Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

NOTE 6 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Lease Agreements

The Company has entered into operating leases for office and laboratory space. On January 1, 2019 ("Effective Date"), the Company adopted ASC Topic 842, Leases ("ASC 842"), which increases transparency and comparability by recognizing a lessee's rights and obligations resulting from leases by recording them on the balance sheet as lease assets and lease liabilities. The new guidance requires the recognition of the right-of-use ("ROU") assets and related operating lease liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective approach on January 1, 2019.

The adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 did not result in the recognition of ROU assets as the Company did not have any leases at that time with a term of twelve months or more. However, on January 9, 2020, subsequent to the reverse merger and private placements, it became reasonably certain that the Company would maintain its quarter-to-quarter lease with its contract development and manufacturing organization for its manufacturing space for a term of approximately eight years, therefore resulting in the recognition of an ROU asset and related operating lease liability.

For contracts entered into on or after the Effective Date, at the inception of a contract the Company will assess whether the contract is, or contains, a lease. The Company's assessment is based on: (i) whether the contract involves the use of a distinct identified asset, (ii) whether the Company obtained the right to substantially all the economic benefit from the use of the asset throughout the period, and (iii) whether the Company has the right to direct the use of the asset. Leases entered into prior to January 1, 2019, which were accounted for under ASC 840, were not reassessed for classification.

For operating leases, the lease liability is initially and subsequently measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments. The Company generally uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate for leases, unless an interest rate is implicitly stated in the lease. The present value of the lease payments is calculated using the incremental borrowing rate for operating leases, which was determined using a rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term. The lease term for the Company's lease includes the noncancellable period of the lease plus any additional periods covered by either a Company option to extend the lease that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise, or an option to extend the lease controlled by the lessor. ROU assets, once recorded, are reviewed for impairment.

Lease expense for operating leases consists of the lease payments plus any initial direct costs and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Balance sheet information related to our leases is presented below:

	Balance Sheet Location	March 31, 2020		January 9, 2020		December 31, 2019
Operating leases:
Right-of-use assets	Right-of-use assets	$	391,519	$	403,161	$	-
Right-of-use liability, current	Right-of-use liability, current		24,727		9,195		-
Right-of-use lease liability, long-term	Right-of-use lease liability, long-term		386,538		393,966		-

On March 1, 2020, the Company entered into new month-to-month lease agreements for three additional office spaces at monthly rents of $4,890, $1,270 and $7,200.

The following provides details of the Company's lease expense:

	For the three months ended March 31, 2020
Lease cost
Operating lease cost	$	19,746
Short-term lease cost		59,260
Total	$	79,006

Other information related to leases is presented below:

	As of March 31, 2020
Other information
Weighted-average discount rate – operating leases		12.00	%
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating lease (in months)		96

The Company's future minimum lease payments consists solely of its quarter-to-quarter obligation for its manufacturing space. On January 9, 2020, subsequent to the reverse merger and private placements, it became reasonably certain that the Company would maintain its quarter-to-quarter lease for its manufacturing space for a term of approximately eight years.

As of March 31, 2020, the expected annual minimum lease payments of our operating lease liability was as follows:

For Years Ending December 31,	Operating lease
2020 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2020)	$	53,745
2021		77,460
2022		79,008
2023		80,586
2024		82,200
Thereafter		278,613
Total future minimum lease payments,  undiscounted		651,612
Less: Imputed interest		240,347
Present value of future minimum lease payments	$	411,265

Employment Agreements

Executive Employment Agreements

In connection with the consummation of the Merger, Jesse Shefferman, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, had his base salary increased from $365,000 to $510,000 and Jacqueline Zummo, the Company's Head of Operations and Medical Affairs, had her base salary increased from $305,000 to $325,000. The Company also entered into an employment agreement with Blaine Davis to become the Company's Chief Financial Officer on January 31, 2020, effective as of February 11, 2020, for a base salary of $385,000, and with Julio Casoy to become the Company's Chief Medical Officer, on February 6, 2020, for a base salary of $400,000. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, Mr. Shefferman, Dr. Zummo and Dr. Casoy received bonus payments of $259,688, $95,313, $115,500, respectively, which were included in research and development expenses of $210,813 and in general and administrative expenses of $259,688, in such period.

Temporary Employment Agreement

On December 6, 2018, the Company entered into a temporary employment agreement (the "Temporary Employment Agreement") with an individual who assisted with certain corporate development activities. Pursuant to the Temporary Employment Agreement, the individual was entitled to receive an annual base salary of $90,000. In addition, the individual would be entitled to a performance-based success fee which would be adjusted based on amounts of funding achieved and timing of when such funding was received. On January 9, 2020, the Company's capital raise triggered a performance-based compensation obligation and accordingly this individual was paid $462,500.

Product License and Clinical Services Agreements

Alan L. Buchman and Choline License Agreement

On September 27, 2017, the Company entered into a license agreement (the "Choline License Agreement") with Alan L. Buchman ("Dr. Buchman"). Pursuant to the Choline License Agreement, the Company received from Dr. Buchman the license rights in and to the "Licensed Orphan Designations", the "Licensed IND", "Existing Study Data" and the "Licensed Know-How" for one or more of the licensed indications. In consideration for the rights and licenses granted, Dr. Buchman received a payment of $50,000 on October 2, 2017, and license payments of $50,000 and $50,000 on December 12, 2018 and January 8, 2019, respectively, upon the Company meeting the criteria for certain meetings to be held with the Federal Drug Administration (the "FDA"). Pursuant to the Choline License Agreement, effective October 2017, the Company incurred a fixed obligation to Dr. Buchman of $400,000 (the "Choline License Fee"). Upon the Company receiving $5,000,000 in cumulative funding (as defined), Dr. Buchman would be entitled to receive payment of the Choline License Fee as a lump sum if the funds are received by April 15, 2019 and the Choline License Fee shall be increased to a one-time payment of $600,000 if the funds are received by October 15, 2019. On October 2, 2019, the Company made a payment of $50,000 to Dr. Buchman. On January 22, 2020, in connection with the closing of the Merger and concurrent financing, Dr. Buchman was paid $550,000 which was included in accrued expenses as of December 31, 2019.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded R&D expense of $0 and $0, respectively, for expenditures to Dr. Buchman in connection with obligations under the Choline License Agreement.

The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

On December 22, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement (the "Feinstein Agreement") with The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research (the "Feinstein Institute"), a not-for-profit corporation with 50 research labs and 2,500 clinical research studies. Pursuant to the Feinstein Agreement, the Company acquired an exclusive license relating to treatment of fatty liver diseases in humans for which Choline may be an effective therapeutic. In consideration for the rights and license granted, the Feinstein Institute would receive a royalty of one percent (1%) of the first one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) of net sales of IV Choline Chloride and a royalty of one and one-half percent (1.5%) of all net sales thereafter. In addition, the Company would pay the Feinstein Institute twelve and one-half percent (12.5%) of net proceeds resulting from agreements entered within 2 years from the Effective Date, and seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of net proceeds resulting from agreements entered into thereafter. Pursuant to the Feinstein Agreement additional payments would be due to the Feinstein Institute for license maintenance payments and for meeting milestone events. On January 9, 2020, the Company's raising of over $5,000,000 triggered a financing milestone obligation and accordingly the Feinstein Institute was paid $100,000. Pursuant to the Feinstein Agreement, upon the achievement of certain future new drug application milestones, the Company would be obligated to remit an aggregate of $275,000.

During the years three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, in connection with the Feinstein Agreement, the Company recorded Research and Development expense of $100,000 and $0, respectively.

The University of Iowa

On November 28, 2018, the Company entered into a sponsored research and license agreement (the "Iowa Agreement") with the University of Iowa. Pursuant to the Iowa Agreement, the University of Iowa which is engaged in clinical research to improve the diagnosis and treatment of lymphangioma using a pharmaceutical product (Ok-432) would assist the Company in collecting case reports forms, source data, and safety data available to the University of Iowa in support of the development of the Company's proprietary Streptococcus Pyogenes investigational product, TARA-002. During the term of the services, the Company would pay the University of Iowa thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) per year to fund the project, plus additional amounts upon the realization of certain milestones. More specifically, upon forty-five (45) days of an approval of the TARA-002 by the FDA, the Company would pay up to $1,750,000 to the University of Iowa for meeting their milestones. Furthermore, the Company would pay the University of Iowa royalties of up to 1.75% for net sales ranging from $0 - $25,000,000, 2.25% for net sales ranging from $25,000,000+ to $50,000,000, and 2.50% for net sales of $50,000,000+. Pursuant to the Iowa Agreement, the University of Iowa would be entitled to additional payments for annual net sales payments as per the following milestones. For annual net sales of product up to $25,000,000; $62,500; for annual net sales of product of up to $50,000,000; $62,500; and for annual net sales of product of up to $100,000,000; $125,000.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, in connection with the Iowa Agreement, the Company recorded Research and Development expense of $7,500 and $7,500, respectively.

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., LTD 

On June 17, 2019, the Company entered into an agreement (the "Chugai Pharmaceutical Agreement") with Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., LTD ("Chugai"), a drug manufacturing firm with offices and operations in Japan. Pursuant to the Chugai Pharmaceutical Agreement, Chugai would help the Company in its goals to develop and commercialize a therapeutic product (the "New Product") which is comparable to the Chugai existing therapeutic product (the "Existing Product"). In addition, the Company would be entitled to the use of Chugai materials and technical support as necessary. The Company is obligated to Chugai for certain payments upon the completion of agreed upon milestones. As of December 31, 2019, Chugai fulfilled its performance obligation upon which the Company recorded an obligation of $500,000. The Company has agreed to pay Chugai a portion for performance in July 2020, and the remaining majority of the payments will come upon the FDA's approval of the product.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded Research and Development expense of $0 and $0, respectively.

Johns Hopkins University

In February 2002, Proteon entered into an agreement to license certain intellectual property in connection with vonapanitase with Johns Hopkins University. The agreement calls for payments to be made by the Company upon the commencement of vonapanitase related product sales, in the form of a royalty of 2.5% on net sales of the product. As of March 31, 2020 the Company has not commenced vonapanitase product sales and therefore has recognized no royalties on product sales.

Litigation

From time to time, Protara may be subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities.

Between November 15 and December 23, 2019, four lawsuits were filed in federal court against Proteon, ArTara, Merger Sub and the individual members of the Proteon Board (captioned Patrick Plumley v. Proteon Therapeutics, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:19-cv-02143-UNA (D. Del. filed 11/15/19)); Jeffrey Teow v. Proteon Therapeutics, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:19-cv-06745 (E.D.N.Y., filed 11/30/19); Neil Lanteigne v. Proteon Therapeutics, et al., Case No. 1:19-cv-12436 (D. Mass., filed 12/03/19); Stephen Wagner v. Proteon Therapeutics, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:19-cv-02343 (D. Del., filed 12/23/19). The Plumley complaint was brought as a purported class action lawsuit. All four lawsuits alleged that the definitive proxy statement in the preliminary registration statement on Form S-4 filed by Proteon on November 7, 2019 with the SEC in connection with the proposed Merger (the "Proxy Statement") omitted material information with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, rendering it false and misleading in violation of Sections 14(a) (and Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The plaintiffs in each of the four lawsuits sought, among other things, injunctive relief, rescission, declaratory relief and unspecified monetary damages. On December 31, 2019, Proteon filed an amendment to the Proxy Statement on Form 8-K, which contained certain supplemental disclosures intended to moot the plaintiffs' disclosure claims. On January 9, 2020, Proteon held a special meeting of its stockholders, at which the Company's stockholders approved the Merger. On January 27, 2020, plaintiff in the Lanteigne action voluntarily dismissed his case. On February 3, 2020, plaintiff in the Plumley action voluntarily dismissed his case. On February 7, 2020, plaintiff in the Teow action voluntarily dismissed his case. On February 10, 2020, plaintiff in the Wagner action dismissed his case.

Counsel for plaintiffs have requested, and the parties have engaged in negotiations regarding, an award of attorney's fees in connection with the supplemental disclosures filed by the Company to moot plaintiffs' claims in these actions. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded a charge of $170,000 related to the fee demand, which is included in general and administrative expenses within the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Other

The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. Management is of the opinion that the ultimate outcome of these matters would not have a material adverse impact on the financial position of the Company or the results of its operations.

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts in which it makes representations and warranties regarding the performance of its services and that its services will not infringe on third party intellectual rights. There have been no significant events related to such representations and warranties in which the Company believes the outcome could result in losses or penalties in the future.