AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014
The Company also has a Registered Retirement Savings Plan for its Canadian employees. Company contributions made and expensed in operations in connection with the plan during the year ended December 31, 2016, amounted to $21,777 (2015: $16,274; 2014: $16,566).
13. Government Assistance
From time to time, the Company receives government assistance in the form of research grants, which are recorded as a reduction of research and development expenditures. During 2016, grants of $33,451 (2015: $70,338; 2014: $192,773) were recorded as a reduction of expenditures. At December 31, 2016, there was $12,629 (2015: $13,829) due to the Company under research grants. All government assistance is subject to periodic audit by the agency involved in the grant.
14. Contract Research Agreement
In March 2012, the Company executed a contract research agreement with Tethys Aquaculture Canada Inc. (“TAC”), to provide the Company with the resources required for its ongoing development needs. Under the terms of the extended agreement, TAC would provide services to the Company through September 30, 2016, and on a project-related basis thereafter. Total costs incurred under the terms of this agreement amounted to $103,208 in 2016 (2015: $287,246; 2014: $338,993) and are included as a component of research and development expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
In February 2015, the Company executed a contract research agreement with the Center for Aquaculture Technologies, Inc. (“CAT”) to provide research services for a specific project. Under the terms of the extended agreement, CAT provided services to the Company through December 31, 2016. Total costs incurred amounted to $172,966 in 2016 (2015: $185,426) and are included as a component of research and development expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. The contract with CAT has been extended for 2017.
15. Related Party Collaboration Agreement
In February 2013, the Company entered into the ECC with Intrexon Corporation, its majority shareholder, pursuant to which the Company will use Intrexon’s UltraVector and other technology platforms to develop and commercialize additional genetically modified traits in finfish for human consumption. The ECC, which can be terminated by the Company upon 90 days’ written notice, grants the Company a worldwide license to use specified patents and other intellectual property of Intrexon in connection with the research, development, use, importing, manufacture, sale, and offer for sale of products involving DNA administered to finfish for human consumption. Such license is exclusive with respect to any clinical development, selling, offering for sale, or other commercialization of developed products, and otherwise isnon-exclusive.
Under the ECC and subject to certain exceptions, the Company is responsible for, among other things, the performance of the program, including development, commercialization, and certain aspects of manufacturing developed products. Among other things, Intrexon is responsible for the costs of establishing manufacturing capabilities and facilities for the bulk manufacture of certain products developed under the program; certain other aspects of manufacturing; costs of discovery-stage research with respect to platform improvements; and costs of filing, prosecution, and maintenance of Intrexon’s patents.
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