Leases

As described in Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, we adopted new lease accounting guidance effective January 1, 2019.

We determine if a contractual arrangement is a lease at inception. Our lease arrangements provide the Company the right to utilize certain specified tangible assets for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Our leases primarily relate to building office space. Our leases currently consist solely of operating leases. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet.

We recognize a lease liability and a right of use asset at the lease commencement date based on the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term discounted using our incremental borrowing rate. Implicit interest rates within our lease arrangements are rarely determinable. Right of use assets also include, if applicable, prepaid lease payments and initial direct costs, less incentives received.

We recognize operating lease expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease within selling general and administrative expenses.

Our leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Some of our leases include optional renewal periods or termination provisions which we assess at inception to determine the term of the lease, subject to reassessment in certain circumstances.

The following table summarizes the Company’s future minimum lease commitments as of June 30, 2019:

Rent expense for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was $35,000 and $54,000, respectively.

Employment Agreements

On October 18, 2018, the Company entered into a Consultant Agreement with Anthony Cataldo. The term of the Consultant Agreement shall remain in effect until September 30, 2019. This Agreement supersedes the Consultant Agreement dated February 14, 2018 and will pay Mr. Cataldo $25,000 per month during the term of the Agreement.

On October 19, 2018, the Company entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Dr. Urbanski, reflecting his current position as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Under the terms of this agreement, Dr. Urbanski’s annual salary is essentially unchanged from his previous positions. Dr. Urbanski is also entitled to participate in the Company’s bonus plans. Under the Executive Employment Agreement, the Company has agreed that upon shareholder approval of a Stock Option Plan, it will recommend to the Board that the Company grant Dr. Urbanski a Non-Qualified stock option to purchase 2,971,102 shares of the Company’s common stock having an exercise equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of the Agreement. The stock option grant would vest according to the following schedule: (i) 1,250,000 fully vested shares upon signing of the agreement, (ii) 1,250,000 shares on January 1, 2019, and (iii) 471,102 shares on January 1, 2020. On March 15, 2019, Dr, Urbanski resigned his position as Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board.

On April 3, 2019, the Company entered into the Separation Agreement with Dr. Urbanski in connection with his resignation as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement Dr. Urbanski will receive six months’ salary of $212,500 paid in two installments and the Company will reimburse the premiums associated with Dr. Urbanski’s continuation health coverage for six months following his resignation. The Settlement Agreement also contains a release by Mr. Ali of any claims against the Company arising from or relating to his employment and customary confidentiality, non-disparagement and cooperation covenants.

Leases

On September 1, 2017, the Company entered into a three-year lease agreement for its office in Washington, D.C. In addition to minimum rent, certain leases require payment of real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance charges and other executory costs. The Company recognizes rent expense under such arrangements on a straight-line basis over the effective term of each lease. This lease was terminated as of June 30, 2018.

On October 1, 2018, the Company entered into a three-year lease agreement for its office in Westlake Village, CA. In addition to minimum rent, certain leases require payment of real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance charges and other executory costs. The Company recognizes rent expense under such arrangements on a straight-line basis over the effective term of each lease.

The following table summarizes the Company’s future minimum lease commitments as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands):

Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $69,000 and $9,000, respectively.

Employment Agreements

On October 18, 2018, the Company entered into a Consultant Agreement with Anthony Cataldo. The term of the Consultant Agreement shall remain in effect until September 30, 2019. This Agreement supersedes the Consultant Agreement dated February 14, 2018 and will pay Mr. Cataldo $25,000 per month during the term of the Agreement.

On October 19, 2018, the Company entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Dr. Urbanski, reflecting his current position as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Under the terms of this agreement, Dr. Urbanski’s annual salary is essentially unchanged from his previous positions. Dr. Urbanski is also entitled to participate in the Company’s bonus plans. Under the Executive Employment Agreement, the Company has agreed that upon shareholder approval of a Stock Option Plan, it will recommend to the Board that the Company grant Dr. Urbanski a Non-Qualified stock option to purchase 2,971,102 shares of the Company’s common stock having an exercise equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of the Agreement. The stock option grant would vest according to the following schedule: (i) 1,250,000 fully vested shares upon signing of the agreement, (ii) 1,250,000 shares on January 1, 2019, and (iii) 471,102 shares on January 1, 2020. On March 15, 2019, Dr, Urbanski resigned his position as Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board.