0000950170-23-037601 | 10-Q | XBRL Viewer

Geographic Data	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2023
Geographic Data [Abstract]
Geographic Data	8. GEOGRAPHIC DATA Substantially all of the Company’s long-lived assets were located in the United States as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Geographic Data

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

8. GEOGRAPHIC DATA

Substantially all of the Company’s long-lived assets were located in the United States as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

The Company	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
The Company	1. THE COMPANY Organization Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (together with its subsidiaries, “Wave” or the “Company”) is a clinical-stage RNA medicines company committed to delivering life-changing treatments for people battling devastating diseases. Using PRISM, Wave’s proprietary discovery and drug development platform that enables the precise design, optimization, and production of novel stereopure oligonucleotides, Wave is working to develop best- or first-in-class medicines that target the transcriptome (the full set of ribonucleic acid (“RNA”) molecules produced from the human genome) to treat genetically defined diseases with a high degree of unmet need. The Company was incorporated in Singapore on July 23, 2012 and has its principal U.S. office in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Company was incorporated with the purpose of combining two commonly held companies, Wave Life Sciences USA, Inc. (“Wave USA”), a Delaware corporation (formerly Ontorii, Inc.), and Wave Life Sciences Japan, Inc. (“Wave Japan”), a company organized under the laws of Japan (formerly Chiralgen., Ltd.), which occurred on September 13, 2012. On May 31, 2016, Wave Life Sciences Ireland Limited (“Wave Ireland”) was formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wave Life Sciences Ltd. On April 3, 2017, Wave Life Sciences UK Limited (“Wave UK”) was formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wave Life Sciences Ltd. The Company’s primary activities since inception have been developing and evolving PRISM to design, develop and commercialize oligonucleotide therapeutics, advancing the Company’s differentiated portfolio, building the Company’s research, development and manufacturing capabilities, advancing programs into the clinic, furthering clinical development of such clinical-stage programs, building the Company’s intellectual property, and assuring adequate capital to support these activities. Liquidity Since its inception, the Company has not generated any product revenue and has incurred recurring net losses. To date, the Company has primarily funded its operations through private placements of debt and equity securities, public and other registered offerings of its equity securities and collaborations with third parties. Until the Company can generate significant revenue from product sales, if ever, the Company expects to continue to finance operations through a combination of public or private equity or debt financings or other sources, which may include collaborations with third parties. Adequate additional financing may not be available to the Company on acceptable terms, or at all. The inability to raise capital as and when needed would have a negative impact on the Company’s financial condition and ability to pursue its business strategy. As of June 30, 2023, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $173.0 million. The Company expects that its existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its operations for at least the next twelve months. The Company has based this expectation on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, and the Company may use its available capital resources sooner than it currently expects. If the Company’s anticipated operating results are not achieved in future periods, planned expenditures may need to be further reduced in order to extend the time period over which the then-available resources would be able to fund the Company’s operations. In addition, the Company may elect to raise additional funds before it needs them if the conditions for raising capital are favorable due to market conditions or strategic considerations, even if the Company expects it has sufficient funds for its current or future operating plans. Risks and Uncertainties The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the biotechnology industry including, but not limited to, new technological innovations, protection of proprietary technology, maintaining internal manufacturing capabilities, dependence on key personnel, compliance with government regulations and the need to obtain additional financing. The Company’s therapeutic programs will require significant additional research and development efforts, including extensive preclinical and clinical testing and regulatory approval, prior to commercialization of any product candidates. These efforts require significant amounts of additional capital, adequate personnel infrastructure and extensive compliance-reporting capabilities. There can be no assurance that the Company’s research and development efforts will be successful, that adequate protection for the Company’s intellectual property will be obtained, that any products developed will obtain necessary government regulatory approval or that any approved products will be commercially viable. Even if the Company’s product development efforts are successful, it is uncertain when, if ever, the Company will generate significant revenue from product sales. The Company operates in an environment of rapid change in technology and substantial competition from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Basis of Presentation The Company has prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and in U.S. dollars.

The Company

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

The Company

1. THE COMPANY

Organization

Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (together with its subsidiaries, “Wave” or the “Company”) is a clinical-stage RNA medicines company committed to delivering life-changing treatments for people battling devastating diseases. Using PRISM, Wave’s proprietary discovery and drug development platform that enables the precise design, optimization, and production of novel stereopure oligonucleotides, Wave is working to develop best- or first-in-class medicines that target the transcriptome (the full set of ribonucleic acid (“RNA”) molecules produced from the human genome) to treat genetically defined diseases with a high degree of unmet need.

The Company was incorporated in Singapore on July 23, 2012 and has its principal U.S. office in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Company was incorporated with the purpose of combining two commonly held companies, Wave Life Sciences USA, Inc. (“Wave USA”), a Delaware corporation (formerly Ontorii, Inc.), and Wave Life Sciences Japan, Inc. (“Wave Japan”), a company organized under the laws of Japan (formerly Chiralgen., Ltd.), which occurred on September 13, 2012. On May 31, 2016, Wave Life Sciences Ireland Limited (“Wave Ireland”) was formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wave Life Sciences Ltd. On April 3, 2017, Wave Life Sciences UK Limited (“Wave UK”) was formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wave Life Sciences Ltd.

The Company’s primary activities since inception have been developing and evolving PRISM to design, develop and commercialize oligonucleotide therapeutics, advancing the Company’s differentiated portfolio, building the Company’s research, development and manufacturing capabilities, advancing programs into the clinic, furthering clinical development of such clinical-stage programs, building the Company’s intellectual property, and assuring adequate capital to support these activities.

Liquidity

Since its inception, the Company has not generated any product revenue and has incurred recurring net losses. To date, the Company has primarily funded its operations through private placements of debt and equity securities, public and other registered offerings of its equity securities and collaborations with third parties. Until the Company can generate significant revenue from product sales, if ever, the Company expects to continue to finance operations through a combination of public or private equity or debt financings or other sources, which may include collaborations with third parties. Adequate additional financing may not be available to the Company on acceptable terms, or at all. The inability to raise capital as and when needed would have a negative impact on the Company’s financial condition and ability to pursue its business strategy.

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $173.0 million. The Company expects that its existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its operations for at least the next twelve months. The Company has based this expectation on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, and the Company may use its available capital resources sooner than it currently expects. If the Company’s anticipated operating results are not achieved in future periods, planned expenditures may need to be further reduced in order to extend the time period over which the then-available resources would be able to fund the Company’s operations. In addition, the Company may elect to raise additional funds before it needs them if the conditions for raising capital are favorable due to market conditions or strategic considerations, even if the Company expects it has sufficient funds for its current or future operating plans.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the biotechnology industry including, but not limited to, new technological innovations, protection of proprietary technology, maintaining internal manufacturing capabilities, dependence on key personnel, compliance with government regulations and the need to obtain additional financing. The Company’s therapeutic programs will require significant additional research and development efforts, including extensive preclinical and clinical testing and regulatory approval, prior to commercialization of any product candidates. These efforts require significant amounts of additional capital, adequate personnel infrastructure and extensive compliance-reporting capabilities. There can be no assurance that the Company’s research and development efforts will be successful, that adequate protection for the Company’s intellectual property will be obtained, that any products developed will obtain necessary government regulatory approval or that any approved products will be commercially viable. Even if the Company’s product development efforts are successful, it is uncertain when, if ever, the Company will generate significant revenue from product sales. The Company operates in an environment of rapid change in technology and substantial competition from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Basis of Presentation

The Company has prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and in U.S. dollars.

Subsequent Event	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2023
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	10. SUBSEQUENT EVENT In May 2023, the Company announced its decision to discontinue clinical development of WVE-004 for C9orf72-associated ALS and FTD (“C9-ALS/FTD”). In July 2023, the joint steering committee that manages the Takeda Collaboration terminated C9-ALS/FTD as a target under the collaboration (the “C9 Target”) and consequently Takeda and the Company’s rights and obligations under the Takeda Collaboration were terminated with respect to the C9 Target. As a result of the termination, the Company will recognize $28.0 million in revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2023, this represents the remainder of the deferred revenue for the C9 Target as of June 30, 2023.

Subsequent Event

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Event

10. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

In May 2023, the Company announced its decision to discontinue clinical development of WVE-004 for C9orf72-associated ALS and FTD (“C9-ALS/FTD”). In July 2023, the joint steering committee that manages the Takeda Collaboration terminated C9-ALS/FTD as a target under the collaboration (the “C9 Target”) and consequently Takeda and the Company’s rights and obligations under the Takeda Collaboration were terminated with respect to the C9 Target.

As a result of the termination, the Company will recognize $28.0 million in revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2023, this represents the remainder of the deferred revenue for the C9 Target as of June 30, 2023.

Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 10, 2021
Ordinary Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares issued	133,098		77,534
Issuance of ordinary shares, shares	10,683,761	25,464,483
Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted to employees				4,984,750
Time-based RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted to employees				101,700
ESPP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Ordinary shares reserved for issuance				583,315
Ordinary share purchase price at equal to fair market value percentage				85.00%
Number of shares issued				133,098
2021 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Ordinary shares authorized for issuance					11,450,000	5,450,000
Ordinary shares available for future grant				1,756,326
2014 Plan [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period				1 year
Contractual life of options				5 years
2014 Plan [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Time-based RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period				1 year
2014 Plan [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period				4 years
Contractual life of options				10 years
2014 Plan [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Time-based RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period				4 years

Collaboration Agreements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Collaboration Agreements

5. COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS

GSK Collaboration and Equity Agreements

On December 13, 2022, Wave USA and Wave UK entered into a Collaboration and License Agreement (the “GSK Collaboration Agreement”) with GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual Property (No. 3) (“GSK”). Pursuant to the GSK Collaboration Agreement, Wave and GSK have agreed to collaborate on the research, development, and commercialization of oligonucleotide therapeutics, including an exclusive global license to WVE-006. The discovery collaboration component has an initial four-year research term and combines Wave’s proprietary discovery and drug development platform, PRISM, with GSK’s unique insights from human genetics and its global development and commercial capabilities. On January 27, 2023, the GSK Collaboration Agreement became effective, and GSK paid Wave an upfront payment of $120.0 million.

Simultaneously with the execution of the GSK Collaboration Agreement, Wave entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) on December 13, 2022, with Glaxo Group Limited (“GGL”), an affiliate of GSK, pursuant to which Wave agreed to sell 10,683,761 of its ordinary shares to GGL at a purchase price of $4.68 per share (the “GSK Equity Investment”). The GSK Equity Investment closed on January 26, 2023, following the completion of customary closing conditions. The ordinary shares purchased by GGL are subject to lock-up and standstill restrictions and carry certain registration rights, customary for transactions of this kind. The Company did not incur any material costs in connection with the issuance of the ordinary shares under the SPA.

The GSK Collaboration Agreement has three components:

An exclusive global license for GSK to WVE-006, the Company’s preclinical, first-in-class A-to-I(G) RNA editing candidate for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, with development and commercialization responsibilities transferring to GSK after the Company completes the first-in-patient study (the “AATD Collaboration”). The Company will be responsible for preclinical, regulatory, manufacturing, and clinical activities for WVE-006 through the initial Phase 1/2 study, at the Company’s sole cost. Thereafter, GSK will be responsible for advancing WVE-006 through pivotal studies, registration, and global commercialization at GSK’s sole cost;

A discovery research collaboration which enables GSK to advance up to eight programs leveraging PRISM and the Company’s oligonucleotide expertise and discovery capabilities (the “Discovery Research Collaboration”); and

A discovery collaboration which enables the Company to advance up to three programs leveraging targets informed by GSK’s novel insights (“Wave’s Collaboration Programs”).

Under the GSK Collaboration Agreement, each party grants to the other party certain licenses to the collaboration products to enable the other party to perform its obligations and exercise its rights under the GSK Collaboration Agreement, including license grants to enable each party to conduct research, development and commercialization activities pursuant to the terms of the GSK Collaboration Agreement. The parties’ exclusivity obligations to each other are limited on a target-by-target basis with regard to targets in the collaboration. GSK may terminate the GSK Collaboration Agreement for convenience, in its entirety or on a target-by-target basis. Subject to certain exceptions, each party has the right to terminate the GSK Collaboration Agreement on a target-by-target basis if the other party, or a related party, challenges the patentability, enforceability or validity of any patents within the licensed technology that cover any product that is subject to the GSK Collaboration Agreement. In the event of any material breach of the GSK Collaboration Agreement by a party, subject to cure rights, the other party may terminate the GSK Collaboration Agreement in its entirety if the breach relates to all targets or on a target-by-target basis if the breach relates to a specific target. In the event that GSK and its affiliates cease development, manufacturing and commercialization activities with respect to compounds or products subject to the GSK Collaboration Agreement and directed to a particular target, the Company may terminate the GSK Collaboration Agreement with respect to such target. Either party may terminate the GSK Collaboration Agreement for the other party’s insolvency. In certain termination circumstances, the Company would receive a license from GSK to continue researching, developing and manufacturing certain products.

The GSK Collaboration Agreement, unless terminated earlier, will continue until the date on which: (i) with respect to a validation target, the date on which such validation target is not advanced into a collaboration program; or (ii) with respect to a collaboration target, the royalty term has expired for all collaboration products directed to the applicable collaboration target. The GSK Collaboration Agreement includes options to extend the research term for up to three additional years, which would increase the number of programs available to both parties. The Company will lead all preclinical research for GSK and the Company’s collaboration programs up to investigational new drug (“IND”)-enabling studies. The Company will lead IND-enabling studies, clinical development and commercialization for the Company’s collaboration programs. GSK collaboration programs will transfer to GSK for IND-enabling studies, clinical development and commercialization.

The GSK Collaboration Agreement is managed by a joint steering committee in which both parties are represented equally. In addition, the AATD Collaboration is overseen by a joint development committee, a joint patent committee advises on intellectual property activities, and the Discovery Research Collaboration is overseen by a joint research committee. Both parties are represented equally for these committees and report to the joint steering committee.

The Company assessed this arrangement in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) and concluded that the contract counterparty, GSK, is a customer for the AATD Collaboration prior to GSK exercising its option and, for the Discovery Research Collaboration programs during the target validation research term. The Company identified the following material promises under the arrangement: (1) the exclusive global license for WVE-006; (2) the research and development services for WVE-006 through the Phase 1/2 study; (3) the discovery research services under the Discovery Research Collaboration to perform target validation programs; (4) research and development license for the Discovery Research Collaboration; and (5) the research and development services for the GSK collaboration programs through completion of a candidate selection. The research and development services for WVE-006 were determined to not be distinct from the exclusive global license and should therefore be combined into a single performance obligation for the AATD Collaboration. The research and development services for the Discovery Research Collaboration were determined to not be distinct from the research and development license for the Discovery Research Collaboration and should therefore be combined into a single performance obligation. In addition, the Company determined that the option to advance up to eight programs from the Discovery Research Collaboration was priced at fair value and did not provide a material right to GSK.

Based on these assessments, the Company identified two performance obligations in the GSK Collaboration Agreement: (1) AATD Collaboration consisting of the research and development services through completion of the Phase 1/2 study and research and development license for WVE-006 and (2) Discovery Research Collaboration which consists of research and development services for validating the targets and license for research and development license for targets.

At the outset of the arrangement, the transaction price included fixed consideration of the $120.0 million upfront, the $15.4 million in premium related to the GSK Equity Investment and the estimated variable consideration related to the additional target validation research funding. The Company allocated the estimated variable consideration to the Discovery Research Collaboration programs and then allocated the fixed consideration to the performance obligations on a relative standalone selling price basis. The Company determined that the GSK Collaboration Agreement did not contain a significant financing component. The program initiation fees to research and preclinically develop the GSK collaboration programs and the additional potential milestone payments were excluded from the transaction price, as all milestone amounts were fully constrained at the inception of the GSK Collaboration Agreement. The Company will reevaluate the transaction price at the end of each reporting period, and as uncertain events are resolved or other changes in circumstances occur, the Company will adjust its estimate of the transaction price.

The Company developed the estimated standalone selling price for the global license for WVE-006, under the AATD Collaboration, using a discounted cash flow model. For the performance obligation associated with the research and development services under the Discovery Research Collaboration and the research and development services for WVE-006 under the AATD Collaboration, the Company determined the standalone selling price using estimates of the costs to perform the research and development services, including expected internal and external costs for services and supplies, adjusted to reflect a profit margin. The total estimated cost of the research and development services reflected the nature of the services to be performed and the Company’s best estimate of the length of time required to perform the services.

Revenue associated with the AATD Collaboration performance obligation is being recognized as the research and development services are provided using an input measure, according to the costs incurred and the total costs expected to be incurred to satisfy the performance obligation. The revenue associated with the Discovery Research Collaboration performance obligation is being recognized as the research and development services are provided using an input measure, according to the costs incurred and the total costs expected to be incurred to satisfy the performance obligation. The amounts received that have not yet been recognized as revenue are recorded in deferred revenue on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Additional funding related to the Company’s research activities related to Discovery Research Collaboration will be recorded as accounts receivable when contractually enforceable and recorded as deferred revenue, or as revenue as the services are provided.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recognized revenue of approximately $20.8 million and $33.1 million, respectively, under the GSK Collaboration Agreement using the input method described above.

The aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the Company’s unsatisfied and partially unsatisfied performance obligations and recorded in deferred revenue on June 30, 2023 is approximately $106.3 million, of which $81.2 million is included in current liabilities and $25.1 million is included in long-term liabilities.

Takeda Collaboration and Equity Agreements

In February 2018, Wave USA and Wave UK entered into a global strategic collaboration (the “Takeda Collaboration”) with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”), pursuant to which Wave USA, Wave UK and Takeda agreed to collaborate on the research, development and commercialization of oligonucleotide therapeutics for disorders of the Central Nervous System (“CNS”). The Takeda Collaboration provides the Company with at least $230.0 million in committed cash and Takeda with the option to co-develop and co-commercialize the Company’s CNS development programs in (1) Huntington’s disease (“HD”); (2) amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (“ALS”) and frontotemporal dementia (“FTD”); and (3) the Company’s discovery-stage program targeting ATXN3 for the treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia 3 (“SCA3”) (collectively, “Category 1 Programs”). In addition, the Takeda Collaboration provided Takeda the right to exclusively license multiple preclinical programs for CNS disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease (collectively, “Category 2 Programs”). In April 2018, the Takeda Collaboration became effective and Takeda paid the Company $110.0 million as an upfront payment. Takeda also agreed to fund the Company’s research and preclinical activities in the amount of $60.0 million during the four-year research term and to reimburse the Company for any collaboration-budgeted research and preclinical expenses incurred by Wave that exceed that amount.

Simultaneously with Wave USA and Wave UK’s entry into the collaboration and license agreement with Takeda (the “Takeda Collaboration Agreement”), the Company entered into a share purchase agreement with Takeda (the “Takeda Equity Agreement,” and together with the Takeda Collaboration Agreement, the “Takeda Agreements”) pursuant to which it agreed to sell to Takeda 1,096,892 of its ordinary shares at a purchase price of $54.70 per share. In April 2018, the Company closed the Takeda Equity Agreement and received aggregate cash proceeds of $60.0 million. The Company did not incur any material costs in connection with the issuance of the shares.

With respect to Category 1 Programs, the Company will be responsible for researching and developing products and companion diagnostics for Category 1 Programs through completion of the first proof of mechanism study for such products. Takeda will have an exclusive option for each target and all associated products and companion diagnostics for such target, which it may exercise at any time through completion of the proof of mechanism study. If Takeda exercises this option, the Company will receive an opt-in payment and will lead manufacturing and joint clinical co-development activities and Takeda will lead joint co-commercial activities in the United States and all commercial activities outside of the United States. Global costs and potential profits will be shared 50:50 and the Company will be eligible to receive development and commercial milestone payments. In addition to its 50% profit share, the Company is eligible to receive option exercise fees and development and commercial milestone payments for each of the Category 1 Programs.

With respect to Category 2 Programs, the Company granted Takeda the right to exclusively license multiple preclinical programs during a four-year research term (subject to limited extension for programs that were initiated prior to the expiration of the research term, in accordance with the Takeda Collaboration Agreement) (“Category 2 Research Term”). During that term, the Takeda Collaboration provided that the parties may collaborate on preclinical programs for up to six targets at any one time. The Company was responsible for researching and preclinically developing products and companion diagnostics directed to the agreed upon targets through completion of Investigational New Drug application (“IND”)-enabling studies in the first major market country. Thereafter, Takeda would have an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize products and companion diagnostics directed to such targets, subject to the Company’s retained rights to lead manufacturing activities for products directed to such targets. Takeda agreed to fund the Company’s research and preclinical activities in the amount of $60.0 million during the research term and reimburse the Company for any collaboration-budgeted research and preclinical expenses incurred by the Company that exceeded that amount. The Company was also eligible to receive tiered high single-digit to mid-teen royalties on Takeda’s global commercial sales of products from each Category 2 Program.

Under the Takeda Collaboration Agreement, each party granted to the other party specific intellectual property licenses to enable the other party to perform its obligations and exercise its rights under the Takeda Collaboration Agreement, including license grants to enable each party to conduct research, development and commercialization activities pursuant to the terms of the Takeda Collaboration Agreement.

The term of the Takeda Collaboration Agreement commenced on April 2, 2018 and, unless terminated earlier, will continue until the date on which: (i) with respect to each Category 1 Program target for which Takeda does not exercise its option, the expiration or termination of the development program with respect to such target; (ii) with respect to each Category 1 Program target for which Takeda exercises its option, the date on which neither party is researching, developing or manufacturing any products or companion diagnostics directed to such target; or (iii) with respect to each Category 2 Program target, the date on which royalties are no longer payable with respect to products directed to such target.

Takeda may terminate the Takeda Collaboration Agreement for convenience on 180 days’ notice, in its entirety or on a target-by-target basis. Subject to certain exceptions, each party has the right to terminate the Takeda Collaboration Agreement on a target-by-target basis if the other party, or a third party related to such party, challenges the patentability, enforceability or validity of any patents within the licensed technology that cover any product or companion diagnostic that is subject to the Takeda Collaboration Agreement. In the event of any material breach of the Takeda Collaboration Agreement by a party, subject to cure rights, the other party may terminate the Takeda Collaboration Agreement in its entirety if the breach relates to all targets or on a target-by-target basis if the breach relates to a specific target. In the event that Takeda and its affiliates cease development, manufacturing and commercialization activities with respect to compounds or products subject to the Takeda Collaboration Agreement and directed to a particular target, the Company may terminate the Takeda Collaboration Agreement with respect to such target. Either party may terminate the Takeda Collaboration Agreement for the other party’s insolvency. In certain termination circumstances, the Company would receive a license from Takeda to continue researching, developing and manufacturing certain products, and companion diagnostics.

The Takeda Collaboration is managed by a joint steering committee in which both parties are represented equally. The joint steering committee is tasked with overseeing the scientific progression of each Category 1 Program and, prior to the Amendment (discussed below), the Category 2 Programs.

The Company assessed this arrangement in accordance with ASC 606 and concluded that the contract counterparty, Takeda, is a customer for Category 1 Programs prior to Takeda exercising its option, and for Category 2 Programs during the Category 2 Research Term. The Company identified the following material promises under the arrangement: (1) the non-exclusive, royalty-free research and development license for each Category 1 Program; (2) the research and development services for each Category 1 Program through completion of the first proof of mechanism study; (3) the exclusive option to license, co-develop and co-commercialize each Category 1 Program; (4) the right to exclusively license the Category 2 Programs; and (5) the research and preclinical development services of the Category 2 Programs through completion of IND-enabling studies. The research and development services for each Category 1 Program were determined to not be distinct from the research and development license and should therefore be combined into a single performance obligation for each Category 1 Program. The research and preclinical development services for the Category 2 Programs were determined to not be distinct from the exclusive licenses for the Category 2 Programs and therefore were combined into a single performance obligation.

Additionally, the Company determined that the exclusive option for each Category 1 Program was priced at a discount, and, as such, provide material rights to Takeda, representing three separate performance obligations. Based on these assessments, the Company identified seven performance obligations in the Takeda Collaboration Agreement: (1) research and development services through completion of the first proof of mechanism and non-exclusive research and development license for HD; (2) research and development services through completion of the first proof of mechanism and non-exclusive research and development license for ALS and FTD; (3) research and development services through completion of the first proof of mechanism and non-exclusive research and development license for SCA3; (4) the material right provided for the exclusive option to license, co-develop and co-commercialize HD; (5) the material right provided for the exclusive option to license, co-develop and co-commercialize ALS and FTD; (6) the material right provided for the exclusive option to license, co-develop and co-commercialize SCA3; and (7) the research and preclinical development services and right to exclusively license the Category 2 Programs.

At the outset of the arrangement, the transaction price included the $110.0 million upfront consideration received and the $60.0 million of committed research and preclinical funding for the Category 2 Programs. The Company determined that the Takeda Collaboration Agreement did not contain a significant financing component. The option exercise fees to license, co-develop and co-commercialize each Category 1 Program that may be received are excluded from the transaction price until each customer option is exercised. The potential milestone payments were excluded from the transaction price, as all milestone amounts were fully constrained at the inception of the Takeda Collaboration Agreement. The Company will reevaluate the transaction price at the end of each reporting period and as uncertain events are resolved or other changes in circumstances occur, if necessary, will adjust its estimate of the transaction price.

The Company allocated the transaction price to the performance obligations on a relative standalone selling price basis. For the performance obligations associated with the research and development services through completion of the first proof of mechanism and non-exclusive research and development license for HD; the research and development services through completion of the first proof of mechanism and non-exclusive research and development license for ALS and FTD; the research and development services through completion of the first proof of mechanism and non-exclusive research and development license for SCA3; and the research and preclinical development services and right to exclusively license the Category 2 Programs, the Company determined the standalone selling price using estimates of the costs to perform the research and development services, including expected internal and external costs for services and supplies, adjusted to reflect a profit margin. The total estimated cost of the research and development services reflected the nature of the services to be performed and the Company’s best estimate of the length of time required to perform the services. For the performance obligations associated with the material right provided for the exclusive option to license, co-develop and co-commercialize HD; the material right provided for the exclusive option to license, co-develop and co-commercialize ALS and FTD; and the material right provided for the exclusive option to license, co-develop and co-commercialize SCA3, the Company estimated the standalone fair value of the option to license each Category 1 Program utilizing an adjusted market assessment approach, and determined that any standalone fair value in excess of the amounts to be paid by Takeda associated with each option represented a material right.

Revenue associated with the research and development services for each Category 1 Program performance obligation is being recognized as the research and development services are provided using an input method, according to the costs incurred on each Category 1 Program and the total costs expected to be incurred to satisfy each Category 1 Program performance obligation. Prior to the Amendment (as defined below), revenue associated with the research and preclinical development services for the Category 2 Programs performance obligation was recognized as the research and preclinical development services are provided using an input method, according to the costs incurred on Category 2 Programs and the total costs expected to be incurred to satisfy the performance obligation. The amount allocated to the material right for each Category 1 Program option will be recognized on the date that Takeda exercises each respective option, or immediately as each option expires unexercised. The amounts received that have not yet been recognized as revenue are recorded in deferred revenue on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

On October 15, 2021, Wave USA, Wave UK and Takeda entered into the Second Amendment to the Takeda Collaboration Agreement (the “Amendment”), which discontinued the Category 2 component of the Takeda Collaboration. The Category 1 Programs under the Collaboration Agreement remain in effect and are unchanged by the Amendment. Pursuant to the Amendment, Takeda agreed to pay the Company an additional $22.5 million as full payment for reimbursable Category 2 Programs collaboration-budgeted research and preclinical expenses. The Company received this payment from Takeda related to the Category 2 component and recognized the full amount as collaboration revenue in the year ended December 31, 2021.

Through June 30, 2023, the Company had recognized revenue of $83.2 million as collaboration revenue under the Takeda Collaboration Agreement in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $1.3 million and $2.0 million under the Takeda Collaboration Agreement, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recognized revenue of approximately $0.3 million and $1.9 million under the Takeda Collaboration Agreement, respectively.

The aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the Company’s unsatisfied and partially unsatisfied performance obligations and recorded in deferred revenue as of December 31, 2022 was $111.3 million, of which approximately $31.6 million was included in current liabilities and $79.8 million was included in long-term liabilities. The aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the Company’s unsatisfied and partially unsatisfied performance obligations and recorded in deferred revenue at June 30, 2023 is $109.3 million, of which $29.9 million is included in current liabilities and $79.4 million is included in long-term liabilities. The Company expects to recognize revenue for the portion of the deferred revenue that relates to the research and development services for each Category 1 Program as costs are incurred, over the remaining research term. The Company expects to recognize revenue for the portion of the deferred revenue that relates to the material right for each Category 1 Program option upon Takeda’s exercise or termination of such option, or immediately as each option expires unexercised.

Share-Based Compensation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Share-Based Compensation

4. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The Wave Life Sciences Ltd. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders and went into effect on August 10, 2021 and was amended effective as of August 9, 2022 (as amended, the “2021 Plan”). The 2021 Plan serves as the successor to the Wave Life Sciences Ltd. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2014 Plan”), such that outstanding awards granted under the 2014 Plan continue to be governed by the terms of the 2014 Plan, but no awards may be made under the 2014 Plan after August 10, 2021. The aggregate number of ordinary shares authorized for issuance of awards under the 2021 Plan was originally 5,450,000 ordinary shares, and was subsequently increased to 11,450,000 in August 2022, plus the number of ordinary shares underlying any awards under the 2014 Plan that are forfeited, cancelled or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation) on or after August 10, 2021.

The 2021 Plan authorizes (and the 2014 Plan previously authorized) the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors to, among other things, grant non-qualified share options, restricted awards, which include restricted shares and restricted share units (“RSUs”), and performance awards to eligible employees and directors of the Company. The Company accounts for grants to its non-employee directors as grants to employees.

Options generally vest over periods of one to four years, and options that are forfeited or cancelled are available to be granted again. The contractual life of options is generally five or ten years from the grant date. RSUs can be time-based or performance-based. Time-based RSUs generally vest over a period of one to four years. The vesting of performance-based RSUs is contingent on the achievement of certain performance milestones. Any RSUs that are forfeited are available to be granted again.

During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company granted an aggregate of 4,984,750 options and 101,700 time-based RSUs to employees.

As of June 30, 2023, 1,756,326 ordinary shares remained available for future grant under the 2021 Plan.

The Wave Life Sciences Ltd. 2019 Employee Share Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) allows full-time and certain part-time employees to purchase the Company’s ordinary shares at a discount to fair market value. Eligible employees may enroll in a six-month offering period beginning every January 15th and July 15th. Ordinary shares are purchased at a price equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the Company’s ordinary shares on the first business day or the last business day of an offering period. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, 133,098 ordinary shares were issued under the ESPP. As of June 30, 2023, there were 583,315 ordinary shares available for issuance under the ESPP.

Significant Accounting Policies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The significant accounting policies described in the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the notes thereto, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 23, 2023, as amended (the “2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K”), have had no material changes during the six months ended June 30, 2023, except as described below.

Use of Estimates

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenue, costs and expenses and related disclosures. Management considers many factors in selecting appropriate financial accounting policies and in developing the estimates and assumptions that are used in the preparation of the financial statements. Management must apply significant judgment in this process. The Company believes that its revenue recognition policy, particularly (a) assessing the number of performance obligations; (b) determining the transaction price; (c) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (d) determining the pattern over which performance obligations are satisfied, including estimates to complete performance obligations, and the assumptions and estimates used in the Company’s analysis of contracts with contract research organizations (“CROs”) and contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”) to estimate the contract expense, involve a greater degree of judgment, and therefore the Company considers them to be its critical accounting policies. The Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. The Company’s actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

Unaudited Interim Financial Data

The accompanying interim consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2023, the related interim consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the consolidated statements of Series A preferred shares and shareholders’ equity (deficit) for the three months ended March 31, June 30, 2023 and 2022, the consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, and the related interim information contained within the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and the notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The financial data and other information disclosed in these notes related to the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023 or any other interim period or future year or period.

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$ (48,509)	$ (79,110)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	2,038	1,593
Depreciation of property and equipment	2,722	3,425
Share-based compensation expense	5,159	10,921
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses	(1,080)	1,188
Other assets	(2,373)	(1,946)
Accounts payable	(4,456)	3,264
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(7,123)	(3,776)
Deferred revenue	104,341	(1,855)
Operating lease liabilities	(2,454)	(2,399)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	48,265	(68,695)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(561)	(700)
Proceeds from the sale property and equipment		106
Purchase of short-term investments		(50,000)
Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments		25,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(561)	(25,594)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares, net of offering costs	34,623	51,464
Proceeds from issuance of pre-funded warrants, net of offering costs		14,336
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares pursuant to the at-the-market equity program, net of offering costs	1,764	1,105
Proceeds from the exercise of share options	86	37
Proceeds from the ESPP	429	174
Net cash provided by financing activities	36,902	67,116
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(121)	(228)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	84,485	(27,401)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	92,157	154,215
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	176,642	126,814
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Increase in operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities related to lease extension		12,006
Offering costs in accounts payable at period end	$ 60	$ 311

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Summary of Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:


	June 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
	(in thousands)
Accrued compensation	$	6,898	$	12,287
Accrued expenses related to CROs and CMOs		2,662		3,516
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		869		1,749
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	10,429	$	17,552

Collaboration Agreements - Additional Information (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands					1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		65 Months Ended
	Jan. 27, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 13, 2022 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Oct. 15, 2021 USD ($)	Apr. 02, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018 USD ($) Target $ / shares shares	Feb. 28, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Deferred revenue, net of current portion							$ 104,540		$ 104,540		$ 104,540	$ 79,774
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares									34,623	$ 51,464
Collaboration revenue recognized							22,106	$ 375	35,035	2,125
Collaboration and license agreement, deferred revenue current							111,133		111,133		111,133	31,558
GSK Equity Investment [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Shares issued under equity agreement \| shares		10,683,761
Purchase price per share \| $ / shares		$ 4.68
Takeda [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Fund receivable for research and preclinical activities					$ 60,000
Up-front consideration received					$ 110,000
Collaboration And License Agreement [Member] \| Category One Programs [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Percentage of global costs and potential profits sharing ratio					50.00%
Collaboration And License Agreement [Member] \| Takeda [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Upfront payment under collaboration agreement					$ 110,000
Collaboration and license agreement month and year						2018-02
Fund receivable for research and preclinical activities					$ 60,000
Research term under collaboration and license agreement					4 years
Collaboration agreement commencement date				Apr. 02, 2018
Collaboration agreement termination period				180 days
Collaboration And License Agreement [Member] \| Takeda [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Collaboration agreement, committed cash						$ 230,000
Collaboration And License Agreement [Member] \| Takeda [Member] \| Category One Programs [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Deferred revenue, net of current portion							79,400		79,400		79,400	79,800
Percentage of global costs and potential profits sharing ratio					50.00%
Collaboration and License Agreement Date			Oct. 15, 2021
Collaboration revenue recognized							1,300	$ 300	2,000	$ 1,900	83,200
Collaboration and license agreement, deferred revenue							109,300		109,300		109,300	111,300
Collaboration and license agreement, deferred revenue current							29,900		$ 29,900		29,900	$ 31,600
Collaboration And License Agreement [Member] \| Takeda [Member] \| Category Two Programs [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Fund receivable for research and preclinical activities					$ 60,000
Research term under collaboration and license agreement					4 years
Maximum targets for preclinical programs \| Target					6
Option to reach maximum targets for preclinical programs									any one time
Collaboration-budgeted research and preclinical expenses			$ 22,500
Collaboration and Share Purchase Agreements [Member] \| Takeda [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Shares issued under equity agreement \| shares					1,096,892
Purchase price per share \| $ / shares					$ 54.70
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares					$ 60,000
Equity investment agreement official closure month and year					2018-04
GSK Collaboration Agreement [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Upfront payment under collaboration agreement	$ 120,000	$ 120,000
Collaboration Agreement in Premium		$ 15,400
Deferred revenue, net of current portion							25,100		$ 25,100		25,100
Collaboration revenue recognized							20,800		33,100
Collaboration and license agreement, deferred revenue							106,300		106,300		106,300
Collaboration and license agreement, deferred revenue current							$ 81,200		$ 81,200		$ 81,200

Net Loss Per Ordinary Share

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Loss Per Ordinary Share

6. NET LOSS PER ORDINARY SHARE

The Company applies the two-class method to calculate its basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders, as its Series A preferred shares are participating securities. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that treats a participating security as having rights to earnings that otherwise would have been available to ordinary shareholders.

As of June 30, 2023, there are 7,093,656 vested and exercisable pre-funded warrants (“Pre-Funded Warrants”) outstanding to purchase ordinary shares for the exercise price of $0.0001 per share, provided that, unless and until the Company obtains shareholder approval for the issuance of the shares underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants, a holder will not be entitled to exercise any portion of any Pre-Funded Warrant, which, upon giving effect to such exercise, would cause (i) the aggregate number of our ordinary shares beneficially owned by the holder (together with its affiliates) to exceed 19.99% of the number of our ordinary shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, or (ii) the combined voting power of our securities beneficially owned by the holder (together with its affiliates) to exceed 19.99% of the combined voting power of all of our securities then outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the Pre-Funded Warrants. The Pre-Funded Warrants are included in the weighted-average shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic net loss per share as the exercise price is negligible and the warrants are fully vested and exercisable.

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and Pre-Funded Warrant holders by the weighted-average number of ordinary shares and Pre-Funded Warrants outstanding.

The Company’s potentially dilutive shares, which include outstanding share options to purchase ordinary shares, RSUs, and Series A preferred shares, are considered to be ordinary share equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share when their effect is dilutive.

The following potential ordinary shares, presented based on amounts outstanding at each period end, were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the periods indicated because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect:


	As of June 30,
	2023		2022
Options to purchase ordinary shares		14,176,822		8,526,312
RSUs		626,465		979,850
Series A preferred shares		3,901,348		3,901,348

Additionally, for the periods presented, the two-class method does not impact the net loss per ordinary share as the Company was in a net loss position for each of the periods presented and holders of Series A preferred shares do not participate in losses.

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 22,106,000	$ 375,000	$ 35,035,000	$ 2,125,000
Operating expenses:
Research and development	33,314,000	29,733,000	64,293,000	57,203,000
General and administrative	12,265,000	12,806,000	24,500,000	25,180,000
Total operating expenses	45,579,000	42,539,000	88,793,000	82,383,000
Loss from operations	(23,473,000)	(42,164,000)	(53,758,000)	(80,258,000)
Other income, net:
Dividend income and interest income, net	2,251,000	124,000	4,124,000	150,000
Other income, net	118,000	744,000	1,125,000	998,000
Total other income, net	2,369,000	868,000	5,249,000	1,148,000
Loss before income taxes	(21,104,000)	(41,296,000)	(48,509,000)	(79,110,000)
Income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Net loss	$ (21,104,000)	$ (41,296,000)	$ (48,509,000)	$ (79,110,000)
Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders basic	$ (0.20)	$ (0.62)	$ (0.47)	$ (1.25)
Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders diluted.	$ (0.20)	$ (0.62)	$ (0.47)	$ (1.25)
Weighted-average ordinary shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders basic.	105,462,414	66,479,293	103,768,971	63,514,426
Weighted-average ordinary shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders diluted	105,462,414	66,479,293	103,768,971	63,514,426
Other comprehensive loss:
Net loss	$ (21,104,000)	$ (41,296,000)	$ (48,509,000)	$ (79,110,000)
Foreign currency translation	(100,000)	(142,000)	(121,000)	(228,000)
Comprehensive loss	$ (21,204,000)	$ (41,438,000)	$ (48,630,000)	$ (79,338,000)

Net Loss Per Ordinary Share (Additional Information) (Details) - Pre Funded Warrants (Member)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023 $ / shares shares
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Pre-funded warrant outstanding \| shares	7,093,656
Warrant Exercise Price Per Share \| $ / shares	$ 0.0001
Minimum percentage of combined voting power of securities outstanding immediate effect of exercise	19.99%

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023
Scientific Advisor [Member] \| Consulting Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Consulting agreement termination notice period				14 days
Consulting service expenses				$ 13
Scientific Advisor [Member] \| Consulting Agreement [Member] \| Service Period of October 1, 2022 Through December 31, 2024 [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Non-qualified share option granted for service		163,467
Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories Ltd [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Contract research services	$ 2,800
Payments related to contract research services.			$ 1,400

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 172,974	$ 88,497
Prepaid expenses	9,012	7,932
Other current assets	2,722	2,108
Total current assets	184,708	98,537
Long-term assets:
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $40,423 and $37,846 as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively	14,983	17,284
Operating lease right-of-use assets	24,805	26,843
Restricted cash	3,668	3,660
Other assets	1,821	62
Total long-term assets	45,277	47,849
Total assets	229,985	146,386
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	12,379	16,915
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	10,429	17,552
Current portion of deferred revenue	111,133	31,558
Current portion of operating lease liability	6,285	5,496
Total current liabilities	140,226	71,521
Long-term liabilities:
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	104,540	79,774
Operating lease liability, net of current portion	28,875	32,118
Other liabilities	190	190
Total long-term liabilities	133,605	112,082
Total liabilities	273,831	183,603
Series A preferred shares, no par value; 3,901,348 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022	7,874	7,874
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
Ordinary shares, no par value; 98,566,816 and 86,924,643 shares issued an outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively	839,675	802,833
Additional paid-in capital	124,601	119,442
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(150)	(29)
Accumulated deficit	(1,015,846)	(967,337)
Total shareholders' deficit	(51,720)	(45,091)
Total liabilities, Series A preferred shares and shareholders' deficit	$ 229,985	$ 146,386

Income Taxes

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

7. INCOME TAXES

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded no income tax provision. The Company maintained a full valuation allowance for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 in all jurisdictions due to uncertainty regarding future taxable income.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 21
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121826272&loc=d3e32857-109319

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 11.C)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=122134291&loc=d3e330215-122817

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121826272&loc=d3e32809-109319

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 6.I.5.Q1)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=122134291&loc=d3e330036-122817

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 14
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121826272&loc=d3e32705-109319

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 270
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6424409&loc=d3e44925-109338

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2144680

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6424122&loc=d3e41874-109331

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(h)(2))
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395691&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

The Company - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 172,974	$ 88,497

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)
C9-ALS/FTD Program [Member] \| Takeda [Member] \| Forecast [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Revenue from termination of collaborative arrangement	$ 28.0

Related Party Transactions

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Related Party Transactions

9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company had the following related party transactions:

•

In 2012, the Company entered into a consulting agreement for scientific advisory services with Dr. Gregory L. Verdine, one of the Company’s founders and a member of the Company’s board of directors. The consulting agreement does not have a specific term and may be terminated by either party upon 14 days’ prior written notice. Pursuant to the consulting agreement, the Company pays Dr. Verdine approximately $13 thousand per month, plus reimbursement for certain expenses. In October 2022, the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors granted Dr. Verdine a non-qualified share option for 163,467 ordinary shares in lieu of cash as payment under this consulting agreement for the service period of October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024, the monthly vesting of which is subject to Dr. Verdine’s continued service under the consulting agreement.

•

In April 2023, the Company engaged Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories Ltd. (“SNBL”), one of the Company’s shareholders, to provide approximately $2.8 million in certain non-human primate contract research services to the Company and during the three months ended June 30, 2023, the Company paid SNBL $1.4 million for the aforementioned contract research services.

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

3. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:


	June 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
	(in thousands)
Accrued compensation	$	6,898	$	12,287
Accrued expenses related to CROs and CMOs		2,662		3,516
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		869		1,749
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	10,429	$	17,552

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities - Summary of Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued compensation	$ 6,898	$ 12,287
Accrued expenses related to CROs and CMOs	2,662	3,516
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	869	1,749
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$ 10,429	$ 17,552

Net Loss Per Ordinary Share (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Anti-Dilutive Shares Excluded from Calculation of Diluted Net Loss Per Ordinary Share


	As of June 30,
	2023		2022
Options to purchase ordinary shares		14,176,822		8,526,312
RSUs		626,465		979,850
Series A preferred shares		3,901,348		3,901,348

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax benefit (provision)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

- Definition

Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References + Details

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Series A Preferred Shares and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	At-The-Market Equity Program [Member]	Series A Preferred Shares [Member]	Ordinary Shares [Member]	Ordinary Shares [Member] At-The-Market Equity Program [Member]	Additional Paid-In-Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 32,498			$ 749,851		$ 87,980	$ 181	$ (805,514)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2021				59,841,116
Temporary equity, Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2021			$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2021			3,901,348
Issuance of ordinary shares		$ 1,167			$ 1,167
Issuance of ordinary shares, shares					458,092
Share-based compensation	3,971					3,971
Vesting of RSUs, shares				468,226
Option exercises	37			$ 37
Option exercises, shares				15,000
Issuance of ordinary shares under the ESPP	174			$ 174
Issuance of ordinary shares under ESPP, shares				77,534
Other comprehensive loss	(86)						(86)
Net loss	(37,814)							(37,814)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2022	(53)			$ 751,229		91,951	95	(843,328)
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2022				60,859,968
Temporary equity, Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2022			$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2022			3,901,348
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2021	32,498			$ 749,851		87,980	181	(805,514)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2021				59,841,116
Temporary equity, Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2021			$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2021			3,901,348
Net loss	(79,110)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2022	30,947			$ 802,449		113,169	(47)	(884,624)
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2022				86,724,658
Temporary equity, Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2022			$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2022			3,901,348
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2022	(53)			$ 751,229		91,951	95	(843,328)
Beginning balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2022				60,859,968
Temporary equity, Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2022			$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Beginning balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2022			3,901,348
Issuance of ordinary shares	51,220			$ 51,220
Issuance of ordinary shares, shares				25,464,483
Issuance of pre-funded warrants , net of offering costs.	14,268					14,268
Share-based compensation	6,950					6,950
Vesting of RSUs, shares				400,207
Other comprehensive loss	(142)						(142)
Net loss	(41,296)							(41,296)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2022	30,947			$ 802,449		113,169	(47)	(884,624)
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2022				86,724,658
Temporary equity, Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2022			$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2022			3,901,348
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2022	(45,091)			$ 802,833		119,442	(29)	(967,337)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2022				86,924,643
Temporary equity, Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2022	$ 7,874		$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2022	3,901,348		3,901,348
Issuance of ordinary shares	$ 34,623			$ 34,623
Issuance of ordinary shares, shares				10,683,761
Share-based compensation	2,750					2,750
Vesting of RSUs, shares				363,161
Option exercises	1			$ 1
Option exercises, shares				181
Issuance of ordinary shares under the ESPP	429			$ 429
Issuance of ordinary shares under ESPP, shares				133,098
Other comprehensive loss	(21)						(21)
Net loss	(27,405)							(27,405)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2023	(34,714)			$ 837,886		122,192	(50)	(994,742)
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2023				98,104,844
Temporary equity, Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2023			$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2023			3,901,348
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2022	(45,091)			$ 802,833		119,442	(29)	(967,337)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2022				86,924,643
Temporary equity, Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2022	$ 7,874		$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2022	3,901,348		3,901,348
Net loss	$ (48,509)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2023	(51,720)			$ 839,675		124,601	(150)	(1,015,846)
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2023				98,566,816
Temporary equity, Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2023	$ 7,874		$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2023	3,901,348		3,901,348
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2023	$ (34,714)			$ 837,886		122,192	(50)	(994,742)
Beginning balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2023				98,104,844
Temporary equity, Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2023			$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Beginning balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2023			3,901,348
Issuance of ordinary shares	1,704				$ 1,704
Issuance of ordinary shares, shares					429,051
Share-based compensation	2,409					2,409
Vesting of RSUs, shares				9,234
Option exercises	85			$ 85
Option exercises, shares				23,687
Other comprehensive loss	(100)						(100)
Net loss	(21,104)							(21,104)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2023	(51,720)			$ 839,675		$ 124,601	$ (150)	$ (1,015,846)
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2023				98,566,816
Temporary equity, Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2023	$ 7,874		$ 7,874
Temporary equity, Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2023	3,901,348		3,901,348

Net Loss Per Ordinary Share - Anti-Dilutive Shares Excluded from Calculation of Diluted Net Loss Per Ordinary Share (Detail) - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Options to Purchase Ordinary Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation of diluted net loss per share	14,176,822	8,526,312
RSUs [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation of diluted net loss per share	626,465	979,850
Series A Preferred Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation of diluted net loss per share	3,901,348	3,901,348

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Jun. 30, 2023	Jul. 27, 2023
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2023
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	WVE
Entity Registrant Name	WAVE LIFE SCIENCES LTD.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	U0
Entity Central Index Key	0001631574
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		98,983,261
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Tax Identification Number	98-1356880
Entity File Number	001-37627
Entity Address, Address Line One	7 Straits View #12-00
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Marina One
Entity Address, City or Town	East Tower
Entity Address, Country	SG
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	018936
City Area Code	+65
Local Phone Number	6236 3388
Title of 12(b) Security	$0 Par Value Ordinary Shares
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Net of accumulated depreciation	$ 40,423	$ 37,846
Series A preferred stock, par value	$ 0	$ 0
Series A preferred stock, shares issued	3,901,348	3,901,348
Series A preferred stock, shares outstanding	3,901,348	3,901,348
Common stock, par value	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, shares issued	98,566,816	86,924,643
Common stock, shares outstanding	98,566,816	86,924,643

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Jun. 30, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenue, costs and expenses and related disclosures. Management considers many factors in selecting appropriate financial accounting policies and in developing the estimates and assumptions that are used in the preparation of the financial statements. Management must apply significant judgment in this process. The Company believes that its revenue recognition policy, particularly (a) assessing the number of performance obligations; (b) determining the transaction price; (c) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (d) determining the pattern over which performance obligations are satisfied, including estimates to complete performance obligations, and the assumptions and estimates used in the Company’s analysis of contracts with contract research organizations (“CROs”) and contract manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”) to estimate the contract expense, involve a greater degree of judgment, and therefore the Company considers them to be its critical accounting policies. The Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. The Company’s actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.
Unaudited Interim Financial Data	Unaudited Interim Financial Data The accompanying interim consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2023, the related interim consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the consolidated statements of Series A preferred shares and shareholders’ equity (deficit) for the three months ended March 31, June 30, 2023 and 2022, the consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, and the related interim information contained within the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and the notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The financial data and other information disclosed in these notes related to the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023 or any other interim period or future year or period.