| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the financial statements of Second Sight and Second Sight Switzerland. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Management regularly evaluates the key factors and assumptions used to develop the estimates utilizing currently available information, changes in facts and circumstances, historical experience and reasonable assumptions. After such evaluations, if deemed appropriate, those estimates are adjusted accordingly. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include those related to assumptions used in accruals for potential liabilities, valuing equity instruments and stock-based compensation, and the realization of deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash is carried at cost, which approximates fair value, and cash equivalents are carried at fair value. We generally invest funds that are in excess of current needs in high credit quality instruments such as money market funds. Accounts receivable Trade accounts receivable are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and generally require no collateral from our customers or interest on past due amounts. We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts based on review and analysis of specific customer balances that may not be collectible and how recently payments have been received. Accounts are considered for write-off when they become past due and when it is determined that the probability of collection is remote. Allowance for doubtful accounts amounted to approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value determined by the first-in, first-out method. Inventories consist primarily of raw materials, work in progress and finished goods, which includes all direct material, labor and other overhead costs. We establish a reserve to mark down our inventory for estimated unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated net realizable value based on assumptions about the usability of the inventory, future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory reserve may be required. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Improvements are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Upon disposal of depreciable property, the appropriate property accounts are reduced by the related costs and accumulated depreciation. The resulting gains and losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. Depreciation is provided for using the straight-line method in amounts sufficient to relate the cost of assets to operations over their estimated service lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the asset or the related lease term. Estimated useful lives of the principal classes of assets are as follows:
Lab equipment
5 – 7 years
Computer hardware and software
3 – 7 years
Leasehold improvements
2 – 5 years or the term of the lease, if shorter
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
5 – 10 years We review our property and equipment for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. There were no impairment losses recognized for property and equipment in 2019 and 2018. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment amounted to $0.4 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Research and Development Research and development costs are charged to operations in the period incurred and amounted to $13.1 million, and $10.0 million net of grant revenue, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Patent Costs Revenue Recognition We generate our revenue from the sale of our Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System, which includes the implant and wearable components. Our product sales generally consist of the implant and related surgical supplies and may include a performance obligation related to post-surgical support. We sell our products through two main sales channels: 1) directly to customers who use our products (the “Direct Channel”) and 2) to distribution partners who resell our products (the “Indirect Channel”). Under the Direct Channel, we sell our systems to and we receive payment directly from customers who implant our products. Under our Indirect Channel, we have entered into distribution agreements that allow the distributors to sell our systems and fulfill performance obligations for surgical support and post-surgical support. We determine revenue recognition through the following steps:
•
Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer
•
Identification of the performance obligations in the contract
•
Determination of the transaction price
•
Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract
•
Recognition of revenue when, or as, we satisfy a performance obligation Revenue is generally recognized upon surgical implant, unless we have a significant performance obligation for post-surgical support. We recognize revenue when a material reversal is no longer probable. Conditions that preclude us from recognizing revenue generally involve new customers with no reimbursement or reimbursement history, and depends on third-party behavior beyond our control, uncertain payment cycles over an extended period of time, and our limited historical experience with these arrangements. Grant Receipts and Liabilities From time to time, we receive grants that help fund specific development programs. Any amounts received pursuant to grants are offset against the related operating expenses as the costs are incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 grants offset against operating expenses were $0.9 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Concentration of Risk Credit Risk Financial instruments that subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, money market funds, and trade accounts receivable. We maintain cash and money market funds with financial institutions that management deems credit worthy, and at times, cash balances may be in excess of FDIC and SIPC insurance limits of $250,000 and $500,000 (including cash of $250,000), respectively. We extend differing levels of credit to customers, and typically do not require collateral. We also maintain cash at a bank in Switzerland. Accounts at said bank are insured up to an amount specified by the deposit insurance agency of Switzerland. Customer Concentration The following tables provide information about disaggregated revenue by service type, customer and geographical market. The following table shows our revenues by customer type during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
2019
2018
Direct Channel
$
2,861
$
5,694
Indirect Channel
518
1,202
Total
$
3,379
$
6,896
During the year ended December 31, 2019, five customers represented 61% of revenue. During the year ended December 31, 2018 two customers represented 20% As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the following customers comprised more than 10% accounts receivable:
2019
2018
Customer 1
35
%
—
%
Customer 2
33
%
—
%
Customer 3
32
%
—
%
Customer 4
—
%
55
%
Customer 5
—
%
22
%
Customer 6
—
%
21
% Geographic Concentration During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, regional revenue, based on customer locations which comprised 10% or more of revenues, consisted of the following:
2019
2018
United States
65
%
56
%
Italy
19
%
10
%
China
10
%
8
%
France
—
%
10
%
Sources of Supply Several of the components, materials and services used in our current Argus II product are available from only single suppliers, and substitutes for these items cannot be obtained easily or would require substantial design or manufacturing modifications. Any significant problem experienced by one of our sole source suppliers could result in a delay or interruption in the supply of components to us until that supplier cures the problem or an alternative source of the component is located and qualified. Even where we could qualify alternative suppliers, the substitution of suppliers may be at a higher cost and cause time delays that impede the production of Orion and Argus II, reduce gross profit margins and impact our ability to deliver our products as may be timely required to meet demand. Foreign Operations The accompanying consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 include assets amounting to approximately $1.3 million and $1.5 Fair Value of Financial Instruments The authoritative guidance with respect to fair value establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels and requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of three categories, as presented below. Disclosure as to transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2, and activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, is also required. Level 1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for an identical asset or liability that we have the ability to access as of the measurement date. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 1 inputs include active-exchange traded securities and exchange-based derivatives. Level 2. Inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly observable through corroboration with observable market data. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs include fixed income securities, non-exchange based derivatives, mutual funds, and fair-value hedges. Level 3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data for the asset or liability which requires the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 3 inputs include infrequently-traded non-exchange-based derivatives and commingled investment funds, and are measured using present value pricing models. We determine the level in the fair value hierarchy within which each fair value measurement falls in its entirety, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. In determining the appropriate levels, we perform an analysis of the assets and liabilities at each reporting period end. Cash equivalents, which include money market funds, are the only financial instrument measured and recorded at fair value in assets or liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet, and they are valued using Level 1 inputs. Stock-Based Compensation Pursuant to FASB ASC 718 Share-Based Payment (“ASC 718”), we record stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based awards. Under ASC 718, we estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value for awards that are expected to vest is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the option vesting term. The fair value of each stock option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model are as follows:
•
The grant price of the issuances is determined based on the fair value of the shares at the date of grant.
•
The risk free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. treasury yield in effect at the time of grant.
•
We calculate the expected term of options using a weighted average of option vesting periods and an estimate of one-half of the period between vesting and expiration of the option.
•
Volatility is determined based on our average historical volatilities since our trading history began in November 2014, supplemented with average historical volatilities of comparable companies in our similar industry.
•
Expected dividend yield is based on current yield at the grant date or the average dividend yield over the historical period. We have never declared or paid dividends and have no plans to do so in the foreseeable future. Comprehensive Income or Loss We comply with provisions of FASB ASC 220, Comprehensive Income, which requires companies to report all changes in equity during a period, except those resulting from investment by owners and distributions to owners, for the period in which they are recognized. Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events from non-owner sources. Comprehensive and other comprehensive income (loss) is reported on the face of the financial statements. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 comprehensive income (loss) is the total of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) which, for us, consists entirely of foreign currency translation adjustments and there were no material reclassifications from other comprehensive loss to net loss during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions The financial statements and transactions of the subsidiary’s operations are reported in the local (functional) currency of Swiss francs (CHF) and translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Assets and liabilities of those operations are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. The resulting gains and losses from translating foreign currency financial statements are recorded as other comprehensive income (loss). Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the reporting period. Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) resulting from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the foreign operations’ functional currencies are included in expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Income Taxes We account for income taxes under an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Accordingly, we recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected impact of differences between the financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of our recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be credited to operations in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to operations in the period such determination was made. We have incurred losses for tax purposes since inception and have significant tax losses and tax credit carryforwards. As of December 31, 2019, we had federal and state of California income tax net operating loss carryforwards, which may be applied to future taxable income, of approximately $97.6 million and $43.3 million, respectively. To the extent that we continue to generate taxable losses, unused losses will carry forward to offset future taxable income, if any, until these unused losses expire. However, we may be unable to use these losses to offset taxable income before our unused losses expire at various dates that range from 2035 through 2037 for federal net operating losses generated before 2018. Federal net operating losses generated for year 2018 and forward do not expire. State net operating losses expire from 2033 through 2039. Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” generally defined as a greater than 50 percentage point change (by value) in its equity ownership over a three-year period, the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards to offset its post-change taxable income may be limited. Limitations may also apply to the utilization of other pre-change tax attributes as a result of an ownership change. We experienced an “ownership change” within the meaning of Section 382(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, during the second quarter of 2017. The ownership change will subject our net operating loss carryforwards to an annual limitation, which will significantly restrict our ability to use them to offset taxable income in periods following the ownership change. In general, the annual use limitation equals the aggregate value of our stock at the time of the ownership change multiplied by a tax-exempt interest rate specified by the Internal Revenue Service. We have analyzed the available information to determine the amount of the annual limitation. Based on information available us, the 2017 limitation is estimated to range between be $1.4 million and $3.7 million annually. In total, we estimate that the 2017 ownership change will result in approximately $120 million and $56 million of federal and state net operating loss carryforwards expiring unused. Product Warranties Our policy is to warrant all shipped products against defects in materials and workmanship for up to two years by replacing failed parts. We also provide a three-year manufacturer’s warranty covering implant failure by providing a functionally-equivalent replacement implant. Accruals for product warranties are estimated based on historical warranty experience and current product performance trends and are recorded at the time revenue is recognized as a component of cost of sales. The warranty liabilities are reduced by material and labor costs used to replace parts over the warranty period in the periods in which the costs are incurred. We periodically assess the adequacy of our recorded warranty liabilities and adjust the amounts as necessary. Although any such adjustments were not material in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, any such adjustments could be material in the future if estimates differ significantly from actual warranty expense. The warranty liabilities are included in accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets. Presentation of sales and value added taxes We collect value added tax on our sales in Europe and certain states in the United Sates impose a sales tax on our sales to nonexempt customers. We collect that valued added and sales tax from customers and remit the entire amount to the respective authorities. Our accounting policy is to exclude the tax collected and remitted to the authorities from revenues and cost of revenues. Net Loss per Share Our computation of earnings per share (“EPS”) includes basic and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is measured as the income (loss) available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS but presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares (e.g., convertible notes payable, convertible preferred stock, common stock warrants and stock options) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or the issuance date, if later. Potential common shares that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS. Loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the respective periods. Basic and diluted loss per common share is the same for all periods presented because all common stock warrants and common stock options outstanding were anti-dilutive. At December 31, 2019, and 2018, we excluded the outstanding securities summarized below, which entitle the holders thereof to ultimately acquire shares of common stock, from our calculation of earnings per share, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands).
2019
2018
Underwriter’s warrants
—
100
Warrants issued with rights offerings
7,682
1,706
Common stock options
984
890
Restricted stock units
61
4
Employee stock purchase plan
53
51
Total
8,780
2,751
Discontinued operations Based upon our decision on May 10, 2019 to accelerate our transition to the Orion platform, we evaluated our accounting policies related to the disposition in accordance with ASC 205-20 Discontinued Operations Property, Plant, and Equipment including run-off operations. Restructuring Charges In October 2018, we announced a restructuring of our international commercial activities and personnel. This restructuring resulted in a decision to no longer support new implants of Argus II in Turkey, Iran, Singapore and Russia. We retained a team that continues to support existing Argus II patients and Centers of Excellence in the remaining international markets. We recognized approximately $0.6 million of pre-tax restructuring charges in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018 in connection with this restructuring, consisting of severance and other employee termination benefits, substantially all of which were settled in cash during the fourth quarter of 2018. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards ASU No. 2018-07 , Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting was issued with t he effective date for public companies fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the effective date is fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Previously, share-based payments to nonemployees were accounted for under Subtopic 505-50, which significantly differs from the guidance for share-based payments to employees under Topic 718. This ASU supersedes Subtopic 505-50 by expanding the scope of Topic 718 to include nonemployee awards and generally aligning the accounting for nonemployee awards with the accounting for employee awards. We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019 with no material impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. We adopted ASU No. 2016-02— Leases (Topic 842) Adoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities of approximately $2.6 million and $2.8 million respectively, as of January 1, 2019. The difference of $0.2 million between the right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities, net of the deferred tax impact, was recorded as an adjustment to accumulated deficit at January 1, 2019. The standard did not materially impact our consolidated net loss and had no impact on cash flows. |
