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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from such estimates.

 

Recapitalization

 

Our board of directors and stockholders approved a reverse stock split of our common stock at a ratio of one share for every six and one-half shares previously held. The reverse stock split was effected on July 16, 2014. All common stock share and per-share data included in these financial statements reflect the reverse stock split. In addition, the board of directors approved an increase in the authorized shares of our common stock to 100,000,000 shares.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Credit Risk

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, our financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, accrued expenses, notes payable and derivative liabilities. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximated fair value, given their short-term nature. The carrying amount of our notes payable approximate fair value because the interest rates on these instruments are reflective of rates that we could obtain on debt with similar terms and conditions. The carrying value of the derivative liabilities was the estimated fair value of the liability as more fully described below.

 

Cash and cash equivalents subject us to concentrations of credit risk. However, we invest our cash in accordance with a policy objective that seeks to ensure both liquidity and safety of principal. The policy limits investments to instruments issued by the U.S. government and certain SEC-registered money market funds that invest only in U.S. government obligations and places restrictions on portfolio maturity terms.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

We consider all highly liquid investments that have maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we invested a portion of our cash balances in money market investments, which we have included as cash equivalents on our balance sheets.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment consist of laboratory and office equipment and are recorded at cost. Property and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. We estimate a life of three years for computer equipment, including software, and five years for laboratory equipment, office equipment, and furniture. When property and equipment are sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is included in operating expenses.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

We review long-lived assets, including property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than its carrying amount an impairment loss would be recognized if the carrying value of the asset exceeded its fair value. Fair value is generally determined using discounted cash flows. Through December 31, 2014, no impairment has occurred.

 

Research and Development

 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Costs for certain development activities, such as clinical trials, are recognized based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks using data such as subject enrollment, clinical site activations, or information provided to us by our vendors with respect to their actual costs incurred. Payments for these activities are based on the terms of the individual arrangements, which may differ from the pattern of costs incurred, and are reflected in the financial statements as prepaid or accrued research and development expense, as the case may be.

 

Income Taxes

 

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities and the expected benefits of net operating loss carryforwards. The impact of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred taxes, if any, applied during the years in which temporary differences are expected to be settled, is reflected in the financial statements in the period of enactment. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, if, based on weight of the evidence, it is more likely than not that some, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that such tax rate changes are enacted. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we have concluded that a full valuation allowance is necessary for our net deferred tax assets. We had no material amounts recorded for uncertain tax positions, interest or penalties in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

Loss Per Share of Common Stock

 

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted loss per share includes the effect, if any, from the potential exercise or conversion of securities, such as convertible preferred stock, convertible notes payable, warrants, stock options, and unvested restricted stock, which would result in the issuance of incremental shares of common stock. In computing the basic and diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders, the weighted average number of shares remains the same for both calculations due to the fact that when a net loss exists, dilutive shares are not included in the calculation. These potentially dilutive securities are more fully described in Note 7.

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(10,833

)

$

(5,270

)

Dividends on Series B and C Preferred Stock

 

(2,545

)

(3,804

)

Net loss applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(13,378

)

$

(9,074

)

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

 

6,152,669

 

462,972

 

Net loss per share of common stock—basic and diluted

 

$

(2.17

)

$

(19.60

)

 

The following potentially dilutive securities outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013 have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding, as they would be antidilutive:

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

Convertible preferred stock

 

 

7,596,927 

 

Warrants

 

 

470,026 

 

Stock options

 

1,670,574 

 

1,093,208 

 

 

 

1,670,574 

 

9,160,161 

 

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

Comprehensive loss is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Comprehensive loss was equal to net loss for all periods presented.

 

Segment Information

 

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. We view our operations and manage our business in one segment, which is the identification and development of neuropsychiatric therapeutics.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, or ASC 718, which requires the recognition of expense related to the fair value of stock-based awards in the statements of operations. For stock options issued to employees and members of our board of directors for their services on our board of directors, we estimate the grant-date fair value of options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model requires management to make assumptions with respect to the expected term of the option, the expected volatility of the common stock consistent with the expected life of the option, risk-free interest rates, and the value of the common stock. For awards subject to time-based vesting, we recognize stock-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting term of the award. For awards subject to performance-based vesting conditions, we recognize stock-based compensation expense when it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. Stock-based awards issued to non-employees are recorded at their fair values, and are periodically revalued as the equity instruments vest and are recognized as expense over the related service period in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718 and ASC Topic 505, Equity.

 

Clinical Trial Expense Accruals

 

As part of the process of preparing our financial statements, we are required to estimate our expenses resulting from our obligations under contracts with vendors, clinical research organizations and consultants and under clinical site agreements in connection with conducting clinical trials. The financial terms of these contracts are subject to negotiations, which vary from contract to contract and may result in payment flows that do not match the periods over which materials or services are provided under such contracts. Our objective is to reflect the appropriate trial expenses in our financial statements by matching those expenses with the period in which services are performed and efforts are expended. We account for these expenses according to the progress of the trial as measured by patient progression and the timing of various aspects of the trial. We determine accrual estimates through financial models taking into account discussion with applicable personnel and outside service providers as to the progress or state of consummation of trials. During the course of a clinical trial, we adjust our clinical expense recognition if actual results differ from its estimates. We make estimates of our accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date based on the facts and circumstances known at that time. Our clinical trial accruals are dependent upon the timely and accurate reporting of contract research organizations and other third-party vendors. Although we do not expect our estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, our understanding of the status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and timing of services performed may vary and may result in reporting amounts that are too high or too low for any particular period. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no material adjustments to our prior period estimates of accrued expenses for clinical trials.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-10, Elimination of Certain Financial Reporting Requirements, Including an Amendment to Variable Interest Entities Guidance in Topic 810, Consolidation, which eliminates all incremental financial reporting requirements for development stage entities by removing Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 915, Development Stage Entities, from the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. ASC Topic 915 is removed effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the ASU effective with the issuance of the June 30, 2014 interim financial statements.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in the financial statements.  The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued.  An entity must provide certain disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The ASU applies to all entities and is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this ASU will have on its financial statements.