Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies

Lease

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had offices in New York, NY with an $8,400 monthly payment. The lease expires in September 2015.

In January 2015, the Company entered into a lease in San Francisco, CA with an $36,145 monthly payment. The lease expires in December 2016.

Employment agreements

On January 15, 2014, the Company entered into an employment agreement with each of its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, with an effective date of December 22, 2013. Each agreement has a term of two years and will be automatically extended for additional one-year periods unless the Company notifies the officer at least 180 days prior to the then current expiration date that it intends to not extend the employment agreement. The employment agreements provide for a base salary of $475,000 per year for the Chief Executive Officer and $300,000 for the Chief Financial Officer, and an annual discretionary bonus of up to 50% of the officer’s base salary based on financial, clinical development and business milestones established by the Board of Directors. In connection with the Assembly Merger, the Company amended the Chief Executive Officer’s employment agreement. Pursuant to the amendment, the Chief Executive Officer will continue to serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. However, after the Assembly Merger, at any time the Company’s Board may appoint the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer as Chief Executive Officer. In such event, the Chief Executive Officer will become the Executive Chair, and his employment as Chief Executive Officer will end. In December 2014, the compensation committee approved a change of base salary to $350,000 per year for the Chief Financial Officer.

In connection with the Assembly Merger, effective July 11, 2014, the Company entered into employment agreements with its President and Chief Operating Officer, its Chief Medical Officer, and its Chief Scientific Officer. The President’s employment agreement has a term of two years and will be automatically extended for additional one-year periods unless the Company notifies the President at least 180 days prior to the then current expiration date that it intends to not extend the employment agreement. The other two employment agreements provide for at-will employment, subject to payment of severance benefits depending on the circumstances of termination. The employment agreements provide for a base salary of $350,000 per year for the President, $290,000 per year for the Chief Medical Officer and $315,000 per year for the Chief Scientific Officer. Each employee is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus based on achievement of financial, clinical development and business milestones established by the Board of Directors, with the President eligible for a bonus of up to 50% of his base salary, and the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Officer eligible for a bonus of up to 30% of their respective base salaries. The President and the Chief Medical Officer also received a retention bonus payable after three months of employment in the amount of $150,000 and $100,000, respectively.

Litigation

In June 2012, the Company announced that its product iferanserin (VEN 309), failed to meet its end point at the completion of its Phase III clinical trial. In May 2013 two purported class action lawsuits alleging violations of the federal securities laws were filed in New York against the Company, two of its executive officers and the lead underwriter of its initial public offering. The lawsuits included allegations that, during the class period between December 17, 2010 and June 25, 2012, the Company and its executive officers and underwriter made various statements related to the Company’s product, iferanserin (VEN 309), including but not limited to, the market for the product, the potential competitors, and the results of clinical trials, thereby inflating the price of our common stock. The complaints sought unspecified damages, interest, attorneys’ fees, and other costs. On July 23, 2013, the Court consolidated the actions and appointed lead plaintiffs and lead counsel. On September 16, 2013, lead plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint. On November 22, 2013, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint (the “Motion to Dismiss”).

On May 5, 2014, the Court granted the Motion to Dismiss and dismissed the class action with prejudice.

On May 19, 2014, lead plaintiffs filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the Court’s order dismissing the class action with prejudice (the “Motion for Reconsideration”). On July 2, 2014, the Court entered an order denying the Motion for Reconsideration. Lead plaintiffs had until August 2, 2014 to file notice of an appeal, but no appeal was filed.