Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

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NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]  
Nature of Operations
Nature of Operations
Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “our”, or “Access”) is an emerging pharmaceutical company engaged in the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and supportive care of cancer patients. This development work is based primarily on the adaptation of existing therapeutic agents using the Company’s proprietary drug delivery technology. Our efforts have been principally devoted to research and development, resulting in significant losses.

Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform with current period classification.

A summary of the significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows.
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported period.
Segments
Segments
The Company operates in a single segment.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had no such investments. We maintain deposits primarily in two financial institutions, which may at times exceed amounts covered by insurance provided by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).  We have not experienced any losses related to amounts in excess of FDIC limits. 
Receivables
Receivables
Receivables are reported in the balance sheets at the outstanding amount net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. We continually evaluate the creditworthiness of our customers and their financial condition and generally do not require collateral. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon reviews of specific customer balances, historic losses, and general economic conditions. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, no allowance was recorded as all accounts are considered collectible.
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging from three to seven years. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments that extend the useful lives are capitalized. Expenditures for normal maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. The cost of assets sold or abandoned and the related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and any gains or losses are recognized in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations of the respective period.
Product sales and allowances
Product Sales and Allowances
We sold MuGard to wholesalers, and specialty and retail pharmacies. We began shipping to customers in September 2010 through June 6, 2013 when we licensed MuGard to AMAG Pharmaceuticals. Since June 6, 2013 we receive royalties from AMAG Pharmaceuticals for their sales of MuGard. We recognized revenue for MuGard product sales at the time title transferred to our customers, which occurred at the time product was shipped to our customers.

We recognized product sales allowances as a reduction of product sales in the same period the related revenue was recognized. Product sales allowances were based on amounts owed or to be claimed on the related sales. These estimates take into consideration the terms of our agreements with customers, rebates or discounts taken. If actual future results varied from our estimates, we may have needed to adjust these estimates, which could have had an effect on product sales and earnings in the period of adjustment. Our product sales allowances included:

·  
Wholesaler and Specialty and Retail Pharmacy Discounts – we offered contractually determined discounts to certain wholesale distributors and specialty and retail pharmacies that purchase directly from us. These discounts are either taken off the invoice at the time of shipment or paid to the customer on a monthly or quarterly basis.
·  
Prompt Pay Discounts – we offered cash discounts to our customers, generally 2% of the sales price, as an incentive for prompt payment. Based on our experience many of the customers comply with the payment terms to earn the cash discount.
·  
Patient Discount Programs – we offered discount card programs in which patients receive certain discounts off their prescription.
·  
Managed Care Rebates – we offered discounts under contracts with certain managed care providers who do not purchase directly from us.

We believe our estimates related to gross-to-net sales adjustments for MuGard do not have a high degree of estimation complexity or uncertainty as the related amounts were settled within a short period of time.

   Below is a table showing gross sales and net sales by quarter for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
 
 
(in thousands)
Three months ended
March 31, 2013
Three months ended
June 30, 2013
Three months ended
Sept 30, 2013
Three months ended
Dec 31, 2013
Twelve months ended
Dec 31, 2013
   
Gross sales
$ 1,255
$  508
$     -
$      -
$  1,763
   
Cash discounts
       10
      36
       -
       5
         51
   
Contract discounts
       83
      92
       -
       8
       183
   
Net sales
$ 1,162
$  380
$     -
$   (13)
$  1,529
   
               
               
 
Three months ended
March 31, 2012
Three months ended
June 30, 2012
Three months ended
Sept 30, 2012
Three months ended
Dec 31, 2012
Twelve months ended
Dec 31, 2012
   
Gross sales
$  577
$  712
$    877
$   1,048
$  3,214
   
Cash discounts
        5
      13
          7
           9
         34
   
Contract discounts
       18
      84
         89
      124
        315
   
Net sales
$  554
$  615
$    781
$     915
$   2,865
License Revenues and Royalties
License Revenues and Royalties
Our revenues are generated from licensing, research and development agreements, royalties and product sales. We recognize revenue in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 (SAB 104), Revenue Recognition. License revenue is recognized over the remaining life of the underlying patent. Research and development revenues are recognized as services are performed. Royalties are recognized in the period of sales.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses include, but are not limited to, payroll and personnel expense, lab supplies, preclinical, development cost, clinical trial expense, outside manufacturing and consulting. The cost of materials and equipment or facilities that are acquired for research and development activities and that have alternative future uses are capitalized when acquired.
Cost of product sales
Cost of product sales
Cost of product sales consists of costs of the contract manufacturing, product costs and packaging costs, product quality testing, distribution costs and shipping costs related to our product sales of MuGard.
Selling, general and administrative expense
Selling, general and administrative expense
Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of personnel, contract personnel, marketing and promotion expenses associated with MuGard, personnel expenses to support our administrative and operating activities, facility costs and professional expenses (i.e., legal expenses), and investor relations fees.
Other Income
Other Income
In 2013 and 2012, we recognized miscellaneous income of $250,000 and $241,000, respectively, due to sales of platinum and monomers and write-offs and settlements of other accounts payable.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
We calculate the fair value of our assets and liabilities which qualify as financial instruments and include additional information in the notes to the consolidated financial statements when the fair value is different than the carrying value of these financial instruments. The estimated fair value of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses and dividends payable approximate their carrying amounts due to the relatively short maturity of these instruments.

We consider the conversion options and warrants related to our Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock to be derivatives, and we record the fair value of the derivative liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of the derivative liabilities are included in gain or loss on change in fair value of derivative in the consolidated statements of operations.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and 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 operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. 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.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets to the extent their realization is in doubt.

We account for uncertain income tax positions in accordance with FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes. Interest costs and penalties related to income taxes are classified as interest expense and general and administrative costs, respectively, in our consolidated financial statements. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we did not recognize any uncertain tax positions or interest or penalty expense related to income taxes. It is determined not to be reasonably likely for the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months. We are currently subject to a three year statute of limitations by major tax jurisdictions. We and our subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction.
Income (Loss) Per Share
Income (Loss) Per Share
We have presented basic income (loss) per share, computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year, and diluted income (loss) per share, computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares and all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the year. Potential common shares result from stock options, preferred stock and warrants. Common equivalent shares have not been included in the net loss per share calculations for year ended December 31, 2012 because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share were determined as follows:

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
           
       
   
For the year ended December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
             
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,551     $ (12,531 )
Weighted average shares outstanding
    25,243,160       24,178,768  
Basic net income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.05     $ (0.52 )
                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,551     $ (12,531 )
Weighted average shares outstanding
    25,243,160       24,178,768  
Effect of dilutive options and warrants
    230,486       -  
Weighted average shares outstanding
  assuming dilution
    25,473,646       24,178,768  
Diluted net income (loss) per common share
  $ 0.06     $ (0.52 )
                 

We did not include the following securities in the table below in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share because the securities were anti-dilutive during the periods presented:

   
For the year ended December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
             
Warrants
    31,879,063       35,733,943  
Stock options
    919,200       2,703,284  
Preferred stock Series A
    58,067,234       58,267,234  
Preferred stock Series B
    20,000,000       20,000,000  
Total
    110,865,497       116,704,461  
             
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation
We account for stock based compensation expense in accordance with FASB ASC 718, Stock Based Compensation. We have several stock-based compensation plans under which incentive and non-incentive qualified stock options and restricted shares may be granted to employees, directors and consultants. We measure the cost of the employee/director/consultant services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value our options.
 
During 2013 and 2012, no stock options and 1,235,000 stock options, respectively, were granted under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. Assumptions for 2012 are:

 
   2012  
Expected volatility assumption was based upon a combination of historical stock price volatility measured on a weekly basis and is considered a reasonable indicator of expected volatility.
 
 
98%
Risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon U.S. Treasury bond interest rates appropriate for the term of the our employee stock options.
 
 
0.45%
Dividend yield assumption is based on our history and expectation of dividend payments.
 
 
None
Estimated expected term (average of number years) is based on the simplified method as prescribed by SAB 107/110 as we do not have sufficient information to calculate an expected term.
 
5.5 years

At December 31, 2013, the balance of unearned stock-based compensation to be expensed in future periods related to unvested share-based awards, as adjusted for expected forfeitures, is approximately $53,000. The weighted-average period over which the unearned stock-based compensation is expected to be recognized is approximately three years. We anticipate that we will grant additional share-based awards to employees and consultants in the future, which will increase our stock-based compensation expense by the additional unearned compensation resulting from these grants.

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 which was allocated as follows (in thousands):

   
Year ended
December 31, 2013
   
Year ended
December 31, 2012
 
Research and development
  $ 31     $ 93  
General and administrative
    408       297  
    Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expense
    439       390  
                 
Total stock-based compensation expense
    439       390  
Tax benefit
    -       -  
    Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax
  $ 439     $ 390