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Note A - Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Notes to Financial Statements  
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

NOTE A - NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Nature of Business

 

United-Guardian, Inc. (“Registrant” or “Company”) is a Delaware corporation that, through its Guardian Laboratories division, manufactures, markets and develops specialty cosmetic, personal care and sexual wellness ingredients, and a line of healthcare products including pharmaceuticals and medical lubricants. The Company also conducts research and product development, primarily related to the development of new and unique cosmetic ingredients. The Company’s research and development department also modifies, refines, and expands the uses for existing products, with the goal of further developing the market for the Company's products. Two major product lines, Lubrajel and Renacidin Irrigation Solution (“Renacidin”), together accounted for approximately 93% of the Company’s sales for the years ended December 31, 2025 and, 2024, respectively. Lubrajel accounted for approximately 48% and 60% of the Company’s sales for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, and Renacidin accounted for approximately 45% and 33% of the Company’s sales for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

 

Segment Information

 

The Company operates its business under one operating segment, which is also its reportable segment. The Company's chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), who is the President, reviews financial information presented at the consolidated level and decides how to allocate resources based on financial metrics, including net income. The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheet as total consolidated assets. The CODM, along with the Board of Directors, use such financial metrics, including net income, to evaluate income generated from segment assets (return on assets) in deciding whether to reinvest profits or allocate to other parts of the organization, such as working capital needs, mandatory and discretionary capital expenditures or other growth opportunities that may arise that are in the Company’s best interest and the best interest of the stockholders.

 

Net income, other financial metrics and sales forecasts are used to monitor budget versus actual results. The reported segment revenue, segment profit or loss and significant segment expenses are the same as the consolidated results disclosed on the consolidated statements of income.

 

Impact of Global Supply Chain Instability, Inflation and Tariffs

 

During 2025, the United States (“U.S.”) changed its long-standing trade policies and announced significant new tariffs, with certain exceptions, on virtually all imported goods. These actions triggered the negotiation of new trade agreements with certain U.S. trading partners. While these negotiations resulted in the reduction of certain recently imposed tariffs, the average U.S. tariff rate remains at its highest level since the 1930s. In response to the changes in U.S. trade policies, certain U.S. trading partners imposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports. Shifts in tariffs, trade agreements, import/export restrictions, trade sanctions, sector specific trade barriers, and other governmental trade actions, whether enacted by the U.S. or other countries, especially those instituted in the Company's significant markets or markets where its significant customers are located and the associated uncertainty of long-term trade policies, could impact the Company's sales volume, sales prices, and other costs. Changes in trade policies may also cause disruptions to material sourcing and availability, global supply chains and logistics and access to end markets. Additionally, changes in U.S. trade policy and associated responses from trading partners may create shifts in global market dynamics and result in continued global financial market volatility. The impact of these changes in trade policies and the resulting trade and market uncertainty could have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations. There can be no assurance that, in the future, the U.S. or other countries or international trade bodies will not institute new tariffs or more restrictive trade policies or remedies and, as a result, the Company may face additional uncertainty and adverse impact on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Use of Estimates

 

In preparing financial statements in conformity with a Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”), management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such estimated items include the allowance for credit losses, reserve for inventory obsolescence, accrued distribution fees, outdated material returns, possible impairment of marketable securities and the allocation of overhead.

 

Accounts Receivable and Reserves

 

In accordance with FASB ASU 2025-05, the Company presents financial assets at the net amount expected to be collected, requiring immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the asset’s remaining life. This is in contrast to previous U.S. GAAP, under which credit losses were not recognized until it was probable that a loss had been incurred. The Company performed its expected credit loss calculation based on historical accounts receivable write-offs, including consideration of then-existing economic conditions.

 

The carrying amount of accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance for credit losses that reflects the Company’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected as of the balance sheet date. This allowance is based on the credit losses expected to arise over the life of the asset and is based on the Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”). At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the allowance for credit losses related to accounts receivable amounted to $17,169 and $14,342, respectively.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company records revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” Under this guidance, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. The Company’s principal source of revenue is product sales.

 

The Company’s sales, as reported, are subject to a variety of deductions, some of which are estimated. These deductions are recorded in the same period in which the revenue is recognized. Such deductions, primarily related to the sale of the Company’s pharmaceutical products, include chargebacks from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), rebates in connection with the Company’s current participation in Medicare programs, distribution fees, discounts, and outdated product returns. These deductions represent estimates of the related obligations and, as such, knowledge and judgment are required when estimating the impact of these revenue deductions on sales for a reporting period.

 

During 2025 and 2024, the Company participated in various government drug rebate programs related to the sale of Renacidin, our most important pharmaceutical product. These programs include the Veterans Affairs Federal Supply Schedule (“FSS”), and the Medicare Manufacturer Discount Program (“MDP”) (formerly the Medicare Part D Coverage Gap Discount Program (“CGDP”)). These programs require us to sell our product at a discounted price, typically given in the form of a rebate. Our sales, as reported, are net of these rebates, some of which are estimated and are recorded in the same period that the revenue is recognized.

 

On January 1, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) implemented a new Medicare Part D Manufacturer Discount Program (“Discount Program”), which replaced the prior CGDP. The new Discount Program eliminates the coverage gap benefit phase, introduces pharmaceutical manufacturer discounts in the initial and catastrophic coverage phases, and lowers the cap on enrollee out-of-pocket costs. Under the new Discount Program, additional rebates are expected to be owed by pharmaceutical manufacturers due to the restructuring of the benefit periods and removal of the cap that was in place that limited the drug manufacturer’s liability. The overall financial impact of this new program will vary depending on the products being reimbursed but is expected to increase Medicare Part D rebates for drug manufacturers. On January 31, 2024, the Company was notified by CMS that it qualified as a “specified small manufacturer” and would be entitled to a multi-year phase-in period during which it would pay a lower percentage discount on drugs dispensed to beneficiaries. Based on the “specified small manufacturer” designation, it appears, that based on our current level of sales through the Medicare Part D Program, the Company would have reduced rebate liabilities in years 2025 and 2026, with rebates gradually increasing each year until they reach their full value in 2031. By the end of the phase in period in 2031, these rebate liabilities are expected to significantly exceed the liabilities we have recorded under the CGDP in previous years.

 

As long as a valid purchase order has been received and future collection of the sale amount is reasonably assured, the Company recognizes revenue from sales of its products when those products are shipped, which is when the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied. The Company’s cosmetic products are shipped EXW from the Company’s facility in Hauppauge, NY, and the risk of loss and responsibility for the shipment passes to the customer upon shipment. Sales of the Company’s non-pharmaceutical medical products are deemed final upon shipment, and there is no obligation on the part of the Company to repurchase or allow the return of these goods unless they are defective. Sales of the Company’s pharmaceutical products are final upon shipment unless (a) they are found to be defective; (b) the product is damaged in shipping; (c) the product cannot be sold because it is too close to its expiration date; or (d) the product has expired (but it is not more than one year after the expiration date). This return policy conforms to standard pharmaceutical industry practice. The Company estimates an allowance for outdated material returns based on previous years’ historical returns of its pharmaceutical products.

 

The Company does not make sales on consignment, and the collection of the proceeds of the sale of any of the Company’s products is not contingent upon the customer being able to sell the goods to a third party.

 

Any allowances for returns are taken as a reduction of sales within the same period the revenue is recognized. Such allowances are determined based on historical experience under ASC Topic 606-10-32-8. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had an allowance of $194,947 and $276,732, respectively, for possible outdated material returns, which is included in accrued expenses. There is no asset value associated with these outdated material returns, as these products are destroyed.

 

The timing between recognition of revenue for product sales and the receipt of payment is not significant. The Company’s standard credit terms, which vary depending on the customer, range between 30 and 60 days. The Company recognizes an allowance for credit losses on its accounts receivable in accordance with ASU 2016-13, which is based on the credit losses expected to arise over the life of the asset and is based on Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”). Prompt-pay discounts are offered to some customers; however, due to the uncertainty of the customers taking the discounts, the discounts are recorded when they are taken.

 

At December 31, 2025, the Company recorded advance payments from one of its customers in the amount of $12,177, which was recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet. The related performance obligations associated with these payments were satisfied in the first quarter of 2026. No such advanced payments existed at December 31, 2024.

 

The Company has distribution agreements with certain distributors of its pharmaceutical products that entitle those distributors to distribution and services-related fees. The Company records distribution fees, and estimates of distribution fees, as offsets to revenue.

 

Disaggregated net sales by product class are as follows:

 

   

Years ended December 31,

 
   

2025

   

2024

 

Cosmetic ingredients

  $ 3,006,522     $ 5,438,262  

Pharmaceuticals

    5,427,842       4,715,145  

Medical lubricants

    2,111,104       2,028,564  

Total Net Sales

  $ 10,545,468     $ 12,181,971  

 

The Company’s cosmetic ingredients are currently marketed worldwide by five distributors, of which the United States (“U.S.”)-based ASI purchases the largest volume. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, approximately 23% and 16%, respectively, of the Company’s sales were to (a) its foreign-based distributors (which does not include ASI), which marketed and distributed the Company’s cosmetic ingredients to customers outside the U.S, and (b) a few foreign customers for the Company’s medical lubricants, which were sold directly to those customers by the Company.

 

Disaggregated sales by geographic region are as follows:

 

    Years ended December 31,  
   

2025

   

2024

 

United States*

  $ 8,141,533     $ 10,175,926  

Other countries

    2,403,935       2,006,045  

Net Sales

  $ 10,545,468     $ 12,181,971  

 

* Although a significant percentage of ASI’s purchases from the Company are sold to foreign customers, all sales to ASI are considered U.S. sales for financial reporting purposes, since all shipments to ASI are shipped to ASI’s warehouses in the U.S. A certain percentage of those products are subsequently shipped by ASI to its foreign customers. Based on sales information provided to the Company by ASI, 77% of ASI’s sales in 2025 were to customers in foreign countries, compared with 79% in 2024. ASI’s largest foreign market in both 2025 and 2024 was China, which accounted for approximately 41% of ASI’s sales in 2025 and 43% of sales in 2024.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

For financial statement purposes, the Company considers as cash equivalents all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase. The Company deposits cash and cash equivalents with financially strong, FDIC-insured financial institutions, and it believes that any amounts above FDIC insurance limitations are at minimal risk. The amounts held in excess of FDIC limits at any point in time are considered temporary and are primarily due to the timing of maturities of United States Treasury Bills and Certificates of Deposit. Cash and cash equivalents held in these accounts are currently insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to a maximum of $250,000. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, approximately $1,300 and $234,000 respectively, exceeded the FDIC limit. The Company also invests in certain money market mutual funds that are protected as securities by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). At December 31, 2025 and 2024, cash held in these money market mutual funds of approximately $502,000 and $563,000, respectively, exceeded the SIPC limit.

 

Dividends

 

On January 27, 2025 the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.35 per share, which was paid on February 18, 2025 to all holders of record as of February 10, 2025. During the first half of 2025, the Company declared a total of $1,608,012 in dividends, of which $1,607,893 was paid. The balance of $119 is payable to stockholders whose old Guardian Chemical shares have not yet been exchanged to United-Guardian, Inc. shares and are pending escheatment. On July 11, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share, which was paid on August 1, 2025, to all holders of record as of July 25, 2025. Dividends totaling $1,148,536 were paid on August 1, 2025, and the balance of $44 is payable to stockholders whose old Guardian Chemical shares have not yet been exchanged to United-Guardian, Inc. shares and are pending escheatment.

 

In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company made payments of $10,290 in dividends in arrears to shareholders who had either converted their Guardian Chemical shares to United-Guardian, Inc. shares or whose shares had been escheated.

 

On July 10, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.35 per share, which was paid on July 31, 2024, to all holders of record as of July 23, 2024. Dividends totaling $1,607,855 were paid and the balance of $156 is payable to stockholders whose old Guardian Chemical shares have not yet been exchanged to United-Guardian, Inc. shares and are pending escheatment. On January 30, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share, which was paid on February 20, 2024, to all holders of record as of February 12, 2024. Dividends totaling $1,148,468 were paid. The balance of $112 is payable to stockholders whose old Guardian Chemical shares have not yet been exchanged to United-Guardian, Inc. shares and are pending escheatment.

 

Marketable Securities

 

The Company’s marketable securities include investments in equity mutual funds, United States Treasury Bills (“U.S. Treasury Bills”) and Certificates of Deposit with maturities longer than 3 months. The Company’s marketable equity securities are reported at fair value with the related unrealized and realized gains and losses included in net income. U.S Treasury Bills and Certificates of Deposit are recorded at amortized cost. Realized gains or losses on mutual funds are determined on a specific identification basis. The Company evaluates its investments periodically for possible other-than-temporary impairment by reviewing factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value had been below cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time which may be sufficient for anticipated recovery of market value. The Company would record an impairment charge to the extent that the cost of the available-for-sale securities exceeds the estimated fair value of the securities and the decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary. During 2025 and 2024, the Company did not record an impairment charge regarding its investment in marketable securities because management believes, based on its evaluation of the circumstances, that the decline in fair value below the cost of certain of the Company’s marketable securities is temporary.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is equal to the selling price less the estimated costs of selling and/or disposing of the product. Cost is determined using the average cost method, which approximates cost determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Inventory costs include material, labor and factory overhead.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Major replacements and betterments are capitalized, while routine maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Assets are depreciated under both accelerated and straight-line methods. Depreciation charged as a result of using accelerated methods was not materially different than that which would result from using the straight-line method for all periods presented. Certain factory equipment and fixtures are constructed by the Company using purchased materials and in-house labor. Such assets are capitalized and depreciated on a basis consistent with the Company's purchased fixed assets.

 

Estimated useful lives are as follows: 

 

Factory equipment and fixtures  

5 - 7 years  

Building  

40 years  

Building improvements  

Lesser of useful life or 20 years  

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. No impairments were necessary at December 31, 2025 and 2024.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Management of the Company believes that the fair value of financial instruments, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, approximates their carrying value due to their short payment terms and liquid nature.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Accounts receivable potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk. The Company monitors the amount of credit it allows each of its customers, using the customer’s prior payment history to determine how much credit to allow or whether credit should be given at all. It is the Company’s policy to discontinue shipments to any customer that is substantially past due on its payments. The Company sometimes requires payment in advance from customers whose payment record is questionable. As a result of its monitoring of the outstanding credit allowed for each customer, as well as the fact that the majority of the Company’s sales are to customers whose satisfactory credit and payment record has been established over a long period of time, the Company believes that its accounts receivable credit risk has been reduced.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2025, three of the Company’s pharmaceutical wholesalers and one cosmetic ingredient distributor accounted for approximately 74% of the Company’s gross sales during the year and approximately 82% of its outstanding accounts receivable on December 31, 2025. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the same three pharmaceutical wholesalers and one cosmetic ingredient distributor accounted for a total of approximately 80% of the Company’s gross sales during the year and 87% of its outstanding accounts receivable on December 31, 2024.

 

Supplier Concentration

 

Most of the principal raw materials used by the Company consist of common industrial organic and inorganic chemicals and are available in ample supply from numerous sources. However, there are some raw materials used by the Company that are not readily available or require longer lead times. The Company has three major raw material vendors that collectively accounted for approximately 82% and 83% of the raw material purchases by the Company in 2025 and 2024, respectively. In addition to the Company’s raw materials concentration, the Company utilizes one contract manufacturer to produce its pharmaceutical product, Renacidin. Any disruption in this manufacturer’s operations could have a material impact on the Company’s revenue stream.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to the temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards.

                                             

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. 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.

 

Uncertain tax positions are accounted for utilizing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company did not have any unrecognized income tax benefits. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties related to taxes as interest expense as incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company did not record any tax-related interest or penalties. The Company’s tax returns for 2022 and all subsequent years are subject to examination by the United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS) and by the State of New York.

 

Research and Development

 

Research and development expenses are expenditures incurred in connection with in-house research on new and existing products. It includes payroll and payroll related expenses, outside laboratory expenditures, lab supplies, equipment repairs and maintenance and equipment depreciation.

 

Earnings Per Share Information

 

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share would include the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options, if any.

 

New Accounting Standards

 

On December 8, 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-11, “Interim Reporting (Topic 270)” which is intended to improve the navigability of the guidance in ASC 270 and clarify when it applies. Under the amendments, an entity is subject to ASC 270 if it provides “interim financial statements and notes according to GAAP.” The ASU also addresses the form and content of such financial statements, adds lists to ASC 270 of the interim disclosures required by all other Codification topics, and establishes a principle under which an entity must “disclose events since the end of the last annual reporting period that have a material impact on the entity.” These amendments are not intended to change the fundamental nature of interim reporting or expand or reduce current interim disclosure requirements. This guidance is effective for interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027.

 

In July 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-05, which provides (1) all entities with a practical expedient and (2) entities other than public business entities with an accounting policy election when estimating expected credit losses for current accounts receivable and current contract assets arising from transactions accounted for under Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The practical expedient allows an entity to assume that, when estimating expected credit losses, current conditions as of the balance sheet date remain unchanged for the remaining life of the asset. The accounting policy election permits nonpublic entities that elect the practical expedient to also consider collection activity occurring after the balance sheet date when estimating expected credit losses. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025, and for interim periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2025-05 for the year ended December 31, 2025. The adoption did not have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

On November 4, 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 “Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (“DISE”). This guidance requires disaggregation of certain expense captions into specified categories in disclosures within the footnotes to the financial statements. Subsequently issued ASU 2025-01, clarified the effective date of this standard. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and for interim periods, within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027.

 

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 “Income Taxes- Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” This guidance enhances the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. More specifically, the amendments relate to the income tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disclosures and require 1) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and 2) income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2024. On January 1, 2025, the Company implemented this standard and applied the guidance under the new standard to include additional disclosures in this Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

 

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, "Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures." This amendment requires additional disclosures by public entities, including those with a single reportable segment, to disclose significant segment expenses and other segment items for each reportable segment. The guidance applies to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. On January 1, 2024, we adopted the new standard and applied the guidance under the new standard to include additional disclosures for our single reportable segment. See notes A and G for additional information.