Stock-Based Compensation Plan | Under the 2014 Plan, the fair value of options granted is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. This valuation model for stock-based compensation expense requires the Company to make assumptions and judgments about the variables used in the calculation, including the expected term (weighted-average period of time that the options granted are expected to be outstanding), the volatility of the common stock price and the assumed risk-free interest rate. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for only those shares expected to vest over the requisite service period of the award. No compensation cost is recorded for options that do not vest and the compensation cost from vested options, whether forfeited or not, is not reversed. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, 539,000 stock options were granted with an exercise price of $3.04 and a life of five years. 96,250 of these options vested in the three months ended June 30, 2018 having a fair value of $248,930. 103,750 of these options vested in the six months ended June 30, 2018 having a fair value of $277,948. The weighted average fair value of stock options granted to employees during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was $2.07. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, 190,000 stock options were granted with an exercise price of $4.48 and a life of 10 years. 7,500 of these options vested in the three months ended June 30, 2017. 142,500 of these options vested in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The weighted average fair value of stock options granted to employees during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was $3.87. The fair values were estimated on the grant dates using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: June 30, June 30, 2018 2017 Expected life (in years) 5 10 Volatility 85 % 90 % Risk-free interest rate 2.82 % 2.48 % Dividend yield - % - % The expected term of the options is based on expected future employee exercise behavior. Volatility is based on the historical volatility of several public entities that are similar to the Company. The Company bases volatility this way because it does not have sufficient historical transactions in its own shares on which to solely base expected volatility. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected term at the grant date. The Company has not historically declared any dividends and does not expect to in the future. The Company realized no income tax benefit from stock option exercises in each of the periods presented due to recurring losses and valuation allowances. Stock option activity under the 2014 Plan for the periods January 1 through June 30, 2017 and 2018 is as follows: Number Weighted Average Weighted Average Remaining Contract Aggregate of Shares Exercise Price Life in Years Intrinsic Value Stock options outstanding at January 1, 2017 - - Granted during the period 190,000 $ 4.48 9.60 $ - Expired during the period - - Exercised during the period - - Stock options outstanding at June 30, 2017 190,000 $ 4.48 9.60 $ - Exercisable at June 30, 2017 142,500 $ 4.48 9.60 $ - Non-vested stock options outstanding at January 1, 2017 - - Granted during the period 47,500 $ 4.48 9.60 $ - Expired during the period - - Exercised during the period - - Non-vested stock options outstanding at June 30, 2017 47,500 $ 4.48 9.60 $ - Stock options outstanding at January 1, 2018 545,000 $ 4.05 7.13 $ - Granted during the period 539,000 $ 3.04 5.00 $ - Expired during the period - - Exercised during the period - - Stock options outstanding at June 30, 2018 1,084,000 $ 3.72 5.82 $ - Exercisable at June 30, 2018 261,250 $ 4.26 8.60 $ - Non-vested stock options outstanding at January 1, 2018 387,500 $ 3.89 6.39 $ - Granted during the period 539,000 $ 3.04 5.00 $ - Vested during the period (103,750 ) $ 3.92 6.02 $ - Expired during the period - - Exercised during the period - - Non-vested stock options outstanding at June 30, 2018 822,750 $ 3.32 5.77 $ - 287,911 shares were available for future issuance under the 2014 Plan as of June 30, 2018. As of June 30, 2018, the Company had unrecognized stock-based compensation expense of $1,844,792. $67,708 of this unrecognized expense will be recognized over the average remaining vesting term of the options of 0.60 years. $1,218,410 of this unrecognized expense vests upon FDA acceptance of a U.S. IND application for MS1819-SD. $558,674 of this unrecognized expense vests upon the first dosing of a cystic fibrosis patient with MS1819-SD anywhere in the world. As of June 30, 2018, the probability of these milestones being reached could not be determined. |