ObsEva SA - 20-F filing on 2022-03-10

Operating expenses by nature

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

15. Operating expenses by nature

	Year ended December 31,
in USD ‘000	2021		2020		2019
External research and development costs		38,287		51,803		70,531
Staff costs (note 16)		18,788		19,643		24,556
Professional fees		12,175		3,994		7,072
Rents		60		22		21
Travel expenses		229		156		1,398
Patent registration costs		887		813		882
Depreciation		736		721		737
Other		3,466		2,566		1,914
Total operating expenses by nature		74,627		79,718		107,111

Due to the difficulty in assessing when research and development projects would generate revenue, the Group expenses all research and development costs on the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss. In 2021, research and development expenses amounted to USD 53.1 million (2020: USD 67.5 million, 2019: USD 88.1 million).

Depreciation expense has been allocated as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
in USD ‘000	2021		2020		2019
Research and development expenses		441		447		429
General and administrative expenses		295		274		308
Total depreciation		736		721		737