ACADIA PHARMACEUTICALS INC - (ACAD)

10-K Filing Date: February 27, 2024
Item 1C. Cybersecurity.

Risk management and strategy

We have implemented and maintain various information security processes designed to identify, assess and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats to our critical computer networks, third party hosted services, communications systems, hardware and software, and our critical data, including intellectual property, confidential information that is proprietary, strategic or competitive in nature, and data related to our clinical trials and products (Information Systems and Data).

Our information security function and our Chief Information Officer (CIO) help identify, assess and manage the Company’s cybersecurity threats and risks. This group works to identify and assess risks from cybersecurity threats by monitoring and evaluating our threat environment and the Company’s risk profile using various methods in certain contexts, including, for example, manual tools, subscribing to reports and services that identify cybersecurity threats, analyzing reports of threat actors, conducting scans of certain environments, evaluating certain threats reported to us, conducting threat and vulnerability assessments, using external intelligence feeds, and using third parties to conduct tabletop incident response exercises and other tests.

Depending on the environment, we implement and maintain various technical, physical, and organizational measures, processes, standards and policies designed to manage and mitigate material risks from cybersecurity threats to our Information Systems and Data, including, for example: incident detection and response, disaster recovery/business continuity policies, risk assessments, encryption of certain data, network security controls and data segmentation for certain systems, access controls, physical security, asset management and tracking, systems monitoring, employee training, penetration testing, cybersecurity insurance, and dedicated cybersecurity staff.

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Our assessment and management of material risks from cybersecurity threats are integrated into the Company’s overall risk management processes. For example, (1) cybersecurity risk is addressed as a component of the Company’s enterprise risk management program; (2) the information security department works with management to prioritize our risk management processes and mitigate cybersecurity threats that are more likely to lead to a material impact to our business; and (3) our senior management evaluates material risks from cybersecurity threats against our overall business objectives and reports to the audit committee of the board of directors, which evaluates our overall enterprise risk.

We use third-party service providers to assist us from time to time to identify, assess, and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats, including for example, outside legal counsel, threat intelligence service providers, cybersecurity consultants, cybersecurity software providers, managed cybersecurity service providers, darkweb monitoring services, and forensic investigators.

We use third-party service providers to perform a variety of functions throughout our business, such as application providers, hosting companies, contract research organizations, contract manufacturing organizations, distributors, and supply chain resources. We have vendor management processes to help manage cybersecurity risks associated with our use of certain of these providers. For certain vendors, these processes include vendor risk assessments, security questionnaires, review of vendors’ written security program, and imposition of contractual obligations related to information security on vendors.

For a description of the risks from cybersecurity threats that may materially affect the Company and how they may do so, see our risk factors under Part 1. Item 1A. Risk Factors, including: “We are subject to stringent and evolving U.S. and foreign laws, regulations, and rules, contractual obligations, industry standards, policies and other obligations related to data privacy and security. Our actual or perceived failure to comply with such obligations could lead to regulatory investigations or actions; litigation; fines and penalties; disruptions of our business operations; reputational harm; loss of revenue or profits; and other adverse business consequences.”; and “If our information technology systems or data, or those of third parties upon which we rely, are or were compromised, we could experience adverse consequences resulting from such compromise, including but not limited to regulatory investigations or actions, interruptions to operations or clinical trials, reputational harm, litigation, fines and penalties, disruptions of our business operations, and a loss of customers or sales.”

Governance

Our board of directors addresses the Company’s cybersecurity risk management as part of its general oversight function. The audit committee of the board of directors is responsible for overseeing the Company’s cybersecurity risk management processes, including oversight of mitigation of risks from cybersecurity threats.

Our cybersecurity risk assessment and management processes are implemented and maintained by certain Company management, including our Director of Information Security, who has managed the Security Operations Center for a Fortune 500 company, and led cybersecurity efforts as the Director of IT at another organization.

The Director of Information Security, along with management, including the CIO, is responsible for hiring appropriate personnel, helping to integrate cybersecurity risk considerations into the Company’s overall risk management strategy, and communicating key priorities to relevant personnel. Management is responsible for approving budgets, helping prepare for cybersecurity incidents, approving cybersecurity processes, and reviewing security assessments and other security-related reports.

Our incident response policy is designed to escalate certain cybersecurity incidents to members of management depending on the circumstances, including our CIO, Chief Accounting Office, Chief Compliance Office, Vice President of People and Performance, and Director of Information Security. This team works with the Company’s incident response team to help the Company mitigate and remediate cybersecurity incidents of which they are notified. In addition, the Company’s incident response policy includes reporting to the audit committee of the board of directors for certain cybersecurity incidents.

The audit committee receives periodic reports from senior management concerning the Company’s significant cybersecurity threats and risk and the processes the Company has implemented to address them.

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