1. Nature of Operations, Business Activities and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

 

Nemus Bioscience, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that plans to develop and commercialize therapeutics from cannabinoids through a partnership with the University of Mississippi. The University of Mississippi ("UM") is federally permitted and licensed to cultivate cannabis for research and commercial purposes. Unless otherwise specified, references in these Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements to the "Company," "we" or "our" refer to Nemus Bioscience, Inc., a Nevada corporation formerly known as Load Guard Logistics, Inc. ("LGL"), together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nemus, a California corporation ("Nemus"). Nemus became the wholly owned subsidiary of Nemus Bioscience, Inc. through the Merger (as defined below).

 

Nemus Bioscience, Inc. (formerly LGL) was incorporated in Nevada on March 16, 2011. Nemus was incorporated in California on July 17, 2012. Our headquarters are located in Costa Mesa, California.

 

As of September 30, 2015, the Company has devoted substantially all of its efforts to securing product licenses, raising capital, and building infrastructure, and has not realized revenue from its planned principal operations.

 

Business Activities

 

On October 31, 2014, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 17, 2014 (the "Merger Agreement"), LGL,  Nemus Acquisition Corp. ("Acquisition Sub"), Nemus Bioscience, Inc. ("Name Change Merger Sub"), and Nemus, Acquisition Sub merged with and into Nemus and Nemus survived as a wholly-owned subsidiary of LGL (the "Merger"). Immediately after the Merger, LGL changed its name to "Nemus Bioscience, Inc." by merging with Name Change Merger Sub. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each share of Nemus common stock outstanding totaling 12,880,000 shares was exchanged at a 1:1 conversion rate to LGL shares and when combined with the 3,120,000 shares of LGL common stock outstanding, amounted to 16,000,000 total shares outstanding upon completion of the merger.

 

The Merger is being accounted for as a reverse-merger and recapitalization. Nemus is the acquirer for financial reporting purposes and LGL is the acquired company. Consequently, the assets and liabilities and the operations that will be reflected in the historical consolidated financial statements prior to the Merger will be those of Nemus and will be recorded at the historical cost basis of Nemus, and the consolidated financial statements after completion of the Merger will include the assets and liabilities of LGL and Nemus, the historical operations of Nemus and the operations of the Nemus from and after the closing date of the Merger.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Liquidity and Going Concern

 

The Company has incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. As of September 30, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of $4,342,722.  The Company anticipates that it will continue to incur net losses into the foreseeable future as it continues to advance and develop a number of potential drug candidates into preclinical development activities and expands its corporate infrastructure which includes the costs associated with being a public company. Without additional funding, management believes that the Company will not have sufficient funds to meet its obligations within one year after the date the consolidated financial statements are issued. These conditions give rise to substantial doubt as to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

The Company plans to continue to fund its losses from operations and capital funding needs through public or private equity or debt financings, strategic collaborations, licensing arrangements, asset sales, government grants or other arrangements. However, the Company cannot be sure that such additional funds will be available on reasonable terms, or at all. If the Company raises additional funds by issuing equity securities, substantial dilution to existing stockholders would result. If the Company is unable to secure adequate additional funding, the Company may be forced to make a reduction in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, and/or suspend or curtail planned programs.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of those investments approximates their fair market value due to their short maturity and liquidity. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and amounts on deposit with financial institutions, which amounts may at times exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses on such accounts and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk.

 

Restricted Cash

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Certain assets and liabilities are carried at fair value under U.S. GAAP. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an 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, 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.

 

Property and Equipment, Net

 

As of September 30, 2015, property and equipment, net, was $16,046, consisting primarily of computers and equipment. The Company had $21,354 of property and equipment, net, as of December 31, 2014. Expenditures for additions, renewals and improvements will be capitalized at cost. Depreciation will generally be computed on a straight-line method based on the estimated useful life of the related assets currently ranging from two to three years. Maintenance and repairs that do not extend the life of assets are charged to expense when incurred. When properties are disposed of, the related costs and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reported in the period the transaction takes place.

 

Property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount exceeds its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset.

 

The costs incurred for the rights to use licensed technologies in the research and development process, including licensing fees and milestone payments, will be 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.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for our deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and net operating loss carry forwards (the "NOLs") and other tax credit carry forwards. These items are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. Any interest or penalties would be recorded in the Company's statement of operations in the period incurred.

 

The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred income tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In making such determinations, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. As a result there are no income tax benefits reflected in the statement of operations to offset pre-tax losses.

 

The Company recognizes a tax benefit from uncertain tax positions when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company has not begun planned principal operations and has not generated any revenue since inception.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development ("R&D") 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; employee-related expenses, which include salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation 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.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Expenses

 

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. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model for estimating the grant date fair value of stock options and warrants using the following assumptions:

 

·

Exercise price - We determined the exercise price based on valuations using the best information available to management at the time of the valuations.

·

Volatility – We estimate the stock price volatility based on industry peers who are also in the early development stage given the limited market data available in the public arena.

·

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

·

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

·

Dividends – The dividend yield assumption is based on our history and expectation of paying no dividends.

 

Stock-Based Compensation for Non-Employees

 

The Company accounts for warrants and options issued to non-employees under ASC 505-50, Equity – Equity Based Payments to Non-Employees, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The value of such non-employee awards are periodically re-measured over the vesting terms and at each quarter end.

 

Segment Information

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") No. 280, "Segment Reporting" establishes standards for reporting information about reportable segments. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group ("CODM"), in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The CODM evaluates revenues and gross profits based on product lines and routes to market. Based on the early development stage of our operation, we operate in a single reportable segment.

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. The Company is required to record all components of comprehensive loss in the consolidated financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Net income (loss) and other comprehensive loss, net of their related tax effect, arrived at a comprehensive loss. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the comprehensive loss was equal to the net loss.

 

Earnings per share

 

The Company applies FASB ASC 260, "Earnings per Share." Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing earnings (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings or loss per share would include the dilutive effect of awards granted to employees under stock-based compensation plans, if any. There were no dilutive awards outstanding at September 30, 2015.

2. University of Mississippi ("UM") Agreements

 

In July 2013, the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UM to engage in joint research of extracting, manipulating, and studying cannabis in certain forms to develop intellectual property (IP) with the intention to create and commercialize therapeutic medicines. Nemus will own all IP developed solely by its employees and will jointly own all IP developed jointly between Nemus and UM employees. The term of the MOU agreement is five years and the parties agree to negotiate separate Research agreements upon the identification of patentable technologies as well as any deemed to be a trade secret. The agreement may be terminated by either party with three months written notice to the other party.

 

On May 15, 2014, the Company entered into an Option Agreement in which UM granted us a three-month option for conducting due diligence to exclusively license a suppository dosage form containing Dronabinol Hemi succinate and other esters ("NPC 4718").

 

As a result of our due diligence, on September 29, 2014, the Company executed three license agreements with UM pursuant to which UM granted us exclusive, perpetual, worldwide licenses, including the right to sublicense, to intellectual property related to UM5050, a pro-drug formulation of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for products administered through each of ocular, oral or rectal delivery. The license agreement for the field of oral delivery also includes rights to UM 1250, a bio-adhesive hot melt extruded film for topical and mucosal adhesion application and drug delivery.  The license agreements contain certain milestone and royalty payments, as defined therein. These licenses also require the Company to reimburse UM for patent costs incurred related to these products under license. In the case of the ocular license the Company was required to reimburse sunk patent expenses of $70,678 in February 2015; this amount was reflected in accrued license and patent reimbursement fees as of December 31, 2014. These license agreements will terminate upon expiration of the patents, breach or default of the license agreements, or upon 60 days written notice by the Company to UM.

 

On October 15, 2014, we signed a renewable option agreement for the rights to explore other routes of delivery of UM5050 not yet agreed upon and/or in combination with other cannabinoids or other compatible compounds. There was a one-time up-front option payment and the option period was for six months expiring on March 31, 2015. On September 29, 2015, the Company exercised its right to renew for an additional six months under the same financial terms and conditions.

On July 1, 2014, the Company entered into three additional Option Agreements, pursuant to which UM granted Nemus three-month exclusive options for conducting due diligence on the following three cannabinoid extracts to exclusively license them for the purposes of obtaining FDA approval and commercializing the extracts:

 

1)

UM 1490 – transmucosal delivery of cannabinoids

2)

UM 5070 – treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections

3)

UM 8790 – ocular delivery of cannabinoids

 

In March of 2015, in lieu of a license agreement, the Company entered into a research agreement with UM to begin studies concerning the medical utility of cannabinoids as anti-infective therapeutics for MRSA.  The fee payable to UM under the agreement is based on the achievement of certain milestones in the project. The Company recognized $18,673 and $66,747 of research and development expense for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2015 which represents work completed to date under this contract.  The agreement also grants an exclusive option to license the technology from the University within 180 days from the commencement of the agreement. Either party may terminate the agreement with 30 days written notice.

 

In July of 2015, the Company entered into a research agreement with UM to begin studies concerning research and development of cannabidiol (CBD) formulations.  The fee payable to UM is based on the achievement of certain milestones in the project. The Company recognized $37,119 of research and development expense for both the three and nine months ending September 30, 2015 which represents work completed to date under this contract. The agreement also grants an exclusive option to license the technology from the University within 180 days from the commencement of the agreement. Either party may terminate the agreement with 30 days written notice.

 

In September of 2015, the Company entered into a research agreement with UM to advance NEMUS' lead proprietary cannabinoid-based therapy (UM5050) developed for the treatment and management of glaucoma into an optimized once-daily treatment formulation. The fee payable to UM is based on the achievement of certain milestones in the project. The Company recognized $21,496 of research and development expense for both the three and nine months ending September 30, 2015 which represents work completed to date under this contract. The agreement also grants an exclusive option to license the technology from the University within 180 days from the commencement of the agreement. Either party may terminate the agreement with 30 days written notice.

3. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Lease Commitments

 

The Company leased temporary headquarters facilities under a month-to-month operating lease agreement. This lease was terminated effective December 31, 2014. Monthly rent expense under this lease was $2,060.

 

On September 1, 2014, the Company signed an operating lease for laboratory and office space at the Innovation Hub, Insight Park located on the University of Mississippi campus. The lease term commenced on October 1, 2014 and expires on December 31, 2017. There are annual escalating rent provisions and two months of free rent in the agreement. The total cash payments over the life of the lease are divided by the total number of months in the lease period and the average rent will be charged to expense each month during the lease period. The monthly amount charged to rent expense is $9,000.

 

In October of 2014, we signed a lease agreement for our corporate office headquarters that consists of approximately 4,087 square feet located at 650 Town Center Drive, Suite 1770, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.   The lease expires on October 31, 2016 and our monthly rent is $5,373, payable in equal monthly installments with annual escalations.

 

Total net rent expense related to our operating leases for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $170,931and $6,844, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, total net rent expense was $56,680 and $6,294.

 

Future minimum payments under the non-cancelable portion of our operating leases as of September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

 

Independent Contractor Agreements

 

The Company has entered into independent contractor agreements with individuals that are operating in the capacity of our management team, or that are serving in an advisory role. Certain agreements expired once the individuals became full-time employees. Independent contractor expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $90,000 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $353,000. Two of these contractors accounted for 30% and 15% respectively of our total expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. There was no significant independent contractor expense as a percent of our total expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

 

Legal Matters

 

General Litigation and Disputes

 

From time to time, in the normal course of our operations, we may be a party to litigation and other dispute matters and claims. Currently Nemus is not party to any litigation, dispute matters or claims. Litigation can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict and our view of these matters may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold. An unfavorable outcome to any legal matter, if material, could have a materially adverse effect on our operations or our financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

 

Government Proceedings

 

Like other companies in the pharmaceutical industry, we are subject to extensive regulation by national, state and local government agencies in the United States. As a result, interaction with government agencies occurs in the normal course of our operations. It is possible that criminal charges and substantial fines and/or civil penalties or damages could result from any government investigation or proceeding. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had no current proceedings or inquiries.

 

Change in Control Severance Plan

 

In February 2015, we adopted a change in control severance plan, in which our named executive officers participate, that provides for the payment of severance benefits if the executive's service is terminated within twelve months following a change in control, either due to a termination without cause or upon a resignation for good reason (as each term is defined in the plan).

 

In either such event, and provided the executive timely executes and does not revoke a general release of claims against the Company, he or she will be entitled to receive: (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to at least six months of the executive's monthly compensation, plus an additional month for each full year of service over six years, (ii) Company-paid premiums for continued health insurance for a period equal to length of the cash severance period or, if earlier, when executive becomes covered under a subsequent employer's healthcare plan, and (iii) full vesting of all then-outstanding unvested stock options and restricted stock awards.

4. Stockholders' Deficit and Redeemable Convertible Series B Preferred Stock

 

Common Stock

 

On July 17, 2012, the Company issued 7,770,000 shares of common stock with no par value and warrants (see first paragraph under warrants below) to its founders and one board member in exchange for the services provided to establish Nemus, valued at approximately $1,000.

 

In June of 2014, the Company sold 1,800,000 shares of common stock with no par value and warrants for a purchase price of $900,000 (the "June 2014 Stock Purchase Agreement") to a group of private investors. See additional discussion on warrants below.

 

In August of 2014, the Company sold 2,200,000 shares of common stock with no par value and warrants for a purchase price of $1,100,000 to a group of private investors. See additional discussion on warrants below.

 

In October of 2014, the Company issued 1,110,000 shares of common stock with no par value to eighteen individual investors that had participated in a prior entity founded by Nemus' then current president. Such entity has been insolvent and not operating since the inception date of Nemus. The issuance of these shares was in exchange for the signing of a release of claims against the Company, its President, and the former entity. The Company recorded a general and administrative expense of $466,200 in the fourth quarter of 2014 to reflect the fair market value of the common stock issued in exchange for the release of claims. The fair market value of the common stock issued was determined via an independent third-party valuation conducted as of October 31, 2014.

 

In January of 2015, the Company sold 241,663 shares of common stock with par value of $0.001 for a purchase price of $724,989 to a group of private investors.

 

In March of 2015, the Company issued 24,000 shares of common stock with par value of $0.001 to a third party in exchange for services to be performed related to raising additional capital. The Company recorded a prepaid expense of $168,000 in the first quarter to reflect the fair market value of the common stock issued and is amortizing this expense over the contract service period which is one year. The fair market value was determined utilizing the Company's closing stock price as of the commencement date of the contract service period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company amortized $113,806 to general and administrative expense.

 

In August 2015, in conjunction with the Series B Preferred Stock sale (discussed below), the Company raised $5.0 million at $1,000 per share resulting in the automatic conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock to common stock. This resulted in the conversion of 580,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock at $2.50 per share to the equivalent of 1,812,500 shares of common stock.

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Company has authorized 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.001 per share.

 

Series A Preferred Stock:  In April 2015, the Company sold 250,000 shares of Series A preferred stock with par value of $0.001 and 50,000 warrants to purchase the Company's common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $625,000, or $2,50 per share to a group of private investors. The shares of preferred stock automatically convert to shares of common stock either at (i) a subsequent equity financing of at least $1,000,000 or (ii) October 1, 2015, whichever is earlier. The warrants are exercisable at a price of $5.00 per share and expire five years from the issuance date. In May 2015, the Company sold 150,000 shares and 30,000 warrants and in July 2015, 180,000 shares and 36,000 warrants under the same terms and conditions.

 

The Series A preferred stock issued also has a "down-round" protection feature provided to the investors if the Company subsequently issues or sells any shares in a round of equity financing of at least $1,000,000 prior to October 1, 2015 in which the shares of common stock to be acquired are at a price less than $2.50 per share. The Company is required to issue additional shares of common stock to the investors in an amount such that the subscription price paid, when divided by the total number of shares issued will result in an actual price paid per share of common stock equal to such lower price. This conversion occurred as discussed above in conjunction with the Series B Preferred Stock financing totaling $5.0 million and resulted in the conversion of 580,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock at to 1,812,500 shares of common stock.

Redeemable Convertible Series B Preferred Stock: In August 2015, the Company sold 5,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase 6,250,000 shares of the Company's common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $1,000 per share resulting in gross proceeds of $5.0 million.  Each share of preferred stock is convertible into 1,250 shares of common stock which results in an effective conversion price of $0.80 per common share and can be converted by the holder at any time. The Series B preferred stock issued also has a "down-round" protection feature provided to the investors if the Company subsequently issues or sell any shares of common stock, stock options, or convertible securities at a price less than the conversion price of $0.80 per common share. The conversion price is automatically adjusted down to the price of the instrument being issued. See additional discussion in Note 5 below. The Series B shares have liquidation preference over other preferred shares and common stock and have voting rights equal to the number of common shares into which each holder's preferred stock is convertible as of the record date. The preferred stock has no dividend rights. If dividends are declared on the common stock, the holders of the preferred stock shall be entitled to participate in such dividends on an as-if converted basis. The warrants are exercisable at a price of $1.15 per share and expire five years from the issuance date. See additional discussion regarding these warrants in Note 6 below.

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary, Series B preferred stockholders receive an amount per share equal to the conversion price of $0.80, subject to down-round adjustment, multiplied by the as-if converted share amount of 6,250,000 common shares, totaling $5.0 million.  If upon the liquidation, the assets are insufficient to permit payments to the Series B holders, all assets legally available will be distributed in a pro rata basis among the Series B holders in proportion to the full amounts they would otherwise be entitled to receive. Any remaining assets are distributed pro rata among the common stockholders.

 

Subject to certain trigger events occurring, the Series B preferred stock holders have the right to force the Company to redeem the shares of preferred stock at a price per preferred share equal to the greater of (A) 115% of the conversion amount and (B) the product of (1) the conversion rate in effect at such time and (2) the greatest closing sale price of the Common Stock during the period beginning on the date immediately preceding such triggering event and ending on the date such holder delivers the notice of redemption. Such triggering events include:

 

Warrants

 

On July 17, 2012, the Company issued warrants to purchase up to 3,000,000 shares of our common stock to its founders and two advisors in consideration for services provided in the start-up of operations. The warrants are exercisable at a price of $1.00 per share and expire on June 20, 2023. The Company valued these warrants utilizing the Black-Scholes valuation model and they were determined to be of nominal value given the start-up nature of the Company's operations at the time of grant.

 

In conjunction with the June 2014 Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company issued warrants to purchase up to 450,000 shares of common stock to a group of private investors. The warrants are exercisable at a price of $1.00 per share and expire on June 12, 2020. The Company valued these warrants at $85,500. This amount was recorded as warrants and was reclassified from the total consideration received for both the common stock and warrants purchased.

 

In August 2014 as part of the June 2014 Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company issued warrants to purchase up to 550,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $1.00 per share that expire in August 2020. The Company valued these warrants at $104,500. This amount was recorded as warrants and was reclassified from the total consideration received for both the common stock and warrants purchased.

 

In March 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with a financial advisory and public relations consulting firm which included the issuance of warrants to purchase up to 90,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $2.50 per share with a term of five years. These warrants were in exchange for services performed beginning in the first quarter and were subsequently issued in April 2015. The Company estimated the warrant value to be $67,950 utilizing the Black Scholes option pricing model and amortized $9,225 for services provided through September 30, 2015.

 

In April 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with one of its investors to provide advisory services on all matters including financing. In conjunction with this agreement, the Company issued warrants that vest immediately to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $5.00 per share with a term of ten years. The Company estimated the warrant value to be $326,000 utilizing the Black Scholes option pricing model and recorded this amount to general and administrative expense for the quarter due to the immediate vesting.

 

In April 2015, the Company issued to a former service provider in exchange for payment of its outstanding invoice warrants that vest immediately to purchase 6,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $2.50 per share. The Company estimated the warrant value to be $10,000 which represented the value of the trade debt extinguished. 

 

In April 2015, the Company issued 50,000 warrants to purchase the Company's common stock in conjunction with its Series A Preferred Stock financing. The warrants are exercisable at a price of $5.00 per share and expire five years from the issuance date. In May 2015, the Company issued 30,000 warrants and in July 2015, 36,000 warrants under the same terms and conditions.

 

In June 2015, the Company issued to a service provider in exchange for consulting services warrants that vest immediately to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $5.00 per share with a term of five years. The Company estimated the warrant value to be $14,700 utilizing the Black Scholes option pricing model. 

 

In August 2015, the Company issued 6,250,000 warrants to purchase common stock in conjunction with its Series B Preferred Stock financing. See further discussion in Note 6 below.

 

In August 2015, the Company issued 187,500 warrants to purchase common stock to its investment banker in exchange for services rendered in conjunction with the Series B Preferred Stock financing. The warrants vest immediately and have an exercise price of $1.15 per share. The Company estimated the value of the warrants to be $86,250 utilizing the Black Scholes option pricing model and recorded this amount to offering costs as an offset to Additional Paid-in-Capital.

The Company's board of directors considered various objective and subjective factors, along with input from management, to determine the fair value of the warrants, including:

 

·

Contemporaneous valuation prepared by an independent third-party valuation specialist effective as of June 30, 2014, October 31, 2014, and April 1, 2015, and August 20, 2015,

·

Its results of operations, financial position and the status of research and development efforts and achievement of enterprise milestones,

·

The composition of, and changes to, the Company's management team and board of directors,

·

The lack of liquidity of its common stock as a newly public company,

·

The Company's stage of development, business strategy and the material risks related to its business and industry,

·

The valuation of publicly-traded companies in the biotechnology sectors,

·

External market conditions affecting the biotechnology industry sectors,

·

The likelihood of achieving a liquidity event for the holders of its common stock, such as an initial public offering, or IPO, or a sale of the Company, given prevailing market conditions, and

·

The state of the IPO market for similarly situated biotechnology companies,

·

Discussions held with bankers, potential investors, and preliminary term sheets received as part of management's capital raise efforts.

 

There are significant judgments and estimates inherent in the determination of the fair value of the Company's warrants. These judgments and estimates included the assumptions regarding its future operating performance, the time to completing an IPO or other liquidity event and the determination of the appropriate valuation methods. If the Company had made different assumptions, its warrant valuation could have been significantly different.

 

Stock Option Plans: 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

The 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "2014 Plan") was adopted to provide a means by which officers, non-employee directors, and employees of and consultants to the Company and its affiliates could be given an opportunity to acquire an equity interest in the Company. All officers, non-employee directors, and employees of and consultants to the Company are eligible to participate in the 2014 Plan.

 

On October 31, 2014, after the closing of the Merger, our Board of Directors approved the 2014 Plan. The 2014 Plan reserved 3,200,000 shares for future grants. As of September 30, 2015, options (net of canceled or expired options) covering an aggregate of 1,180,000 shares of the Company's common stock had been granted under the 2014 Plan, and the Company had 1,180,000 options outstanding and 2,020,000 shares available for future grants under the 2014 Plan.

Options granted under the 2014 Plan expire no later than 10 years from the date of grant. Options granted under the 2014 Plan may be either incentive or non-qualified stock options. For incentive and non-qualified stock option grants, the option price shall be at least 100% of the fair value on the date of grants, as determined by the Company's Board of Directors. If at any time the Company grants an option, and the optionee directly or by attribution owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, the option price shall be at least 110% of the fair value and shall not be exercisable more than five years after the date of grant.

 

Options granted under the 2014 Plan may be immediately exercisable if permitted in the specific grant approved by the Board of Directors and, if exercised early may be subject to repurchase provisions. The shares acquired generally vest over a period of five years from the date of grant. The Company granted options to purchase 1,180,000 shares through September 30, 2015, under the 2014 Plan.

 

The following is a summary of activity under the 2014 Plan as of September, 2015:

 

 

The weighted average remaining contractual life in years of the options outstanding as of September 30, 2015 was 9.18 years.

 

Aggregate intrinsic value is the sum of the amounts by which the quoted market price of the Company's stock exceeded the exercise price of the stock options at September 30, 2015 for those stock options for which the quoted market price was in excess of the exercise price ("in-the-money options"). As of September 30, 2015, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding was $147,000. As of September 30, 2015, no options to purchase shares of common stock were exercisable.

 

Stock Based Compensation Expense

 

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value of that portion of stock options that are ultimately expected to vest during the period. Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statement of operations includes compensation expense for stock-based awards based on the estimated grant date fair value over the requisite service period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $263,985 which was recorded as a general and administrative expense in the consolidated statement of operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, stock-based compensation expense was $0.

 

The total amount of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options was $1,477,143 as of September 30, 2015. This amount will be recognized over a weighted average period of 4.14 years.

 

Valuation Assumptions

 

The fair value of options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock for similar terms. The expected term was estimated using the simplified method as permitted under SAB No. 110, since the Company has no recent exercise or forfeiture history that is representative of options granted during the year. The expected term represents the estimated period of time that stock options are expected to be outstanding, which is less than the contractual term which is generally ten years. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield. The expected dividend yield is zero, as the Company does not anticipate paying dividends in the near future. The weighted average assumptions for employee options are as follows:

 

	For the Nine Months Ended   September 30,
	2015		2014
Dividend yield	0.00%		NA
Volatility factor	75.00%		NA
Risk-free interest rate	1.68-1.85%		NA
Expected term (years)	6.25-6.50		NA
Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the periods	$2.69		NA

5. Provision for Conversion of Preferred Stock

 

Series A Preferred Stock Conversion Liability

 

In connection with the Series A preferred stock financing, the Company recorded a liability related to down-round protection provided to the stockholders in the event that the Company does another offering of common stock greater than $1,000,000 at a price below $2.50 per share. The down-round provision expires at the closing of a subsequent financing round or October 1, 2015 whichever is earlier. With the assistance of a third-party valuation specialist, the Company valued the conversion liability pursuant to the accounting guidance of ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements, as of the closing date of the first round of financing which was April 1, 2015.

 

As of June 30, 2015, the Company re-evaluated the likelihood and valuation of a potential down-round given that management has been actively pursuing capital raising efforts. In the absence of any definitive agreement, the Company calculated the fair value of the conversion feature to be $700,000 by determining the highest probability of a per share price in the next anticipated round of financing, after considering all discussions with bankers, potential investors, and preliminary term sheets. This amount was booked as a current liability as of June 30, 2015 and was charged as a non-operating expense for the period.

 

In July of 2015, the Company increased its down-round provision by $286,000 based on the closing of an additional round of 180,000 Series A shares by determining the highest probability of a per share price in the next anticipated round of financing, after considering all discussions with bankers, potential investors, and preliminary term sheets. This amount was charged to non-operating expense for the three months ended September 30, 2015.

 

As of August 21, 2015, upon the closing of the Series B Preferred Stock sale with proceeds totaling $5.0 million, the Company issued 1,232,000 additional shares of common stock at $0.80 per share thereby eliminating this liability of $986,000 and offsetting it to Additional Paid-in-Capital. This amount was calculated by determining the difference in per share pricing between the Series A Preferred Stock financing of $2.50 per share and the Series B Preferred Stock Financing of $0.80 per share multiplied by the 580,000 total shares included in the Series A offering.

 

6. Series B Warrants

 

In conjunction with the Series B Preferred Stock financing, the Company issued 6,437,500 warrants that are exercisable at a price of $1.15 per share and expire five years from the issuance date. The warrants were valued at $2,935,800 utilizing the Black-Scholes pricing model and the following assumptions:

	For the Nine Months Ended   September 30,
	2015		2014
Dividend yield	0.00%		NA
Volatility factor	70.00%		NA
Risk-free interest rate	1.75%		NA
Expected term (years)	4.61		NA
Weighted-average fair value of warrants granted during the periods	$0.46		NA

 

The warrants are exercisable in cash or through a cashless exercise provision. The Series B warrants also have a "down-round" protection feature provided to the investors if the Company subsequently issues or sell any shares of common stock, stock options, or convertible securities at a price less than the exercise price of $1.15 per each warrant. The conversion price is automatically adjusted down to the price of the instrument being issued. The Company reviewed the classification of the warrants as liabilities or equity under the guidance of ASC 480-10, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and concluded that the Series B warrants should be classified as a liability. The Company then applied the relative fair value allocation methodology for allocating the proceeds of $5.0 million received from the Series B financing between the conversion liability and the warrants with the residual amount being allocated to the Preferred Stock. As such, the warrant value as of September 30, 2015 was $2,892,392 and will be subject to fair value re-measurement at the end of each reporting period.

7. Income Taxes

 

At September 30, 2015, the Company had net operating loss carry forwards ("NOLs") aggregating approximately $4,023,000 which, if not used, expire in 2035. The utilization of these NOLs may become subject to limitations based on past and future changes in ownership of the Company pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 382.

 

The Company records a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets to the extent that it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of, the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Due to the substantial doubt related to the Company's ability to utilize its deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance for the full amount of the deferred tax assets has been established at September 30, 2015. As a result of this valuation allowance there are no income tax benefits reflected in the accompanying statement of operations to offset pre-tax losses.

 

The Company has no uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2015.

8. Subsequent Events

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

Restricted stock awards ("RSAs") are granted to our board of directors and members of senior management and are issued pursuant to the Company's 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. On October 20, 2015, a total of 1,200,000 RSAs were granted to members of the Company's senior management and board of directors with a fair market value of approximately $900,000. These RSAs vest from one to three years from the grant date.

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Liquidity and Going Concern

 

The Company has incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. As of September 30, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of $4,342,722.  The Company anticipates that it will continue to incur net losses into the foreseeable future as it continues to advance and develop a number of potential drug candidates into preclinical development activities and expands its corporate infrastructure which includes the costs associated with being a public company. Without additional funding, management believes that the Company will not have sufficient funds to meet its obligations within one year after the date the consolidated financial statements are issued. These conditions give rise to substantial doubt as to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

The Company plans to continue to fund its losses from operations and capital funding needs through public or private equity or debt financings, strategic collaborations, licensing arrangements, asset sales, government grants or other arrangements. However, the Company cannot be sure that such additional funds will be available on reasonable terms, or at all. If the Company raises additional funds by issuing equity securities, substantial dilution to existing stockholders would result. If the Company is unable to secure adequate additional funding, the Company may be forced to make a reduction in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, and/or suspend or curtail planned programs.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of those investments approximates their fair market value due to their short maturity and liquidity. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and amounts on deposit with financial institutions, which amounts may at times exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses on such accounts and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk.

Restricted Cash

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Certain assets and liabilities are carried at fair value under U.S. GAAP. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an 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, 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.

Property and Equipment, Net

 

As of September 30, 2015, property and equipment, net, was $16,046, consisting primarily of computers and equipment. The Company had $21,354 of property and equipment, net, as of December 31, 2014. Expenditures for additions, renewals and improvements will be capitalized at cost. Depreciation will generally be computed on a straight-line method based on the estimated useful life of the related assets currently ranging from two to three years. Maintenance and repairs that do not extend the life of assets are charged to expense when incurred. When properties are disposed of, the related costs and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reported in the period the transaction takes place.

 

Property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount exceeds its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset.

 

The costs incurred for the rights to use licensed technologies in the research and development process, including licensing fees and milestone payments, will be 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.

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for our deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and net operating loss carry forwards (the "NOLs") and other tax credit carry forwards. These items are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. Any interest or penalties would be recorded in the Company's statement of operations in the period incurred.

 

The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred income tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In making such determinations, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. As a result there are no income tax benefits reflected in the statement of operations to offset pre-tax losses.

 

The Company recognizes a tax benefit from uncertain tax positions when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position.

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company has not begun planned principal operations and has not generated any revenue since inception.

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development ("R&D") 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; employee-related expenses, which include salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation 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.

Stock-Based Compensation Expenses

 

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. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model for estimating the grant date fair value of stock options and warrants using the following assumptions:

 

·

Exercise price - We determined the exercise price based on valuations using the best information available to management at the time of the valuations.

·

Volatility – We estimate the stock price volatility based on industry peers who are also in the early development stage given the limited market data available in the public arena.

·

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

·

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

·

Dividends – The dividend yield assumption is based on our history and expectation of paying no dividends.

Stock-Based Compensation for Non-Employees

 

The Company accounts for warrants and options issued to non-employees under ASC 505-50, Equity – Equity Based Payments to Non-Employees, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The value of such non-employee awards are periodically re-measured over the vesting terms and at each quarter end.

Segment Information

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") No. 280, "Segment Reporting" establishes standards for reporting information about reportable segments. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group ("CODM"), in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The CODM evaluates revenues and gross profits based on product lines and routes to market. Based on the early development stage of our operation, we operate in a single reportable segment.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. The Company is required to record all components of comprehensive loss in the consolidated financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Net income (loss) and other comprehensive loss, net of their related tax effect, arrived at a comprehensive loss. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the comprehensive loss was equal to the net loss.

Earnings per share

 

The Company applies FASB ASC 260, "Earnings per Share." Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing earnings (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings or loss per share would include the dilutive effect of awards granted to employees under stock-based compensation plans, if any. There were no dilutive awards outstanding at September 30, 2015.

	For the Nine Months Ended   September 30,
	2015		2014
Dividend yield	0.00%		NA
Volatility factor	75.00%		NA
Risk-free interest rate	1.68-1.85%		NA
Expected term (years)	6.25-6.50		NA
Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the periods	$2.69		NA