| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Use of Estimates The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with 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 condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Changes in estimates and assumptions are reflected in reported results in the period in which they become known. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Since the date of such consolidated financial statements, there have been no changes to our significant accounting policies. Cash As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, cash was $30.5 million and $51.2 million, respectively, consisting of checking accounts held at U.S. and Canadian commercial banks. At certain times, our cash balances with any one financial institution may exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. We believe it mitigates our risk by depositing our cash balances with high credit, quality financial institutions. We have never experienced losses related to these balances. Fair Value of Financial Instruments Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), establishes a fair value hierarchy for instruments measured at fair value that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and our own assumptions (unobservable inputs). Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of us. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. ASC 820 identifies fair value as the exchange price, or exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, ASC Topic 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy that distinguishes among the following: • Level 1—Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we can access. • Level 2—Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and models for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. • Level 3—Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. To the extent that the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by us in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Financial instruments consist of cash, accounts payable, and contingent consideration. These financial instruments are stated at their respective historical carrying amounts, which approximate fair value due to their short-term nature, except for contingent consideration, which is recorded at fair value at the end of each reporting period. We recorded contingent consideration from the 2016 acquisition of Ciclofilin, which is required to be carried at fair value. See Note 5 for additional information on the fair value of the contingent consideration. Property, equipment and depreciation As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of property and equipment, consisting primarily of lab equipment, computer equipment, and furniture and fixtures. There were no adjustments to the carrying value of property and equipment at June 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022. In-Process Research & Development The annual, or interim (if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired), In-Process Research and Development ("IPR&D") impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of the asset to the asset’s carrying amount. When testing indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment, we may assess qualitative factors for its indefinite-lived intangibles to determine whether it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. Alternatively, we may bypass this qualitative assessment for our indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test that compares the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset with the asset’s carrying amount. If IPR&D becomes impaired or is abandoned, the carrying value of the IPR&D is written down to the revised fair value with the related impairment charge recognized in the period in which the impairment occurs. If the carrying value of the asset becomes impaired as the result of unfavorable data from any ongoing or future clinical trial, changes in assumptions that negatively impact projected cash flows, or because of any other information regarding the prospects of successfully developing or commercializing our programs, we could incur significant charges in the period in which the impairment occurs. We performed a qualitative assessment of IPR&D at June 30, 2023 and a quantitative assessment for fiscal year 2022 and determined that the asset was not impaired. Income Taxes We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as well as for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which we expect to recover or settle those temporary differences. We recognize the effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. We reduce the measurement of a deferred tax asset, if necessary, by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that we will not realize some or all of the deferred tax asset. We account for uncertain tax positions by recognizing the financial statement effects of a tax position only when, based upon technical merits, it is “more-likely-than-not” that the position will be sustained upon examination. Potential interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax positions are recognized in income tax expense. We continue to maintain a full valuation allowance for our U.S and foreign net deferred tax assets. Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, the net operating loss (NOL) and tax credit carryforwards are subject to review and possible adjustment by the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities. NOL and tax credit carryforwards may become subject to an annual limitation in the event of certain cumulative changes in the ownership interest of significant shareholders over a three-year period in excess of 50%, as defined under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, respectively, as well as similar state tax provisions. This could limit the amount of tax attributes that we can utilize annually to offset future taxable income or tax liabilities. The amount of the annual limitation, if any, will be determined based on our value immediately prior to the ownership change. Subsequent ownership changes may further affect the limitation in future years. The utilization of these NOLs is subject to limitations based on past and future changes in our ownership pursuant to Section 382. We completed a Section 382 study of transactions in our stock through December 31, 2021 and concluded that we have experienced ownership changes since inception that we believe under Section 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code will result in limitations on our ability to use certain pre-ownership change NOLs and credits. We are not aware of any ownership changes in 2023 or 2022. In addition, we may experience subsequent ownership changes as a result of future equity offerings or other changes in the ownership of our stock, some of which are beyond our control. As a result, the amount of the NOLs and tax credit carryforwards presented in our consolidated financial statements could be further limited. Similar provisions of state tax law may also apply to limit the use of accumulated state tax attributes. Contingencies In the normal course of business, we are subject to loss contingencies, such as legal proceedings and claims arising out of our business that cover a wide range of matters, including, among others, government investigations, shareholder lawsuits, product and environmental liability, and tax matters. In accordance with ASC Topic 450, Accounting for Contingencies , (“ASC 450”), we record accruals for such loss contingencies when it is probable that a liability will be incurred, and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. In accordance with this guidance, we do not recognize gain contingencies until realized. Research and Development Research and development costs, which include expenditures in connection with an in-house research and development laboratory, salaries and staff costs, application and filing for regulatory approval of proposed products, purchased in-process research and development, license costs, regulatory and scientific consulting fees, as well as contract research, insurance and FDA consultants, are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 730, Research and Development , (“ASC 730”). Also, as prescribed by this guidance, patent filing and maintenance expenses are considered legal in nature and therefore classified as general and administrative expense, if any. We do not currently have any commercial biopharmaceutical products and do not expect to have such for several years, if at all. Accordingly, our research and development costs are expensed as incurred. While certain of our research and development costs may have future benefits, our policy of expensing all research and development expenditures is predicated on the fact that we have no history of successful commercialization of product candidates to base any estimate of the number of future periods that would be benefited. Also as prescribed by ASC 730, non-refundable advance payments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities should be deferred and capitalized. As the related goods are delivered or the services are performed, or when the goods or services are no longer expected to be provided, the deferred amounts would be recognized as an expense. At June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had prepaid research and development costs of $1.9 million and $4.7 million, respectively. Foreign Exchange The functional currency of Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and ContraVir Research Inc. is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of Hepion Research Corp. is the Canadian dollar. Assets and liabilities of Hepion Research Corp. are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates; income and expenses are translated using the average exchange rates for the reporting period. Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a separate component of shareholders’ equity. The amount of currency translation adjustment was $87,651 and $90,168 at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Transactions in foreign currencies are remeasured into the functional currency of the relevant subsidiaries at the exchange rate in effect at the date of the transaction. Any monetary assets and liabilities arising from these transactions are translated into the functional currency at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date or on settlement. Resulting gains and losses are recorded in general and administrative expense within the consolidated statements of operations. The impact of foreign exchange losses (gains) was $30,661 and $2,678 for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and was $56,095 and $(32,518) for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Segment Information Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our chief operating decision maker views our operations and manages the business in one segment. Net loss per share Basic and diluted net loss per share is presented in conformity with ASC Topic 260, Earnings per Share , (“ASC 260”) for all periods presented. In accordance with this guidance, basic and diluted net loss per common share was determined by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period. Recent Accounting Pronouncements There are no recent accounting pronouncements that will have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2023. |
