LICENSES, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
LICENSES, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
LICENSES, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	4. LICENSES, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS We have filed numerous additional patent applications covering various compositions, uses, formulations and other components of Tß4, as well as to novel peptides resulting from our research efforts. Some of these patents have been issued, while many patent applications are still pending. We have also entered into an agreement with a university under the terms of which we have received an exclusive license to technology and intellectual property. The agreement, which is generally cancelable by us, provided for the payment of a license issue fee and/or minimum annual payments. The initial license fee of $25,000 was paid in 2010 and no minimum fees were due for the year ended December 31, 2011. Beginning in 2012, minimum annual maintenance fees are $5,000 annually which was paid in 2012 but has not been paid since. In addition, the agreements provide for payments upon the achievement of certain milestones in product development. The agreement also requires us to fund certain costs associated with the filing and prosecution of patent applications. In February 2013, this agreement was amended to include additional technology and intellectual property. The expanded license does not require payment of an initial license fee or additional annual maintenance fees but will be subject to payments upon the achievement of certain milestones for a product developed under the amended license of the additional technology and intellectual property. All license fees are included in Research and Development in the accompanying statements of operations. In 2012, we entered into a license agreement (the “Agreement”) with Lee’s Pharmaceutical (HK) Limited (“Lee’s”), headquartered in Hong Kong, for the license of Thymosin Beta 4 in any pharmaceutical form, including our RGN-259, RGN-352 and RGN-137 product candidates, in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Under the Agreement, we are eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties, ranging from low double digit to high single digit percentages of any commercial sales of the licensed products. Lee’s will pay for all developmental costs associated with each product candidate. We will provide Tß4 to Lee’s at no charge for a Phase 2 ophthalmic clinical trial and will provide Tß4 to Lee’s for all other developmental and clinical work at a price equal to our cost. We will also have the right to exclusively license any improvements made by Lee’s to RegeneRx’s products outside of the licensed territory. Lee’s paid us $200,000 upon signing of a term sheet in March 2012, and Lee’s paid us an additional $200,000 upon signing of the definitive license agreement. The Company is accounting for the license agreement as a revenue arrangement. Since participation in the joint development committee is required it was deemed to be a material promise. Management has concluded that the participation in the joint development committee is not distinct from other promised goods and services. The Company evaluated the promised goods and services under the agreement and determined that there was one combined performance obligation representing a series of distinct goods and services including the license to research, develop and commercialize Tß4 in any pharmaceutical form and participation in the joint development committee. To date, management has not been able to reasonably measure the outcome of the performance obligation, but still expects to recover the costs incurred in satisfying the performance obligation. Accordingly, the Company has deferred all revenue until such time that it can reasonably measure the outcome of the performance obligation or until the performance obligation becomes onerous. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we have unearned revenue totaling $400,000 pursuant to this Agreement. Revenue will be recognized for future royalty payments as they are earned. In February 2019, the license agreement was amended and assigned by Lee’s to their affiliate, Zhaoke Ophthalmology Pharmaceutical Limited. There are no economic changes to the Agreement. On March 7, 2014, we entered into license agreements with GtreeBNT Co., Ltd. The two Licensing Agreements are for the license of territorial rights to two of our Thymosin Beta 4-based products candidates, RGN-259 and RGN-137. Under the license agreement for RGN-259, our preservative-free eye drop product candidate, GtreeBNT will have the right to develop and commercialize RGN-259 in Asia (excluding China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau). The rights will be exclusive in Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan, and semi-exclusive in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, collectively, the Territory (the “259 Territory”). Under the 259 license agreement we are eligible to receive aggregate potential milestone payments of up to $3.5 million. In addition, we are eligible to receive royalties of a low double digit percentage of any commercial sales of the licensed product sold by GtreeBNT in the 259 Territory. Under the license agreement for RGN-137, our topical dermal gel product candidate, GtreeBNT will have the exclusive right to develop and commercialize RGN-137 in the U.S. (the “137 Territory”). Under the 137 agreement we are eligible to receive aggregate potential milestone payments of up to $3.5 million. In addition, we are eligible to receive royalties of a low double digit percentage of any commercial sales of the Company’s licensed product sold by GtreeBNT in the 137 Territory. In August 2017, we amended the license agreement for RGN-137 held by GtreeBNT. Under the amendment, the 137 Territory was expanded to include Europe, Canada, South Korea, Australia and Japan. Under the agreement, the Company received a series of non-refundable payments and is entitled to receive royalties on the future sales of products. The Company is accounting for the license agreement as a revenue arrangement. Since participation in the joint development committee is required, it was deemed to be a material promise. Management has concluded that the participation in the joint development committee is not distinct from other promised goods and services. The Company evaluated the promised goods and services under the agreement and determined that there was one combined performance obligation representing a series of distinct goods and services including the license to research, develop and commercialize RGN-137 and participation in the joint development committee. Revenue is being recognized on a straight-line basis over a period of 23 years, which, in management’s judgment, is the best measure of progress towards satisfying the performance obligation and represents the Company’s best estimate of the period of the obligation. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we have unearned revenue totaling $649,275 and $684,058, respectively, pursuant to this agreement. Revenue will be recognized for future royalty payments as they are earned. Each license agreement contains diligence provisions that require the initiation of certain clinical trials within certain time periods that, if not met, would result in the loss of rights or exclusivity in certain countries. GtreeBNT will pay for all developmental costs associated with each product candidate. We have the right to exclusively license any improvements made by GtreeBNT to our products outside of the licensed territory on a royalty free basis. The two firms have created a joint development committee and continue to discuss the development of the licensed products and share information relating thereto. Both companies will also share all non-clinical and clinical data and other information related to development of the licensed product candidates. On January 28, 2015, the Company entered into the Joint Venture Agreement with GtreeBNT, a shareholder in the Company. The Joint Venture Agreement provides for the creation of the Joint Venture, jointly owned by the Company and GtreeBNT, which is commercializing RGN-259 for treatment of dry eye and neurotrophic keratitis in the U.S. and Canada. GtreeBNT is solely responsible for funding all the product development and commercialization efforts of the Joint Venture. GtreeBNT made an initial contribution of $3 million in cash and received an initial equity stake of 51%. RegeneRx’s ownership interest in ReGenTree was reduced to 38.5% when the Clinical Study Report was filed for the Phase 2/3 dry eye clinical trial. Based on when, and if, certain additional development milestones are achieved in the U.S. with RGN-259, our equity ownership may be incrementally reduced to between 38.5% and 25%, with 25% being the final equity ownership upon approval of a BLA for DES in the U.S. In addition to our equity ownership, RegeneRx retains a royalty on net sales that varies between single and low double digits, depending on whether commercial sales are made by ReGenTree or a licensee. In the event ReGenTree is acquired or there is a change of control that occurs following achievement of a BLA, RegeneRx shall be entitled to a minimum of 40% of all proceeds paid or payable and will forgo any future royalties. The Company is not required or otherwise obligated to provide financial support to the Joint Venture. The Joint Venture is responsible for executing all development and commercialization activities under the license agreement, which activities will be directed by a joint development committee comprised of representatives of the Company and GtreeBNT. The license agreement has a term that extends to the later of the expiration of the last patent covered by the agreement or 25 years from the first commercial sale under the agreement. The license agreement may be earlier terminated if the Joint Venture fails to meet certain commercialization milestones, if either party breaches the license agreement and fails to cure such breach, as a result of government action that limits the ability of the Joint Venture to commercialize the product, as a result of a challenge to a licensed patent, following termination of the license between the Company and certain agencies of the United States federal government, or upon the bankruptcy of either party. Under the license agreement, the Company received $1.0 million in up-front payments and is entitled to receive royalties on the Joint Venture’s future sales of products. On April 6, 2016, we received $250,000 from ReGenTree and executed an amendment to the license agreement on April 28, 2016. Under the amendment the territorial rights were expanded to include Canada. The Company is accounting for the license agreement with the Joint Venture as a revenue arrangement. Since participation in the joint development committee is required, it was deemed to be a material promise. Management has concluded that the participation in the joint development committee is not distinct from other promised goods and services. The Company evaluated the promised goods and services under the license agreements and determined that there was one combined performance obligation representing a series of distinct goods and services including the license to research, develop and commercialize RGN-259 and participation in the joint development committee. Revenue is being recognized on a straight-line basis over a period of 30 years, which, in management’s judgment, is the best measure of progress towards satisfying the performance obligation and represents the Company’s best estimate of the period of the obligation. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we have unearned revenue totaling $975,288 and $1,017,267, respectively, pursuant to this agreement. Revenue will be recognized for future royalty payments as they are earned.

LICENSES, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

LICENSES, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

LICENSES, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

4. LICENSES, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

We have filed numerous additional patent applications covering various compositions, uses, formulations and other components of Tß4, as well as to novel peptides resulting from our research efforts. Some of these patents have been issued, while many patent applications are still pending.

We have also entered into an agreement with a university under the terms of which we have received an exclusive license to technology and intellectual property. The agreement, which is generally cancelable by us, provided for the payment of a license issue fee and/or minimum annual payments. The initial license fee of $25,000 was paid in 2010 and no minimum fees were due for the year ended December 31, 2011. Beginning in 2012, minimum annual maintenance fees are $5,000 annually which was paid in 2012 but has not been paid since. In addition, the agreements provide for payments upon the achievement of certain milestones in product development. The agreement also requires us to fund certain costs associated with the filing and prosecution of patent applications. In February 2013, this agreement was amended to include additional technology and intellectual property. The expanded license does not require payment of an initial license fee or additional annual maintenance fees but will be subject to payments upon the achievement of certain milestones for a product developed under the amended license of the additional technology and intellectual property.

All license fees are included in Research and Development in the accompanying statements of operations.

In 2012, we entered into a license agreement (the “Agreement”) with Lee’s Pharmaceutical (HK) Limited (“Lee’s”), headquartered in Hong Kong, for the license of Thymosin Beta 4 in any pharmaceutical form, including our RGN-259, RGN-352 and RGN-137 product candidates, in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Under the Agreement, we are eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties, ranging from low double digit to high single digit percentages of any commercial sales of the licensed products. Lee’s will pay for all developmental costs associated with each product candidate. We will provide Tß4 to Lee’s at no charge for a Phase 2 ophthalmic clinical trial and will provide Tß4 to Lee’s for all other developmental and clinical work at a price equal to our cost. We will also have the right to exclusively license any improvements made by Lee’s to RegeneRx’s products outside of the licensed territory. Lee’s paid us $200,000 upon signing of a term sheet in March 2012, and Lee’s paid us an additional $200,000 upon signing of the definitive license agreement. The Company is accounting for the license agreement as a revenue arrangement. Since participation in the joint development committee is required it was deemed to be a material promise. Management has concluded that the participation in the joint development committee is not distinct from other promised goods and services. The Company evaluated the promised goods and services under the agreement and determined that there was one combined performance obligation representing a series of distinct goods and services including the license to research, develop and commercialize Tß4 in any pharmaceutical form and participation in the joint development committee. To date, management has not been able to reasonably measure the outcome of the performance obligation, but still expects to recover the costs incurred in satisfying the performance obligation. Accordingly, the Company has deferred all revenue until such time that it can reasonably measure the outcome of the performance obligation or until the performance obligation becomes onerous. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we have unearned revenue totaling $400,000 pursuant to this Agreement. Revenue will be recognized for future royalty payments as they are earned. In February 2019, the license agreement was amended and assigned by Lee’s to their affiliate, Zhaoke Ophthalmology Pharmaceutical Limited. There are no economic changes to the Agreement.

On March 7, 2014, we entered into license agreements with GtreeBNT Co., Ltd. The two Licensing Agreements are for the license of territorial rights to two of our Thymosin Beta 4-based products candidates, RGN-259 and RGN-137.

Under the license agreement for RGN-259, our preservative-free eye drop product candidate, GtreeBNT will have the right to develop and commercialize RGN-259 in Asia (excluding China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau). The rights will be exclusive in Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan, and semi-exclusive in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, collectively, the Territory (the “259 Territory”). Under the 259 license agreement we are eligible to receive aggregate potential milestone payments of up to $3.5 million. In addition, we are eligible to receive royalties of a low double digit percentage of any commercial sales of the licensed product sold by GtreeBNT in the 259 Territory.

Under the license agreement for RGN-137, our topical dermal gel product candidate, GtreeBNT will have the exclusive right to develop and commercialize RGN-137 in the U.S. (the “137 Territory”). Under the 137 agreement we are eligible to receive aggregate potential milestone payments of up to $3.5 million. In addition, we are eligible to receive royalties of a low double digit percentage of any commercial sales of the Company’s licensed product sold by GtreeBNT in the 137 Territory. In August 2017, we amended the license agreement for RGN-137 held by GtreeBNT. Under the amendment, the 137 Territory was expanded to include Europe, Canada, South Korea, Australia and Japan. Under the agreement, the Company received a series of non-refundable payments and is entitled to receive royalties on the future sales of products. The Company is accounting for the license agreement as a revenue arrangement. Since participation in the joint development committee is required, it was deemed to be a material promise. Management has concluded that the participation in the joint development committee is not distinct from other promised goods and services. The Company evaluated the promised goods and services under the agreement and determined that there was one combined performance obligation representing a series of distinct goods and services including the license to research, develop and commercialize RGN-137 and participation in the joint development committee. Revenue is being recognized on a straight-line basis over a period of 23 years, which, in management’s judgment, is the best measure of progress towards satisfying the performance obligation and represents the Company’s best estimate of the period of the obligation. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we have unearned revenue totaling $649,275 and $684,058, respectively, pursuant to this agreement. Revenue will be recognized for future royalty payments as they are earned.

Each license agreement contains diligence provisions that require the initiation of certain clinical trials within certain time periods that, if not met, would result in the loss of rights or exclusivity in certain countries. GtreeBNT will pay for all developmental costs associated with each product candidate. We have the right to exclusively license any improvements made by GtreeBNT to our products outside of the licensed territory on a royalty free basis. The two firms have created a joint development committee and continue to discuss the development of the licensed products and share information relating thereto. Both companies will also share all non-clinical and clinical data and other information related to development of the licensed product candidates.

On January 28, 2015, the Company entered into the Joint Venture Agreement with GtreeBNT, a shareholder in the Company. The Joint Venture Agreement provides for the creation of the Joint Venture, jointly owned by the Company and GtreeBNT, which is commercializing RGN-259 for treatment of dry eye and neurotrophic keratitis in the U.S. and Canada.

GtreeBNT is solely responsible for funding all the product development and commercialization efforts of the Joint Venture. GtreeBNT made an initial contribution of $3 million in cash and received an initial equity stake of 51%. RegeneRx’s ownership interest in ReGenTree was reduced to 38.5% when the Clinical Study Report was filed for the Phase 2/3 dry eye clinical trial. Based on when, and if, certain additional development milestones are achieved in the U.S. with RGN-259, our equity ownership may be incrementally reduced to between 38.5% and 25%, with 25% being the final equity ownership upon approval of a BLA for DES in the U.S. In addition to our equity ownership, RegeneRx retains a royalty on net sales that varies between single and low double digits, depending on whether commercial sales are made by ReGenTree or a licensee. In the event ReGenTree is acquired or there is a change of control that occurs following achievement of a BLA, RegeneRx shall be entitled to a minimum of 40% of all proceeds paid or payable and will forgo any future royalties. The Company is not required or otherwise obligated to provide financial support to the Joint Venture.

The Joint Venture is responsible for executing all development and commercialization activities under the license agreement, which activities will be directed by a joint development committee comprised of representatives of the Company and GtreeBNT. The license agreement has a term that extends to the later of the expiration of the last patent covered by the agreement or 25 years from the first commercial sale under the agreement. The license agreement may be earlier terminated if the Joint Venture fails to meet certain commercialization milestones, if either party breaches the license agreement and fails to cure such breach, as a result of government action that limits the ability of the Joint Venture to commercialize the product, as a result of a challenge to a licensed patent, following termination of the license between the Company and certain agencies of the United States federal government, or upon the bankruptcy of either party.

Under the license agreement, the Company received $1.0 million in up-front payments and is entitled to receive royalties on the Joint Venture’s future sales of products. On April 6, 2016, we received $250,000 from ReGenTree and executed an amendment to the license agreement on April 28, 2016. Under the amendment the territorial rights were expanded to include Canada. The Company is accounting for the license agreement with the Joint Venture as a revenue arrangement. Since participation in the joint development committee is required, it was deemed to be a material promise. Management has concluded that the participation in the joint development committee is not distinct from other promised goods and services. The Company evaluated the promised goods and services under the license agreements and determined that there was one combined performance obligation representing a series of distinct goods and services including the license to research, develop and commercialize RGN-259 and participation in the joint development committee. Revenue is being recognized on a straight-line basis over a period of 30 years, which, in management’s judgment, is the best measure of progress towards satisfying the performance obligation and represents the Company’s best estimate of the period of the obligation. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we have unearned revenue totaling $975,288 and $1,017,267, respectively, pursuant to this agreement. Revenue will be recognized for future royalty payments as they are earned.