2. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements represent the consolidation of the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Recent Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition” and some cost guidance included in ASC Subtopic 605-35, “Revenue Recognition - Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts.” The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that revenue is recognized when the transfer of control of goods or services to customers occurs in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 requires the disclosure of sufficient information to enable readers of the Company’s financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. ASU 2014-09 also requires disclosure of information regarding significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU 2014-09 provides two methods of retrospective application. The first method would require the Company to apply ASU 2014-09 to each prior reporting period presented. The second method would require the Company to retrospectively apply ASU 2014-09 with the cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application. Since the Company is an emerging growth company and elected to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act, this ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2019 as a result of ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date,” which was issued by the FASB in August 2015 and extended the original effective date by one year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the available methodologies of ASU 2014-09 and 2015-14 upon its consolidated financial statements in future reporting periods. The Company is also in the process of evaluating the new standard against its existing revenue recognition accounting policies to determine the effect the guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and what changes to systems and controls may be warranted.

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-04: “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”), which removes Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. It is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment test performed with a measurement date after January 1, 2017. The Company has adopted this standard and its impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures was immaterial.

In May 2017, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-09: Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting which clarifies which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. The standard is effective beginning after December 15, 2017; early adoption is permitted. The Company has adopted this standard and its impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures was immaterial.

In July 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-11, Earnings per Share (Topic 260), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). ASU 2017-11 consists of two parts. The amendments in Part I of this Update change the classification analysis of certain equity-linked financial instruments (or embedded features) with down round features. When determining whether certain financial instruments should be classified as liabilities or equity instruments, a down round feature no longer precludes equity classification when assessing whether the instrument is indexed to an entity’s own stock. The amendments also clarify existing disclosure requirements for equity-classified instruments. As a result, a freestanding equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded conversion option) no longer would be accounted for as a derivative liability at fair value as a result of the existence of a down round feature. For freestanding equity classified financial instruments, the amendments require entities that present earnings per share (EPS) in accordance with Topic 260 to recognize the effect of the down round feature when it is triggered. That effect is treated as a dividend and as a reduction of income available to common shareholders in basic EPS. Convertible instruments with embedded conversion options that have down round features are now subject to the specialized guidance for contingent beneficial conversion features (in Subtopic 470-20, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options), including related EPS guidance (in Topic 260). The amendments in Part II of this Update re-characterize the indefinite deferral of certain provisions of Topic 480 that now are presented as pending content in the Codification, to a scope exception. Those amendments do not have an accounting effect. For public business entities, the amendments in Part I of this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. For all other entities, the amendments in Part I of this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for all entities, 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. The amendments in Part II of this Update do not require any transition guidance because those amendments do not have an accounting effect. The Company is in the process of evaluating this ASU and adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Segment Information

Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, the Chief Executive Officer, in making decisions regarding resource allocation and assessing performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business as one operating segment.

Use of Estimates

In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, management is required 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, as well as the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Due to inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results may differ from these estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include valuing equity securities in share-based payments, estimating fair value of equity instruments recorded as derivative liabilities, estimating the useful lives of depreciable and amortizable assets, valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, goodwill impairment, and estimating the fair value of long-lived assets to assess whether impairment charges may apply.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Cash is a financial instrument that potentially subjects the Company to concentrations of credit risk. For all periods presented, substantially all of the Company’s cash was deposited in an account at a single financial institution that management believes is creditworthy. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of default by these financial institutions for amounts in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limits. The Company maintains its cash at a high quality financial institution and has not incurred any losses to date.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company is required to disclose information on all assets and liabilities reported at fair value that enables an assessment of the inputs used in determining the reported fair values. FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), establishes a hierarchy of inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy applies only to the valuation inputs used in determining the reported fair value of the investments and is not a measure of the investment credit quality. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 — Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 — Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 — Valuations that require inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The fair value of the Company’s convertible notes was determined using current applicable rates for similar instruments with similar conversion and settlement features as of the balance sheet dates. The carrying value of the Company’s convertible notes payable approximated their fair value considering their short-term maturity dates and that the stated interest rate was near current market rates for instruments with similar conversion and settlement features. The fair value of the Company’s convertible notes and warrant liabilities were determined using “Level 3” inputs.

Common Stock Warrants

The Company classifies as equity any warrants that (i) require physical settlement or net-share settlement or (ii) provide the Company with a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in its own shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement). The Company classifies as assets or liabilities any warrants that (i) require net-cash settlement (including a requirement to net cash settle the contract if an event occurs and if that event is outside the Company’s control), (ii) gives the counterparty a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement) or (iii) that contain reset provisions that do not qualify for the scope exception. The Company assesses classification of its common stock warrants and other freestanding derivatives at each reporting date to determine whether a change in classification between assets and liabilities is required. The Company’s freestanding derivatives consist of warrants to purchase common stock that were issued in connection with its (i) convertible preferred stock, (ii) private placement, (iii) term loan, (iv) consulting services and (v) underwriting and representative services. The Company evaluated these warrants to assess their proper classification and determined that the common stock warrants meet the criteria for equity or liability classification in the balance sheet. The warrants classified as liability are initially recorded at fair value, with gains and losses arising from changes in fair value recognized in other income (expense) in the statements of operations at each period end while such instruments remain outstanding.

Convertible Instruments

The Company accounts for hybrid contracts that feature conversion options in accordance with applicable GAAP. Accounting Standards Codification 815 “Derivatives and Hedging Activities,” (“ASC 815”) requires companies to bifurcate conversion options from their host instruments and account for them as freestanding derivative financial instruments according to certain criteria. The criteria includes circumstances in which (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract, (b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not re-measured at fair value under otherwise applicable GAAP with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur and (c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument.

Conversion options that contain variable settlement features such as provisions to adjust the conversion price upon subsequent issuances of equity or equity linked securities at exercise prices more favorable than that featured in the hybrid contract generally result in their bifurcation from the host instrument.

The Company accounts for convertible instruments, when the Company has determined that the embedded conversion options should not be bifurcated from their host instruments, in accordance with ASC 470-20 “Debt with Conversion and Other Options” (“ASC 470-20”). Under ASC 470-20 the Company records, when necessary, discounts to convertible notes for the intrinsic value of conversion options embedded in debt instruments based upon the differences between the fair value of the underlying common stock at the commitment date of the note transaction and the effective conversion price embedded in the note. The Company accounts for convertible instruments (when the Company has determined that the embedded conversion options should be bifurcated from their host instruments) in accordance with ASC 815. Under ASC 815, a portion of the proceeds received upon the issuance of the hybrid contract are allocated to the fair value of the derivative. The derivative is subsequently marked to market at each reporting date based on current fair value, with the changes in fair value reported in results of operations.

The conversion features of the Notes Payable to Stockholders did not qualify as an embedded derivative instrument and bifurcated from the host convertible debentures was not necessary.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are held in U.S. banks and consist of liquid investments and money market funds with a maturity from date of purchase of 90 days or less that are readily convertible into cash.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash represents cash held in a depository account at a financial institution to collateralize a conditional stand-by letter of credit related to the Company’s Lexington, Massachusetts, office and laboratory facility lease agreement. Restricted cash is reported as non-current unless the restrictions are expected to be released in the next 12 months.

At December 31, 2017 and 2016 the Company had a $153 letter of credit as a security deposit on its leased office and laboratory facility that carries an automatic annual extension until February 21, 2021 at which time it will expire. The letter of credit is secured by a deposit in a money market account, as well as $51 deposited in a money market account as security for a credit card.

Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Property and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated remaining lease term or the useful lives of the related assets. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred, whereas major improvements are capitalized as additions to property and equipment.

Depreciation is provided over the following estimated useful lives:


Asset Description		Estimated Useful Lives
Laboratory equipment		5 years
Computer equipment		3 years
Office furniture and equipment		5 years
Leasehold improvements		Shorter of estimated useful life or remaining lease term

Upon retirement or sale, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations.

Deferred Rent

Deferred rent, included within accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet, consists of the difference between cash payments and the recognition of rent expense on a straight-line basis for the facilities the Company occupies. The Company’s lease for its Lexington, Massachusetts, facility provides for a rent-free period as well as fixed increases in minimum annual rental payments. The total amount of rental payments due over the lease term is being charged to rent expense ratably over the life of the lease.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with ASC 360. Long-lived assets, other than goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. Application of alternative assumptions, such as changes in estimate of future cash flows, could produce significantly different results. Because of the significance of the judgments and estimation processes, it is likely that materially different amounts could be recorded if we used different assumptions or if the underlying circumstances were to change.

For long-lived assets used in operations, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. The Company measures the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and estimated fair value.

Other than impairment of in-process research & development (“IPR&D”), to date no such impairment have been recognized on long-lived assets other than goodwill (Note 3).

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s principal sources of revenue during the reporting period were income from fees for services and reimbursement of clinical study costs. In all instances, revenue is recognized only when the price is fixed or determinable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, and collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

Milestones

Contingent consideration from research and development activities that is earned upon the achievement of a substantive milestone is recognized in its entirety in the period in which the milestone is achieved. At the inception of each arrangement that includes milestone payments, the Company evaluates whether each milestone is substantive. This evaluation includes an assessment of whether: (a) the consideration is commensurate with either (1) the entity’s performance to achieve the milestone or (2) the enhancement of the value of the delivered item(s) as a result of a specific outcome resulting from the entity’s performance to achieve the milestone, (b) the consideration relates solely to past performance and (c) the consideration is reasonable relative to all of the deliverables and payment terms within the arrangement.

The Company evaluates factors such as the scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial and other risks that must be overcome to achieve the respective milestone, the level of effort and investment required and whether the milestone consideration is reasonable relative to all deliverables and payment terms in the arrangement in making this assessment.

Service revenues

The Company recognized upfront non-refundable fees ratably over the estimated non-contingent portion of the arrangement when the research and development activities related to the initial clinical studies were performed as there is no other discernible pattern of revenue recognition. At the end of each reporting period, the Company reviews and adjusts, if necessary, the amounts recognized in revenue for any change in the estimated non-contingent period over which the research and development activities were performed.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and include: salaries, benefits, bonus, stock-based compensation, license fees, milestone payments due under license agreements, costs paid to third-party contractors to perform research, conduct clinical trials, and develop drug materials and delivery devices; and associated overhead and facilities costs. Clinical trial costs are a significant component of research and development expenses and include costs associated with third-party contractors, clinical research organizations (“CROs”) and clinical manufacturing organizations (“CMOs”). Invoicing from third-party contractors for services performed can lag several months. We accrue the costs of services rendered in connection with third-party contractor activities based on our estimate of management fees, and costs associated with monitoring site and data management.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes all employee share-based compensation as a cost in the consolidated financial statements. Equity-classified awards principally related to stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) which are measured at the grant date fair value of the award. The Company determines grant date fair value of stock option awards using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock awards are determined using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. For service based vesting grants, expense is recognized over the requisite service period based on the number of options or shares expected to ultimately vest. For performance based vesting grants, expense is recognized over the requisite period until the performance obligation is met, assuming that it is probable. No expense is recognized for performance based grants until it is probable the vesting criteria will be satisfied. Forfeitures are estimated at the date of grant and revised when actual or expected forfeiture activity differs materially from original estimates.

Stock-based payments to non-employees are re-measured at each reporting date and recognized as services are rendered, generally on a straight line basis. The Company believes that the fair values of these awards are more reliably measurable than the fair values of the services rendered.

Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed by giving effect to all potential dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding for the period. In periods in which the Company reports a net loss, diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share because common stock equivalents are excluded as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are recorded in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which provides for deferred taxes using an asset and liability approach. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided, if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740. When uncertain tax positions exist, the Company recognizes the tax benefit of tax positions to the extent that the benefit will more likely than not be realized. The determination as to whether the tax benefit will more likely than not be realized is based upon the technical merits of the tax position, as well as consideration of the available facts and circumstances.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“the Act”) was enacted on December 22, 2017. The Act reduces the US federal corporate tax rate from 34% to 21%, requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred and creates new taxes on certain foreign sourced earnings. On December 22, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued guidance under Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“SAB 118”) directing taxpayers to consider the impact of the U.S. legislation as “provisional” when it does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete its accounting for the change in tax law.

At December 31, 2017, the Company has completed its accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the Act, including the effects on its existing deferred tax balances and the one-time transition tax. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized no transition tax (Note 13).

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the difference between the consideration transferred and the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed under the acquisition method of accounting for push-down accounting. Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment within the Company’s single reporting unit on an annual basis, during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company initially performs a qualitative assessment of goodwill which considers macro-economic conditions, industry and market trends, and the current and projected financial performance of the reporting unit. No further analysis is required if it is determined that there is a less than 50 percent likelihood that the carrying value is greater than the fair value. The Company completed a qualitative assessment and determined that there was no impairment of goodwill as of December 31, 2017.

In-process Research & Development

In-process research & development (“IPR&D”) represents the fair value assigned to research and development assets that were not fully developed at the date of acquisition. IPR&D acquired in a business combination or recognized from the application of push-down accounting is capitalized on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at its acquisition-date fair value. Until the project is completed, the assets are accounted for as indefinite-lived intangible assets and subject to impairment testing. Upon completion of a project, the carrying value of the related IPR&D is reclassified to intangible assets and is amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset.

Annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired, the Company is required to prepare an impairment assessment on IPR&D. When performing the impairment assessment, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to recalculate the fair value of its acquired IPR&D. If the Company believes, as a result of the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of acquired IPR&D is less than its carrying amount, it calculates the asset’s fair value. If the carrying value of the Company’s acquired IPR&D exceeds its fair value, then the intangible asset is written down to its fair value.