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

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our audited financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should review the “Risk Factors” included in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis.

Introduction

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is provided as a supplement to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes, included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, to help provide an understanding of our financial condition, the changes in our financial condition and our results of operations. Our discussion is organized as follows:

•

Overview. This section provides a general description of our business and operating expenses.

•

Critical accounting estimates. This section contains a discussion of the accounting estimates that we believe are important to our financial condition and results of operations and that require significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in their application. In addition, all of our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

•

Results of operations. This section provides an analysis of our results of operations presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss by comparing the results for the year ended December 31, 2023 to the results for the year ended December 31, 2022.

•

Liquidity and capital resources. This section provides an analysis of our cash flows and a discussion of our outstanding commitments and contingencies that existed as of December 31, 2023. Included in this discussion is our financial capacity to fund our future commitments and a discussion of other financing arrangements.

Overview

We are a commercial-stage biotechnology company focused on improving the lives of patients by developing and commercializing therapeutic innovations that improve medical care. Our advanced science, patented technologies, and innovative approach to drug discovery and development have allowed us to create and commercialize a portfolio of products that aim to advance the standard of care for acute care and oncology patients.

ZYNRELEF® (bupivacaine and meloxicam) extended-release solution (“ZYNRELEF”) is approved in the United States (“U.S.”) for the management of postoperative pain. APONVIE® (aprepitant) injectable emulsion (“APONVIE”) is approved in the U.S. for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. CINVANTI® (aprepitant) injectable emulsion (“CINVANTI”) and SUSTOL® (granisetron) extended-release injection (“SUSTOL”) are both approved in the U.S. for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Net Product Sales

Net product sales include revenue recognized for sales of ZYNRELEF, APONVIE, CINVANTI, and SUSTOL (collectively, our “Products”) to a limited number of specialty distributors and full line wholesalers (collectively, “Customers”), less applicable sales allowances. See the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details on our revenue recognition policy.

Cost of Product Sales

Cost of product sales relates to the costs to produce, package and deliver our Products to our Customers. These costs include raw materials, labor, manufacturing and quality control overhead, and depreciation of equipment, as well as shipping and distribution costs. See the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details on our inventory policy.

Research and Development Expense

All costs of research and development are expensed in the period incurred. Research and development expense primarily consists of salaries, stock-based compensation expense and other related costs for personnel in manufacturing, clinical and preclinical development, regulatory, quality and medical affairs. Other research and development expense includes professional fees paid to outside service providers and consultants, facilities costs and materials used in the clinical and preclinical trials and research and development.

General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative expense primarily consists of salaries, stock-based compensation expense and other related costs for personnel in executive, finance and accounting, information technology, legal and human resource functions. Other general and administrative expense includes professional fees for legal, investor relations, accounting and other general corporate purposes, facility costs and insurance not otherwise included in research and development expense.

Sales and Marketing Expense

Sales and marketing expense primarily consists of salaries and related costs for personnel, stock-based compensation expense and other related costs for sales operations, marketing and market access. Other sales and marketing costs include professional fees and commercialization costs related to our Products.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net primarily consists of interest expense, income earned on our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, the amortization of debt issuance costs related to our convertible notes payable, the amortization of a debt discount related to our working capital line of credit, and write-off of property and equipment.

We expect total operating expenses to decrease on a year-over-year basis in 2024 as a result of our cost reduction efforts. Our expectations are subject to various risks and assumptions, including but not limited to those listed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additional uncertainties are identified in the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We continue to monitor the factors which may impact our business and as of the filing date of this report, we do not believe they are material.

Critical Accounting Estimates

A summary of the significant accounting policies is provided in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, including those related to revenue recognition, investments, inventory, accrued clinical and manufacturing liabilities, income taxes and stock-based compensation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if: it requires a significant level of estimation uncertainty, and changes in the estimate are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

We believe the following critical accounting estimates describe the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“Topic 606”). Topic 606 is based on the principle that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services.

Product Sales

Our Products are distributed in the U.S. through a limited number of Customers that resell to healthcare providers and hospitals, the end users of our Products.

Revenue is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for our Products. To determine revenue recognition for contracts with customers within the scope of Topic 606, we perform the following 5 steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations of the contract(s); (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract(s); and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy the performance obligations. We recognize revenue from product sales when there is a transfer of control of the product to our Customers. We typically determine transfer of control based on when the product is delivered, and title passes to our Customers.

Product Sales Allowances

such as competitive pricing and new product introductions. If actual future results vary from our estimates, we may need to adjust these estimates, which could have an effect on product sales and earnings in the period of adjustment.

We believe our estimated allowances for distributor fees, group purchasing organization (“GPO”) rebates and administrative fees, Medicaid rebates and prompt pay discounts do not require a high degree of judgment because the amounts are settled within a relatively short period of time.

We believe our estimated allowance for product returns and GPO discounts requires a high degree of judgment and is subject to change based on our experience and certain quantitative and qualitative factors. We allow our Customers to return product for credit for up to 12 months after its product expiration date. As such, there may be a significant period of time between the time the product is shipped and the time the credit is issued on returned product. We estimate anticipated GPO discounts based on the applicable contractual terms. We regularly monitor our estimates and record adjustments when trends, contract terms or other significant events indicate that a change in estimates is appropriate. To date, our estimates have not differed materially from actuals. However, subsequent changes in estimates may result in a material change to our product sales allowances, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial position.

Investments

We invest in various types of securities, including U.S. treasury bills and government agency obligations, corporate debt securities and commercial paper. These securities have been initially valued at the transaction price and subsequently valued utilizing a third-party service provider who assesses the fair value using inputs other than quoted prices that are observable either directly or indirectly, such as yield curve, volatility factors, credit spreads, default rates, loss severity, current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments or debt, broker and dealer quotes, as well as other relevant economic measures. We perform certain procedures to corroborate the fair value of these holdings, and in the process, we apply judgment and estimates that if changed, could significantly affect our statements of financial positions. To date, our estimates have not differed materially from actual values. However, subsequent changes in estimates may result in a material change to the value of our cash equivalents and short-term investments, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial position.

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value on a first-in, first-out, or FIFO, basis. We periodically analyze our inventory levels and write down inventory that has become obsolete, inventory that has a cost basis in excess of its estimated realizable value and inventory quantities that are in excess of expected sales requirements as cost of product sales. The determination of whether inventory costs will be realizable requires estimates by management. If actual market conditions are less favorable than projected by management, additional write-downs of inventory may be required, which would be recorded as cost of product sales.

Accrued Research and Development Expenses

We estimate certain costs and expenses and accrue for these liabilities as part of our process of preparing financial statements. Examples of areas in which subjective judgment may be required include, among other things, costs associated with services provided by contract organizations for preclinical and clinical development, and manufacturing of our Products and product candidates. We accrue for costs incurred as the services are being provided by monitoring the status of the services provided, and the invoices received from our external service providers. In the case of clinical trials, we rely on estimates of the progress of the clinical trials and related expenses incurred. Changes to estimates are recorded to research and development expense in the period in which the facts that gave rise to the revision become known. To date, our estimates have not differed materially from the actual costs incurred. However, subsequent changes in estimates may result in a material change to our accruals, which could also materially affect our results of operations and financial position.

Income Taxes

We make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities, which arise from differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes for each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating our current tax exposure under the most recent tax laws and assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and financial statement purposes. At December 31, 2023, we established a valuation allowance to offset our deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of realizing future tax benefits from our net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets. To date, our estimates have not materially changed. However, subsequent changes in estimates may result in a significant change to our deferred tax assets and liabilities, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial position.

Stock-based Compensation

We estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and for market-based stock option grants using the Monte Carlo simulation model. This fair value is then amortized over the requisite service periods of the awards. The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires the input of subjective assumptions, including each option’s expected life and price volatility of the underlying stock. Expected volatility is based on our historical stock price volatility. The expected life of employee stock options represents the average of the contractual term of the options and the weighted-average vesting period, as permitted under the simplified method. To date, our assumptions used in our calculation of stock-based compensation expense has not significantly changed. However, subsequent changes in our assumptions could impact our stock-based compensation expense, which could materially affect our net loss and net loss per share.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Results of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

Net Product Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2023, net product sales were $127.0 million, compared to $107.7 million for the same period in 2022.

Net Product Sales – Acute Care

For the year ended December 31, 2023, net product sales of ZYNRELEF were $17.7 million, compared to $10.2 million for the same period in 2022. The increase in net product sales of ZYNRELEF was primarily due to an increase in units sold in 2023, as compared to 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, net product sales of APONVIE were $1.4 million. APONVIE became commercially available in the U.S. in March 2023.

Net Product Sales – Oncology Care

For the year ended December 31, 2023, net product sales of CINVANTI were $94.9 million, compared to $87.3 million for the same period in 2022. The increase in net product sales of CINVANTI was primarily due to an increase in units sold in 2023, as compared to 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, net product sales of SUSTOL were $13.0 million, compared to $10.2 million for the same period in 2022. The increase in net product sales of SUSTOL was primarily due to an increase in units sold in 2023, as compared to 2022.

Cost of Product Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2023, cost of product sales was $65.1 million, compared to $54.9 million for the same period in 2022. The increase in cost of product sales was primarily due to an increase in inventory write-offs in 2023, as compared to 2022. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, cost of product sales included charges of $20.3 million and $8.9 million, respectively, resulting primarily from the write-off of ZYNRELEF inventory. The increase was also due to an increase in units sold in 2023, as compared to 2022, partially offset by a decrease in cost per units for CINVANTI and ZYNRELEF, as large-scale manufacturing was validated and approved in late 2022.

We began capitalizing raw materials, labor and overhead related to the manufacturing of APONVIE following FDA approval in September 2022. There were no commercial manufacturing costs incurred prior to FDA approval of APONVIE.

Research and Development Expense

Research and development expense consisted of the following (in thousands):

December 31,

Total research and development expense $ 55,897 $ 107,506

For the year ended December 31, 2023, research and development expense was $55.9 million, compared to $107.5 million for the same period in 2022. This decrease was primarily due to decreases in costs related to ZYNRELEF and CINVANTI, as product scale-up, validation activities and raw materials qualification were completed in 2022. In addition, the decrease in research and development expense was due to decreases in personnel and related costs as a result of the savings from our reorganizations, as well as a decrease in non-cash, stock-based compensation expense.

General and Administrative Expense

For the year ended December 31, 2023, general and administrative expense was $49.0 million, compared to $37.4 million for the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily due to severance and non-cash, stock-based compensation expense in connection with executive departures in the second and third quarters of 2023, and ongoing legal costs associated with the CINVANTI patent litigation.

Sales and Marketing Expense

For the year ended December 31, 2023, sales and marketing expense was $67.6 million, compared to $82.5 million for the same period in 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in costs to support the ongoing commercialization of ZYNRELEF, due to improved operational efficiencies.

Other Income (Expense), Net

For the year ended December 31, 2023, other income (expense), net was $0.1 million, compared to ($7.4) million for the same period in 2022. The change was primarily due to the write-off of property and equipment at a third-party manufacturing site in 2022, as well as an increase in interest income earned on our invested cash balances in 2023.

Restructuring Plans

See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for discussion of the June 2022 and June 2023 Reorganizations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2023, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $80.4 million. Based on our current operating plan and projections, management believes that the Company’s existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to meet the Company’s anticipated cash requirements for a period of at least one year from the date this Annual Report on Form 10-K is filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Our net loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $110.6 million, or $0.80 per share, compared to a net loss of $182.0 million, or $1.67 per share, for the same period in 2022.

Our net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $58.8 million, compared to $146.9 million for the same period in 2022. The decrease in net cash used in operating activities was primarily due to a decrease in operating expenses and changes in working capital.

Our net cash provided by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $18.0 million, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $3.3 million for the same period in 2022. The increase in cash provided by investing activities was primarily due to net maturities of short-term investments of $19.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to net purchases of short-term investments of $1.7 million for the same period in 2022.

Our net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $54.1 million, compared to $75.1 million for the same period in 2022. The decrease in cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to net proceeds of $54.1 million received from debt and equity financings completed in the third quarter of 2023, compared to net proceeds of $75.1 million received from an equity financing in 2022.

Historically, we have financed our operations, including technology and product research and development, primarily through sales of our common stock and debt financings.

Material Cash Requirements

As of December 31, 2023, we had an operating lease for 52,148 square feet of laboratory and office space in San Diego, California, with a lease term that expires on December 31, 2025. In October 2021, we entered into a sublease agreement to sublet 23,873 square feet of laboratory and office space. The space was delivered to the subtenant in March 2022. The sublease agreement expires on December 31, 2025 and is coterminous with the operating lease for the subleased space. In September 2023, we also entered into a sublease agreement to sublet 5,840 square feet of office space in Cary, North Carolina, with a lease term that expires on April 30, 2025. As of December 31, 2023, we had total operating lease obligations of $6.3 million, with $3.2 million due in one year and $3.1 million due within two to three years.

At December 31, 2023, purchase obligations primarily consisted of non-cancellable commitments with third-party manufacturers in connection with the manufacturing of our Products. Total purchase obligations of $60.2 million were not included in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, with $39.0 million due in one year and $21.2 million due within two to three years. We intend to use our current financial resources to fund our commitments under these purchase obligations.

As of December 31, 2023, $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the convertible notes were outstanding (see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K). The senior unsecured convertible notes mature on May 26, 2026, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased.

As of December 31, 2023, $25.2 million aggregate principal amount under the working capital facility was outstanding (see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K). The working capital facility has a four year term, with a springing maturity date that is 91 days prior to the stated maturity of our existing senior unsecured convertible notes (if still outstanding at such time).

We enter into agreements with clinical sites and clinical research organizations for the conduct of our clinical trials and contract manufacturing organizations for the manufacture and supply of preclinical, clinical and commercial materials and drug product. We make payments to these clinical sites and clinical research organizations based in part on the number of eligible patients enrolled and the length of their participation in the clinical trials. In some of our agreements with contract manufacturing organizations, we are required to meet minimum purchase obligations. Under certain of these agreements, we may be subject to penalties in the event that we prematurely terminate these agreements. At this time, due to the variability associated with clinical site agreements, contract research organization agreements and contract manufacturing agreements, we are unable to estimate with certainty the future costs we will incur. We intend to use our current financial resources to fund our obligations under these commitments.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

REport of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Heron Therapeutics, Inc.

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Heron Therapeutics, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

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

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

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated 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 consolidated 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 separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Allowance for Product Returns

Description of the Matter

As discussed in Notes 2 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company earns its revenue through the sale of its products to a limited number of distributors that resell to healthcare providers and hospitals, the end users of the Company’s products. The Company recognizes product sales allowances as a reduction of product sales in the same period the related revenue is recognized. Product sales allowances are based on amounts owed or to be claimed on the related sales. Such variable consideration includes estimates that take into consideration the terms of the Company’s agreements with customers, historical product returns, the shelf life of the product and specific known market events, such as competitive pricing and new product introductions. As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s allowance for product returns totaled $4.8 million. The Company’s estimated allowance for product returns requires a high degree of judgment and is subject to change based on various quantitative and qualitative factors. Accordingly, extensive audit effort and a high degree of auditor judgment were needed to evaluate management’s estimates and assumptions used in the determination of the allowance for product returns. Therefore, we identified the Company's allowance for product returns as a critical audit matter.

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s process for estimating the allowance for product returns.

We evaluated the significant accounting policies relating to product returns, as well as management’s application of the policies, for appropriateness and reasonableness.

We obtained the Company’s allowance for product returns analysis and performed testing procedures on the underlying data that is used in management’s development of the product returns estimate. We compared the significant assumptions used by management to customer contract information, historical returns data, peer group return rates where available, and current and subsequent product return activity. In addition, we performed sensitivity analyses of significant assumptions used in the analysis to determine what changes in assumptions are particularly sensitive when calculating the amount of the allowance for product returns. Additionally, we tested the mathematical accuracy of management’s calculation of revenue, net of product sales allowances, including product returns, and the associated timing of revenue recognition, in the consolidated financial statements.

/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2006.

San Francisco, California

March 12, 2024

PCAOB ID Number 100

HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except par value and share amounts)

ASSETS

Current assets:

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,118 13,961

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accrued clinical and manufacturing liabilities 22,291 24,468

Accrued payroll and employee liabilities 9,224 13,416

Non-current lease liabilities 2,800 5,499

Non-current notes payable, net 24,263 —

Other non-current liabilities 241 241

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 6)

Stockholders’ equity:

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 13 (19 )

Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity (33,973 ) 13,572

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 222,506 $ 250,951

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Years Ended December 31,

Revenues:

Operating expenses:

Other income (expense), net:

Total other income (expense), net 56 (7,366 )

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Unrealized gains (losses) on short-term investments 32 (13 )

Basic and diluted net loss per share $ (0.80 ) $ (1.67 )

Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share 138,135 108,876

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

(In thousands)

Accumulated

Additional Other Total

Common Stock Paid-In Comprehensive Accumulated Stockholders’

Shares Amount Capital Income (Loss) Deficit Equity (Deficit)

Issuance of common stock under equity incentive plan 614 6 (1,536 ) — — (1,530 )

Stock-based compensation expense — — 42,980 — — 42,980

Net unrealized loss on short-term investments — — — (13 ) — (13 )

Comprehensive loss — — — — — (182,037 )

Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan 717 7 897 — — 904

Issuance of common stock under equity incentive plan 1,130 11 (914 ) — — (903 )

Issuance of common stock on exercise of pre-funded warrants 8,548 86 (85 ) — — 1

Issuance of warrant in debt financing — — 371 — — 371

Stock-based compensation expense — — 32,854 — — 32,854

Net unrealized gain on short-term investments — — — 32 — 32

Comprehensive loss — — — — — (110,527 )

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

Years Ended December 31,

Operating activities:

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

Depreciation and amortization 2,899 2,889

Amortization of debt discount 133 —

Amortization of debt issuance costs 206 202

Accretion of discount on short-term investments (1,739 ) (736 )

Impairment of property and equipment 617 209

Loss on disposal of property and equipment 10 74

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

Prepaid expenses and other assets 15,426 1,010

Accounts payable 15 (578 )

Accrued clinical and manufacturing liabilities (2,177 ) 752

Accrued payroll and employee liabilities (4,192 ) (1,847 )

Net cash used in operating activities (58,789 ) (146,912 )

Investing activities:

Purchases of short-term investments (87,658 ) (145,683 )

Maturities and sales of short-term investments 107,185 143,957

Purchases of property and equipment (1,545 ) (1,825 )

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment 13 227

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 17,995 (3,324 )

Financing activities:

Net proceeds from sale of common stock 29,755 75,145

Net proceeds from notes financing 24,350 —

Proceeds from purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan 904 1,444

Payments for stock issued under the equity incentive plan (903 ) (1,530 )

Proceeds from warrant exercises 1 —

Net cash provided by financing activities 54,107 75,059

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 13,313 (75,177 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 15,364 90,541

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 28,677 $ 15,364

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Organization and Business

As of December 31, 2023, we had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $80.4 million. Based on our current operating plan and projections, management believes that the Company's cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to meet the Company's anticipated cash requirements for a period of at least one year from the date this Annual Report on Form 10-K is filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Heron Therapeutics, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Heron Therapeutics B.V., which was organized in the Netherlands in March 2015. Heron Therapeutics B.V. has no operations and no material assets or liabilities, and there have been no significant transactions related to Heron Therapeutics B.V. since its inception.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and disclosures made in the accompanying notes to the financial statements. Our significant accounting policies that involve significant judgment and estimates include revenue recognition, investments, inventory and the related reserves, accrued clinical and manufacturing liabilities, income taxes and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with contractual maturities of three months or less from the original purchase date.

Short-term investments consist of securities with contractual maturities of greater than three months from the original purchase date. Securities with contractual maturities greater than one year are classified as short-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets, as we have the ability, if necessary, to liquidate these securities to meet our liquidity needs in the next 12 months. We have classified our short-term investments as available-for-sale securities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair market value, with net changes in unrealized gains and losses reported in other comprehensive loss and realized gains and losses included in other income (expense), net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale are included in interest income within other income (expense), net.

Our bank and investment accounts have been placed under a control agreement in accordance with our working capital line of credit (see Note 8).

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

A company may elect to use fair value to measure accounts receivable, available-for-sale securities, accounts payable, guarantees and issued debt, among others. If the use of fair value is elected, any upfront costs and fees related to the item such as debt issuance costs must be recognized in earnings and cannot be deferred. The fair value election is irrevocable and generally made on an instrument-by-instrument basis, even if a company has similar instruments that it elects not to measure based on fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on existing items for which fair value has been elected are reported as a cumulative adjustment to beginning retained earnings and any changes in fair value are recognized in earnings. We have elected to not apply the fair value option to our financial assets and liabilities.

Financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, receivables, inventory, prepaid expenses, other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses, are carried at cost, which is considered to be representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. Short-term available-for-sale investments are carried at fair value. Our convertible notes and non-current notes payable outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022 do not have a readily available ascertainable market value, however, their carrying value, which is measured at carrying value less unamortized debt issuance costs or debt discounts, is considered to approximate their fair value.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk. We deposit our cash in financial institutions. At times, such deposits may be in excess of insured limits. We have not experienced any losses in such accounts and believe we are not exposed to significant risk on our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Any loss incurred or a lack of access to such funds could have a significant adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

We may also invest our excess cash in money market funds, U.S. government and agencies, corporate debt securities and commercial paper. We have established guidelines relative to our diversification of our cash investments and their maturities in an effort to maintain safety and liquidity. These guidelines are periodically reviewed and modified to take advantage of trends in yields and interest rates.

ZYNRELEF, APONVIE, CINVANTI and SUSTOL (collectively, our “Products”) are distributed in the U.S. through a limited number of specialty distributors and full line wholesalers (collectively, “Customers”) that resell to healthcare providers and hospitals, the end users of our Products.

The following includes the percentage of net product sales and accounts receivable balances for our three major Customers, each of which comprised 10% or more of our net product sales:

Net ProductSales AccountsReceivable

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoice amount, net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses reflects accounts receivable balances that are believed to be uncollectible. In estimating the allowance for credit losses, we consider: (1) our historical experience with collections and write-offs; (2) the credit quality of our Customers and any recent or anticipated changes thereto; (3) the outstanding balances and past due amounts from our Customers; and (4) reasonable and supportable forecast of economic conditions expected to exist throughout the contractual term of the receivable.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we determined that an allowance for credit losses was not required. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we did not have any material write-offs of accounts receivable balances.

Inventory

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (generally 5 years). Leasehold improvements are stated at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

If indicators of impairment exist, we assess the recoverability of the affected long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows. If impairment is indicated, we measure the amount of such impairment by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the fair value of the asset and record the impairment as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset with a corresponding charge to operating expenses. Estimating the undiscounted future operating cash flows associated with long-lived assets requires judgment and assumptions that could differ materially from actual results.

Leases

We determine if an arrangement is a lease or contains lease components at inception. Operating leases with an initial term greater than 12 months are recorded as lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use (“ROU”) lease assets on the consolidated balance sheets. ROU lease assets represent our right to use the underlying assets over the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the present value of our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. We use the implicit rate when readily determinable. The ROU lease assets equal the lease liabilities, less unamortized lease incentives, unamortized initial direct costs and the cumulative difference between rent expense and amounts paid under the lease. The lease term includes any option to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We have elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“Topic 606”). Topic 606 is based on the principle that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

Product Sales

Our Products are distributed in the U.S. through a limited number of Customers that resell to healthcare providers and hospitals, the end users of our Products.

Product Sales Allowances

We recognize product sales allowances as a reduction of product sales in the same period the related revenue is recognized. Product sales allowances are based on amounts owed or to be claimed on the related sales. Such variable consideration includes estimates that take into consideration the terms of our agreements with Customers, historical product returns, rebates or discounts taken, the shelf life of the product and specific known market events, such as competitive pricing and new product introductions. If actual future results vary from our estimates, we may need to adjust these estimates, which could have an effect on product sales and earnings in the period of adjustment. Our product sales allowances include:

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Product Returns—We allow our Customers to return product for credit beginning three months prior to the product expiration date and up to 12 months after the product expiration date. As such, there may be a significant period of time between the time the product is shipped and the time the credit is issued on returned product.

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Distributor Fees—We pay distribution service fees to our Customers based on a contractually fixed percentage of the wholesale acquisition cost and fees for data. These fees are paid no later than two months after the quarter in which product was shipped.

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Group Purchasing Organization (“GPO”) Discounts and Rebates—We offer cash discounts to GPO members. These discounts are taken when the GPO members purchase product from our Customers, who then charge back to us the discount amount. Additionally, we offer volume and contract-tier rebates to GPO members. Rebates are based on actual purchase levels during the quarterly rebate purchase period.

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GPO Administrative Fees—We pay administrative fees to GPOs for services and access to data. These fees are based on contracted terms and are paid after the quarter in which the product was purchased by the GPOs’ members.

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Medicaid Rebates—We participate in Medicaid rebate programs, which provide assistance to certain low-income patients based on each individual state’s guidelines regarding eligibility and services. Under the Medicaid rebate programs, we pay a rebate to each participating state, generally within six months after the quarter in which the product was sold.

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Prompt Pay Discounts—We may provide discounts on product sales to our Customers for prompt payment based on contractual terms.

We believe our estimated allowance for product returns and GPO discounts requires a high degree of judgment and is subject to change based on our experience and certain quantitative and qualitative factors. We believe our estimated allowances for distributor fees, GPO rebates and administrative fees, Medicaid rebates and prompt pay discounts do not require a high degree of judgment because the amounts are settled within a relatively short period of time.

Our product sales allowances and related accruals are evaluated each reporting period and adjusted when trends or significant events indicate that a change in estimate is appropriate. Changes in product sales allowance estimates could materially affect our results of operations and financial position.

Accrued Clinical Liabilities

We accrue clinical costs based on work performed, which relies on estimates of the progress of the trials and the related expenses incurred. Clinical trial related contracts vary significantly in duration, and may be for a fixed amount, based on the achievement of certain contingent events or deliverables, a variable amount based on actual costs incurred, capped at a certain limit or contain a combination of these elements. Revisions are recorded to research and development expense in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Historically, revisions have not resulted in material changes to research and development expense; however, a modification in the protocol of a clinical trial or cancellation of a clinical trial could result in a material charge to our results of operations.

Research and Development Expense

All costs of research and development are expensed in the period incurred. Research and development expense primarily consists of personnel and related costs, stock-based compensation expense, fees paid to outside service providers and consultants, facilities costs and materials used in clinical and preclinical trials and research and development.

Patent Costs

We incur outside legal fees in connection with filing and maintaining our various patent applications. All patent costs are expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

We estimate the fair value of each option grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and for market-based stock option grants using the Monte Carlo simulation model. This fair value is then amortized using the straight-line single-option method of attributing the value of stock-based compensation to expense over the requisite service periods of the awards. Forfeitures are accounted for, as incurred, as a reversal of stock-based compensation expense related to awards that will not vest. The Black-Scholes option pricing model and the Monte Carlo simulation model both require inputs of complex and subjective assumptions, including each option’s expected life and price volatility of the underlying stock.

Warrants

We have issued warrants to purchase shares of our common stock in conjunction with certain equity and debt financings or in exchange for services. The terms of the warrants were evaluated to determine the appropriate classification as equity or a liability.

Income Taxes

We recognize the impact of a tax position in our consolidated financial statements if the position is more likely than not to be sustained on examination and on the technical merits of the position. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect other tax accounts, primarily deferred taxes in future periods, and would not affect our effective tax rate, since we maintain a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets (see Note 12). We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Net changes in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in other comprehensive income (loss) and represent the difference between our net loss and comprehensive loss for both periods presented.

Net Loss per Share

Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period, including pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of common stock. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury stock method. For purposes of this calculation, stock options, restricted stock units, warrants and shares of common stock underlying convertible notes are considered to be common stock equivalents and are included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share only when their effect is dilutive.

Because we have incurred a net loss for both periods presented in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, the following common stock equivalents were not included in the computation of net loss per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive (in thousands):

December 31,

Restricted stock units outstanding 1,405 3,167

Shares of common stock underlying convertible notes outstanding 9,819 9,819

Segment Reporting

Management has determined that we operate in one business segment which is the development and commercialization of therapeutic innovations. All revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were generated from customers in the U.S.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Not Yet Adopted

In December 2023, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”), to enhance income tax reporting disclosures and require disclosure of specific categories in the tabular rate reconciliation. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, on a prospective basis. Early adoption and retrospective application are permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact on our disclosures.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements & Disclosures, establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

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Level 1—Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

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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.

We measure cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair values of such assets were as follows (in thousands):

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

Cash and money market funds $ 23,441 $ 23,441 $ — $ —

U.S. treasury bills and government agency obligations 31,636 31,636 — —

Foreign corporate debt securities 5,460 — 5,460 —

Foreign commercial paper 993 — 993 —

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

Cash and money market funds $ 13,867 $ 13,867 $ — $ —

U.S. treasury bills and agency obligations 35,715 35,715 — —

U.S. corporate debt securities 1,497 — 1,497 —

We have not transferred any investment securities between the three levels of the fair value hierarchy.

As of December 31, 2023, cash equivalents included $5.3 million of available-for-sale securities with contractual maturities of three months or less and short-term investments included $51.7 million of available-for-sale securities with contractual maturities of three months to one year. As of December 31, 2022, cash equivalents included $1.5 million of available-for-sale securities with contractual maturities of three months or less and short-term investments included $69.5 million of available-for-sale securities with contractual maturities of three months to one year. The money market funds as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are included in cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheets.

Balance Sheet Details

Short-Term Investments

The following is a summary of our short-term investments (in thousands):

Amortized Cost GrossUnrealizedGains GrossUnrealizedLosses EstimatedFair Value

U.S. treasury bills and government agency obligations $ 31,625 $ 11 $ — $ 31,636

Foreign corporate debt securities 5,459 1 — 5,460

Foreign commercial paper 993 — — 993

AmortizedCost GrossUnrealizedGains GrossUnrealizedLosses Estimated Fair Value

U.S. treasury bills and agency obligations $ 35,734 $ — $ (19 ) $ 35,715

The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. We regularly monitor and evaluate the realizable value of our marketable securities. We did not recognize any impairment losses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Unrealized gains and losses associated with our investments are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). For the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded $32,000 in net unrealized gains associated with our short-term investments. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded $13,000 in net unrealized losses associated with our short-term investments.

Realized gains and losses associated with our investments, if any, are reported in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss. We recognized $1,000 in realized losses during the year ended December 31, 2023. We did not recognize any realized gains or losses during the year ended December 31, 2022.

Inventory

Inventory consists of the following (in thousands):

December 31,

As of December 31, 2023, total inventory included $11.2 million related to ZYNRELEF, $26.4 million related to CINVANTI, $4.1 million related to SUSTOL and $0.4 million related to APONVIE. As of December 31, 2022, total inventory included $30.9 million related to ZYNRELEF, $19.9 million related to CINVANTI, $2.6 million related to SUSTOL and $1.2 million related to APONVIE. Cost of product sales for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 included charges of $20.3 million and $8.9 million, respectively, resulting primarily from the write-off of ZYNRELEF inventory.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

Prepaid expenses and other assets consist of the following (in thousands):

December 31,

Total prepaid expenses and other assets $ 14,246 $ 29,672

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, net consists of the following (in thousands):

December 31,

Computer equipment and software 1,506 1,506

Furniture, fixtures and office equipment 1,014 982

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization (17,028 ) (14,293 )

Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $2.9 million for both periods. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, $6.3 million and $5.4 million of property and equipment, respectively, was in process and not depreciated during the respective years.

Accrued Payroll and Employee Liabilities and Other Accrued Liabilities

Accrued payroll and employee liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

December 31,

Accrued employee salaries and benefits $ 1,371 $ 2,134

Total accrued payroll and employee liabilities $ 9,224 $ 13,416

Other accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

December 31,

Accrued consulting and professional fees 3,940 4,236

Accrued accounts payable 559 363

Other accrued liabilities 415 542

Revenue Recognition

The following provides disaggregated net product sales (in thousands):

For the Years Ended December 31,

APONVIE net product sales 1,391 —

The following provides a summary of activity with respect to our product returns, distributor fees and discounts, rebates, administrative and other fees, which are included in other accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

Discounts,

Rebates,

Product Distributor Administrative and

Returns Fees Other Fees Total

Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

In September 2023, we also entered into a sublease agreement to sublet 5,840 square feet of office space in Cary, North Carolina, with a lease term that expires on April 30, 2025.

Annual future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2023 are as follows (in thousands):

Year ended December 31:

Thereafter —

Total future minimum lease payments 6,291

Less: discount (416 )

Total lease liabilities $ 5,875

Rent expense under all operating leases totaled $2.9 million and $2.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we paid $3.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively, for our operating leases.

Development Agreements

Purchase Obligations

At December 31, 2023, purchase obligations primarily consisted of non-cancellable commitments with third-party manufacturers in connection with the manufacturing of our commercial products. Total purchase obligations of $60.2 million were not included in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, with $39.0 million due in one year and $21.2 million due within two to three years.

Reorganization

June 2023 Reorganization

In June 2023, we implemented a restructuring plan under which we provided or will provide employees with one-time severance payments upon termination, continuation of benefits for a specific period of time, outplacement services and certain stock award modifications. The total amount expected to be incurred for these activities is $4.2 million, which primarily consists of severance payments to terminated employees. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized $4.2 million of the total expense, $2.4 million of which was included in sales and marketing expense, $1.7 million of which was included in research and development expense and $0.1 million of which was included in general and administrative expense. As of December 31, 2023, we have paid $3.7 million of

the total cash severance charges. We anticipate that the cash payments due to terminated employees will be substantially complete in the first quarter of 2024.

Executive Officer Departures

During the second and third quarters of 2023, we also implemented changes to our executive leadership structure. In connection with these changes, we provided five executive officers with one-time severance payments upon termination, continued benefits for a specified period of time, and certain stock award modifications. The total expense for these activities was $13.4 million, $4.7 million of which was primarily for severance and $8.7 million of which was for non-cash, stock-based compensation expense. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized $13.4 million of the total expense, $7.2 million of which was included in general and administrative expense, $3.9 million of which was included in sales and marketing expense, and $2.3 million of which was included in research and development expense. As of December 31, 2023, we have paid substantially all of the cash severance charges.

June 2022 Reorganization

In June 2022, we implemented a restructuring plan under which we provided employees one-time severance payments upon termination, continuation of benefits for a specific period of time, outplacement services and certain stock award modifications. The total amount incurred for these activities was $5.4 million, $5.0 million of which was primarily for severance and $0.4 million of which was for non-cash, stock-based compensation expense related to stock award modifications. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized $5.4 million of the total expense, $4.2 million of which was included in research and development expense, $1.0 million of which was included in sales and marketing expense, and $0.2 million of which was included in general and administrative expense. As of December 31, 2023, we have paid all of the total cash severance charges.

We have accounted for these expenses in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations.

Convertible Notes

Working Capital Facility Agreement

On August 9, 2023, we entered into a working capital facility agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Hercules Capital, Inc., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”). The Loan Agreement provides an aggregate principal amount of up to $50.0 million with tranched availability as follows: $25.0 million at closing (“tranche 1A”), $5.0 million available through December 15, 2024 (“tranche 1B”), and $20.0 million available from the earlier of: (1) the full draw of tranche 1B and (2) the expiration of tranche 1B, and available through December 15, 2025 (“tranche 1C”), and in the case of tranches 1B and 1C, subject to certain customary conditions to draw down.

The Loan Agreement has a term of four years, with a springing maturity date that is 91 days prior to the stated maturity of our existing senior unsecured convertible notes (if still outstanding at such time). The loans thereunder do not have any scheduled amortization payments and accrue interest at a floating rate equal to, as of closing, 9.95% per annum, payable in cash on a monthly basis and upon maturity or payoff. In addition, under the terms of the Loan Agreement, the loans also accrue paid-in-kind interest monthly at a fixed-rate of 1.5% per annum which is due upon maturity or payoff.

In addition, in connection with the tranche 1A funding, we issued warrants to the Lenders to purchase up to 297,619 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.68 per share. The warrants are equal to 2.00% of the principal amount of loans funded by the Lenders (the “Warrant Coverage”). The Loan Agreement also requires that we issue additional warrants to the Lenders at the time of each draw down of tranches 1B and 1C with the same Warrant Coverage. Each warrant is exercisable for seven years from the date of issuance.

The Loan Agreement contains a minimum cash covenant, beginning on the closing date, requiring us to hold cash of no less than $8.5 million, if our market capitalization is less than $400 million. The Loan Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties and customary affirmative and negative covenants, including, among other things, restrictions on indebtedness, liens, investments, mergers, dispositions, prepayment of other indebtedness, and dividends and other distributions, subject to certain exceptions. We were in compliance with all covenants of the Loan Agreement as of December 31, 2023.

The Loan Agreement was accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 470, Debt, ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity and ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The initial tranche 1A funding of $25.0 million and the warrants issued upon closing to purchase 297,619 shares of our common stock are accounted for as freestanding debt and equity financial instruments, respectively, as they are legally detachable and separately exercisable. The additional borrowings available under the Loan Agreement plus the additional warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, which would be issued concurrently, are accounted for as a single freestanding financial instrument that are not assets or obligations of ours; this financial instrument meets the loan commitment derivative scope exception and will be accounted for when and if we borrow additional tranches in the future. The initial funding of $25.0 million was recorded as a liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

In connection with the Loan Agreement, we recognized the initial 297,619 issued warrants at their relative fair value of $0.4 million, and we incurred debt issuance costs of $0.6 million, both of which were recorded as debt discounts. The debt discounts and the end of term fee, of $0.8 million, are being amortized and accreted into interest expense using the effective interest rate method over the term of the Loan Agreement, resulting in an effective interest rate of 14.5%. For the year ended December 31, 2023, interest expense related to the Loan Agreement was $1.3 million, which included $1.0 million related to the stated interest rate, $0.2 million related to paid-in-kind interest, and $0.1 million related to the amortization of the debt discounts. As of December 31, 2023, the carrying value of tranche 1A was $24.3 million, which is comprised of the $25.2 million principal amount outstanding, less debt discounts of $0.9 million.

Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes

In May 2021, we entered into a note purchase agreement with funds affiliated with Baker Bros. Advisors LP for a private placement of $150.0 million in Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes (“Notes”). We received a total of $149.0 million, net of issuance costs, from the issuance of these Notes.

The Notes were issued at par. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 1.5% per annum, payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on June 15th and December 15th of each year, beginning on December 15, 2021. The Notes mature on May 26, 2026, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased.

The Notes will be subject to redemption at our option, between May 24, 2024 and May 24, 2025, but only if the last reported sale price per share of our common stock exceeds 250% of the conversion price for a specified period of time, or on or after May 24, 2025 if the last reported sale price per share of our common stock exceeds 200% of the conversion price for a specified period of time. The redemption price will be equal to the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Upon conversion, we will settle the Notes in shares of our common stock. The initial conversion rate for the Notes is 65.4620 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of $15.276 per share of common stock).

If a holder of the Notes converts upon a make-whole fundamental change or company redemption, the holder may be eligible to receive a make-whole premium through an increase to the conversion rate.

In May 2021, we filed a registration statement with the SEC to register for resale 12.4 million shares of our common stock underlying the Notes, including the maximum number of shares of common stock issuable under the make-whole premium.

The Notes were accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options (“ASC 470-20”) and ASC Subtopic 815-40, Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (“ASC 815-40”). Under ASC

815-40, to qualify for equity classification (or non-bifurcation, if embedded), the instrument (or embedded feature) must be both (1) indexed to the issuer’s stock and (2) meet the requirements of the equity classification guidance. Based upon our analysis, it was determined that the Notes do contain embedded features indexed to our own stock, but do not meet the requirements for bifurcation, and therefore do not need to be separately accounted for as an equity component. Since the embedded conversion feature meets the equity scope exception from derivative accounting, and, also since the embedded conversion option does not need to be separately accounted for as an equity component under ASC 470-20, the proceeds received from the issuance of the Notes were recorded as a liability on the consolidated balance sheets.

We incurred issuance costs related to the Notes of $1.0 million, which we recorded as debt issuance costs and are included as a reduction to the Notes on the consolidated balance sheets. The debt issuance costs are being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest rate method over the term of the Notes, resulting in an effective interest rate of 1.6%. For the year ended December 31, 2023, interest expense related to the Notes was $2.5 million, which included $2.3 million related to the stated interest rate and $0.2 million related to the amortization of debt issuance costs. As of December 31, 2023, the carrying value of the Notes was $149.5 million, which is comprised of the $150.0 million principal amount of the Notes outstanding, less debt issuance costs of $0.5 million.

Stockholders’ Equity

2023 Private Placement

On July 21, 2023, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “July 2023 Private Placement”) with Rubric Capital Management L.P., Velan Capital, Clearline Capital and Hercules Capital, Inc. (collectively, the “Purchasers”) whereby we sold 20.7 million shares of our common stock in a private placement at a purchase price of $1.37 per share. In addition, as a component of the July 2023 Private Placement, we sold 1.2 million pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $1.3699 per share. The pre-funded warrants have an exercise price of $0.0001 per share. The total net proceeds from the sale of the common stock and pre-funded warrants is $29.8 million (net of $0.2 million in issuance costs). The July 2023 Private Placement closed on July 25, 2023. In August 2023, we filed a registration statement with the SEC to register for resale 21.9 million shares of our common stock. The registration statement was declared effective on August 31, 2023.

2022 Private Placement

On August 8, 2022, we entered into an agreement to sell 16.1 million shares of our common stock in a private placement at a purchase price of $3.10 per share (“2022 Private Placement”). In addition, as a component of the 2022 Private Placement, we agreed to sell 8.5 million pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $3.0999 per share. The pre-funded warrants have an exercise price of $0.0001 per share. The total net proceeds from the sale of the common stock and pre-funded warrants was $75.1 million (net of $1.4 million in issuance costs). The 2022 Private Placement closed on August 10, 2022. In October 2022, we filed a registration statement with the SEC to register for resale 24.6 million shares of our common stock. The registration statement was declared effective on October 18, 2022.

Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance

Shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance as of December 31, 2023 were as follows (in thousands):

Number of

Stock options outstanding 24,575

Restricted stock units outstanding 1,405

Stock options available for grant 8,605

Shares of common stock reserved under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan 328

Shares of common stock underlying warrants 1,461

Total shares reserved for future issuance 46,193

10.

Equity Incentive Plans

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In 1997, our stockholders approved our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) at which time a maximum of 10,000 shares of common stock were available for issuance. In December 2007, May 2009, June 2011, May 2014, May 2015, June 2016, June 2017, June 2019, June 2021, May 2022 and June 2023, our stockholders authorized increases in the number of shares reserved for issuance under the ESPP by 5,000, 10,000, 25,000, 25,000, 100,000, 100,000, 200,000, 300,000, 200,000,850,000 and 400,000 shares, respectively, for a total of 2,225,000 shares reserved at December 31, 2023. Under the terms of the ESPP, employees can elect to have up to a maximum of 10% of their base earnings withheld to purchase shares of our common stock. The purchase price of the stock is 85% of the lower of the closing prices for our common stock on either: (i) the first trading day in the enrollment period, as defined in the ESPP, in which the purchase is made, or (ii) the purchase date. The length of the enrollment period is 6 months. Enrollment dates are the first business day of May and November. Under the ESPP, we issued 717,046 and 406,421 shares in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The weighted-average exercise price per share of the purchase rights exercised during 2023 and 2022 was $1.26 and $3.55, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, 1,897,445 shares of common stock have been issued under the ESPP and 327,555 shares of common stock are available for future issuance.

Stock Option Plans

We currently have one stock option plan from which we can grant options and restricted stock awards to employees, officers, directors and consultants. In December 2007, the stockholders approved our 2007 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan (“2007 Plan”) at which time a maximum of 150,000 shares of common stock were available for grant. In May 2010, June 2011, May 2014, May 2015, June 2016, June 2017, June 2019, June 2021, May 2022 and June 2023, our stockholders approved amendments to our 2007 Plan to increase the maximum number of shares of common stock available for grant by 100,000, 4,500,000, 1,750,000, 4,300,000, 3,000,000, 5,000,000, 7,000,000, 2,000,000,2,900,000 and 8,490,000 shares of common stock, respectively, resulting in an aggregate of 39,190,000 shares of common stock authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2023, there were 8,605,026 shares available for future grant under the 2007 Plan. Any shares that are issuable on exercise of options granted that expire, are cancelled or that we receive pursuant to a net exercise of options are available for future grant and issuance.

In 2023, we granted options to certain employees outside of our stockholder approved stock option plan. All options to purchase our common stock were granted with an exercise price that equals fair market value of the underlying common stock on the grant dates and expire no later than 10 years from the date of grant. The options are exercisable in accordance with vesting schedules that generally provide for them to be fully vested and exercisable 4 years after the date of grant, provided, however, that we have also issued stock options awards that are subject to market-based vesting requirements. All stock option grants issued outside of our stockholder approved plans were approved by our Board of Directors and have been registered on Form S-8 with the SEC.

In 2020, we began granting restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to employees and non-employee directors pursuant to the 2007 Plan. We satisfy such grants through the issuance of new shares upon vesting.

The following summarizes the stock option plan activity:

Outstanding Options

Weighted-

Average

Number of Exercise

Shares Price

Outstanding RSUs

Weighted-

Average

Number of Grant Date

Shares Fair Value

For the year ended December 31, 2023, options cancelled (included in options outstanding) consisted of 11,508,070 options forfeited with a weighted-average exercise price of $13.10 and 850,226 options expired with a weighted-average exercise price of $7.47.

As of December 31, 2023, options exercisable have a weighted-average remaining contractual term of 5.6 years. The total intrinsic value of stock option exercises, which is the difference between the exercise price and closing price of our common stock on the date of exercise, during the year ended December 31, 2023 was $10,000. There were no option exercises during the year ended December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the total intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable was $137,000. As of December 31, 2022, there were no options outstanding and exercisable that were in-the-money.

Years Ended December 31,

Weighted- Weighted-

Average Average

Exercise Exercise

Options Price Options Price

Exercise prices and weighted-average remaining contractual lives for the options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 were:

Weighted-

Weighted- Average

Average Weighted- Exercise

Remaining Average Price of

Outstanding Range of Contractual Exercise Options Options

Options Exercise Prices Life (in years) Price Exercisable Exercisable

On December 31, 2023, we had reserved 25,979,791 shares of common stock for future issuance on exercise of outstanding options and vesting of outstanding restricted stock units granted under the 2007 Plan, as well as the non-plan grants.

Stock-Based Compensation

The following summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to stock-based payment awards pursuant to our equity compensation arrangements (in thousands):

December 31,

Total stock-based compensation expense $ 32,854 $ 42,980

As of December 31, 2023, there was $23.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested, stock-based payment awards granted under all of our equity compensation plans and all non-plan option grants. Total unrecognized compensation cost will be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures. We expect to recognize this compensation cost over a weighted-average period of three years.

The fair value of RSUs is estimated based on the closing market price of our common stock on the date of the grant. RSUs generally vest quarterly over a four-year period.

We estimated the fair value of each option grant and ESPP purchase right on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

Options:

December 31,

Risk-free interest rate 3.7 % 3.3 %

Dividend yield — % — %

Expected life (years) 6 to 10 6

ESPP:

December 31,

Risk-free interest rate 5.3 % 3.2 %

Dividend yield — % — %

Expected life (months) 6 6

The weighted-average fair value of options granted was $1.13 and $1.71 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The weighted-average fair value of shares purchased through the ESPP was $0.64 and $1.65 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on observed interest rates on U.S. Treasury debt securities with maturities close to the expected term of our employee and director stock options and ESPP purchases.

The dividend yield assumption is based on our history and expectation of dividend payouts. We have never paid dividends on our common stock, and we do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

We used our historical stock price to estimate volatility.

The expected life of employee and director stock options represents the average of the contractual term of the options and the weighted-average vesting period, as permitted under the simplified method. We have elected to use the simplified method, as we do not have enough historical exercise experience to provide a reasonable basis on which to estimate the expected term. The expected life for the ESPP purchase rights is 6 months, which represents the length of each purchase period.

11.

Employee Benefit Plan

We have a defined contribution 401(k) plan (“Plan”) covering substantially all of our employees. We make matching cash contributions equal to 50% of each participant’s contribution during the Plan year up to a maximum amount equal to the lesser of 3% of each participant’s annual compensation or $9,900 and $9,150 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Such amounts were recorded as expense in the corresponding years. We may also contribute additional discretionary amounts to the Plan as we determine. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we contributed $1.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively, to the Plan. No discretionary contributions have been made to the Plan since its inception.

12.

Income Taxes

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we did not record a provision for income taxes due to a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets.

The difference between the provision for income taxes and income taxes computed using the effective U.S. federal statutory rate is as follows (in thousands):

December 31,

Tax at statutory federal rate $ (23,210 ) $ (38,225 )

State tax, net of federal benefit (1,460 ) (13,898 )

Research and development credits — (3,531 )

Non-deductible compensation (4,682 ) 2,104

Employee retention credit adjustment — (1,265 )

Provision to return adjustment 3,008 —

Provision for income taxes $ — $ —

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities arising from differences between accounting for financial statement purposes and tax purposes, less valuation allowance at year-end are as follows (in thousands):

December 31,

Deferred tax assets:

Deferred tax liabilities:

Right-of-use lease assets (1,362 ) (1,914 )

Total gross deferred tax liabilities (1,362 ) (1,914 )

Net deferred tax assets $ — $ —

We have established a valuation allowance to offset net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 due to the uncertainty of realizing future tax benefits from such assets.

As of December 31, 2023, we had federal and state net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of $1.3 billion and $879.1 million, respectively. The federal NOL carryforwards consist of $542.3 million generated before January 1, 2018, which will begin to expire in 2024, and $755.7 million that can be carried forward indefinitely, but are subject to the 80% taxable income limitation. The state NOL carryforwards will begin to expire in 2028.

As of December 31, 2023, we had federal and state research and development credit carryforwards of $44.6 million and $21.7 million, respectively. The federal research and development credit carryforwards will begin to expire in 2024. The state research and development credit carryforwards will be carried forward indefinitely.

Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Sections 382 and 383 place a limitation on the amount of taxable income that can be offset by NOL and credit carryforwards after a change in control (generally greater than 50% change in ownership within a three-year period) of a loss corporation. Generally, after a change in control, a loss corporation cannot deduct NOL and credit carryforwards in excess of the IRC Sections 382 and 383 limitation. State jurisdictions have similar rules. We have performed an analysis of IRC Sections 382 and 383 through July 31, 2023 and determined there were ownership changes in 2007, 2011 and 2013. The limitation in the federal and state NOL and research and development credit carryforwards that expire unused would reduce the deferred tax assets, which are fully offset by a valuation allowance.

We file U.S. and state income tax returns with varying statutes of limitations. The tax years from 2003 to 2023 remain open to examination due to the carryover of unused NOL carryforwards and tax credits.

A reconciliation of our unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,

Decrease for tax positions of prior years (332 ) (200 )

Increase based on tax positions related to current year — 1,804

Due to our valuation allowance, the $10.9 million of unrecognized tax benefits would not affect the effective tax rate, if recognized. It is the Company’s practice to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2023, we had no accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. We do not expect any material changes to the estimated amount of liability associated with our uncertain tax positions within the next 12 months.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted and signed into law in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act includes changes to the tax provisions that benefits business such as the Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”). The ERC provides an eligible employer with a tax credit that is allowed against certain employment taxes. We qualified for federal government assistance through the ERC provisions for the period between January 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021. We recognize government grants when there is reasonable assurance of compliance with grant conditions and receipt of the credits. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded a one-time refund totaling $6.0 million, which was included in the consolidated balance sheets as prepaid expenses and other current assets, as well as in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as an offset to the related employee expenses within research and development, general and administrative, and sales and marketing expenses. The one-time $6.0 million refund was received in the second quarter of 2023.

Beginning January 1, 2022, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) eliminated the option to deduct researchand development expenditures in the current year and requires taxpayers to capitalize such expenses pursuant to IRC Section 174. The capitalized expenses are amortized over a 5-year period for domestic expenses and over a 15-year period for foreign expenses. As a result of this provision of the Tax Act, deferred tax assets related to capitalized research expenses increased by $21 million during the year ended December 31, 2022.

13.

Subsequent Event

In January 2024, we entered into a five-year distributor partnership with CrossLink Life Sciences, LLC (“Crosslink”) to expand the sales network supporting ZYNRELEF. Crosslink will be the lead partner in the U.S. to expand ZYNRELEF promotion for orthopedic indications. The partnership will launch in several phases, initially at a regional level, followed by an expanded national rollout. In total, approximately 650 representatives will be added to Heron’s sales network over the year. At this time, we cannot estimate the impact of the Crosslink agreement on our future financial results.

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

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive and principal financial officers, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”)) as of December 31, 2023. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive and principal financial officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2023.

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. and includes those policies and procedures that:

•

pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

•

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

•

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

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

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013).

Based on our assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

The independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K has issued an audit report on our internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

Information required by this item will be contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2023. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, and to all of our other officers, directors and employees. The Code of Ethics is available in the Corporate Governance section of the Investor Resources page on our website at www.herontx.com. We intend to disclose future waivers or material amendments to certain provisions of our Code of Ethics on the above-referenced website within four business days following the date of such waiver or amendment.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

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

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

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

Consolidated Financial Statements.

The consolidated financial statements and supplementary data set forth in Part II of the Annual Report on Form 10-K are included herein.

Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules.

These schedules are omitted because they are not required, or are not applicable, or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

Exhibits.

HRTX US Equity

HRTX · 10-K · period ended 2023-12-31

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

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

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

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

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

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

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

HRTX US Equity☆

HRTX · 10-K · period ended 2023-12-31

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

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

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

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

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

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

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

HRTX US Equity