Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Nephros International Limited.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of consolidated 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 reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amount of revenues and expenses, during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.  Included in these estimates are assumptions about the valuation of the warrant liability, the collection of accounts receivable, value of inventories, useful life of fixed assets and intangible assets, assumptions used in determining stock compensation such as expected volatility and risk-free interest rate and the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications were made to the prior year’s amounts to conform to the 2015 presentation.

Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company’s recurring losses and difficulty in generating sufficient cash flow to meet its obligations and sustain its operations raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The Company’s consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

The Company has incurred significant losses from operations in each quarter since inception. In addition, the Company has not generated positive cash flow from operations for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. To become profitable, the Company must increase revenue substantially and achieve and maintain income from operations. If the Company is not able to increase revenue and generate income from operations sufficiently to achieve profitability, its results of operations and financial condition will be materially and adversely affected.

On December 23, 2015, the Company received proceeds of approximately $688,000 in connection with its offer to holders of certain warrants of the opportunity to exercise their warrants at a temporarily reduced cash exercise price. Warrant holders elected to exercise warrants to purchase an aggregate of 3,442,521 shares of the Company’s common stock at the reduced cash exercise price of $0.20 per share, providing a total of approximately $688,000 in gross proceeds to the Company. Of the 3,442,521 shares issued, 2,782,577 are held by Lambda Investors LLC (“Lambda”). The warrants that were not exercised pursuant to the offer to exercise will remain in effect, with an exercise price of $0.40 per share of common stock.

On September 29, 2015, the Company issued 11,742,100 shares of common stock to Lambda for warrants exercised and received approximately $1.76 million in cash proceeds. The exercise price for each warrant was $0.15. See Note 3 for further discussion.

On July 24, 2015, the Company entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), together with a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC (“Lincoln Park”), pursuant to which the Company has the right to sell and Lincoln Park has the obligation to purchase up to $10.0 million of the Company’s common stock. In connection with the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued to Lincoln Park 250,000 shares of common stock for no proceeds. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, in September 2015, the Company issued and sold 300,000 shares of common stock to Lincoln Park at a per share purchase price of $0.45, resulting in gross proceeds of $135,000, see Note 11 – Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit).

On May 18, 2015, the Company raised gross proceeds of $1.23 million through the private placement of 1,834,299 units of its securities. Each unit consisted of one share of its common stock and a five-year warrant to purchase one-half of one share of the Company’s common stock. The purchase price for each unit was $0.67. The 917,149 warrants issued are exercisable at a price of $0.85 per share, see Note 11 – Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit).

The Company expects that the proceeds from the Lambda Class D warrant exercise and the additional warrant exercises that resulted from the tender offer and the projected increases in product sales will allow the Company to fund its operations at least into the third quarter of 2016, and potentially longer depending on the timing and market up-take of our new products. This assumption excludes the impact of future cash receipts from recurring operations. There can be no assurance that the Company’s future cash flow will be sufficient to meet its obligations and commitments. If the Company is unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service its commitments, the Company will be required to adopt alternatives, such as seeking to raise debt or equity capital, curtailing its planned activities or ceasing its operations. There can be no assurance that any such actions could be effected on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms or at all, or that these actions would enable the Company to continue to satisfy its capital requirements.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company deposits its cash in financial institutions. At times, such deposits may be in excess of insured limits. To date, the Company has not experienced any impairment losses on its cash.

Major Customers

For the year ended December 31, 2015, four customers accounted for 64% of our revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2014, three customers accounted for 78% of our revenues. As of December 31, 2015 three customers accounted for 71% of our accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2014, three customers accounted for 83% of our accounts receivable.

Accounts Receivable

The Company provides credit terms to customers in connection with purchases of the Company’s products. Management periodically reviews customer account activity in order to assess the adequacy of the allowances provided for potential collection issues and returns. Factors considered include economic conditions, each customer’s payment and return history and credit worthiness. Adjustments, if any, are made to reserve balances following the completion of these reviews to reflect management’s best estimate of potential losses.  The allowance for doubtful accounts was approximately $15,000 and $1,000 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There was no allowance for sales returns at December 31, 2015 or 2014.  There were no write offs of accounts receivable to bad debt expense during 2015 or 2014. 

Inventory

The Company engages third parties to manufacture and package inventory held for sale, takes title to certain inventory once manufactured, and warehouses such goods until packaged for final distribution and sale. Inventory consists of finished goods held at the manufacturers’ facilities, and are valued at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method.

The Company’s inventory reserve requirements are based on factors including the products’ expiration date and estimates for the future sales of the product. If estimated sales levels do not materialize, the Company will make adjustments to its assumptions for inventory reserve requirements.

In March 2014, the Company requested the closeout of its October 2013 voluntary product recall.  The Company destroyed the respective product in April 2014.

License and Supply Rights

The Company’s rights under the License and Supply Agreement are capitalized and stated at cost, less accumulated amortization and are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the License and Supply Agreement. The License and Supply Agreement term is from April 23, 2012 through December 31, 2022. The Company determines amortization periods for licenses based on its assessment of various factors impacting estimated useful lives and cash flows of the acquired rights. Such factors include the expected launch date of the product, the strength of the intellectual property protection of the product and various other competitive, developmental and regulatory issues, and contractual terms.

Patents

The Company has filed numerous patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in foreign countries. All costs and direct expenses incurred in connection with patent applications have been expensed as incurred and are included in Selling, General and Administrative expenses on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment, net is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  These assets are depreciated over their estimated useful lives of three to seven years using the straight line method.

Impairment for Long-Lived Assets

The Company adheres to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 360 and periodically evaluates whether current facts or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of its depreciable assets to be held and used may not be recoverable. If such circumstances are determined to exist, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows produced by the long-lived assets, or the appropriate grouping of assets, is compared to the carrying value to determine whether impairment exists. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured based on the difference between the asset’s fair value and its carrying value. For long-lived assets, the estimate of fair value is based on various valuation techniques, including a discounted value of estimated future cash flows. The Company reports an asset to be disposed of at the lower of its carrying value or its fair value less costs to sell. There were no impairment losses for long-lived assets recorded for the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. See Note 3 for information on the fair value of derivative liabilities.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC Topic 605.  Four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (iii) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.

The Company recognizes revenue related to product sales when delivery is confirmed by its external logistics provider and the other criteria of ASC Topic 605 are met. Product revenue is recorded net of returns and allowances.  All costs and duties relating to delivery are absorbed by Nephros. All shipments are currently received directly by the Company’s customers.

Deferred revenue was approximately $417,000 and $487,000 on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is related to the License Agreement with Bellco. The Company has recognized approximately $2,659,000 of revenue related to this license agreement to date, including approximately $70,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015,

resulting in $417,000 being deferred over the remainder of the expected obligation period (see Note 13). The Company recognized approximately $834,000 of revenue related to this license agreement for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Beginning on January 1, 2015, Bellco began paying the Company a royalty based on the number of units of certain products sold per year, (see Note 13). For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized royalty income of approximately $84,000.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs charged to customers are recorded as cost of goods sold and were approximately $12,000 and $4,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation

The fair value of stock options is recognized as stock-based compensation expense in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company calculates employee stock-based compensation expense in accordance with ASC 718. The Company accounts for stock option grants to consultants under the provisions of ASC 505-50, and as such, these stock options are revalued at each reporting period through the vesting period. The fair value of the Company’s stock option awards are estimated using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions and elections including expected stock price volatility and the estimated life of each award. In addition, the calculation of compensation costs requires that the Company estimate the number of awards that will be forfeited during the vesting period. The fair value of stock-based awards is amortized over the vesting period of the award. 

Warrants

The Company accounts for stock warrants as either equity instruments or derivative liabilities depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. Stock warrants that allow for cash settlement or provide for anti-dilution of the warrant exercise price under certain conditions are accounted for as derivative liabilities. The Company classifies derivative warrant liabilities on the balance sheet as a liability, which is revalued using a binomial options pricing model at each balance sheet date subsequent to the initial issuance. A binomial options pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions and elections including expected stock price volatility and the estimated life of each award. The changes in fair value of the derivative warrant liabilities are remeasured at each balance sheet date and the resulting changes in fair value are recorded in current period earnings.

Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs

The Company accounts for debt issuance costs in accordance with ASC 835, which allows that costs paid directly to the issuer of the notes be reported in the balance sheet as a debt discount and amortized over the term of the associated debt. Debt issuance costs associated with the senior secured note issued to Lambda on August 29, 2014 were $178,000. All of these costs, in addition to the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs related to the senior secured note issued to Lambda on November 12, 2013 of $142,000, were amortized as of December 31, 2014 and are included in interest expense on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Other Income (Expense), net

Other income of approximately $37,000 and $58,000, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is due to foreign currency transaction gains. 

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, which requires accounting for deferred income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable in future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities.

For financial reporting purposes, the Company has incurred a loss in each period since its inception. Based on available objective evidence, including the Company’s history of losses, management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will not be fully realizable. Accordingly, the Company provided for a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

ASC Topic 740 prescribes, among other things, a recognition threshold and measurement attributes for the financial statement recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a company’s income tax return.  ASC 740 utilizes a two-step approach for evaluating uncertain tax positions.  Step one, or recognition, requires a company to determine if the weight of available evidence indicates a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any.  Step two, or measurement, is based on the largest amount of benefit, which is more likely than not to be realized on settlement with the taxing authority.  The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities for all tax years subsequent to 2011. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized no adjustments for uncertain tax positions.  However, management’s conclusions regarding this policy may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, on-going analyses of and changes to tax laws, regulation and interpretations, thereof.

Net Income (loss) per Common Share

Basic income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the number of weighted average common shares issued and outstanding.  Diluted earnings (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares issued and outstanding for the period, plus amounts representing the dilutive effect from the exercise of stock options and warrants, as applicable. The Company calculates dilutive potential common shares using the treasury stock method, which assumes the Company will use the proceeds from the exercise of stock options and warrants to repurchase shares of common stock to hold in its treasury stock reserves.

The following securities have been excluded from the dilutive per share computation as they are antidilutive:

	December 31,
	2015		2014
Shares underlying options outstanding		4,303,638		2,472,234
Shares underlying warrants outstanding		2,482,563		16,752,915
Unvested restricted stock		501,182		132,077

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign currency translation is recognized in accordance with ASC Topic 830.  The functional currency of Nephros International Limited is the Euro and its translation gains and losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. The balance sheet is translated at the year-end rate. The statement of operations is translated at the weighted average rate for the year.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss), as defined in ASC 220, is the total of net income (loss) and all other non-owner changes in equity (or other comprehensive income (loss)). The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) consists only of foreign currency translation adjustments.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” related to revenue recognition. The underlying principle of the new standard is that a business or other organization will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects to be entitled to in exchange for the goods or services. The standard also requires more detailed disclosures and provides additional guidance for transactions that were not addressed completely in prior accounting guidance. ASU 2014-09 provides alternative methods of initial adoption, and was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption was not permitted. In August, 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date”. The amendment in this ASU defers the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 for all entities for one year. Public business entities, certain not-for-profit entities, and certain employee benefit plans should apply the guidance in ASU 2014-09 to fiscal years beginning December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that fiscal year. Earlier application is permitted only as of fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2016, including interim reporting periods with that fiscal year. The Company is currently reviewing the revised guidance and assessing the potential impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.” ASU 2014-15 provides guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and sets rules for how this information should be disclosed in the financial statements. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating any impact the adoption of ASU 2014-15 might have on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 2015-03): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” related to the presentation requirements for debt issuance costs and debt discount and premium. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by ASU 2015-03. ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments in ASU 2015-03 is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The Company does not believe that the adoption of ASU 2015-03 will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory,” that requires inventory be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value and options that currently exist for market value be eliminated. The standard defines net realizable value as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. The guidance should be applied prospectively. The Company does not believe that the adoption of ASU 2015-11 will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, “Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements” which clarifies the presentation requirements for debt issuance costs discussed in ASU 2015-03 as they relate to line-of-credit arrangements. The Securities and Exchnage Commission (“SEC”) will not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The Company does not believe that the adoption of ASU 2015-15 will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes,” that requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The current requirement that deferred tax liabilities and assets of a tax-paying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount is not affected by this amendment. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted and the standard may be applied either retrospectively or on a prospective basis to all deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company does not believe that the adoption of ASU 2015-17 will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” that modifies certain aspects of the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The accounting standard update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on its financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases”, that discusses how an entity should account for lease assets and lease liabilities. The guidance specifies that an entity who is a lessee under lease agreements should recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for those leases classified as operating leases under previous FASB guidance. Accounting for leases by lessors is largely unchanged under the new guidance. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2019. Early adoption is permitted. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.