Note 8. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):

	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
Accounts payable—trade	$	222	$	424
Payroll and benefits		1,331		1,050
Research and development		182		323
Royalty fees due to unrelated parties		170		157
Accrued interest on notes payable		98		9
Consulting		29		152
Rent and utilities		85		77
Legal		45		57
Accrued withholding taxes		—		24
Other		197		150
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	2,359	$	2,423

Exit or Disposal Activities

As of December 2016, the Company completed a comprehensive strategic review of its technology programs, pipeline, partner program progress, competitive landscape and market conditions, which resulted in the decision to realign its organizational capabilities to best support the Company’s near term product commercialization needs and preserve cash. As a result, a number of personnel changes were made, including the elimination of 23 positions. The severance costs associated with this reduction in force (RIF) were $192,000 for one-time employee termination benefits, and $224,000 in severance costs in connection with an executive employment contract, both of which, are recorded in Selling, General, and Administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2016. A portion of the one-time employee termination benefits was paid out in December 2016 and the remaining severance amount of $389,000 was accrued under payroll and benefits as of December 31, 2016. Additionally, the Company has commenced closure of its Seattle office, which it expects will be completed by March 2017. Other than the aforementioned liability, the Company has no other associated exit or disposal costs pertaining to the year ended December 31, 2016.