Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates subject to change in the near term include impairment (if any) of long-lived assets and fair value of derivative liabilities.

Accounting Basis and Principles of Consolidation

Accounting Basis and Principles of Consolidation

The Company prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, and they include the accounts of Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc. and its subsidiaries. The Company has elected a September 30 fiscal year end. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company also uses the equity method to account for its joint venture. This method is used because the joint venture does not meet the variable interest entity requirements for consolidation and the Company does not have control of the entity.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly-liquid investments purchased with an original maturity date of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash. Our cash balances are maintained in accounts held by major banks and financial institutions located in the United States. The Company occasionally maintains amounts on deposit with a financial institution that are in excess of the federally insured limit of $250,000. The risk is managed by maintaining all deposits in high quality financial institutions. The Company had approximately $12,970,494 and $4,872,895 of cash balances in excess of federally insured limits at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation and amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the expected useful life of the asset, after the asset is placed in service. The Company generally uses the following depreciable lives for its major classifications of property and equipment:

 

Description   Useful Lives
Equipment   5 years
Lab Equipment   5 years
Leasehold Improvements   7 years
Office Furniture and Fixtures   3 years

 

Expenditures associated with upgrades and enhancements that improve, add functionality, or otherwise extend the life of property and equipment that exceed $1,000 are capitalized, while expenditures that do not, such as repairs and maintenance, are expensed as incurred.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived tangible assets and definite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company uses an estimate of undiscounted future net cash flows of the assets over the remaining useful lives in determining whether the carrying value of the assets is recoverable. If the carrying values of the assets exceed the expected future cash flows of the assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss equal to the difference between the carrying values of the assets and their estimated fair values. Impairment of long-lived assets is assessed at the lowest levels for which there are identifiable cash flows that are independent from other groups of assets. The evaluation of long-lived assets requires the Company to use estimates of future cash flows. However, actual cash flows may differ from the estimated future cash flows used in these impairment tests. As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, management does not believe any of the Company’s long-lived assets were impaired.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

In accordance with ASC 820, the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and notes payable approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. ASC 820 clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

 

Level 1-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.

 

Level 2-Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3-Unobservable inputs, where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability. These inputs reflect the reporting entity's own beliefs about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

The following table presents assets and liabilities that are measured and recognized at fair value as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, on a recurring basis:

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2014   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total
Carrying
Value
 
Contingent stock consideration   $ —     $ —     $ 4,877,359     $ 4,877,359  
    $ —     $ —     $ 4,877,359     $ 4,877,359  

 

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2013   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total
Carrying
Value
 
Stock warrant derivative liabilities   $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —  
    $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —  

 

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following is a description of the valuation methodology used to measure fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

 

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

The Company also measures certain other financial assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had intangible assets that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis valued at $17,810,000. The Company classified these fair value measurements as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as the valuations included Level 3 inputs that were significant to the estimate of fair value.

Stock Warrant Derivative Liability

Stock Warrant Derivative Liability

Market prices are not available for the Company’s warrants nor are market prices of similar warrants available. The Company assessed that the fair value of this liability approximates its carrying value since carrying value has been adjusted to fair value.

 

The method described above may produce a current fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. If a readily determined market value became available or if actual performance were to vary appreciably from assumptions used, assumptions may need to be adjusted, which could result in material differences from the recorded carrying amounts. The Company believes its method of determining fair value is appropriate and consistent with other market participants. However, the use of different methodologies or different assumptions to value certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value.

 

The following tables present the fair value of financial instruments as of September 30, 2014, by caption on the balance sheet and by ASC 820 valuation hierarchy described above.

 

Level 3 Reconciliation:   Stock
Warrant
Derivative
  Contingent
Stock
Consideration
Level 3 assets and liabilities at September 30, 2011   $ (5,893,544 )   $ —    
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements (net)     3,312,624       —    
Mark to market adjustments     1,812,224       —    
Level 3 assets and liabilities at September 30, 2012     (768,696 )     —    
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements (net)     1,886,338     —    
Mark to market adjustments     (1,117,642 )     —    
Total level 3 assets and liabilities at September 30, 2013     —         —    
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements (net)     —         4,877,359  
Mark to market adjustments     —         —    
Total level 3 assets and liabilities at September 30, 2014   $ —       $ 4,877,359  

 

In March 2013, the stock warrants were fully exercised; 24,000 warrants for cash and the remaining 816,000 warrants through a cashless exercise. Consequently, these instruments were no longer accounted for as derivatives. The stock warrants were marked to market as of the exercise date and the applicable fair value related to the 816,000 warrants of $1,886,338 was credited to additional paid in capital while the applicable fair value for the 24,000 warrants of $55,481 was credited to gain on derivative liability.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company generally does not use derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to cash-flow risks or market-risks that may affect the fair values of its financial instruments. The Company utilizes various types of financing to fund its business needs, including warrants and other instruments not indexed to our stock. The Company is required to record its derivative instruments at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized in earnings in accordance with ASC 815.

Goodwill and Intangibles

Goodwill and Intangibles

The Company evaluates goodwill and other finite-lived intangible assets in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other.” Goodwill is recorded at the time of an acquisition and is calculated as the difference between the total consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Accounting for acquisitions requires extensive use of accounting estimates and judgments to allocate the purchase price to the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired, including in-process research and development (“IPR&D”). Goodwill is deemed to have an indefinite life and is not amortized, but is subject to annual impairment tests. If the assumptions and estimates used to allocate the purchase price are not correct, or if business conditions change, purchase price adjustments or future asset impairment charges could be required. The value of our goodwill could be impacted by future adverse changes such as: (i) any future declines in our operating results, (ii) a decline in the valuation of technology, including the valuation of our common stock, (iii) a significant slowdown in the worldwide economy or (iv) any failure to meet the performance projections included in our forecasts of future operating results. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, the Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if the Company believes indicators of impairment exist. Impairment evaluations involve management estimates of asset useful lives and future cash flows. Significant management judgment is required in the forecasts of future operating results that are used in the evaluations. It is possible, however, that the plans and estimates used may be incorrect. If our actual results, or the plans and estimates used in future impairment analysis, are lower than the original estimates used to assess the recoverability of these assets, we could incur additional impairment charges in a future period.

 

The Company performs its annual impairment review of goodwill in September, and when a triggering event occurs between annual impairment tests. The Company recorded no impairment loss for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

 

The Company’s other finite-lived intangible assets consist of license rights and patents. The Company amortizes its patents over the life of each patent and license rights over the remaining life of the patents that it has rights for. The current license rights have a remaining life of 16 years. During the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012 the Company recognized $448,456, $77,789, and $78,273 in amortization expense on the patents and license rights, respectively. The amortization expense has been included in general and administrative expense.

Research and Development

Research and Development

 

Research and development expenses are expensed in the consolidated statements of operations as incurred in accordance with FASB ASC 730, Research and Development. Research and development expenses include salaries, related employee expenses, clinical trial expenses, research expenses, consulting fees, and laboratory costs. The Company incurred net research and development expenses of $3,990,875, $2,610,120, and $1,625,695 during the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012 respectively.

 

Share-based Compensation

Share-based Compensation

 

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 718, “Share-Based Payments” which requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. The Company uses the Black-Scholes pricing model for determining the fair value of stock based compensation.

 

In accordance with ASC 505, equity instruments issued to non-employees for goods or services are accounted for at fair value and are marked to market until service is complete or a performance commitment date is reached, whichever is earlier.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The charge for taxation is based on the results for the year as adjusted for items which are non-assessable or disallowed. It is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

 

In July, 2006, the FASB issued ASC 740, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a return. ASC 740 provides guidance on the measurement, recognition, classification and disclosure of tax positions, along with accounting for the related interest and penalties. Under this pronouncement, the Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that a position would more likely than not be sustained based upon its technical merit if challenged by the relevant taxing authority and taken by management to the court of the last resort. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the relevant tax authority. ASC 740 became effective for the Company as of July 1, 2008, and had no material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

The Company’s policy is to recognize both interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits expected to result in payment of cash within one year are classified as accrued liabilities, while those expected beyond one year are classified as other liabilities. The Company has not recorded any interest and penalties since its inception.

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal tax jurisdiction and various state tax jurisdictions. The tax years for 2011 to 2013 remain open for examination by federal and/or state tax jurisdictions. The Company is currently not under examination by any other tax jurisdictions for any tax years.

Loss Per Share

Loss Per Share

 

Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing losses attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.

 

Diluted loss per common share is computed by dividing losses attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period increased to include the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive securities had been issued. Potentially dilutive securities include outstanding stock options, and warrants.

 

For the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, all of the Company’s potentially dilutive securities (warrants and options) were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share as they were anti-dilutive. The total numbers of potentially dilutive shares that were excluded were 3,995,343 and 6,994,269 at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Reclassification of Financial Statement Accounts

Reclassification of Financial Statement Accounts

 

Certain amounts in the September 30, 2013 and 2012 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the presentation in the September 30, 2014 financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Management has considered all recent accounting pronouncements issued since the last audit of the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s management believes that these recent pronouncements will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.