon the achievement of performance-based milestones but prior to the achievement of contractual billing rights. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had unbilled receivables of $5.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on historical collection trends, the financial condition of payment partners, and external market factors and provides for an allowance for potential credit losses based on management’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had immaterial allowance for credit losses related to its accounts receivable.

Inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventory consisted entirely of supplies, which are consumed when providing tests, and therefore the Company does not maintain any finished goods inventory.

In order to assess the ultimate realization of inventories, the Company is required to make judgments as to future demand requirements compared to current or committed inventory levels. The Company periodically reviews its

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inventories for excess or obsolescence and writes-down obsolete or otherwise unmarketable inventory to its estimated net realizable value. If the actual net realizable value is less than that estimated by the Company, or if it is determined that inventory utilization will further diminish based on estimates of demand, additional inventory write-downs may be required. Amounts written-down due to unmarketable inventory are recorded in cost of precision oncology testing and cost of development services and other, as appropriate.

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed over estimated useful lives of the related assets using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the remaining term of the lease, whichever is shorter. The Company periodically reviews the depreciable lives assigned to property and equipment placed in service and changes the estimates of useful lives, if necessary. Maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the lives of the respective assets are expensed as incurred.

Estimated useful lives for property and equipment are as follows:

Property and Equipment Estimated Useful Life

Machinery and equipment 3 – 5 years

Furniture and fixtures 7 years

Computer hardware and computer software 3 years

Leasehold improvements Lesser of estimated useful life or remaining lease term

Asset Acquisition

If an acquisition of an asset or group of assets does not meet the definition of a business, the transaction is accounted for as an asset acquisition rather than a business combination. An asset acquisition does not result in the recognition of goodwill and transaction costs are capitalized as part of the cost of the asset or group of assets acquired. Transaction costs allocated to in-process research and development technology with no future alternate use is expensed as incurred. The total consideration is allocated to the various intangible assets acquired on a relative fair value basis. Cash paid in connection of purchase of in-process research and development technology in an asset acquisition is presented within the investing section of the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net

Intangible assets related to in-process research and development costs, or IPR&D, acquired in a business combination are considered to be indefinite-lived until the completion or abandonment of the associated research and development efforts. If and when development is complete, the associated assets would be deemed finite-lived and would then be amortized based on their respective estimated useful lives at that point in time. Prior to completion of the research and development efforts, the assets are considered indefinite-lived. During this period, the assets will not be amortized but will be tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests if we become aware of any events occurring or changes in circumstances that would indicate a reduction in the fair value of the IPR&D projects below their respective carrying amounts.

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets and liabilities. Goodwill and IPR&D are not amortized but are tested for impairment at least annually during the fourth fiscal quarter, or if circumstances indicate their value may no longer be recoverable. The Company continues to operate in one segment, which is considered to be the sole reporting unit and, therefore, goodwill was tested for impairment at the enterprise level. As of December 31, 2021, there has been no impairment of goodwill or IPR&D.

Intangible assets are carried at cost, net of accumulated amortization. The Company does not have intangible assets with indefinite useful lives other than goodwill and the acquired IPR&D. Amortization is recorded on a straight-line basis over the intangible asset's useful life, which is approximately 6—12 years.

Impairment for Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be fully recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying amount. Impairment, if any, is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.

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Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception. Operating lease right-of-use, or ROU, assets and operating leases liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. ROU assets also include any initial direct costs incurred and any lease payments made at or before the lease commencement date, less lease incentives received or receivable. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the lease liabilities, as the Company's leases generally do not provide an implicit rate. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate when the Company is reasonably certain the option will be exercised. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company also has lease arrangements with lease and non-lease components. The Company elected the practical expedient not to separate non-lease components from lease components for the Company’s facility leases. The Company also elected to apply the short-term lease measurement and recognition exemption in which ROU assets and lease liabilities are not recognized for leases with terms of 12 months or less.

Convertible Senior Notes

In accounting for the issuance of the convertible senior notes, the Company separates the notes into liability and equity components. The carrying amount of the liability component is calculated by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated convertible feature, using a discounted cash flow model with a risk adjusted yield. The carrying amount of the equity component representing the conversion option is determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the par value of the notes as a whole. This difference represents a debt discount that is amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the notes. The equity component is not remeasured as long as it continues to meet the conditions for equity classification. In accounting for the transaction costs related to the issuance of the notes, the Company allocated the total amount incurred to the liability and equity components based on their relative fair values. Transaction costs attributable to the liability component are netted with the liability component and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the notes. Transaction costs attributable to the equity component are netted with the equity component of the notes in additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheets. Starting January 1, 2021, upon early adoption of ASU 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity, the carrying amount of the equity component of the cash conversion feature including the allocated debt issuance costs were reclassified from additional paid-in capital to convertible senior notes, net.

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives revenue from the provision of precision oncology testing services provided to its ordering physicians and biopharmaceutical customers, as well as from biopharmaceutical research and development services provided to its biopharmaceutical customers. Precision oncology testing services include genomic profiling and the delivery of other genomic information derived from the Company’s platform. Development services and other include companion diagnostic development, clinical study setup, monitoring and maintenance, information solutions and laboratory services, and other miscellaneous revenue streams. The Company currently receives payments from third-party commercial and governmental payers, certain hospitals and oncology centers and individual patients, as well as biopharmaceutical companies, research institutes and international distributors.

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new revenue recognition standard, FASB ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASC 606. Revenues are recognized when control of services is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those services. ASC 606 provides for a five-step model that includes identifying the contract with a customer, identifying the performance obligations in the contract, determining the transaction price, allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations, and recognizing revenue when, or as, an entity satisfies a performance obligation.

Precision oncology testing

The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its precision oncology tests for clinical customers, including certain hospitals, cancer centers, other institutions and patients, at the time results of the test are reported to physicians. Most precision oncology tests requested by clinical customers are sold without a written agreement; however, the Company determines an implied contract exists with its clinical customers. The Company identifies each sale of its test to clinical customer as a single performance obligation. With the exception of certain limited contracted arrangements with insurance carriers and other institutions where the transaction price is fixed, a stated contract price does not exist and the transaction price for each implied contract with clinical customers represents

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variable consideration. The Company estimates the variable consideration under the portfolio approach and considers the historical reimbursement data from third-party commercial and governmental payers and patients, as well as known or anticipated reimbursement trends not reflected in the historical data. The Company monitors the estimated amount to be collected in the portfolio at each reporting period based on actual cash collections in order to assess whether a revision to the estimate is required. Both the estimate and any subsequent revision contain uncertainty and require the use of significant judgment in the estimation of the variable consideration and application of the constraint for such variable consideration. The Company analyzes its actual cash collections over the expected reimbursement period and compares it with the estimated variable consideration for each portfolio and any difference is recognized as an adjustment to estimated revenue after the expected reimbursement period, subject to assessment of the risk of future revenue reversal. For the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded $19.3 million, $26.0 million and $16.8 million as revenue, respectively, resulting from cash collections exceeding the estimated variable consideration related to samples processed in previous years, including revenue received from successful appeals of reimbursement denials, net of recoupments.

Revenue from sales of precision oncology tests to biopharmaceutical customers are based on a negotiated price per test or on the basis of an agreement to provide certain testing volume over a defined period. The Company identifies its promise to transfer a series of distinct tests to biopharmaceutical customers as a single performance obligation. Precision oncology tests to biopharmaceutical customers are generally billed at a fixed price for each test performed. For agreements involving testing volume to be satisfied over a defined period, revenue is recognized over time based on the number of tests performed as the performance obligation is satisfied over time. Results of the Company’s precision oncology services are delivered electronically, and as such there are no shipping or handling fees incurred by the Company or billed to customers.

Development services and other

The Company performs development services for its biopharmaceutical customers utilizing its precision oncology information platform. Development services typically represent a single performance obligation as the Company performs a significant integration service, such as analytical validation and regulatory submissions. The individual promises are not separately identifiable from other promises in the contracts and, therefore, are not distinct. However, under certain contracts, a biopharmaceutical customer may engage the Company for multiple distinct development services which are both capable of being distinct and separately identifiable from other promises in the contracts and, therefore, distinct performance obligations.

The Company collaborates with pharmaceutical companies in the development of new drugs. As part of these collaborations, the Company provides services related to regulatory filings to support companion diagnostic device submissions for the Company’s testing panels. Under these collaborations, the Company generates revenue from achievement of milestones, as well as provision of on-going support. For development services performed, the Company is compensated through a combination of an upfront fee and performance-based, non-refundable regulatory and other developmental milestone payments. The transaction price of the Company's development services contracts typically represents variable consideration. Application of the constraint for variable consideration to milestone payments is an area that requires significant judgment. The Company evaluates factors such as the scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial, and other risks that must be managed to achieve the respective milestone and the level of effort and investment required to achieve the respective milestone. In making this assessment, the Company considers its historical experience with similar milestones, the degree of complexity and uncertainty associated with each milestone, and whether achievement of the milestone is dependent on parties other than the Company. The constraint for variable consideration is applied such that it is probable a significant reversal of revenue will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the contingency is resolved. Application of the constraint for variable consideration is assessed and updated at each reporting period as a revision to the estimated transaction price.

The Company recognizes development services revenue over the period in which biopharmaceutical research and development services are provided. Specifically, the Company recognizes revenue using an input method to measure progress, utilizing costs incurred to-date relative to total expected costs as its measure of progress. The Company assesses the changes to the total expected cost estimates as well as any incremental fees negotiated resulting from changes to the scope of the original contract in determining the revenue recognition at each reporting period. For development of new products or services under these arrangements, costs incurred before technological feasibility is reached are included as research and development expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations, while costs incurred thereafter are recorded as cost of development services and other.

The Company also has other miscellaneous revenue streams that are recognized in addition to development services noted above such as clinical study setup, monitoring and maintenance, testing development and support, GuardantConnect, GuardantINFORM, and kits fulfillment related revenues. In addition, the Company derives sales-

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based royalty revenues from licensing its technologies. Revenues related to clinical study setup, monitoring and maintenance, testing development and support, GuardantConnect, GuardantINFORM are generally recognized over time based on an input method to measure progress in the period when the associated services have been performed. Kits fulfillment related revenues are recognized when such products are delivered. Royalty revenues are recognized when actual sales incur.

Contracts with multiple performance obligations

Contracts with biopharmaceutical customers may include multiple distinct performance obligations, such as provision of precision oncology testing, biopharmaceutical research and development services, and clinical study enrollment assistance, among others. The Company evaluates the terms and conditions included within its contracts with biopharmaceutical customers to ensure appropriate revenue recognition, including whether services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately versus together. The Company first identifies material promises, in contrast to immaterial promises or administrative tasks, under the contract, and then evaluates whether these promises are both capable of being distinct and distinct within the context of the contract. In assessing whether a promised service is capable of being distinct, the Company considers whether the customer could benefit from the service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer, including factors such as the research, development, and commercialization capabilities of a third party as well as the availability of the associated expertise in the general marketplace. In assessing whether a promised service is distinct within the context of the contract, the Company considers whether it provides a significant integration of the services, whether the services significantly modify or customize one another, or whether the services are highly interdependent or interrelated.

For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to the separate performance obligations on a relative standalone selling price basis. The Company determines standalone selling price by considering the historical selling price of these performance obligations in similar transactions as well as other factors, including, but not limited to, the price that customers in the market would be willing to pay, competitive pricing of other vendors, industry publications and current pricing practices, and expected costs of satisfying each performance obligation plus appropriate margin.

Deferred revenue

Deferred revenue, which is a contract liability, consists primarily of payments received in advance of revenue recognition from contracts with customers. For example, development services and other contracts with biopharmaceutical customers often contain upfront payments which results in the recording of deferred revenue to the extent cash is received prior to the Company’s performance of the related services. Contract liabilities are relieved as the Company performs its obligations under the contract and revenue is consequently recognized. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the deferred revenue balance was $11.3 million and $8.6 million, respectively, which included $3.5 million and $3.0 million, respectively, related to collaboration development efforts with pharmaceutical companies to be recognized as the Company performs research and development services in the future periods. Revenue recognized in the year ended December 31, 2021 that was included in the deferred revenue balance as of December 31, 2020 was $8.3 million, of which $3.0 million represented revenue from provision of development services under the collaboration agreements with biopharmaceutical customers. Revenue recognized in the year ended December 31, 2020 that was included in the deferred revenue balance as of January 1, 2020 was $10.2 million, of which $4.8 million represented revenue from provision of development services under the collaboration agreements with biopharmaceutical customers.

Transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations

Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations represents contracted revenue that has not yet been recognized, which includes deferred revenue and non-cancelable amounts that will be invoiced and recognized as revenues in future periods. The Company expects to recognize substantially all of the remaining transaction price in the next 12 months.

Costs of Precision Oncology Testing

Cost of precision oncology testing generally consists of cost of materials, direct labor including bonus, benefit and stock-based compensation, equipment and infrastructure expenses associated with processing test samples (including sample accessioning, library preparation, sequencing, quality control analyses and shipping charges to transport blood samples), freight, curation of test results for physicians and license fees due to third parties. Infrastructure expenses include depreciation of laboratory equipment, rent costs, amortization of leasehold improvements and information technology costs. Costs associated with performing the Company’s tests are recorded as the tests are performed regardless of whether revenue was recognized with respect to that test. Royalties for licensed technology

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calculated as a percentage of revenues generated using the associated technology are recorded as expense at the time the related revenues are recognized. One-time royalty payments related to signing of license agreements or other milestones, such as issuance of new patents, are amortized to expense over the expected useful life of the applicable patent rights.

Cost of Development Services and Other

Cost of development service and other primarily includes costs incurred for the performance of development services requested by the Company’s biopharmaceutical customers and other revenues included as noted above. For development of new products, costs incurred before technological feasibility has been achieved are reported as research and development expenses, while costs incurred thereafter are reported as cost of development services and other.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses are comprised of costs incurred to develop technology and include compensation and benefits, reagents and supplies used in research and development laboratory work, infrastructure expenses, including allocated facility occupancy and information technology costs, contract services and other outside costs. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Payments made prior to the receipt of goods or services to be used in research and development are deferred and recognized as expense in the period in which the related goods are received or services are rendered. Costs to develop the Company’s technology capabilities are recorded as research and development unless they meet the criteria to be capitalized as internal-use software costs.

Advertising

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. The Company incurred advertising costs of $2.4 million, $1.2 million and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Stock‐Based Compensation

Stock‐based compensation related to stock options granted to the Company’s and the Joint Venture's employees, directors and nonemployees is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. The fair value is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective awards. Compensation expense for stock options with performance metrics is calculated based upon expected achievement of the metrics specified in the grant.

Starting January 1, 2019, upon adoption of ASU 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, the fair value of stock options issued to nonemployee consultants is determined as of the grant date, and compensation expense is being recognized over the period that the related services are rendered.

The Company uses the Black‐Scholes option‐pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options granted under the 2012 Stock Plan, the 2018 Incentive Award Plan, and the Joint Venture's 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, and stock purchase rights granted under the 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires assumptions to be made related to the expected term of an award, expected volatility, risk-free rate and expected dividend yield. The board of directors of the Joint Venture has determined the fair value of common stock of the Joint Venture. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur.

For market-based restricted stock units, the Company derives the requisite service period using the Monte Carlo simulation model and the related compensation expense is recognized over the derived service period using an accelerated attribution model commencing on the grant date. Stock-based compensation expense will be recorded regardless of whether the market conditions are achieved or not. If the related market condition is achieved earlier than its estimated derived service period, the stock-based compensation expense will be accelerated, and a cumulative catch-up expense will be recorded during the period in which the market condition is met.

The Company measures the grant date fair value of its service-based and performance-based restricted stock units issued to employees based on the closing market price of the common stock on the date of grant. For restricted stock units with only service-based vesting conditions, compensation expense is recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Compensation expense for restricted stock units with performance metrics is calculated based upon expected achievement of the metrics specified in the grant, and is recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations using an accelerated attribution model over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award.

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Income Taxes

Income taxes are recorded using an asset and liability approach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Tax benefits are recognized when it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained during an audit. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if current evidence indicates that it is considered more likely than not that these benefits will not be realized.

The Company’s tax positions are subject to income tax audits. The Company recognizes the tax benefit of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable upon examination by the taxing authority, based on the technical merits. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit which is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement with the taxing authority. The Company recognizes interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in its tax provision. The Company evaluates uncertain tax positions on a regular basis. The evaluations are based on a number of factors, including changes in facts and circumstances, changes in tax law, correspondence with tax authorities during the course of the audit, and effective settlement of audit issues. The provision for income taxes includes the effects of any accruals that the Company believes are appropriate, as well as the related net interest and penalties.

Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

The Company calculates basic net loss per share attributable to common stockholders by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. The diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is computed by giving effect to all potential dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury stock method or the as-if converted method, as appropriate. For purposes of this calculation, stock options, restricted stock units, shares issuable pursuant to the employee stock purchase plan, shares subject to repurchase from early exercised options and contingently issuable shares under the convertible senior notes are considered common stock equivalents but have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders as their effect is anti-dilutive.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (ASU 2020-06), which simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. Among other changes, ASU 2020-06 removes the liability and equity separation model for convertible instruments with a cash conversion feature, and as a result, after adoption, entities will no longer separately present in equity an embedded conversion feature for such debt. Similarly, the embedded conversion feature will no longer be amortized as interest expense over the life of the instrument. Instead, entities will account for a convertible debt instrument wholly as debt unless (1) a convertible instrument contains features that require bifurcation as a derivative under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or (2) a convertible debt instrument was issued at a substantial premium. Among other potential impacts, this change is expected to reduce reported interest expense, increase reported net income, and result in a reclassification of certain conversion feature balance sheet amounts from stockholders’ equity to liabilities as it relates to the Company’s convertible senior notes. Additionally, ASU 2020-06 requires the application of the if-converted method to calculate the impact of convertible instruments on diluted earnings per share. The Company early adopted ASU 2020-06 in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 using the modified retrospective approach which resulted in the re-classification of the carrying amount of the equity component of the cash conversion feature including the allocated debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2020, from additional paid-in capital to convertible senior notes, net.

3. Investment in Joint Venture

Variable Interest Entity, or VIE

In May 2018, the Company and an affiliate of SoftBank formed and capitalized the Joint Venture for the sale, marketing and distribution of the Company’s tests in all areas worldwide, outside of North America, Central America, South America, the United Kingdom, all other member states of the EU as of May 9, 2017, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. The Company expects to rely on the Joint Venture to accelerate commercialization of its products in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

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Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, the Company paid $9.0 million for 40,000 shares of common stock, or 50% ownership interest, of the Joint Venture, and the affiliate of SoftBank contributed $41.0 million for 40,000 shares of common stock, or the other 50% ownership interest, of the Joint Venture. Neither party has the obligation to provide additional financial support to the Joint Venture. Each party holds two seats on the board of the Joint Venture and has to cast through its representatives on the board at least one vote for any board resolution of the Joint Venture to pass. The representatives of the Company on the Joint Venture’s board of directors have the right to appoint and remove a chief executive officer and a legal representative for the Joint Venture, in each case, subject to the approval of the full Joint Venture board of directors. The Joint Venture’s board of directors has the right to appoint and remove all other members of the Joint Venture’s senior management reporting to its chief executive officer and to approve the compensation of all foregoing individuals, including the compensation of the chief executive officer and legal representative.

In June 2020, an amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Joint Venture, as approved by the board of directors of the Joint Venture, was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The amended and restated certificate of incorporation, among other things, increased the number of authorized shares of common stock to 89,000,000 shares consisting of 80,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and 9,000,000 shares of Class B (non-voting) common stock; and authorized 80,000,000 shares of Series A preferred stock. Pursuant to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation, each share of common stock held by the Company and the affiliate of SoftBank was reclassified and exchanged for 1,000 shares of Series A preferred stock. As a result, each of the Company and the affiliate of SoftBank held 40,000,000 shares of Series A preferred stock. The holders of Series A preferred stock are entitled to receive dividends at the rate of $0.05 per share if and when declared by the board of directors of the Joint Venture. In June 2020, the board of directors of the Joint Venture authorized the adoption of the Joint Venture’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan pursuant to which 4,595,555 shares of Class B common stock have been reserved for issuance. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, 602,408 and no shares of Class B common stock have been issued and outstanding, respectively, and no shares of Class A common stock have been issued and outstanding. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, 80,000,000 shares of Series A preferred stock have been issued and outstanding.

At the inception of the arrangement and at the end of each reporting period, the Company assesses whether the Joint Venture is a VIE, and if so, who is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. As of December 31, 2021, the Company and SoftBank had equal ownership interests and equal voting rights in the Joint Venture, and the Joint Venture’s board consisted of an equal number of directors representing the interest of the Company and SoftBank, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, the Joint Venture’s board had the right to vote on all critical matters that most significantly impact the Joint Venture’s economic performance, except that the Company had the unilateral right to make pricing decisions. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had responsibility for the Joint Venture’s daily operations, while SoftBank served as a financing partner. The Company also entered into various ancillary agreements with the Joint Venture necessary to operate its business. The Joint Venture is deemed to be a VIE, and considering the power and benefits criterion, the Company and SoftBank, collectively as a related party group, has the characteristics of the primary beneficiary of the Joint Venture, as the related party group has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Because the Company is most closely associated with the Joint Venture within the related party group, it has been identified as the VIE’s primary beneficiary. As the primary beneficiary, the Company has consolidated the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Joint Venture in its financial statements and all intercompany balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company concluded the Joint Venture did not meet the definition of a business upon consolidation as it lacked the processes required to generate outputs. Upon consolidation no liabilities were assumed and other than cash, and any identifiable assets were related to intellectual property rights that the Company transferred to the Joint Venture shortly before it became its primary beneficiary and therefore such transfer was treated as a common control transaction.

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Joint Venture had total assets of approximately $20.4 million and $35.0 million, respectively, which were primarily comprised of cash, property and equipment, right-of-use assets and security deposits. Although the Company consolidates the Joint Venture, the legal structure of the Joint Venture limits the recourse that its creditors will have over the Company’s general credit or assets. Similarly, the assets held in the Joint Venture can be used only to settle obligations of the Joint Venture. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has not provided financial or other support to the Joint Venture that was not previously contracted or required.

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Put-call arrangements

The joint venture agreement includes a put-call arrangement with respect to the shares of the Joint Venture held by SoftBank and its affiliates. Under certain specified circumstances and on terms specified in the joint venture agreement, including timely written notice, SoftBank has the right to cause the Company to purchase all shares of the Joint Venture held by SoftBank and its affiliates, or the put right, and the Company has a right to purchase all such shares, or the call right.

If the Company’s business model were to change such that the sale, marketing and distribution of its tests in the territory covered by the joint venture agreement was no longer economical, SoftBank would have the right to cause the Company to purchase, or the Company would have the right to purchase, all of the shares of the Joint Venture held by SoftBank and its affiliates. In this instance, the Company would be required to repurchase the shares at an aggregate purchase price of $41.0 million, the original purchase price paid by SoftBank to the Joint Venture for the shares.

Additionally, each of the Company and SoftBank may exercise its respective put-call rights for the Company to purchase all shares of the Joint Venture held by SoftBank in the event of (i) certain material disagreements relating to the Joint Venture or its business that may seriously affect the ability of the Joint Venture to perform its obligations under the joint venture agreement or may otherwise seriously impair the ability of the Joint Venture to conduct its business in an effective matter, other than one relating to the Joint Venture’s business plan or to factual matters that may be capable of expert determination; (ii) the effectiveness of the Company’s initial public offering, a change in control of the Company, the seventh anniversary of the formation of the Joint Venture, or each subsequent anniversary of each of the foregoing events; or (iii) a material breach of the joint venture agreement by the other party that goes unremedied within 20 business days. Unless the shares of the Joint Venture are publicly traded and listed on a nationally recognized stock exchange, the purchase price per share of the Joint Venture in these situations will be determined by a third-party valuation firm on the assumption that the sale is on an arm’s-length basis on the date of the put or call notice. The third-party valuation firm may evaluate a range of factors and employ assumptions that are subjective in nature, which could result in the fair value of SoftBank’s interests in the Joint Venture being determined to be materially different from what has been recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements including those included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Company may pay the purchase price for the shares of the Joint Venture in cash, in shares of its capital stock (which may be a non-voting security with senior preferences to all other classes of its equity or, if its common stock is publicly traded on a national exchange, its common stock), or in a combination thereof. The noncontrolling interest held by SoftBank contains embedded put-call redemption features that are not solely within the Company’s control and has been classified outside of permanent equity in the consolidated balance sheets. The put-call feature embedded in the redeemable noncontrolling interest do not currently require bifurcation as it does not meet the definition of a derivative and is considered to be clearly and closely related to the redeemable noncontrolling interest. With the Company's exercising the call right, SoftBank no longer has the option to exercise its put right. The Company elected to recognize the changes in redemption value immediately as they occur as if the put-call redemption feature were exercisable at the end of the reporting period. The carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest is first adjusted for the earnings or losses attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest based on the percentage of the economic or ownership interest retained in the consolidated VIE by the noncontrolling parties, and then adjusted to equal to its redemption amount, or the fair value of the noncontrolling interest held by SoftBank, as if the redemption were to occur at the end of the reporting date. In November 2021, the Company exercised its call right contained in the joint venture agreement with SoftBank to purchase all of the shares held by SoftBank and its affiliates in consideration for the payment of the aggregate purchase price to be determined based on an independent third-party valuation. The aggregate purchase price will be no less than an amount that yields a 20% internal rate of return on the $41.0 million of capital invested by SoftBank in May 2018 as stipulated in the joint venture agreement. The Company and SoftBank have initiated a process to determine the independent valuation of the Joint Venture, which includes the appointment of independent appraisers by both SoftBank and the Company. As of December 31, 2021, the minimum aggregate purchase price of $78.0 million has been recorded in current liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and future adjustments to the aggregate purchase price, if any, will be recorded in net loss in the Company's consolidated statement of operations. The Company expects to complete this transaction before the end of the second quarter of 2022.

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4. Consolidated Balance Sheet Components

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment, net consist of the following:

As of December 31,

(in thousands)

(1) Under construction in progress, $45.8 million and $1.1 million was related to leasehold improvements, furniture and equipment for the office in Palo Alto, California, as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Depreciation expense related to property and equipment was $20.2 million, $14.1 million and $9.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

As of December 31,

(in thousands)

Accrued professional services 6,994 3,397

Purchases of property and equipment included in accrued expenses 5,893 1,156

5. Fair Value Measurements, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

Financial instruments consist of cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, net, prepaid expenses and other current assets, net, accounts payable and accrued expenses. Cash equivalents and marketable securities are stated at fair value. Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net, accounts payable and accrued expenses are stated at their carrying value, which approximates fair value due to the short time to the expected receipt or payment date.

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received from sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The identification of market participant assumptions provides a basis for determining what inputs are to be used for pricing each asset or liability. A financial instrument’s classification within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

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A fair value hierarchy has been established which gives precedence to fair value measurements calculated using observable inputs over those using unobservable inputs. This hierarchy prioritized the inputs into three broad levels as follows:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis and the level of inputs used in such measurements were as follows:

Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

(in thousands)

Financial Assets:

Total short-term marketable securities $ 440,546 $ — $ 440,546 $ —

Total long-term marketable securities $ 698,034 $ — $ 698,034 $ —

Financial Liabilities:

Contingent consideration $ 3,625 $ — $ — $ 3,625

Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

(in thousands)

Financial Assets:

Total short-term marketable securities $ 961,902 $ — $ 961,902 $ —

Total long-term marketable securities $ 246,597 $ — $ 246,597 $ —

Financial Liabilities: