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Significant accounting policies
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Dec. 31, 2013
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| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Significant accounting policies |
Basis of presentation
The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“US GAAP”) and are presented in United States dollars. The Company’s functional currency is the United States dollar.
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below and have been consistently applied to all periods presented.
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Del Mar Pharmaceuticals (BC) Ltd., Callco, and Exchangeco as of and for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. Inter-company transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses, contingent assets and contingent liabilities as at the end or during the reporting period. Actual results could significantly differ from those estimates. Significant areas requiring management to make estimates include the derivative liability and the valuation of equity instruments issued for services. Further details of the nature of these assumptions and conditions may be found in the relevant notes to the financial statements.
The derivative is not traded in an active market and the fair value is determined using valuation techniques. The Company uses judgment to select a variety of methods to make assumptions that are based on specific management plans and market conditions at the end of each reporting period. The Company uses a fair value estimate to determine the fair value of the derivative liability. The carrying value of the derivative liability would be higher or lower as management estimates around specific probabilities change. The estimates may be significantly different from those recorded in the financial statements because of the use of judgment and the inherent uncertainty in estimating the fair value of these instruments that are not quoted in an active market. All changes in the fair value are recorded in the consolidated statement of loss each reporting period. This is considered to be a Level 3 financial instrument.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit and highly liquid short-term interest-bearing securities with maturities at the date of purchase of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents are held at recognized Canadian and United States financial institutions. Interest earned is recognized in the consolidated statements of loss. In 2013 the Company raised financing of net proceeds of $8,575,000. The use of proceeds under this arrangement stated that the proceeds from the financing cannot be used to repay debt.
Foreign currency translation
The functional currency of the Company at December 31, 2013 is the United States dollar. Transactions that are denominated in a foreign currency are re-measured 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 re-measured at current exchange rates, with gains or losses recognized as foreign exchange losses or gains in the consolidated statement of operations. Nonmonetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical exchange rates. Expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the period. Exchange gains and losses are included in consolidated statement of operations for the period.
Adjustments arising from the translation of the Company’s financial statements to United States dollars for the periods ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 due to differences between average rates and balance sheet rates are recorded in other comprehensive income as for those periods the Company’s functional currency was the Canadian dollar. For those periods the financial statements have been presented in a currency other than the functional currency of the Company as management has determined that the U.S. dollar is the common currency in which the Company’s peers, being international drug and pharmaceutical companies, present their financial statements. For presentation purposes the assets and liabilities of the Company for 2012, 2011, and 2010 have been translated to U.S. dollars at exchange rates at the reporting date. The historical equity transactions have been translated using historical rates in effect on the date that each transaction occurred. The income and expenses are translated to U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for the period in which the transaction arose. Exchange differences arising are recognized in a separate component of equity titled accumulated other comprehensive income.
Current and future income taxes
The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, current income taxes are recognized for the estimated income taxes payable for the current period. Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method of accounting. Future income taxes are recognized for the future income tax consequences attributable to differences between the carrying values of assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases and for loss carry-forwards. Future income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on future income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax laws or rates is included in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date. When realization of future income tax assets does not meet the more-likely-than-not criterion for recognition, a valuation allowance is provided.
Financial instruments
The Company has financial instruments that are measured at fair value. To determine the fair value, we use the fair value hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs market participants would use to value an asset or liability and are developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs based on assumptions about the factors market participants would use to value an asset or liability. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:
Assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value hierarchy.
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, taxes and other receivables, accounts payable, related party payables and derivative liability. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, taxes and other receivables, accounts payable and related party payables approximate their fair values due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments.
As quoted prices for the derivative liability are not readily available, the Company has used a simulated probability valuation model, as described in note 7 to estimate fair value. The derivative liability utilizes Level 3 inputs as defined above.
The Company has the following liabilities under the fair value hierarchy:
Prototype drug product
The prototype drug product (the “drug”) is stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The cost of the drug is comprised of direct costs related to the acquisition of the drug. During the years ended 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded $nil in relation to these amounts as inventories (2010 - $250,000 was recorded as prototype drug product) and fully utilized in clinical and pre-clinical testing trials during the year ended December 31, 2011.
Intangible assets
Under its assignment agreement with Valent Technologies LLC (“Valent”) (note 4) the Company has incurred certain costs relating to patents assigned to the Company. As the patents had not yet been assigned to the Company at December 31, 2011, the Company has expensed these costs for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Expenditures associated with the filing, or maintenance of patents, licensing or technology agreements are expensed as incurred.
Costs previously recognized as an expense are not recognized as an asset in subsequent periods.
Once the technology has achieved commercialization, patent costs will be deferred and amortized over the remaining life of the related patent.
Research and development costs (including clinical trial expenses)
Research and development expenses include payroll, employee benefits, stock-based compensation expense, and other headcount-related expenses associated with product research and development. Research and development expenses also include third-party development and clinical trial expenses noted below. Such costs related to product research and development are included in research and development expense until the point that technological feasibility is reached, which for our products, is generally shortly before the products are approved by the relevant food and drug administration. Once technological feasibility is reached, such costs are capitalized and amortized to cost of revenue over the estimated lives of the products.
Clinical trial expenses are a component of research and development costs and include fees paid to contract research organizations, investigators and other service providers who conduct specific research for product development activities on behalf of the Company. The amount of clinical trial expenses recognized in a period related to service agreements is based on estimates of the work performed on an accrual basis. These estimates are based on patient enrollment, services provided and goods delivered, contractual terms and experience with similar contracts. The Company monitors these factors to the extent possible and adjusts our estimates accordingly. Prepaid expenses or accrued liabilities are adjusted if payments to service providers differ from estimates of the amount of service completed in a given period.
Research and development costs are expensed in the period incurred. At December 31, 2013 and 2012 all research and development costs were expensed.
Shares for services
The Company has issued equity instruments for services provided by employees and nonemployees. The equity instruments are valued at the fair value of the instrument granted (see notes 7 and 8 for assumptions).
The Company has transferred shares from the DelMar Employee Share Purchase Trust (the “Trust”) (note 8) to consultants and management in exchange for services rendered to the Company. The Company recognizes the fair value of the shares transferred as an expense with a corresponding increase in common stock. The shares reserved for issuance to consultants and management that are held by the Trust are included in the financial statements at year end. There are no other assets in the Trust. The number of shares outstanding for issue from the Trust at December 31, 2013 is nil (2012 - nil; 2011 - 1,590,625) (note 8).
The shares transferred from the Trust have been valued using the fair value of the shares transferred. The Company used recent share transactions in order to determine the fair value of the shares transferred from the Trust.
Stock options
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 the date of grant and recognition of compensation over the requisite service period for awards expected to vest. Compensation expense for unvested options to non-employees is revalued at each period end and is being amortized over the vesting period of the options. 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 its grantee, interest rates, and dividend yields. These variables are projected based on the Company’s 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 income
In accordance with ASC 220, “Comprehensive Income” (“ASC 220”) all components of comprehensive income, including net loss, are reported in the financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Net loss and other comprehensive (income) loss, , including foreign currency translation adjustments, are reported, net of any related tax effect, to arrive at comprehensive income. No taxes were recorded on items of other comprehensive income.
Derivative liability
The Company accounts for certain warrants under the authoritative guidance on accounting for derivative financial instruments indexed to, and potentially settled in, a company’s own stock, on the understanding that in compliance with applicable securities laws, the warrants require the issuance of securities upon exercise and do not sufficiently preclude an implied right to net cash settlement. The Company classifies these warrants on its balance sheet as a derivative liability which is fair valued at each reporting period subsequent to the initial issuance. The Company has used a simulated probability valuation model to value the warrants. Determining the appropriate fair-value model and calculating the fair value of warrants requires considerable judgment. Any change in the estimates (specifically probabilities) used may cause the value to be higher or lower than that reported. The estimated volatility of the Company’s common stock at the date of issuance, and at each subsequent reporting period, is based on the historical volatility of similar life sciences companies. The risk-free interest rate is based on rates published by the government for bonds with a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the warrants at the valuation date. The expected life of the warrants is assumed to be equivalent to their remaining contractual term.
Loss per share
Income or loss per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted loss per share does not differ from basic loss per share since the effect of the Company’s warrants and stock options are anti-dilutive. Diluted income per share is calculated using the treasury stock method which uses the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and also includes the dilutive effect of potentially issuable common shares from outstanding stock options and warrants. At December 31, 2013, potential common shares of 28,104,009 (2012 - 4,380,000; 2011 - 650,000) related to outstanding
warrants and stock options were excluded from the calculation of net loss per common share because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
Segment information
The Company identifies its operating segments based on business activities, management responsibility and geographical location. The Company operates within a single operating segment being the research and development of cancer indications, and operates in one geographic area, being Canada. All of the Company’s assets are located in Canada.
Recent accounting pronouncements
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard setting bodies that are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, we believe that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations upon adoption.
ASU 2013-07 Topic 205 Liquidation basis of accounting
Provides guidance on (i) when an entity should apply the liquidation basis of accounting, and (ii) recognition and measurement of assets and liabilities, and requirements for preparation of financial statements, using the liquidation basis of accounting.
This standard is effective for entities that determine liquidation is imminent during years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013.
ASU 3013-05 Topic 830 Accounting for cumulative translation adjustments
The standards amends cumulative translation adjustment derecognition guidance in particular when (i) an entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest in certain subsidiaries or groups of assets within a foreign entity, or (ii) there is a loss of a controlling financial interest in a foreign entity or a step acquisition involving an equity method investment that is a foreign entity. This is effective for public entities for years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013.
ASU 2013-11 Topic 740 Accounting for cumulative translation adjustments
The standard amends guidance on financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This is effective for public entities for years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013.
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