Simulations Plus, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2022 February (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

Commission file number: 001-32046

Simulations Plus, Inc.

(Name of registrant as specified in its charter)

42505 10th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534-7059

(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

(661) 723-7723

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes ☒     No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒     No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐   No ☒

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, as of April 4, 2022, was 20,206,550.

Simulations Plus, Inc.

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended February 28, 2022

Table of Contents

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the three and six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

For the three and six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

SIMULATIONS PLUS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1: GENERAL

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2022 should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on October 27, 2021. As contemplated by the SEC under Article 8 of Regulation S-X, the accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes have been condensed, and therefore, do not contain all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. The interim financial data are unaudited; however, in the opinion of Simulations Plus, Inc., the interim data include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those to be expected for the full year.

Organization

Simulations Plus, Inc. (“Simulations Plus”) was incorporated on July 17, 1996. In September 2014, Simulations Plus acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of Cognigen Corporation (“Cognigen”) and Cognigen became a wholly owned subsidiary of Simulations Plus, Inc. In June 2017, Simulations Plus acquired DILIsym Services, Inc. (“DILIsym”) as a wholly owned subsidiary. In April 2020, Simulations Plus, Inc. acquired Lixoft, a French société par actions simplifiée (“Lixoft”) as a wholly owned subsidiary pursuant to a stock purchase and contribution agreement (Simulations Plus together with its subsidiaries, collectively, the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our”).  

Effective September 1, 2021, the Company merged Cognigen and DILIsym with and into Simulations Plus, Inc. through short form mergers (the “Mergers”). To effectuate the Mergers, the Company filed Certificates of Ownership with the Secretaries of State of the states of Delaware (Cognigen’s and DILIsym’s state of incorporation) and California (Simulation Plus’ state of incorporation). Consummation of the Mergers was not subject to approval of the Company’s stockholders and did not impact the rights of the Company’s stockholders.

Lines of Business

We are a premier developer of drug discovery and development software for modeling and simulation, and for the prediction of molecular properties utilizing artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning based technology. We also provide consulting services ranging from early drug discovery through preclinical and clinical trial data analysis and for submissions to regulatory agencies. Our software and consulting services are provided to major pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agrochemical, cosmetics, and food industry companies. They are also provided to academic agencies for use in the conduct of industry-based research and to regulatory agencies for product approval.

NOTE 2: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Simulations Plus and its wholly owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Our financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management’s application of accounting policies. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant accounting policies for us include revenue recognition, accounting for capitalized computer software development costs, valuation of stock options, and accounting for income taxes.

Reclassifications

Certain numbers in the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.

Revenue Recognition

We generate revenue primarily from the sale of software licenses and by providing consulting services to the pharmaceutical industry for drug development.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (ASC Topic 606), “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, we determine revenue recognition through the following steps:

Remaining Performance Obligations

Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations represents contracted revenue that has not yet been recognized, which includes deferred revenue and unbilled amounts that will be recognized as revenue in future periods. As of February 28, 2022, remaining performance obligations were approximately $7.3 million. Approximately 90% of the remaining performance obligations are expected to be recognized over the next 12 months, with the remainder recognized thereafter. Remaining performance obligations estimates are subject to change and are affected by several factors, including contract terminations and changes in the scope of contracts.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The components of disaggregation of revenue for the three and six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:

Contract Balances

We receive payments from customers based upon contractual billing schedules, while we recognize revenue when, or as, we satisfy our performance obligations. This timing difference results in accounts receivable, contract assets and contract liabilities. We record accounts receivable when the right to consideration becomes unconditional. We record a contract asset if the right to consideration is conditioned on something other than the passage of time, such as our future performance. Contract assets are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We record a contract liability when we have an obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which we have received consideration from a customer. We refer to contract liabilities as deferred revenue on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Contract asset balances as of February 28, 2022 and August 31, 2021 were $2.1 million and $3.2 million, respectively.

During the three and six months ended February 28, 2022, we recognized $187 thousand and $540 thousand, respectively, of revenue that was included in contract liabilities as of August 31, 2021 and during the three and six months ended February 28, 2021, we recognized $104 thousand and $400 thousand, respectively, of revenue that was included in contract liabilities as of August 31, 2020.

Deferred Commissions

Sales commissions earned by our sales force and our commissioned sales representatives are considered incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. We apply the practical expedient as described in ASC 340-40-25-4 to expense costs as incurred for sales commissions, since the amortization period of the asset that we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. This expense is included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income as selling, general, and administrative expense.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the statements of cash flows, we consider all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable and Allowances for Credit Losses

The Company extends credit to its customers in the normal course of business. The Company evaluates its allowance for credit losses based on its estimate of the collectability of its trade accounts receivable. As part of this assessment, the Company considers various factors including the financial condition of the individual companies with which it does business, the aging of receivable balances, historical experience, changes in customer payment terms, current market conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions. In times of economic turmoil, the Company’s estimates and judgments with respect to the collectability of its receivables is subject to greater uncertainty than in more stable periods. Accounts receivable balances will be charged off against the allowance for credit losses after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

Investments

The Company may invest excess cash balances in short-term and long-term marketable debt securities. Investments may consist of certificates of deposit, money market accounts, government-sponsored enterprise securities, corporate bonds and/or commercial paper within the parameters of our Investment Policy and Guidelines. The Company accounts for its investments in marketable securities in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities. This statement requires debt securities to be classified into three categories:

Held-to-maturity—Debt securities that the entity has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are measured at amortized cost and are presented at the net amount expected to be collected. Any change in the allowance for credit losses during the period is reflected in earnings. Discounts and premiums to par value of the debt securities are amortized to interest income/expense over the term of the security.

Trading Securities—Debt securities that are bought and held primarily for the purpose of selling in the near term are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings.

Available-for-Sale—Debt securities not classified as either securities held-to-maturity or trading securities are reported at fair value. For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, we evaluate as of the balance sheet date whether the unrealized losses are attributable to a credit loss or other factors. The portion of unrealized losses related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings, and the portion of unrealized loss not related to a credit loss is recognized in other comprehensive income.

We classify our investments in marketable debt securities based on the facts and circumstances present at the time of purchase of the securities. We subsequently reassess the appropriateness of that classification at each reporting date. During the quarter ended February 28, 2022, all of our investments were classified as held-to-maturity.

Capitalized Computer Software Development Costs

Software development costs are capitalized in accordance with FASB ASC 985-20, Costs of Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Marketed. Capitalization of software development costs begins upon the establishment of technological feasibility and is discontinued when the product is available for sale.

The establishment of technological feasibility and the ongoing assessment for recoverability of capitalized software development costs require considerable judgment by management with respect to certain external factors including, but not limited to, technological feasibility, anticipated future gross revenue, estimated economic life, and changes in software and hardware technologies. Capitalized software development costs are comprised primarily of salaries and direct payroll-related costs and the purchase of existing software to be used in our software products.

Amortization of capitalized software development costs is calculated on a product-by-product basis on the straight-line method over the estimated economic life of the products (not to exceed five years). Amortization of software development costs amounted to $328 thousand and $365 thousand for the three months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $624 thousand and $690 thousand for the six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We expect future amortization expense to vary due to increases in capitalized computer software development costs.

We test capitalized computer software development costs for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives as follows:  

Internal-use Software

We have a service contract related to the implementation of internally used software. In accordance with ASC 350-40 “Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract”, we have capitalized certain internal-use software which are included in long-term assets.

The amortization is classified as selling, general, and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, and maintenance and minor upgrades are also charged to selling, general, and administrative expense as incurred.

Leases

Supplemental information related to operating leases was as follows as of February 28, 2022:  

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

We perform valuations of assets acquired and liabilities assumed on each acquisition accounted for as a business combination and recognize the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition-date fair value. Acquired intangible assets include customer relationships, software, trade names, and noncompete agreements. We determine the appropriate useful life by performing an analysis of expected cash flows based on historical experience of the acquired businesses. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method, which approximates the pattern in which the majority of the economic benefits are expected to be consumed.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the acquired net assets. Goodwill is not amortized, instead it is tested for impairment annually or when events or circumstances change that would indicate that goodwill might be impaired. Events or circumstances that could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, a loss of key personnel, significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business, significant negative industry or economic trends, or significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future results of operations.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is one level below or the same as an operating segment. As of February 28, 2022, we determined that we have four reporting units: Simulations Plus, Cognigen, DILIsym, and Lixoft. When testing goodwill for impairment, we first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform step one of a two-step annual goodwill impairment test for each reporting unit. We are required to perform step one only if it concludes that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying value. Should this be the case, the first step of the two-step process is to identify whether a potential impairment exists by comparing the estimated fair values of our reporting units with their respective book values, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds book value, goodwill is considered not to be impaired, and no additional steps are necessary. If, however, the fair value of the reporting unit is less than book value, then the second step is performed to determine if goodwill is impaired and to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The amount of the impairment loss is the excess of the carrying amount of the goodwill over its implied fair value. The estimate of implied fair value of goodwill is primarily based on an estimate of the discounted cash flows expected to result from that reporting unit but may require valuations of certain internally generated and unrecognized intangible assets such as our software, technology, patents, and trademarks. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.

As of February 28, 2022, the entire balance of goodwill was attributed to three of our reporting units: Cognigen, DILIsym, and Lixoft. Intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. We did not recognize any impairment charges during the three and six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021.

Reconciliation of Goodwill as of February 28, 2022: 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. The categories, as defined by the standard are as follows:

For certain of our financial instruments, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued payroll and other expenses, and the amounts approximate fair value due to their short maturities.

The following table summarizes fair value measurements at February 28, 2022 and August 31, 2021 for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis: 

August 31, 2021:

As of February 28, 2022 and August 31, 2021, we had a liability for contingent consideration related to our acquisition of Lixoft. The fair value measurement of the contingent consideration obligations is determined using Level 3 inputs. The fair value of contingent consideration obligations is based on a discounted cash flow model using a probability-weighted income approach. These fair value measurements represent Level 3 measurements as they are based on significant inputs not observable in the market. Significant judgment is employed in determining the appropriateness of these assumptions as of the acquisition date and for each subsequent period. Accordingly, changes in assumptions could have a material impact on the amount of contingent consideration expense we record in any given period. The liability is recorded as contracts payable on the condensed consolidated balance sheet, and changes in the value of the contingent consideration obligations are recorded other income (expense), net in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

The following is a reconciliation of contingent consideration value:  

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred until technological feasibility has been established. These costs include salaries, laboratory experiments, and purchased software that was developed by other companies and incorporated into, or used in the development of, our final products.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740-10, “Income Taxes” which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns.

Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The provision for income taxes represents the tax payable for the period and the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Intellectual property

The following table summarizes intellectual property as of February 28, 2022: 

The following table summarizes intellectual property as of August 31, 2021:

Amortization expense for intellectual property agreements for the three months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021 was $358 thousand and $357 thousand, respectively, and amortization expense for intellectual property agreements for the six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021 was $715 thousand and $714 thousand, respectively.

Other intangible assets

The following table summarizes our other intangible assets as of February 28, 2022: 

The following table summarizes our other intangible assets as of August 31, 2021:

Amortization expense for other intangible assets for the three months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021 was $156 thousand and $138 thousand, respectively and amortization expense for other intangible assets for the six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021 was $289 thousand and $275 thousand, respectively. In addition to normal amortization, these assets are tested for impairment as needed.

Earnings per Share

We report earnings per share in accordance with FASB ASC 260-10. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed similarly to basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common shares had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. The components of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation costs related to stock options are determined in accordance with FASB ASC 718-10, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. Compensation cost is calculated based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with FASB ASC 718-10, amortized on a straight-line basis over the options’ vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options, not including shares issued to directors for services, was $703 thousand and $717 thousand for the three months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $1.3 million and $1.2 million for the six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This expense is included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as selling, general, and administration and research and development expense.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

We account for the impairment and disposition of long-lived assets in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” and ASC 360, “Property and Equipment”. Long-lived assets to be held and used are reviewed for events or changes in circumstances that indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. We measure recoverability by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to the expected future undiscounted net cash flows generated by the asset. If we determine that the asset may not be recoverable, or if the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, we recognize an impairment charge to the extent of the difference between the fair value and the asset's carrying amount. No impairment losses were recorded during the six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”). The amendments in ASU 2020-04 provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications, hedging relationships, and other transactions to ease the potential accounting and financial reporting burden associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued, including the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). This ASU is effective as of March 12, 2020, through December 31, 2022. The adoption of the new standard has not had and is not expected to have, a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2021-08”). The amendment requires contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination to be recognized and measured in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as if the acquirer had originated the contract. The amendment is intended to improve the accounting for acquired revenue contracts with customers in a business combination, related to the recognition of an acquired contract liability, and to payment terms and their effect on subsequent revenue recognized by the acquirer. The amendment also provides certain practical expedients when applying the guidance. ASU 2021-08 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, on a prospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects to adopt ASU 2021-08 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2021-08 to its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832), which requires business entities to disclose information about transactions with a government that are accounted for by applying a grant or contribution model by analogy (for example, IFRS guidance in IAS 20 or guidance on contributions for not-for-profit entities in ASC 958-605). For transactions within scope, the new standard requires the disclosure of information about the nature of the transaction, including significant terms and conditions, as well as the amounts and specific financial statement line items affected by the transaction. The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements; however, the Company expects to increase its disclosures with respect to government assistance beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023.

NOTE 3: OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

The components of other income (expense), net for the three and six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021 were as follows: 

NOTE 4: INVESTMENTS

We invest a portion of our excess cash balances in short-term debt securities within the parameters of our Investment Policy and Guidelines. Investments as of February 28, 2022, consisted of corporate bonds with maturities remaining of less than twelve months. We may also invest excess cash balances in certificates of deposit, money market accounts, government-sponsored enterprise securities, corporate bonds, and/or commercial paper. We account for investments in accordance with FASB ASC 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities. As of February 28, 2022, all investments were classified as held-to-maturity securities. 

The following tables summarize our short-term investments as of February 28, 2022 and August 31, 2021:

February 28, 2022

August 31, 2021

NOTE 5: CONTRACTS PAYABLE

Lixoft Acquisition Liabilities:

On April 1, 2020, we acquired Lixoft. The agreement provided for a 24-month, $2.0 million holdback provision against certain representations and warrantees, comprised of $1.3 million of cash and shares of common stock valued at $667 thousand issued at the date of the agreement. In addition, based on a revenue-growth formula for the two years subsequent to April 1, 2020, the agreement calls for earnout payments of up to $5.5 million (two-thirds cash and one-third newly issued, unregistered shares of our common stock). The former shareholders of Lixoft can earn up to $2.0 million the first year and $3.5 million in year two. In June 2021, $2.0 million was paid out under the first earnout payment, which was comprised of $1.3 million of cash and $0.7 million worth of common stock.

As of February 28, 2022 and August 31, 2021, the following liabilities have been recorded: 

NOTE 6: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

We lease approximately 9,255 square feet of office space in Lancaster, California, where our corporate headquarters are located. The lease term extends to January 31, 2026, and the base rent is approximately $17 thousand per month. The lease agreement gives the Company the right, upon 180 days’ prior notice, to opt out of all or part of the last four years of the term, with no penalty.

We lease approximately 4,317 square feet of office space in Buffalo, New York. The lease term extends to November 30, 2026, and the base rent is approximately $7 thousand per month with an annual 2% increase. The lease agreement provides the Company with two five-year renewal options and the right to terminate the lease with one year’s prior written notice with certain penalties. We previously leased approximately 12,623 square feet of office space at a different location in Buffalo, New York. That lease term extended to November 2021 and the base rent was approximately $16 thousand per month.

We lease approximately 3,386 square feet of office space in Durham, North Carolina. The lease term extends to September 30, 2023, and the base rent is approximately $8 thousand per month with an annual 3% increase.

We lease approximately 2,300 square feet of office space in Paris, France. The lease term extends to November 2024 and the rent is approximately $5 thousand per month and adjusted each December based on a consumer price index.

Rent expense, including common area maintenance fees for the three months ended February 28 2022 and 2021 was $120 thousand and $147 thousand, respectively and $276 thousand and $332 thousand for the six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The following table presents maturities of operating lease liabilities on an undiscounted basis as of February 28, 2022:

Line of Credit

On March 31, 2020, we entered into a Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The Credit Agreement provides us with a credit facility of $3.5 million through April 15, 2022 (the “Termination Date”). As of February 28, 2022, there were no amounts drawn against the line of credit. We do not currently intend to extend the term of the Credit Agreement beyond the Termination Date or to replace the credit facility with a new one in the near term.

Employment Agreements

In the normal course of business, we have entered into employment agreements with certain of our key management personnel that may require compensation payments upon termination.

Income Taxes

We follow guidance issued by the FASB with regard to our accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements. Such guidance prescribes a recognition threshold of more likely than not and a measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In making this assessment, a company must determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, based solely on the technical merits of the position and must assume that the tax position will be examined by taxing authorities. Our policy is to include interest and penalties related to income tax expense. We file income tax returns with the IRS and various state jurisdictions as well as with the countries of India and France. Our federal income tax returns for fiscal years 2018 through 2020 are open for audit, and our state tax returns for fiscal years 2017 through 2020 remain open for audit.

Our review of prior year tax positions using the criteria and provisions presented in guidance issued by FASB did not result in a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Litigation

We are not a party to any legal proceedings and are not aware of any pending, threatened, or unasserted legal proceedings of any kind.

NOTE 7: SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Shares Outstanding

Shares of common stock outstanding for the three and six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021 were as follows: 

Dividends

Our Board of Directors declared cash dividends during fiscal years 2022 and 2021. The details of the dividends paid are in the following tables:  

Stock Option Plans

On February 23, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted, and its shareholders approved, the 2007 Stock Option Plan (the “2007 Plan”), under which a total of 1.0 million shares of common stock were reserved for issuance. On February 25, 2014, the shareholders approved an additional 1.0 million shares, increasing the total number of shares available to be granted under the 2007 Plan to 2.0 million. This plan terminated in February 2017 by its terms.

On December 23, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted, and on February 23, 2017, its shareholders approved, the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”), under which a total of 1.0 million shares of common stock were reserved for issuance. The 2017 Plan will terminate in December 2026. The 2017 Plan was replaced by the Company’s 2021 Plan (as defined below), and as a result, no further issuances of shares may be made under the 2017 Plan.

On April 9, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted, and on June 23, 2021, its shareholders approved, the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan,” and together with the 2007 Plan and 2017 Plan, the “Plans”), under which 1.3 million shares of common stock were reserved for issuance. The 2021 Plan became effective as of April 9, 2021, and the Company may issue equity awards to permitted recipients thereunder. The maximum contractual life of the plan is ten years.

As of February 28, 2022, employees and directors hold Incentive Stock Options (“ISOs”) and Non-Qualified Stock Options (“NQSOs”) to purchase approximately 1.3 million shares of common stock at exercise prices ranging from $6.85 to $66.14.

The following table summarizes information about stock options:  

The total fair value of nonvested stock options as of February 28, 2022 was $7.6 million and is amortizable over a weighted average period of 3.36 years.

The fair value of these options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes option-valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which do not have vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility.

The following table summarizes the fair value of the options, including both ISOs and NQSOs, granted during the six months ended February 28, 2022 and fiscal year 2021:  

The exercise prices for the options outstanding at February 28, 2022 ranged from $6.85 to $66.14, and the information relating to these options is as follows:  

During the three and six months ended February 28, 2022 the Company issued 1,716 and 3,451 shares of stock valued at $88 thousand and $176 thousand, respectively, to our non-management directors as compensation for board-related duties.

The balance of par value common stock and additional paid-in capital as of February 28, 2022, was $10 thousand and $135.5 million, respectively.

NOTE 8: CONCENTRATIONS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, and short-term investments. In addition, we hold cash at a bank in France that is not FDIC-insured. Historically, we have not experienced any losses in such accounts. However, we are investigating alternative ways to minimize our exposure to such risks. While we may be exposed to credit losses due to the nonperformance of our counterparties, we do not expect the settlement of these transactions to have a material effect on our results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition. We maintain cash and cash equivalents at financial institutions that may, at times, exceed federally insured limits.

Revenue concentration shows that international sales accounted for 33% and 34% of net sales for the six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Four customers accounted for 11%, 5%, 4%, and 4% of net sales during the six months ended February 28, 2022. Two customers accounted for 13% and 5% of net sales during the six months ended February 28, 2021.

Accounts receivable concentration shows that three customers each comprised between 19% and 4% of accounts receivable as of February 28, 2022 compared to four customers each comprising between 15% and 5% of accounts receivable as of February 28, 2021.

We operate in the computer software industry, which is highly competitive and changes rapidly. Our operating results could be significantly affected by our ability to develop new products and find new distribution channels for new and existing products.

The majority of our customers are in the pharmaceutical industry. During economic downturns, we have seen consolidations in the pharmaceutical industry. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our business going forward will depend on numerous factors we cannot reliably predict, including the duration and scope of the pandemic; businesses and individuals' actions in response to the pandemic; and the impact on economic activity, including the possibility of recession or financial market instability. These factors may adversely impact consumer, business, and government spending as well as customers ability to pay for our products and services on an ongoing basis. As a result, our growth rate could be affected by consolidation and downsizing in the pharmaceutical industry.

NOTE 9: SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC REPORTING

We account for segments and geographic revenue in accordance with guidance issued by the FASB. Our reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services.

Results for each business unit segment and consolidated results for the three and six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021 were as follows: 

Our software business and services business represented 66% and 34% of total revenue, respectively, for the three months ended February 28, 2022.

Our software business and services business represented 60% and 40% of total revenue, respectively, for the three months ended February 28, 2021.

Our software business and services business represented 63% and 37% of total revenue, respectively, for the six months ended February 28, 2022.

Our software business and services business represented 59% and 41% of total revenue, respectively, for the six months ended February 28, 2021.

Revenue by product and consolidated revenue for the three and six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021 were as follows: 

Revenue by division and consolidated revenue for the three and six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:

Schedule of revenue by division

In addition, we allocate revenue to geographic areas based on the locations of our customers. Revenue for each geographical area and consolidated revenue for the three and six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021 were as follows: 

Schedule of revenue by geographic areas

NOTE 10: EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

We maintain a 401(k) Plan for all eligible employees, and we make matching contributions equal to 100% of the employee’s elective deferral, not to exceed 4% of total employee compensation. We can also elect to make a profit-sharing contribution. Our contributions to this 401(K) Plan amounted to $194 thousand and $131 thousand for the three months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $308 thousand and $252 thousand for the six months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

NOTE 11: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS  

On Thursday, April 6, 2022, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share to our shareholders. The dividend amount of approximately $1.2 million will be distributed on Monday, May 2, 2022, for shareholders of record as of Monday, April 25, 2022.

On April 1, 2022, upon expiration of the 24-month holdback period set forth in the Share Purchase and Contribution Agreement entered into by and among the Company and the former shareholders of Lixoft on March 31, 2020, the Company released and distributed the $2.0 million holdback consideration, consisting of approximately $1.3 million in cash and $0.7 million in restricted shares of Company common stock (amounting to an aggregate of 20,326 shares of common stock), to the former shareholders of Lixoft. 

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

This document and the documents incorporated in this document by reference contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this document and the materials accompanying this document are forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of our management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to our management. Frequently, but not always, forward-looking statements are identified by the use of the future tense and by words such as “believes,” expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “projects,” “continues,” “estimates” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this document are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include declarations regarding our plans, intentions, beliefs, or current expectations.

Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements are the risks and uncertainties described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on October 27, 2021, and elsewhere in this document and in our other filings with the SEC.

Forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events, or otherwise.

General

BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

Simulations Plus, Inc., incorporated in 1996, is a premier developer of modeling and simulation software for drug discovery and development, including the prediction of properties of molecules utilizing artificial-intelligence and machine-learning-based technologies. We also provide consulting services ranging from early drug discovery through preclinical and clinical trial development to regulatory submissions in support of product approval. Our software and consulting services are provided to major pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agrochemical, cosmetics, and food industry companies. They are also provided to academic agencies for use in the conduct of industry-based research and to regulatory agencies for product approval. The Company is headquartered in Southern California, with additional offices in Buffalo, NY; Durham, NC; and Paris, France. Our common stock has traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SLP” since May 13, 2021, prior to which it traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the same symbol. 

We generate revenue by delivering relevant, cost-effective software and creative and insightful consulting services. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies use our software programs and scientific consulting services to guide early drug discovery (molecule design screening and lead optimization), preclinical, and clinical development programs, and development of generic medicines after patent expiration, including using our software products and services to enhance their understanding of the properties of potential new medicines and to use emerging data to improve formulations, select and justify dosing regimens, support the generics industry, optimize clinical trial designs, and simulate outcomes in special populations, such as in elderly and pediatric patients.

Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on our Business

For a discussion of the impacts on, and risks to, our business from COVID-19, please refer to “Our business is subject to risks arising from epidemic diseases, such as the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 illness” included in Item 1A Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on October 27, 2021.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Short-Form Mergers 

Effective September 1, 2021, the Company merged Cognigen Corporation and DILIsym, Services, Inc. (wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company) with and into Simulations Plus, Inc. through short-form mergers (the “Mergers”). To effectuate the Mergers, the Company filed Certificates of Ownership with the Secretaries of State of the states of Delaware (Cognigen’s and DILIsym’s state of incorporation) and California (the Company’s state of incorporation). Consummation of the Mergers was not subject to approval of the Company’s stockholders and did not impact the rights of the Company’s stockholders.

Summary Results of Operations

Comparison of Three Months Ended February 28, 2022 and 2021:

Revenue

Consolidated revenue increased by approximately $1.6 million or 13% to $14.8 million for the three months ended February 28, 2022, compared to consolidated revenue of approximately $13.1 million for the three months ended February 28, 2021. This increase is primarily due to a $1.9 million or 25% increase in software-related revenue, partially offset by a $282 thousand or 5% decrease in service-related revenue when compared to the three months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021.

Cost of Revenue

Consolidated cost of revenue decreased by approximately $81 thousand or 3% to $2.8 million for the three months ended February 28, 2022 compared to approximately $2.9 million for the three months ended February 28, 2021. The decrease is primarily due to a $56 thousand or 7% decrease in software-related cost of revenue sold and a $25 thousand or 1% decrease in service-related cost of revenue when compared to the three months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021.

Gross Profit

Consolidated gross profit increased by approximately $1.7 million or 17% to $12.0 million for the three months ended February 28, 2022, compared to approximately $10.2 million for the three months ended February 28, 2021. The higher gross profit is primarily due to an increase in gross profit for our software business of approximately $2.0 million or 28%, partially offset by a decrease in gross profit for our services business of approximately $257 thousand or 8%.

Overall gross margin percentage was 81% and 78% for the three months ended February 28, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Research and Development Costs

Total research and development costs decreased by $421 thousand for the three months ended February 28, 2022 compared to the three months ended February 28, 2021. During the three months ended February 28, 2022, we incurred approximately $1.6 million of research and development costs; of this amount, $669 thousand was capitalized and approximately $902 thousand was expensed. During the three months ended February 28, 2021, we incurred approximately $2.0 million of research and development costs; of this amount approximately $700 thousand was capitalized and $1.3 million was expensed.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased by approximately $126 thousand or 2% to approximately $5.6 million for the three months ended February 28, 2022, up from $5.5 million for the three months ended February 28, 2021. The increase was primarily due to higher selling and marketing expense of $330 thousand, an increase in office expense driven by software license and maintenance costs of $275 thousand, and an increase in liability insurance costs of $145 thousand. This was offset by a decrease in salary, bonus and other compensation costs of $496 thousand and a decrease in state taxes of $144 thousand.

As a percent of revenue, consolidated selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased from 42% to 38% for the same comparative periods.

Other Income (Expense), net

Total other income was $53 thousand for the three months ended February 28, 2022 compared to total other expense of $63 thousand for the three months ended February 28, 2021. The variance of $116 thousand was primarily due to an increase in currency-exchange gains of $77 thousand and a decrease in interest expense of $22 thousand.

Provision for Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes was $1.1 million for the three months ended February 28, 2022 compared to $212 thousand for the same period in the previous year. Our effective tax rate increased 14.1% to 20.3% for the three months ended February 28, 2022 from 6.2% during the same period of the previous year. 

Comparison of Six Months Ended February 28, 2022 and 2021: