Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
Nov. 30, 2014 |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Basis of consolidation | | | | | | | |
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These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned operating subsidiaries, IPC Ltd., Intellipharmaceutics Corp. (“IPC Corp”), and Vasogen Corp. These consolidated financial statements also include the results of Vasogen Ireland Ltd. up to June 27, 2012, the date of its dissolution. |
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All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. |
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Use of estimates | | | | | | | |
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The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
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Areas where significant judgment is involved in making estimates are: the determination of the functional currency; the fair values of financial assets and liabilities; the determination of units of accounting for revenue recognition; the accrual of licensing and milestone revenue; and forecasting future cash flows for assessing the going concern assumption. |
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Cash and cash equivalents | | | | | | | |
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The Company considers all highly liquid securities with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalent balances consist of bankers’ acceptances and bank accounts with variable, market rates of interest. |
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The financial risks associated with these instruments are minimal and the Company has not experienced any losses from investments in these securities. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates its fair value due to its short-term nature. |
Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Accounts receivable | | | | | | | |
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The Company reviews its sales and accounts receivable aging and determines whether an allowance for doubtful accounts is required. |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Financial instruments | | | | | | | |
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The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. For derivative financial instruments that are classified as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value using the appropriate valuation methodology and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. |
Regulatory Income Taxes, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Investment tax credits | | | | | | | |
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The investment tax credits (“ITC") receivable are amounts considered recoverable from the Canadian federal and provincial governments under the Scientific Research & Experimental Development (“SR&ED”) incentive program. The amounts claimed under the program represent the amounts based on management estimates of eligible research and development costs incurred during the year. Realization is subject to government approval. Any adjustment to the amounts claimed will be recognized in the year in which the adjustment occurs. Refundable ITCs claimed relating to capital expenditures are credited to property and equipment. Refundable ITCs claimed relating to current expenditures are netted against research and development expenditures. |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Property and equipment | | | | | | | |
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Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Equipment acquired under capital leases are recorded net of imputed interest, based upon the net present value of future payments. Assets under capital leases are pledged as collateral for the related lease obligation. Repairs and maintenance expenditures are charged to operations; major betterments and replacements are capitalized. Depreciation bases and rates are as follows: |
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Assets | Basis | Rate | |
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Computer equipment | Declining balance | 30% | |
Computer software | Declining balance | 50% | |
Furniture and fixtures | Declining balance | 20% | |
Laboratory equipment | Declining balance | 20% | |
Leasehold improvements | Straight line | Over term of lease |
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Leasehold improvements and assets acquired under capital leases are depreciated over the term of their useful lives or the lease period, whichever is shorter. The charge to operations resulting from depreciation of assets acquired under capital leases is included with depreciation expense. |
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Impairment of long-lived assets | | | | | | | |
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Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. For assets that are to be held and used, impairment is recognized when the sum of estimated undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset or group of assets is less than its carrying value. If impairment exists, an adjustment is made to write the asset down to its fair value, and a loss is recorded as the difference between the carrying value and fair value. |
Warrants [Policy Text Block] | Warrants | | | | | | | |
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The Company issued warrants as described in Notes 10 and 14. In the prior year the warrants were presented as a liability because they did not meet the criteria of Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) topic 480 Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity for equity classification. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the warrants were recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. As discussed in Note 3(m) the Company changed its functional currency effective December 1, 2013 such that these warrants meet the criteria for prospective equity classification in ASC 480, and the U.S. dollar translated amount of the warrant liability at December 1, 2013 became the amount reclassified to equity. |
Convertible Debt [Policy Text Block] | Convertible debenture | | | | | | | |
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The Company issued an unsecured convertible debenture in the principal amount of $1.5 million (the “Debenture”) as described in Note 7. At issuance the conversion option was bifurcated from its host contract and the fair value of the conversion option was characterized as an embedded derivative upon issuance as it met the criteria of ASC Topic 815 Derivatives and Hedging. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative were recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The proceeds received from the Debenture less the initial amount allocated to the embedded derivative were allocated to the liability and were accreted over the life of the Debenture using the imputed rate of interest. As discussed in Note 3(m) the Company changed its functional currency effective December 1, 2013 such that the conversion option no longer meets the criteria for bifurcation and was prospectively reclassified to shareholders equity under ASC Topic 815 at the U.S. dollar translated amount at December 1, 2013. |
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Revenue recognition | | | | | | | |
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The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with the provision of ASC topic 605 Revenue Recognition. The Company earns revenue from non-refundable upfront fees, milestone payments upon achievement of specified research or development, exclusivity milestone payments and licensing payments on sales of resulting products and other incidental services. Revenue is realized or realizable and earned when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price to the customer is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. From time to time, the Company enters into transactions that represent multiple-element arrangements. Management evaluates arrangements with multiple deliverables to determine whether the deliverables represent one or more units of accounting for the purpose of revenue recognition. |
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A delivered item is considered a separate unit of accounting if the delivered item has stand-alone value to the customer, the fair value of any undelivered items can be reliably determined, and the delivery of undelivered items is probable and substantially in the Company's control. |
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The relevant revenue recognition accounting policy is applied to each separate unit of accounting. |
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Licensing |
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The Company recognizes revenue from the licensing of the Company's drug delivery technologies, products and product candidates. Licensing revenue is recognized as earned in accordance with the contract terms when the amounts can be reasonably estimated and collectability is reasonably assured. |
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The Company has a license and commercialization agreement with Par Pharmaceutical Inc. (“Par”). Under the exclusive territorial license rights granted to Par, the agreement requires that Par manufacture, promote, market, sell and distribute the product. Licensing revenue amounts receivable by the Company under this agreement are calculated and reported to the Company by Par, with such amounts generally based upon net product sales and net profit which include estimates for chargebacks, rebates, product returns, and other adjustments. Licensing revenue payments received by the Company from Par under this agreement are not subject to deductions for chargebacks, rebates, product returns, and other pricing adjustments. Based on this arrangement and the guidance per ASC topic 605, the Company records licensing revenue as earned in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. |
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Milestones |
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The milestone method recognizes revenue on substantive milestone payments in the period the milestone is achieved. Milestones are considered substantive if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the milestone is commensurate with either the vendor’s performance to achieve the milestone or the enhancement of the value of the delivered item or items as a result of a specific outcome resulting from the vendor’s performance to achieve the milestone; (ii) the milestone relates solely to past performance; and (iii) the milestone is reasonable relative to all of the deliverables and payment terms within the arrangement. Non-substantive milestone payments that might be paid to the Company based on the passage of time or as a result of a partner’s performance are allocated to the units of accounting within the arrangement; they are recognized as revenue in a manner similar to those units of accounting. In connection with the license and commercialization agreement with Par, for each day up to a maximum of 180 days from the date of launch if the Company’s product is the only generic in the market or if there is only one generic competitor, a milestone payment is earned. The Company recognized revenue of $354,153 (2013 - $43,209; 2012 – $Nil) upon achievement of the milestone. |
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Research and development |
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Under arrangements where the license fees and research and development activities can be accounted for as a separate unit of accounting, non-refundable upfront license fees are deferred and recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the Company's continued involvement in the research and development process. |
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Deferred revenue represents the funds received from clients, for which the revenues have not yet been earned, as the milestones have not been achieved, or in the case of upfront fees for drug development, where the work remains to be completed. |
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Other incidental services |
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Incidental services which we may provide from time to time include, consulting advice provided to other organizations regarding FDA standards. Revenue is earned and realized when all of the following conditions are met: (i) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement; (ii) service has been rendered; (iii) the sales price is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. |
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Research and development costs | | | | | | | |
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Research and development costs related to continued research and development programs are expensed as incurred in accordance with ASC topic 730. However, materials and equipment are capitalized and amortized over their useful lives if they have alternative future uses. |
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Income taxes | | | | | | | |
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The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the 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 for losses and tax credit carry forwards. Significant judgment is required in determining whether deferred tax assets will be realized in full or in part. 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. |
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The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the year that includes the date of enactments. A valuation allowance is provided for the portion of deferred tax assets that is more likely than not to remain unrealized. |
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The Company accounts in accordance with ASC topic 740-10. This ASC topic requires that uncertain tax positions are evaluated in a two-step process, whereby (i) the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position and (ii) those tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold, the Company would recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The cumulative effects of the application of the provisions of ASC topic 740-10 are described in Note 15. |
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The Company records any interest related to income taxes in interest expense and penalties in selling, general and administrative expense. |
Stockholders' Equity Note, Redeemable Preferred Stock, Issue, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Share issue costs | | | | | | | |
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Share issue costs are recorded as a reduction of the proceeds from the issuance of capital stock. |
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block] | Translation of foreign currencies | | | | | | | |
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Previously, operations of the Company were comprised of only research and development activities conducted in Canada. The Company generated no cash from operations, though funding for the operations (as in previous years) was primarily through U.S. dollar equity financings. The functional currency was assessed to be Canadian dollars. By obtaining the final approval of the Company’s generic Focalin XR® (dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release) capsules for the 15 and 30 mg strengths with Par in November 2013, the Company generated and collected U.S. dollar revenues in the year ended November 30, 2014 which represents a significant and material change in economic facts and circumstances. Management had assessed the functional currency for the fiscal year commencing December 1, 2013 and concluded that the Company and its wholly owned operating subsidiaries should be measured using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. Effective December 1, 2013, the change in functional currency was applied on a prospective basis. The U.S. dollar translated amounts of nonmonetary assets and liabilities at December 1, 2013 became the historical accounting basis for those assets and liabilities at December 1, 2013. The impact of the change in functional currency on the measurement and reporting of warrants and the Debenture is discussed in Note 3(g) and 3(h) above. The change in functional currency will result in no change in cumulative translation adjustment going forward as the Company and its wholly owned operating subsidiaries have U.S. dollar functional currencies. |
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In respect of other transactions denominated in currencies other than the Company and its wholly owned operating subsidiaries’ functional currencies, the monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the period end rates. Revenue and expenses are translated at rates of exchange prevailing on the transaction dates. All of the exchange gains or losses resulting from these other transactions are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. |
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The Company’s reporting currency in the year ended November 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was the U.S. dollar. |
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block] | Stock-based compensation | | | | | | | |
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The Company has a stock-based compensation plan which authorizes the granting of various equity-based incentives including stock options and restricted share units (“RSU”s). The Company calculates stock-based compensation using the fair value method, under which the fair value of the options at the grant date is calculated using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model, and subsequently expensed over the expected life of the option. The provisions of the Company's stock-based compensation plans do not require the Company to settle any options by transferring cash or other assets, and therefore the Company classifies the awards as equity. |
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Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of stock-based payment awards that are ultimately expected to vest. The Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The stock-based compensation expense is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss under research and development expense and under selling, general and administration expense. Note 11 provides supplemental disclosure of the Company's stock options. |
Deferred Share Units [Policy Text Block] | Deferred Share Units | | | | | | | |
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Deferred Share Units (“DSU”s) are valued based on the trading price of the Company’s common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Company records the value of the DSU’s owing to non-management board members in the consolidated statement of equity (deficiency). |
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Loss per share | | | | | | | |
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Basic loss per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing the loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through the exercise or conversion of stock options, restricted stock awards, warrants and convertible securities. In certain circumstances, the conversion of options, warrants and convertible securities are excluded from diluted EPS if the effect of such inclusion would be anti-dilutive. |
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The dilutive effect of stock options is determined using the treasury stock method. Stock options and warrants to purchase 7,149,283, 7,034,647 and 7,830,059 common shares of the Company during fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the Company has incurred a loss for the years ended November 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 as the effect would be anti-dilutive. |
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Comprehensive loss | | | | | | | |
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The Company follows ASC topic 220. This statement establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive (loss) income and its components. Comprehensive loss is net loss plus certain items that are recorded directly to shareholders' equity. Other than foreign exchange gains and losses arising from cumulative translation adjustments, the Company has no other comprehensive loss items. |
Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Fair value measurement | | | | | | | |
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Under ASC topic 820, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., an exit price). ASC topic 820 establishes a hierarchy for inputs to valuation techniques used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. There are three levels to the hierarchy based on the reliability of inputs, as follows: |
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| ● | Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. | | | | | |
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| ● | Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active. | | | | | |
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| ● | Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. | | | | | |
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The degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. |
Future Accounting Pronouncements [Policy Text Block] | Future Accounting pronouncements | | | | | | | |
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In March 2013, the FASB provided amendments to ASU No. 2013-05 “Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)”. The amendments are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption and retrospective application are permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of the amendments to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flow. |
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In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, which requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward, or similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward, rather than as a liability when (1) the uncertain tax position would reduce the NOL or other carryforward under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction and (2) the entity intends to use the deferred tax asset for that purpose. The ASU does not require new recurring disclosures. It is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption and retrospective application are permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of the amendments to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flow. |
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In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The updated standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The guidance permits companies to either apply the requirements retrospectively to all prior periods presented, or apply the requirements in the year of adoption, through a cumulative adjustment. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flow. |
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On June 19, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12 in response to the consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force on EITF Issue 13-D.2 The ASU clarifies that entities should treat performance targets that can be met after the requisite service period of a share-based payment award as performance conditions that affect vesting. Therefore, an entity would not record compensation expense (measured as of the grant date without taking into account the effect of the performance target) related to an award for which transfer to the employee is contingent on the entity’s satisfaction of a performance target until it becomes probable that the performance target will be met. No new disclosures are required under the ASU. The ASU’s guidance is effective for all entities for reporting periods (including interim periods) beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of the amendments to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flow. |
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] | On August 27, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, which provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in the financial statements. The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if “conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.” The ASU applies to all entities and is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the amendments to determine if they have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flow. |