Share Based Compensation | 8. SHARE BASED COMPENSATION The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense included in the Statement of Operations (in thousands): Three Months Ended July 31, Nine Months Ended July 31, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Research and development $ 543 $ 1,517 $ 2,342 $ 4,271 General and administrative 1,409 12,853 3,645 20,423 Total $ 1,952 $ 14,370 $ 5,987 $ 24,694 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) A summary of the Company’s RSU activity and related information for the nine months ended July 31, 2018 is as follows: Number of RSUs Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Balance at October 31, 2017 1,363,119 $ 8.54 Granted 380,424 1.96 Vested (714,518 ) 7.82 Cancelled (322,518 ) 8.39 Balance at July 31, 2018 706,507 $ 5.78 As of July 31, 2018, there was approximately $3.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average vesting period of 1.57 years. As of July 31, 2018, the aggregate intrinsic value of non-vested RSUs was approximately $1.0 million. Employee Stock Awards Common Stock issued to executives and employees related to vested incentive retention awards, employment inducements, management purchases and employee excellence awards totaled 215,267 shares (190,247 shares on a net basis after employee taxes) and 463,985 shares (452,084 shares on a net basis after employee taxes) during the three months ended July 31, 2018 and 2017 respectively. Total stock compensation expense associated with employee awards for the three months ended July 31, 2018 and 2017 was approximately $0.9 and $4.3 million, respectively Common Stock issued to executives and employees related to vested incentive retention awards, employment inducements, management purchases and employee excellence awards totaled 669,044 shares (623,687 shares on a net basis after employee taxes) and 717,505 shares (674,543 shares on a net basis after employee taxes) during the nine months ended July 31, 2018 and 2017 respectively. Total stock compensation expense associated with employee awards for the nine months ended July 31, 2018 and 2017 was approximately $2.9 million and $7.3 million, respectively. Included in compensation expense for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2018 is approximately $110,000 and $320,000, respectively, recognized as a result of the modification of certain RSU’s associated with the resignation of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer in April 2018 and Chief Operating Officer in June 2018. Pursuant to the separation agreements, the vesting was accelerated on all of the outstanding RSU’s. Director Stock Awards Common stock issued to Directors for compensation related to board and committee membership totaled 45,000 and 0 shares for the three months ended July 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. During the three months ended July 31, 2018 and 2017, total stock compensation expense associated with Director awards was approximately $71,000 and $102,000, respectively. Common stock issued to Directors for compensation related to board and committee membership totaled 75,000 and 30,000 shares for the nine months ended July 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. During the nine months ended July 31, 2018 and 2017, total stock compensation expense associated with Director awards was approximately $178,000 and $302,000, respectively. Stock Options A summary of changes in the stock option plan for the nine months ended July 31, 2018 is as follows: Number of Options Weighted-Average Exercise Price Outstanding at October 31, 2017: 3,893,558 $ 12.51 Granted 2,473,460 2.08 Canceled or Expired (1,068,149 ) 10.66 Outstanding at July 31, 2018 5,298,869 8.01 Vested and Exercisable at July 31, 2018 2,936,262 $ 12.22 Total compensation cost related to the Company’s outstanding stock options, recognized in the statement of operations for the three months ended July 31, 2018 and 2017 was approximately $0.9 million and $9.7 million, respectively. For the nine months ended July 31, 2018 and 2017, compensation cost related to the Company’s outstanding stock options was approximately $2.9 million and $15.9 million, respectively. Included in compensation expense for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2018 is approximately $0 and $77,000, respectively, recognized as a result of the modification of certain option agreements associated with two Board members that decided not to run for re-election in March 2018. For the modified options, the vesting was accelerated and the expiration dates were changed to the earlier of the original expiration date or March 21, 2023. During the nine months ended July 31, 2018, 2,473,460 options were granted with a total grant date fair value of approximately $4.0 million. During the nine months ended July 31, 2017, 556,952 options were granted with a total grant date fair value of approximately $3.5 million. As of July 31, 2018, there was approximately $3.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average vesting period of 2.19 years. As of July 31, 2018, the aggregate intrinsic value of vested and exercisable options was $0. In determining the fair value of the stock options granted during the nine months ended July 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company used the following inputs in its BSM: Nine Months Ended July 31, 2018 2017 Expected Term 5.35 – 6.51 years 5.50-6.50 years Expected Volatility 94.61% - 100.34 % 107.07%-110.93 % Expected Dividends 0 % 0 % Risk Free Interest Rate 1.81 – 2.93 % 1.26%-1.58 % 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan – update with ’18 Plan During the nine months ended July 31, 2018, the Company issued 10,681 shares that were purchased in fiscal 2017 under the 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The Advaxis, Inc. 2018 ESPP was approved by the Company’s shareholders on March 21, 2018. The ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase shares of our common stock at a 15% discount to the closing market price on designated exercise dates. 1,000,000 shares of the Company common stock are reserved for issuance under the ESPP. |