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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Critical estimates include inputs used to determine stock-based compensation expense and the fair value of financial instruments and other liabilities measured at fair value. Cyclacel reviews its estimates on an ongoing basis. The estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Cyclacel believes the judgments and estimates required by the following accounting policies to be significant in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Reclassification

Reclassification

Certain amounts in prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current period financial statement presentation. On the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, certain amounts have been reclassified from “Accrued and other current liabilities” to “Other liabilities.”

Risks and Uncertainties

Risks and Uncertainties

Drug candidates developed by the Company typically will require approvals or clearances from the FDA or other international regulatory agencies prior to commercial sales. There can be no assurance that the Company’s drug candidates will receive any of the required approvals or clearances. If the Company was denied approval or clearance or such approval was delayed, or is unable to obtain the necessary financing to complete development and approval, there will be a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Foreign Currency and Currency Translation

Foreign Currency and Currency Translation

Transactions that are denominated in a foreign currency are remeasured into the functional currency at the current exchange rate on the date of the transaction. Any foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities are subsequently remeasured at current exchange rates, with gains or losses recognized as foreign exchange (losses) gains in the statement of operations.

The assets and liabilities of the Company’s international subsidiary are translated from its functional currency into United States dollars at exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Average rates of exchange during the period are used to translate the statement of operations, while historical rates of exchange are used to translate any equity transactions.

Translation adjustments arising on consolidation due to differences between average rates and balance sheet rates, as well as unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses arising from translation of intercompany loans that are of a long-term-investment nature, are recorded in other comprehensive loss.

Segments

Segments

After considering its business activities and geographic reach, the Company has concluded that it operates in just one operating segment being the discovery, development and commercialization of novel, mechanism-targeted drugs to treat cancer and other serious disorders, with development operations in two geographic areas, namely the United States and the United Kingdom.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which is substantially the same as fair value. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of initial purchase to be cash equivalents and categorizes such investments as held to maturity. The objectives of the Company’s cash management policy are to safeguard and preserve funds, to maintain liquidity sufficient to meet Cyclacel’s cash flow requirements and to attain a market rate of return.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, common stock warrants, financial instruments associated with stock purchase agreements and other arrangements. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximate their respective fair values due to the nature of the accounts, notably their short maturities. The financial instruments associated with stock purchase agreements and certain other liabilities are measured at fair value using applicable inputs as described inNote 5 - Fair Value.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment

The components of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which are generally three to five years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is performed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful life of the related assets, currently between five and fifteen years. Upon sale or retirement of assets, the costs and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the balance sheet and the resulting gain or loss on sale is reflected as a component of operating income or loss. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred.

The Company did not sell any fixed assets during the years ended December 31, 2013 or 2014.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company reviews property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. The Company assesses the recoverability of the potentially affected long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows.

Impairment, if any, is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset (or asset group) exceeds its fair value.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Grant revenues from government agencies and private research foundations are recognized as the related qualified research and development costs are incurred, up to the limit of the prior approval funding amounts. Grant revenues are not refundable.

Clinical Trial Accounting

Clinical Trial Accounting

Data management and monitoring of the Company’s clinical trials are performed with the assistance of contract research organizations (“CROs”) or clinical research associates (“CRAs”) in accordance with the Company’s standard operating procedures. Typically, CROs and CRAs bill monthly for services performed, and others bill based upon milestones achieved. For outstanding amounts, the Company accrues unbilled clinical trial expenses based on estimates of the level of services performed each period. Costs of setting up clinical trial sites for participation in the trials are recognized upon execution of the clinical trial agreement and expensed immediately as research and development expenses. Clinical trial costs related to patient enrollment are accrued as patients are entered into and progress through the trial.

Research and Development Expenditures

Research and Development Expenditures

Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs associated with the Company’s product candidates, upfront fees, milestones, compensation and other expenses for research and development personnel, supplies and development materials, costs for consultants and related contract research, facility costs and depreciation. Expenditures relating to research and development are expensed as incurred.

Patent Costs

Patent Costs

Patent prosecution costs are charged to operations as incurred as recoverability of such expenditure is uncertain.

Leased Assets

Leased Assets

The costs of operating leases are charged to operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.

The Company applies the accounting guidance codified in ASC 740 “Income taxes” (“ASC 740”) related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. ASC 740 specifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements by prescribing a minimum probability threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements.

Credit is taken in the accounting period for research and development tax credits, which will be claimed from H.M. Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”), the United Kingdom’s taxation and customs authority, in respect of qualifying research and development costs incurred in the same accounting period.

Net Loss Per Common Share

Net Loss Per Common Share

The Company calculates net loss per common share in accordance with ASC 260 “Earnings Per Share” (“ASC 260”). Basic and diluted net loss per common share was determined by dividing net loss applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The Company’s potentially dilutive shares, which include outstanding common stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, convertible preferred stock and common stock warrants, have not been included in the computation of diluted net loss per share for all periods as the result would be anti-dilutive.

	Year Ended December 31, 2013		Year Ended December 31, 2014
Stock options		949,685		1,010,298
Restricted Stock Units		119,248		89,016
Convertible preferred stock		20,381		20,381
Common stock warrants		1,591,795		1,341,129
Total shares excluded from calculation		2,618,109		2,460,824

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Inputs used to determine fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities are categorized using a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs into three broad levels, from Level 1, for quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, to Level 3, for unobservable inputs (see Note 5 — Fair Value). Management reviews the categorization of fair value inputs on a periodic basis and may determine that it is necessary to transfer an input from one level of the fair value hierarchy to another based on changes in events or circumstances, such as a change in the observability of an input. Any such transfer will be recognized at the end of the reporting period.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation

The Company grants stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock to officers, employees and directors under the Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan (“2006 Plan”), which was approved on March 16, 2006, as amended on May 21, 2007, subsequently amended and restated on April 14, 2008 and later amended on May 23, 2012. Under the 2006 Plan, the Company has granted various types of awards, which are described more fully in Note 11 - Stock-Based Compensation Arrangements. The Company accounts for these awards under ASC 718“Compensation — Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”).

ASC 718 requires measurement of compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on date of grant and recognition of compensation over the requisite service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The determination of grant-date fair value for stock option awards is estimated using the Black-Scholes model, which includes variables such as the expected volatility of the Company’s share price, the anticipated exercise behavior of employees, interest rates, and dividend yields. These variables are projected based on historical data, experience, and other factors. Changes in any of these variables could result in material adjustments to the expense recognized for share-based payments. Such value is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the straight-line attribution method. The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from current estimates, such amounts are recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. The Company considers many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including type of awards granted, employee class, and historical experience. Actual results and future estimates may differ substantially from current estimates.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive Loss

In accordance with ASC 220 “Comprehensive Income” (“ASC 220”), all components of comprehensive income (loss), including net income (loss), are reported in the financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), including foreign currency translation adjustments, are reported, net of any related tax effect, to arrive at comprehensive income (loss). No taxes were recorded on items of other comprehensive income.

Accounting Standards Adopted in the Period

Accounting Standards Adopted in the Period

On January 1, 2014 we adopted guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) relating to the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward (NOL), a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The guidance states that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a NOL, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows. To the extent an NOL, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The adoption of this guidance has not had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2014 we adopted guidance issued by the FASB relating to certain foreign currency matters. This guidance clarifies the parent company’s accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment when a reporting entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity or of an investment in a foreign entity. The adoption of this guidance has not had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2014 we adopted guidance issued by the FASB relating to obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date. This provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in GAAP. The guidance should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented for those obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements that exist at the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year of adoption. The adoption of this guidance has not had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

On June 10, 2014 we adopted guidance issued by the FASB relating to financial reporting for development stage entities. The guidance eliminates certain financial reporting requirements for development stage entities, including the presentation of inception-to-date information about income statement line items, cash flows, and equity transactions, and also eliminates an exception provided to development stage entities for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity on the basis of the amount of equity that is at risk. The adoption of this guidance has resulted in the elimination of inception-to-date information.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Effective

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Effective

In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance on consolidation, which changes the analysis an entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain legal entities. This guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance can be adopted using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective method of transition. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2014, the FASB issued guidance on how current US GAAP should be interpreted in evaluating the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract in a hybrid financial instrument that is issued in the form of a share. The guidance clarifies that an entity should include all relevant terms and features, including the embedded derivative feature being evaluated for bifurcation, in evaluating the nature of the host contract. The guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance can be adopted on prospectively or on a modified retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance on management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and the provision of related footnote disclosures. This guidance is effective for annual period ending December 15, 2016 and for annual and interim periods thereafter. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance on accounting for share based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period should be treated as a performance condition. This guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, after December 15, 2015. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on accounting for revenue from contracts with customers. This new guidance will replace existing revenue guidelines with a new model, in which revenue is recognized upon transfer of control over goods or services to a customer. The new standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2017, for both interim and annual periods. The guidance can be adopted using either a full retrospective (with certain practical expedients) or a modified retrospective method of transition. Under the modified retrospective approach, financial statements will be prepared for the year of adoption using the new standard, but prior periods will not be adjusted. Instead, companies will recognize a cumulative catch-up adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at the effective date for contracts that still require performance by the company, and disclose all line items in the year of adoption as if they were prepared under current revenue requirements. At this time, the Company has not decided on which method it will use to adopt the new standard, nor has it determined the effects of the new guidelines on its results of operations and financial position. For the foreseeable future, the Company’s revenues will be limited to grants received from government agencies or nonprofit organizations, and the Company is evaluating the effects of the new standard on these types of revenue streams.