Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.TARS
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Revenue Disclosure
Revenue Recognition
(i) Product Sales, Net
The Company recognizes product sales, net when a customer obtains control of the promised goods or services, which occurs at a point in time, typically upon delivery of the Company’s product to the customer. The Company records the amount of revenue that reflects the consideration that it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The Company applies the following five-step model in order to determine this amount: (i) identification of the promised goods in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods are performance obligations, including whether they are capable of being distinct; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue as each performance obligation is satisfied.
The Company sells XDEMVY to customers in the U.S., which became available for commercial sale during the third quarter of 2023. These customers include a limited number of specialty pharmacies and distributors who in turn sell it directly to clinics, hospitals, pharmacies and federal healthcare programs. Revenue from product sales is primarily recognized upon physical delivery of the product (when the customer obtains control of the product), in return for agreed-upon consideration. Shipping and handling activities are considered to be fulfillment activities rather than a separate performance obligation and are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
Revenues from product sales are recorded at the net sales price, or the transaction price, which may include fixed or variable consideration for (i) invoice discounts for prompt payment and distribution service fees, (ii) commercial and government rebates, chargebacks, discounts and fees, (iii) product returns and (iv) costs of co-pay assistance programs for patients, as well as other incentives. Estimates of variable consideration are calculated based on the actual product sales each reporting period and the nature of the variable consideration related to those sales. Where appropriate, the Company utilizes the expected value method to determine the appropriate amount for estimates of variable consideration based on factors such as the current contractual and statutory discount rates, specific known market events and trends, industry data and forecasted customer buying and payment patterns. The amount of variable consideration that is included in the transaction price may be constrained and is included in product sales, net only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. These estimates reflect the Company’s best estimate of the amount of consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled based on the terms of the contract. Actual amounts of consideration ultimately received may differ materially from estimates. If actual results in the future vary from estimates, the Company will adjust these estimates, which would affect product sales, net and earnings in the period such variances are adjusted. During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, the Company did not recognize any revenue related to material changes in product sales, net related to amounts included in accrued liabilities at the beginning of the period.
The Company categorizes product sales deduction estimates as follows:
Distribution Service Fees: The Company engages with wholesalers and specialty pharmacies to distribute its products to end customers. The Company pays the wholesalers and certain specialty pharmacies a fee for services such as: chargeback administration and service level commitments. The Company estimates the amount of distribution services fees to be paid to the customers and adjusts the transaction price with the amount of such estimate at the time of sale to the customer. An accrued liability is recorded for unpaid distribution service fees.
Prompt Pay Discounts: The Company provides its customers with a percentage discount on their invoice if the customers pay within the agreed upon timeframe. The Company expects that its customers will earn prompt pay discounts. The Company estimates the probability of customers paying promptly based on the percentage of discount outlined in the purchase agreement between the two parties, and deducts the full amount of these discounts from gross product sales and accounts receivable at the time revenue is recognized.
Product Returns: The Company’s customers are contractually permitted to return product within the contractual allowable time, both before and after the applicable expiration date. In the initial sales period, the Company estimates its provision for returns based on the Company’s historical experience and adjusts the transaction price at the time of the product sale to the customer. Once sufficient history has been collected for product returns, the Company will utilize that history to inform its returns estimate. Once the product is returned, it is destroyed since it cannot be resold.
Chargebacks: A chargeback is the difference between the Company’s invoice price to the wholesaler and the wholesaler’s customer’s contract price. The wholesaler tracks these sales and charges back the Company for the difference between the negotiated prices paid between the wholesaler’s customers and the wholesaler’s acquisition cost. The Company estimates the percentage of goods sold that are eligible for chargeback and adjusts the transaction price and accounts receivable at the time of sale of the product to the customer.
Co-payment Assistance: Patients who meet certain eligibility requirements may receive co-payment assistance funded by the Company. The Company records contra-revenue for co-payment assistance based on actual program participation and estimates of program redemption using data provided by third-party administrators. An accrued liability is recorded on unredeemed co-payment assistance related to products for which control has been transferred to the customer.
Rebates: The Company accrues rebates for contractually agreed-upon discounts with commercial payers and mandated discounts under government programs such as the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program, and other government health care programs in the U.S. The Company’s estimates for expected utilization of commercial payer rebates are based on data received from its customers. The estimates for rebates under government programs are based on statutory discount rates and expected utilization as well as historical data the Company has accumulated since product launch. The Company calculates the accruals for commercial and government rebates based on various assumptions, including payer mix, with actual rebates potentially requiring accrual adjustments affecting product sales, net. Rebates are generally invoiced and paid in arrears so that the accrual balance consists of an estimate of the amount expected to be incurred for the current period’s activity, plus an accrual balance for known prior periods’ unpaid rebates. If actual rebates vary from estimates, the Company may need to adjust accruals, which would affect product sales, net in the period of adjustment. An accrued liability is recorded for unpaid rebates related to product for which control has transferred to the customer.
(ii) License Fees and Collaboration Revenue
China Out-License
License fees and collaboration revenue in the accompanying Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss have historically been related to the China Out-License that allows the third-party licensee to market the Company’s TP-03 product candidate (representing functional intellectual property) in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan (the “China Territory”)— see Note 10. The accounting and reporting of revenue for out-license arrangements requires significant judgment for: (a) identification of the number of performance obligations within the contract; (b) the contract’s transaction price for allocation (including variable consideration); (c) the stand-alone selling price for each identified performance obligation; and (d) the timing and amount of revenue recognition in each period.
The China Out-License was analyzed under GAAP to determine whether the promised goods or services are distinct or must be accounted for as part of a combined performance obligation. In making these assessments, the Company considers factors such as the stage of development of the underlying intellectual property and the capabilities of the customer to develop the intellectual property on their own, and/or whether the required expertise is readily available. If the license is not distinct, the license is combined with other promised goods or services as a combined performance obligation for revenue recognition.
The China Out-License included the following forms of consideration: (i) non-refundable upfront license payment; (ii) equity-based consideration; (iii) sales-based royalties; (iv) sales-based threshold milestones; (v) one-time payment for executing a drug supply agreement; (vi) development milestone payments; (vii) regulatory milestone payments and the issuance of a related patent; and (viii) a one-time termination payment to transition the rights to develop and commercialize TP-03 in China for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis and Meibomian Gland Disease (“MGD”) to Xi An Grand Chang An Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“GrandPharma”). Revenue is recognized in proportion to the allocated transaction price when (or as) the respective performance obligation is satisfied. The Company evaluates the progress related to each milestone at each reporting period and, if necessary, adjusts the probability of achievement and related revenue recognition. The measure of progress, and thereby periods over which revenue is recognized, is subject to estimates by management and may change over the course of the agreement.
Contractual Terms for Receipt of Payments
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service and is the unit of accounting. A contract’s transaction price is allocated among each distinct performance obligation based on relative standalone selling price and recognized when, or as, the applicable performance obligation is satisfied.
The contractual terms that establish the Company’s right to collect specified amounts from its customers and that require contemporaneous evaluation and documentation under GAAP for the corresponding timing and amount of revenue recognition, are as follows:
Upfront License Fees: The Company determines whether non-refundable license fee consideration is recognized at the time of contract execution (i.e., when the license is transferred to the customer and the customer is able to use and benefit from the license) or over the actual (or implied) contractual period of the China Out-License. The Company also evaluates whether it has any other requirements to provide substantive services that are inseparable from the performance obligation of the license transfer to determine whether any combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time. Upfront payments may require deferral of revenue recognition to a future period until the Company performs obligations under these arrangements.
Development Milestones: The Company utilizes the most likely amount method to estimate the amount of consideration to which it will be entitled for achievement of development milestones as these represent variable consideration. For those payments based on development milestones (e.g., patient dosing in a clinical study or the achievement of statistically significant clinical results), the Company assesses the probability that the milestone will be achieved, including its ability to control the timing or likelihood of achievement, and any associated revenue constraint. Given the high degree of uncertainty around the occurrence of these events, the Company determines the milestone and other contingent amounts to be constrained until the uncertainty associated with these payments is resolved. At each reporting period, the Company re-evaluates this associated revenue recognition constraint. Any resulting adjustments are recorded to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis, and reflected in the financial statements in the period of adjustment.
Regulatory Milestones: The Company utilizes the most likely amount method to estimate the consideration to which it will be entitled and recognizes revenue in the period regulatory approval occurs (the performance obligation is satisfied) as these represent variable consideration. Amounts constrained as variable consideration are included in the transaction price to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. The Company evaluates whether the milestones are considered probable of being reached and not otherwise constrained. Accordingly, due to the inherent uncertainty of achieving regulatory approval, associated milestones are deemed constrained for revenue recognition until achievement.
Royalties: Under the sales-or-usage-based royalty exception the Company recognizes revenue based on the contractual percentage of the licensee’s sale of products to its customers at the later of (i) the occurrence of the related product sales or (ii) the date upon which the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied or partially satisfied. To date, the Company has not recognized any royalty revenue from the China Out-License.
Sales Threshold Milestones: Similar to royalties, applying the sales-or-usage-based royalty exception, the Company recognizes revenue from sales threshold milestones at the later of (i) the period the licensee achieves the one-time annual product sales levels in their territories for which the Company is contractually entitled to a specified lump-sum receipt, or (ii) the date upon which the performance obligation to which some or all of the milestone has been allocated has been satisfied or partially satisfied. To date, the Company has not recognized any sales threshold milestone revenue from the China Out-License.
The Company re-evaluates the measure of progress to each performance obligation in each reporting period as uncertain events are resolved and other changes in circumstances occur.
About Revenue Disclosures
Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.
Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.