Share-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

8. SHARE – BASED COMPENSATION

The Company measures and recognizes compensation awards for all stock option grants made to employees and directors, based on their fair value in accordance with ASC 718, which establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. A key provision of ASC 718 is to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments (including stock options) based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The cost will be recognized over the service period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award (i.e., the requisite service period or vesting period). The Company accounts for equity instruments issued to non-employees in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718 and ASC 505-50. All transactions with non-employees, in which goods or services are the consideration received for the issuance of equity instruments are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instrument issued, whichever is more appropriately measurable.

The exercise price of options granted under the Company’s stock option plan (the “Plan”) may not be less than the fair market value on the date of grant. Stock options under the Plan may be awarded to officers, key employees, consultants and non-employee directors of the Company. Generally, options outstanding vest over periods not exceeding four years and are exercisable for up to five years from the grant date. At March 31, 2019, all granted stock options were exercised or expired.

Share based compensation expense recognized under ASC 718 for each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 of $3,266 represents the amortization of the fair value of 1,000,000 restricted shares granted to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer on September 9, 2011 of $195,968, after adjusting for the effect on the fair value of the stock options related to this transaction. The fair value will be amortized over 15 years.

On July 31, 2014, in connection with the Company’s public offering in July 2014, the Company issued warrants to purchase up to 87,719 common shares, with an exercise price of $3.5625 per common share, to the representative of the underwriters of the offering (the “July 2014 Representative Warrants”). These warrants are exercisable at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, commencing on July 28, 2015 and expire on July 28, 2019. The fair value of these warrants, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, on the date of issuance was $42,224. At March 31, 2019, July 2014 Representative Warrants to purchase up to 3,000 common shares were outstanding.

On May 29, 2015, in connection with the Company’s public offering in May 2015, the Company issued warrants to purchase up to 50,750 common shares, with an exercise price of $5.4875 per common share, to the representative of the underwriters of the offering (the “May 2015 Representative Warrants”). These warrants are exercisable at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, commencing on May 22, 2016 and expire on May 22, 2020. The fair value of these warrants, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, on the date of issuance was $54,928. At March 31, 2019, May 2015 Representative Warrants to purchase up to 9,650 common shares were outstanding.

On August 15, 2016, in connection with a public offering of the Company’s common shares, the Company issued warrants to purchase up to 33,612 common shares, with an exercise price of $7.4375 per common share, to the representative of the underwriters of the offering (the “August 2016 Representative Warrants”). The warrants are exercisable at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, commencing on August 9, 2017 and expire on August 9, 2021. The fair value of these warrants, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, on the date of issuance was $47,020. At March 31, 2019, all of the August 2016 Representative Warrants were outstanding.