Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Nature of Operations, Business Activities and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

v3.19.1
Nature of Operations, Business Activities and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on a consistent basis with the Company’s Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, and include all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state the information set forth herein. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and therefore, omit certain information and footnote disclosure necessary to present the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”).

 

The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ended December 31, 2019 or any future periods. The Condensed Consolidated Balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements as of December 31, 2018, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2019. The unaudited financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on March 14, 2019, which includes a broader discussion of the Company’s business and the risks inherent therein.

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current period’s presentation. Such reclassifications had no net effect on total assets, total liabilities, total stockholders’ deficit, the net loss and cash flows.

Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of our financial statements include estimates as to the appropriate carrying value of certain assets and liabilities which are not readily apparent from other sources. Such estimates and judgments are utilized for stock-based compensation expense and equity securities, derivative liabilities or debt with embedded features.
Risks and Uncertainties

Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Company’s operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, changes in the general economy, the size and growth of the potential markets for any of the Company’s product candidates, results of research and development activities, uncertainties surrounding regulatory developments in the Unites States and the Company’s ability to attract new funding.
Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

 

Certain assets and liabilities are carried at fair value under GAAP. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (the “exit price”) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. A fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last is considered unobservable, is used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1:

Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active markets from readily available pricing sources such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:

Observable inputs (other than Level 1 quoted prices) such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3:

Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to determining the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques.

 

The carrying values of our financial instruments, with the exception of the convertible multi draw credit agreement – related party and derivative liabilities, including, cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate their fair value due to the short maturities of these financial instruments. The derivative liabilities were valued on a recurring basis utilizing Level 3 inputs.

 

Advances under the convertible multi draw credit agreement – related party, noncurrent are not recorded at fair value. However, fair value can be approximated and disclosed utilizing Level 3 inputs and independent third-party valuation techniques (See Note 3). At March 31, 2019, the fair value of the advances under the Credit Agreement were estimated at $13,932,858. The carrying amount of the liability at March 31, 2019 is $2,914,237 and is included in Convertible multi draw credit agreement – related party, net of discount on the balance sheet.

Convertible Instruments

Convertible Instruments

 

The Company accounts for hybrid contracts with embedded conversion features in accordance with GAAP. ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging Activities (“ASC 815”) requires companies to bifurcate conversion options from their host instruments and account for them as free standing derivative financial instruments according to certain criteria. The criteria includes circumstances in which (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract, (b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not re-measured at fair value under otherwise applicable generally accepted accounting principles with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur and (c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument.

 

The Company accounts for convertible debt instruments with embedded conversion features in accordance with ASC 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options (“ASC 470-20”) if it’s determined that the conversion feature should not be bifurcated from their host instruments. Under ASC 470-20, the Company records, when necessary, discounts to convertible notes for the intrinsic value of conversion options embedded in debt instruments based upon the difference between the fair value of the underlying common stock at the commitment date and the embedded effective conversion price. When the Company determines that the embedded conversion option should be bifurcated from its host instrument, the embedded feature is accounted for in accordance with ASC 815. Under ASC 815, a portion of the proceeds received upon the issuance of the hybrid contract is allocated to the fair value of the derivative. The derivative is subsequently marked to market at each reporting date based on current fair value, with the changes in fair value reported in results of operations.

 

The Company also follows ASC 480-10, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480-10”) when evaluating the accounting for its hybrid instruments. A financial instrument that embodies an unconditional obligation, or a financial instrument other than an outstanding share that embodies a conditional obligation, that the issuer must or may settle by issuing a variable number of its equity shares shall be classified as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances) if, at inception, the monetary value of the obligation is based solely or predominantly on any one of the following: (a) a fixed monetary amount known at inception (for example, a payable settled with a variable number of the issuer’s equity shares); (b) variations in something other than the fair value of the issuer’s equity shares (for example, a financial instrument indexed to the Standard and Poor’s S&P 500 Index and settled with a variable number of the issuer’s equity shares); or (c) variations inversely related to changes in the fair value of the issuer’s equity shares (for example, a written put option that could be net share settled). Hybrid instruments meeting these criteria are not further evaluated for any embedded derivatives and are carried as a liability at fair value at each balance sheet date with a re-measurement reported other (income) expense in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

 

When determining short-term vs. long-term classification of derivative liabilities, the Company first evaluates the instruments’ exercise provisions. Generally, if a derivative is a liability and exercisable within one year, it will be classified as short-term. However, because of the unique provisions and circumstances that may impact the accounting for derivative instruments, the Company carefully evaluates all factors that could potentially restrict the instrument from being exercised or create a situation where exercise would be considered remote. The Company re-evaluates its derivative liabilities at each reporting period end and makes updates for any changes in facts and circumstances that may impact classification.

Warrants Issued in Connection with Financings
Warrants Issued in Connection with Financings

 

The Company generally accounts for warrants issued in connection with debt and equity financings as a component of equity, unless the warrants include a conditional obligation to issue a variable number of shares or there is a deemed possibility that the Company may need to settle the warrants in cash. For warrants issued with a conditional obligation to issue a variable number of shares or the deemed possibility of a cash settlement, the Company records the fair value of the warrants as a liability at each balance sheet date and records changes in fair value in other (income) expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Debt Issuance Costs and Interest

Debt Issuance Costs and Interest

 

Discounts related to bifurcated derivatives, freestanding instruments issued in bundled transactions and issuance costs are recorded as a reduction to the carrying value of the debt and amortized over the life of the debt using the effective interest method. The Company makes changes to the effective interest rate, as necessary, on a prospective basis. For debt facilities that provide for multiple advances, the Company initially defers any issuance costs until the first advance is made and then amortizes the costs over the life of the facility.

Research and Development Expenses and Licensed Technology

Research and Development Expenses and Licensed Technology

 

Research and development costs are expensed when incurred. These costs may consist of external research and development expenses incurred under agreements with third-party contract research organizations and investigative sites, third-party manufacturing organizations and consultants; license fees; employee-related expenses, which include salaries and benefits for the personnel involved in our preclinical and clinical drug development activities; and facilities expense, depreciation and other allocated expenses; and equipment and laboratory supplies.

 

Costs incurred for the rights to use licensed technologies in the research and development process, including licensing fees and milestone payments, are charged to research and development expense as incurred in situations where the Company has not identified an alternative future use for the acquired rights, and are capitalized in situations where there is an identified alternative future use. No cost associated with the use of licensed technologies has been capitalized to date.
Stock-Based Compensation for Employees

Stock-Based Compensation for Employees

 

Stock-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award, and the cost is recognized as expense ratably over the vesting period with forfeitures accounted for as they occur. The Company uses the Black-Scholes Merton option pricing model for estimating the grant date fair value of stock options using the following assumptions:

 

 

·

Volatility - Stock price volatility is estimated over the expected term based on a blended rate of industry peers and the Company’s actual stock volatility adjusted for periods in which significant financial variability was identified.

 

·

Expected term - The expected term is based on a simplified method which defines the life as the weighted average of the contractual term of the options and the vesting period for each award.

 

·

Risk-free rate - The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the average market rate on U.S. treasury securities in effect during the period in which the awards were granted.

 

·

Dividends - The dividend yield assumption is based on our history and expectation of paying no dividends in the foreseeable future.

Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock

Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock

 

The Company applies FASB ASC No. 260, Earnings per Share. Basic net loss per share of common stock is computed by dividing loss available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. The diluted net loss per share of common stock is computed by giving effect to all potential common stock equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury stock method. For purposes of this calculation, convertible preferred stock, options to purchase common stock, restricted stock subject to vesting, warrants to purchase common stock and common shares underlying convertible debt instruments were considered to be common stock equivalents. The following outstanding shares of common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share of common stock for the periods presented because including them would have been antidilutive:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Stock options

 

 

3,600,073

 

 

 

668,000

 

Unvested restricted stock

 

 

1,093,501

 

 

 

2,968,501

 

Common shares underlying convertible debt

 

 

15,000,000

 

 

 

-

 

Warrants

 

 

58,130,750

 

 

 

51,443,250

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-08 Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808) intended to improve financial reporting around collaborative arrangements and align the current guidance under ASC 808 with ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The ASU affects all companies that enter into collaborative arrangements. The ASU clarifies when certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue under Topic 606 and changes certain presentation requirements for transactions with a collaborative arrangement participants that are not directly related to sales to third parties. For public companies, the standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods therein. Earlier adoption is permitted for any annual or interim period for which consolidated financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company has not entered into any collaborative arrangements and therefore does not currently expect the adoption of this standard to have a material effect on its Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company plans to adopt this ASU either on the effective date of January 1, 2020 or possibly in an earlier period if a collaborative arrangement is entered. Upon adoption, the Company will utilize the retrospective transition approach, as prescribed within this ASU.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). In January, July and December 2018, and in March 2019, the FASB issued additional amendments to the new lease guidance relating to, transition, and clarification. This ASU requires most lessees to recognize right of use assets and lease liabilities and recognize expenses in a manner similar to current accounting standards. For public companies, the standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods therein. The Company adopted this ASU on the effective date of January 1, 2019. Pursuant to ASU 2018-11, issued in July 2018, the Company elected to use the effective date as of the date of application for transition. Upon adoption there was no cumulative effect recorded to the accumulated deficit, as the Company has no lease terms in excess of one year. The Company has elected the short-term lease practical expedient under the ASU which resulted in no change to the current recognition accounting under ASC 840.

   
In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): I. Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features; II. Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception (“ASU 2017-11”). Part I of this update addresses the complexity of accounting for certain financial instruments with down round features. Down round features are features of certain equity-linked instruments (or embedded features) that result in the strike price being reduced on the basis of the pricing of future equity offerings. Current accounting guidance creates cost and complexity for entities that issue financial instruments (such as warrants and convertible instruments) with down round features that require fair value measurement of the entire instrument or conversion option. Part II of this update addresses the difficulty of navigating Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, because of the existence of extensive pending content in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. This pending content is the result of the indefinite deferral of accounting requirements about mandatorily redeemable financial instruments of certain nonpublic entities and certain mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests. The amendments in Part II of this update do not have an accounting effect. The Company adopted this ASU on the effective date of January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard using a retrospective cumulative-effect adjustment approach had no impact to the Company’s accumulated deficit. The outstanding warrants issued in the Emerald Financing contain a down-round provision. However, in the absence of the down-round these warrants would require liability accounting and be considered derivatives due to the presence of a put option (See Note 3). As such, the adoption of ASU 2017-11 on January 1, 2019 did not have an impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.