Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Stock Plans

v2.4.1.9
Stock Plans
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Stock Plans [Abstract]  
Stock Plans [Text Block]
2. Stock Plans
 
The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense recorded for awards under the stock option plans for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
March 31,
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2015
 
2014
 
Research and development
 
$
203
 
$
145
 
General and administrative
 
 
288
 
 
181
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total stock-based compensation expenses
 
$
491
 
$
326
 
 
No tax benefit was recognized related to stock-based compensation expense since we have incurred operating losses and we have established a full valuation allowance to offset all the potential tax benefits associated with our deferred tax assets.
 
We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model with the following assumptions to estimate the stock-based compensation expense for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
March 31,
 
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
Weighted-average risk-free interest rate
 
 
1.8
%
 
 
2.0
%
Expected dividend payments
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expected holding period (years)1
 
 
6.4
 
 
 
6.5
 
Weighted-average volatility factor2
 
 
1.61
 
 
 
1.66
 
Estimated forfeiture rates for options granted3
 
 
30
%
 
 
31
%
 
 
(1)
Expected holding period is based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and the expectations of future employee behavior.
(2)
Weighted average volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common stock.
(3)
Estimated forfeiture rates are based on historical data.
 
Options to purchase 1,374,000 and 275,000 common shares were granted during the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
The following table summarizes option activity for the three month period ended March 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
Average
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average
Remaining
 
Aggregate
 
 
 
 
Exercise
Option
 
Intrinsic
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Options
 
Price
Term
 
Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2015
 
 
6,620
 
$
1.23
 
 
5.14
 
$
1
 
Granted
 
 
1,374
 
 
0.60
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exercised
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expired or cancelled
 
 
(70)
 
 
2.62
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forfeited
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2015
 
 
7,924
 
$
1.11
 
 
5.82
 
$
178
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exercisable at March 31, 2015
 
 
7,250
 
$
1.15
 
 
5.43
 
$
97
 
  
No shares of restricted stock were awarded to employees, directors and consultants during the three month period ended March 31, 2015. 617,000 shares of restricted stock were awarded to employees, directors and consultants during the three month period ended March 31, 2014.
 
The following table summarizes restricted stock activity for the three month period ended March 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
Weighted
Weighted
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average
Average
 
Aggregate
 
 
 
Restricted
 
Exercise
Remaining
 
Intrinsic
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Stock
 
Price
Term
 
Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2015
 
 
359
 
$
 
 
9.12
 
$
166
 
Granted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Released
 
 
(359)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expired or cancelled
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forfeited
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2015
 
 
 
$
 
 
 
$
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exercisable at March 31, 2015
 
 
 
$
 
 
 
$
 
 
As of March 31, 2015, there was approximately $254,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options and restricted stock. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.9 years.