OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Description Of Business [Policy Text Block]

Description of the Business

Capstone Therapeutics Corp. (the “Company”, “we”, “our” or “us”) is a biotechnology company committed to developing a pipeline of novel peptides and other molecules aimed at helping patients with under-served medical conditions. Previously, we were focused on the development and commercialization of two product platforms: AZX100 and Chrysalin (TP508). In 2012, we terminated the license for Chrysalin (targeting orthopedic indications). In 2014, we terminated the license for AZX100 (targeting dermal scar reduction). Capstone no longer has any rights to or interest in Chrysalin or AZX100.

On August 3, 2012, we entered into a joint venture, LipimetiX Development, LLC, (now LipimetiX Development, Inc.), (the “JV”), to develop Apo E mimetic peptide molecule AEM-28 and its analogs. The JV has a development plan to pursue regulatory approval of AEM-28, or an analog, as treatment for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia, other hyperlipidemic indications, and acute coronary syndrome/atherosclerosis regression. The initial AEM-28 development plan extended through Phase 1a and 1b/2a clinical trials and was completed in the fourth quarter of 2014. The clinical trials had a safety primary endpoint and an efficacy endpoint targeting reduction of cholesterol and triglycerides.

In early 2014, the JV received allowance from regulatory authorities in Australia permitting the JV to proceed with the planned clinical trials. The Phase 1a clinical trial commenced in Australia in April 2014 and the Phase 1b/2a clinical trial commenced in Australia in June 2014. The clinical trials for AEM-28 were randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled studies to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of six escalating single doses (Phase 1a in healthy patients with elevated cholesterol) and multiple ascending doses of the three highest doses from Phase 1a (Phase 1b/2a in patients with hypercholesterolemia and healthy volunteers with elevated cholesterol and high Body Mass Index). The Phase 1a clinical trial consisted of 36 patients and the Phase 1b/2a consisted of 15 patients. Both clinical trials were completed in 2014 and the Medical Safety Committee, reviewing all safety-related aspects of the clinical trials, observed a generally acceptable safety profile. As first-in-man studies, the primary endpoint was safety; yet efficacy measurements analyzing pharmacodynamics yielded statistical significance in the pooled dataset favoring AEM-28 versus placebo in multiple lipid biomarker endpoints.

Concurrent with the clinical development activities of AEM-28, the JV has performed pre-clinical studies that have identified analogs of AEM-28, and new formulations, that have the potential of increased efficacy, higher human dose toleration and an extended composition of matter patent life (application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2014).

The JV and the Company are exploring fundraising, partnering or licensing, to obtain additional funding to continue development activities and operations.

The JV and the Company do not have sufficient funding at this time to continue additional material development activities. The JV may conduct future clinical trials in Australia, the USA, and other regulatory jurisdictions if regulatory approvals, additional funding, and other conditions permit.

The Company, funding permitting, intends to continue limiting its internal operations to a virtual operating model while monitoring and participating in the management of JV’s development activities.

Description of Current Peptide Drug Candidates.

Apo E Mimetic Peptide Molecule – AEM-28 and its analogs

Apolipoprotein E is a 299 amino acid protein that plays an important role in lipoprotein metabolism. Apolipoprotein E (Apo E) is in a class of protein that occurs throughout the body. Apo E is essential for the normal metabolism of cholesterol and triglycerides. After a meal, the postprandial (or post-meal) lipid load is packaged in lipoproteins and secreted into the blood stream. Apo E targets cholesterol and triglyceride rich lipoproteins to specific receptors in the liver, decreasing the levels in the blood. Elevated plasma cholesterol and triglycerides are independent risk factors for atherosclerosis, the buildup of cholesterol rich lesions and plaques in the arteries. AEM-28 is a 28 amino acid mimetic of Apo E and AEM-28 analogs are also 28 amino acid mimetics of Apo E (with an aminohexanoic acid group and a phospholipid). Both contain a domain that anchors into a lipoprotein surface while also providing the Apo E receptor binding domain, which allows clearance through the heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) receptors (Syndecan-1) in the liver. AEM-28 and its analogs, as Apo E mimetics, have the potential to restore the ability of these atherogenic lipoproteins to be cleared from the plasma, completing the reverse cholesterol transport pathway, and thereby reducing cardiovascular risk. This is an important mechanism of action for AEM-28 and its analogs. Atherosclerosis is the major cause of cardiovascular disease, peripheral artery disease and cerebral artery disease, and can cause heart attack, loss of limbs and stroke. Defective lipid metabolism also plays an important role in the development of adult onset diabetes mellitus (Type 2 diabetes), and diabetics are particularly vulnerable to atherosclerosis, heart and peripheral artery diseases. Our joint venture has an Exclusive License Agreement with the University of Alabama at Birmingham Research Foundation for a broad domain of Apo E mimetic peptides, including AEM-28 and its analogs.

Company History [Policy Text Block]

Company History

Prior to November 2003, we developed, manufactured and marketed proprietary, technologically advanced orthopedic products designed to promote the healing of musculoskeletal bone and tissue, with particular emphasis on fracture healing and spine repair. Our product lines, which included bone growth stimulation and fracture fixation devices, are referred to as our “Bone Device Business.” In November 2003, we sold our Bone Device Business.

In August 2004, we purchased substantially all of the assets and intellectual property of Chrysalis Biotechnology, Inc., including its exclusive worldwide license for Chrysalin, a peptide, for all medical indications. Subsequently, our efforts were focused on research and development of Chrysalin with the goal of commercializing our products in fresh fracture healing. (In March 2012, we returned all rights to the Chrysalin intellectual property and no longer have any interest in, or rights to, Chrysalin.)

In February 2006, we purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of AzERx, Inc. Under the terms of the transaction, we acquired an exclusive license for the core intellectual property relating to AZX100, an anti-fibrotic peptide. In 2014, we terminated the License Agreement with AzTE (Licensor) for the core intellectual property relating to AZX100 and returned all interest in and rights to the AZX100 intellectual property to the Licensor.

On August 3, 2012, we entered into a joint venture (As described in Note B below) to develop Apo E mimetic peptide molecule AEM-28 and its analogs.

Our development activities represent a single operating segment as they shared the same product development path and utilized the same Company resources. As a result, we determined that it is appropriate to reflect our operations as one reportable segment.

OrthoLogic Corp. commenced doing business under the trade name of Capstone Therapeutics on October 1, 2008, and we formally changed our name from OrthoLogic Corp. to Capstone Therapeutics Corp. on May 21, 2010.

In these notes, references to “we”, “our”, “us”, the “Company”, “Capstone Therapeutics”, “Capstone”, and “OrthoLogic” refer to Capstone Therapeutics Corp. References to our joint venture or “JV”, refer to LipimetiX Development, Inc. (formerly LipimetiX Development, LLC).

Basis Of Presentation and Management Plan [Policy Text Block]

Basis of presentation, Going Concern, and Management’s Plans. The accompanying financials statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

Management has determined that the Company will require additional capital above its current cash and working capital balances to further develop AEM-28 and its analogs or to continue operations. Accordingly, the Company has significantly reduced its development activities. The Company’s corporate strategy is to raise funds by possibly engaging in a strategic/merger transaction or conducting a private or public offering of debt or equity securities for capital. In August 2016, the Company’s joint venture raised net funds of $946,000 in a Series B-1 Preferred Stock and Warrant offering. As described in Note E below, the Company, on July 14, 2017, raised $3,440,000, with net proceeds of approximately $2,074,000, after paying off the Convertible Promissory Notes described in Note D below, and transaction costs of $287,000. As discussed in Note B below, in August 2017, the Company used $1,000,000 of the net proceeds to purchase 93,458 shares of LipimetiX Development, Inc.’s Series B-2 Preferred Stock. Additionally, as disclosed in Note G below, on May 2, 2018, LipimetiX Development, Inc. entered into a License Agreement which will result in the receipt of a $2,000,000 nonrefundable payment. The additional funds has alleviated the substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern; however, additional funds will be required for the joint venture to reach its development goals and for the Company to continue its planned operations.

In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed interim financial statements include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, and all adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the complete fiscal year. The financial statements include the consolidated results of Capstone Therapeutics Corp. and our approximately 60% owned subsidiary, LipimetiX Development, Inc. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Information presented as of December 31, 2017 is derived from audited financial statements.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of estimates. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires that management make a number of assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and expenses in our financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Although these estimates are based on management’s assumptions regarding current events and actions that may impact the Company in the future, actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Our significant estimates include income taxes, contingencies, accounting for stock-based compensation, and accounting for the Australian refundable research and development tax credit.

Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Legal and Other Contingencies

The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims, as well as potential inquires and action by the Securities and Exchange Commission, that arise in the course of business. The Company records a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. There is significant judgment required in both the probability determination and as to whether an exposure can be reasonably estimated. In the opinion of management, there was not at least a reasonable possibility the Company may have incurred a material loss with respect to loss contingencies. However, the outcome of legal proceedings and claims brought against the Company are subject to significant uncertainty.

Legal costs related to contingencies are expensed as incurred and were not material in either 2018 or 2017.

Interest in Unincorporated Joint Ventures or Partnerships, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Joint Venture Accounting. The Company entered into a joint venture in which it has contributed $6,000,000, and the noncontrolling interests have contributed certain patent license rights. As discussed in Note B below, in August 2017, the Company purchased 93,458 shares of LipimetiX Development, Inc.’s Series B-2 Preferred Stock for $1,000,000. Neither the Company nor the noncontrolling interests have an obligation to contribute additional funds to the joint venture or to assume any joint venture liabilities or to provide a guarantee of either joint venture performance or any joint venture liability. The financial position and results of operations of the joint venture are presented on a consolidated basis with the financial position and results of operations of the Company. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Joint venture losses were recorded on the basis of common ownership equity interests until common ownership equity was reduced to $0. Subsequent joint venture losses were allocated to the Series A preferred ownership. Subsequent to March 31, 2013, all joint venture losses had been allocated to the Company. On August 25, 2016, the JV raised $1,012,000 ($946,000 net of issuance costs) in a Series B-1 Preferred Stock and Warrant offering and in 2016, $946,000 in losses were allocated to the Series B-1 Preferred Stock ownership interests. As of March 31, 2018, losses incurred by the JV exceeded the capital accounts of the JV. The Company has a revolving loan agreement with the joint venture and advanced the joint venture funds for operations in an amount of $1,600,000, with the net amount due December 31, 2016. As described in Note B below, the due date of the revolving loan has been extended to July 15, 2020, with early payment required upon certain additional funding of the joint venture by non-affiliated parties. Losses incurred by the joint venture in excess of the capital accounts of the joint venture will be allocated to the Company to the extent of net outstanding advances.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and cash equivalents.

Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU 606”) No. 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts from Customers”. Pursuant to ASC 606, revenue is recognized by the Company when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The amount of revenue that is recorded reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The Company applies the following five-step model in order to determine this amount: (i) identification of the promised goods or services in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations, including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies each performance obligation.

Upfront License Fees: If a license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified in the arrangement, the Company recognizes revenues from nonrefundable, upfront license fees based on the relative value prescribed to the license compared to the total value of the arrangement. The revenue is recognized when the license is transferred to the collaborator and the collaborator is able to use and benefit from the license. For licenses that are not distinct from other obligations identified in the arrangement, the Company utilizes judgment to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time. If the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time, the Company applies an appropriate method of measuring progress for purposes of recognizing revenue from nonrefundable, upfront license fees. The Company evaluates the measure of progress each reporting period and, if necessary, adjusts the measure of performance and related revenue recognition.