1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business

BioPharmX Corporation (the “Company”) is incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware and originally incorporated on August 30, 2010 in Nevada under the name Thompson Designs, Inc. The Company has one wholly-owned subsidiary, BioPharmX, Inc., a Nevada corporation. The Company is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on utilizing its proprietary drug delivery technologies to develop and commercialize novel prescription and over-the-counter, or OTC, products that address large markets in dermatology and women’s health. The Company’s objective is to develop products that treat health or age-related conditions that (1) are not presently being addressed or treated at all or (2) are currently treated with drug therapies or drug delivery approaches that are suboptimal. The Company’s strategy is designed to bring new products to market by identifying optimal delivery mechanisms and/or alternative applications for FDA-approved active pharmaceutical ingredients, or APIs, and biological materials, while, in appropriate circumstances, reducing the time, cost and risk typically associated with new product development by repurposing drugs with demonstrated safety profiles and, when applicable, taking advantage of the regulatory approval pathway under Section 505(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The Company believes these approaches may reduce drug development risk and could reduce the time and resources it spends during development. Its current platform technologies include innovative delivery mechanisms for antibiotics, biologic materials and molecular iodine (I₂).

Since the Company’s inception, substantially all of the Company’s efforts have been devoted to developing its product candidates, including conducting preclinical and clinical trials, and providing general and administrative support for its operations. The Company commercially launched its breast health supplement in December 2014, although to-date the Company has not generated significant revenue from product sales. The Company is not dependent on sales to any one customer. The Company has financed its operations primarily through the sale of equity and convertible notes. In June 2015, the Company raised net proceeds of $7.8 million through the sale of its common stock in a public offering and concurrently completed an uplisting to the NYSE MKT. In December 2015 the Company raised net proceeds of $5.5 million in a private offering of its common stock and, in April 2016, it raised net proceeds of $3.6 million from an issuance of common stock and warrants to purchase common stock in a public offering. In August 2016, the Company raised net proceeds of $1.3 million in a private offering of its common stock and $1.5 million through the sale of convertible promissory notes. In September 2016, the Company raised net proceeds of $0.8 million in a registered direct offering. In November 2016, the Company raised net proceeds of $10.6 million from a public offering of common stock, preferred stock and warrants to purchase common stock in a public offering. In December 2016, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase additional shares of common stock to cover over-allotments resulting in net proceeds of $0.4 million.

Share Exchange

On January 23, 2014, the Company (then operating as Thompson Designs, Inc.), BioPharmX, Inc. and stockholders of BioPharmX, Inc., who collectively owned 100% of BioPharmX, Inc., entered into and consummated transactions pursuant to a share exchange agreement, such transaction referred to as the Share Exchange, whereby the Company issued to the stockholders of BioPharmX, Inc. an aggregate of 7,025,000 shares of its common stock, in exchange for 100% of the shares of BioPharmX, Inc. held by stockholders. The shares of the Company’s common stock received by the stockholders of BioPharmX, Inc. in the Share Exchange constituted approximately 77.8% of its then issued and outstanding common stock, after giving effect to the issuance of shares pursuant to the share exchange agreement. As a result of the Share Exchange, BioPharmX, Inc. became the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary. For accounting purposes, the Share Exchange was treated as a reverse acquisition with BioPharmX, Inc. as the acquirer and the Company as the acquired party. On March 3, 2014, the Company changed its name to BioPharmX Corporation. On May 16, 2014, the Company reincorporated from Nevada to Delaware.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP). The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of BioPharmX and its wholly-owned subsidiary. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses recognized during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassification

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Restricted cash has been included in other assets. The amounts for the prior periods have been reclassified to be consistent with the current year presentation and have no impact on previously reported total assets, total stockholders’ equity or net loss.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable is recorded net of cash discounts for prompt payment and return allowances. There was no allowance for doubtful accounts receivable recorded at either January 31, 2017 or 2016.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the standard cost method which approximates actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis. Market value is determined as the lower of replacement cost or net realizable value. The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities in consideration of actual loss experiences, projected future demand and remaining shelf life to record a provision for inventory, which may have become obsolete or are in excess of anticipated demand or net realizable value. If future demand or market conditions for the products are less favorable than forecasted, the Company may be required to record additional write-downs, which would negatively affect its results of operations in the period when the write-downs were recorded.

The Company must order components for its products and build inventory in advance of product shipments. The Company has a purchase commitment relating to the manufacturing of VI₂OLET finished product (iodine supplement tablets) and is non-cancelable as detailed in Note 6. The Company assesses its purchase commitment based on demand forecasts and establishes a liability for quantities deemed in excess of these forecasts.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Carrying amounts of certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, prepaid and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities and related party payables approximate fair value due to their short maturities.

Property and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are recognized using the straight-line method. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Estimated useful lives in years are as follows:


		Estimated
Description		Useful Life
Furniture		5 - 7
Laboratory equipment		3 - 5
Computer and equipment		3 - 5
Software		5

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are reviewed for impairment when facts or circumstances suggest that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable.

The intangible assets were acquired in March 2013 in connection with the collaboration and license agreement with Iogen detailed in Note 6. Amortization of the intangible assets commenced in January 2015 with the first recognition of revenue related to VI2OLET and was being taken on a straight-line basis over 5 years. In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company determined that the future cash flows expected to be generated by the intangible assets did not exceed their fair value, therefore deemed the intangible assets were fully impaired. The Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $89,000, which is included in amortization expense in the consolidated statement of operations and cash flows.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset might not be recoverable. When such an event occurs, management determines whether there has been an impairment by comparing the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows to the related asset’s carrying value. If an asset is considered impaired, the asset is written down to fair value, which is determined based either on discounted cash flows or appraised value, depending on the nature of the asset. The Company recorded an impairment loss related to the intangible assets as detailed in Note 6. In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company determined that the future cash flows expected to be generated from capitalized software costs did not exceed their fair value, therefore deemed the asset was fully impaired. The Company recorded accelerated depreciation of approximately $73,000, which is included in depreciation expense in the consolidated statement of operations and cash flows.

Convertible Notes

The Company issued convertible notes that had conversion prices which resulted in an embedded beneficial conversion feature. The intrinsic value of the beneficial conversion feature was recorded as a debt discount with the corresponding amount to additional paid in capital. The debt discount was amortized to interest expense over the life of the convertible notes using the effective interest method.

Warrant Liability

The Company accounts for certain of its warrants as derivative liabilities based on provisions relating to cash settlement options. The Company recorded a liability for the fair value of the warrants at the time of issuance, and at each reporting date the warrant is revalued to the instrument’s fair value. The fair value of the warrant is estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model. This liability is subject to fair value re-measurement until the warrants are exercised or expired, and any change in fair value is recognized as other income or expense in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

Revenue Recognition

VI₂OLET is an iodine dietary supplement. Revenue is recognized provided that persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, title and risk of loss has transferred, collectibility of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured, there are no customer acceptance requirements and we do not have any significant post-shipment obligations. The Company recognizes revenue on a sell-through basis for customer arrangements in which it does not have historical information to estimate product returns, pricing discounts or other concessions upon shipment. For these product shipments, the Company invoices the reseller, records deferred revenue at the gross invoice sales price and classifies the cost basis of the product held by the wholesaler as a component of inventory. Deferred revenue is adjusted for price protection and other revenue reserves. Revenue is recognized when product is sold by the reseller to the end user, on a first-in first-out (FIFO) basis. For customer arrangements in which returns, price discounts and other concessions can be reasonably estimated, revenue is recognized upon shipment and a reserve is recorded for returns, price discounts and other concessions.

Cost of Good Sold

Costs of good sold includes direct costs related to the sale of the Company’s iodine dietary supplement, write-downs of excess and obsolete inventories and amortization of intangible assets.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are expensed as incurred and are included in cost of goods sold.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of personnel costs, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation, clinical studies performed by contract research organizations, product development, consulting, materials, supplies, and facilities and other overhead allocations.

Advertising Expenses

The Company expenses the costs of advertising, including promotional expenses, as incurred. Advertising expenses were $0.3 million and $1.2 million for years ended January 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method whereby deferred tax asset and liability account balances are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets when management estimates, based on available objective evidence, that it is more likely than not that the benefit will not be realized for the deferred tax assets.

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. No interest expense was recognized during the periods presented.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation for equity awards on a straight-line basis over their vesting periods based on the grant date fair value. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes pricing model. This model also requires subjective assumptions, including future stock price volatility and expected time to exercise, which greatly affect the calculated values. Equity instruments issued to non-employees are recorded at their fair value on the measurement date and are subject to periodic adjustment as the underlying equity instruments vest.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss is the change in equity of an enterprise, except those resulting from stockholder transactions. Accordingly, comprehensive loss includes certain changes in equity that are excluded from net loss. For the years ended January 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s comprehensive loss is equal to net loss. There were no components of other comprehensive loss for any of the periods presented.

Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is calculated based on the weighted-average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding during the period. The weighted average shares outstanding for the year ended January 31, 2017 excludes 193,333 shares of unvested common stock. Diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is calculated based on the weighted-average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding and other dilutive securities outstanding during the period. The potential dilutive shares of common stock resulting from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options, warrants, and the assumed conversion of preferred stock are determined under the treasury stock method.

As of January 31, 2017 and 2016, approximately 48,762,000 and 5,741,000, potentially dilutive securities, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share because their effect on net loss per share would be anti-dilutive.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (ASU No. 2014-15) to provide guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. This update is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted for annual or interim reporting periods for which the financial statements have not previously been issued. The Company has adopted ASU No. 2014-15, see Note 2 for further disclosure.

In July 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330), Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which applies to all inventory except that which is measured using last-in, first-out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method. Inventory measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost is included in the new amendment. The amendment took effect for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this standard on February 1, 2017, and there was no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU No. 2014-09). This update defers the effective dates of ASU No. 2014-09 (originally issued in June 2014) for public business entities by one year, or until annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within the reporting period. ASU No. 2014-09 gives entities a single comprehensive model to use in reporting information about the amount and timing of revenue resulting from contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The proposed ASU, which would apply to any entity that enters into contracts to provide goods or services, would supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. Additionally, the update would supersede some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition — Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts. The update removes inconsistencies and weaknesses in revenue requirements and provides a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues and more useful information to users of financial statements through improved disclosure requirements. In addition, the update improves comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets and simplifies the preparation of financial statements by reducing the number of requirements to which an entity must refer. The Company is in process of evaluating the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which requires entities to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms greater than twelve months. The new guidance also requires quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted upon issuance. The Company is in process of evaluating the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which relates to the accounting for employee share-based payments. This standard provides guidance on simplifying several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, accounting for forfeitures and classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this standard on February 1, 2017, and there was no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which addresses certain implementation issues that have surfaced since the issuance of ASU No. 2014-09 in May 2014. ASU No. 2016-10 provides guidance in identifying performance obligations and determining the appropriate accounting for licensing arrangements. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. ASU No. 2016-12 will affect all entities that enter into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services that are an output of the entity’s ordinary activities in exchange for consideration. The amendments in this update affect the guidance in ASU No. 2014-09 which is not yet effective. The amendments in this update also affect narrow aspects of Topic 606 including among others: assessing collectability criterion, noncash consideration, and presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers. The effective date of this update is the same as ASU No. 2014-09. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This amendment gives guidance and reduces diversity in practice with respect to certain types of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. The Company is in process of evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

The Company has reviewed other recent accounting pronouncements and concluded they are either not applicable to the business, or no material effect is expected on the consolidated financial statements as a result of future adoption.