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Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 06, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Aquabounty Technologies, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001603978
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	true
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Public Float			$ 14.5
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		15,275,398
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,990,196	$ 492,861
Certificate of deposit	12,361	13,422
Other receivables	115,982	183,926
Inventory	76,109	172,363
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	315,969	527,322
Total current assets	3,510,617	1,389,894
Property, plant and equipment, net	23,716,768	21,802,976
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	171,292	184,995
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	191,800	191,800
Other assets	80,583	162,093
Total assets	27,671,060	23,731,758
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	845,323	2,666,855
Current debt	71,613	49,794
Total current liabilities	916,936	2,716,649
Long-term debt	3,519,821	3,034,420
Total liabilities	4,436,757	5,751,069
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 15,098,837 (2017: 8,895,094) shares outstanding	15,099	8,895
Additional paid-in capital	142,707,957	126,718,186
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(574,186)	(213,884)
Accumulated deficit	(118,914,567)	(108,532,508)
Total stockholders’ equity	23,234,303	17,980,689
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 27,671,060	$ 23,731,758

Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	50,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	15,098,837	8,895,094

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues
Product Revenues	$ 84,518	$ 53,278.00	$ 0.00
Costs and expenses
Product costs	78,155	50,777	0
Sales and marketing	297,687	799,009	860,365
Research and development	3,458,564	3,371,767	3,429,400
General and administrative	6,615,908	5,063,824	3,775,289
Total costs and expenses	10,450,314	9,285,377	8,065,054
Operating loss	(10,365,796)	(9,232,099)	(8,065,054)
Other income (expense)
Gain on disposal of equipment	13,233	941	2,861
Interest expense	(22,257)	(21,537)	(402,554)
Other income (expense), net	(7,239)	(5,952)	(5,914)
Total other income (expense)	(16,263)	(26,548)	(405,607)
Net loss	(10,382,059)	(9,258,647)	(8,470,661)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	(360,302)	72,388	(59,840)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(360,302)	72,388	(59,840)
Comprehensive loss	(10,742,361)	(9,186,259)	(8,530,501)
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss	(10,382,059)	(9,258,647)	(8,470,661)
Inducement to exercise common stock warrants	(1,822,873)	0	0
Net loss available to common shareholders	$ (12,204,932)	$ (9,258,647)	$ (8,470,661)
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.94)	$ (1.06)	$ (1.60)
Weighted average number of common shares -basic and diluted (in shares)	13,028,760	8,772,494	5,303,114

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) - USD ($)	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Accumulated deficit
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		5,247,605
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ (55,571)	$ 5,248	$ 90,968,813	$ (226,432)	$ (90,803,200)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(8,470,661)				(8,470,661)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(59,840)			(59,840)
Conversion of debt and accrued interest to common stock (in shares)		1,212,908
Conversion of debt and accrued interest to common stock	10,395,833	$ 1,213	10,394,620
Exercise of options for common stock (in shares)		524
Share based compensation (in shares)		2,899
Share based compensation	218,294	$ 3	218,291
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		6,463,936
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2016	2,028,055	$ 6,464	101,581,724	(286,272)	(99,273,861)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(9,258,647)				(9,258,647)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	72,388			72,388
Exercise of options for common stock (in shares)		8,334
Exercise of options for common stock	27,502	$ 8	27,494
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses (in shares)		2,421,073
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses	24,989,257	$ 2,421	24,986,836
Share based compensation (in shares)		1,751
Share based compensation	122,134	$ 2	122,132
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		8,895,094
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2017	17,980,689	$ 8,895	126,718,186	(213,884)	(108,532,508)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	(10,382,059)				(10,382,059)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (360,302)			(360,302)
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses (in shares)	2,500,285	3,692,307
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses	$ 10,616,046	$ 3,692	10,612,354
Exercise of warrants for common stock, net of expenses including warrant inducement (in shares)		2,500,285
Exercise of warrants for common stock, net of expenses including warrant inducement	5,116,533	$ 2,501	5,114,032
Share based compensation (in shares)		11,151
Share based compensation	263,396	$ 11	263,385
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018		15,098,837
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 23,234,303	$ 15,099	$ 142,707,957	$ (574,186)	$ (118,914,567)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating activities
Net loss	$ (10,382,059)	$ (9,258,647)	$ (8,470,661)
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	843,387	184,946	153,996
Share-based compensation	263,396	122,134	218,294
Gain on disposal of equipment	(13,233)	(941)	(2,861)
Non-cash interest expense	(1,364)	0	395,833
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other receivables	56,212	(11,440)	(121,640)
Inventory	93,956	(169,991)	0
Prepaid expenses and other assets	289,868	(592,602)	38,054
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(966,928)	625,763	340,092
Net cash used in operating activities	(9,816,765)	(9,100,778)	(7,448,893)
Investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(4,009,736)	(18,893,264)	(934,495)
Deposits on equipment purchases	(95,001)	(153,663)	(156,982)
Proceeds from sale of equipment	23,233	941	23,844
Payment of patent costs	0	0	(5,664)
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,081,504)	(19,045,986)	(1,073,297)
Financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of debt	771,858	256,807	547,142
Repayment of term debt	(55,615)	(35,812)	(6,268)
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible debt	0	0	10,000,000
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock and warrants, net	10,616,046	24,989,257	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants, net	5,116,533	27,502	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	16,448,822	25,237,754	10,540,874
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(53,218)	77,262	(7,496)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	2,497,335	(2,831,748)	2,011,188
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	492,861	3,324,609	1,313,421
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	2,990,196	492,861	3,324,609
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information and non-cash transactions:
Interest paid in cash	22,257	21,537	6,721
Conversion of convertible debt and accrued interest to common stock	0	0	10,395,833
Property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	193,378	1,036,240	50,132
Acquisition of equipment under debt agreement	$ 74,068	$ 0	$ 0

Nature of business and organization	12 Months Ended
Nature of business and organization	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of business and organization	Nature of business and organization Nature of business AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. (the “Parent” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) was incorporated in December 1991 in the State of Delaware for the purpose of conducting research and development of the commercial viability of a group of proteins commonly known as antifreeze proteins. In 1996, the Parent obtained the exclusive licensing rights for a gene construct (transgene) used to create a breed of farm‑raised Atlantic salmon that exhibit growth rates that are substantially faster than conventional salmon. In 2015, the Parent obtained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) for the production, sale, and consumption of its AquAdvantage Salmon product in the United States. In 2016, the Parent obtained approval from Health Canada for the sale and consumption of its AquAdvantage Salmon product in Canada. Previously, in 2013, the Parent obtained approval from Environment Canada for the production of the product. AQUA Bounty Canada Inc. (the “Canadian Subsidiary”) was incorporated in January 1994 for the purpose of establishing a commercial biotechnology laboratory to conduct research and development programs related to the Parent’s technologies and to commercialize the Parent’s products in Canada. AquaBounty Panama, S. de R.L. (the “Panama Subsidiary”) was incorporated in May 2008 in Panama for the purpose of conducting commercial trials of the Parent’s products. AquaBounty Farms, Inc. (the “U.S. Subsidiary”) was incorporated in December 2014 in the State of Delaware for the purpose of conducting field trials and commercializing the Parent’s products in the United States. AquaBounty Farms Indiana LLC (the “Indiana Subsidiary”), which is wholly owned by the U.S. Subsidiary, was formed in June 2017 in the State of Delaware for the purpose of operating its aquaculture facility in Albany, Indiana. AquaBounty Brasil Participações Ltda. (the “Brazil Subsidiary”) was incorporated in May 2015 for the purpose of conducting field trials and commercializing the Parent’s products in Brazil. Basis of presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. and its wholly owned direct subsidiaries, AQUA Bounty Canada Inc.; AquaBounty Panama, S. de R.L.; AquaBounty Farms, Inc.; AquaBounty Farms Indiana LLC; and AquaBounty Brasil Participacoes Ltda. The entities are collectively referred to herein as the “Company.” All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation. Going Concern Uncertainty and Management's Plan The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has experienced net losses and negative cash flows from operations since its inception and has cumulative losses attributable to common stockholders of $119 million as of December 31, 2018. At December 31, 2018, the Company had limited capital to fund its operations. This raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the accompanying consolidated financial statements are issued. The Company plans to raise capital through equity and/or debt financings. There is no assurance, however, that the Company will be successful in raising the needed capital and, if funding is available, that it will be available on terms acceptable to the Company. The Company may also cut operating costs or delay capital spend in order to preserve available cash. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of the above uncertainty.

Summary of significant accounting policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of significant accounting policies

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Comprehensive loss

The Company displays comprehensive loss and its components as part of its consolidated financial statements. Comprehensive loss consists of net loss and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes foreign currency translation adjustments.

Foreign currency translation

The functional currency of the Parent is the US Dollar. The functional currency of the Canadian Subsidiary is the Canadian Dollar (C$), and the functional currency of the Panama, US, Indiana, and Brazil Subsidiaries is the US Dollar. For the Canadian Subsidiary, assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, equity accounts are translated at the historical exchange rate, and the income statement accounts are translated at the average rate for each period during the year. Net translation gains or losses are adjusted directly to a separate component of other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity (deficit).

Cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of business savings accounts.

Short-term investments

The Company considers all liquid investments with maturities greater than three months but less than one year when purchased to be short-term investments. The Company has a six-month certificate of deposit at December 31, 2018 and 2017. It is renewable semi-annually in January and July.

Inventories

The Company measures inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value (NRV), where NRV is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The Company also considers capacity utilization in calculating its inventory value with any excess capacity charged to general and administrative expenses.

Intangible assets

Definite-lived intangible assets include patents and licenses. Patent costs consist primarily of legal and filing fees incurred to file patents on proprietary technology developed by the Company. Patent costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over 20 years beginning with the filing date of the applicable patent. License fees are capitalized and expensed over the term of the licensing agreement.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets include trademark costs, which are capitalized with no amortization as they have an indefinite life.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost, and depreciation expense commences when the asset is placed into service, which may include receiving applicable regulatory approval. The Company depreciates all asset classes over their estimated useful lives, as follows:



Building	20 - 25 years
Equipment	7 - 10 years
Office furniture and equipment	3 years
Leasehold improvements	shorter of asset life or lease term
Vehicles	3 years

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived tangible assets and definite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis or more frequently if facts and circumstances suggest that they may be impaired. The carrying values of such assets are considered impaired when the anticipated identifiable undiscounted cash flows from such assets are less than their carrying values. An impairment loss, if any, is recognized in the amount of the difference between the carrying amount and fair value.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to impairment testing annually or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. The Company’s impairment testing utilizes a discounted cash flow analysis that requires significant management judgment with respect to revenue and expense growth rates, changes in working capital, and the selection and use of the appropriate discount rate. An impairment loss is recognized in the amount of the difference between the carrying amount and fair value.

Revenue recognition

The Company records revenue on the sale of a product when all revenue recognition criteria are fulfilled, including identifying the contract with a customer; identifying the performance obligations in the contract; determining the transaction price; allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and recognizing revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. In addition, collectability is assessed before applying the revenue recognition criteria. The Company evaluates customer credit risk in order to conclude it is “probable” it will collect the amount of consideration due in exchange for the goods or services.

Income taxes

The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences reverse. A valuation allowance is established to reduce net deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The Company follows accounting guidance regarding the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of uncertain tax positions in the financial statements. Tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Company’s tax returns are required to be evaluated to determine whether the tax positions are “more likely than not” to be upheld under regulatory review. The resulting tax impact of these tax positions is recognized in the financial statements based on the results of this evaluation. The Company did not recognize any tax liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions, nor has it recognized any interest or penalties related to unrecognized tax positions. Generally, the Company is no longer subject to federal and state tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2015.

Net loss per share

Basic and diluted net loss per share available to common stockholders has been calculated by dividing net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Basic net loss per share is based solely on the number of common shares outstanding during the year. Fully diluted net loss per share includes the number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants and options with an exercise price less than the fair value of the common stock. Since the Company is reporting a net loss for all periods presented, all potential common shares are considered anti-dilutive and are excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share.

Share-based compensation

The Company measures and recognizes all share-based payment awards, including stock options made to employees and Directors, based on estimated fair values. The fair value of a share-based payment award is estimated on the date of grant using an option pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model (“Black-Scholes”) as its method of valuation. Non-employee stock-based compensation is accounted for using Black-Scholes to determine the fair value of warrants or options awarded to non-employees with the fair value of such issuances expensed over the period of service.

Risks and uncertainties	12 Months Ended
Risks and uncertainties	Dec. 31, 2018
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Risks and uncertainties	Risks and uncertainties The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties common in the biotechnology and aquaculture industries. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) results from current and planned product development studies and trials; (ii) decisions made by the FDA or similar regulatory bodies in other countries with respect to approval and commercial sale of any of the Company’s proposed products; (iii) the commercial acceptance of any products approved for sale and the Company’s ability to manufacture, distribute, and sell for a profit any products approved for sale; (iv) the Company’s ability to obtain the necessary patents and proprietary rights to effectively protect its technologies; and (v) the outcome of any collaborations or alliances entered into by the Company. Concentration of credit risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and certificates of deposit. This risk is minimized by the Company’s policy of investing in financial instruments with short-term maturities issued by highly rated financial institutions. The Company’s cash balances may at times exceed insurance limitations. The Company holds cash balances in bank accounts located in Canada to fund its local operations. These amounts are subject to foreign currency exchange risk, which is minimized by the Company’s policy to limit the balances held in these accounts. Balances in Canadian bank accounts totaled $230,677 at December 31, 2018. Financial instruments The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for other receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value based on the short-term maturity of these instruments. The carrying value of term debt approximates its fair value since it provides for market terms and interest rates. Included in other assets is a long-term investment that consists of 216,281 shares of common stock of A/F Protein, Inc. (AFP), equating to less than 1% ownership, with a cost basis of $21,628, which the Company believes to be the best estimate of market value. AFP and the Company have certain shareholders in common.

Inventory

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventory

Major classifications of inventory are summarized as follows for December 31, 2018 and 2017:



	2018		2017
Feed	$	24,288	60,161
Eggs	—		73,967
Packaging	8,913		—
Fish in process	42,908		38,235
Total inventory	$	76,109	$	172,363

Property, plant and equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, plant and equipment

Major classifications of property, plant and equipment are summarized as follows for December 31, 2018 and 2017:



	2018			2017
Land	$	704,567		$	676,083
Building and improvements	9,244,737			9,187,160
Construction in process	6,091,265			5,119,961
Equipment	9,713,030			8,211,510
Office furniture and equipment	192,606			136,091
Vehicles	26,832			29,135
Total property and equipment	$	25,973,037		$	23,359,940
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(2,256,269		)	(1,556,964		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	23,716,768		$	21,802,976

Depreciation and amortization expense for 2018 on property, plant and equipment was $829,684 (2017: $171,242; 2016: 140,649).

In July 2016, the Company purchased the property, plant and equipment of the former Atlantic Sea Smolt plant in Rollo Bay West on Prince Edward Island for $717,225, including legal and other expenses incurred. The Company allocated the purchase price to land, building, and equipment based on valuations and management’s estimates. Included in construction in process is $5.7 million for renovation and new construction costs incurred at our Rollo Bay farm site. An additional $785 thousand has been committed.

In June 2017, the Company purchased the aquaculture facility of Bell Fish Company LLC in Albany, Indiana, for $14.2 million, including legal and other expenses incurred. Through December 31, 2018, the Company has invested $2.6 million to upgrade the facility for use to grow out its AquAdvantage Salmon for harvest and sale in the United States. The Company currently has an additional $122 thousand committed to this project. This facility is operational, although the Company expects that upgrades will continue through 2020.

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets include the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017:



	2018		2017
Prepaid insurance	$	90,754	$	84,801
Prepaid supplies	19,422		33,132
Prepaid professional services	38,375		16,059
Prepaid rent and lease deposits	13,508		5,852
Other current assets	153,910		387,478
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	315,969	$	527,322

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities include the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017:



	2018		2017
Accounts payable	$	366,917	$	1,089,919
Accrued payroll including vacation	223,481		364,368
Accrued professional fees and contract services	185,992		443,178
Accrued taxes	23,678		240,880
Accrued construction costs	13,716		509,950
Accrued other	31,539		18,560
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	845,323	$	2,666,855

Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

The current terms and conditions of long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017, are as follows:



	Interest rate	Monthly repayment	Maturity date	2018			2017
ACOA AIF grant (C$2,871,919)	0%	Royalties	-	$	2,106,840		$	2,287,771
ACOA term loan (C$337,000)	0%	C$3,120	June 2026	203,735			251,056
Kubota Canada Ltd (C$95,961)	0%	C$1,142	Jan 2025	61,178			—
PEI Finance term loan (C$2,717,093)	4%	C$4,333	July 2021	1,219,681			545,387
Total debt				$	3,591,434		$	3,084,214
less: current portion				(71,613		)	(49,794		)
Long-term debt				$	3,519,821		$	3,034,420

Principal payments due on the long-term debt are as follows:



Year	AIF		ACOA		Kubota		FPEI		Total
2019	$	—	$	27,466	$	10,057	$	34,090	$	71,613
2020	—		27,466		10,057		42,034		79,557
2021	—		27,466		10,057		43,746		81,269
2022	—		27,466		10,057		45,529		83,052
2023	—		27,466		10,057		1,054,282		1,091,805
Thereafter	2,106,840		66,405		10,893		—		2,184,138
Total	$	2,106,840	$	203,735	$	61,178	$	1,219,681	$	3,591,434

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (“ACOA”)

ACOA is a Canadian government agency that provides funding to support the development of businesses and promote employment in the Atlantic region of Canada.

ACOA Atlantic Innovation Fund (“AIF”) Grant

In January 2009, the Canadian Subsidiary was awarded an AIF grant from ACOA to provide a contribution towards the funding of a research and development project. Contributions under the grant were made through 2014 and no further funds are available. Amounts claimed by the Canadian Subsidiary must be repaid in the form of a 10% royalty on any products that are commercialized out of this research project until the loan is fully repaid. Revenue from the sale of AquAdvantage Salmon are not subject to the royalty, and the Company does not expect to commercialize products that would be subject to the royalty in the next five years.

ACOA term loans

In February 2016, the Canadian Subsidiary executed an agreement with ACOA to partially finance the renovations to the Rollo Bay farm site. All available funding under the agreement was disbursed through May 2017, and no further amounts are available. The loan is being repaid over a period of nine years.

On November 13, 2018, the Canadian Subsidiary executed a second agreement with ACOA to partially finance the renovations to the Rollo Bay site. The terms of the agreement include funding up to C$500 thousand ($367 thousand) with repayment commencing after the final draw-down of the funds. The loan term is nine years with a zero percent interest rate. No funds were drawn during 2018.

Kubota

Kubota is a manufacturer of power equipment for the construction, agriculture, commercial, and residential industries.

In January 2018, the Canadian Subsidiary financed the purchase of equipment through a loan with Kubota. The total amount is being repaid in monthly installments. The loan is secured by the underlying equipment.

Finance PEI (“FPEI”)

FPEI is a corporation of the Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism for Prince Edward Island, Canada, and administers business financing programs for the provincial government.

In August 2016, the Canadian Subsidiary obtained a loan from FPEI to partially finance the purchase of the assets of the former Atlantic Sea Smolt plant in Rollo Bay West on Prince Edward Island.

On October 16, 2018, the Canadian Subsidiary obtained a new loan from FPEI, which incorporates the existing loan and provides

C$2.0 million ($1.5 million) of additional funds. As of December 31, 2018, C$1.0 million ($734 thousand) has been drawn down. Payments will commence once all funds have been drawn. The loan has an interest rate of 4% and is collateralized by a mortgage executed by the Canadian Subsidiary, which conveys a first security interest in all of its current and acquired assets. The loan is guaranteed by the Parent.

The Company recognized interest expense in 2018 of $22,185 (2017: $21,520; 2016: $402,554) on its interest-bearing debt.

Stockholders' equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' equity

Stockholders’ equity

In May 2018, the Company’s shareholders approved a reduction in the number of authorized shares from 240 million to 55 million shares of stock, of which 5 million are authorized as preferred stock and 50 million as common stock. At December 31, 2018, the Company had zero shares (2017: zero) of preferred stock and 15,098,837 shares (2017: 8,895,094) of common stock, issued and outstanding.

In December 2016, the shareholders approved a reverse share split ratio of 1-for-30 to be implemented on January 5, 2017. All share balances in the Financial Statements and accompanying notes have been restated to reflect this change.

Common stock

The holders of the common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held at all meetings of stockholders. Dividends and distribution of assets of the Company in the event of liquidation are subject to the preferential rights of any outstanding preferred shares. At December 31, 2018, the Company had reserved 339,964 shares of common stock for the exercise of options and 1,745,868 shares of common stock for the exercise of warrants.

Recent issuances

In January 2017, the Company closed an equity subscription of $25 million with Intrexon for 2,421,073 common shares at a price of $10.326.

In January 2018, the Company completed a public offering of 3,692,307 Common Shares and warrants for 4,246,153 Common Shares. Net proceeds to the Company were $10.6 million after deducting discounts, fees, and expenses. Intrexon Corporation, the Company’s majority shareholder, participated in the offering, purchasing 1,538,461 Common Shares and warrants for 1,538,461 Common Shares for gross proceeds of $5.0 million.

On October 24, 2018, 2,250,461 Common Shares were issued through the exercise of outstanding warrants at a discounted price of $2.00. Net proceeds to the Company were $4.3 million after deducting discounts, fees, and expenses. Intrexon participated in the exercise, converting warrants for the issuance of 1,538,461 Common Shares, resulting in gross proceeds of $3.1 million.

Additionally during 2018, the Company issued 249,824 Common Shares in conjunction with the exercise of warrants, with total proceeds of $0.8 million.

Warrants

In connection with the public offering of Common Shares that was completed in January 2018, the Company issued warrants to purchase 4,246,153 Common Shares. Each warrant has an exercise price per share of $3.25, is immediately exercisable, and will expire five years from the date of issuance. During 2018 249,824 warrants were exercised at $3.25 and the Board approved the exercise of 2,250,461 warrants in October 2018 at a discounted price of $2.00. The intrinsic value of the warrants that were converted at the discounted price was $1.8 million. The warrant inducement was treated as an extinguishment of an equity contract, as the warrant holders had to exercise their warrants in order to take advantage of the discounted conversion price. In accounting for the transaction the Company analogized to guidance regarding the treatment of preferred stock extinguishments and recognized the intrinsic value of the inducement, totaling $1.8 million, as a return of capital and as an addition to net loss for the purpose of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share.

The following table summarizes information about outstanding warrants at December 31, 2018:



	Number of warrant shares		Weighted average exercise price
Outstanding at December 31, 2017	—			$—
Issued	4,246,153		3.25
Exercised	(2,500,285	)	2.12
Outstanding at December 31, 2018	1,745,868			$3.25
Exercisable at December 31, 2018	1,745,868			$3.25

Share-based compensation

In 2006, the Company established the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”). The 2006 Plan provided for the issuance of incentive stock options to employees of the Company and non-qualified stock options and awards of restricted stock to Directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company. In accordance with its original terms, the 2006 Plan terminated on March 18, 2016. All outstanding awards under the 2006 Plan will continue until their individual termination dates.

In March 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) to replace the 2006 Plan. The 2016 Plan provides for the issuance of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, and awards of restricted and direct stock purchases to Directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company. The aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2016 Plan cannot exceed 450,000. The 2016 Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders at its Annual Meeting on April 26, 2016.

Restricted stock

The Company’s restricted stock activity under the 2006 Plan and the 2016 Plan is summarized as follows:



	Shares		Weighted average grant date fair value
Unvested at December 31, 2017	2,697		$	11.37
Granted	11,151		2.50
Vested	(4,981	)	5.50
Unvested at December 31, 2018	8,867		$	3.51

During 2018, the Company expensed $27,298 (2017: $26,400; 2016: $18,070) related to restricted stock awards. At December 31, 2018, the balance of unearned share-based compensation to be expensed in future periods related to the restricted stock awards is $31,015. The period over which the unearned share-based compensation is expected to be earned is approximately 2.2 years.

Stock options

The Company’s option activity under the 2006 Plan and the 2016 Plan is summarized as follows:



	Number of options		Weighted average exercise price
Outstanding at December 31, 2017	227,203		$	9.39
Issued	113,561		2.50
Expired	(800	)	9.90
Outstanding at December 31, 2018	339,964		$	7.09
Exercisable at December 31, 2018	303,986		$	6.94

Unless otherwise indicated, options issued to employees, members of the Board of Directors, and non-employees are vested over one to three years and are exercisable for a term of ten years from the date of issuance.

The weighted average fair value of stock options granted during 2018 was $2.50 (2017: $4.55; 2016: $4.46). There were no options exercised in 2018. The total intrinsic value of options exercised in 2017 was $43,420 (2016: $6,338). At December 31, 2018, the total intrinsic value of all options outstanding was $0 (2017: $17,454; 2016: $602,773), the total intrinsic value of exercisable options was $0 (2017: $17,454; 2016 $597,872), and the total number of shares available for grant under the 2016 Plan was 268,138 (2017: 397,500; 2016: 450,000).

The following table summarizes information about options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2018:



Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options	Number of options outstanding	Weighted average remaining estimated life (in years)	Number of options exercisable	Weighted average price of outstanding and exercisable options
$2.50 - $5.70	204,034	5.6	185,985
$6.90 - $9.60	53,175	3.7	53,175
$10.50 - $10.80	4,000	5.1	4,000
$14.20 - $23.40	78,755	7.2	60,826
	339,964		303,986	$6.94

The fair values of stock option grants to employees and members of the Board of Directors during 2018, 2017, and 2016 were measured on the date of grant using Black-Scholes, with the following weighted average assumptions:



	2018	2017	2016
Expected volatility	81%	78%	53%
Risk free interest rate	2.60%	1.80%	1.31%
Expected dividend yield	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Expected life (in years)	5	5	5

The risk-free interest rate is estimated using the Federal Funds interest rate for a period that is commensurate with the expected term of the awards. The expected dividend yield is zero because the Company has never paid a dividend and does not expect to do so for the foreseeable future. The expected life was based on a number of factors including historical experience, vesting provisions, exercise price relative to market price, and expected volatility. The Company believes that all groups of employees demonstrate similar exercise and post-vesting termination behavior and, therefore, does not stratify employees into multiple groups and forfeitures are recognized as they occur. The expected volatility was estimated using the Company’s historical price volatility over a period that is commensurate with the expected term of the awards.

Total share-based compensation on stock-option grants amounted to $236,098 in 2018 (2017: $95,734; 2016: $200,224). At December 31, 2018, the balance of unearned share-based compensation to be expensed in future periods related to unvested share-based awards is $111,243. The period over which the unearned share-based compensation is expected to be earned is 1.2 years.

Share-based compensation

The following table summarizes share-based compensation costs recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016:



	2018		2017		2016
Research and development	$	3,238	$	3,168	$	2,115
Sales and marketing	—		9,315		65,517
General and administrative	260,158		109,651		150,662
Total share-based compensation	$	263,396	$	122,134	$	218,294

Income taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income taxes

The components of loss before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, are presented below:



	2018			2017			2016
Domestic	$	(9,702,869	)	$	(6,526,706	)	$	(5,950,862	)
Foreign	(679,190		)	(2,731,941		)	(2,519,799		)
Loss before income taxes	$	(10,382,059	)	$	(9,258,647	)	$	(8,470,661	)

Income taxes computed using the federal statutory income tax rate differs from the Company’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, primarily due to the following:



	2018			2017			2016
Income tax benefit	$	(2,180,233	)	$	(3,147,940	)	$	(2,880,025	)
State and provincial income tax, net of federal benefit	(534,789		)	(678,438		)	(604,354		)
Permanent differences	53,795			(2,923		)	234,247
US-Foreign rate differential	(13,955		)	371,551			359,729
Other, net	1,182,900			(98,947		)	73,220
Effect of tax reform	0			3,687,844			—
	(1,492,282		)	131,147			(2,817,183		)
Change in valuation allowance	1,492,282			(131,147		)	2,817,183
Total income tax	$	—		$	—		$	—

Included in Other for 2018 are $0.4 million related to state tax rate changes and $0.6 million related to foreign currency changes.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company has domestic net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $37.8 million, after consideration of limitations pursuant to section 382, to offset future federal taxable income, which begin to expire in 2031. The future utilization of certain historic net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, however, is subject to annual use limitations based on the change in stock ownership rules of Internal Revenue Code Sections 382 and 383. The Company experienced a change in ownership under these rules during 2012 and revised its calculation of net operating loss carryforwards based on annual limitation rules. The Company also has foreign net operating loss carryforwards and research loss carryforwards totaling approximately $14.0 million and foreign research and development expense tax credits of approximately $2.6 million at December 31, 2018, which expire at various times commencing in 2019. Since the Company has incurred only losses from inception and there is uncertainty related to the ultimate use of the loss carryforwards and tax credits, a valuation allowance has been recognized to offset the Company’s deferred tax assets, and no benefit for income taxes has been recorded.

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:



	2018			2017
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$	14,120,607		$	12,411,425
Foreign research and development tax credit carryforwards	2,628,190			2,832,340
Property and equipment	463,343			482,161
Other	19,695			13,627
Total deferred tax assets	$	17,231,835		$	15,739,553
Valuation allowance	$	(17,231,835	)	$	(15,739,553	)
Net deferred tax assets	$	—		$	—

The valuation allowance increased by $1.5 million during 2018 and increased by $131,147 during 2017. The increase in 2018 is primarily due to increases in net operating loss carryforwards.

The increase in 2017 was primarily due to increases in foreign research and development tax credits and property and equipment, partially offset by a reduction in the U.S. deferred tax assets resulting from the impact of U.S. tax reform.

Commitments and contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and contingencies

The Company recognizes and discloses commitments when it enters into executed contractual obligations with other parties. The Company accrues contingent liabilities when it is probable that future expenditures will be made and such expenditures can be reasonably estimated.

Lease commitments

In July 2017, the Company extended the lease for its office space in Maynard, Massachusetts. The new lease for 3,558 square feet of office space has a term of five years and seven months, ending March 2023. Lease payments over the term total $332,824.

In 2017, the Company assumed a lease for well water rights as part of its purchase of certain assets of Bell Aquaculture. The lease has a thirty year term with auto-renewal for an additional twenty years. Semi-annual payments total $7,320 with annual increases of 3% over the term.

In May 2018, the Company extended its lease for its Panama farm site. The lease has a term of twelve months, ending in April 2019.

In addition, the Company leases office space in Brazil on a month-to-month basis.

Total rent expense in 2018 was $238,131 (2017: $214,634; 2016: $202,788). Future minimum commitments under the Company’s operating leases are $338,414 with $122,858 in 2019 and $64,637 in 2020.

The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations and commercial commitments at December 31, 2018, and the effects such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods (in thousands):



	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		More than 5 years
Maynard office lease	$	278	$	63	$	131	$	84	$	—
Panama site lease	60		60		—		—		—
Indiana auto lease	11		5		6		—		—
Indiana well lease	717		15		32		33		637
Total	$	1,066	$	143	$	169	$	117	$	637

Employment agreements

The Company has employment agreements with certain of its officers. The agreements provide for base pay and benefits, as defined. Under certain circumstances of termination, the Company must make severance payments.

Retirement plan	12 Months Ended
Retirement plan	Dec. 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Retirement plan	Retirement plan The Company has a savings and retirement plan for its US employees that qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan covers substantially all employees and provides for voluntary contributions by participating employees up to the maximum contribution allowed under the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions by the Company can be made, as determined by the Board of Directors, provided the amount does not exceed the maximum permitted by the Internal Revenue Code. Company contributions made and expensed in operations in connection with the plan during the year ended December 31, 2018, amounted to $43,866 (2017: $31,308; 2016: $33,422). The Company also has a Registered Retirement Savings Plan for its Canadian employees. Company contributions made and expensed in operations in connection with the plan during the year ended December 31, 2018, amounted to $25,900 (2017: $26,578; 2016: $21,777).

Related Party Collaboration Agreement	12 Months Ended
Related Party Collaboration Agreement	Dec. 31, 2018
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Collaboration Agreement	Related Party Collaboration Agreement In February 2013, the Company entered into the ECC with Intrexon, its majority shareholder, pursuant to which the Company will use Intrexon’s UltraVector and other technology platforms to develop and commercialize additional bioengineered traits in finfish for human consumption. The ECC, which can be terminated by the Company upon 90 days’ written notice, grants the Company a worldwide license to use specified patents and other intellectual property of Intrexon in connection with the research, development, use, importing, manufacture, sale, and offer for sale of products involving DNA administered to finfish for human consumption. Such license is exclusive with respect to any clinical development, selling, offering for sale, or other commercialization of developed products, and otherwise is non-exclusive. Under the ECC and subject to certain exceptions, the Company is responsible for, among other things, the performance of the program, including development, commercialization, and certain aspects of manufacturing developed products. Among other things, Intrexon is responsible for the costs of establishing manufacturing capabilities and facilities for the bulk manufacture of certain products developed under the program; certain other aspects of manufacturing; costs of discovery-stage research with respect to platform improvements; and costs of filing, prosecution, and maintenance of Intrexon’s patents. The Company will pay Intrexon quarterly 16.66% of the gross profits calculated under the terms of the agreement for each developed product. The Company has likewise agreed to pay Intrexon 50% of quarterly revenue obtained from a sublicensor in the event of a sublicensing arrangement. In addition, the Company will reimburse Intrexon for the costs of certain services provided by Intrexon. No royalties were paid to Intrexon in 2018, and the Company does not expect to pay royalties in 2018. Total Intrexon service costs incurred under the terms of this agreement amounted to $217,833 in 2018 (2017: $562,039; 2016: $912,182), of which $800 is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31, 2018 (2017: $135,301), and is included as a component of research and development expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	12 Months Ended
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Dec. 31, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards Recently issued accounting pronouncements that may be relevant to the Company are the following: In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which requires a lessee to recognize lease liabilities for the lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and right-of-use assets, representing the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, specified assets for the lease term. Additionally, the new guidance has simplified accounting for sale and leaseback transactions. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. We will adopt the ASU effective January 1, 2019 and based on our current portfolio of leases, approximately $532 thousand of lease assets and liabilities will be recognized on our balance sheet, primarily relating to real estate. Management does not expect any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards to have a material effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)

The following information has been derived from unaudited consolidated statements that, in the opinion of management, include all recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of such information.



	Three Months Ended 2018
	March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
Revenue	$	19,097		$	47,898		$	10,938		$	6,585
Operating loss	(2,443,472		)	(2,784,583		)	(2,720,027		)	(2,417,714		)
Net loss	(2,449,787		)	(2,781,149		)	(2,727,028		)	(2,424,095		)
Deemed dividend	—			—			—			(1,822,873		)
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.22	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.30	)
	Three Months Ended 2017
	March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
Revenue	$	—		$	53,278		$	—		$	—
Operating loss	(2,049,098		)	(2,087,074		)	(2,439,230		)	(2,655,756		)
Net loss	(2,055,743		)	(2,093,436		)	(2,446,219		)	(2,663,249		)
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders	$	(0.24	)	$	(0.24	)	$	(0.28	)	$	(0.30	)

Subsequent events	12 Months Ended
Subsequent events	Dec. 31, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent events	Subsequent events On January 3, 2019, the Company issued 164,088 restricted Common Shares to Sylvia Wulf, its new Chief Executive Officer, per the terms of her employment agreement. The shares vest over a one-year period. On March 5, 2019, the Company issued 12,473 restricted Common Shares to Richard Clothier, Chair of the Board of Directors, per the terms of his compensation plan. The shares vest over a three-year period. On March 7, 2019, the Canadian Subsidiary received C$500 thousand in debt funding from ACOA (Note 8).

Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. and its wholly owned direct subsidiaries, AQUA Bounty Canada Inc.; AquaBounty Panama, S. de R.L.; AquaBounty Farms, Inc.; AquaBounty Farms Indiana LLC; and AquaBounty Brasil Participacoes Ltda. The entities are collectively referred to herein as the “Company.” All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Use of estimates

Comprehensive loss

Foreign currency translations

Cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of business savings accounts.

Inventories

Intangible assets

Indefinite-lived intangible assets include trademark costs, which are capitalized with no amortization as they have an indefinite life.

Property, plant and equipment



Building	20 - 25 years
Equipment	7 - 10 years
Office furniture and equipment	3 years
Leasehold improvements	shorter of asset life or lease term
Vehicles	3 years

Impairment of long-lived assets

Revenue recognition

Income taxes

Net loss per share

Share-based compensation

Recently issued accounting standards

Recently issued accounting pronouncements that may be relevant to the Company are the following:

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which requires a lessee to recognize lease liabilities for the lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and right-of-use assets, representing the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, specified assets for the lease term. Additionally, the new guidance has simplified accounting for sale and leaseback transactions. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. We will adopt the ASU effective January 1, 2019 and based on our current portfolio of leases, approximately $532 thousand of lease assets and liabilities will be recognized on our balance sheet, primarily relating to real estate.

Management does not expect any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards to have a material effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

Summary of significant accounting policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Property, plant and equipment

The Company depreciates all asset classes over their estimated useful lives, as follows:



Building	20 - 25 years
Equipment	7 - 10 years
Office furniture and equipment	3 years
Leasehold improvements	shorter of asset life or lease term
Vehicles	3 years

Major classifications of property, plant and equipment are summarized as follows for December 31, 2018 and 2017:



	2018			2017
Land	$	704,567		$	676,083
Building and improvements	9,244,737			9,187,160
Construction in process	6,091,265			5,119,961
Equipment	9,713,030			8,211,510
Office furniture and equipment	192,606			136,091
Vehicles	26,832			29,135
Total property and equipment	$	25,973,037		$	23,359,940
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(2,256,269		)	(1,556,964		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	23,716,768		$	21,802,976

Inventory (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventory

Major classifications of inventory are summarized as follows for December 31, 2018 and 2017:



	2018		2017
Feed	$	24,288	60,161
Eggs	—		73,967
Packaging	8,913		—
Fish in process	42,908		38,235
Total inventory	$	76,109	$	172,363

Property, plant and equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, plant and equipment

The Company depreciates all asset classes over their estimated useful lives, as follows:



Building	20 - 25 years
Equipment	7 - 10 years
Office furniture and equipment	3 years
Leasehold improvements	shorter of asset life or lease term
Vehicles	3 years

Major classifications of property, plant and equipment are summarized as follows for December 31, 2018 and 2017:



	2018			2017
Land	$	704,567		$	676,083
Building and improvements	9,244,737			9,187,160
Construction in process	6,091,265			5,119,961
Equipment	9,713,030			8,211,510
Office furniture and equipment	192,606			136,091
Vehicles	26,832			29,135
Total property and equipment	$	25,973,037		$	23,359,940
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(2,256,269		)	(1,556,964		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	23,716,768		$	21,802,976

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets include the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017:



	2018		2017
Prepaid insurance	$	90,754	$	84,801
Prepaid supplies	19,422		33,132
Prepaid professional services	38,375		16,059
Prepaid rent and lease deposits	13,508		5,852
Other current assets	153,910		387,478
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	315,969	$	527,322

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities include the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017:



	2018		2017
Accounts payable	$	366,917	$	1,089,919
Accrued payroll including vacation	223,481		364,368
Accrued professional fees and contract services	185,992		443,178
Accrued taxes	23,678		240,880
Accrued construction costs	13,716		509,950
Accrued other	31,539		18,560
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	845,323	$	2,666,855

Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Principal payments due on long-term debt

The current terms and conditions of long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017, are as follows:



	Interest rate	Monthly repayment	Maturity date	2018			2017
ACOA AIF grant (C$2,871,919)	0%	Royalties	-	$	2,106,840		$	2,287,771
ACOA term loan (C$337,000)	0%	C$3,120	June 2026	203,735			251,056
Kubota Canada Ltd (C$95,961)	0%	C$1,142	Jan 2025	61,178			—
PEI Finance term loan (C$2,717,093)	4%	C$4,333	July 2021	1,219,681			545,387
Total debt				$	3,591,434		$	3,084,214
less: current portion				(71,613		)	(49,794		)
Long-term debt				$	3,519,821		$	3,034,420

Terms and conditions of long-term debt

Principal payments due on the long-term debt are as follows:



Year	AIF		ACOA		Kubota		FPEI		Total
2019	$	—	$	27,466	$	10,057	$	34,090	$	71,613
2020	—		27,466		10,057		42,034		79,557
2021	—		27,466		10,057		43,746		81,269
2022	—		27,466		10,057		45,529		83,052
2023	—		27,466		10,057		1,054,282		1,091,805
Thereafter	2,106,840		66,405		10,893		—		2,184,138
Total	$	2,106,840	$	203,735	$	61,178	$	1,219,681	$	3,591,434

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
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+ Details

Stockholders' equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Restricted stock activity

The Company’s restricted stock activity under the 2006 Plan and the 2016 Plan is summarized as follows:



	Shares		Weighted average grant date fair value
Unvested at December 31, 2017	2,697		$	11.37
Granted	11,151		2.50
Vested	(4,981	)	5.50
Unvested at December 31, 2018	8,867		$	3.51

Stock option activity

The Company’s option activity under the 2006 Plan and the 2016 Plan is summarized as follows:



	Number of options		Weighted average exercise price
Outstanding at December 31, 2017	227,203		$	9.39
Issued	113,561		2.50
Expired	(800	)	9.90
Outstanding at December 31, 2018	339,964		$	7.09
Exercisable at December 31, 2018	303,986		$	6.94

Options outstanding and exercisable

The following table summarizes information about options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2018:



Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options	Number of options outstanding	Weighted average remaining estimated life (in years)	Number of options exercisable	Weighted average price of outstanding and exercisable options
$2.50 - $5.70	204,034	5.6	185,985
$6.90 - $9.60	53,175	3.7	53,175
$10.50 - $10.80	4,000	5.1	4,000
$14.20 - $23.40	78,755	7.2	60,826
	339,964		303,986	$6.94

Fair value of stock option grants to employees and board of directors



	2018	2017	2016
Expected volatility	81%	78%	53%
Risk free interest rate	2.60%	1.80%	1.31%
Expected dividend yield	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Expected life (in years)	5	5	5

Share-based compensation related costs



	2018		2017		2016
Research and development	$	3,238	$	3,168	$	2,115
Sales and marketing	—		9,315		65,517
General and administrative	260,158		109,651		150,662
Total share-based compensation	$	263,396	$	122,134	$	218,294

Income taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Income (Loss) before Income Taxes

The components of loss before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, are presented below:



	2018			2017			2016
Domestic	$	(9,702,869	)	$	(6,526,706	)	$	(5,950,862	)
Foreign	(679,190		)	(2,731,941		)	(2,519,799		)
Loss before income taxes	$	(10,382,059	)	$	(9,258,647	)	$	(8,470,661	)

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation



	2018			2017			2016
Income tax benefit	$	(2,180,233	)	$	(3,147,940	)	$	(2,880,025	)
State and provincial income tax, net of federal benefit	(534,789		)	(678,438		)	(604,354		)
Permanent differences	53,795			(2,923		)	234,247
US-Foreign rate differential	(13,955		)	371,551			359,729
Other, net	1,182,900			(98,947		)	73,220
Effect of tax reform	0			3,687,844			—
	(1,492,282		)	131,147			(2,817,183		)
Change in valuation allowance	1,492,282			(131,147		)	2,817,183
Total income tax	$	—		$	—		$	—

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:



	2018			2017
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$	14,120,607		$	12,411,425
Foreign research and development tax credit carryforwards	2,628,190			2,832,340
Property and equipment	463,343			482,161
Other	19,695			13,627
Total deferred tax assets	$	17,231,835		$	15,739,553
Valuation allowance	$	(17,231,835	)	$	(15,739,553	)
Net deferred tax assets	$	—		$	—

Commitments and contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments



	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		More than 5 years
Maynard office lease	$	278	$	63	$	131	$	84	$	—
Panama site lease	60		60		—		—		—
Indiana auto lease	11		5		6		—		—
Indiana well lease	717		15		32		33		637
Total	$	1,066	$	143	$	169	$	117	$	637

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information



	Three Months Ended 2018
	March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
Revenue	$	19,097		$	47,898		$	10,938		$	6,585
Operating loss	(2,443,472		)	(2,784,583		)	(2,720,027		)	(2,417,714		)
Net loss	(2,449,787		)	(2,781,149		)	(2,727,028		)	(2,424,095		)
Deemed dividend	—			—			—			(1,822,873		)
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.22	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.30	)
	Three Months Ended 2017
	March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
Revenue	$	—		$	53,278		$	—		$	—
Operating loss	(2,049,098		)	(2,087,074		)	(2,439,230		)	(2,655,756		)
Net loss	(2,055,743		)	(2,093,436		)	(2,446,219		)	(2,663,249		)
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders	$	(0.24	)	$	(0.24	)	$	(0.28	)	$	(0.30	)

Nature of business and organization (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	$ 23,234,303	$ 17,980,689	$ 2,028,055	$ (55,571)
Retained Earnings
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	$ (118,914,567)	$ (108,532,508)	$ (99,273,861)	$ (90,803,200)

Summary of significant accounting policies (Details)	12 Months Ended
Summary of significant accounting policies (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018
Building \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	20 years
Building \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	25 years
Equipment \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	7 years
Equipment \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	10 years
Office furniture and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	3 years
Vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	3 years
Patents
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Patents, useful life	20 years

Summary of significant accounting policies Investments (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Certificates of Deposit
Investment [Line Items]
Certificate of Deposit Interest Rate	0.45%	0.45%

Risks and uncertainties (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) shares
A/F Protein, Inc.
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Shares of common stock included in other assets (in shares) \| shares	216,281
Ownership percent, less than	1.00%
Cost basis of shares of common stock of A/F Protein	$ 21,628
Canada \| Cash \| Credit Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Cash in Canadian bank accounts	$ 230,677

Inventory (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventory	$ 76,109	$ 172,363
Feed
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventory	24,288	60,161
Eggs
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventory	0	73,967
Packaging
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventory	8,913	0
Fish in process
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventory	$ 42,908	$ 38,235

Property, plant and equipment - Schedule of Property, plant and equipment (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 25,973,037	$ 23,359,940
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(2,256,269)	(1,556,964)
Property, plant and equipment, net	23,716,768	21,802,976
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	704,567	676,083
Building and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	9,244,737	9,187,160
Construction in process
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	6,091,265	5,119,961
Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	9,713,030	8,211,510
Office furniture and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	192,606	136,091
Vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 26,832	$ 29,135

Property, plant and equipment - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 22, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation			$ 829,684	$ 171,242	$ 140,649
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment			4,009,736	18,893,264	$ 934,495
Gross property, plant, and equipment			25,973,037	23,359,940
Construction in process
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property, plant, and equipment			6,091,265	$ 5,119,961
Atlantic Sea Smolt Plant
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment		$ 717,225
Rollo Bay Farm Site [Member] \| Capital Addition Purchase Commitments
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount			785,000
Rollo Bay Farm Site [Member] \| Construction in process
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property, plant, and equipment			5,700,000
Bell Fish Company, LLC Aquaculture Facility \| Capital Addition Purchase Commitments
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount			122,000
Bell Fish Company, LLC Aquaculture Facility \| Construction in process
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gross property, plant, and equipment			$ 2,600,000
Bell Fish Company, LLC Aquaculture Facility \| Building
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	$ 14,200,000

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]
Prepaid insurance	$ 90,754	$ 84,801
Prepaid supplies	19,422	33,132
Prepaid professional services	38,375	16,059
Prepaid rent and lease deposits	13,508	5,852
Other current assets	153,910	387,478
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$ 315,969	$ 527,322

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accounts payable	$ 366,917	$ 1,089,919
Accrued payroll including vacation	223,481	364,368
Accrued professional fees and contract services	185,992	443,178
Accrued taxes	23,678	240,880
Accrued construction costs	13,716	509,950
Accrued other	31,539	18,560
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 845,323	$ 2,666,855

Debt - Conditions of Long Term Debt Outstanding (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 CAD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 CAD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 CAD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt		$ 3,591,434		$ 3,084,214
less: current portion		(71,613)		(49,794)
Long-term debt		$ 3,519,821		3,034,420
Loans Payable \| ACOA AIF grant (C$2,871,919)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 2,871,919		$ 2,871,919
Interest rate		0.00%	0.00%
Total debt		$ 2,106,840		2,287,771
Loans Payable \| Kubota Canada Ltd (C$95,961)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt		$ 61,178
Secured Debt \| ACOA term loan (C$337,000)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 337,000
Interest rate		0.00%	0.00%
Monthly repayment	$ 3,120
Total debt		$ 203,735		251,056
Secured Debt \| Kubota Canada Ltd (C$95,961)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 95,961
Interest rate		0.00%	0.00%
Monthly repayment	1,142
Total debt		$ 61,178		0
Secured Debt \| PEI Finance term loan (C$2,717,093)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 2,717,093		$ 717,093
Interest rate		4.00%	4.00%
Monthly repayment	$ 4,333
Total debt		$ 1,219,681		$ 545,387

Debt - Debt Maturities (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2019	$ 71,613
2020	79,557
2021	81,269
2022	83,052
2023	1,091,805
Thereafter	2,184,138
Total debt	3,591,434	$ 3,084,214
Loans Payable \| AIF
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2019	0
2020	0
2021	0
2022	0
2023	0
Thereafter	2,106,840
Total debt	2,106,840	2,287,771
Loans Payable \| Kubota Canada Ltd
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2019	10,057
2020	10,057
2021	10,057
2022	10,057
2023	10,057
Thereafter	10,893
Total debt	61,178
Secured Debt \| ACOA
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2019	27,466
2020	27,466
2021	27,466
2022	27,466
2023	27,466
Thereafter	66,405
Total debt	203,735	251,056
Secured Debt \| Kubota Canada Ltd
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	61,178	0
Secured Debt \| FPEI
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2019	34,090
2020	42,034
2021	43,746
2022	45,529
2023	1,054,282
Thereafter	0
Total debt	$ 1,219,681	$ 545,387

Debt - Narrative (Details)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Debt - Narrative (Details)	Nov. 30, 2018	Jan. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 CAD ($)	Nov. 13, 2018 USD ($)	Nov. 13, 2018 CAD ($)	Oct. 16, 2018 USD ($)	Oct. 16, 2018 CAD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 CAD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense			$ 22,185	$ 21,520	$ 402,554
Loans Payable \| AIF
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Royalty percentage		10.00%
Debt instrument, face amount						$ 2,871,919					$ 2,871,919
Interest rate						0.00%
Secured Debt \| ACOA Term Loan November 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount							$ 367,000	$ 500,000
Claim period	9 years
Interest rate							0.00%	0.00%
Secured Debt \| ACOA
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount						$ 337,000
Interest rate						0.00%
Secured Debt \| FPEI
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount						$ 2,717,093					$ 717,093
Interest rate						4.00%
Secured Debt \| PEI Finance Term Loan October 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount									$ 1,500,000	$ 2,000,000
Interest rate									4.00%	4.00%
Funds drawn on loan									$ 734,000	$ 1,000,000

Stockholders' equity - Narrative (Details)		12 Months Ended
Stockholders' equity - Narrative (Details)	Jan. 05, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Stockholders' Equity
Authorized Shares of Common Stock		50,000,000	200,000,000
Issued and Outstanding Shares of Preferred Stock		0	0
Issued and Outstanding Shares of Common Stock		15,098,837	8,895,094
Stockholders' Equity Note, Stock Split, Conversion Ratio	0.0333
Common Stock
Common Stock, Voting Rights, Number of Votes Per Share		1
Share-based Compensation
Nonvested Share-based Compensation \| $			$ 111,243
Share-based Compensation Expense \| $		$ 263,396	$ 122,134	$ 218,294
Share-based Compensation, Fair Value of Options Granted \| $ / shares		$ 2.50	$ 4.55	$ 4.46
Share-based Compensation, Intrinsic Value of Options Granted \| $			$ 43,420	$ 6,338
Share-based Compensation, Intrinsic Value of Options Outstanding \| $		$ 0	17,454	602,773
Share-based Compensation, Intrinsic Value of Options Exercisable \| $		$ 0	$ 17,454	$ 597,872
Original Number of Shares Authorized
Stockholders' Equity
Authorized Shares of Common and Preferred Stock		240,000,000
Current Number of Shares Authorized
Stockholders' Equity
Authorized Shares of Common and Preferred Stock		55,000,000
Authorized Shares of Preferred Stock		5,000,000
Authorized Shares of Common Stock		50,000,000
Employee Stock Option
Common Stock
Shares of Common Stock for the Exercise of Options		339,964
Shares of Common Stock for the Exercise of Warrants		1,745,868
Share-based Compensation
Expected dividend yield		0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Share-based Compensation Expense \| $		$ 236,098	$ 95,734	$ 200,224
Unearned Share-based Compensation earn period		1 year 2 months 12 days
Share-based Compensation, Exercise Term			10 years
2016 Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation
Share-based Compensation, Shares Available for Grant				450,000
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation
Nonvested Share-based Compensation Expense in Future Periods \| $			$ 31,015
Unearned Share-based Compensation earn period		2 years 2 months 12 days
Board of Directors Chairman [Member] \| Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation
Share-based Compensation Expense \| $		$ 27,298	$ 26,400	$ 18,070
Minimum \| Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation
Award Vesting Period			1 year
Maximum \| Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation
Award Vesting Period			3 years
2016 Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation
Share-based Compensation, Shares Available for Grant		268,138	397,500	450,000

Stockholders' equity - Warrants (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
New Common Shares Issued (number of shares)		2,500,285
Warrant [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding		1,745,868	0.00
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights		$ 3.25	$ 0.00
New Common Shares Issued (number of shares)		4,246,153
Weighted Average Exercise Price Of Warrants Issued		$ 3.25
Exercise of Warrants for Common Stock, shares		(2,500,285)
Investment Warrants, Exercise Price		$ 2.12
Class Of Warrant Of Right Exercisable		1,745,868
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Warrants Exercisable		$ 3.25
January 2018 Public Offering [Member] \| Warrant [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights		$ 3.25
New Common Shares Issued (number of shares)	4,246,153	4,246,153
Exercise of Warrants for Common Stock, shares		(249,824)
January 2018 Public Offering, Discounted Warrants [Member] \| January 2018 Public Offering [Member] \| Warrant [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights		$ 2.00
New Common Shares Issued (number of shares)		2,250,461
Stock and Warrants Issued During Period, Value, Preferred Stock and Warrants		$ 1.8

Stockholders' equity - Recent Stock Issuances (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 24, 2018
New Common Shares Issued (value)				$ 10,616,046	$ 24,989,257
New Common Shares Issued (number of shares)				2,500,285
Proceeds from Warrant Exercises				$ 5,300,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)				$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common Stock
New Common Shares Issued (value)				$ 3,692	$ 2,421
New Common Shares Issued (number of shares)				3,692,307	2,421,073
January 2017 Equity Subscription [Member] \| Common Stock \| Intrexon [Member]
New Common Shares Issued (value)			$ 25,000,000
New Common Shares Issued (number of shares)			2,421,073
Shares Issued, Price Per Share			$ 10.326
January 2018 Public Offering [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity		$ 10,600,000
January 2018 Public Offering [Member] \| Majority Shareholder
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity		$ 5,000,000
October 2018 Common Share Offering [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity	$ 4,300,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)						$ 2.00
Common Stock \| January 2018 Public Offering [Member]
New Common Shares Issued (number of shares)		3,692,307
Common Stock \| January 2018 Public Offering [Member] \| Majority Shareholder
New Common Shares Issued (number of shares)		1,538,461
Common Stock \| October 2018 Common Share Offering [Member]
New Common Shares Issued (number of shares)	2,250,461
Warrant [Member]
New Common Shares Issued (number of shares)				4,246,153
Warrant [Member] \| January 2018 Public Offering [Member]
New Common Shares Issued (number of shares)		4,246,153		4,246,153
Warrant [Member] \| January 2018 Public Offering [Member] \| Majority Shareholder
New Common Shares Issued (number of shares)		1,538,461
Majority Shareholder \| October 2018 Common Share Offering [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity	$ 3,100,000
Majority Shareholder \| Common Stock \| October 2018 Common Share Offering [Member]
New Common Shares Issued (number of shares)	1,538,461

Stockholders' equity - Restricted stock (Details) - Restricted Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 $ / shares shares
Shares
Unvested beginning balance (in shares) \| shares	2,697
Granted (in shares) \| shares	11,151
Vested (in shares) \| shares	(4,981)
Unvested ending balance (in shares) \| shares	8,867
Weighted average grant date fair value
Unvested beginning balance (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 11.37
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	2.50
Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	5.50
Unvested ending balance (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 3.51

Stockholders' equity - Stock Option Activity (Details)	12 Months Ended
Stockholders' equity - Stock Option Activity (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018 $ / shares shares
Number of options
Beginning balance (in shares) \| shares	227,203
Issued (in shares) \| shares	113,561
Expired (in shares) \| shares	(800)
Ending balance (in shares) \| shares	339,964
Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	303,986
Weighted average exercise price
Beginning balance (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 9.39
Issued (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	2.50
Expired (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	9.90
Ending balance (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	7.09
Exercisable (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 6.94

Stockholders' equity - Summary of Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding (in shares)	339,964
Number of options exercisable (in shares)	303,986
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 6.94
$2.50 - $5.70
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding (in shares)	204,034
Weighted average remaining estimated life (in years)	5 years 7 months 6 days
Number of options exercisable (in shares)	185,985
$6.90 - $9.60
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding (in shares)	53,175
Weighted average remaining estimated life (in years)	3 years 8 months 12 days
Number of options exercisable (in shares)	53,175
$10.50 - $10.80
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding (in shares)	4,000
Weighted average remaining estimated life (in years)	5 years 1 month 6 days
Number of options exercisable (in shares)	4,000
$14.20 - $23.40
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of options outstanding (in shares)	78,755
Weighted average remaining estimated life (in years)	7 years 2 months 12 days
Number of options exercisable (in shares)	60,826
Minimum \| $2.50 - $5.70
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 2.50
Minimum \| $6.90 - $9.60
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	6.90
Minimum \| $10.50 - $10.80
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	10.50
Minimum \| $14.20 - $23.40
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	14.20
Maximum \| $2.50 - $5.70
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	5.70
Maximum \| $6.90 - $9.60
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	9.60
Maximum \| $10.50 - $10.80
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	10.80
Maximum \| $14.20 - $23.40
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 23.40

Stockholders' equity - Weighted Average Assumptions (Details) - Employee Stock Option	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility	81.00%	78.00%	53.00%
Risk free interest rate	2.60%	1.80%	1.31%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected life (in years)	5 years	5 years	5 years

Stockholders' equity - Compensation Costs Recognized on Financial Statements (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation	$ 263,396	$ 122,134	$ 218,294
Research and development
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation	3,238	3,168	2,115
Sales and marketing
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation	0	9,315	65,517
General and administrative
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation	$ 260,158	$ 109,651	$ 150,662

Income taxes - Components of Loss Before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Domestic	$ (9,702,869)	$ (6,526,706)	$ (5,950,862)
Foreign	(679,190)	(2,731,941)	(2,519,799)
Loss before income taxes	$ (10,382,059)	$ (9,258,647)	$ (8,470,661)

Income taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax benefit	$ (2,180,233)	$ (3,147,940)	$ (2,880,025)
State and provincial income tax, net of federal benefit	(534,789)	(678,438)	(604,354)
Permanent differences	53,795	(2,923)	234,247
US-Foreign rate differential	(13,955)	371,551	359,729
Other, net	1,182,900	(98,947)	73,220
Effect of tax reform	0	3,687,844	0
Income tax expense, before valuation allowance	(1,492,282)	131,147	(2,817,183)
Change in valuation allowance	1,492,282	(131,147)	2,817,183
Total income tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Income taxes - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Domestic Tax Authority
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Domestic operating loss carryforwards	$ 37.8
Foreign Tax Authority
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Foreign operating loss carryforwards	14.0
Foreign Tax Authority \| Research Tax Credit Carryforward
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Foreign research and development tax credit carryforwards	$ 2.6

Income taxes - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 14,120,607	$ 12,411,425
Foreign research and development tax credit carryforwards	2,628,190	2,832,340
Property and equipment	463,343	482,161
Other	19,695	13,627
Total deferred tax assets	17,231,835	15,739,553
Valuation allowance	(17,231,835)	(15,739,553)
Net deferred tax assets	0	0
Increases in valuation allowance	$ 1,500,000	$ 131,147

Commitments and contingencies - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
Commitments and contingencies - Narrative (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	May 31, 2018 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2017 USD ($) ft²
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Future minimum lease payments	$ 338,414
Rent expense	238,131	$ 214,634	$ 202,788
Commitments due in 2019	122,858
Commitments due in 2020	64,637
Office Space Located in Maynard, Massachusetts
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Square feet of office space \| ft²					3,558
Future minimum lease payments	278,000				$ 332,824
Commitments due in 2019	63,000
Panama Farm Site
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Future minimum lease payments	60,000			$ 180,000
Commitments due in 2019	$ 60,000

Commitments and contingencies - Summary of Significant Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	May 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2017
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Total	$ 338,414
Less than 1 year	122,858
Office Space Located in Maynard, Massachusetts
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Total	278,000		$ 332,824
Less than 1 year	63,000
1-3 years	131,000
3-5 years	84,000
More than 5 years	0
Panama Farm Site
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Total	60,000	$ 180,000
Less than 1 year	60,000
1-3 years	0
3-5 years	0
More than 5 years	0
Indiana auto lease [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Total	11,000
Less than 1 year	5,000
1-3 years	6,000
3-5 years	0
More than 5 years	0
Indiana well lease [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Total	717,000
Less than 1 year	15,000
1-3 years	32,000
3-5 years	33,000
More than 5 years	637,000
Significant Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Total	1,066,000
Less than 1 year	143,000
1-3 years	169,000
3-5 years	117,000
More than 5 years	$ 637,000

Retirement plan (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Retirement plan (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
United States
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions to retirement plan	$ 43,866	$ 31,308	$ 33,422
Canada
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contributions to retirement plan	$ 25,900	$ 26,578	$ 21,777

Related Party Collaboration Agreement (Details) - Exclusive Channel Collaborations Agreement - Majority Shareholder - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of gross profits due quarterly to Intrexon	16.66%
Percentage of quarterly revenue from sublicensor due to Intrexon	50.00%
Service costs incurred	$ 217,833	$ 562,039	$ 912,182
Amounts included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$ 800	$ 135,301

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Lease Accounting Standards (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Lease Accounting Standards [Abstract]
Approximate value of leases	$ 532

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 6,585	$ 10,938	$ 47,898	$ 19,097	$ 0	$ 0	$ 53,278	$ 0	$ 84,518	$ 53,278.00	$ 0.00
Operating loss	(2,417,714)	(2,720,027)	(2,784,583)	(2,443,472)	(2,655,756)	(2,439,230)	(2,087,074)	(2,049,098)	(10,365,796)	(9,232,099)	(8,065,054)
Net loss	$ (2,424,095)	$ (2,727,028)	$ (2,781,149)	$ (2,449,787)	$ (2,663,249)	$ (2,446,219)	$ (2,093,436)	$ (2,055,743)	$ (10,382,059)	$ (9,258,647)	$ (8,470,661)
Basic and diluted net loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.30)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.22)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.30)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.24)	$ (0.24)	$ (0.94)	$ (1.06)	$ (1.60)

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Subsequent events (Details) - Subsequent Event - CAD ($) $ in Millions	Jan. 03, 2019	Mar. 07, 2019
Chief Executive Officer
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Restricted Common Shares Issued	164,088
Board of Directors Chairman [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Restricted Common Shares Issued	12,473
Secured Debt \| ACOA Term Loan November 2018 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt funding from ACOA		$ 0.5