Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

 

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company operates independently and through four wholly owned subsidiaries: (i) Bio Blue Bird; (ii) PharmaCyte Biotech Europe Limited; (iii) PharmaCyte Biotech Australia Pty. Ltd.; and (iv) Viridis Biotech, Inc. and are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and the rules and regulations of the Commission. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated. The Company’s 14.5% investment in SG Austria is presented on the cost method of accounting.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities known to exist as of the date the financial statements are published and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates these estimates including those related to fair values of financial instruments, intangible assets, fair value of stock-based awards, income taxes and contingent liabilities, among others. Uncertainties with respect to such estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements; accordingly, it is possible that the actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions, which could have a material effect on the reported amounts of the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

 

Intangible Assets

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") standard on goodwill and other intangible assets prescribes a two-step process for impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles, which is performed annually, as well as when an event triggering impairment may have occurred. The first step tests for impairment, while the second step, if necessary, measures the impairment. The Company has elected to perform its annual analysis at the end of its reporting year.

 

The Company’s intangible assets are licensing agreements related to the Cell-in-a-Box® technology for $1,549,427 and diabetes license for $2,000,000 for an aggregate total of $3,549,427.

 

These intangible assets have an indefinite life; therefore, they are not amortizable.

 

The Company concluded that there was no impairment of the carrying value of the intangibles for the years ended April 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be fully recoverable. If the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) from the use of an asset are less than carrying value, a write-down would be recorded to reduce the related asset to its estimated fair value. No impairment was identified or recorded during the years ended April 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

For certain of the Company’s non-derivative financial instruments, including cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses, the carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

 

Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by the Company. ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” defines fair value, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for current liabilities qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their fair values because of the short period between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:

 

  Level 1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

 

  Level 2. Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

 

  Level 3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

Income Taxes

 

Deferred taxes are calculated using the liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards, and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

 

A valuation allowance is provided for deferred income tax assets when, in management’s judgment, based upon currently available information and other factors, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of such deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The determination of the need for a valuation allowance is based on an on-going evaluation of current information including, among other things, historical operating results, estimates of future earnings in different taxing jurisdictions and the expected timing of the reversals of temporary differences. The Company believes the determination to record a valuation allowance to reduce a deferred income tax asset is a significant accounting estimate because it is based on, among other things, an estimate of future taxable income in the U.S. and certain other jurisdictions, which is susceptible to change and may or may not occur, and because the impact of adjusting a valuation allowance may be material. In determining when to release the valuation allowance established against the Company’s net deferred income tax assets, the Company considers all available evidence, both positive and negative. Consistent with the Company’s policy, and because of the Company’s history of operating losses, the Company does not currently recognize the benefit of all its deferred tax assets, including tax loss carry forwards, which may be used to offset future taxable income. The Company continually assesses its ability to generate sufficient taxable income during future periods in which deferred tax assets may be realized. When the Company believes it is more likely than not that it will recover its deferred tax assets, the Company will reverse the valuation allowance as an income tax benefit in the statements of operations.

 

The U.S. GAAP method of accounting for uncertain tax positions utilizes a two-step approach to evaluate tax positions. Step one, recognition, requires evaluation of the tax position to determine if based solely on technical merits it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. Step two, measurement, is addressed only if a position is more likely than not to be sustained. In step two, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis, which is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement with tax authorities. If a position does not meet the more likely than not threshold for recognition in step one, no benefit is recorded until the first subsequent period in which the more likely than not standard is met, the issue is resolved with the taxing authority or the statute of limitations expires. Positions previously recognized are derecognized when the Company subsequently determines the position no longer is more likely than not to be sustained. Evaluation of tax positions, their technical merits and measurements using cumulative probability are highly subjective management estimates. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

 

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted the Tax Act which made significant changes to U.S. federal income tax law affecting the Company. Set forth below is a discussion of certain provisions of the Tax Act and the Company's assessment of the impact of such provisions on its financial statements.

 

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company's U.S. income has been taxed at a 21% (subject to IRC Section 15 blended rate provisions) down from the 35 % federal corporate rate. ASC 740-10-25-47 requires the Company to recognize the effect of this rate change on its deferred tax assets and liabilities in the period the tax rate change was enacted.  As a result, the Company concluded this caused the Company's net deferred taxes to be remeasured at the new lower tax rate. The Company maintains a full valuation allowance on its U.S. net deferred tax assets. Deferred tax asset remeasurement (tax expense) was offset by a net decrease in valuation allowance, that resulted in no impact on the Company's income tax expense.

 

On March 27, 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security ("CARES") Act to provide certain relief as a result of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 outbreak. The Company maintains a full valuation allowance on its U.S. net deferred tax assets. Deferred tax asset remeasurement (tax expense) was offset by a net decrease in valuation allowance, that resulted in no impact on the Company's income tax expense. Therefore, the Company does not expect the provisions in the CARES Act will impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Research and Development

 

R&D expenses consist of costs incurred for direct and overhead-related research expenses and are expensed as incurred. Costs to acquire technologies, including licenses, that are utilized in research and development and that have no alternative future use are expensed when incurred. Technology developed for use in the Company’s product candidates is expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established.

 

R&D costs for the years ended April 30, 2020 and 2019 were $301,221 and $460,052, respectively.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for only those awards ultimately expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the option's expected term and stock price volatility. In addition, judgment is also required in estimating the number of stock-based awards that are expected to be forfeited. Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based payment awards represent management's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management's judgment. Thus, if factors change and the Company uses different assumptions, the stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

The Company has no significant off-balance-sheet concentrations of credit risk such as foreign exchange contracts, options contracts or other foreign hedging arrangements. The Company maintains most of its cash balance at a financial institution located in California. Accounts at this institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. Uninsured balances aggregated approximately $618,000 and $127,000 at April 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. Management believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The Company translates the financial statements of its foreign subsidiary from the local (functional) currencies to U.S. dollars in accordance with FASB ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters. All assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated at year-end exchange rates, while revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Adjustments for foreign currency translation fluctuations are excluded from net loss and are included in other comprehensive income. Gains and losses on short-term intercompany foreign currency transactions are recognized as incurred.

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern; however, the following conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to do so.   As of April 30, 2020, the Company has an accumulated deficit of $103,858,259 and incurred a net loss for year ended April 30, 2020 of $3,826,888. The Company requires substantial additional capital to finance its planned business operations and expects to incur operating losses in future periods due to the expenses related to the Company’s core businesses. The Company has not realized any revenue since it commenced doing business in the biotechnology sector, and there can be no assurance that it will be successful in generating revenues in the future in this sector. The Consolidated Financial Statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

 

Over the past year, funding was provided by investors to maintain and expand the Company. Sales of the Company’s common stock were made under the Second S-3 allowing for offerings of up to $50 million dollars in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act or transactions structured as a public offering of a distinct block or blocks of the shares of the Company’s common stock. Over the past year, the Company continued to acquire funds through the Company’s Second S-3 pursuant to which the placement agent sells shares of common stock “at-the-market” in a program which is structured to provide up to $25 million to the Company less certain commissions pursuant to the Second S-3. From May 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020 the Company raised capital of approximately $2.15 million in Block Trade transactions. Additionally, the Company raised approximately $500,000 through the sale of unregistered shares of its Common Stock in private placement transactions. Subsequent to fiscal year end, the Company raised additional capital in the amount of approximately $4.7 million from Block Trades and “at-the-market” trades. As of the date of this Report, the Company has approximately $4.9 million in its bank account.

 

With the filing of this Report, the S-3 will no longer be available to the Company to use to raise capital. The Company plans to continue to sell unregistered shares to raise capital to fund operations and R&D expenses.

 

Management determined that these plans alleviate substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company believes the cash on hand at April 30, 2020, the potential sales of unregistered shares of its common stock and any public offerings of common stock in which the Company may engage in will provide sufficient capital to meet the Company’s capital requirements and to fund the Company’s operations through August 31, 2021.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

On May 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which requires the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. This ASU retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases, and the classification criteria for distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases are substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the current accounting literature. Under the standard, disclosures are required to meet the objective of enabling users of financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The Company elected the available practical expedients on adoption. Adoption of the new standard resulted in an immaterial amount of total lease liabilities and ROU assets of as of May 1, 2019.

 

There were no material impacts on the Company’s consolidated financial statements resulting from the adoption during the year ended April 30, 2020 of: (i) ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting; (ii) ASU 2018-19, ASC Topic 326: Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments; (iii) ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement; and (iv) ASU No. 2019-07, Codification Updates to SEC Sections: Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Final Rule Releases No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, and Nos. 33-10231 and 33-10442, Investment Company Reporting Modernization, and Miscellaneous Updates.

 

ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"), was issued in June 2016. Under ASU 2016-13, existing guidance on reporting credit losses for trade and other receivables and available for sale debt securities will be replaced with a new forward-looking "expected loss" model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-13 in 2021 using the modified retrospective transition approach and does not expect to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.