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1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements  
A. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

CEL-SCI Corporation (the Company) was incorporated on March 22, 1983, in the state of Colorado, to finance research and development in biomedical science and ultimately to engage in marketing and selling products.

 

CEL-SCI’s work is focused on finding the best way to activate the immune system to fight cancer and infectious diseases. The Company’s lead investigational therapy, Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection), is currently being tested in a Phase III clinical trial as a potential therapeutic agent directed at using the immune system to produce an anti-tumor immune response for advanced primary head and neck cancer. Data from Phase I and Phase II clinical trials suggest Multikine has the potential to directly affect tumor cells. These data also indicate that it appears to activate the patient’s own anti-tumor immune response. Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection) is the full name of this investigational therapy, which, for simplicity, is referred to in the remainder of this document as Multikine. Multikine is the trademark that the Company has registered for this investigational therapy, and this proprietary name is subject to FDA review in connection with the Company’s future anticipated regulatory submission for approval. Multikine has not been licensed or approved by the FDA or any other regulatory agency. Neither has its safety or efficacy been established for any use.

 

Multikine has been cleared by the regulators in seventeen countries around the world, including the U.S. FDA, for a global Phase III clinical trial in advanced primary (not yet treated) head and neck cancer patients. Multikine is also being used in a Phase I study at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) in HIV/HPV co-infected men and women with peri-anal warts.

 

On June 25, 2013, CEL-SCI’s shareholders approved a reverse split of the Company’s common stock. The reverse split became effective on the NYSE MKT on September 25, 2013. On that date, every ten issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock automatically converted into one outstanding share. As a result of the reverse stock split, the number of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock decreased from 310,005,272 (pre-split) shares to 31,001,686 (post-split) shares. In addition, by reducing the number of CEL-SCI’s outstanding shares, CEL-SCI’s loss per share in all prior periods will increase by a factor of ten. The reverse stock split affected all stockholders of the Company’s common stock uniformly, and did not affect any stockholder’s percentage of ownership interest. The par value of the Company’s stock remained unchanged at $0.01 per share and the number of authorized shares of common stock remained the same after the reverse stock split.

 

As the par value per share of the Company’s common stock remained unchanged at $0.01 per share, a total of $2,790,036 was reclassified from common stock to additional paid-in capital. In connection with this reverse stock split, the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the Company’s incentive and non-qualified stock option plans (Note 7) as well as the shares of common stock underlying outstanding stock options, and warrants were also proportionately reduced while the exercise prices of such stock options and warrants were proportionately increased. All references to shares of common stock and per share data for all periods presented in the accompanying financial statements and notes thereto have been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split on a retroactive basis.

 

Summary of Significant accounting policies:

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents – For purposes of the statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents consist principally of unrestricted cash on deposit and short-term money market funds. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity when purchased of less than three months as cash and cash equivalents.

 

Prepaid Expenses and Inventory – Prepaid expenses are payments for future services to be rendered and are expensed over the time period for which the service is rendered. Prepaid expenses may also include payment for goods to be received within one year of the payment date. Inventory consists of manufacturing production advances and bulk purchases of laboratory supplies to be consumed in the manufacturing of the Company’s product for clinical studies. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, where cost is determined using the first-in, first out method applied on a consistent basis.

 

Deposits – The deposits are required by the lease agreement for the manufacturing facility and by the clinical research organization (CRO) agreements.

 

Research and Office Equipment and Leasehold Improvements – Research and office equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of five to seven years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the lease. Repairs and maintenance which do not extend the life of the asset are expensed when incurred. The fixed assets are reviewed on a quarterly basis to assess impairment, if any.

 

Patents – Patent expenditures are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the expected useful life or the legal life of the patent (17 years). In the event changes in technology or other circumstances impair the value or life of the patent, appropriate adjustment to the asset value and period of amortization is made. An impairment loss is recognized when estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset, and from disposition, is less than the carrying value of the asset. The amount of the impairment loss would be the difference between the estimated fair value of the asset and its carrying value.

 

Deferred Rent (Asset) – Consideration paid, including deposits, related to operating leases is recorded as a deferred rent asset and amortized as rent expense over the lease term. Interest on the deferred rent is calculated at 3% on the funds deposited on the manufacturing facility and is included in deferred rent. This interest income will be used to offset future rent.

 

Deferred Rent (Liability) – Certain of the Company’s operating leases provide for minimum annual payments that adjust over the life of the lease.  The aggregate minimum annual payments are expensed on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. The Company recognizes a deferred rent liability for rent escalations when the amount of straight-line rent exceeds the lease payments, and reduces the deferred rent liability when the lease payments exceed the straight-line rent expense.  For tenant improvement allowances and rent holidays, the Company records a deferred rent liability and amortizes the deferred rent over the lease term as a reduction to rent expense.

 

Derivative Instruments - The Company has entered into financing arrangements that consist of freestanding derivative instruments that contain embedded derivative features. The Company accounts for these arrangements in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 815, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S.GAAP), derivative instruments and hybrid instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and are measured at fair value with gains or losses recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income depending on the nature of the derivative or hybrid instruments. The Company determines the fair value of derivative instruments and hybrid instruments based on available market data using appropriate valuation models, giving consideration to all of the rights and obligations of each instrument. The derivative liabilities are remeasured at fair value at the end of each reporting period as long as they are outstanding.

 

Research and Development Grant Revenues – The Company's grant arrangements are handled on a reimbursement basis. Grant revenues under the arrangements are recognized when costs are incurred.

 

Research and Development Costs – Research and development expenditures are expensed as incurred.

 

Net Loss Per Common Share – The Company calculates net loss per common share in accordance with ASC 260 “Earnings Per Share” (ASC 260). Basic and diluted net loss per common share was determined by dividing net loss applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The Company’s potentially dilutive shares, which include outstanding common stock options, restricted stock units, convertible preferred stock and common stock warrants, have not been included in the computation of diluted net loss per share for all periods as the result would be anti-dilutive.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk – Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist of cash and cash equivalents.  The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions.  At times, these accounts may exceed federally insured limits.  The Company has not experienced any losses in such bank accounts.  The Company believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk related to cash and cash equivalents. All non-interest bearing cash balances were fully insured up to $250,000 at September 30, 2014.

 

Income Taxes – The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating and tax loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be recognized.

 

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying disclosures. These estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions the Company may undertake in the future. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other items, inventory obsolescence, accruals, stock options, useful lives for depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets, deferred tax assets and the valuation of derivative liabilities. Actual results could differ from estimates, although management does not generally believe such differences would materially affect the financial statements in any given year. However, in regard to the valuation of derivative liabilities determined using various valuation techniques including the Black-Scholes and binomial pricing methodologies, significant fluctuations may materially affect the financial statements in a given year. The Company considers such valuations to be significant estimates.

   

Fair Value Measurements – The Company evaluates financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements in accordance with a fair value hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used to measure fair value. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement, where Level 1 is the highest and Level 3 is the lowest. See Note 12 for the definition of levels and the classification of assets and liabilities in those levels.

Stock-Based Compensation – Compensation cost for all stock-based awards is measured at fair value as of the grant date in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” The fair value of stock options is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes model requires various judgmental assumptions including volatility and expected option life. The stock-based compensation cost is recognized on the straight line allocation method as expense over the requisite service or vesting period.

 

Equity instruments issued to non-employees are accounted for in accordance with ASC 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees.” Accordingly, compensation is recognized when goods or services are received and is measured using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes model requires various judgmental assumptions regarding the fair value of the equity instruments at the measurement date and the expected life of the options.

 

The Company has Incentive Stock Option Plans, Non-Qualified Stock Options Plans, a Stock Compensation Plan, Stock Bonus Plans and an Incentive Stock Bonus Plan. In some cases, these Plans are collectively referred to as the “Plans.” All Plans have been approved by the stockholders.

 

The Company’s stock options are not transferable, and the actual value of the stock options that an employee may realize, if any, will depend on the excess of the market price on the date of exercise over the exercise price. The Company has based its assumption for stock price volatility on the variance of daily closing prices of the Company’s stock. The risk-free interest rate assumption was based on the U.S. Treasury rate at date of the grant with term equal to the expected life of the option. Historical data was used to estimate option exercise and employee termination within the valuation model. The expected term of options represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding and has been determined based on an analysis of historical exercise behavior. If any of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model change significantly, stock-based compensation expense for new awards may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period.

 

Vesting of restricted stock granted under the Incentive Stock Bonus Plan is subject to service, performance or market conditions and meets the classification of equity awards. These awards were measured at market value on the grant-dates for issuances where the attainment of performance criteria is probable and at fair value on the grant-dates, using a Monte Carlo simulation for issuances where the attainment of performance criteria is uncertain. The total compensation cost will be expensed over the estimated requisite service period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – In November 2014, the FASB issued guidance codified in ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging: Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share is More Akin to Debt or to Equity. This accounting standard update will be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of the update.

The Company has considered all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and does not believe the adoption of such pronouncements will have a material impact on its financial statements.