Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

v3.21.2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 3 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


Basis of Presentation


The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the Unites States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, and 180 is deemed to be the accounting acquirer.


Consequently, the assets and liabilities and the historical operations that are reflected in these consolidated financial statements prior to the Business Combination are those of 180 Life Corp. and its subsidiaries. The preferred stock, common stock, additional paid in capital and earnings per share amount in these consolidated financial statements for the period prior to the Business Combination have been restated to reflect the recapitalization in accordance with the shares issued to the shareholders of the former parent, 180 Life Corp. as a result of the Business Combination.


Emerging Growth Company Disclosure Exemptions


The Company qualifies as an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. For so long as the Company remains an emerging growth company, it is permitted and plans to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. These provisions include, but are not limited to: being permitted to have only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related selected financial data and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations disclosure; an exemption from compliance with the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; not being required to comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements; reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation arrangements in our periodic reports, registration statements and proxy statements; and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, the JOBS Act permits emerging growth companies to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. The Company intends to take advantage of the exemptions discussed above.


Principles of Consolidation


The consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of Katexco prior to the Reorganization, the consolidated accounts of 180 Life Corp, which includes Katexco, CBR Pharma and 180 LP, between the Reorganization and the Business Combination, and, effective with the closing of the Business Combination, the consolidated accounts also include 180LS. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.


Use of Estimates


The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, together with amounts disclosed in the related notes to the consolidated financial statements. The Company’s significant estimates used in these financial statements include, but are not limited to, the fair value of equity shares, the valuation of derivative liabilities, the valuation allowance associated with income tax balances, the valuation of intangible assets in acquisition accounting, the useful lives of long-lived assets and the recovery of notes receivable and other assets. Certain of the Company’s estimates could be affected by external conditions, including those unique to the Company and general economic conditions. It is reasonably possible that these external factors could have an effect on the Company’s estimates and may cause actual results to differ from those estimates.


Accounting for Business Combinations


As required by U.S. GAAP, the Company records acquisitions under the acquisition method of accounting, under which the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are initially recorded at their respective fair values and any excess purchase price over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired is reflected as goodwill. The Company uses estimates and, in some instances, independent third-party valuation firms to assist in determining the fair values of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and contingent consideration, if any. Such estimates and valuations require significant assumptions, including projections of future events and operating performance. The estimated fair values are subject to change during the measurement period, which is limited to one year subsequent to the acquisition date.


Foreign Currency Translation


The Company’s reporting currency is the United States dollar. The functional currency of certain subsidiaries is the Canadian Dollar (“CAD”) or British Pound (“GBP”). Assets and liabilities are translated based on the exchange rates at the balance sheet date (0.7847 and 0.7689 for the CAD, 1.3649 and 1.3262 for the GBP as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively), while expense accounts are translated at the weighted average exchange rate for the period (0.7462 and 0.7568 for the CAD and 1.2843 and 1.2613 for the GBP for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively). Equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are recognized in stockholders’ equity (deficiency) as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.


Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity of an entity from all sources other than investments by owners or distributions to owners and includes foreign currency translation adjustments as described above. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded other comprehensive gain/(loss) of $459,622 and ($160,745), respectively, as a result of foreign currency translation adjustments.


Foreign currency gains and losses resulting from transactions denominated in foreign currencies, including intercompany transactions, are included in results of operations. The Company recorded $1,030 and $7,652 of foreign currency transaction gains/(losses) for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Such amounts have been classified within general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.


Cash and Cash Equivalents


The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents in the financial statements. The Company had no cash equivalents at December 31, 2020 or 2019. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had bank accounts in the United States and the United Kingdom. The Company’s cash deposits in United States and English financial institutions may at times may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (“FSCS”) insurance limits, respectively. The Company has not experienced losses in such accounts and periodically evaluates the creditworthiness of its financial institutions.


Intangible Assets and In-Process Research and Development (“IPR&D”)


Intangible assets consist of licensed patents held by Katexco as well as technology licenses acquired in connection with the Reorganization. Licensed patents are amortized over the remaining life of the patent. Technology licenses represent the fair value of licenses acquired for the development and commercialization of certain licenses and knowledge. The technology licenses are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the underlying patents. It will be necessary to monitor and possibly adjust the useful lives of the licensed patents and technology licenses depending on the results of the Company’s research and development activities.


IPR&D assets represent the fair value assigned to technologies that were acquired on July 16, 2019 in connection with the Reorganization, which have not reached technological feasibility and have no alternative future use. IPR&D assets are considered to be indefinite-lived until the completion or abandonment of the associated research and development projects. During the period that the IPR&D assets are considered indefinite-lived, they are tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if the Company becomes aware of any events occurring or changes in circumstances that indicate that the fair value of the IPR&D assets are less than their carrying amounts. If and when development is complete, which generally occurs upon regulatory approval, and the Company is able to commercialize products associated with the IPR&D assets, these assets are then deemed definite-lived and are amortized based on their estimated useful lives at that point in time. If development is terminated or abandoned, the Company may record a full or partial impairment charge related to the IPR&D assets, calculated as the excess of the carrying value of the IPR&D assets over their estimated fair value.


Impairment of Long-Lived Assets


The Company reviews long-lived assets and certain identifiable assets for impairment whenever circumstances and situations change such that there is an indication that the carrying amounts may not be recovered. An impairment exists when the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its estimated fair value. No impairment charges were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.


Goodwill


Goodwill represents the difference between the purchase price and the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination. The Company reviews goodwill yearly, or more frequently whenever circumstances and situations change such that there is an indication that the carrying amounts may not be recovered, for impairment by initially considering qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill, as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative analysis. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative analysis is performed to identify goodwill impairment. If it is determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, it is unnecessary to perform a quantitative analysis. The Company may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing a quantitative analysis. As of December 31, 2020, the Company elected to bypass the qualitative assessment and conducted a quantitative assessment whereby it was determined the fair value of the reporting unit (which the Company concluded was the consolidated entity), exceeded the carrying value and, accordingly, there was no impairment of goodwill.


Fair Value of Financial Instruments


The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 “Fair Value Measurements” (“ASC 820”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.


ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:


Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable; and

Level 3 - Inputs that are unobservable (for example, cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions).

The carrying amounts of certain of the Company’s financial instruments, consisting primarily of notes receivable, loans payable and convertible notes payable, approximate their fair values as presented in these consolidated financial statements due to the short-term nature of those instruments. The Company’s derivative liabilities were valued using level 3 inputs (see Note 11 – Derivative Liabilities for additional information).


Accrued Issuable Equity


The Company records accrued issuable equity when it is contractually obligated to issue shares and there has been a delay in the issuance of such shares. Accrued issuable equity is recorded and carried at fair value with changes in its fair value recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Once the underlying shares of common stock are issued, the accrued issuable equity is reclassified as of the share issuance date at the then current fair market value of the common stock.


Stock-Based Compensation


The Company measures the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award. The fair value of the award is measured on the grant date and is estimated by management based on observations of the recent cash sales prices of common stock. The fair value amount is then recognized over the period during which services are required to be provided in exchange for the award, usually the vesting period. Upon the exercise of an option or warrant, the Company issues new shares of common stock out of its authorized shares.


Derivative Liabilities and Convertible Instruments


The Company evaluates its debt and equity issuances to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivatives requiring separate recognition in the Company’s financial statements. Entities must consider whether to classify contracts that may be settled in its own stock, such as warrants, as equity of the entity or as an asset or liability. If an event that is not within the entity’s control could require net cash settlement, then the contract should be classified as an asset or a liability rather than as equity.


The result of this accounting treatment is that the fair value of the embedded derivative is marked-to-market at each balance sheet date and recorded as a liability and the change in fair value is recorded in other (expense) income, net in the consolidated statements of operations. In circumstances where there are multiple embedded instruments that are required to be bifurcated, the bifurcated derivative instruments are accounted for as a single, compound derivative instrument. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is reassessed at the end of each reporting period. Equity instruments that are initially classified as equity that become subject to reclassification are reclassified to liability at the fair value of the instrument on the reclassification date. Derivative instrument liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument is expected within twelve months of the balance sheet date.


If the embedded conversion options do not require bifurcation, the Company then evaluates for the existence of a beneficial conversion feature by comparing the fair value of the Company’s underlying stock as of the commitment date to the effective conversion price of the instrument (the intrinsic value).


Debt discounts under these arrangements are amortized over the term of the related debt to their stated date of redemption and are classified in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Preferred stock discounts are only accreted to their redemption value if redemption becomes probable.


Amendments to convertible instruments are evaluated as to whether they should be accounted for as a modification of the original instrument with no change to the accounting or, if the terms are substantially changed, as an extinguishment of the original instrument and the issuance of a new instrument.


The Company has computed the fair value of warrants, options, convertible notes and convertible preferred stock issued using the Monte-Carlo and Black-Scholes option pricing models. The expected term used for warrants, convertible notes and convertible preferred stock are the contractual life and the expected term used for options issued is the estimated period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The Company utilizes the “simplified” method to develop an estimate of the expected term of “plain vanilla” option grants. The Company is utilizing an expected volatility figure based on a review of the historical volatilities, over a period of time, equivalent to the expected life of the instrument being valued, of similarly positioned public companies within its industry. The risk-free interest rate was determined from the implied yields from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds with a remaining term consistent with the expected term of the instrument being valued.


Net Loss Per Common Share


Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, plus the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the common share equivalents had been issued (computed using the treasury stock or if converted method), if dilutive.


The following common share equivalents are excluded from the calculation of weighted average common shares outstanding, because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:


    For the Years Ended  
    December 31,  
    2020     2019  
Options     50,000       -  
Warrants     6,064,908       -  
Convertible debt (a)     932,614       682,908  
Total potentially dilutive shares     7,047,522       682,908  

(a) Represents shares issuable upon conversion of debt at variable conversion process, which were calculated using the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the respective balance sheet date.

Research and Development


Research and development expenses are charged to operations as incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred $2,217,371 and $1,981,299, respectively, of research and development expenses. See Note 17 – Related Parties for more information on research and development expenses – related parties. See Note 3 for a discussion related to acquired IPR&D.


Income Taxes


The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of ASC Topic 740 “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”).


The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of items that have been included or excluded in the financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the difference between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their respective financial reporting amounts (“temporary differences”) at enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse.


The Company utilizes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company’s policy is to classify assessments, if any, for tax related interest as interest expense and penalties as general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.


Reclassifications


Certain prior period balances have been reclassified in order to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported results of operations or loss per share.


Subsequent Events


The Company has evaluated events that have occurred after the balance sheet date but before these financial statements were issued. Based upon that evaluation, the Company did not identify any recognized or non-recognized subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements, except as disclosed in Note 18 - Subsequent Events.


Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements


Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements


In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2020-03, “Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2020-03”). ASU 2020-03 improves and clarifies various financial instruments topics. ASU 2020-03 includes seven different issues that describe the areas of improvement and the related amendments to GAAP, intended to make the standards easier to understand and apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. The Company adopted ASU 2020-03 upon issuance, which did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which eliminated the calculation of implied goodwill fair value. Under the amendments in this update, an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. However, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Company adopted ASU 2017-04 upon issuance and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


Recently Issued But Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements


In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from operating leases. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of twelve months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. This amendment will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. The FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10 “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases” (“ASU 2018-10”), ASU No. 2018-11 “Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements” (“ASU 2018-11”) in July 2018, and ASU No. 2018-20 “Leases (Topic 842) - Narrow Scope Improvements for Lessors” (“ASU 2018-20”) in December 2018. ASU 2018-10 and ASU 2018-20 provide certain amendments that affect narrow aspects of the guidance issued in ASU 2016-02. ASU 2018-11 allows all entities adopting ASU 2016-02 to choose an additional (and optional) transition method of adoption, under which an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating these ASUs and their impact on its consolidated financial statements.


In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU 2018-13”). The amendments in ASU 2018-13 modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements based on the concepts in the FASB Concepts Statement, including the consideration of costs and benefits. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2018-13 and its impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.


In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2019-12 and its impact on its financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.


In February 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-02, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842) — Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date (“ASU 2020-02”) which provides clarifying guidance and minor updates to ASU No. 2016-13 — Financial Instruments — Credit Loss (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”) and related to ASU No. 2016-02 — Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2020-02 amends the effective date of ASU 2016-13, such that ASU 2016-13 and its amendments will be effective for the Company for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2020-02 and its impact on its financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.


In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06 “Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Topic 470) and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Topic 815). The amendments in ASU 2020-06 are intended to simplify the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity by eliminating certain accounting models in Subtopic 470-20, for convertible debt instruments. Under the amendments in this update, the embedded conversion features no longer are separated from the host contract for convertible instruments with conversion features that are not required to be accounted for as derivatives under Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or that do not result in substantial premiums accounted for as paid-on capital. A convertible debt instrument will be accounted for as a single liability measured at its amortized cost and convertible preferred stock will be accounted for as a single equity instrument measured at its historical cost, as long as no other features require bifurcation and recognition as derivatives. By removing the separation models, the interest rate of convertible debt instruments typically will be closer to the coupon interest rate when applying the guidance in Topic 835, Interest. These amendments to the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity change the population of contracts that are recognized as assets or liabilities. For a freestanding instrument, an entity should record it in equity if the instrument qualifies for the derivatives scope exception under the amendments. For an embedded feature, if the feature qualifies for the derivatives scope exception under the amendments, an entity should no longer separate the feature and account for it individually. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2020-06 and its impact on its financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.