3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in these consolidated financial statements include but are not limited to, goodwill impairment, the accrual of research and development expenses, the valuation of equity transactions and share-based awards. Changes in estimates and assumptions are reflected in reported results in the period in which they become known. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash consists of bank deposits, certificates of deposit and money market accounts with financial institutions. Cash equivalents are carried at cost which approximates fair value due to their short-term nature and which the Company believes do not have a material exposure to credit risk. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash and cash equivalent accounts, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Restricted cash consists of a deposit collateralizing a letter of credit issued by a bank in connection with the Company’s operating lease (See Note 12). As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, restricted cash was $208 and $207, respectively. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash consist of the following:

	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017

Cash and cash equivalents	$	171,136	$	18,142
Restricted cash		208		207
	$	171,344	$	18,349

Short term Investments

Short term investments consist of investments in certificates of deposit and United States Treasury securities. Management determines the appropriate classification of these securities at the time they are acquired and evaluates the appropriateness of such classifications at each balance sheet date. The Company classifies its short-term investments as available-for-sale pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities. Short-term investments are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity and a component of total comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, until realized. Realized gains and losses are included in investment income on a specific-identification basis. There were no realized gains or losses on short-term investments for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. There was $10 and $0 of net unrealized gains on short term investments for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Company reviews short term investments for other-than-temporary impairment whenever the fair value of a short term investment is less than the amortized cost and evidence indicates that a short term investment’s carrying amount is not recoverable within a reasonable period of time. Other-than-temporary impairments of investments are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations if the Company has experienced a credit loss, has the intent to sell the short term investment, or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the short term investment before recovery of the amortized cost basis. Evidence considered in this assessment includes reasons for the impairment, compliance with the Company’s investment policy, the severity and the duration of the impairment and changes in value subsequent to the end of the period.

Short term investments at March 31, 2018 consist of the following:

	Cost Basis		Unrealized Gains		Fair Value
Current:
Certificates of deposit	$	1,546	$	-	$	1,546
United States Treasury securities		10,005		10		10,015
	$	11,551	$	10	$	11,561

At March 31, 2018, all short term investments held by the Company had contractual maturities of less than one year. The Company evaluated its securities for other-than-temporary impairment and determined that no such impairment existed at March 31, 2018.

Goodwill

Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method (see Note 4). The total cost of an acquisition is allocated to the underlying identifiable net assets, based on their respective estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management’s judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates, asset lives and market multiples, among other items. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually as of December 31, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Examples of such events or circumstances include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in legal or business climate, an adverse regulatory action or unanticipated competition.

The Company will assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances would indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit was less than its carrying amount. If after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company were to determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the Company would perform a quantitative impairment test.

In the first step, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets, goodwill is not impaired, and no further testing is required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, the Company measures the amount of impairment loss, if any, as the excess of the carrying value over the fair value of the reporting unit.

The Company has determined there were no indicators of goodwill impairment as of March 31, 2018.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is recognized using the straight-line method over the useful life of the asset. The estimated useful lives are three to five years. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance of assets are charged to expense as incurred. Upon retirement or sale, the cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets disposed of are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in loss from operations. If the carrying amount of the assets or asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company is required to disclose information on all assets and liabilities reported at fair value that enables an assessment of the inputs used in determining the reported fair values. FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), establishes a hierarchy of inputs used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy applies only to the valuation inputs used in determining the reported fair value of the investments and is not a measure of the investment credit quality. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1—Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2—Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3—Valuations that require inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their respective carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying value of the 2021 Convertible Notes approximates fair value due to the acquisition (see Note 4). The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis include its short term investments.

Deferred Rent and Lease Liability

The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis, after considering the effect of rent escalation provisions resulting in a level rent expense recognized over the lease term. For the lease liability, the Company reduces the rent expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the lease.

Research and Development

Research and development costs, which include salaries and staff costs, license costs, regulatory and scientific consulting fees, as well as contract research, and share-based compensation expense, are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 730, Research and Development, (“ASC 730”).

The Company does not currently have any commercial biopharmaceutical products, and does not expect to have any for several years, if at all. Accordingly, research and development costs are expensed as incurred. While certain of the Company’s research and development costs may have future benefits, the policy of expensing all research and development expenditures is predicated on the fact that the Company has no history of successful commercialization of product candidates to base any estimate of the number of future periods that would be benefited.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Certain transactions during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are denominated in Euros. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are not significant for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award on the grant date. That cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. The fair value of options on the date of grant is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on key assumptions such as stock price, expected volatility and expected term. The Company’s estimates of these assumptions are primarily based on the trading price of Company’s stock, historical data, peer company data and judgment regarding future trends and factors. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the intrinsic value of such awards on the date of grant. Compensation cost for stock purchase rights under the employee stock purchase plan is measured and recognized on the date the Company becomes obligated to issue shares of common stock and is based on the difference between the fair value of the Company’s common stock and the purchase price on such date.

The Company classifies share-based compensation expense in its statement of operations in the same manner in which the award recipient’s payroll costs are classified or in which the award recipients’ service payments are classified.

The Company recognizes compensation expense for only the portion of awards that are expected to vest. Forfeitures are recorded as they occur.

Prior to the Reverse Merger, the Company was a private company and lacked company-specific historical and implied volatility information. Therefore, it estimated its expected share volatility based on the historical volatility of a publicly traded set of peer companies. The expected term of the Company’s share options was determined utilizing the “simplified” method for awards that qualify as “plain vanilla” options. The expected term of share options granted to non-employees was equal to the contractual term of the option award. The risk-free interest rate was determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant of the award for time periods approximately equal to the expected term of the award. Expected dividend yield was based on the fact that the Company had never paid cash dividends and did not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

The Company measured the compensation expense of share options and other share-based awards granted to employees and directors using the grant date fair value of the award and recognized compensation expense as determined by the Black-Scholes Option pricing model on a straight-line basis over their requisite service period, which was generally the vesting period of the respective award.

The Company initially measured the compensation expense of share-based awards granted to consultants using the grant date fair value of the award. Compensation expense was recognized over the period during which services were rendered by such consultants. At the end of each financial reporting period prior to completion of services being rendered, the compensation expense was remeasured using the then current fair value of the share-based award, based on updated assumption inputs in the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

NYC Biotechnology Tax Credit Program

New York City allows investors and owners of emerging technology companies focused on biotechnology to claim a tax credit against the General Corporation Tax and Unincorporated Business Tax for amounts paid or incurred for certain facilities, operations, and employee training in New York City. The credit is recognized as research and development incentives when approved by New York City of the eligibility for the credit and the credit amount. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded research and development incentive income and a related receivable of $186 and $192, respectively, related to this credit.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as well as for operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the Company expects to recover or settle those temporary differences. The Company recognizes the effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company reduces the measurement of a deferred tax asset, if necessary, by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize some or all of the deferred tax asset.

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements by applying a two-step process to determine the amount of tax benefit to be recognized. First, the tax position must be evaluated to determine the likelihood that it will be sustained upon external examination by the taxing authorities. If the tax position is deemed more-likely-than-not to be sustained, the tax position is then assessed to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The amount of the benefit that may be recognized is the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The provision for income taxes includes the effects of any resulting tax reserves, or unrecognized tax benefits, that are considered appropriate as well as the related net interest and penalties.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (the “Act”), was signed into law by the President of the United States. The Act includes a number of provisions, including the lowering of the U.S. corporate tax rate from 34 percent to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018 and the establishment of a territorial-style system for taxing foreign-source income of domestic multinational corporations. The Company is in the process of quantifying the tax impacts of The Act, but at this time does not believe the provisions will have a material impact on the Company’s financial reporting. The Company will continue to monitor and quantify the impact of the Act and will record any adjustments in accordance with the guidance in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118.

Net Loss Per Share

The Company follows the two-class method when computing net income (loss) per share as the Company has issued shares that meet the definition of participating securities. The two-class method determines net income (loss) per share for each class of common shares and participating securities according to dividends declared or accumulated and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The two-class method requires income available to common shareholders for the period to be allocated between common shares and participating securities based upon their respective rights to receive dividends as if all income for the period had been distributed.

Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders is computed by dividing the net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders is computed by adjusting net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders to reallocate undistributed earnings based on the potential impact of dilutive securities. Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders is computed by dividing the diluted net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, including potential dilutive common shares. For purposes of this calculation, outstanding options and convertible preferred shares are considered potential dilutive common shares.

The Company’s convertible preferred shares contractually entitled the holders of such shares to participate in dividends but contractually did not require the holders of such shares to participate in losses of the Company. Accordingly, in periods in which the Company reports a net loss attributable to common shareholders, diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders is the same as basic net loss per share attributable to common shareholders, since dilutive common shares are not assumed to have been issued if their effect is anti-dilutive. In connection with the Reverse Merger, all of the convertible preferred shares were converted into common stock. This conversion was in accordance with the original terms.

Segment Reporting

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business in one operating segment.

Comprehensive loss

Comprehensive loss is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions, and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, and currently consists of net loss and changes in unrealized gains and losses on short-term investments as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments—Overall (Topic 825-10): "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." ASU 2016-01 amends the guidance on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Some of the amendments in ASU 2016-01 include the following: 1) requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; 2) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment; 3) requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; and 4) requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value; among others. For public business entities, the amendments of ASU 2016-01 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2016-01 effective January 1, 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes the current leasing guidance and upon adoption, will require lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. The new standard is effective for the Company for the annual period beginning after December 15, 2018, and can be early adopted by applying a modified retrospective approach for leases existing at, and entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparable period presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, to provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. ASU 2017-09 was effective for the annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01)”. ASU 2017-01 provides that when substantially all of the fair value of the assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. ASU 2017-01 is effective to annual period beginning after December 31, 2018 and interim period within annual periods beginning after December 31, 2019. Adoption of ASU 2017-09 may impact the Company’s accounting for future acquisitions.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles- Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”, an amendment to simply the subsequent quantitative measurement of goodwill by eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test. As amended, an entity will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative test for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. This amendment is effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2021. Entities should apply for the amendment prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018 and will apply it when performing its annual goodwill impairment test.