2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: Basis for Presentation These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) within the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and are presented in thousands, except number of shares and per share data. Reclassification Certain accounts in the prior period consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the presentation of the current year consolidated financial statements. These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported operating results. Reverse Stock Split All share numbers and per share amounts presented in these financial statements, including these footnotes reflect a one-for-thirty-five (1:35) reverse stock split effected on September 21, 2023 (see also Note 8). Liquidity As of December 31, 2023, we have incurred recurring losses including net losses of $8.5 million and $11.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively. We anticipate operating losses to continue for the foreseeable future due to, among other things, costs related to research funding, further development of our technology and products and expenses related to the commercialization of our products. In June 2023 the Company raised $14.2 million through two closings of a private placement of Preferred Stock and Warrants. Net proceeds after related expenses was $12.7 million. In addition, the company has also gone through various cost cutting measures such as lowering personnel costs through a reduction in force, reduced spending on professional service fees and reduced our lease and related utility costs by consolidating office and lab space. All of these actions together have alleviated the going concern that was reported in 2022. We expect that our cash and cash equivalents of $8.8 million as of December 31, 2023, will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through the end of April 2025. It is possible this period could be shortened if there are any significant increases in planned spending or development programs or more rapid progress of development programs than anticipated. Our future viability is dependent on our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations. We will need to obtain additional funds to satisfy our operational needs and to fund our sales and marketing efforts, research and development expenditures, and business development activities. Until such time, if ever, as we can generate sufficient cash through revenue, management’s plans are to finance our working capital requirements through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances and marketing, distribution or licensing arrangements. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our existing security holders will likely experience dilution. If we borrow money, the incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could require us to agree to operating and financial covenants that could restrict our operations. If we enter into a collaboration, strategic alliance or other similar arrangement, we may be forced to give up valuable rights. There can be no assurance however that such financing will be available in sufficient amounts, when and if needed, on acceptable terms or at all. The precise amount and timing of the funding needs cannot be determined accurately at this time, and will depend on a number of factors, including the market demand for the Company’s products and services, the quality of product development efforts, management of working capital, and continuation of normal payment terms and conditions for purchase of services. If the Company is unable to substantially increase revenues, reduce expenditures, or otherwise generate cash flows for operations, then the Company will need to raise additional funding. Basis of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SmartKem, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, SmartKem Limited. The Company does not have any nonconsolidated subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation, including unrealized gains and losses on transactions between the companies. Comprehensive loss Comprehensive loss of all periods presented is comprised primarily of net loss and foreign currency translation adjustments. Management’s Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, including disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates in the Company’s consolidated financial statements relates to the valuation of common share, fair value of share options, and the fair value of warrant liability. These estimates and assumptions are based on current facts, historical experience and various other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the recording of expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Due to the uncertainty of factors surrounding the estimates or judgments used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements, actual results may materially vary from these estimates. Certain Risk and Uncertainties The Company’s activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties including the risk of failure to secure additional funding to properly execute the Company’s business plan. The Company is subject to risks that are common to companies in the growth stage, including, but not limited to, development by the Company or its competitors of new technological innovations, dependence on key personnel, reliance on third party manufacturers, protection of proprietary technology, and compliance with regulatory requirements. The Company has access under a framework agreement to equipment which is used in the manufacturing of demonstrator products employing the Company’s inks. If the Company lost access to this fabrication facility, it would materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to manufacture prototypes and demonstrate products for potential customers. The loss of this access could significantly impede the Company’s ability to engage in product development and process improvement activities. Alternative providers of similar services exist but would take effort and time to bring into the Company’s operations. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of 90 days or less at acquisition to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any cash equivalents. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are stated at the amount the Company expects to collect and do not bear interest. The Company considers the following factors when determining the collectability of specific customer accounts: customer creditworthiness, past transaction history with the customer, current economic industry trends, and changes in customer payment terms. These receivables have historically been paid timely. Due to the nature of the accounts receivable balance, the Company believes there is no significant risk of non-collection. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, adversely affecting their ability to make payments, allowances for credit losses would be required. There was no allowance for credit losses recorded as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Concentrations of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Periodically, the Company maintains deposits in financial institutions in excess of government insured limits. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are expensed when incurred. Additions and improvements that extend the economic useful life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful lives of the assets. The cost and accumulated depreciation of assets sold or retired are removed from the respective accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in current earnings. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the accelerated declining balance method in amounts considered to be sufficient to amortize the cost of the assets to operations over their estimated useful lives. Property, plant and equipment is depreciated over an estimated useful life of approximately 4 years. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Management continually evaluates whether events or changes in circumstances might indicate that the remaining estimated useful life of long-lived assets may warrant revision, or that the remaining balance may not be recoverable. When factors indicate that long-lived assets should be evaluated for possible impairment, the Company uses an estimate of the related undiscounted cash flows in measuring whether the long-lived asset should be written down to fair value. Measurement of the amount of impairment would be based on generally accepted valuation methodologies, as deemed appropriate. If the carrying amount is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to the asset’s fair value. An impairment loss is recognized immediately as an operating expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Reversal of previously recorded impairment losses are prohibited. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, Company’s management believed that no revision to the remaining useful lives or impairment of the Company’s long-lived assets was required. Fair Value of Financial Instruments ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, provides guidance on the development and disclosure of fair value measurements. Under this accounting guidance, fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. The accounting guidance classifies fair value measurements in one of the following three categories for disclosure purposes: Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: Inputs other than Level 1 prices for similar assets or liabilities that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace. Level 3: Unobservable inputs which are supported by little, or no market activity and values determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant judgment or estimation. Fair value measurements discussed herein are based upon certain market assumptions and pertinent information available to management as of and during the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022. The carrying value of the Company’s cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these financial instruments. Warrants The accounting treatment of warrants issued is determined pursuant to the guidance provided by ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and ASC 815-40, Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, as applicable. Each feature of a freestanding financial instrument including, without limitation, any rights relating to subsequent dilutive issuance, dividend issuances, equity sales, rights offerings, forced conversions, dividends, and exercise are assessed with determinations made regarding the proper classification in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company assessed its warrants in accordance with this guidance, under which warrants that do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as liabilities. Accordingly, the Company will classify those warrants as liabilities at their fair value and adjusts the warrants to fair value in respect of each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date and any change in fair value is recognized in the statements of operations. Issuance Costs The Company assessed the issuance cost in connection with the issuance of an equity offering. ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 5A, Expenses of Offering, states that specific incremental costs directly attributable to a proposed or actual offering of equity securities may properly be deferred and charged against the gross proceeds of the offering. Analogizing to that guidance, specific incremental costs directly attributable to the issuance of an equity contract to be classified in equity should generally be recorded as a reduction in equity. However, issuance costs for equity contracts that are classified as a liability should be expensed immediately. The issuance costs are allocated to the equity and liability components of the underlying transaction on a basis of the allocated fair value of the gross proceeds in the overall transactions. Direct and incremental legal and accounting costs associated with the Company’s issuance of common stock, preferred stock and warrants are deferred and classified as a component of other assets on the consolidated balance sheet until completion of the issuance. Upon completion of the issuance, deferred offering costs are reclassified from other assets to equity in additional paid-in capital and recorded against the net proceeds received in the issuance. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded $1.5 million of offering costs of which $1.3 million were recorded in additional paid-in capital and $0.2 million were recorded as non-operating expenses and for the year ended December 31, 2022, $170 thousand of offering costs were recorded in additional paid-in capital. Non-retirement Post-employment Benefits The company records employee severance benefits as non-retirement post-employment benefits that are accounted for under the guidance of ASC 712-10 Compensation - Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits. A liability is accrued when it becomes probable that a payment will be made, and the amount is estimable. In most cases, a payment is not deemed probable until the employer makes the decision to terminate the employee. All severance payments identified were paid and expensed in the period incurred. Leases Operating lease assets are included within operating lease right-of-use assets, and the corresponding operating lease obligation on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company has elected not to present short-term leases as these leases have a lease term of 12 months or less at lease inception and do not contain purchase options or renewal terms that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. All other lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. Because most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate of return, the Company used an incremental borrowing rate based on inception date of the lease agreement in determining the present value of lease payments. Revenue The Company applies the provisions of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company recognizes revenue under the core principle to depict the transfer of control to the Company’s customers in an amount reflecting the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to. In order to achieve that core principle, the Company applies the following five step approach: (1) identify the contract with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contact and (5) recognize revenue when a performance obligation is satisfied. The Company’s current contracts with customers do not contain significant estimates or judgments. All of the Company’s revenue contains a single performance obligation that is recognized upon fulfilment of the sales order. The Company derives its revenues primarily from sales of TRUFLEX® inks and of demonstrator units to customers evaluating organic semiconductor technology. The transaction price is stated in each customer agreement and is allocated to a single performance obligation. Revenue is recognized upon shipment of each TRULFEX® ink or demonstrator, at a point in time. The Company does not have any significant financing components as payment is received at or shortly after the point of sale. Costs incurred to obtain a contract will be expensed as incurred when the amortization period is less than a year. Collaboration Arrangements The Company entered into several collaboration agreements during 2023. The business arrangements between the two parties are not accounted for as a Collaborative Arrangement, as defined within the guidance under ASC 808, Collaborative Arrangement, as both parties are not exposed to significant risks and rewards dependent on the commercial success of the activity. It has also determined that other parties are a vendor and not a customer, as defined within the guidance under ASC 606, as the other parties did not primarily contract with SmartKem to obtain goods or services that are an output of the entity’s ordinary activities in exchange for consideration. It was SmartKem that contracted with the other parties to obtain design services from it. These agreements are accounted for under the guidance of ASC 705, Cost of Sales and Service. Within ASC 705–20, Accounting for Consideration Received from a Vendor, the section discusses the accounting for consideration received by an entity from a vendor or supplier. Consideration from a vendor includes cash amounts that an entity receives or expects to receive from a vendor (or from other parties that sell the goods or services to the vendor). Consideration from a vendor also includes credit or other items (e.g., a coupon or voucher) that the entity can apply against amounts owed to the vendor (or to other parties that sell the goods or services to the vendor). Consideration from a vendor should be accounted for as a reduction of the purchase price of the goods or services acquired from the vendor unless the consideration from the vendor is one of the following, a) in exchange for a distinct good or service; b) a reimbursement of costs incurred by the entity to sell the vendor’s products; or c) consideration for sales incentives offered to customers by manufacturers. Research and Development Expenses The Company expenses research and development costs as incurred. Research and development costs include salaries, employee benefit costs, direct project costs, supplies and other related costs. Advance payments for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities are expensed when the activity has been performed or when the goods have been received. Patent and Licensing Costs Patent and licensing costs are expensed as incurred because their realization is uncertain. These costs are classified as research and development expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Other Operating Income The Company’s other operating income includes government grants received for qualifying research and development projects, and research and development tax credits related to the United Kingdom’s Research and Development tax relief for small and medium-sized enterprises, which is a government tax incentive designed to reward innovative companies for investing in research and development. Such incentives are recorded as other income when it is probable the amounts are collectible and can be reasonably estimated. The Company has applied the guidance of IAS 20, Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance to account for grants and recognition of the other operating income related to the grant. The government grant is recognized only when there is reasonable assurance that a) the Company will comply with any conditions attached to the grant and, (b) the grant will be received. The grant is recognized as income over the period necessary to match the related costs, for which the grant is intended to compensated, on a systematic basis. A grant receivable as compensation for costs already incurred or for immediate financial support, with no future related costs, is recognized as other operating income in the period in which it is receivable. For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded grant income and research & development tax credits of $836 thousand and $1,172 thousand, respectively, which are recorded as other operating income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had receivables related to research & development tax credits for payments not yet received of $610 thousand and $1,121 thousand, respectively and receivables related to a government grants of $160 thousand as of December 31, 2023. The Company had no receivables related to government grants as of December 31, 2022. Ordinary Shares Valuation Due to the absence of public trading market for the Company’s common stock before February 2022, the Company utilized methodologies in accordance with the framework of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Technical Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately-Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, to estimate the fair value of its ordinary shares. In determining the exercise prices for options to be issued, the estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock on each grant date was estimated based upon a variety of factors, including: | ● | the issuance prices of shares of common stock; |
| ● | the rights and preferences of holders of preferred stock; |
| ● | the progress of the Company’s research and development programs; |
| ● | the Company’s stage of development and business strategy; |
| ● | external market conditions affecting the technology industry and trends within the technology industry; |
| ● | the Company’s financial position, including cash on hand; |
| ● | the Company’s historical and forecasted performance and operating results; |
| ● | the lack of active public market for the Company’s ordinary shares; |
| ● | the likelihood of achieving a liquidity event, such as a securities offering, initial public offering or a sale of the Company’s common stock |
From February 2022, the Company’s common stock is publicly traded, and the Company no longer has to estimate the fair value of the common stock, rather the value is determined based on quoted market prices. Significant changes to the key assumptions underlying the factors used could result in different fair values of ordinary shares at each valuation date. Shares of common stock are classified in stockholders’ equity and represent issued share capital. Share-based compensation All share-based payments, including grants of stock options, are measured based on the fair value of the share-based awards at the grant date and recognized over their respective vesting periods. Outstanding options generally expire 10 years after the grant date. The Company has issued options that vest based on service requirements and issued options that vest based on performance requirements. Options become exercisable when service requirements are met. In the case of performance-based options, options become exercisable when there is a liquidity event, such as a change in control or sale or admission (listing as a public company or initial public offering (“IPO”)), and the employee, or consultant, must be providing services to the Company at the time of the event. Due to the Exchange, all options outstanding immediately prior to the event with a performance obligation requirement became vested and exercisable. Non-cash stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively (see also Note 9). The estimated fair value of stock options at the grant date is determined using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires inputs such as the fair value of common stock on date of grant, expected term using a simplified method, expected volatility, dividend yield, and risk-free interest rate. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent management’s best estimates and involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. As a result, if factors change and management uses different assumptions, stock-based compensation expense could be materially different for future awards. The Company records forfeitures when they occur. Functional Currency and Operations Prior to the Exchange, SmartKem Limited’s (“the predecessor’s”) functional currency was the British Pound Sterling (“GBP”), and the consolidated financial statements were presented in United States dollars (“USD”). The predecessor’s functional currency was the respective local currency of the primary economic environment in which an entity’s operations are conducted. The predecessor translated the consolidated financial statements into the presentation currency using exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and average exchanges rates for the period for statement of operations accounts, with the difference recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income/ (loss). The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar (“USD”). The functional currency of the Company’s foreign operation is the respective local currency. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations denominated in local currencies are translated at the spot rate in effect at the applicable reporting date. The consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss are translated at the weighted average rate of exchange during the applicable period. The resulting unrealized gain/loss is recognized as foreign currency translation as a component of other comprehensive income. Income Taxes Valuation allowance of deferred tax assets Income taxes are recorded in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, which provides for deferred taxes using an asset and liability approach. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided, if based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We considered the positive and negative evidence bearing upon its ability to realize the deferred tax assets. In addition to the Company’s history of cumulative losses, the Company cannot be certain that future taxable income will be sufficient to realize its deferred tax assets. Accordingly, a full valuation allowance has been provided against its net deferred tax assets at both December 31, 2023 and 2022. Should the Company change its determination, based on the evidence available as to the amount of its deferred tax assets that can be realized, the valuation allowance will be adjusted with a corresponding impact to the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made and which may be material. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, there were no material uncertain tax positions. Contingent Liabilities A provision for contingent liabilities is recorded when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. With respect to legal matters, provisions are reviewed and adjusted to reflect the impact of negotiations, estimated settlements, legal rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. From time to time, the Company may be party to certain litigation and disputes arising in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2023, the Company is not a party to any litigation or disputes. Segment Information The Company has determined that it operates and reports in one segment, which focuses on the development of materials and processes used to make organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) for the manufacture of flexible electronics. The Company’s operating segment is reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). The Company’s CODM has been identified as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share Basic and diluted net loss per share is determined by dividing net loss by the weighted average ordinary shares outstanding during the period. For all periods presented with a net loss, the shares underlying the ordinary share options and warrants have been excluded from the calculation because their effect would be anti-dilutive. Therefore, the weighted-average shares outstanding used to calculate both basic and diluted loss per share are the same for periods with a net loss. The loss per share information in these consolidated financial statements is reflected and calculated as if the Company had existed since January 1, 2021. Accordingly, loss per share for all periods was calculated based on the number of shares retroactively adjusted for the exchange ratio determined in the reverse recapitalization (see also Note 1). As of December 31, 2023, the Company had 61,587 pre-funded common stock warrants and 769,826 Class B Warrants outstanding and exercisable. As the pre-funded common stock warrants and Class B Warrants are exercisable for $0.35, these shares are considered outstanding common shares and included in computation of basic and diluted Earnings Per Share as the exercise of the pre-funded common stock warrants is virtually assured. The following potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding as they would be anti-dilutive: | | | | | | | | | December 31, | | | 2023 | | 2022 | Common stock warrants | | | 1,772,829 | | | 28,161 | Assumed conversion of preferred stock | | | 1,573,226 | | | — | Stock options | | | 70,412 | | | 80,887 | Total | | | 3,416,467 | | | 109,048 |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments: Credit Losses (Topic 326), which requires measurement and recognition of expected losses for financial assets held. The new standard changes the impairment model for most financial instruments, including trade receivables, from an incurred loss method to a new forward-looking approach, based on expected losses. The estimate of expected credit losses will require organizations to incorporate considerations of historical information, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The standards update is effective prospectively for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, for U.S. Securities Exchange filers. However, the standard was not applicable until January 1, 2023, because the company has elected to apply the extended transition period available for emerging growth companies. Emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies, which is effective prospectively for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company. In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280), Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures which will require companies to disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). The pronouncement is effective for annual filings for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company is still assessing the impact of the adoption of this standard but does not expect it to have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. On December 14, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures which applies to all entities subject to income taxes. The standard requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid. The standard is intended to provide more detailed income tax disclosures. For public business entities (PBEs), the new requirements will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The guidance will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. The Company is still assessing the impact of the adoption of this standard but does not expect it to have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. The OECD reached an agreement among various countries to implement a minimum 15% tax rate on certain multinational enterprises, commonly referred to as Pillar Two. Many countries continue to announce changes in their tax laws and regulations based on Pillar Two Proposals. We are continuing to evaluate the impact of these proposed and enacted legislative changes as new guidance becomes available. Given the numerous proposed changes in law and uncertainty regarding such proposed changes, the impact cannot be determined at this time.
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