G. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

G. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Clinical Research Agreements

In March 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with Aptiv Solutions to provide certain clinical research services in accordance with a master service agreement.  The Company will reimburse Aptiv for costs incurred.  In May 2013, CEL-SCI made an advance payment of $400,000.  In October 2013, CEL-SCI made the second and final advance payment of $200,000. The funds advanced will be credited back in $150,000 annual increments from December 2014 through December 2017.  As of December 31, 2014, $150,000 of the deposits is classified as a current asset.

In April 2013, the Company entered into a co-development and revenue sharing agreement with Ergomed.  Under the agreement, Ergomed will contribute up to $10 million towards the study in the form of offering discounted clinical services in exchange for a single digit percentage of milestone and royalty payments, up to a specific maximum amount.  The Company accounted for the co-development and revenue sharing agreement in accordance with ASC 808 “Collaborative Arrangements”.  The Company determined the payments to Erogmed are within the scope of ASC 730 “Research and Development.” Therefore, the Company will record the discount on the clinical services as a credit to research and development expense on its Statements of Operations.  Since the Company entered into the co-development and revenue sharing agreement with Ergomed it has incurred research and development expenses of approximately $6,900,000 related to Ergomed’s services.  This amount is net of Ergomed’s discount of approximately $2,400,000. During the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded, net of Ergomed’s discount, approximately $1,600,000 and $1,179,000 respectively as research and development expense related to Ergomed’s services.

In October 2013, the Company entered into two co-development and profit sharing agreements with Ergomed.  One agreement supports the Phase I study being conducted at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Navy for the development of Multikine as a potential treatment in HIV/HPV co-infected men and women with peri-anal warts.  The other agreement focuses on the development of Multikine in HIV/HPV co-infected women with cervical dysplasia. Ergomed will assume up to $3 million in clinical and regulatory costs for each study.

On October 31, 2013, the Company commenced arbitration proceedings against the Company’s former clinical research organization (CRO).  The arbitration claim, initiated under the Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association, alleges (i) breach of contract, (ii) fraud in the inducement, and (iii) common law fraud, and seeks at least $50 million in damages.  The Company filed this arbitration because, among other reasons, the number of patients enrolled and treated in the study fell below the level agreed to with the former CRO.  In April 2013, the Company dismissed the former CRO and replaced it with Aptiv Solutions, Inc. and Ergomed Clinical Research Ltd, as noted above.

On December 12, 2013, the former CRO filed a counterclaim, alleging breach of contract on the part of CEL-SCI and seeking at least $2 million in damages.  On December 20, 2013, the former CRO moved to dismiss certain claims.  On June 24, 2014, the arbitrator denied their motion to dismiss.  Given that this matter is at a preliminary stage, the Company is not in a position to predict or assess the likely outcome of these proceedings.

Lease Agreements

In August 2007, the Company leased a building near Baltimore, Maryland.  The building was remodeled in accordance with the Company’s specifications so that it can be used by the Company to manufacture Multikine for the Company’s Phase III clinical trial and sales of the drug if approved by the FDA.  The lease is for a term of twenty years and requires annual base rent to escalate each year at 3%.  The Company is required to pay all real and personal property taxes, insurance premiums, maintenance expenses, repair costs and utilities.  The lease allows the Company, at its election, to extend the lease for two ten-year periods or to purchase the building at the end of the 20-year lease.

The Company was required to deposit the equivalent of one year of base rent in accordance with the lease.  When the Company meets the minimum cash balance required by the lease, the deposit will be returned to the Company.  The $1,670,917 is included in non-current assets on December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014.

The Company subleases a portion of its rental space on a month to month term lease, which requires a 30 day notice for termination. The Company receives $5,304 per month in rent for the subleased space.

The Company leases its research and development laboratory under a 60 month lease which expires February 28, 2017.  The operating lease includes escalating rental payments.  The Company is recognizing the related rent expense on a straight line basis over the full 60 month term of the lease at the rate of $11,360 per month.  As of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, the Company has recorded a deferred rent liability of $6,986 and $6,387, respectively.

The Company leases office headquarters under a 36 month lease which expires June 30, 2015. The operating lease includes escalating rental payments.  The Company is recognizing the related rent expense on a straight line basis over the full 36 month term of the lease at the rate $7,864 per month.  As of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, the Company has recorded a deferred rent liability of $4,185 and $6,278, respectively.

The Company leases office equipment under a capital lease arrangement.  The term of the capital lease is 48 months and expires on September 30, 2016.  The monthly lease payment is $1,025.  The lease bears interest at approximately 6% per annum.