3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
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Apr. 30, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||
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 Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission). Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated. The Companys 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 evaluate 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 Companys 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 Companys 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 Companys intangible assets are licensing agreements related to the Cell-in-a-Box® technology for $1,549,427 and diabetes license for $2,000,0000 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, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
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, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
For certain of the Companys 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 of time 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:
The Company adopted ASC subtopic 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures and Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 825-10, Financial Instruments, which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Neither of these statements had an impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The carrying value of cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses, as reflected in the consolidated balance sheets, approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.
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 of 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 managements 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, among other things, on 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 Companys net deferred income tax assets, the Company considers all available evidence, both positive and negative. Consistent with the Companys policy, and because of the Companys history of operating losses, the Company does not currently recognize the benefit of all of our deferred tax assets, including tax loss carry forwards, that 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. If and 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 Company accounts for its uncertain tax positions in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The purpose of this method is to clarify accounting for uncertain tax positions recognized. 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.
Research and Development
Research and development 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 Companys product candidates is expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established.
Under the Cannabis Licensing Agreement, the Company acquired from Austrianova an exclusive, world-wide license to use the Cell-in-a-Box® trademark and its associated technology with genetically modified non-stem cell lines which are designed to activate cannabinoids to develop therapies involving Cannabis.
Under the Cannabis Licensing Agreement, the Company is required to pay Austrianova an Upfront Payment of $2,000,000. The Company has the right to make periodic monthly partial payments of the Upfront Payment in amounts to be agreed upon between the parties prior to each such payment being made. Under the Cannabis Licensing Agreement, the Upfront Payments must be paid in full by no later than June 30, 2016. As of April 30, 2016, the Company has paid Austrianova $1.85 million of the Upfront Payment. The $2 million cost of the license has been recorded as research and development costs during the year ended April 30, 2015.
Research and development costs for the years ended April 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $1,406,939, $3,476,912, and $323,500, 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, net of an estimated forfeiture rate. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model, which 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. As a result, if factors change and the Company uses different assumptions, its 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 $1,656,000 and $2,331,000 at April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts, and 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 US dollars in accordance with FASB ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters. All assets and liabilities of the Companys 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.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (Topic 606). Topic 606 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, including most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. In addition, the amendments create a new Subtopic 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred CostsContracts with Customers. In summary, the core principle of Topic 606 is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. For a public entity, the amendments in this Update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period; early application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial position and consolidated statement of operations. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue with Customers Deferral of the Effective Date, as an amendment to ASU No. 2014-09, which defers the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 by one year.
ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements Going Concern, Subtopic 205-40, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entitys Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. The amendments in this ASU apply to all entities and require management to assess an entitys ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. Specifically, the amendments: (i) provide a definition of the term substantial doubt; (ii) require an evaluation every reporting period including interim periods; (iii) provide principles for considering the mitigating effect of managements plans; (iv) require certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of managements plans; (v) require an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated; and (vi) require an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued or available to be issued. The amendments in this update are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016. For annual periods and interim periods thereafter; early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.
ASU No. 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) ("ASU 2015-07"), was issued in May 2015. This ASU removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy table investments without readily determinable fair values in entities that elect to measure fair value using net asset value per share or its equivalent. ASU 2015-07 requires that these investments continue to be shown in the fair value disclosure in order to allow the disclosure to reconcile to the investment amount presented in the balance sheet. An entity is required to adopt ASU 2015-07 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes ("ASU 2015-17"), was issued in November 2015. ASU 2015-17 requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. This ASU does not, however, change the existing requirement that deferred tax liabilities and assets of a tax-paying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-17 to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-2) was issued in February 2016, which provides guidance on lease amendments to the FASB Accounting Standard Codification. This ASU will be effective for us beginning in May 1, 2019. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-2 to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
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