Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

COMMITMENTS

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COMMITMENTS
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments Disclosure [Text Block]
NOTE 7 – COMMITMENTS
 
Research and Development Contracts
 
The Company has entered into contracts with various contract research organizations with outstanding commitments aggregating approximately $7.3 million at June 30, 2014 for future work to be performed.
 
Operating leases
 
On February 11, 2014, the Company entered into a lease amendment and expansion agreement, whereby the Company agreed to lease additional premises for office space, commencing May 1, 2014 and expiring on April 30, 2019. In connection therewith, the original letter of credit was increased by $72,354 to $132,417 and the Company deposited an additional $72,354 into the restricted cash account maintained at the bank that issued the letter of credit.
 
On April 28, 2014, the Company entered into a lease for approximately 3,578 square feet of office space in San Jose, California, whereby the Company agreed to lease premises, commencing August 1, 2014 and expiring on October 31, 2018 (51 months). In connection therewith, the Company paid a security deposit of $44,546.
 
Future minimum lease payments under these two agreements are as follows:
 
Year Ending December 31,
 
 
 
 
2014
 
$
173,206
 
2015
 
$
420,120
 
2016
 
$
445,890
 
2017
 
$
459,295
 
2018 and thereafter
 
$
540,782
 
 
 
$
2,039,293
 
 
Lederman Employment Agreement
 
On February 11, 2014, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Agreement”) with Dr. Seth Lederman (“Lederman”) to continue to serve as our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors of the Company.  Previously, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Lederman & Co, pursuant to which Lederman received compensation for serving as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. On February 11, 2014, the consulting agreement was terminated.
 
The Agreement, which has an initial term of one year and automatically renews for successive one year terms unless either party delivers written notice not to renew at least 60 days prior to the end of the current term, provides for various payment and benefits to Lederman in the event Lederman’s employment is terminated without cause (as defined therein), Lederman resigns for Good Reason (as defined therein) or in the event employment is terminated as a result of death or permanent disability.
  
Defined Contribution Plan
 
Approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on March 3, 2014, effective April 1, 2014, the Company established a qualified defined contribution plan (the “401(k) Plan”) pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Code, whereby all eligible employees may  participate. Participants may elect to defer a percentage of their annual pretax compensation to the 401(k) plan, subject to defined limitations. The Company is required to make contributions to the 401(k) Plan equal to 100 percent of each participant’s pretax contributions of up to 19 percent of his or her eligible compensation, and the Company is also required to make a contribution equal to six percent of each participant’s salary, on an annual basis, subject to limitations under the Code. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company charged operations  $30,664 for contributions under the 401(k) Plan.