Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation — The accompanying Financial Statements are prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP").

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition — Revenue consists of license fees from strategic alliances with pharmaceutical companies.

Since 2011, the Company has followed the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codifications ("ASC") ASC 605-25, Revenue Recognition – Multiple-Element Arrangements ("ASC 605-25" to determine the recognition of revenue under license and collaboration agreements. The ASC provides guidance relating to the separation of deliverables including an arrangement into different units of accounting and the allocation of consideration to the units of accounting. The allocated consideration for each unit of accounting is recognized over the related obligation period in accordance with the applicable revenue recognition criteria. Revenue is considered realizable and earned when the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (3) the price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collection of the amounts due are reasonably assured. Amounts received prior to satisfying the revenue recognition criteria are recorded as deferred revenue in the Company's balance sheets. Amounts expected to be recognized as revenue within the 12 months following the balance sheet date are classified as current liabilities.

Other Income (Expense)

Other Income (Expense) — The Company realized a small foreign exchange loss in 2017, other income of $0.2 million in 2016 from a VAT refund, and a de minimus amount of other income in 2015.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of amounts invested in money market accounts.

Equipment and Furnishings

Equipment and Furnishings — Equipment and furnishings are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives (generally three to five years for equipment and furniture) of the related assets. Whenever there is a triggering event that might suggest impairment, management evaluates the realizability of recorded long-lived assets to determine whether their carrying values have been impaired. The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the non-discounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of those assets. Any impairment loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the asset to its carrying amount. There are no impairment losses recognized in each of 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements — Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the balance sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure the fair value. Level inputs are as follows:

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs for the assets or liabilities through corroboration with market data at the measurement date.

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs that reflect management's best estimate of what market participants would use to price the assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at December 31, 2017 for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

(In thousands)	Level I		Level II		Level III			Total
Cash equivalents	$	35,834	$	—	$	—		$	35,834
Warrant liabilities		—		—		(527	)		(527	)

The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at December 31, 2016 for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

(In thousands)	Level I		Level II		Level III			Total
Cash equivalents	$	56,276	$	—	$	—		$	56,276
Warrant liabilities		—		—		(3,789	)		(3,789	)

There were no transfers between Levels I, II and III during 2017 or 2016.

The changes in carrying amounts of the warrant liability for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

(In thousands)	2017			2016
Beginning balance	$	3,789		$	693
Issued		—			6,933
Exercised		(1,895	)		(9	)
Net changes in valuation		(1,367	)		(3,828	)
Ending balance	$	527		$	3,789

Liabilities measured at fair market value on a recurring basis include warrant liabilities resulting from recent debt and equity financing. In accordance with ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity's Own Equity ("ASC 815-40"), the warrant liabilities are being marked to fair value each quarter-end until they are completely settled. The warrants are valued using the Black-Scholes method, using assumptions consistent with the Company's application of ASC 505-50, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees ("ASC 505-50"). See Warrant Liabilities below.

The Company considers carrying amounts of accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and term loan, net to approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

Patents and Patent Application Costs

Patents and Patent Application Costs — Although the Company believes that its patents and underlying technology have continuing value, the amount of future benefits to be derived from the patents is uncertain. Patent costs are therefore expensed as incurred.

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share — Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of common share and common share equivalents outstanding. Potentially dilutive stock options and warrants to purchase approximately 7.6 million, 8.3 million and 3.6 million shares at December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share, because the effect would be anti-dilutive.

Warrant Liabilities

Warrant Liabilities —Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis include warrant liabilities resulting from the Company's July 2016 equity financings. In accordance with ASC 815-40, the warrant liabilities are being marked to fair value each quarter-end until they are completely settled. The warrants are valued using the Black-Scholes method, using assumptions consistent with CytRx's application of ASC 505-50. The gain or loss resulting from the fair value calculation is shown on the Statements of Operations as gain (loss) on warrant liabilities. See "Note 10 – Warrant Liabilities" for additional information related to the determination of fair value of warrants.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation — The Company's stock-based employee compensation plans are described in Note 13. The Company has adopted the provisions of ASC 718, which requires the fair value measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees.

For stock options and stock warrants paid in consideration of services rendered by non-employees, the Company recognizes compensation expense in accordance with the requirements of ASC 505-50, Equity ("ASC 505"), as amended. Non-employee option grants that do not vest immediately upon grant are recorded as an expense over the vesting period. At the end of each financial reporting period prior to performance, the value of these options, as calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, is determined, and compensation expense recognized or recovered during the period is adjusted accordingly. Since the fair market value of options granted to non-employees is subject to change in the future, the amount of the future compensation expense is subject to adjustment until the common stock options or warrants are fully vested.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and Development Expenses — Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred for direct and overhead-related research expenses and are expensed as incurred. Costs to acquire technologies, including licenses and drugs, that are utilized in research and development and that have no alternative future use are expensed when incurred. Technology developed for use in its products is expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established.

Clinical Trial Expenses

Clinical Trial Expenses — Clinical trial expenses, which are included in research and development expenses, include obligations resulting from the Company's contracts with various clinical research organizations in connection with conducting clinical trials for its product candidates. The Company recognizes expenses for these activities based on a variety of factors, including actual and estimated labor hours, clinical site initiation activities, patient enrollment rates, estimates of external costs and other activity-based factors. The Company believes that this method best approximates the efforts expended on a clinical trial with the expenses it records. The Company adjusts its rate of clinical expense recognition if actual results differ from its estimates. If its estimates are incorrect, clinical trial expenses recorded in any particular period could vary. Non-refundable advance payments for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities are expensed when the activity has been performed or when the goods have been received rather than when the payment is made.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes — The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 740-10, Income Taxes, ("ASC 740") which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets for deductible temporary differences and operating loss carry-forwards using enacted tax rates in effect in the years the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income tax benefit or expense is recognized as a result of changes in net deferred tax assets or deferred tax liabilities. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some or all of any deferred tax assets will not be realized.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the 2017 Tax Act) was enacted reducing the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% which is effective on January 1, 2018. The carrying value of the Company's deferred tax assets is also determined by the enacted U.S. corporate income tax rate. Consequently, any changes in the U.S. corporate income tax rate have impacted the carrying value of the Company's deferred tax assets. Under the new corporate income tax rate of 21%, deferred income taxes decreased but there is a corresponding decrease to the valuation allowance. Therefore, the 2017 Tax Act is expected to have no impact on the Company's 2017 earnings. In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, as of December 31, 2017, the Company has not completed its accounting for the tax effects of the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act; however, the Company has made a reasonable estimate of the effects on its existing deferred tax balances.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The Company's policy is to recognize any interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expenses.

Concentrations of Risks

Concentrations of Risks — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents in large well-capitalized financial institutions and the Company's investment policy disallows investment in any debt securities rated less than "investment-grade" by national ratings services. The Company has not experienced any losses on its deposits of cash or cash equivalents or its short-term investments. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates include the accrual for research and development expenses, valuation on deferred tax assets, contingent liabilities and the estimate of expense arising from the common stock options and warrants granted to employees and non-employees. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements — In January 2017, the FASB issued an ASU entitled "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." The objective of the ASU is to simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its financial statements.

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2016-15 "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)." The objective of ASU No. 2016-15 is to provide specific guidance on eight cash flow classification issues and how to reduce diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows under Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows, and other Topics. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is still in the process of determining the impact that the implementation of ASU 2016-15 will have on its financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation ("ASU 2016-09"). ASU 2016-09 includes several areas of simplification to stock compensation including simplifications to the accounting for income taxes, classification of excess tax benefits on the Statement of Cash Flows and forfeitures. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted this Standard on January 1, 2017. The adoption of this Standard did not have a material impact to the Company's financial position or its results of operations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)," which requires companies to recognize all leases as assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. This ASU retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases, and the classification criteria for distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases are substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the current accounting literature. The result of retaining a distinction between finance leases and operating leases is that under the lessee accounting model in Topic 842, the effect of leases in a statement of operations and a statement of cash flows is largely unchanged from previous GAAP. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier adoption is permitted. Although the Company has not finalized its process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the ASU on its financial statements, the Company expects there will not be a material increase to assets and liabilities on the Company's balance sheet for leases currently classified as operating leases.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01 "Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." ASU 2016-01 amends various aspects of the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure for financial instruments. With respect to the Company's financial statements, the most significant impact relates to the accounting for equity investments. It will impact the disclosure and presentation of financial assets and liabilities. ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption by public entities is permitted only for certain provisions. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this guidancewill have a material impact on its financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17 "Income Taxes: Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes." ASU 2015-17 simplifies the balance sheet classification of deferred taxes and requires that all deferred taxes be presented as noncurrent. ASU 2015-17 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Company's financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (Topic 606) "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." Topic 606 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 605, "Revenue Recognition", and requires entities to recognize revenue when they transfer control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company is currently assessing the method of adoption and the impact this new guidance will have on its financial statements. The Company expects to adopt these standards using the modified retrospective method. The timing of revenue recognition for variable consideration under our licensing and collaboration agreements may be different as a result of this new guidance. The Company is reviewing its licensing agreement for variable consideration, and if any such consideration exists, whether it should be estimated and recognized earlier than under the current revenue guidance.

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASU 2015-14") which deferred the effective date by one year to December 15, 2017 for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after that date and allows for adoption using a full retrospective method, or a modified retrospective method. The Company will adopt the new standard in its first quarter 2018 using the modified retrospective method and is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its financial statements.