NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on commercializing prescription Avenova® daily lid and lash hygiene in the domestic eye care market.

The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of California on January 19, 2000, as NovaCal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. It had no operations until July 1, 2002, on which date it acquired all of the operating assets of NovaCal Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a California limited liability company. In February 2007, it changed its name from NovaCal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In August 2007, it formed two subsidiaries––NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Canada, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated under the laws of British Columbia (Canada), which was formed to conduct research and development in Canada and was dissolved in July 2012, and DermaBay, Inc., a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, which was formed to explore dermatological opportunities and was dissolved in April 2016. In June 2010, the Company changed the state in which it is incorporated (the “Reincorporation”), and is now incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. All references herein to “the Company” refer to the California corporation prior to the date of the Reincorporation, and to the Delaware corporation on and after the date of the Reincorporation. Historically, the Company operated as four business segments. However, at the direction of its Board of Directors, the Company is now focused primarily on commercializing prescription Avenova for managing hygiene of the eyelids and lashes in the United States and is now managed as a single business segment.

Effective December 18, 2015, the Company effected a 1-for-25 reverse split of its outstanding common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”) (See Note 11). The accompanying financial statements and related notes give retroactive effect to the Reverse Stock Split.

Need to Raise Additional Capital

The Company has incurred significant losses from operations since inception and expects losses to continue until the Company reaches its goal of becoming cash flow breakeven from operations. The Company currently expects to reach positive cash flow from operations by the end of December 2016. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $9.4 million. The Company’s operating plans call for cash expenditures to exceed $19.4 million over the next twelve months. Even if the Company becomes cash flow breakeven from operations, the Company may need to raise additional capital to fund its operations, including through the sale of equity securities, debt arrangements or partnership or licensing collaborations. Such funding may not be available or may not be on terms that are favorable to the Company. The Company’s inability to raise capital as and when needed could have a negative impact on its financial condition and its ability to continue as a going concern. If the Company becomes unable to continue as a going concern, it may have to liquidate its assets and might realize significantly less value than the values at which such assets are carried on its financial statements, and stockholders may lose all or part of their investment in Company common stock.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts of liabilities that may result from uncertainty related to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

NOTE 2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 4, 2016. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, as applicable. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. The reclassifications did not change total assets, total liabilities, or total stockholders’ equity (deficit).

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, DermaBay, Inc., as applicable. DermaBay, Inc. was dissolved by the Company in April 2016. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates include useful lives for property and equipment and related depreciation calculations, estimated amortization periods for payments received from product development and license agreements as they relate to revenue recognition, assumptions for valuing options and warrants, and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures are unaudited, have been prepared on the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the periods presented.

The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The condensed consolidated results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or for any other future year or interim period. 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

The Company considers all highly-liquid instruments with a stated maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. As of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were held in three highly-rated, major financial institutions in the United States.

The Company classifies all highly-liquid investments with a stated maturity of greater than three months at the date of purchase as short-term investments. Short-term investments generally consist of municipal and corporate debt securities. The Company has classified its short-term investments as available-for-sale. The Company does not intend to hold securities with stated maturities greater than twelve months until maturity. These securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of other comprehensive (loss) until realized. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities, if any, are determined on a specific identification basis. A decline in the market value below cost of any available-for-sale security that is determined to be other-than-temporary results in a revaluation of its carrying amount to fair value and an impairment charge to earnings, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. No such impairment charges were recorded for the periods presented. The interest income and realized gains and losses are included in other expense, net, within the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Interest income is recognized when earned. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had no short-term investments.

Concentrations of Credit Risk and Major Partners

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company maintains deposits of cash and cash equivalents with three highly-rated, major financial institutions in the United States.

Deposits in these banks may exceed the amount of federal insurance provided on such deposits. The Company does not believe it is exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the financial institutions in which these deposits are held.

During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2016, revenues were derived primarily from sales of Avenova directly to doctors through the Company’s webstore and to three major distribution partners. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, revenues were derived primarily from one collaboration partner, service revenues and sales of NeutroPhase.

As of September 30, 2016, 36%, 25% and 17% of accounts receivable were from three major distribution partners. As of December 31, 2015, 41% and 18% of accounts receivable were from two major distribution partners. 

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

Financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are carried at cost, which management believes approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Our warrant liability is carried at fair value.

The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on GAAP guidance, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires disclosures about fair value measurements.

Under GAAP, fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy is also established, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 – quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable; and

Level 3 – inputs that are unobservable (for example, cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions).

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company charges bad debt expense and records an allowance for doubtful accounts when management believes it to be unlikely that specific invoices will be collected. Management identified amounts due that are in dispute and it believes are unlikely to be collected as of the end of September 30, 2016. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, management had reserved $14 thousand and $40 thousand, respectively, primarily based on specific amounts that are in dispute and are over 120 days past due.

Inventory

Inventory is comprised of (1) raw materials and supplies, such as bottles, packaging materials, labels, boxes, and pumps; (2) goods in progress, which are normally unlabeled bottles; and (3) finished goods.

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market value determined by the first-in, first-out method. The inventory allowance for lower cost or market, obsolete inventory, and excess inventory was $77 thousand and $45 thousand at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets of five to seven years for office and laboratory equipment, three years for software and seven years for furniture and fixtures. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of seven years or the lease term.

The costs of normal maintenance, repairs, and minor replacements are charged to operations when incurred.

In September 2016, the Company sub-leased its prior headquarters and determined that its leasehold improvements were impaired. This resulted in a $66 thousand impairment charge recorded to general and administrative expense for the third quarter of 2016, and is reflected in the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with GAAP, which requires that companies consider whether events or changes in facts and circumstances, both internally and externally, may indicate that an impairment of long-lived assets held for use are present. Management periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, the Company impaired a note receivable which was deemed to no longer be collectable, as the originator of the loan is not in business and the collateral held against the loan did not possess value in an amount sufficient to satisfy the loan. As a result, a $91 thousand impairment charge was recorded to research and development expense for the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, and is reflected in the results of the nine months ended September 30, 2016. There were no impairments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. In the event that such cash flows are not expected to be sufficient to recover the carrying amount of the asset, the assets are written down to their estimated fair values and the loss is recognized in the statements of operations.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 220, Comprehensive Income requires that an entity’s change in equity or net assets during a period from transactions and other events from non-owner sources be reported. The Company reports unrealized gains and losses on its available-for-sale securities as other comprehensive income (loss).

Revenue Recognition

The Company sells products through a limited number of distributors and via its webstore. The Company generally records product sales upon shipment to the final customer for its webstore sales and upon shipment from its distributor to the final customers for its major distribution partners.

The Company recognizes product revenue when: (i) persuasive evidence that a sale arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred and title has passed, (iii) the price is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue from sales transactions where the customer has the right to return the product is recognized at the time of sale only if: (i) the Company’s price to the customer is substantially fixed or determinable at the date of sale, (ii) the customer has paid the Company, or the customer is obligated to pay the Company and the obligation is not contingent on resale of the product, (iii) the customer's obligation to the Company would not be changed in the event of theft or physical destruction or damage of the product, (iv) the customer acquiring the product for resale has economic substance apart from that provided by the Company, (v) the Company does not have significant obligations for future performance to directly bring about resale of the product by the customer, and (vi) the amount of future returns can be reasonably estimated. If these factors were to vary, the resulting change could have a material effect on our revenue recognition and on the Company’s results of operations.

Product Revenue Allowances  

Product revenue is recognized, net of cash consideration paid to our customers and wholesalers, for services rendered by wholesalers in accordance with such wholesalers’ agreements and includes both a fixed rate per prescription shipped and monthly program management and data fees. These services are not deemed sufficiently separable from the customers' purchase of the product; therefore, they are recorded as a reduction of revenue at the time of revenue recognition.

Other product revenue allowances include certain prompt pay discounts and allowances offered to our customers, program rebates and chargebacks. These product revenue allowances are recognized as a reduction of revenue or as a selling expense at the later of the date at which the related revenue is recognized or the date at which the allowance is offered.

Other Revenue

License and collaboration revenue is primarily generated through agreements with strategic partners for the development and commercialization of the Company’s product candidates. The terms of the agreements typically include non-refundable upfront fees, funding of research and development activities, and payments based upon achievement of certain milestones and royalties on net product sales. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company analyzes its multiple element arrangements to determine whether the elements can be separated. The Company performs its analysis at the inception of the arrangement and as each product or service is delivered. If a product or service is not separable, the combined deliverables are accounted for as a single unit of accounting, and revenue is recognized over the performance obligation period. The Company recognizes other revenue when the following criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred and risk of loss has passed; the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured. If these factors were to vary, the resulting change could have a material effect on the Company’s revenue recognition and results of operations.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold includes third party manufacturing costs, shipping costs, and other cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold also includes any necessary allowances for excess inventory that may expire and become unsalable.

The amount charged for lower cost or market, obsolete inventory, and excess inventory expensed was $47 thousand and $84 thousand for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2016, respectively. The amount charged for lower cost or market, obsolete inventory, and excess inventory expensed was zero for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015.

Research and Development Costs

The Company charges research and development costs to expense as incurred. These costs include salaries and benefits for research and development personnel, costs associated with clinical trials managed by contract research organizations, and other costs associated with research, development and regulatory activities. Research and development costs may vary depending on the type of item or service incurred, location of performance or production, level of availability of the item or service, and specificity required in production for certain compounds. The Company uses external service providers to conduct clinical trials, to manufacture supplies of product candidates and to provide various other research and development-related products and services. The Company’s research, clinical and development activities are often performed under agreements it enters into with external service providers. The Company estimates and accrues the costs incurred under these agreements based on factors such as milestones achieved, patient enrollment, estimates of work performed, and historical data for similar arrangements. As actual costs are incurred, the Company adjusts its accruals. Historically, the Company’s accruals have been consistent with management’s estimates, and no material adjustments to research and development expenses have been recognized. Subsequent changes in estimates may result in a material change in the Company’s expenses, which could also materially affect its results of operations. 

Patent Costs

Patent costs, including legal expenses, are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Patent expenses are included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the provisions of Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) No. 2014-12, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718). Under the fair value recognition provisions, stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date for all stock-based awards to employees and directors and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. Non-employee stock-based compensation charges are amortized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. For stock options granted, the fair value of the stock options is estimated using a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. See Note 12 for further information regarding stock-based compensation expense and the assumptions used in estimating that expense. The Company accounts for restricted stock unit awards issued to employees and non-employees (consultants and advisory board members) based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock as of the date of issuance.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income 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 income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be recognized.

Common Stock Warrant Liability

For warrants that are issued or modified and there is a deemed possibility that the Company may have to settle the warrants in cash, or for warrants the Company issues or modifies that contain an exercise price adjustment feature that reduces the exercise price of the Company’s common stock eligible for purchase thereunder in the event that the Company subsequently issues equity instruments at a price lower than the exercise price of the warrants, the Company records the fair value of the issued or modified warrants as a liability at each balance sheet date and records changes in the estimated fair value as a non-cash gain or loss on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The fair values of these warrants have been determined using the Binomial Lattice (“Lattice”) valuation model, which provides for assumptions regarding volatility, call and put features and risk-free interest rates within the total period to maturity. These values are subject to a significant degree of the Company’s judgment.

Net (Loss) per Share

The Company computes net (loss) per share by presenting both basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”).

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period, including stock options and warrants, using the treasury stock method, using the if-converted method. In computing diluted EPS, the average stock price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise of stock options or warrants. Potentially dilutive common share equivalents are excluded from the diluted EPS computation in net loss periods since their effect would be anti-dilutive. During the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, and the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, there was no difference between basic and diluted EPS due to the Company’s net losses. The following table sets forth the calculation of basic EPS and diluted EPS:

The following outstanding stock options and stock warrants were excluded from the diluted net loss per share computation, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive:

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). In March, April and May 2016, the FASB issued additional amendments to the new revenue guidance relating to reporting revenue on a gross versus net basis, identifying performance obligations, licensing arrangements, collectability, noncash consideration, presentation of sales tax, and transition. This new standard will replace all current GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate all industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition update guidance provides a unified model to determine how revenue is recognized. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The FASB has issued several updates to the standard which i) clarify the application of the principal versus agent guidance (ASU 2016-08); ii) clarify the guidance on inconsequential and perfunctory promises and licensing (ASU 2016-10) and iii) narrow-scope improvements and practical expedients (ASU 2016-12). On July 9, 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date by one year to December 15, 2017 for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after that date and permitted early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value. ASU No. 2015-11 defines net realizable value as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The new guidance must be applied on a prospective basis and is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe the implementation of this guidance will result in a material impact to its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This new standard provides guidance around management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosure if substantial doubt exists. The new standard is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe adoption of this standard will result in a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial assets and liabilities. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The Company is evaluating the effects of the adoption of this guidance to its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes the lease accounting requirements in Leases (Topic 840). ASU 2016-02 requires a dual approach for lessee accounting under which a lessee would account for leases as finance leases or operating leases. Both finance leases and operating leases will result in the lessee recognizing a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability. For finance leases, the lessee would recognize interest expense and amortization of the right-of-use asset, and for operating leases, the lessee would recognize a straight-line total lease expense. The guidance also requires qualitative and specific quantitative disclosures to supplement the amounts recorded in the financial statements so that users can understand more about the nature of an entity’s leasing activities, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. This guidance is effective beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. The Company is evaluating the effects of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 and early adoption is permitted in an interim period with any adjustments reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes such interim period. The Company is evaluating the effects of the adoption of this guidance to its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (Topic 230), which addresses eight specific issues regarding the treatment of cash flow. This update is effective for the Company for its fiscal year 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of the adoption of ASU 2016-15 to its consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on authoritative guidance which defines fair value, establishes a framework consisting of three levels for measuring fair value, and requires disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.

The Company’s warrant liability is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because the value is calculated using significant judgment based on the Company’s own assumptions in the valuation of this liability.

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2016:

For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2016, as a result of the fair value adjustment of the warrant liability, the Company recorded a non-cash expense on an increase in the fair value of the warrants of $1,671 thousand and $2,480 thousand, respectively, in its consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. See Note 10 for further discussion of the calculation of the fair value of the warrant liability.

NOTE 4. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER ASSETS

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:

NOTE 5. INVENTORY   

Inventory consisted of the following:

NOTE 6. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

In September 2016, the Company sub-leased its prior headquarters and determined that its leasehold improvements were impaired. This resulted in a $66 thousand impairment charge recorded to general and administrative expense for the third quarter of 2016, and is reflected in the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

In September 2016, the Company transferred title to a significant portion of its lab equipment in exchange for research and development services. As a result, the Company recognized a $232 thousand gain on the sales of these assets, which was recorded to research and development expense for the third quarter of fiscal year 2016, and is reflected in the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Depreciation and amortization expense was $31 thousand and $41 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $98 thousand and $123 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

NOTE 7. ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following:

NOTE 8. RELATED PARTY NOTES PAYABLE

Beginning on December 30, 2015, the Company entered into a series of agreements pursuant to a loan (the “Loan”) facilitated by China Kington Asset Management Co. Ltd. (“China Kington”). In connection with the Loan, the Company issued five (5) promissory notes (the “Notes”) payable to Mr. Mark Sieczkarek, the Gail J. Maderis Revocable Trust, Dr. T. Alex McPherson, Mr. Jian Ping Fu, and Pioneer Pharma (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (“Pioneer Singapore”) (collectively, the “Lenders”), loaning the Company an aggregate of $3.0 million. Specifically, Mr. Sieczkarek, Chairman of the Board of the Company (the “Board”) and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, loaned the Company $199 thousand; the Gail J. Maderis Revocable Trust, on behalf of Ms. Maderis, a Director of the Company, loaned the Company $71 thousand; Dr. McPherson, a Director of the Company, loaned the Company $20 thousand; Pioneer Singapore loaned the Company $1.4 million; and Mr. Fu loaned the Company $1.4 million. Pioneer Singapore and Mr. Fu are the Company's two largest stockholders. All Notes were issued on December 30, 2015 except the Note payable to Mr. Fu, which was issued on January 12, 2016.

The proceeds from the Notes were used for general corporate purposes. Minimum quarterly payments of principal and interest began on March 31, 2016 and were scheduled to continue on the last day of each of June, September, December and March thereafter. The entire principal sum and any and all accrued and unpaid interest was payable in full upon the Company’s next financing, subsequent to the dates of the notes, but in no event would the term of the Loan extend beyond December 30, 2018, except for the loan by Mr. Fu, the term of which was to extend three (3) years from the date of issuance. The Notes carried an interest rate of six percent (6%) per annum and could be prepaid in whole or in part at any time without premium or penalty.

In connection with the Notes, China Kington agreed to act as collateral agent for the benefit of the Lenders, in accordance with the terms of a collateral agency and intercreditor agreement (the “Collateral Agency Agreement”), which was entered into on December 30, 2015 between China Kington and the Lenders. To secure the Notes, China Kington perfected a security interest in all tangible and intangible assets of the Company, pursuant to a security agreement (the “Security Agreement”) between the Company and China Kington, which was entered into on December 30, 2015.

As consideration to China Kington for facilitating the Loan, the Company agreed to the following: (1) the grant of a first right of refusal for China Kington (or its designee that shall be acceptable to the Company in its reasonable discretion) to lead financings for the Company for a period that is the shorter of two (2) years or the day that the Company’s cash flow has been equal to or greater than $0 in each month for three (3) consecutive months, subject to certain limitations; (2) the participation of Mr. Sieczkarek as a Lender in the financing; (3) the participation of the Company’s Board of Directors, management and investors that the Board of Directors and management provide, to contribute an aggregate nine percent (9%) of funds in the Company’s next financing; (4) the appointment of two new members to the Company’s Board by China Kington; and (5) the Company’s agreement to reasonably cooperate with reasonable requests made by an auditor engaged, and paid for, by China Kington, subject to certain limitations. Upon the recommendation of China Kington, and after reviewing their relevant experiences and background and discussing the same, on January 26, 2016 the Board of Directors unanimously appointed Mr. Mijia “Bob” Wu and Mr. Xiaoyan “Henry” Liu to serve as Class I and Class III members of the Company’s Board, respectively. Because Bob Wu is the Managing Director of China Kington, China Kington became a related party upon his appointment to the Company's Board of Directors.

Upon closing the first tranche of an $11.8 million private placement on May 6, 2016 and by agreement with the Lenders, the Company used $2.5 million of the proceeds from the private placement to repay principal on the Notes issued to the Lenders.

Upon closing the second tranche of such $11.8 million private placement on August 1, 2016, the Company repaid the remaining principal on the Notes in the amount of $520 thousand.

NOTE 9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 

Operating Leases

On August 24, 2016, the Company entered into an Office Lease (the “Lease”), pursuant to which the Company leased approximately 7,799 rentable square feet of real property located on the eleventh floor (Suite 1150) at 2000 Powell Street, Emeryville, California 94608 (the “Premises”) from KBSIII Towers at Emeryville, LLC (the “Landlord”), for the Company’s new principal executive offices. The expiration date of the Lease is February 28, 2022, which is the last day of the month sixty-three (63) months following the month in which the commencement date occurs (the “Lease Term”), unless earlier terminated pursuant to any provision of the Lease. Under the Lease, the Company has the option to occupy temporary space in the same building at 2000 Powell Street until the leased Premises are completed. The Company is currently utilizing the option to occupy the temporary space, but expects to occupy Suite 1150 as of December 1, 2016. The Company also has the option to extend the term of the Lease for one five (5)-year period upon written notice to the Landlord which is no earlier than twelve (12) months and no later than nine (9) months prior to the expiration of the then current term. The effective monthly base rental rate for the first twelve (12) months of the Lease is $4.15 per square foot ($338,390 annually), and increases approximately three percent (3%) every eleven (11) months thereafter beginning with the thirteenth (13^th) month of the Lease, with a maximum monthly rental rate of $4.81 per square foot ($450,250 annually) for months sixty-one (61) to sixty-three (63) of the Lease. The Company will also be responsible for its share of the direct expenses of the Premises, or 2.16%, which includes certain additional operating expenses, utilities costs and tax expenses. The Landlord has agreed to abate all of the Company’s monthly base rental payments for the first three (3) full calendar months of the Lease. The Company was also required to provide a standby letter of credit (the “Letter of Credit”) as security for performance of its obligations and for all losses and damages the Landlord may suffer as a result of any default by the Company under the Lease in the initial amount of $323,658, which is recoded in other assets. Provided that no default occurs under the terms of the Lease, and certain financial requirements are met, the Company will be entitled to periodically reduce the amount of the Letter of Credit down to a maximum of approximately $151,823 as of the last day of the sixtieth (60^th) full calendar month of the Lease Term.

The Company leases laboratory facilities and office space at Suite 550, EmeryStation North Building, 5980 Horton Street, Emeryville, California (“EmeryStation”) under an operating lease which will expire on October 21, 2020. On July 11, 2016, the Company entered into a Sublease Agreement to sublease 16,465 rentable square feet of real property at EmeryStation (the “Sublease Agreement”). The commencement date under the Sublease Agreement was September 8, 2016. The expiration date of the Sublease Agreement is October 21, 2020, the expiration date of the Company’s lease for the Premises, as amended, unless earlier terminated pursuant to any provision of the Company’s lease for EmeryStation, as amended, or the Sublease Agreement. As a result of the sublease, the Company recorded a non-cash loss of $26 thousand, and an impairment to leasehold improvements of $66 thousand, which were recorded to general and administrative expense.

Rent expense was approximately $360 thousand and $257 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Rent expense was approximately $873 thousand and $758 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The Company’s monthly rent payments fluctuate under the various lease and sublease agreements. In accordance with GAAP, the Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis. The Company records deferred rent and sublease future minimum payments receivable for the difference between the amounts paid and recorded as expense.

Directors and Officers Indemnity

As permitted under Delaware law and in accordance with its bylaws, the Company shall indemnify its officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is or was serving at its request in such capacity. The term of the indemnification period is for the officer’s or director’s lifetime. The maximum amount of potential future indemnification is unlimited; however, the Company has a director and officer insurance policy that limits its exposure and may enable the Company to recover a portion of any future payments. The Company believes the fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. Accordingly, no liability has been recorded for these agreements as of September 30, 2016.

In the normal course of business, the Company provides indemnification of varying scope under agreements with other companies, typically its clinical research organizations, investigators, clinical sites, suppliers and others. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company generally indemnifies, holds harmless, and agrees to reimburse the indemnified parties for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified parties in connection with the use or testing of its products or product candidates or with any U.S. patent or any copyright or other intellectual property infringement claims by any third party with respect to their products. The term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual. The potential future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited. Historically, costs related to these indemnification provisions have been immaterial. The Company also maintains various liability insurance policies that limit its exposure. As a result, the Company believes the fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. Accordingly, no liabilities have been recorded for these agreements as of September 30, 2016.

Legal Matters

From time to time, the Company may be involved in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. There are no matters as of September 30, 2016, that, in the opinion of management, would ultimately result in liability that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 10. WARRANT LIABILITY  

In July 2011, the Company sold common stock and warrants in a registered direct financing. As part of this transaction, 139,520 warrants were issued with an exercise price of $33.25 and were exercisable from January 1, 2012 to July 5, 2016. The terms of the warrants require registered shares to be delivered upon each warrant’s exercise and also require possible cash payments to the warrant holders (in lieu of the warrant’s exercise) upon specified fundamental transactions involving the Company’s common stock, such as an acquisition of the Company. Under ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, the Company’s ability to deliver registered shares upon an exercise of the warrants and the Company’s potential obligation to cash-settle the warrants if specified fundamental transactions occur are deemed to be beyond the Company’s control. The warrants contain a provision according to which the warrant holder would have the option to receive cash, equal to the Black-Scholes-Merton fair value of the remaining unexercised portion of the warrant, as cash settlement in the event that there is a fundamental transaction (contractually defined to include various merger, acquisition or stock transfer activities). Due to this provision, ASC 480 requires that these warrants be classified as liabilities. The fair values of these warrants have been determined using the Lattice valuation model, and the changes in the fair value are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. The Lattice valuation model provides for assumptions regarding volatility and risk-free interest rates within the total period to maturity. In addition, after January 5, 2012, and if the closing bid price per share of the common stock in the principal market equals or exceeds $66.50 for any ten trading days (which do not have to be consecutive) in a period of fifteen consecutive trading days, the Company has the right to require the exercise of one-third of the warrants then held by the warrant holders.

In October 2015, the holders of all warrants issued pursuant to the Company’s securities purchase agreement dated March 3, 2015 (the “March SPA”) agreed to reduce the length of notice required to such investors prior to the Company’s issuance of new securities from twenty business days to two business days, for the remainder of such investors’ pre-emptive right period (which expired March 3, 2016). The Company entered into these agreements to enable it to expeditiously raise capital in its October 2015 offering (as described below) and future offerings. As consideration for these agreements, the Company amended certain provisions of both warrants issued with a 15-month term (the “Short-Term Warrants”) and warrants issued with a 60-month term (the “Long-Term Warrants”) pursuant to the March SPA (together, the “March 2015 Warrants”) and the warrants issued pursuant to the placement agent agreement dated June 29, 2011 (the “July 2011 Warrants”). Specifically, the amendments decreased the exercise price for both the March 2015 Warrants and the July 2011 Warrants to $5.00 per share. In addition, the amendments extended the exercise expiration date for the Short-Term Warrants and the July 2011 Warrants to March 6, 2020. A price protection provision also was added to both the July 2011 Warrants and the March 2015 Warrants, such that if the Company subsequently sells or otherwise disposes of Company common stock at a lower price per share than $5.00 or any securities exchangeable for common stock with a lower exercise price per share than $5.00, the exercise price of such warrants will be reduced to that lower price.

In October 2015, the Company also entered into an underwriting agreement with Roth Capital Partners, LLC, relating to the public offering and sale of up to (i) 492,000 shares of the Company’s common stock; and (ii) warrants to purchase up to 442,802 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $5.00 per share.

The shares of common stock and warrants were issued separately. Each warrant was exercisable immediately upon issuance and will expire 60 months from the date of issuance. The price to the public in this offering was $5.00 per share of common stock and related warrant. The net proceeds to the Company were approximately $2.1 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.

In February 2016, the strike price of the July 2011, March 2015 and October 2015 warrants was reduced to $1.81 per share, pursuant to the price protection provisions in such warrants, because the Company sold common stock to Mr. Jian Ping Fu at that price.

The Company evaluated the change in terms of the July 2011 warrants and noted that the change in terms resulted in a revaluation at the time of the change. The warrants were re-issued and valued as of October 27, 2015 at $361 thousand with the new terms, and a modification expense was recorded for the difference between the fair value of the warrants at their new terms after modification on October 27, 2015 and the fair value of the warrants at their original terms prior to modification as of October 27, 2015. The fair values of these warrants have been determined using the Lattice valuation model, and the changes in the fair value are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations.

The key assumptions used to value the warrants after modification at October 27, 2015 were as follows:

The key assumptions used to value the July 2011 Warrants after modification as of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015 were as follows:

In March 2015, the Company issued both the Short-Term Warrants ($15.00 per share exercise price) and the Long-Term Warrants ($16.25 per share exercise price). At that time, the Company determined that these warrants qualified for equity accounting and did not contain embedded derivatives that required bifurcation. After the Company’s agreement to modify the terms of the March 2015 Warrants and July 2011 Warrants in October 2015, the Company evaluated the change in terms of the March 2015 Warrants and noted that the change in terms resulted in liability classification of both the Short-Term and Long-Term Warrants. The March 2015 Warrants were re-issued and valued as of October 27, 2015 at a total of $1.8 million with the new terms, and a modification expense was recorded at the difference between the fair value of the warrants on their new terms after modification as of October 27, 2015 and the fair value of the warrants on their original terms prior to modification as of October 27, 2015. The fair values of these warrants have been determined using the Lattice valuation model, and the changes in the fair value are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations.

The key assumptions used to value the Short-Term and Long-Term Warrants after modification at October 27, 2015 were as follows:

The key assumptions used to value the Short-Term Warrants after modification as of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015 were as follows:

The key assumptions used to value the Long-Term Warrants after modification as of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015 were as follows:

As noted above, in October 2015, the Company issued warrants in connection with an underwriting agreement. The Company evaluated the terms of the warrants and noted that under ASC 480, the Company’s potential obligation to cash-settle the warrants if specified fundamental transactions occur are deemed to be beyond the Company’s control. Due to this provision, ASC 480 requires that these warrants be classified as liabilities. The fair values of these warrants have been determined using the Lattice valuation model, and the changes in the fair value are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. The fair value of the warrants at issuance on October 27, 2015 was $1.3 million.

The key assumptions used to initially value the October 2015 warrants at October 27, 2015 were as follows:

The key assumptions used to value the warrants after modification as of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015 were as follows:

During the third quarter of 2016, a total of 518,281 warrants to purchase 518,281 shares of common stock were exercised related to the July 2011, March 2015 and October 2015 warrants resulting in gross proceeds of $938 thousand. Upon exercise, the warrant liability associated with these warrants was adjusted to its fair value as of the date of exercise, with any change in fair value recorded in the consolidated income statement and comprehensive loss. The non-cash loss of $1.6 million was recorded as a result of these warrant liability revaluations, which was subsequently transferred to equity as of the date of their exercise.

The details of all outstanding warrant liability as of September 30, 2016, were as follows:

NOTE 11. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation – Reverse Stock Split

Effective December 18, 2015, the Company amended its Certificate of Incorporation to affect a 1-for-25 reverse split of its outstanding common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The Reverse Stock Split was approved by the Company’s stockholders on December 11, 2015. The accompanying financial statements and related notes give retroactive effect to this Reverse Stock Split.

Preferred Stock

Under the Company’s amended articles of incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in such series and with such rights and preferences as may be approved by the Board of Directors. As of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015, there were no shares of Company preferred stock outstanding.

Common Stock

In February 2016, the Company entered into three securities purchase agreements (the “Purchase Agreements”) for the sale of an aggregate of 1,518,567 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) to accredited investors for a total of $2.8 million. The Company entered into the first purchase agreement with Mr. Jian Ping Fu (the “Fu Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to Mr. Fu 696,590 shares of Common Stock, at a per share price of $1.81, which was a five percent (5%) discount to the closing price of the Common Stock on February 16, 2016, the date of the Fu Agreement. The Company entered into the second purchase agreement with Pioneer Singapore (the “Pioneer Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to Pioneer Singapore 696,590 shares of Common Stock, at a per share price of $1.91, which was the closing price of the Common Stock on February 16, 2016 with no discount. The Company entered into a third purchase agreement with Mark M. Sieczkarek (the “Sieczkarek Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to Mr. Sieczkarek 125,387 shares of Common Stock, at a per share price of $1.91, which was the closing price of the Common Stock on February 16, 2016 with no discount. The Common Stock issued by the Company pursuant to the Purchase Agreements has not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

On April 4, 2016, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) for the sale of an aggregate 6,173,299 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”) and warrants (the “Warrants”) exercisable for 3,086,651 Shares (the “Warrant Shares”) to accredited investors for an aggregate purchase price of $11.8 million (the “Private Placement”). The warrants have a 4-year term and an exercise price of $1.91, callable by the Company if the closing price of the Common Stock, as reported on the NYSE MKT, is $4.00 or greater for five sequential trading days. The Private Placement closed in two tranches, the first of which closed on May 5, 2016, resulting in proceeds to the Company of $7.8 million (the “Primary Closing”), and the second of which closed on August 1, 2016, resulting in proceeds of $4.0 million to the Company (the “Secondary Closing”). In the Primary Closing, the Company issued 4,079,058 shares of Common Stock and Warrants exercisable for 2,039,530 shares of Common Stock. In the Secondary Closing, the Company issued 2,094,241 shares of Common Stock and Warrants exercisable for 1,047,121 shares of Common Stock. Both the Primary Closing and the Secondary Closing were subject to the same terms, containing customary representations, warranties and agreements by the Company, customary conditions to closing, indemnification obligations of the Company and the Purchasers (as defined below) and other obligations of the parties and termination provisions.

The purchasers include Pioneer Singapore, which purchased 2,617,802 Shares and 1,308,902 Warrants, Mr. Jian Ping Fu, who purchased 1,937,173 Shares and 968,587 Warrants, the Company’s Chairman, President and CEO Mr. Mark M. Sieczkarek, who purchased 523,560 Shares and 261,780 Warrants, Mrs. Ping Huang, who purchased 523,560 Shares and 261,780 Warrants, Mr. Hai Dong Pang, who purchased 209,424 Shares and 104,712 Warrants, Mr. Yin Ping Wang, who purchased 104,712 Shares and 52,356 Warrants, Mr. Blake F. Andros, who purchased 100,000 Shares and 50,000 Warrants, and the Children’s Brain Disease Foundation, Dr. Dean Rider and Mr. Andy R. Geckler, each of whom purchased 52,356 Shares and 26,178 Warrants (collectively, the “Purchasers”). Messrs. Fu, Pang, Wang, Andros and Geckler, Dr. Dean Rider and the Children’s Brain Disease Foundation participated only in the Primary Closing, Mrs. Huang participated only in the Secondary Closing, and Pioneer Singapore and Mr. Sieczkarek participated in both the Primary Closing and the Secondary Closing. Pioneer Singapore and Messrs. Fu and Sieczkarek also participated in the Company’s previous private placement that closed on February 24, 2016.

China Kington Asset Management Co. Ltd. served as placement agent in exchange for a commission equal to six percent (6%) of the gross proceeds received by the Company upon closing pursuant to the purchases by Pioneer, Mrs. Huang, and Messrs. Fu, Pang and Wang.

Also on April 4, 2016, the Company entered into a separate registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with Messrs. Andros and Geckler, Dr. Rider, and the Children’s Brain Disease Foundation (the “Participating Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to file as many registration statements with the SEC as may be necessary to cover the resale of the Shares and the Warrant Shares held by the Participating Purchasers, to use its commercially reasonable efforts to have all such registration statements declared effective within the time frames set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, and to keep such registration statements effective for the terms defined therein. The Company filed such Registration Statement to cover the resale of the Shares and Warrant Shares held by the Participating Purchasers with the SEC on June 9, 2016 and received effectiveness of such Registration Statement on June 20, 2016 (Registration Number 333-211943).

During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded $6.6 million in net proceeds upon the exercise of 3,613,261 of the Company’s warrants for 3,613,261 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. As consideration for the facilitation of the exercise of certain of these warrants held by non-U.S. citizens domiciled outside of the United States, China Kington received a six percent (6%) commission on the aggregate proceeds to the Company pursuant to such exercises. The amount of such commission was approximately $338 thousand.

Stock Warrants

In February 2016, the strike prices of the July 2011, March 2015 Short-Term and Long-Term, and October 2015 warrants were reduced to $1.81 per share, pursuant to the price protection provisions in such warrants, because the Company sold common stock to Mr. Jian Ping Fu at that price.

In May 2016, the Company issued 2,039,530 warrants at the Primary Closing pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement. Please see the preceding subsection, “Common Stock,” for further details.

In August 2016, the Company issued 1,047,121 warrants at the Secondary Closing pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement. Please see the preceding subsection, “Common Stock,” for further details.

Effective September 29, 2016, the Company modified the exercise price of all warrants issued pursuant to the securities purchase agreement, dated May 18, 2015, from $19.50 to $3.15 per share, which reflected a discount of approximately sixteen percent (16%) to the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on September 27, 2016. The Company has estimated the value of warrant modification as of the date of the modification by applying the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model using the single-option valuation approach. As a result of this modification, the Company recorded a non-cash loss of $270 thousand in general and administrative expense.

The details of all outstanding warrants as of September 30, 2016, are as follows:

NOTE 12. EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION 

Equity Compensation Plans 

Prior to its Initial Public Offering (the “IPO”), the Company had two equity plans in place: the 2002 Stock Option Plan and the 2005 Stock Option Plan. Upon the closing of the IPO in October 2007, the Company adopted the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) to provide for the granting of equity awards, such as stock options, unrestricted and restricted common stock, stock units, dividend equivalent rights, and stock appreciation rights to employees, directors and outside consultants, as determined by the Board. In conjunction with the adoption of the 2007 Plan, no further option awards may be granted under the 2002 or 2005 Stock Option Plans, and any option cancellations or expirations from the 2002 or 2005 Stock Option Plans may not be reissued.

On May 26, 2016, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the 2007 Plan to increase the number of shares of Company common stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 1,124,826 shares, for an aggregate 3,124,836 shares available under the 2007 Plan. As of September 30, 2016, there were 97,200 shares available for future grant under the 2007 Plan.  

Under the terms of the 2007 Plan, the exercise price of incentive stock options may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant and, if granted to an owner of more than 10% of the Company’s stock, then not less than 110% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Stock options granted under the 2007 Plan expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. Stock options granted to employees generally vest over four years, while options granted to directors and consultants typically vest over a shorter period, subject to continued service. All of the options granted prior to October 2007 include early exercise provisions that allow for full exercise of the option prior to the option vesting, subject to certain repurchase provisions. The Company issues new shares to satisfy option exercises under the plans.  

Stock Option Summary 

The following table summarizes information about the Company’s stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2016, and activity during the nine-month period then ended: 

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying stock option awards and the closing market price of the Company’s common stock as quoted on the NYSE MKT as of September 30, 2016 for options that have a quoted market price in excess of the exercise price. There were no stock option awards exercised for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. Accordingly, the Company received no cash payments for the exercise of stock options during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. There were no stock option awards exercised for the three months ended September 30, 2015. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock option awards exercised was $4 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

As of September 30, 2016, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options and restricted stock was $1.9 million. This amount is expected to be recognized as stock-based compensation expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss over the remaining weighted average vesting period of 1.84 years. 

Stock Options and Awards to Employees and Directors 

The Company grants options to purchase common stock to its employees and directors at prices equal to or greater than the market value of the stock on the dates the options are granted. The Company has estimated the value of stock option awards as of the date of grant by applying the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model using the single-option valuation approach. The application of this valuation model involves assumptions that are judgmental and subjective in nature. See Note 2 for a description of the accounting policies that the Company applied to value its stock-based awards. 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 1,110,000 and 26,000 shares of common stock, respectively, to employees and directors.  

The weighted-average assumptions used in determining the value of options are as follows: 

Expected Price Volatility—This is a measure of the amount by which the common stock price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. The computation of expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock and the common stock of comparable companies from a representative peer group selected based on industry and market capitalization data.  

Expected Term—This is the period of time over which the options granted are expected to remain outstanding. The expected life assumption is based on the Company’s historical data.  

Risk-Free Interest Rate—This is the U.S. Treasury rate for the week of the grant having a term approximating the expected life of the option.  

Dividend Yield—The Company has not made any dividend payments, nor does it have plans to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.  

Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and reduce compensation expense ratably over the vesting period. This estimate is adjusted periodically based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from the previous estimate.  

Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company issued 64,000 and 6,000 shares of common stock, respectively, to employees. 

For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $610 thousand and $192 thousand, respectively, for stock-based awards to employees and directors.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1,022 thousand and $869 thousand, respectively, for stock based awards to employees and directors.   

In the second quarter of 2015, the Company modified stock options owned by two of its directors, Mr. Cashion and Mr. Wicks, each of whom retired at the Company’s 2015 annual meeting of stockholders in June 2015. All outstanding stock options held by Mr. Cashion and Mr. Wicks became fully vested upon retirement, and the option exercise period for Mr. Cashion and Mr. Wicks was extended from three months to four years, calculated from the date of retirement. Options with an expiration date prior to the end of the exercise period maintained the same expiration date. In connection with the stock option modification, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $185 thousand. 

During the second and third quarters of 2016, the Company modified stock options held by two of its directors, Mr. Radaelli and Mr. McPherson, each of whom resigned as directors of the Company, effective May 6, 2016 and August 24, 2016, respectively. All outstanding stock options held by Mr. Radaelli and Mr. McPherson became fully vested upon retirement, and the option exercise period for Mr. Radaelli and Mr. McPherson was extended from three months to four years, calculated from each former director’s respective date of resignation. Options with an expiration date prior to the end of the exercise period maintained the same expiration date. In connection with the stock option modification, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $58 thousand.

Stock-Based Awards to Non-Employee Consultants 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 89,000 and 12,000 shares of common stock, respectively, to non-employee consultants in exchange for advisory and consulting services. The stock options are recorded at their fair value on the measurement date and recognized over the respective service or vesting period. The fair value of the stock options granted was calculated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model based upon the following assumptions: 

The Company granted restricted stock to non-employee consultants totaling 10,000 and 1,000 shares of common stock in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in exchange for advisory and consulting services.  

For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $100 thousand and $29 thousand, respectively, related to non-employee consultant stock and option grants. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $205 thousand and $140 thousand, respectively, related to non-employee consultant stock and option grants.  

Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Expense 

A summary of the stock-based compensation expense included in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss for the options and common stock discussed above is as follows. The amounts that would have been charged to cost of goods sold are not material and have been included in general and administrative expense below.

Since the Company continues to operate at a net loss, it does not expect to realize any current tax benefits related to stock options.  

 NOTE 13. LICENSE, COLLABORATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS

Virbac Agreement

In April 2012, the Company entered into a feasibility and option agreement with Virbac, a global animal health company, for the development and potential commercialization of Aganocides for a number of veterinary uses for companion animals. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company received an upfront payment and is entitled to additional support for research and development. Virbac conducted veterinary studies using the Company’s Aganocide compounds to assess feasibility for treating several veterinary indications. 

In April 2013, the option was exercised, and the Company entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Virbac. Under this agreement, Virbac acquired exclusive worldwide rights to develop the Company’s proprietary Aganocide compound, auriclosene (NVC-422), for global veterinary markets for companion animals.  The Company received an option exercise fee and may receive future development and pre-commercial milestone payments as a result of the collaboration. The Company also expects to receive royalties on the sale of any commercial products in the companion animal field. Virbac’s option exercise follows its extensive testing of auriclosene for veterinary uses during the 12-month option period. The Company is recognizing the option exercise fee over its expected performance period of 10 years based on actual sales during this period.

The Company did not recognize any revenue under the Virbac agreement during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The Company had a deferred revenue balance of $246 thousand as of both September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 related to this agreement, which consisted of the unamortized balances on the upfront technology access fee and option fee and support for ongoing research and development.

NeutroPhase Distribution Agreements

 In January 2012, the Company entered into a distribution agreement with Pioneer Pharma Co., Ltd (“Pioneer”), a Shanghai-based company that markets high-end pharmaceutical products in China, for the commercialization of NeutroPhase in this territory. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company received an upfront payment of $313 thousand. NovaBay also received $313 thousand in January 2013, related to the submission of the first marketing approval for the product to the China Food and Drug Administration (“CFDA”) (formerly the SFDA, State Food and Drug Administration), which was submitted in December 2012. The distribution agreement provides that Pioneer is entitled to receive cumulative purchase discounts of up to $500 thousand upon purchase of the NeutroPhase product. The deferred revenue will be recognized as the purchase discounts are earned, with the remaining deferred revenue recognized ratably over the product distribution period.

In September 2012, the Company entered into two agreements with Pioneer: (1) an international distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) and (2) a unit purchase agreement (the “Pioneer Purchase Agreement”). These agreements were combined and accounted for as one arrangement with one unit of accounting for revenue recognition purposes.

Pursuant to the terms of the Distribution Agreement, Pioneer has the right to distribute NeutroPhase, upon receiving marketing approval from a regulatory authority, in certain territories in Asia (other than China). Upon execution of the Distribution Agreement, the Company received an upfront payment, which was recorded as deferred revenue. Pioneer is also obligated to make certain additional payments to the Company upon receipt of marketing approval. The Distribution Agreement further provides that Pioneer is entitled to a cumulative purchase discount not to exceed $500 thousand upon the purchase of the NeutroPhase product, payable in the Company’s unregistered restricted common stock.

Pursuant to the Pioneer Purchase Agreement, the Company also received $2.5 million from Pioneer for the purchase of restricted units (comprising one share of common stock and a warrant for the purchase of one share of common stock). The unit purchase was completed in two tranches: (1) 32,000 units in September 2012; and (2) 48,000 units in October 2012, with both tranches at a purchase price of $31.25 per share. The fair value of the total units sold was $3.5 million, based upon the trading price of our common stock on the dates the units were purchased and the fair value of the warrants based on the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. Because the aggregate fair value of the units on the dates of purchase exceeded the $2.5 million in proceeds received from the unit purchase by approximately $1.0 million, the Company reallocated $600 thousand from deferred revenue to stockholders’ equity as consideration for the purchase of the units.  

In December 2013, the Company announced it had expanded its NeutroPhase commercial partnership agreement with Pioneer. The expanded agreement includes licensing rights to two new products, Avenova and CelleRx, both developed internally by NovaBay. The expanded partnership agreement covers the commercialization and distribution of these products in China and 11 countries in Southeast Asia.

Revenue has been recognized under this agreements as follows:

The Company had a deferred revenue balance of $1,319 thousand and $1,382 thousand as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, related to these agreements, which consisted of the unamortized balances on the upfront technology access fee and the support for ongoing research and development. 

Avenova Distribution Agreements

In November 2014, the Company signed a nationwide distribution agreement for its Avenova product with McKesson Corporation (“McKesson”) as part of the Company’s commercialization strategy. McKesson makes Avenova widely available in local pharmacies and major retail chains across the U.S., such as Wal-Mart, Costco, CVS and Target. In January 2015, the Company signed a nationwide distribution agreement with Cardinal Health. In April 2015, the Company also signed a nationwide distribution agreement with AmerisourceBergen to market Avenova. Since December 2015, the Company has signed nationwide distribution agreements with Willow Pharmacy, Allure Pharmacy, Smith Drug Company and Dakota Drug to market Avenova.

During the three months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, the Company earned $2,085 thousand and $321 thousand, respectively, in sales revenue for its Avenova product from its distribution agreements.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, the Company earned $4,302 thousand and $482 thousand respectively, in sales revenue for its Avenova product from its distribution agreements. 

The Company had a deferred revenue balance of $1,207 thousand and $24 thousand as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, for its Avenova product from its distribution agreements. 

NOTE 14. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

The Company has a 401(k) plan covering all eligible employees. The Company is not required to contribute to the plan and made no contributions during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. 

NOTE 15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS      

Related Party Loans

See Note 8, “Related Party Notes Payable” for a description of the Loan with the following related parties: Mr. Sieczkarek, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company; the Gail J. Maderis Revocable Trust, on behalf of Ms. Maderis, a Director of the Company; Dr. McPherson, a Director of the Company; and Pioneer Singapore and Mr. Fu, the Company’s two largest stockholders. The Loan was fully paid off on August 1, 2016.

Related Party Financing

See Note 11, “Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)” – “Common Stock” for a description of the February 2016 Purchase Agreements and April 2016 Securities Purchase Agreement. The following related parties participated in both transactions: Mr. Sieczkarek, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company; and Pioneer Singapore and Mr. Fu, the Company’s two largest stockholders.

Related Party Revenue 

The Company recognized related party revenues from product sales and license and collaboration fees of $6 thousand and $6 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, respectively, and $300 thousand and $98 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, respectively. There were no related party accounts receivable as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. See Note 13, “License, Collaboration and Distribution Agreements - NeutroPhase Distribution Agreements,” for additional information regarding the Company’s distribution agreements with Pioneer, which is an affiliate of Pioneer Singapore, the Company’s largest stockholder.

Related Party Expenses 

The Company recognized related party commission fees of $548 thousand and $0 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, respectively, and $1,111 thousand and $408 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, respectively. These fees were paid to China Kington, representing the commission on sale of the Company’s common stock and the exercise of the Company’s warrants. See Note 11, “Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)” – “Common Stock” for additional information regarding such commissions.

NOTE 16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS     

On October 28, 2016, the Company received a letter from the NYSE MKT informing it that the Company is back in compliance with the NYSE MKT continued listing standards set forth in Part 10 of the NYSE MKT Company Guide (the “Company Guide”). Specifically, the Company has resolved the continued listing deficiencies with respect to Sections 1003(a)(i), 1003(a)(ii) and 1003(a)(iii) of the Company Guide referenced in the NYSE MKT’s letters dated April 28, 2015, July 10, 2015 and March 17, 2016. The Company will be subject to ongoing review for compliance with NYSE MKT requirements as part of the NYSE MKT’s routine monitoring.