10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2008

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from              to

Commission File Number 001-33103

 

 

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   41-2142317

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

12481 High Bluff Drive, Suite 200

San Diego, CA 92130

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(858) 436-1400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has 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  x   No  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  x    Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨
      (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   

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

As of October 31, 2008, there were 38,362,735 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

 

 


Table of Contents

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

INDEX

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  
  

Condensed Balance Sheets at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007

   1
  

Condensed Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
and for the period from May 26, 2004 (inception) through September 30, 2008

   2
  

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 and for the
period from May 26, 2004 (inception) through September 30, 2008

   3
  

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

   4

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   11

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   19

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   20
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   21

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

   21

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   44

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   44

Item 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   44

Item 5.

  

Other Information

   44

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

   45


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(a development stage company)

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     September 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007
     (unaudited)     
Assets      

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

    $ 61,062,863      $ 55,392,921 

Restricted cash

     2,195,696       1,981,848 

Prepaid expenses

     337,450       751,046 

Other current assets

     126,615       208,275 
             

Total current assets

     63,722,624       58,334,090 

Property and equipment, net

     5,930,562       5,139,538 

Restricted cash

     537,586       885,434 

Other assets

     153,880       252,963 
             

Total assets

    $ 70,344,652      $ 64,612,025 
             
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

    $ 4,203,333      $ 1,974,991 

Accrued liabilities

     10,362,610       13,901,770 

Current portion of long-term debt

     8,320,222       5,617,928 
             

Total current liabilities

     22,886,165       21,494,689 

Deferred rent

     1,027,823       1,224,869 

Long-term debt, less current portion and discount of $443,579 and $642,130,
respectively

     7,516,133       13,412,349 

Other long-term liabilities

     22,048       22,048 
             

Total liabilities

     31,452,169       36,153,955 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

     

Stockholders’ equity :

     

Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 38,362,735
shares and 29,112,755 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2008
and December 31, 2007, respectively

     3,836       2,911 

Additional paid-in capital

     196,501,618       142,879,979 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

     (120,881)      4,524 

Deficit accumulated during the development stage

     (157,492,090)      (114,429,344)
             

Total stockholders’ equity

     38,892,483       28,458,070 
             

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

    $ 70,344,652      $ 64,612,025 
             

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(a development stage company)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  

Period from

May 26, 2004

(Inception) through

September 30,

     2008    2007    2008    2007    2008

Operating expenses:

              

Research and development

    $    10,241,943      $    10,353,033      $      32,463,211      $     31,349,828      $   130,080,912 

Marketing

   664,143     694,187     2,175,120     1,462,724     6,132,714 

General and administrative

   2,754,064     2,555,579     8,323,996     6,819,111     25,145,778 

Other

   509     -       28,766     -       28,766 
                        

Total operating expenses

   13,660,659     13,602,799     42,991,093     39,631,663     161,388,170 
                        

Loss from operations

   (13,660,659)    (13,602,799)    (42,991,093)    (39,631,663)    (161,388,170)

Other (expense) income:

              

Interest income

   370,948     820,850     1,395,762     2,775,877     7,010,282 

Interest expense

   (459,262)    (185,868)    (1,463,146)    (605,999)    (2,828,287)

Other expense

   (22)    (18,618)    (4,269)    (18,937)    (285,915)
                        

Total other (expense)
income, net

   (88,336)    616,364     (71,653)    2,150,941     3,896,080 
                        

Loss before income tax

   (13,748,995)    (12,986,435)    (43,062,746)    (37,480,722)    (157,492,090)
                        

Net loss

    $  (13,748,995)     $  (12,986,435)     $   (43,062,746)     $   (37,480,722)     $  (157,492,090)
                        

Basic and diluted net loss per share(1)

    $             (0.36)     $             (0.45)     $              (1.18)     $              (1.31)   
                      

Shares used to compute basic and
diluted net loss per share
(1)

   38,116,063     28,637,956     36,371,272     28,530,309    
                      

___________________________

(1)

As a result of the issuance of 9,240,307 shares of common stock pursuant to an effective shelf registration in the first quarter of 2008, there is a lack of comparability in the per share amounts between the 2008 and 2007 periods presented. Please see Note 4 for further discussion.

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(a development stage company)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Period from
May 26, 2004
(Inception) through
September 30,
2008
     2008    2007   

Operating activities

        

Net loss

   $ (43,062,746)    $ (37,480,722)    $ (157,492,090)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

  

Depreciation

     392,708       384,434       1,175,417 

Loss on disposal of assets

     28,766       -         65,800 

Stock-based compensation

     4,475,117       3,065,243       10,951,191 

Non-cash interest expense

     24,929       6,165       269,087 

Amortization of discount on note payable

     198,551       68,832       388,868 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

        

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     445,254       154,902       (556,662)

Accounts payable

     2,310,425       1,267,415       4,014,761 

Accrued liabilities and other liabilities

     (3,736,206)      5,222,163       10,224,549 
                    

Net cash used in operating activities

     (38,923,202)      (27,311,568)      (130,959,079)
                    

Investing activities

        

Purchases of marketable securities

     -         -         (7,450,000)

Maturities of marketable securities

     -         -         7,000,000 

Restricted cash

     134,000       (1,634,000)      (2,733,282)

Purchases of property and equipment

     (1,212,692)      (1,756,704)      (5,981,443)

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment

     195       -         195 
                    

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,078,497)      (3,390,704)      (9,164,530)
                    

Financing activities

        

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     49,147,447       19,838       106,130,615 

Disbursements from repurchase of common stock

     -         (16,075)      (19,075)

Proceeds from sale of preferred stock, net

     -         -         78,933,748 

Borrowings under debt agreements

     -         -         21,955,000 

Principal payments under debt agreements

     (3,475,806)      (1,675,920)      (5,813,816)
                    

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     45,671,641       (1,672,157)      201,186,472 
                    

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     5,669,942       (32,374,429)      61,062,863 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     55,392,921       86,825,526      
                    

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $   61,062,863     $   54,451,097     $ 61,062,863 
                    

Supplemental disclosures

        

Issuance of warrants in connection with loan and security agreement

   $ -       $ -       $ 787,448 

Assets acquired through lease concessions

   $ -       $ -       $ 1,190,530 

Unrealized (loss) gain on investment securities

   $ (125,405)    $ 24,807     $ (120,881)

Cash paid for interest and fees

   $ 1,160,240     $ 546,908     $ 2,192,530 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(a development stage company)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.

The Company

Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in the state of Delaware in May 2004. The Company is a biopharmaceutical company focused on in-licensing, developing and commercializing proprietary product candidates principally for use in the hospital setting. The Company’s primary activities since incorporation have been conducting research and development activities, including clinical trials, of its product portfolio; organizational activities, including recruiting personnel, establishing office facilities; and raising capital to fund these activities. To date, the Company has in-licensed rights to Acetavance™, an intravenous formulation of acetaminophen, and Omigard™, an omiganan pentahydrochloride 1% aqueous gel, both of which are product candidates currently being studied in Phase III clinical trials for which enrollment has recently been completed. Since the Company has not begun principal operations of commercializing either of its product candidates, the Company is considered to be a development stage company as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 7, Accounting and Reporting by Development Stage Enterprises.

 

2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The Company has prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). However, certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed, or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In addition, the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments consisting of normal, recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods presented have been included. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, as included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2008.

Stock-Based Compensation

SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, requires companies to estimate the fair value of stock-based payment award on the date of grant using an option pricing model. The Company currently uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of its stock-based awards. This option pricing model involves a number of estimates, including the expected lives of stock options, the Company’s anticipated stock volatility and interest rates. Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the portion of awards that is ultimately expected to vest and thus the gross expense is reduced for estimated forfeitures.

Compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards was recognized using the straight-line method. The following table summarizes the weighted average estimates the Company used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, to determine the fair value of employee stock options granted during each period:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2008    2007    2008    2007

Risk free interest rates

   3.2%    4.4%    2.9%    4.6%

Expected life in years

   6.0 years      6.1 years      6.0 years      6.0 years  

Expected dividend yield

   0.0%    0.0%    0.0%    0.0%

Expected volatility

   70.0%    66.0%    70.0%    66.0%

 

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Table of Contents

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(a development stage company)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Stock-based compensation expense recognized under SFAS No. 123(R) for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $1,633,597 and $1,208,805, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense recognized under SFAS No. 123(R) for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $4,475,117 and $3,065,243, respectively. Since May 26, 2004 (inception) through September 30, 2008, the Company has incurred $10,951,191 of stock-based compensation expense. The table below summarizes the stock-based compensation expense included in the Company’s statements of operations for the periods presented:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  

Period from

May 26, 2004

(Inception) through

September 30,

     2008    2007    2008    2007    2008

Research and development

    $ 648,128      $ 311,665      $ 1,501,684      $ 865,930      $ 3,306,114 

Marketing

     15,077       13,131       46,042       19,677       80,021 

General and administrative

     970,392       884,009       2,927,391       2,179,636       7,565,056 
                                  

Stock-based compensation expense
included in operating expenses

     1,633,597       1,208,805       4,475,117       3,065,243       10,951,191 
                                  

Total stock-based compensation expense
included in loss from operations

    $   1,633,597      $   1,208,805      $   4,475,117      $   3,065,243      $   10,951,191 
                                  

Fair Value Reporting

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurement. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements, but does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157’s valuation techniques are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect market assumptions. SFAS No. 157 classifies these inputs into the following fair value hierarchy:

 

    Level 1 Inputs –

   Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

    Level 2 Inputs –

   Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable.

    Level 3 Inputs –

   Valuation derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

Currently, all of the Company’s financial instruments are valued using level 1 inputs. The following table presents further detail of the financial instruments carried at fair value on the Company’s condensed balance sheet as of September 30, 2008:

 

Description

   Quoted market
prices in active
markets
(Level 1)
   Internal
models with
significant
observable
market
     parameters     
(Level 2)
   Internal
models with
significant
    unobservable    
market
parameters
(Level 3)
   Total carrying
value in the
condensed
balance sheet

Cash and cash equivalents:

           

Money market funds

    $   58,899,234      $     $     $   58,899,234 

Other assets:

           

Available-for-sale equity securities

     101,119                 101,119 
                           

Total assets at fair value

    $   59,000,353      $     $     $   59,000,353 
                           

 

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Table of Contents

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(a development stage company)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

3.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Financial Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets. FSP FAS 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. The intent of FSP FAS 142-3 is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations, and other applicable accounting literature. FSP FAS 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently reviewing the effects of FSP FAS 142-3 and does not anticipate that the adoption will have a material impact on its financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. SFAS No. 161 amends SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and intends to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 also requires disclosure about an entity’s strategy and objectives for using derivatives, the fair values of derivative instruments and their related gains and losses. SFAS No. 161 is effective for reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early adoption encouraged. The Company is currently does not expect SFAS No. 161 to have a material impact on its financial statements as the Company does not currently hold derivative instruments.

 

4.

Net Loss Per Share

Net loss per share is presented as basic and diluted net loss per share. Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method. For purposes of this calculation, stock options and warrants are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share when their effect is dilutive.

The actual net loss per share amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were computed based on the shares of common stock outstanding during the respective periods. The net loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 includes the effect of the 9,240,307 common shares issued by the Company in the first quarter of 2008 pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement. As a result of the issuance of these common shares, there is a lack of comparability in the basic and diluted net loss per share amounts for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

The following is a reconciliation of the basic and diluted shares for the periods presented:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2008    2007    2008    2007

Shares for basic and dilutive net loss per share:

           

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    38,357,478      29,107,420      36,669,055      29,105,989 

Weighted average unvested common shares subject to repurchase

   (241,415)    (469,464)    (297,783)    (575,680)
                   

Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share

    38,116,063      28,637,956      36,371,272      28,530,309 
                   

For the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, options and other exercisable convertible securities totaling 3,871,153 and 2,825,635 shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation as their effect would have been antidilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, options and other exercisable convertible securities totaling 3,575,533 and 2,774,259 shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation as their effect would have been antidilutive.

 

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CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(a development stage company)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

5.

Comprehensive Loss

The Company has applied SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, which requires that all components of comprehensive income, including net income, be reported in the financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Net income and other comprehensive income, including foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on investments, are reported, net of their related tax effect, to arrive at comprehensive income. The components of other comprehensive loss for the periods presented were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  

Period from

May 26, 2004
(Inception) through
September 30,

     2008    2007    2008    2007    2008

Net loss

   $ (13,748,995)     $ (12,986,435)     $ (43,062,746)     $ (37,480,722)     $ (157,492,090) 

Other comprehensive income:

              

Net unrealized (loss) gain on
available-for-sale investments

     (27,214)       66,019        (125,405)       24,807        (120,881) 
                                  

Comprehensive loss

   $   (13,776,209)     $   (12,920,416)     $   (43,188,151)     $   (37,455,915)     $   (157,612,971) 
                                  

 

6.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment for operations were as follows:

 

     September 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007

Leasehold improvements

   $ 1,580,336     $ 1,580,336 

Computer equipment and software

     590,376       544,273 

Furniture and fixtures

     427,811       421,178 

Manufacturing equipment

     123,303       123,303 

Construction-in-process

     4,306,231       3,213,617 
             
     7,028,057       5,882,707 

Less accumulated depreciation

     (1,097,495)      (743,169)
             

Total

   $   5,930,562     $   5,139,538 
             

For the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company incurred depreciation expense of $133,852 and $131,985, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company incurred depreciation expense of $392,708 and $384,434, respectively. Since May 26, 2004 (inception) through September 30, 2008, the Company has incurred depreciation expense of $1,175,417.

 

7.

Loan and Security Agreement

In February 2006, the Company entered into a $7,000,000 Loan and Security Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Silicon Valley Bank and Oxford Finance Corporation to provide growth capital to the Company. In June 2006, the Company drew down $7,000,000 under the Agreement at a fixed interest rate of 11.47%. In November 2007, the Company amended the Agreement and entered into the Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement (the “Second Amendment”) with the same parties and GE Business Financial Services Inc. (formerly known as Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc.), to secure an additional $15,000,000 credit facility. In December 2007, the Company drew down $15,000,000 under the Second Amendment in two separate draws of $5,000,000 and $10,000,000 with fixed interest rates of 7.83% and 7.74%, respectively, net of a $45,000 loan fee (the “loan fee”). In addition to the principal and interest, the Company is required to pay $375,000 at the termination of the credit facility (the “term loan final payment”). The loan fee and the warrants issued in connection with the loan (as described below), have been recognized as a discount on the loan issuance which, together with the fixed interest rates, will be amortized to interest expense throughout the life of the loan using an effective interest rate of

 

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CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(a development stage company)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

9.56%. The term loan payment is being accrued through interest expense over the life of the loan. All interest payable under the Second Amendment and the full amount of the term loan final payment must be paid upon any prepayment of the loan.

The loans are collateralized by substantially all the assets of the Company (excluding intellectual property). Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company may be precluded from entering into certain financing and other transactions, including disposing of certain assets and paying dividends, and is subject to certain non-financial covenants and prepayment penalties. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, including a Material Adverse Change (as defined in the Agreement), the lenders may declare all outstanding amounts due and payable under the Agreement.

In August 2006, the Company began making the first of six interest-only payments on the $7,000,000 balance of the Agreement and in February 2007, began making the first of 30 equal principal and interest payments. In January 2008, the Company began making the first of six interest-only payments on the $15,000,000 balance of the Second Amendment and in July 2008, began making the first of 30 equal monthly principal and interest payments to fully amortize the balance. At the termination of the $15,000,000 credit facility, the Company will also pay the $375,000 term loan final payment. As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the aggregate principal balance of the loans, net of the loan discount, included on the Company’s condensed balance sheets was $15,836,355 and $19,030,277, respectively.

Warrants

In connection with the Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank and Oxford Finance Corporation, the Company issued two fully exercisable warrants to the lenders to purchase an aggregate of 385,000 shares of the Company’s Series A-2 preferred stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share. These warrants became exercisable for 96,250 shares of the Company’s common stock, at an exercise price of $4.00 per share, upon the completion of the Company’s initial public offering in October 2006. The $313,572 fair value of the warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model, recorded as a discount to the note payable, and amortized to interest expense over the expected term of the loan agreement. The warrants were valued using the following assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 4.57%; dividend yield of 0.0%; expected volatility of 70.0%; and a contractual term of 10 years. In November 2006, one warrant was exercised for 48,125 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $9.45, resulting in 27,754 shares issued on a net exercise basis. In March 2007, the remaining warrant was exercised for 48,125 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $15.04, resulting in 35,325 shares issued on a net exercise basis.

In connection with the Second Amendment to the Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank, Oxford Finance Corporation and GE Business Financial Services Inc., the Company issued six fully exercisable warrants to the lenders to purchase an aggregate of 50,331 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $12.67 per share. The Company determined the fair value of these warrants to be $473,876, using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The value of the warrants was recorded as a discount to the note payable, and will be amortized to interest expense over the expected term of the loan agreement. The warrants were valued using the following assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 3.64%; dividend yield of 0.0%; expected volatility of 70.0%; and a contractual term of seven years. As of September 30, 2008, all warrants related to the Second Amendment were outstanding.

 

8.

Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

In May 2006, the Company entered into a six-year operating lease for 23,494 square feet of office space. The Company received certain tenant improvement allowances and rent abatement and has an option to extend the lease for five years following the expiration of the initial term. Monthly rental payments are adjusted on an annual basis and the lease expires in September 2012. As security for the lease, a letter of credit in the initial amount of $1,581,130 was required by the landlord. The letter of credit is collateralized by a certificate of deposit in the same amount that is classified as restricted cash in the Company’s balance sheet. The required amount subject to the letter of credit and corresponding certificate of deposit may be reduced by 22% on each of the first four anniversaries of the commencement of the lease. During the fourth quarter of 2007, the letter of credit was reduced by $347,848 in accordance with the agreement and the related restricted cash was adjusted by a like amount.

In January 2007, the Company entered into a sublease agreement for a portion of its unused office space, to be in effect through the third quarter of 2009. Rent expense, net of sublease rent income, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $144,857 and $137,581, respectively. Rent expense, net of sublease rent income, for the nine months ended

 

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CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(a development stage company)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $423,950 and $438,490, respectively. Since May 26, 2004 (inception) through September 30, 2008, the Company has incurred total net rent expense of $2,001,818.

Supply Agreement

On July 18, 2007, the Company entered into a development and supply agreement with Baxter Healthcare Corporation (“Baxter”) for the completion of pre-commercialization manufacturing development activities and the manufacture of commercial supplies of the finished drug product for Acetavance. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement with Baxter, Baxter is entitled to receive development fees from the Company upon the completion of specified development activities, which the Company expenses as these costs are being incurred. In addition, Baxter will receive a set manufacturing fee based on the amount of the finished Acetavance drug product produced, which prices may be adjusted by Baxter, subject to specified limitations. The Company is also obligated to purchase a minimum number of units each year following regulatory approval, or pay Baxter an amount equal to the per-unit purchase price multiplied by the amount of the shortfall. Further, the Company is obligated to reimburse Baxter for all reasonable costs directly related to work performed by Baxter in support of any change in the active pharmaceutical ingredient (“API”) source or API manufacturing process.

The agreement with Baxter also requires the Company to fund specified improvements at Baxter’s manufacturing facility and purchase certain equipment for use by Baxter in manufacturing Acetavance. As of September 30, 2008, the Company has reimbursed Baxter for a portion of the facility improvements and has expensed the costs as they have been incurred. The equipment purchased for the manufacturing of Acetavance to which the Company retains title are being capitalized and will be amortized over the life of the equipment. At the time of termination, the agreement requires the Company to reimburse Baxter for all reasonable costs for the de-installation of the Company’s equipment and the restoration of Baxter’s manufacturing facility to its pre-installation condition. The Company is not able to reasonably estimate the cost and the timing of these expenses at this time and therefore cannot reasonably estimate the fair value of the retirement obligation.

In anticipation of the execution of the agreement with Baxter, the Company entered into an irrevocable standby letter of credit in favor of Baxter in January 2007. The letter of credit was for an initial amount of $3,268,000 and was based on anticipated costs to be incurred by Baxter for the improvements at Baxter’s manufacturing facility and the purchase of equipment to be used by Baxter in the manufacturing of the finished drug product. Under the terms of the agreement, the amount of the letter of credit may be reduced on a quarterly basis following the execution of the agreement for the costs the Company has reimbursed Baxter to fund the specified facility improvements or equipment purchases. As of September 30, 2008, at the request of the Company and based upon the costs reimbursed to Baxter by the Company, the letter of credit had been reduced by $1,768,000 to $1,500,000. The letter of credit in favor of Baxter is collateralized by a certificate of deposit which may be drawn down in part or in whole by Baxter in the event the Company fails to perform its obligations to fund the specified facility improvements or equipment purchases. As of September 30, 2008, the certificate of deposit had been reduced to $1,500,000 in accordance with the reduction in the letter of credit.

License Agreements and Acquired Development and Commercialization Rights

In July 2004, the Company in-licensed from Migenix, Inc. (“Migenix”) the technology and the exclusive development and commercialization rights to its omiganan pentahydrochloride product candidate for the prevention and treatment of device-related, wound-related and burn-related infections in North America and Europe. At the time the agreement was executed, the Company paid a $2,000,000 up-front fee, of which $1,550,000 was allocated to the value of the acquired technology and $450,000 was recorded as other long-term assets in the accompanying condensed balance sheet for the 617,284 shares of Migenix common stock acquired in the transaction. The Company may also be required to make future milestone payments totaling up to $27,000,000 upon the achievement of various milestones related to regulatory or commercial events. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay a royalty on future net sales (as defined in the Migenix collaboration and license agreement) of the licensed products and has the right to grant sublicenses to affiliates. All payments related to the Migenix agreement (other than for the acquisition of common stock) have been recognized as research and development expense.

In March 2006, the Company in-licensed the technology and the exclusive development and commercialization rights to its Acetavance product candidate in the U.S. and Canada from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (“BMS”). BMS sublicensed these rights to the Company under a license agreement with SCR Pharmatop S.A. As consideration for the license, the Company paid a $25,000,000 up-front fee, and may be required to make future milestone payments totaling up to

 

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CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(a development stage company)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

$40,000,000 upon the achievement of various milestones related to regulatory or commercial events. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay a royalty on net sales of the licensed products and has the right to grant sublicenses to third parties. All payments related to the BMS agreement have been recognized as research and development expense.

 

9.

Stockholder’s Equity

Shelf Registration

On November 30, 2007, the Company filed a shelf registration statement that was declared effective by the SEC on December 11, 2007. This shelf registration statement allows the Company to sell shares of its common stock from time to time in one or more offerings, with an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000. In February 2008, the Company issued 9,240,307 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $5.34 per share pursuant to the shelf registration. The registered direct offering raised proceeds, net of offering costs, of $49,139,017. The purchasers in the offering were comprised of new investors and existing stockholders, including executive officers and directors of the Company.

 

10.

Income Taxes

The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions. The Company’s tax years for 2004 and forward are subject to examination by the Federal and California tax authorities due to the carryforward of unutilized net operating losses and research and development credits. The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had no accrued interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in the Company’s condensed balance sheets at September 30, 2008 or December 31, 2007, and has recognized no interest and/or penalties in the Company’s condensed statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) 48, Accounting for Income Tax Uncertainties, on January 1, 2007. On the date of adoption of FIN No. 48, there were no unrecognized tax benefits and thus the Company did not recognize an increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. Further, there are no unrecognized tax benefits included in the Company’s condensed balance sheets at September 30, 2008 or December 31, 2007, respectively.

 

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

Introduction

The following discussion contains forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth below under the caption “Risk Factors.” The interim financial statements and this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of  Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of  Operations, both of which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Overview

We are a biopharmaceutical company focused on in-licensing, developing and commercializing proprietary product candidates principally for use in the hospital setting. Since our inception in May 2004, we have in-licensed rights to two product candidates, both of which are currently being studied in Phase III clinical trials. We have in-licensed the exclusive U.S. and Canadian rights to Acetavance™, an intravenous formulation of acetaminophen that is currently marketed in Europe and several other markets by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, or BMS, for the treatment of acute pain and fever under the brand name Perfalgan®. We have also in-licensed the exclusive North American and European rights to omiganan pentahydrochloride 1% aqueous gel, or OmigardTM, for the prevention and treatment of device-related, surgical wound-related and burn-related infections. We believe that the hospital setting is a concentrated, underserved market for pharmaceuticals and anticipate building our own, hospital-focused sales force as our product candidates approach potential U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, approval. We intend to build a leading franchise in the hospital setting, continuing to focus on products that are in late stages of development, currently commercialized outside the U.S., or approved in the U.S. but with significant commercial potential for proprietary new uses or formulations.

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in May 2004. Our principal executive offices are located at 12481 High Bluff Drive, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92130 and our telephone number is (858) 436-1400. Information about the company is also available at our website at www.cadencepharm.com, which includes links to reports we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. The contents of our website are not incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Background

We were incorporated in May 2004 and during that year we focused on hiring our management team and initial operating employees and on in-licensing our first product candidate, Omigard. Substantial operations did not commence until September 2004. During 2005, we completed the special protocol assessment, or SPA, for Omigard, and initiated Phase III clinical trials for this product candidate. In March 2006, we in-licensed rights to Acetavance from BMS and in October 2006, we initiated our Phase III clinical development program for Acetavance. During 2007, we continued our Phase III clinical development programs for our product candidates. We completed enrollment in our Phase III clinical trial of Omigard in April 2008 and are currently engaged in discussions with the FDA regarding the statistical analysis plan for the trial. We expect to announce top-line results for this trial in the first quarter of 2009. If the results of the trial are positive, we expect to submit a new drug application, or NDA, to the FDA for Omigard in the second quarter of 2009. In July 2008, we announced that we received advice from the FDA that our clinical development plan for Acetavance, which includes two completed, pivotal efficacy clinical trials, two pharmacokinetic trials, and two safety trials, as well as other supportive studies by Cadence, BMS, or reported in scientific and medical literature, is sufficient to serve as the basis for submission of a 505(b)(2) NDA for Acetavance. We have completed enrollment in all of these studies, with the exception of the pediatric safety study, and we anticipate completing enrollment in this remaining study in the fourth quarter of 2008. Assuming the successful completion of our clinical development plan and manufacturing development activities for Acetavance, we currently plan to submit an NDA to the FDA in the second quarter of 2009.

We are a development stage company and we have incurred significant net losses since our inception. As of September 30, 2008, we had an accumulated deficit of $157.5 million. These losses have resulted principally from costs incurred in connection with research and development activities, including license fees, costs of clinical trial activities associated with our current product candidates and general and administrative expenses. We expect to continue to incur operating losses for the next several years as we pursue the clinical development and market launch of our product candidates and acquire or in-license additional products, technologies or businesses that are complementary to our own.

In October 2006, we completed an initial public offering in which we sold 6.0 million shares of our common stock at $9.00 per share and received aggregate net proceeds of $48.4 million (after underwriting discounts and offering costs). In November 2006, following exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, we sold 0.9 million shares of our common

 

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stock at $9.00 per share and received aggregate net proceeds of $7.5 million (after underwriting discounts). In February 2008, we completed a registered direct offering pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement under which we issued and sold 9.2 million shares of common stock at $5.34 per share and received aggregate net proceeds of approximately $49.1 million (after offering costs).

Revenues

We have not generated any revenues to date, and we do not expect to generate any revenues from licensing, achievement of milestones or product sales until we are able to commercialize our product candidates ourselves or execute a collaboration arrangement with a third party.

Research and Development Expenses

Our research and development expenses consist primarily of license fees, salaries and related employee benefits, costs associated with clinical trials managed by our contract research organizations, or CROs, costs associated with non-clinical activities, such as regulatory expenses, and pre-commercialization manufacturing development activities. Our most significant costs are for clinical trials and license fees. The clinical trial expenses include payments to vendors such as CROs, investigators, clinical suppliers and related consultants. License fees are paid to the patent holders of our product candidates that give us the exclusive licenses to the patent rights and know-how for selected indications and territories. We may be required to make future milestone payments totaling up to $67.0 million for our product candidates.

Our historical research and development expenses relate predominantly to the in-licensing of Acetavance and Omigard and the related clinical trials for these product candidates. We expense all research and development charges as they are incurred as the underlying technology associated with these expenditures relates to our research and development efforts and has no alternative future uses. We use external service providers and vendors to conduct our clinical trials, to manufacture our product candidates to be used in clinical trials and to provide various other research and development related products and services. A substantial portion of these external costs are tracked on a project basis. Our internal research and development resources are used in several projects and may not be attributable to a specific product candidate. For example, a substantial portion of our internal costs, including personnel and facility related costs, is not tracked on a project basis.

The following table summarizes our research and development expenses included in our condensed statements of operations by project for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and for the period from May 26, 2004 (inception) through September 30, 2008. Costs that are not attributable to a specific product candidate, including salaries and related personnel costs, are included in the “other supporting costs” category (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  

Period from

May 26, 2004

(Inception) through

September 30,

     2008    2007    2008    2007    2008

Acetavance

    $ 4,773      $ 4,382      $ 12,246      $ 11,442      $ 54,405  

Omigard

     2,512       4,273       12,844       14,473       53,831  

Other supporting costs

     2,957       1,698       7,373       5,435       21,845  
                                  
    $     10,242      $     10,353      $     32,463      $     31,350      $ 130,081  
                                  

At this time, due to the risks inherent in the clinical trial process and given the early stage of our product development programs, we are unable to estimate with any certainty the costs we will incur in the continued development of our product candidates for potential commercialization. Clinical development timelines, the probability of success and development costs vary widely. While we are currently focused on advancing each of our product development programs, our future research and development expenses will depend on the determinations we make as to the scientific and clinical success of each product candidate, as well as ongoing assessments as to each product candidate’s commercial potential. In addition, we cannot forecast with any degree of certainty which product candidates will be subject to future collaborations, when such arrangements will be secured, if at all, and to what degree such arrangements would affect our development plans and capital requirements.

We expect our development expenses to decrease over the next few years due to the significant completion of our existing clinical development programs. We initiated our Phase III clinical trial for Omigard in August 2005, completed enrollment in April 2008, and expect to announce top-line results of this clinical trial in the first quarter of 2009. If the results of the trial are positive, we expect to submit an NDA to the FDA for Omigard in the second quarter of 2009. In July 2008, we announced that we received advice from the FDA that our clinical development plan for Acetavance, which includes two pivotal efficacy clinical trials, two pharmacokinetic trials, and two safety trials, as well as other supportive studies conducted

 

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by Cadence, BMS or reported in scientific and medical literature, is sufficient to serve as the basis for submission of a 505(b)(2) NDA for Acetavance. We have completed enrollment in all of these studies, with the exception of the pediatric safety study, and we anticipate completing enrollment in this remaining study in the fourth quarter of 2008. Assuming the successful completion of our clinical development plan and manufacturing development activities for Acetavance, we currently plan to submit an NDA to the FDA in the second quarter of 2009.

Marketing

Our marketing expenses consist primarily of market research studies and pre-launch marketing activities, salaries, benefits and professional fees related to building our marketing capabilities. We anticipate substantial increases in marketing expenses as we continue to develop and prepare for the potential commercialization of our product candidates, including the addition of marketing and hospital-focused sales personnel to market our products to physicians, nurses, group purchasing organizations and third-party payors.

General and Administrative

Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, benefits and professional fees related to our administrative, finance, human resources, legal, business development and internal systems support functions, as well as insurance and facility costs. We anticipate increases in general and administrative expenses as we continue to build our corporate infrastructure in support of our continued development and preparation for the potential commercialization of our product candidates.

Interest and Other Income and Expense

Our interest income consists primarily of interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Interest expense is primarily the interest we have incurred under our amended loan and security agreement. Other expense includes charges we have incurred to recognize other-than-temporary declines in the market value of our available-for-sale securities, losses we have recognized on the disposal of equipment and the gains or losses recognized on transactions denominated in foreign currencies.

Income Taxes

We adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, or FIN No. 48, on January 1, 2007. FIN No. 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attributes for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. Under FIN No. 48, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Additionally, FIN No. 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

As of January 1, 2008, we had both federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $81.6 million. If not utilized, the net operating loss carryforwards will begin expiring in 2024 for federal purposes and 2014 for state purposes. Additionally, as of January 1, 2008, we had both federal and state research and development tax credit carryforwards of approximately $1.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The federal tax credits will begin expiring in 2024 unless previously utilized and the state tax credits carryforward indefinitely. Under Section 382/383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Internal Revenue Code, substantial changes in our ownership may limit the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that could be utilized annually in the future to offset taxable income and any such annual limitation may significantly reduce the utilization of the net operating losses before they expire. We have not completed a Section 382/383 study at this time regarding the limitation of net operating loss and research and development credit carryforwards. Until this analysis has been completed, we have removed the deferred tax assets for net operating losses of approximately $33.3 million and research and development credits of approximately $2.0 million and recorded a corresponding decrease to our valuation allowance. Once the analysis is completed, we plan to update our unrecognized tax benefits under FIN No. 48, however we do not expect this analysis to be completed within the next 12 months and, as a result, we do not expect that the unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next 12 months. However, due to the existence of the valuation allowance, future changes in our unrecognized tax benefits will not impact our effective tax rate.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., or GAAP, requires us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Some of our accounting policies require us to make difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The following accounting policies involve critical accounting estimates because they are particularly dependent on estimates and assumptions made by management about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimates are made. In addition, while we have used our best estimates based on facts and circumstances available to us at the time, different estimates reasonably could have been used. Changes in the accounting estimates we use are reasonably likely to occur from time to time, which may have a material impact on the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations.

Our most critical accounting estimates include our recognition of research and development expenses, which impacts operating expenses and accrued liabilities; and stock-based compensation which impacts operating expenses. We also have other policies that we consider to be key accounting policies, such as our policies for the assessment of recoverability of long-lived assets; deferred income tax assets and liabilities; and our reserves for commitments and contingencies; however, these policies either do not meet the definition of critical accounting estimates described above or are not currently material items in our financial statements. We review our estimates, judgments, and assumptions periodically and reflect the effects of revisions in the period in which they are deemed to be necessary. We believe that these estimates are reasonable; however, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Research and Development Expenses

A substantial portion of our ongoing research and development activities is performed under agreements we enter into with external service providers, including CROs, which conduct many of our research and development activities. We accrue for costs incurred under these contracts based on factors such as estimates of work performed, milestones achieved, patient enrollment and experience with similar contracts. As actual costs become known, we adjust our accruals. To date, our accruals have been within management’s estimates. Subsequent changes in estimates may result in a change in our accruals, which could also materially affect our results of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, which revises SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation and supersedes Accounting Principles Board, or APB, Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Under SFAS No. 123(R), we calculate the fair value of our stock-based compensation awards to our employees and directors using the Black-Scholes pricing model. This model requires a number of estimates to be used in determining the fair value, including the expected lives of awards, interest rates, stock volatility and other assumptions. A change in any of the estimates used in the model, or the selection of a different option pricing model, could have a material impact on our operations. Equity instruments issued to non-employees are recorded at their fair value as determined in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R) and Emerging Issues Task Force 96-18, Accounting for Equity Instruments That are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling Goods and Services, and are periodically revalued as the equity instruments vest and are recognized as expense over the related service period.

 

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The table below summarizes the stock-based compensation expense included in our condensed statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and for the period from May 26, 2004 (inception) through September 30, 2008 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  

Period from

May 26, 2004

(Inception) through

September 30,

     2008    2007    2008    2007    2008

Research and development

    $ 648      $ 312      $ 1,502      $ 866      $ 3,306 

Marketing

     15       13       46       20       80 

General and administrative

     970       884       2,927       2,179       7,565 
                                  

Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses

     1,633       1,209       4,475       3,065       10,951 
                                  

Total stock-based compensation expense included in loss from operations

    $   1,633      $   1,209      $   4,475      $   3,065      $ 10,951 
                                  

As of September 30, 2008, the total future compensation expense related to the current unvested stock options is expected to be approximately $12.4 million.

Results of Operations

Three-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

Operating expenses

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses decreased $0.1 million to $10.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, from $10.3 million for the comparable period during 2007. This reduction can be attributed to the following changes:

 

   

a decrease of $1.8 million in spending under our Omigard program, primarily due to a reduction in clinical trial activity as enrollment was completed for our CLIRS trial in April 2008, partially offset by an increase in pre-commercialization manufacturing development activities;

 

   

an increase of $0.4 million in spending under our Acetavance program, primarily due to additional costs incurred for clinical trial and regulatory activities as we complete our clinical development program and prepare for our NDA filing, partially offset by facility improvement charges incurred primarily in 2007; and

 

   

an increase of $1.3 million in other supporting costs, primarily related to additional salary and related personnel costs from the increase in our research and development staff employed during the current period, combined with severance costs associated with the departure of an officer during the three months ended September 30, 2008.

Marketing Expenses. Marketing expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2008 were $0.7 million, consistent with the three months ended September 30, 2007.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 to $2.8 million, from $2.6 million for the comparable period during 2007. This increase was primarily due to increases in salaries and related personnel costs from an increase in staff employed during the three months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007, partially offset by a reduction in outside services utilized during the 2008 period as compared to 2007.

Other income and expense net

Interest income decreased $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 to $0.4 million, from $0.8 million for the comparable period during 2007. This decrease was due to a lower average yield earned on our investments during the three months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007, partially offset by a higher average cash balance during the three months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. Interest expense increased $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 to $0.5 million, from $0.2 million for the comparable period during 2007. This increase is due to an amendment to our loan and security agreement under which we secured an additional $15.0 million in December 2007, made to us in two separate draws of $5.0 million and $10.0 million with fixed interest rates of 7.83% and 7.74%, respectively. Partially offsetting the increase

 

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in interest expense from the $15.0 million credit facility was a reduction in interest expense incurred on the $7.0 million we secured under our loan and security agreement in June 2006. This reduction is due to the principal payments we have been making on the 11.47% fixed rate loan since February 2007. As of September 30, 2008, we had made 20 of the 30 equal monthly principal and interest payments on the $7.0 million loan and had reduced the outstanding principal balance by $4.4 million, to $2.6 million. In July 2008, we began making the first of 30 equal monthly principal and interest payments on the $15.0 million credit facility to fully amortize the balance and as of September 30, 2008 had made three payments, reducing the balance by $1.4 million, to $13.6 million. The aggregate balance of the loans as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, net of the loan discount, included on our condensed balance sheets was $15.8 million and $19.0 million, respectively.

Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

Operating expenses

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses increased to $32.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, from $31.3 million for the comparable period during 2007. This increase can be attributed to the following changes:

 

   

an increase of $1.9 million in other supporting costs (including $0.6 million of additional stock-based compensation charges) primarily related to increased salary and related personnel costs from additional research and development staff employed during the current period, combined with severance costs associated with the departure of an officer during the third quarter of 2008;

 

   

an increase of $0.8 million in spending under our Acetavance program, primarily related to additional costs incurred for clinical trial and regulatory activities as we complete additional trials and prepare for our NDA filing, partially offset by facility improvement charges incurred primarily in 2007; and

 

   

a decrease of $1.6 million in spending under our Omigard development program, primarily due to a reduction in clinical trial and data analysis activities as enrollment was completed for our CLIRS trial in April 2008, partially offset by an increase in pre-commercialization manufacturing development activities as we prepare for potential commercialization of our Omigard product candidate.

Marketing Expenses. Marketing expenses increased $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $2.2 million, from $1.5 million for the comparable period during 2007. This increase was primarily due to increased marketing activities for both of our product candidates as we prepare for potential commercialization, combined with increased salaries and related personnel costs.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $8.3 million, from $6.8 million for the comparable period during 2007. This increase was primarily due to increases in salaries and related personnel costs (including a $0.7 million increase in stock-based compensation charges) due to an increase in staff employed during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. This increase was partially offset by a reduction in outside services employed during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the same period 2007.

Other income and expense, net

Interest income decreased $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $1.4 million, from $2.8 million for the comparable period during 2007. This decrease was primarily due to a lower average yield earned on our investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007. Interest expense increased $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $1.5 million, from $0.6 million for the comparable period during 2007. This increase is due to an amendment to our loan and security agreement under which we secured an additional $15.0 million in December 2007, made to us in two separate draws of $5.0 million and $10.0 million with fixed interest rates of 7.83% and 7.74%, respectively. Partially offsetting the additional interest expense incurred on the $15.0 million draw is a reduction in the interest expense incurred on our $7.0 million loan, drawn in June 2006 at a fixed rate of 11.47%, as a result of principal payments we have been making since February 2007.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As a biopharmaceutical company focused on in-licensing, developing and commercializing proprietary pharmaceutical product candidates, we have entered into license agreements to acquire the rights to develop and commercialize our two product candidates, Acetavance and Omigard. Pursuant to these agreements, we obtained exclusive licenses to the patent rights and know-how for selected indications and territories. Under the Acetavance agreement, we paid to BMS a $25.0 million up-front fee and may be required to make future milestone payments totaling up to $40.0 million upon the

 

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achievement of various milestones related to regulatory or commercial events. Under the Omigard agreement, we paid to Migenix an aggregate of $2.0 million in the form of an up-front fee, including the purchase of 617,284 shares of Migenix common stock, and may be required to make future milestone payments totaling up to $27.0 million upon the achievement of various milestones related to regulatory or commercial events. Under both agreements, we are also obligated to pay royalties on any net sales of the licensed products.

Our future capital uses and requirements depend on numerous forward-looking factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

the rate of progress and costs of our product development programs for Acetavance, Omigard and any other product candidates that we may in-license or acquire, including milestone payments that may become payable to BMS or Migenix;

 

   

the costs of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims or other intellectual property rights associated with our product candidates, including any such costs we may be required to expend if our licensors are unwilling or unable to do so;

 

   

the cost and timing of completion of an outsourced commercial manufacturing supply for each product candidate;

 

   

the costs and timing of regulatory approvals;

 

   

the costs of establishing sales, marketing and distribution capabilities;

 

   

the effect of competing technological and market developments;

 

   

the terms and timing of any collaborative, licensing, co-promotion or other arrangements that we may establish; and

 

   

the success of the commercialization of our products.

As of September 30, 2008, we had $61.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, an increase of $5.7 million from the $55.4 million at December 31, 2007. This increase was primarily due to net proceeds received from our registered direct offering completed in February 2008 of approximately $49.1 million, partially offset by reductions to our cash and cash equivalents from cash used in operations ($38.9 million), principal payments on our debt obligations ($3.5 million) and the purchase of equipment ($1.2 million) during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

The $38.9 million of cash used in operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 represents an $11.6 million increase from the $27.3 million of cash used in operations during the comparable period in 2007. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the net loss we reported during the applicable period in 2008, adjusted for additional non-cash expenses incurred during the current year as compared to 2007, combined with changes in our outstanding liabilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2007, which more favorably impacted our cash flow during the 2007 period as compared to the same period in 2008. The increase in our net loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 resulted from increased operating activities related to the advancement of our product development programs, reductions in interest earned on our investments from lower average yields and additional interest expense incurred on our increased debt obligations.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, our net accounts payable and accrued liabilities balances increased $1.3 million as compared to December 31, 2007. This increase was primarily due to increased clinical trial activity for Acetavance at September 30, 2008 as compared to December 31, 2007, combined with increased accrued manufacturing costs as we prepare for the potential commercial manufacturing of our drug candidates.

As of September 30, 2008, our net property and equipment balance increased by $0.8 million to $5.9 million, from $5.1 million at December 31, 2007. This increase was due to $1.2 million of capital equipment expenditures, to be used primarily for the potential commercial manufacturing of Omigard and computer software for our information technology infrastructure, partially offset by $0.4 million of depreciation on our assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

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Sources of Liquidity

Since inception, our operations have been financed primarily through the issuance of equity securities, in both public and private offerings. From our inception through September 30, 2008, we have received net proceeds of approximately $184.7 million from the sale of shares of our preferred and common stock as follows:

 

   

from July 2004 to September 2008 (excluding our initial public offering and February 2008 registered direct offering), we issued and sold a total of 2,314,823 shares of common stock to our founders, employees, directors and consultants for aggregate net proceeds of $0.8 million;

 

   

from July 2004 to August 2004, we issued and sold a total of 8,085,108 shares of Series A-1 preferred stock for aggregate net proceeds of $7.5 million;

 

   

from June 2005 to September 2005, we issued and sold a total of 17,675,347 shares of Series A-2 preferred stock for aggregate net proceeds of $17.6 million;

 

   

in March 2006, we issued and sold a total of 53,870,000 shares of Series A-3 preferred stock for aggregate net proceeds of $53.8 million;

 

   

in the fourth quarter of 2006, we completed our initial public offering in which we issued and sold a total of 6,900,000 shares of our common stock for aggregate net proceeds of $55.9 million; and

 

   

in February 2008, we completed a registered direct offering pursuant to an effective shelf registration in which we issued and sold a total of 9,240,307 shares of our common stock for aggregate net proceeds of $49.1 million.

Additionally, in February 2006, we entered into a $7.0 million loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank and Oxford Finance Corporation to provide us with growth capital. We drew down $7.0 million in June 2006 at the fixed rate of 11.47%. In November 2007, we amended the $7.0 million loan and security agreement and entered into the Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement with the same parties and GE Business Financial Services Inc. (formerly known as Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services, Inc.), to secure an additional $15.0 million credit facility. In December 2007, we drew down $15.0 million under the Second Amendment in two separate draws of $5.0 million and $10.0 million with fixed interest rates of 7.83% and 7.74%, respectively, net of a loan fee of less than $0.1 million. In addition to the principal and interest payments under the $15.0 million credit facility, we are required to pay $0.4 million at the termination of the $15.0 million credit facility. In February 2007, began making the first of 30 equal principal and interest payments on the $7.0 million loan and, in July 2008, we began making the first of 30 equal monthly principal and interest payments to fully amortize the balance on the $15.0 million credit facility. As of September 30, 2008, we had no further credit available under these agreements.

In connection with each credit facility, we issued warrants to the lenders to purchase shares of our stock. See Note 7 to the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements in Item 1 above for further discussion.

Capital Resources

Our current cash and cash equivalent balances are currently our principal sources of liquidity. As of September 30, 2008 we believe our cash and cash equivalent balances will satisfy our requirements for projected working capital, capital expenditures and debt servicing for the next twelve months. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could spend our available financial resources faster than we currently expect. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to the rate of progress and cost of our clinical trials and other product development programs for Acetavance, Omigard and any other product candidates that we may in-license or acquire. Until we can generate significant cash from our operations, we expect to continue to fund our operations with existing cash resources generated from the proceeds of offerings of our equity securities and our existing borrowings under our amended loan and security agreement. In addition, we may finance future cash needs through the sale of additional equity securities, strategic collaboration agreements and debt financing. However, we have drawn down all available amounts under our existing amended loan and security agreement, and we may not be successful in obtaining strategic collaboration agreements or in receiving milestone or royalty payments under those strategic collaboration agreements. To the extent that we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our existing stockholders’ ownership will be diluted.

We cannot be sure that our existing cash and investment resources will be adequate, that additional financing will be available when needed or that, if available, financing will be obtained on terms favorable to us or our stockholders. As a result of the recent volatility in the capital markets, the cost and availability of credit has been and may continue to be adversely affected by illiquid credit markets and wider credit spreads. Concern about the stability of the markets generally and the strength of counterparties specifically has led many lenders and institutional investors to reduce, and in some cases,

 

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cease to provide funding to borrowers. Continued turbulence in the U.S. and international markets and economies may adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us, or at all. If these market conditions continue, they may limit our ability to timely replace maturing liabilities and to access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs. Having insufficient funds may require us to delay, scale-back or eliminate some or all of our development programs, relinquish some or even all rights to product candidates at an earlier stage of development or renegotiate less favorable terms than we would otherwise choose. Failure to obtain adequate financing also may adversely affect our ability to operate as a going concern. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, substantial dilution to existing stockholders would likely result. If we raise additional funds by incurring additional debt financing, the terms of the debt may involve significant cash payment obligations as well as covenants and specific financial ratios that may restrict our ability to operate our business.

We have invested a substantial portion of our available cash in money market funds placed with reputable financial institutions for which credit loss is not anticipated. The capital markets have recently been highly volatile and there has been a lack of liquidity for certain financial instruments, especially those with exposure to mortgage-backed securities and auction rate securities. This lack of liquidity has made it difficult for the fair value of these types of instruments to be determined. As of September 30, 2008 our holdings consisted of money market funds invested solely in U.S. government agency securities and U.S. treasuries. These funds do not hold auction rate securities. To date, we have not incurred any realized losses on our investment securities.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3 to the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements in Item 1 above for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

Caution on Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or Quarterly Report, includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Our actual results will differ from those anticipated in these forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth below under the caption “Part II., Item 1A. — Risk Factors” and the differences may be material. Forward-looking statements discuss matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, discussions regarding our operating strategy, growth strategy, acquisition strategy, cost savings initiatives, industry, economic conditions, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources and results of operations. In this Quarterly Report, for example, we make forward-looking statements regarding the potential for Acetavance and Omigard to receive regulatory approval for one or more indications on a timely basis, or at all; the progress and results of pending clinical trials for Acetavance and Omigard, including any delays in commencing or completing enrollment in our ongoing clinical trials; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of Acetavance or Omigard that could delay or prevent regulatory approval or commercialization, or that could result in recalls or product liability claims; other difficulties or delays in development, testing, manufacturing and marketing of and obtaining regulatory approval for Acetavance or Omigard; the scope and validity of patent protection for Acetavance or Omigard; the market potential for pain, fever, local catheter site infections and other target markets, and our ability to compete; the potential to attract a strategic collaborator and terms of any related transaction; intense competition if either of Acetavance or Omigard is ever commercialized; and our ability to raise sufficient capital when needed, or at all. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in Section 21E of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should not rely unduly on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Our cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2008 consisted of cash and money market funds invested solely in U.S. government agency securities and U.S. treasuries. The funds in which we invest have not incurred losses on their investments, nor have they imposed limits or restrictions on redemptions. Further, these funds have enrolled in the U.S. Treasury’s Temporary Guarantee Program for Money Market Funds, protecting the principal value held in the funds. Our primary exposure to market risk is interest income sensitivity, which is affected by changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates. The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while at the same time maximizing the income we receive without significantly increasing risk. Some of the investment securities available-for-sale that we may invest in could be subject to market risk. This means that a change in prevailing interest rates may cause the

 

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value of the investment securities available-for-sale to fluctuate. For example, if we purchase a security that was issued with a fixed interest rate and the prevailing interest rate later rises, the value of that security will probably decline. To minimize this risk, we intend to maintain a portfolio of cash equivalents and investment securities available-for-sale in a variety of securities which may include money market funds, government and non-government debt securities and commercial paper, all with various maturity dates. Based on our current investment portfolio, we do not believe that our results of operations would be materially impacted by an immediate 10% change in interest rates.

Recently, there has been concern in the credit markets regarding the value of a variety of mortgage-backed and auction rate securities and the resultant effect on various securities markets. Our cash is invested in accordance with an investment policy approved by our board of directors which specifies the categories, allocations, and ratings of securities we may consider for investment. We do not believe our cash, cash equivalents and investment securities have significant risk of default or illiquidity. We made this determination based on discussions with our investment advisors and a review of our holdings. Our money market accounts are invested solely in U.S. government agency securities and U.S. treasuries. While we believe our cash, cash equivalents and investment securities do not contain excessive risk, we cannot provide absolute assurance that in the future our investments will not be subject to adverse changes in market value.

Debt

The loans under our amended loan and security agreement have fixed interest rates. Consequently, we do not have significant interest rate cash flow exposure on our debt. The aggregate principal balance of the loans, net of the loan discount, under the agreement at September 30, 2008 was $15.8 million, and is collateralized by substantially all of our assets (excluding intellectual property). Under the terms of the agreement, we are precluded from entering into certain financing and other transactions, including disposing of certain assets and paying dividends, and are subject to various non-financial covenants and prepayment penalties.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. As required by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 13a-15(b), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on the foregoing, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Not applicable.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Certain factors may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and you should carefully consider them. Accordingly, in evaluating our business, we encourage you to consider the following discussion of risk factors, which has been updated since the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, in its entirety, in addition to other information contained in this report as well as our other public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

In the near-term, the success of our business will depend on many factors, including the following risks:

 

   

we are largely dependent on the success of our only two product candidates, Acetavance and Omigard, and we cannot be certain that our clinical development programs will be successful, or sufficient to support new drug applications, or NDAs, or that either product candidate will receive regulatory approval or be successfully commercialized;

 

   

the outcomes of final analyses of data from our clinical trials of Acetavance or Omigard may vary from our initial analyses, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, may not agree with our interpretation of these results;

 

   

our clinical trials of Acetavance or Omigard may produce negative or inconclusive results, or may be inconsistent with previous clinical trial results, and we may decide, or the FDA may require us, to perform additional analyses, collect more data, or conduct additional clinical trials in order to obtain regulatory approvals;

 

   

if quality issues arise during the completion of required pre-commercialization manufacturing development activities for our product candidates, or if changes are made in scaling-up the manufacturing processes for our product candidates that result in a lack of comparability between our commercial products and the products tested in our clinical trials, we may be required to perform additional non-clinical or clinical studies, which would cause delays in or limit our ability to obtain regulatory approvals, increase our costs, and result in the loss of potential revenues;

 

   

if our third party manufacturers fail to complete important pre-commercialization manufacturing development activities for our product candidates on a timely basis, including the completion of batches of our product candidates that are required to perform stability studies, or if they fail to comply with stringent regulations applicable to pharmaceutical manufacturers, our costs will increase and we will face delays in our ability to submit applications for regulatory approval of our product candidates;

 

   

unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of Acetavance or Omigard could delay the submission of applications for, or prevent the regulatory approval or commercialization of, our product candidates, or result in recalls or product liability claims against us;

 

   

even if our product candidates are approved by regulatory authorities, the market potential for pain, fever, local catheter site infections and other target markets may be less than anticipated, and we expect intense competition in the hospital marketplace for our targeted indications;

 

   

the patent rights that we have in-licensed covering Acetavance are limited to a specific intravenous formulation of acetaminophen, and our market opportunity for this product candidate may be limited by the lack of patent protection for the active ingredient itself and other formulations that may be developed by competitors;

 

   

we may not be able to maintain patent protection for our products and to commercialize our products without infringing the patent rights of others; and

 

   

we will require substantial additional funding and may be unable to raise capital when needed, which would force us to delay, reduce or eliminate our development programs and commercialization efforts.

Each of these factors, as well as other factors that may impact our business, are described in more detail in the following discussion. Although the factors highlighted above are among the most significant, any of the following factors

 

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could materially adversely affect our business or cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements we have made in this report and those we may make from time to time, and you should consider all of the factors described when evaluating our business.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

We are largely dependent on the success of our two product candidates, Acetavance and Omigard, and we cannot be certain that either of these product candidates will receive regulatory approval or be successfully commercialized.

We currently have no drug products for sale and we cannot guarantee that we will ever have marketable drug products. The research, testing, manufacturing, labeling, approval, selling, marketing and distribution of drug products are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA, and other regulatory authorities in the U.S. and other countries, which regulations differ from country to country. We are not permitted to market our product candidates in the U.S. or in other countries until we receive marketing approval from the appropriate regulatory authorities. We have not submitted an NDA or received marketing approval for either of our product candidates.

Obtaining approval of an NDA is a lengthy, expensive and uncertain process. The FDA has significant discretion in the drug approval process, including the ability to delay, limit or deny approval of a product candidate for many reasons. For example, the FDA may find that data from pre-clinical studies or clinical trials of a product candidate do not provide adequate assurance of its safety and efficacy. The FDA may also not approve the facilities or manufacturing processes used to produce the drug, or may require a company to perform substantial additional pre-clinical, clinical or manufacturing development work prior to granting approval. Additionally, the FDA may change its approval policies or adopt new regulations at any time.

We currently have only two product candidates and our business success currently depends entirely on their successful development and commercialization. We have not developed either of our product candidates independently.

In March 2006, we in-licensed rights to intravenous acetaminophen from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, or BMS, which currently markets this product in Europe for the treatment of acute pain and fever. Later in 2006, we initiated our development program for this product candidate, based on a plan to submit an NDA to the FDA under Section 505(b)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act . Section 505(b)(2) permits the filing of an NDA where at least some of the information required for approval comes from studies not conducted by the applicant, and for which the applicant has not obtained a right of reference. As a result of our interactions with the FDA during 2008, our current clinical development plan for Acetavance includes two completed, pivotal efficacy clinical trials, two pharmacokinetic trials, and two safety trials, as well as other supportive studies conducted by Cadence or BMS, or reported in scientific and medical literature. We have completed enrollment in all of these studies, with the exception of the pediatric safety study, and we anticipate completing enrollment in this remaining study in the fourth quarter of 2008. The data that we plan to submit in support of our NDA for Acetavance from our own clinical trials, and from clinical trials conducted by BMS and others, must be collected, reviewed for quality, and analyzed, and must provide evidence of adequate safety and efficacy in order for the FDA to approve our NDA. Assuming the successful completion of our final clinical trial and our ongoing manufacturing development activities for Acetavance, we currently plan to submit an NDA to the FDA in the second quarter of 2009, requesting marketing approval of Acetavance for the treatment of acute pain and fever in adults and children. Our failure to achieve our product development goals for Acetavance in a timely manner, or at all, could adversely affect our business and our stock price.

In July 2004, we in-licensed the rights to our only other product candidate, omiganan pentahydrochloride 1% aqueous gel, or Omigard, and subsequently reached an agreement under the special protocol assessment, or SPA, process with the FDA concerning the protocol for a single, Phase III clinical trial for Omigard. The SPA process provides a product sponsor with an agreement from the FDA that the design and analysis of the trial are adequate to support the submission of an NDA if the trial is performed according to the SPA; however, such agreements with the FDA remain subject to advances in the field or public health concerns unrecognized at the time of the FDA’s protocol assessment. In April 2008, we completed enrollment in our Phase III clinical trial of Omigard for the prevention of local catheter site infections, or LCSIs. The data from this trial must be collected, reviewed for quality and analyzed, and must demonstrate a positive result before we can submit an NDA to the FDA for the approval of Omigard. In 2008, we initiated discussions with the FDA regarding the statistical analysis plan for this clinical trial, and those discussions currently remain ongoing. Our discussions with the FDA must be completed, and any resulting changes to the statistical analysis plan must be approved by the FDA, before we unblind and analyze the data from this trial. As a result of our ongoing discussions with the FDA, the expected timeframe for announcing the results of this trial has been delayed from the fourth quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009. Any additional delays in completing these activities could delay the submission and review by the FDA of any NDA for this product candidate.

 

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Our clinical development programs for Acetavance and Omigard may not lead to commercial products if our clinical trials fail to demonstrate that our product candidates are safe and effective and, as a result, we fail to obtain necessary approvals from the FDA and similar regulatory agencies outside the U.S. We may also fail to obtain the necessary approvals if we have inadequate financial or other resources to complete our clinical and manufacturing development programs and prepare to submit applications for marketing approval of our product candidates. Any failure to obtain approval of Acetavance or Omigard would have a material and adverse effect on our business.

If clinical trials of our current or future product candidates do not produce results necessary to support regulatory approval in the U.S. or elsewhere, we will be unable to commercialize these products.

To receive regulatory approval for the commercial sale of Acetavance, Omigard or any other product candidates that we may in-license or acquire, we must provide adequate data from well-controlled clinical trials to demonstrate efficacy and safety in humans. Clinical testing is expensive, takes many years and has an uncertain outcome. Clinical failure can occur at any stage of the testing. Our clinical trials may produce negative or inconclusive results, and we may decide, or regulators may require us, to conduct additional clinical and/or non-clinical testing.

For example, Migenix, the licensor for our Omigard product candidate, together with its former collaborator, Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc., or Fujisawa, completed enrollment in a Phase III clinical trial in February 2003 that demonstrated statistically significant results for the secondary endpoints of the trial, the prevention of LCSIs and catheter colonization, which is the growth of microorganisms on the portion of the catheter below the skin surface. However, the trial did not show statistical significance for the primary endpoint, the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections, or CRBSIs. After the termination of the collaboration between Migenix and Fujisawa in January 2004, we in-licensed the rights to Omigard from Migenix in July 2004, and subsequently reached an agreement under the SPA process with the FDA concerning the protocol for our own Phase III clinical trial of Omigard. In connection with the SPA for Omigard, the FDA agreed that a single confirmatory Phase III clinical trial will be required for approval for Omigard and that the prevention of LCSIs will be the sole primary efficacy endpoint, and we initiated this clinical trial, which is called the CLIRS trial, in August 2005. In July 2007, we increased the number of patients to be enrolled in the CLIRS trial from 1,250 to 1,850 patients in order to increase the statistical power of the study. This change was prompted by our planned re-analysis of data from the initial Phase III clinical trial of Omigard, which indicated a statistically significant reduction in the number of LCSIs of 42% in the Omigard treatment arm as compared to the povidone-iodine treatment arm, while the original analysis of data from this trial indicated a statistically significant reduction of LCSIs of approximately 49%. Increasing the number of patients enrolled in this clinical trial required greater financial resources than originally anticipated and delayed the completion of enrollment. Although the FDA agreed with our proposal to increase the number of patients to be enrolled in our ongoing Phase III clinical trial of Omigard, we may still be unable to demonstrate statistical significance or otherwise demonstrate sufficient efficacy and safety to support the filing of an NDA or ultimately lead to regulatory approval. Furthermore, despite having completed the SPA process, the FDA’s agreement with us on the trial protocol and analysis plans for this trial remains subject to advances in the field or public health concerns unrecognized at the time of the FDA’s protocol assessment, and any further changes we may propose to the protocol or analysis plans for this trial remain subject to the FDA’s approval. For example, in 2008, we initiated discussions with the FDA regarding the final statistical analysis plan for this clinical trial, and these discussions currently remain ongoing. Our discussions with the FDA must be completed, and any resulting changes to the statistical analysis plan must be approved by the FDA, before we unblind and analyze the data from this trial. As a result of our ongoing discussions with the FDA, we revised the expected timeframe for announcing the results of this trial from the fourth quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009.

Our clinical development programs are subject to the risk of failure inherent in the development of new drugs, and our clinical trials may not demonstrate the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of our product candidates. For example, in January 2008, we announced that our Phase III efficacy trial of Acetavance for the treatment of pain in adults following abdominal gynecological surgery did not meet its primary endpoint of demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in patients’ pain intensity scores over 48 hours compared to placebo. We are currently analyzing the results of a clinical trial in patients who have undergone abdominal laparoscopic surgery and expect to announce the results of this trial in the fourth quarter of 2008. While data from the abdominal laparoscopic surgery trial are not required to support our planned NDA for Acetavance, the results of this study will be included in our NDA submission, and negative results from this or other clinical trials of Acetavance may delay, limit or otherwise adversely impact our ability to obtain regulatory approval of this product candidate.

The rejection of data from any of the clinical trials required by regulatory authorities to support NDAs for our product candidates will result in increased development costs and could have a material adverse effect on the development of our product candidates. In addition, our failure to adequately demonstrate the efficacy and safety of Acetavance, Omigard or any other product candidates that we may in-license or acquire would prevent receipt of regulatory approval and, ultimately, the commercialization of that product candidate.

 

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Because the results of earlier clinical trials are not necessarily predictive of future results, Acetavance, Omigard or any other product candidate we advance into clinical trials may not have favorable results in later clinical trials or receive regulatory approval.

Success in clinical testing and early clinical trials does not ensure that later clinical trials will generate adequate data to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the investigational drug. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical industry, including those with greater resources and experience than us, have suffered significant setbacks in Phase III clinical trials, even after promising results in earlier clinical trials.

In March 2006, we in-licensed the rights to Acetavance from BMS, which is currently marketing intravenous acetaminophen in Europe and other parts of the world under the brand name Perfalgan. Nine post-operative pain clinical trials have been completed by BMS, mostly in Europe, primarily in support of European regulatory approvals for this product candidate. Although the FDA has advised us that one of these studies, a clinical trial in patients undergoing total hip and knee replacement, may be submitted to demonstrate efficacy of Acetavance in the treatment of post-operative pain, the FDA may reject the results of this study if it determines that the study was not conducted in accordance with requisite regulatory standards and procedures. Furthermore, we have not audited or verified the accuracy of the primary clinical data provided by BMS for this study. Even though BMS has obtained marketing approval in Europe and other territories for intravenous acetaminophen, we must provide the FDA with adequate and well controlled clinical trials in the U.S. to demonstrate Acetavance’s safety and efficacy in specific indications to gain regulatory approval in the U.S.

In January 2008, we announced top-line results of our Phase III efficacy trial of Acetavance for the treatment of pain in adults following abdominal gynecological surgery. This trial did not meet its primary endpoint of demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in patients’ pain intensity scores over 48 hours compared to placebo. As a result, during the first quarter of 2008, we initiated communications with the FDA in order to obtain the agency’s advice regarding our clinical development plan for this product candidate. In July 2008, we announced that we received written guidance from the FDA, confirming that our clinical development plan is sufficient to provide a basis for submission of a 505(b)(2) NDA for Acetavance. The Acetavance clinical development plan includes two completed, pivotal efficacy clinical trials, two pharmacokinetic trials and two safety trials, as well as other supportive studies conducted by Cadence or BMS, or reported in scientific and medical literature. We have completed enrollment in all of these studies, with the exception of the pediatric safety study, and we anticipate completing enrollment in this remaining study in the fourth quarter of 2008. The data we submit to support our NDA for Acetavance from our own clinical trials and from clinical trials conducted by BMS and others must be collected, reviewed for quality, and analyzed before we can submit an NDA to the FDA requesting marketing approval of Acetavance, and the data must provide evidence of adequate safety and efficacy in order to obtain regulatory approval of this product candidate. Any delays in completing the collection, review or analysis of the data from this trial will delay the submission of an NDA with the FDA to obtain regulatory approval for this product candidate. If the results of any of the clinical trials submitted in support of our NDA are unfavorable or raise any concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of Acetavance, we may be forced to conduct additional pre-clinical studies or clinical trials, which would result in additional significant expense and delay. Our failure to achieve our product development goals for Acetavance in a timely manner, or at all, could adversely affect our business and our stock price.

The data collected from our clinical trials or clinical trials conducted by our licensors may not be adequate to support regulatory approval of Acetavance, Omigard or any other product candidates that we may in-license or acquire. Moreover, all clinical data reported is taken from databases that may not have been fully reconciled against medical records kept at the clinical sites. As a result of auditing the data from these earlier clinical trials and completing our standard procedures for summarizing, integrating and performing additional analyses of these studies, the previously reported results may change, which may negatively impact our ongoing Phase III clinical trials, or the suitability of earlier clinical trials for inclusion in applications for marketing authorization of our Acetavance and Omigard product candidates. As a result, despite the results reported by others in earlier clinical trials for our product candidates, we do not know whether any Phase III or other clinical trials that we may conduct will demonstrate adequate efficacy and safety to result in regulatory approval to market our product candidates. Our failure to successfully complete our clinical trials and obtain regulatory approval for Acetavance and Omigard would adversely affect our business and our stock price.

Our Omigard product candidate is not yet approved in any jurisdiction, and no antimicrobial peptide has been approved by the FDA. Two antimicrobial peptides with mechanisms of action similar to Omigard were studied in Phase III clinical trials, but these trials did not successfully achieve their primary objectives. Although Omigard was previously studied in more than 750 patients, all of the patients studied were enrolled in trials conducted or sponsored by Migenix or Fujisawa. We obtained electronic databases from the completed Phase III clinical trials sponsored by Migenix and Fujisawa. As a part of our standard procedure for analyzing data to prepare a final report of the study for a potential NDA or other applications for marketing authorization, we re-analyzed the data using a slightly different, stricter definition of LCSIs. Our re-analysis

 

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indicated a statistically significant reduction in the number of LCSIs of 42% in the Omigard treatment arm as compared to the povidone-iodine treatment arm, while the original analysis indicated a statistically significant reduction of LCSIs of approximately 49%. Because the target sample size for our own Phase III clinical trial of Omigard, called the CLIRS trial, is based, in part, upon the LCSI rate and treatment effect of the original Phase III clinical trial of this product candidate, we determined that adding patients would be prudent in order to maintain the statistical power of the study. In July 2007, we increased the number of patients to be enrolled in the CLIRS trial from 1,250 to 1,850 patients. Increasing the number of patients in this study required greater financial resources than originally anticipated and delayed the completion of enrollment. Our audit and verification of the accuracy of the primary clinical data provided by our licensor and its former collaborator are continuing, and we cannot determine their applicability to our regulatory filings. Although the Phase III clinical trial of Omigard conducted by Migenix and Fujisawa demonstrated favorable, statistically significant results for the prevention of LCSIs and catheter colonization, secondary endpoints in their trial, we may not observe similar results in the CLIRS trial. Furthermore, the earlier Phase III clinical trial failed to show statistical significance for the primary endpoint of that trial, the prevention of CRBSIs. While we will measure the prevention of CRBSIs as a secondary endpoint in our Phase III clinical trial of Omigard, our trial is not designed to demonstrate statistical significance for this secondary endpoint. Although we are targeting a different primary endpoint in our trial, the prevention of LCSIs, it is possible that we will experience similar, unexpected results. Failure to satisfy a primary endpoint in a Phase III clinical trial would generally mean that a product candidate would not receive regulatory approval without one or more further successful Phase III clinical trials.

Recent publicity concerning the safety of certain drug products has resulted in heightened scrutiny by the FDA in the process of approving new drugs, which could delay or limit any regulatory approvals we may obtain for our product candidates.

In light of widely publicized events concerning the safety risk of certain drug products, the FDA, members of Congress, the Government Accountability Office, medical professionals and the general public have raised concerns about potential drug safety issues. These events have resulted in the withdrawal of drug products, revisions to drug labeling that further limit use of the drug products and establishment of risk management programs that may, for instance, restrict distribution of drug products after approval. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007, or FDAAA, grants significant expanded authority to the FDA, much of which is aimed at improving the safety of drug products before and after approval. In particular, the new law authorizes the FDA to, among other things, require post-approval studies and clinical trials, mandate changes to drug labeling to reflect new safety information and require risk evaluation and mitigation strategies for certain drugs, including certain currently approved drugs. It also significantly expands the federal government’s clinical trial registry and results databank, which we expect will result in significantly increased government oversight of clinical trials. Under the FDAAA, companies that violate these and other provisions of the new law are subject to substantial civil monetary penalties, among other regulatory, civil and criminal penalties. The increased attention to drug safety issues may result in a more cautious approach by the FDA in its review of data from our clinical trials. Data from clinical trials may receive greater scrutiny, particularly with respect to safety, which may make the FDA or other regulatory authorities more likely to require additional preclinical studies or clinical trials. If the FDA requires us to conduct additional preclinical studies or clinical trials prior to approving our product candidates, we would face delays in our ability to obtain such approvals. If the FDA requires us to provide additional clinical or preclinical data following the approval of our product candidates, the indications for which our product candidates are approved may be limited, and our efforts to commercialize our product candidates may be otherwise adversely impacted.

We expect intense competition in the territories in which we have rights to our product candidates, and new products may emerge that provide different or better therapeutic alternatives for our targeted indications.

The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are subject to rapid and intense technological change. We face, and will continue to face, competition in the development and marketing of our product candidates from academic institutions, government agencies, research institutions and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. There can be no assurance that developments by others will not render our product candidates obsolete or noncompetitive. Furthermore, new developments, including the development of other drug technologies and methods of preventing the incidence of disease, occur in the pharmaceutical industry at a rapid pace. These developments may render our product candidates obsolete or noncompetitive.

We are developing Acetavance for the treatment of acute pain and fever in adults and children, which will compete with well-established products for this and similar indications. Competing products available for the treatment of pain include opioids such as morphine, fentanyl, meperidine and hydromorphone, each of which is available generically from several manufacturers, and several of which are available as proprietary products using novel delivery systems. Ketorolac, an injectable non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, is also available generically in the U.S. from several manufacturers. Competing products available for the treatment of fever in the hospital setting include acetaminophen administered orally and rectally, aspirin and NSAIDs, which may be administered orally, topically or intravenously. During the time that it will take us to obtain regulatory approval for Acetavance, if at all, we anticipate that several additional

 

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products may be developed for the treatment of acute pain, including other injectable NSAIDs, novel opioids, new formulations of currently available opioids, long-acting local anesthetics and new chemical entities as well as alternative delivery forms of various opioids and NSAIDs.

We are developing our Omigard product candidate for the prevention of catheter-related infections in the hospital setting. If approved, Omigard will compete with well-established topical products that are currently used in practice to prevent these infections, as well as BioPatch, a device marketed by Johnson & Johnson, which has been approved for wound dressing and prevention of catheter-related infections. Additionally, a chlorhexidine-containing, transparent dressing for the prevention of catheter-related infections has also been recently introduced into the U.S. market by 3M Corporation, and other competitive products may also be under development.

Competitors may seek to develop alternative formulations of our product candidates that address our targeted indications that do not directly infringe on our in-licensed patent rights. For example, we are aware of several U.S. and Canadian patents and patent applications covering various potential injectable formulations of acetaminophen, including intravenous formulations, as well as methods of making and using these potential formulations. Furthermore, there are third-party patents covering analogs of omiganan and Migenix has patented analogs of omiganan that are not licensed to us. The commercial opportunity for our product candidates could be significantly harmed if competitors are able to develop alternative formulations outside the scope of our in-licensed patents. Compared to us, many of our potential competitors have substantially greater:

 

   

capital resources;

 

   

development resources, including personnel and technology;

 

   

clinical trial experience;

 

   

regulatory experience;

 

   

expertise in prosecution of intellectual property rights; and

 

   

manufacturing, distribution and sales and marketing experience.

As a result of these factors, our competitors may obtain regulatory approval of their products more rapidly than we are able to or may obtain patent protection or other intellectual property rights that limit our ability to develop or commercialize our product candidates. Our competitors may also develop drugs that are more effective, useful and less costly than ours and may be more successful than us in manufacturing and marketing their products. We expect to face similar competition in our efforts to identify appropriate collaborators or partners to help develop or commercialize our product candidates in markets outside the U.S.

If any of our product candidates for which we receive regulatory approval do not achieve broad market acceptance, the revenues that we generate from their sales will be limited.

The commercial success of our product candidates for which we obtain marketing approval from the FDA or other regulatory authorities will depend upon the acceptance of these products by the medical community and coverage and reimbursement of them by third-party payors, including government payors. The degree of market acceptance of any of our approved products will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

   

limitations or warnings contained in a product’s FDA-approved labeling, including potential limitations or warnings for Acetavance that may be more restrictive than oral formulations of acetaminophen;

 

   

changes in the standard of care for the targeted indications for either of our product candidates could reduce the marketing impact of any superiority claims that we could make following FDA approval;

 

   

limitations inherent in the approved indication for either of our product candidates compared to more commonly-understood or addressed conditions, including, in the case for Omigard, the ability to promote Omigard to hospitals and physicians who may be more focused on an indication specifically for the prevention of CRBSIs compared to the prevention of LCSIs, the primary endpoint in our Phase III clinical trial; and

 

   

potential advantages over, and availability of, alternative treatments, including, in the case of Acetavance, a number of products already used to treat acute pain in the hospital setting, and in the case for Omigard, a number of competitive topical products as well as a device that has been approved for wound dressing and prevention of catheter-related infections.

 

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Our ability to effectively promote and sell our product candidates in the hospital marketplace will also depend on pricing and cost effectiveness, including our ability to produce a product at a competitive price and our ability to obtain sufficient third-party coverage or reimbursement. Since many hospitals are members of group purchasing organizations, which leverage the purchasing power of a group of entities to obtain discounts based on the collective buying power of the group, our ability to attract customers in the hospital marketplace will also depend on our ability to effectively promote our product candidates to group purchasing organizations. We will also need to demonstrate acceptable evidence of safety and efficacy, as well as relative convenience and ease of administration. Market acceptance could be further limited depending on the prevalence and severity of any expected or unexpected adverse side effects associated with our product candidates. If our product candidates are approved but do not achieve an adequate level of acceptance by physicians, health care payors and patients, we may not generate sufficient revenue from these products, and we may not become or remain profitable. In addition, our efforts to educate the medical community and third-party payors on the benefits of our product candidates may require significant resources and may never be successful.

The decreasing use of the comparator product in our clinical trial of Omigard and improvements in hospital infection control practices that lower catheter infection rates may adversely impact our ability to demonstrate a statistically significant treatment difference for Omigard and hinder the competitive profile of this product candidate.

Over the last several years, many hospitals, particularly in the U.S. , have increased the use of a particular antiseptic, chlorhexidine, as their standard of care to sterilize catheter insertion sites. Delays in the completion of data analysis for our Phase III clinical trial of Omigard or any studies we may conduct to compare Omigard to chlorhexidine or another topical antiseptic could significantly affect our product development costs, our prospects for regulatory approval and our ability to compete. Furthermore, the decreasing use of 10% povidone-iodine in favor of chlorhexidine could reduce the marketing impact of any superiority claims that we could make following FDA approval. For example, hospitals and physicians may be reluctant to adopt Omigard for use in combination with chlorhexidine antisepsis for the prevention of LCSIs. Additionally, improvements in hospital infection control practices since we commenced enrollment in our Phase III clinical trial of Omigard are reported to have reduced catheter-related infection rates, which may result in the occurrence of an insufficient number of infections to demonstrate a statistically significant treatment difference in this clinical trial. Even if Omigard is approved by the FDA, if this product candidate does not achieve an adequate level of acceptance by physicians, health care payors and patients, we may be unable to generate sufficient revenues to recover our development costs or otherwise sustain and grow our business.

Even if our product candidates receive regulatory approval, they may still face future development and regulatory difficulties.

Even if U.S. regulatory approval is obtained, the FDA may still impose significant restrictions on a product’s indicated uses or marketing or impose ongoing requirements for potentially costly post-approval studies. Any of these restrictions or requirements could adversely affect our potential product revenues. For example, the label ultimately approved for Acetavance, Omigard or any other product candidates that we may in-license or acquire, if any, may include a restriction on the term of its use, or it may not include one or more of our intended indications.

Our product candidates will also be subject to ongoing FDA requirements for the labeling, packaging, storage, advertising, promotion, record-keeping and submission of safety and other post-market information on the drug. In addition, approved products, manufacturers and manufacturers’ facilities are subject to continual review and periodic inspections. If a regulatory agency discovers previously unknown problems with a product, such as adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or problems with the facility where the product is manufactured, a regulatory agency may impose restrictions on that product or us, including requiring withdrawal of the product from the market. If our product candidates fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, such as current Good Manufacturing Practices, or cGMPs, a regulatory agency may:

 

   

issue warning letters or untitled letters;

 

   

require us to enter into a consent decree, which can include imposition of various fines, reimbursements for inspection costs, required due dates for specific actions and penalties for noncompliance;

 

   

impose other civil or criminal penalties;

 

   

suspend regulatory approval;

 

   

suspend any ongoing clinical trials;

 

   

refuse to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications filed by us;

 

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impose restrictions on operations, including costly new manufacturing requirements; or

 

   

seize or detain products or require a product recall.

Even if our product candidates receive regulatory approval in the U.S., we may never receive approval or commercialize our products outside of the U.S.

Our rights to Acetavance are limited to the U.S. and Canada, and our rights to Omigard are limited to North America and Europe. In order to market any products outside of the U.S., we must comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements of other countries regarding non-clinical testing, manufacturing, safety and efficacy. Approval procedures vary among countries and can involve additional product testing and additional administrative review periods. The time required to obtain approval in other countries might differ from that required to obtain FDA approval. The regulatory approval process in other countries may include all of the risks detailed above regarding FDA approval in the U.S. as well as other risks. Regulatory approval in one country does not ensure regulatory approval in another, but a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one country may have a negative effect on the regulatory process in others. Failure to obtain regulatory approval in other countries or any delay or setback in obtaining such approval could have the same adverse effects detailed above regarding FDA approval in the U.S. As described above, such effects include the risks that our product candidates may not be approved for all indications requested, which could limit the uses of our product candidates and have an adverse effect on product sales and potential royalties, and that such approval may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which the product may be marketed or require costly, post-marketing follow-up studies.

We have never marketed a drug before, and if we are unable to establish an effective sales and marketing infrastructure, we will not be able to successfully commercialize our product candidates.

In the U.S., we plan to build our own sales force to market our products directly to physicians, nurses, hospitals, group purchasing organizations and third-party payors. We currently do not have significant internal sales, distribution and marketing capabilities. In order to commercialize any of our product candidates, we must either acquire or internally develop sales and marketing capabilities, or enter into collaborations with partners to perform these services for us. The acquisition or development of a hospital-focused sales and marketing infrastructure for our domestic operations will be expensive and time consuming and could negatively impact our commercialization efforts, including delay any product launch. Moreover, we may not be able to hire a sales force that is sufficient in size or has adequate expertise. If we are unable to establish our sales and marketing capability or any other capabilities necessary to commercialize any products we may develop, we will need to contract with third parties to market and sell our products. If we are unable to establish adequate sales and marketing capabilities, whether independently or with third parties, we may not be able to generate any product revenue, may generate increased expenses and may never become profitable.

We will need to obtain FDA approval of our proposed product names, Acetavance and Omigard, and any failure or delay associated with such approval may adversely impact our business.

Any name we intend to use for our product candidates will require approval from the FDA regardless of whether we have secured a formal trademark registration from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The FDA typically conducts a rigorous review of proposed product names, including an evaluation of the potential for confusion with other product names. The FDA may also object to a product name if it believes the name inappropriately implies medical claims. If the FDA objects to either of the product names, Acetavance or Omigard, we may be required to adopt an alternative name for those product candidates. If we adopt an alternative name, we would lose the benefit of our existing trademark applications for Acetavance and/or Omigard and may be required to expend significant additional resources in an effort to identify a suitable product name that would qualify under applicable trademark laws, not infringe the existing rights of third parties and be acceptable to the FDA. We may be unable to build a successful brand identity for a new trademark in a timely manner or at all, which would limit our ability to commercialize our product candidates.

Our product candidates may have undesirable side effects that could delay or prevent their regulatory approval or commercialization.

If concerns are raised regarding the safety of a new drug as a result of undesirable side effects identified during clinical testing, the FDA may decline to approve the drug at the end of the normal NDA review period and issue a letter requesting additional data or information prior to making a final decision regarding whether or not to approve the drug. The number of such requests for additional data or information issued by FDA in recent years has increased, and resulted in substantial delays in the approval of several new drugs. Undesirable side effects caused by our product candidates could interrupt, delay or halt clinical trials, and could result in the issuance of a request for additional data or information in response to our NDA applications, denial of regulatory approval by the FDA or other regulatory authorities for any or all targeted indications, and in turn prevent us from commercializing our product candidates and generating revenues from their sale. For example, the

 

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adverse events related to Acetavance observed in clinical trials completed to date include transient liver enzyme elevations, nausea or vomiting, allergic reactions, and pain or local skin reactions at the injection site. When used in excess of the current guidelines for administration, acetaminophen has an increased potential to cause liver toxicity. While we do not expect the administration of acetaminophen in intravenous form will result in an increased risk of toxicity to the liver compared with an equivalent dose of acetaminophen administered orally, we cannot be certain that increased liver toxicity or other drug-related side effects will not be observed in future clinical trials, or as a result of sales of the same formulation of intravenous acetaminophen by BMS in Europe and other countries, or that the FDA will not require additional trials or impose more severe labeling restrictions due to liver toxicity or other concerns.

Drug-related adverse events observed in clinical trials completed to date for Omigard have been primarily limited to local skin reactions, including redness, swelling, bleeding, itching, bruising and pain. Although these drug-related adverse events have generally been related to the skin, including the catheter insertion site, we cannot be certain that other drug-related side effects will not be reported in clinical trials that we may conduct or thereafter. Additionally, the same active compound contained in Omigard is currently being developed for the treatment of dermatological diseases and disorders by Cutanea Life Sciences, Inc., or Cutanea, another licensee of Migenix. If Cutanea identifies new side effects or other adverse events related to the compound during its pre-clinical or clinical development activities, regulatory authorities may require us to perform additional non-clinical or clinical testing in order to address such concerns. Such additional testing would add costs and could delay or result in the denial of regulatory approval for Omigard.

If either of our product candidates receives marketing approval and we or others later identify undesirable side effects caused by the product:

 

   

regulatory authorities may require the addition of labeling statements, specific warnings or a contraindication;

 

   

regulatory authorities may suspend or withdraw their approval of the product, or require it to be removed from the market;

 

   

we may be required to change the way the product is administered, conduct additional clinical trials or change the labeling of the product; or

 

   

our reputation may suffer.

Any of these events could prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of the affected product or could substantially increase our commercialization costs and expenses, which in turn could delay or prevent us from generating significant revenues from its sale.

If the government or third-party payors fail to provide coverage and adequate coverage and payment rates for our future products, if any, or if hospitals choose to use therapies that are less expensive, our revenue and prospects for profitability will be limited.

In both domestic and foreign markets, our sales of any future products will depend in part upon the availability of coverage and reimbursement from third-party payors. Such third-party payors include government health programs such as Medicare, managed care providers, private health insurers and other organizations. In particular, many U.S. hospitals receive a fixed reimbursement amount per procedure for certain surgeries and other treatment therapies they perform. Because this amount may not be based on the actual expenses the hospital incurs, hospitals may choose to use therapies which are less expensive when compared to our product candidates. Accordingly, Acetavance, Omigard or any other product candidates that we may in-license or acquire, if approved, will face competition from other therapies and drugs for these limited hospital financial resources. We may need to conduct post-marketing studies in order to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of any future products to the satisfaction of hospitals, other target customers and their third-party payors. Such studies might require us to commit a significant amount of management time and financial and other resources. Our future products might not ultimately be considered cost-effective. Adequate third-party coverage and reimbursement might not be available to enable us to maintain price levels sufficient to realize an appropriate return on investment in product development.

Governments continue to propose and pass legislation designed to reduce the cost of healthcare. In the U.S., we expect that there will continue to be federal and state proposals to implement similar governmental controls. For example, in December 2003, Congress enacted a limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries in the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. Under this program, drug prices for certain prescription drugs are negotiated by drug plans, with the goal to lower costs for Medicare beneficiaries. It is also possible that other legislative proposals will be adopted, particularly in view of the 2008 presidential and congressional elections and the potential agenda of any new administration. In some foreign markets, the government controls the pricing of prescription pharmaceuticals. In these countries, pricing negotiated with governmental authorities can take six to 12 months or longer after the receipt of

 

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regulatory marketing approval for a product. Cost control initiatives could decrease the price that we would receive for any products in the future, which would limit our revenue and profitability. Accordingly, legislation and regulations affecting the pricing of pharmaceuticals might change before our product candidates are approved for marketing. Adoption of such legislation could further limit reimbursement for pharmaceuticals.

If we breach any of the agreements under which we license rights to our product candidates from others, we could lose the ability to continue the development and commercialization of our product candidates.

In March 2006, we entered into an exclusive license agreement with BMS relating to our Acetavance product candidate for the U.S. and Canada, and in July 2004, we entered into an exclusive license agreement with Migenix relating to our Omigard product candidate for North America and Europe. Because we have in-licensed the rights to our two product candidates from third parties, if there is any dispute between us and our licensors regarding our rights under these license agreements, our ability to develop and commercialize these product candidates may be adversely affected. Any uncured, material breach under these license agreements could result in our loss of exclusive rights to the related product candidate and may lead to a complete termination of our product development efforts for the related product candidate.

If BMS breaches the underlying agreement under which we sublicense the rights to our Acetavance product candidate, we could lose the ability to develop and commercialize Acetavance.

Our license for Acetavance is subject to the terms and conditions of a license from SCR Pharmatop to BMS, under which BMS originally licensed the intellectual property rights covering Acetavance. If BMS materially breaches the terms or conditions of this underlying license from SCR Pharmatop, and neither BMS nor we adequately cure that breach, or BMS and SCR Pharmatop otherwise become involved in a dispute, the breach by BMS or disputes with SCR Pharmatop could result in a loss of, or other material adverse impact on, our rights under our license agreement with BMS. While we would expect to exercise all rights and remedies available to us, including seeking to cure any breach by BMS, and otherwise seek to preserve our rights under the patents licensed by SCR Pharmatop, we may not be able to do so in a timely manner, at an acceptable cost or at all. Any uncured, material breach under the license from SCR Pharmatop to BMS could result indirectly in our loss of exclusive rights to our Acetavance product candidate and may lead to a complete termination of our product development and any commercialization efforts for Acetavance.

We rely on third parties to conduct our clinical trials. If the performance of these third parties is substandard, or if they fail to successfully carry out their contractual duties or meet expected deadlines, we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize our product candidates on our anticipated timeline or at all.

We depend on independent clinical investigators, medical institutions and contract laboratories to conduct our clinical trials for Acetavance and Omigard, and other third parties, such as CROs, expert data monitoring committees, and other consultants, to manage the execution of our clinical trials, which includes the collection, monitoring, analysis, evaluation and reporting of data. Although we rely on third parties to perform these tasks, we are responsible for oversight and for ensuring that each of our clinical trials is conducted in accordance with its investigational plan and protocol. The FDA requires us and the third parties that manage the execution of clinical trials on our behalf to fully comply with the protocols for these studies, as well as with applicable regulations and standards, commonly referred to as good clinical practices, or GCPs, for conducting, monitoring, recording, analyzing and reporting the results of clinical trials to ensure that the data and results are scientifically credible and accurate and that the trial subjects are adequately informed of the potential risks of participating in clinical trials. Our reliance on third parties does not relieve us of these responsibilities and requirements. CROs, investigators and other third parties are not our employees, and we cannot control the amount or timing of resources that they devote to our programs. If these third parties fail to devote sufficient care, time and resources to our drug development programs, if their performance is substandard, or if they are inspected by the FDA and are found not to be in compliance with our study protocols or with GCPs, our clinical trials may be compromised, the submission of FDA applications for product approval may be delayed, and we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates.

The third party contractors that execute our clinical trials play a significant role in the conduct of the trials and the subsequent collection and analysis of data. Failure of these third parties to meet their obligations could adversely affect the clinical development of our product candidates. Moreover, these independent investigators, CROs and other third parties may also have relationships with other commercial entities, some of which may have competitive products under development or currently marketed. If these third parties assist our competitors, it could harm our competitive position.

If any of these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or obligations or meet expected deadlines, or if the quality or accuracy of the clinical data is compromised for any reason, our clinical trials may be extended, delayed or terminated, the data from our clinical trials may not be acceptable for inclusion in our regulatory submissions, and we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for Acetavance, Omigard or future product candidates.

 

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If changes made in scaling-up the manufacturing processes for our product candidates result in a lack of comparability between our commercial products and the materials used in our clinical trials, we may be required to perform additional non-clinical or clinical studies, which would increase our costs, delay the submission of our applications for regulatory approvals for our product candidates, result in the loss of potential revenues, and adversely affect our business.

We do not manufacture any of our product candidates, and we do not currently plan to develop any capacity to do so. We rely on third party manufacturers to manufacture and perform important pre-commercialization manufacturing development activities for our product candidates.

Our manufacturers will need to demonstrate that the facilities, equipment and processes used to manufacture our products for potential commercial distribution are capable of consistently producing a product that meets all applicable quality criteria, and that is comparable to the product that was used in our clinical trials. For example, although clinical trials were conducted using product manufactured by BMS, if Acetavance is approved, we plan to purchase this product from Baxter Healthcare Corporation, or Baxter, for commercial distribution. Similarly, our clinical trials for Omigard were conducted using product for which the active pharmaceutical ingredient, or API, was manufactured by one contract manufacturer, while we may purchase the API to manufacture this product for commercial distribution from another manufacturer.

If the FDA determines that any of the changes in manufacturers, facilities, equipment, processes or materials that are made in scaling-up the manufacturing processes for our product candidates resulted in a lack of comparability between the product used in our clinical trials and the product manufactured for commercial distribution, we may be required to complete additional non-clinical studies or clinical trials in order to obtain regulatory approvals for our product candidates, which would increase our costs, result in the loss of potential revenues and adversely affect our business.

If our contract manufacturers fail to complete pre-commercialization manufacturing development activities for our product candidates on a timely basis, including the completion of batches of our product candidates that are required to perform stability studies, or if our manufacturers fail to comply with stringent regulatory requirements, we will face delays in our ability to obtain regulatory approval for, and to commercialize, our product candidates, and our costs will increase.

Manufacturers of pharmaceutical products often encounter difficulties in production, particularly in scaling up initial production. These problems may include unanticipated failures of production equipment, limited availability of critical materials, equipment and facilities, inadequate yields, shortages of qualified personnel, and quality control difficulties. In order to receive regulatory approval to commercialize our product candidates, we will need to provide the FDA with comprehensive information regarding the validation of the manufacturing facilities, equipment and processes of our third party manufacturers. Additionally, our manufacturers must produce specific batches of our product candidates that demonstrate acceptable stability under various conditions and for commercially viable lengths of time. The production of these batches requires complex, highly specialized equipment and materials, and involves the development of new processes and methods that may take a substantial amount of time to implement. Any delays in the availability of stability data, whether due to scheduling issues, equipment or process failures, materials shortages, or other reasons, may cause delays in the submission of applications for regulatory approval of our product candidates, and consequent delays in receiving FDA or other regulatory authority approvals.

Additionally, the FDA conducts inspections of our manufacturers’ facilities from time to time, including as part of its review of any marketing applications we may file. If our manufacturers are not in compliance with cGMP requirements, the approval of our marketing applications may be delayed, existing product batches may be recalled or otherwise compromised, and we may experience delays in the availability of our product candidates for commercial distribution.

If the third party manufacturers upon whom we rely fail to produce our product candidates in the volumes that we require on a timely basis, or to comply with stringent regulations applicable to pharmaceutical drug manufacturers, we may face delays in the development and commercialization of, or be unable to meet demand for, our products and may lose potential revenues.

The manufacture of pharmaceutical products requires significant expertise and capital investment, including the development of advanced manufacturing techniques and process controls. If the commercial manufacturers upon whom we rely to manufacture Acetavance and Omigard, and any other product candidates we may in-license, fail to deliver the required commercial quantities on a timely basis at commercially reasonable prices, we would likely be unable to meet demand for our products and we would lose potential revenues.

We have entered into a development and supply agreement with Baxter for the completion of pre-commercialization manufacturing development activities and the manufacture of commercial supplies of the finished Acetavance. Any termination or disruption of our relationship with Baxter may materially harm our business and financial condition, and frustrate any commercialization efforts for this product candidate. The FDA and comparable international regulatory

 

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authorities must approve the facilities and processes of our contract manufacturers, which may require new testing and compliance inspections, and the new manufacturers would have to be educated in, or independently develop, the processes necessary for the production of our products. If there are delays in obtaining approvals of any new manufacturers, we could experience delays in the availability of our product candidates for commercial distribution.

We are currently negotiating with suppliers for the commercial supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, or API, for Acetavance and for the commercial supply of the API and finished drug product for Omigard. If we need to change to other manufacturers or significantly change the manufacturing processes for our product candidates, we may be required to repeat or perform additional pre-clinical or clinical testing, which could increase our costs and cause delays in our ability to obtain regulatory approvals. Additionally, we may not be able to establish or maintain commercial manufacturing arrangements on commercially reasonable terms for any other product candidates that we may in-license or acquire. All manufacturers of our product candidates must comply with strictly enforced federal, state and foreign regulations, including cGMP requirements enforced by the FDA through its facilities inspection program. These requirements include quality control, quality assurance and the maintenance of records and documentation. Manufacturers of our product candidates may be unable to comply with these cGMP requirements and with other FDA, state and foreign regulatory requirements. We have little control over our manufacturers’ compliance with these regulations and standards. A failure to comply with these requirements may result in fines and civil penalties, suspension of production, suspension or delay in product approval, product seizure or recall, or withdrawal of product approval. If the safety of any quantities supplied is compromised due to our manufacturers’ failure to adhere to applicable laws or for other reasons, we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for or successfully commercialize our product candidates.

Our future growth depends on our ability to identify and acquire or in-license products and if we do not successfully identify and acquire or in-license related product candidates or integrate them into our operations, we may have limited growth opportunities.

We in-licensed the rights to each of our two current product candidates, Acetavance and Omigard, from third parties who conducted the initial development of each product candidate. An important part of our business strategy is to continue to develop a pipeline of product candidates by acquiring or in-licensing products, businesses or technologies that we believe are a strategic fit with our focus on the hospital marketplace. Future in-licenses or acquisitions, however, may entail numerous operational and financial risks, including:

 

   

exposure to unknown liabilities;

 

   

disruption of our business and diversion of our management’s time and attention to develop acquired products or technologies;

 

   

incurrence of substantial debt or dilutive issuances of securities to pay for acquisitions;

 

   

higher than expected acquisition and integration costs;

 

   

increased amortization expenses;

 

   

difficulty and cost in combining the operations and personnel of any acquired businesses with our operations and personnel;

 

   

impairment of relationships with key suppliers or customers of any acquired businesses due to changes in management and ownership; and

 

   

inability to retain key employees of any acquired businesses.

We have limited resources to identify and execute the acquisition or in-licensing of third-party products, businesses and technologies and integrate them into our current infrastructure. In particular, we may compete with larger pharmaceutical companies and other competitors in our efforts to establish new collaborations and in-licensing opportunities. These competitors likely will have access to greater financial resources than us and may have greater expertise in identifying and evaluating new opportunities. Moreover, we may devote resources to potential acquisitions or in-licensing opportunities that are never completed, or we may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of such efforts.

 

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We will need to increase the size of our organization, and we may experience difficulties in managing growth.

As of September 30, 2008, we had 49 full-time employees. We will need to continue to expand our managerial, operational, financial and other resources in order to manage and fund our operations and development activities, prepare for the commercialization of our product candidates, if approved. Our management, personnel, systems and facilities currently in place may not be adequate to support this future growth. Our need to effectively manage our operations, growth and various projects requires that we:

 

   

manage the activities associated with the collection, review and analysis of data from our clinical trial programs for Acetavance and Omigard;

 

   

obtain and manage the substantial additional resources that are required to prepare and successfully file NDAs for both of our product candidates during the first half of 2009, including a significant number of consultants, CROs and other service providers;

 

   

ensure that our consultants, CROs and other service providers successfully carry out their contractual obligations, provide high quality results, and meet expected deadlines;

 

   

continue to carry out our own contractual obligations to our licensors and other third parties; and

 

   

continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures.

We may be unable to successfully implement these tasks on a larger scale and, accordingly, may not achieve our development and commercialization goals.

We may not be able to manage our business effectively if we are unable to attract and retain key personnel.

We may not be able to attract or retain qualified management and scientific and clinical personnel in the future due to the intense competition for qualified personnel among biotechnology, pharmaceutical and other businesses, particularly in the San Diego, California area. If we are not able to attract and retain necessary personnel to accomplish our business objectives, we may experience constraints that will significantly impede the achievement of our development objectives, our ability to raise additional capital and our ability to implement our business strategy.

Our industry has experienced a high rate of turnover of management personnel in recent years. We are highly dependent on the product acquisition, development, regulatory and commercialization expertise of our senior management, particularly Theodore R. Schroeder, our President and Chief Executive Officer, James B. Breitmeyer, M.D., Ph.D., our Executive Vice President, Development and Chief Medical Officer, and William R. LaRue, our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary. If we lose one or more of these key employees, our ability to successfully implement our business strategy could be seriously harmed. Replacing key employees may be difficult and may take an extended period of time because of the limited number of individuals in our industry with the breadth of skills and experience required to develop, gain regulatory approval of and commercialize products successfully. Competition to hire from this limited pool is intense, and we may be unable to hire, train, retain or motivate these additional key personnel. Although we have employment agreements with Mr. Schroeder, Dr. Breitmeyer and Mr. LaRue, these agreements are terminable at will at any time with or without notice and, therefore, we may not be able to retain their services as expected.

In addition, we have scientific and clinical advisors who assist us in our product development and clinical strategies. These advisors are not our employees and may have commitments to, or consulting or advisory contracts with, other entities that may limit their availability to us, or may have arrangements with other companies to assist in the development of products that may compete with ours.

We face potential product liability exposure, and if successful claims are brought against us, we may incur substantial liability for a product candidate and may have to limit its commercialization.

The use of our product candidates in clinical trials and the sale of any products for which we obtain marketing approval expose us to the risk of product liability claims. Product liability claims might be brought against us by consumers, health care providers or others using, administering or selling our products. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against these claims, we will incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

 

   

withdrawal of clinical trial participants;

 

   

termination of clinical trial sites or entire trial programs;

 

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decreased demand for our product candidates;

 

   

impairment of our business reputation;

 

   

costs of related litigation;

 

   

substantial monetary awards to patients or other claimants;

 

   

loss of revenues; and

 

   

the inability to commercialize our product candidates.

We have obtained limited product liability insurance coverage for our clinical trials with a $15.0 million annual aggregate coverage limit and additional amounts in selected foreign countries where we are conducting clinical trials. However, our insurance coverage may not reimburse us or may not be sufficient to reimburse us for any expenses or losses we may suffer. Moreover, insurance coverage is becoming increasingly expensive, and, in the future, we may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect us against losses due to liability. We intend to expand our insurance coverage to include the sale of commercial products if we obtain marketing approval for our product candidates in development, but we may be unable to obtain commercially reasonable product liability insurance for any products approved for marketing. On occasion, large judgments have been awarded in class action lawsuits based on drugs that had unanticipated side effects. A successful product liability claim or series of claims brought against us could cause our stock price to fall and, if judgments exceed our insurance coverage, could decrease our cash and adversely affect our business.

Recent proposed legislation may permit re-importation of drugs from foreign countries into the U.S., including foreign countries where the drugs are sold at lower prices than in the U.S., which could materially adversely affect our operating results and our overall financial condition.

Legislation has been introduced in Congress that, if enacted, would permit more widespread re-importation of drugs from foreign countries into the U.S., which may include re-importation from foreign countries where the drugs are sold at lower prices than in the U.S. Such legislation, or similar regulatory changes, could decrease the price we receive for any approved products which, in turn, could materially adversely affect our operating results and our overall financial condition. For example, BMS markets Acetavance in Europe and other countries principally under the brand name Perfalgan. Although Perfalgan is not labeled for sale in the U.S. and we have an exclusive license from BMS and its licensor to develop and sell Acetavance in the U.S., it is possible that hospitals and other users may in the future seek to import Perfalgan rather than purchase Acetavance in the U.S. for cost-savings or other reasons. We would not receive any revenues from the importation and sale of Perfalgan into the U.S.

Our business involves the use of hazardous materials and we and our third-party manufacturers must comply with environmental laws and regulations, which can be expensive and restrict how we do business.

Our third-party manufacturers’ activities and, to a lesser extent, our own activities involve the controlled storage, use and disposal of hazardous materials, including the components of our product candidates and other hazardous compounds. We and our manufacturers are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of these hazardous materials. Although we believe that the safety procedures for handling and disposing of these materials comply with the standards prescribed by these laws and regulations, we cannot eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials. In the event of an accident, state or federal authorities may curtail our use of these materials and interrupt our business operations.

Our business and operations would suffer in the event of system failures.

Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures. Any system failure, accident or security breach that causes interruptions in our operations could result in a material disruption of our drug development programs. For example, the loss of clinical trial data from completed or ongoing clinical trials for Acetavance or Omigard could result in delays in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data. To the extent that any disruption or security breach results in a loss or damage to our data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we may incur liability and the further development of our product candidates may be delayed.

 

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Risks Related to Intellectual Property

The patent rights that we have in-licensed covering Acetavance are limited to a specific intravenous formulation of acetaminophen, and our market opportunity for this product candidate may be limited by the lack of patent protection for the active ingredient itself and other formulations that may be developed by competitors.

The active ingredient in Acetavance is acetaminophen. Patent protection for the acetaminophen molecule itself in the territories licensed to us, which include the U.S. and Canada, is not available. As a result, competitors who obtain the requisite regulatory approval can offer products with the same active ingredient as Acetavance so long as the competitors do not infringe any process or formulation patents that we have in-licensed from BMS and its licensor, SCR Pharmatop. We are aware of a number of third-party patents in the U.S. that claim methods of making acetaminophen. If a supplier of the API for our Acetavance product candidate is found to infringe any of these method patents covering acetaminophen, our supply of the API could be delayed and we may be required to locate an alternative supplier. We are also aware of several U.S. and Canadian patents and patent applications covering various potential injectable formulations of acetaminophen as well as methods of making and using these potential formulations. For example, Injectapap, a liquid formulation of acetaminophen for intramuscular injection, was approved by the FDA for the reduction of fever in adults in March 1986, although it was subsequently withdrawn from the market by McNeil Pharmaceutical in July 1986.

The number of patents and patent applications covering products in the same field as Acetavance indicates that competitors have sought to develop and may seek to market competing formulations that may not be covered by our licensed patents and patent applications. In addition, the Canadian patent applications that we have in-licensed have yet to be examined by the Canadian Patent Office. Thus, they may issue with claims that cover less than the corresponding in-licensed U.S. patents, or simply not issue at all. The commercial opportunity for our Acetavance product candidate could be significantly harmed if competitors are able to develop an alternative formulation of acetaminophen outside the scope of our in-licensed patents.

The patent rights that we have in-licensed covering Omigard are limited in scope and limited to specific territories.

We have an exclusive license from Migenix for Omigard in North America and Europe for the licensed field, although currently there are issued patents only in the U.S. and certain European countries. Canadian applications are pending; however, the claims that ultimately issue in Canada may be narrower than the protection obtained in the U.S. and Europe or may simply not issue at all. In addition, no patent protection has been sought in Mexico. Accordingly, the manufacture, sale and use of Omigard in Mexico by a competitor cannot be prevented. Furthermore, there are third-party patents covering analogs of omiganan and Migenix has patented analogs of omiganan that are not licensed to us. It is possible that competitors having rights to these patents may develop competing products having the same, similar or better efficacy compared to Omigard.

Furthermore, our license agreement with Migenix only covers the use of Omigard and other formulations of omiganan for the licensed field, which is the topical administration to a burn or a surgical wound site for the treatment or prevention in humans of burn-related or surgery-related infections, and the topical administration to a device or the site around the device for the treatment or prevention in humans of device-related infections, including local catheter site infections and catheter-related blood stream infections. Thus, Migenix or third-party licensees of Migenix may be able to market Omigard for other uses, including treatment of non-surgery related wound infections. We may be unable to prevent physicians from using any such competitive Omigard product off-label for the field licensed to us.

We depend on our licensors for the maintenance and enforcement of our intellectual property and have limited control, if any, over the amount or timing of resources that our licensors devote on our behalf, or whether any financial difficulties experienced by our licensors could result in their unwillingness or inability to secure, maintain and enforce patents protecting our intellectual property.

We depend on our licensors, BMS, SCR Pharmatop, and Migenix, to protect the proprietary rights covering Acetavance and Omigard and we have limited, if any, control over the amount or timing of resources that our licensors devote on our behalf or the priority they place on maintaining patent rights and prosecuting patent applications to our advantage.

Regarding Acetavance, either BMS or its licensor, SCR Pharmatop, depending on the patent or application, is responsible for maintaining issued patents and prosecuting patent applications. SCR Pharmatop is under a contractual obligation to BMS to diligently prosecute their patent applications and allow BMS the opportunity to consult, review and comment on patent office communications. However, we cannot be sure that SCR Pharmatop will perform as required. Should BMS decide it no longer wants to maintain any of the patents licensed to us, BMS is required to afford us the opportunity to do so at our expense. However, we cannot be sure that BMS will perform as required. If BMS does not

 

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perform, and if we do not assume the maintenance of the licensed patents in sufficient time to make required payments or filings with the appropriate governmental agencies, we risk losing the benefit of all or some of those patent rights.

Regarding Omigard, Migenix is responsible for maintaining issued patents and prosecuting patent applications. For patents and applications licensed from Migenix, Migenix is obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and maintain patent rights covering Omigard in North America and Europe. If Migenix intends to abandon prosecution or maintenance of any patents or applications, they are obligated to notify us, and at that time, we will be granted an opportunity to maintain and prosecute the patents and applications at our expense. In such a case, Migenix is required to transfer all necessary rights and responsibilities to facilitate our maintenance and prosecution of the patents and applications. Similar to BMS, however, we cannot be certain that Migenix will perform its contractual obligations as required or that we will be able to adequately assume the prosecution or maintenance of the Omigard-related patents and applications.

Moreover, our licensors may experience serious difficulties related to their overall business or financial stability, and they may be unwilling or unable to continue to expend the financial resources required to maintain and prosecute these patents and patent applications. For example, in May 2008, Migenix announced that it was taking aggressive steps to reduce expenses and raise additional capital required to continue its key development activities and extend its cash position into 2009. In October 2008, Migenix announced that it was implementing additional cost-cutting measures, including a significant reduction in the number of its personnel and the consolidation of its operations at its head office in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Any material adverse impact on Migenix’s overall business or financial stability could result in its unwillingness or inability to secure, maintain and enforce patents protecting our intellectual property.

As part of a financing transaction, Migenix pledged as collateral to its lenders the patents and patent applications covering Omigard. While we believe our license agreement with Migenix would survive any foreclosure on the patents and patent applications covering Omigard, we cannot be sure that the lenders will have adequate expertise or resources to properly perform Migenix’s obligations to us under the license agreement, including maintaining and prosecuting the patents and patent applications.

While we intend to take actions reasonably necessary to enforce our patent rights, we depend, in part, on our licensors to protect a substantial portion of our proprietary rights. In the case of the Acetavance patents, BMS has the first right to prosecute a third-party infringement of the SCR Pharmatop patents, and has the sole right to prosecute third-party infringement of the BMS patents. We will have the ability to cooperate with BMS in third-party infringement suits involving the SCR Pharmatop patents. It is possible that SCR Pharmatop or BMS could take some action or fail to take some action that could harm the SCR Pharmatop patents. In certain instances, we may be allowed to pursue the infringement claim ourselves.

With respect to Omigard, we have the first right to prosecute a third-party for infringement of the in-licensed Migenix patents provided the infringing activities are in North America or Europe and relate primarily to the licensed field of use. Migenix is obligated to reasonably cooperate with any such suit.

Our licensors may also be notified of alleged infringement and be sued for infringement of third-party patents or other proprietary rights. We may have limited, if any, control or involvement over the defense of these claims, and our licensors could be subject to injunctions and temporary or permanent exclusionary orders in the U.S. or other countries. Our licensors are not obligated to defend or assist in our defense against third-party claims of infringement. We have limited, if any, control over the amount or timing of resources, if any, that our licensors devote on our behalf or the priority they place on defense of such third-party claims of infringement. Finally, Migenix is not obligated to defend or assist in our defense of a third-party infringement suit relating to our Omigard product candidate; however, Migenix has the right to control the defense and settlement that relates to the validity and enforceability of claims in the in-licensed Migenix patents.

For a third-party challenge to the SCR Pharmatop in-licensed patents relating to Acetavance, we will have some ability to participate in either SCR Pharmatop’s or BMS’ defense thereof. In the case that neither party elects to defend the third-party challenge, we may have the opportunity to defend it. For a third-party challenge to the in-licensed BMS patents relating to Acetavance, BMS has the sole right to defend such challenge. If it chooses not to defend such challenge, we may have the right to renegotiate or terminate the license regarding the in-licensed BMS patents.

Because of the uncertainty inherent in any patent or other litigation involving proprietary rights, we or our licensors may not be successful in defending claims of intellectual property infringement by third parties, which could have a material adverse affect on our results of operations. Regardless of the outcome of any litigation, defending the litigation may be expensive, time-consuming and distracting to management.

 

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Because it is difficult and costly to protect our proprietary rights, we may not be able to ensure their protection.

Our commercial success will depend in part on obtaining and maintaining patent protection and trade secret protection for Acetavance, Omigard or any other product candidates that we may in-license or acquire and the methods we use to manufacture them, as well as successfully defending these patents and trade secrets against third-party challenges. We will only be able to protect our technologies from unauthorized use by third parties to the extent that valid and enforceable patents or trade secrets cover them.

The patent positions of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies can be highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions for which important legal principles remain unresolved. No consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed in pharmaceutical or biotechnology patents has emerged to date in the U.S. The patent situation outside the U.S. is even more uncertain. Changes in either the patent laws or in interpretations of patent laws in the U.S. and other countries may diminish the value of our intellectual property. Accordingly, we cannot predict the breadth of claims that may be allowed or enforced in our patents or in third-party patents.

The degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is uncertain, because legal means afford only limited protection and may not adequately protect our rights or permit us to gain or keep our competitive advantage. For example:

 

   

our licensors might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by each of our pending patent applications and issued patents;

 

   

our licensors might not have been the first to file patent applications for these inventions;

 

   

others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our product candidates or technologies;

 

   

it is possible that none of the pending patent applications licensed to us will result in issued patents;

 

   

the issued patents covering our product candidates may not provide a basis for commercially viable active products, may not provide us with any competitive advantages, or may be challenged by third parties;

 

   

we may not develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable; or

 

   

patents of others may have an adverse effect on our business.

Patent applications in the U.S. are maintained in confidence for at least 18 months after their earliest effective filing date. Consequently, we cannot be certain that our licensors were the first to invent or the first to file patent applications on either of our product candidates. In the event that a third party has also filed a U.S. patent application relating to our product candidates or a similar invention, we may have to participate in interference proceedings declared by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to determine priority of invention in the U.S. The costs of these proceedings could be substantial and it is possible that our efforts would be unsuccessful, resulting in a material adverse effect on our U.S. patent position. Furthermore, we may not have identified all U.S. and foreign patents or published applications that affect our business either by blocking our ability to commercialize our drugs or by covering similar technologies that affect our drug market.

In addition, some countries, including many in Europe, do not grant patent claims directed to methods of treating humans, and in these countries patent protection may not be available at all to protect our product candidates. Even if patents issue, we cannot guarantee that the claims of those patents will be valid and enforceable or provide us with any significant protection against competitive products, or otherwise be commercially valuable to us.

We also rely on trade secrets to protect our technology, particularly where we do not believe patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. While we use reasonable efforts to protect our trade secrets, our licensors, employees, consultants, contractors, outside scientific collaborators and other advisors may unintentionally or willfully disclose our information to competitors. Enforcing a claim that a third party illegally obtained and is using our trade secrets is expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, courts outside the U.S. are sometimes less willing to protect trade secrets. Moreover, our competitors may independently develop equivalent knowledge, methods and know-how.

If our licensors or we fail to obtain or maintain patent protection or trade secret protection for Acetavance, Omigard, or any other product candidate we may in-license or acquire, third parties could use our proprietary information, which could impair our ability to compete in the market and adversely affect our ability to generate revenues and achieve profitability.

 

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If we are sued for infringing intellectual property rights of third parties, it will be costly and time consuming, and an unfavorable outcome in any litigation would harm our business.

Our ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell Acetavance, Omigard or any other product candidates that we may in-license or acquire depends upon our ability to avoid infringing the proprietary rights of third parties. Numerous U.S. and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications, which are owned by third parties, exist in the general fields of pain treatment and prevention of infections and cover the use of numerous compounds and formulations in our targeted markets. For instance, there is a patent in force in various European countries, with claims that, if valid, may be broad enough in scope to cover the formulation of our Omigard product candidate. It is possible that we may determine it prudent to seek a license to this European patent in order to avoid potential litigation and other disputes. We cannot be sure that a license would be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a patent application corresponding to this European patent was also filed in the U.S. but has been abandoned. There is also a patent application pending in Canada that corresponds to the European patent. Because this patent application has not issued, it is too early to tell if the claims of this application will present similar issues for Omigard in Canada. However, similar to the European patent, if the Canadian patent application issues with a scope that is broad enough to cover our Omigard product candidate and we are unable to assert successful defenses to any patent claims, we may be unable to commercialize Omigard in Canada, or may be required to expend substantial sums to obtain a license to the other party’s patent. While we believe there may be multiple grounds to challenge the validity of the European patent, and these grounds may be applicable to the Canadian application should it issue as a patent, the outcome of any litigation relating to this European patent and the Canadian patent application, or any other patents or patent applications, is uncertain and participating in such litigation would be expensive, time-consuming and distracting to management. Because of the uncertainty inherent in any patent or other litigation involving proprietary rights, we and Migenix may not be successful in defending intellectual property claims by third parties, which could have a material adverse affect on our results of operations. Regardless of the outcome of any litigation, defending the litigation may be expensive, time-consuming and distracting to management. In addition, because patent applications can take many years to issue, there may be currently pending applications, unknown to us, which may later result in issued patents that Acetavance or Omigard may infringe. There could also be existing patents of which we are not aware that Acetavance or Omigard may inadvertently infringe.

There is a substantial amount of litigation involving patent and other intellectual property rights in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries generally. If a third party claims that we infringe on their products or technology, we could face a number of issues, including:

 

   

infringement and other intellectual property claims which, with or without merit, can be expensive and time consuming to litigate and can divert management’s attention from our core business;

 

   

substantial damages for past infringement which we may have to pay if a court decides that our product infringes on a competitor’s patent;

 

   

a court prohibiting us from selling or licensing our product unless the patent holder licenses the patent to us, which it would not be required to do;

 

   

if a license is available from a patent holder, we may have to pay substantial royalties or grant cross licenses to our patents; and

 

   

redesigning our processes so they do not infringe, which may not be possible or could require substantial funds and time.

We may be subject to claims that our employees have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their former employers.

As is common in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, we employ individuals who were previously employed at other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. Although no claims against us are currently pending, we may be subject to claims that these employees or we have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information of their former employers. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.

 

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Risks Related to Our Finances and Capital Requirements

We have incurred significant operating losses since our inception and anticipate that we will incur continued losses for the foreseeable future.

We are a development stage company with a limited operating history. We have focused primarily on in-licensing and developing our two product candidates, Acetavance and Omigard, with the goal of supporting regulatory approval for these product candidates. We have incurred losses in each year since our inception in May 2004, including net losses of $51.7 million, $52.2 million and $7.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. As of September 30, 2008, we had an accumulated deficit of $157.5 million. These losses, among other things, have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on our stockholders’ equity and working capital. We expect our development expenses to decrease over the next few years due to the significant completion of our existing clinical development programs. However, our expenses to support regulatory approval and product manufacturing are expected to increase in connection with activities required to prepare and file NDAs for both of our product candidates during the first half of 2009. Further, we expect to incur increased pre-commercialization expenses during the second half of 2009 as we prepare for the market launch of our product candidates. In addition, if we obtain regulatory approval for Acetavance or Omigard, we expect to incur significant sales, marketing and outsourced manufacturing expenses, as well as continued development expenses. As a result, we expect to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing pharmaceutical products, we are unable to predict the extent of any future losses or when we will become profitable, if at all.

We currently have no source of revenue and may never be profitable.

Our ability to become profitable depends upon our ability to generate revenue. To date, we have not generated any revenue from our development stage product candidates, and we do not know when, or if, we will generate any revenue. Our ability to generate revenue depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, our ability to:

 

   

successfully complete our clinical development programs for Acetavance and Omigard, including the collection, review and analysis of data, in preparation for filing NDAs for both of these product candidates;

 

   

obtain regulatory approvals for one or both of our current product candidates, or any other product candidates that we may in-license or acquire;

 

   

manufacture commercial quantities of any approved product candidates at acceptable cost levels; and

 

   

develop a commercial organization and the supporting infrastructure required to successfully market and sell any approved products.

Even if one or more of our product candidates is approved for commercial sale, we anticipate incurring significant costs associated with commercializing any approved product. We also do not anticipate that we will achieve profitability for at least several years after generating material revenues, if ever. If we are unable to generate revenues, we will not become profitable and may be unable to continue operations without continued funding.

Our short operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects.

We were incorporated in May 2004 and have only been conducting operations with respect to our Acetavance product candidate since March 2006 and our Omigard product candidate since July 2004. Our operations to date have been limited to organizing and staffing our company, in-licensing our two product candidates and conducting product development activities, including clinical trials and manufacturing development activities, for our two product candidates. We have not yet demonstrated an ability to obtain regulatory approval for or successfully commercialize a product candidate. Consequently, any predictions about our future performance may not be as accurate as they could be if we had a history of successfully developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products.

We will need additional funding and may be unable to raise capital when needed, which would force us to delay, reduce or eliminate our product development programs or commercialization efforts.

Developing products for use in the hospital setting, conducting clinical trials, establishing outsourced manufacturing relationships and successfully manufacturing and marketing drugs that we may develop is expensive. We will need to raise additional capital to:

 

   

fund our operations and continue to collect, review and analyze clinical data from our clinical trials to support regulatory approval of marketing applications for our product candidates;

 

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continue our development activities;

 

   

qualify and outsource the commercial-scale manufacturing of our products under cGMP; and

 

   

commercialize our product candidates, if approved by regulatory authorities.

As of September 30, 2008, we believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents, including the net proceeds from our initial public offering completed in the fourth quarter of 2006 and our registered direct offering in the first quarter of 2008, will be sufficient to meet our projected operating requirements for the next twelve months. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong and we could spend our available financial resources faster than we currently expect. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:

 

   

the rate of progress and costs of our efforts to prepare for the submission of NDAs for Acetavance, Omigard and any other product candidates that we may in-license or acquire, and the potential that we may need to conduct additional clinical trials to support applications for regulatory approval;

 

   

the costs of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights associated with our product candidates, including any such costs we may be required to expend if our licensors are unwilling or unable to do so;

 

   

the cost and timing of completion of outsourced commercial manufacturing supplies for each product candidate;

 

   

the costs and timing of regulatory approval;

 

   

the costs of establishing sales, marketing and distribution capabilities;

 

   

the effect of competing technological and market developments;

 

   

the terms and timing of any collaborative, licensing, co-promotion or other arrangements that we may establish; and

 

   

the success of the commercialization of our products.

Future capital requirements will also depend on the extent to which we acquire or invest in additional complementary businesses, products and technologies, but we currently have no commitments or agreements relating to any of these types of transactions.

Until we can generate a sufficient amount of product revenue, if ever, we expect to finance future cash needs through public or private equity offerings, debt financings or corporate collaboration and licensing arrangements, as well as through interest income earned on cash and investment balances. We cannot be certain that additional funding will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If adequate funds are not available, we may be required to delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate one or more of our development programs or our commercialization efforts.

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly.

We expect our operating results to be subject to quarterly fluctuations. Our net loss and other operating results will be affected by numerous factors, including:

 

   

the timing of milestone payments required under our license agreements for Acetavance and Omigard;

 

   

our execution of other collaborative, licensing or similar arrangements and the timing of payments we may make or receive under these arrangements;

 

   

our addition, modification or termination of clinical trials or funding support;

 

   

variations in the level of expenses related to our two existing product candidates or future development programs;

 

   

any product liability or intellectual property infringement lawsuit in which we may become involved;

 

   

regulatory developments affecting our product candidates or those of our competitors; and

 

   

if either of our product candidates receives regulatory approval, the level of underlying hospital demand for our product candidates and wholesalers’ buying patterns.

 

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If our quarterly or annual operating results fall below the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the price of our common stock could decline substantially. Furthermore, any quarterly or annual fluctuations in our operating results may, in turn, cause the price of our stock to fluctuate substantially. We believe that quarterly comparisons of our financial results are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of our future performance.

Raising additional funds by issuing securities may cause dilution to existing stockholders and raising funds through lending and licensing arrangements may restrict our operations or require us to relinquish proprietary rights.

To the extent that we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our existing stockholders’ ownership will be diluted. If we raise additional funds through licensing arrangements, it may be necessary to relinquish potentially valuable rights to our potential products or proprietary technologies, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us. Any debt financing we enter into may involve covenants that restrict our operations. These restrictive covenants may include limitations on additional borrowing and specific restrictions on the use of our assets as well as prohibitions on our ability to create liens, pay dividends, redeem our stock or make investments. For example, in February 2006, we entered into a $7.0 million loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank and Oxford Finance Corporation, and in December 2007, we amended this agreement and secured an additional $15.0 million loan from the same parties and GE Business Financial Services Inc. Our amended loan and security agreement contains contain a variety of affirmative and negative covenants, including required financial reporting, limitations on the disposition of assets other than in the ordinary course of business, limitations on the incurrence of additional debt and other requirements. To secure our performance of our obligations under our amended loan and security agreement, we pledged substantially all of our assets other than intellectual property assets, to the lenders. Our failure to comply with the covenants in the amended loan and security agreement could result in an event of default that, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all or a substantial portion of our debt.

We will continue to incur significant increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives.

As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, or NASDAQ. These rules impose various requirements on public companies, including requiring establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and appropriate corporate governance practices. Our management and other personnel have devoted and will continue to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations increase our legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time-consuming and costly. For example, these rules and regulations make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, our board committees or as executive officers.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires, among other things, that we maintain effective internal controls for financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. As a result, we are required to perform an evaluation of our internal controls over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of those controls, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Additionally, our independent auditors are required to perform a similar evaluation and report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. These efforts to comply with Section 404 and related regulations have required, and continue to require, the commitment of significant financial and managerial resources. While we anticipate maintaining the integrity of our internal controls over financial reporting and all other aspects of Section 404, we cannot be certain that a material weakness will not be identified when we test the effectiveness of our control systems in the future. If a material weakness is identified, we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by NASDAQ, the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources, costly litigation or a loss of public confidence in our internal controls, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of our stock.

Risks Relating to Securities Markets and Investment in Our Stock

There may not be a viable public market for our common stock.

Our common stock had not been publicly traded prior to our initial public offering, which was completed in October 2006, and an active trading market may not be sustained. We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock, and we currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support operations and finance the growth and development of our business and do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, our amended loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank, Oxford Finance Corporation and GE Business Financial Services Inc. restricts our ability to pay cash dividends. Therefore, investors will have to rely on appreciation in our stock price and a liquid trading market in order to achieve a gain on their investment. The market prices for securities of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies have historically been highly volatile, and the

 

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market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. In recent months, the volatility in the overall capital markets has reached unprecedented levels. Since our initial public offering in October 2006 through September 30, 2008, the trading prices for our common stock ranged from a high of $18.55 to a low of $4.84.

Future sales of our common stock may cause our stock price to decline.

Persons who were our stockholders prior to the sale of shares in our initial public offering continue to hold a substantial number of shares of our common stock that they may now be able to sell in the public market. Significant portions of these shares are held by a small number of stockholders. Sales by our current stockholders of a substantial number of shares, or the expectation that such sales may occur, could significantly reduce the market price of our common stock. Moreover, the holders of a substantial number of shares of common stock may have rights, subject to certain conditions, to require us to file registration statements to permit the resale of their shares in the public market or to include their shares in registration statements that we may file for ourselves or other stockholders.

We have also registered all common stock that we may issue under our employee benefits plans. As a result, these shares can be freely sold in the public market upon issuance, subject to restrictions under the securities laws. In addition, our directors and executive officers may in the future establish programmed selling plans under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for the purpose of effecting sales of our common stock. If any of these events cause a large number of our shares to be sold in the public market, the sales could reduce the trading price of our common stock and impede our ability to raise future capital.

We expect that the price of our common stock will fluctuate substantially.

The market price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile and may fluctuate substantially due to many factors, including:

 

   

the results from our clinical trial programs for Acetavance and our Phase III clinical trial of Omigard;

 

   

the results of clinical trial programs for Acetavance and Omigard performed by others;

 

   

FDA or international regulatory actions, including failure to receive regulatory approval for any of our product candidates;

 

   

failure of any of our product candidates, if approved, to achieve commercial success;

 

   

announcements of the introduction of new products by us or our competitors;

 

   

market conditions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors or the economy as a whole;

 

   

price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market;

 

   

developments concerning product development results or intellectual property rights of others;

 

   

litigation or public concern about the safety of our potential products;

 

   

actual and anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;

 

   

deviations in our operating results from the estimates of securities analysts or other analyst comments;

 

   

additions or departures of key personnel;

 

   

third-party coverage and reimbursement policies;

 

   

developments concerning current or future strategic collaborations; and

 

   

discussion of us or our stock price by the financial and scientific press and in online investor communities.

The realization of any of the risks described in these “Risk Factors” could have a dramatic and material adverse impact on the market price of our common stock. In addition, class action litigation has often been instituted against companies whose securities have experienced periods of volatility in market price. Any such litigation brought against us could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources, which could hurt our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

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Our executive officers and directors and their affiliates may exercise control over stockholder voting matters in a manner that may not be in the best interests of all of our stockholders.

As of September 30, 2008, our executive officers and directors and their affiliates together controlled approximately 47% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these stockholders will collectively be able to significantly influence all matters requiring approval of our stockholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. The concentration of ownership may delay, prevent or deter a change in control of our company even when such a change may be in the best interests of all stockholders, could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a sale of our company or our assets, and might affect the prevailing market price of our common stock.

Anti-takeover provisions under our charter documents and Delaware law could delay or prevent a change of control which could limit the market price of our common stock and may prevent or frustrate attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that could delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our board of directors that our stockholders might consider favorable. Some of these provisions include:

 

   

a board of directors divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms, such that not all members of the board will be elected at one time;

 

   

a prohibition on stockholder action through written consent;

 

   

a requirement that special meetings of stockholders be called only by the chairman of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the total number of authorized directors;

 

   

advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations;

 

 

 

a requirement of approval of not less than 66 2/3% of all outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote to amend any bylaws by stockholder action, or to amend specific provisions of our certificate of incorporation; and

 

   

the authority of the board of directors to issue preferred stock on terms determined by the board of directors without stockholder approval.

In addition, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporate Law, which may prohibit certain business combinations with stockholders owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock. These and other provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law could make it more difficult for stockholders or potential acquirers to obtain control of our board of directors or initiate actions that are opposed by the then-current board of directors, including to delay or impede a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving our company. Any delay or prevention of a change of control transaction or changes in our board of directors could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

We have never paid dividends on our capital stock, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

We have paid no cash dividends on any of our classes of capital stock to date and we currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, our amended loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank, Oxford Finance Corporation and GE Business Financial Services Inc. restricts our ability to pay dividends. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.

We may become involved in securities class action litigation that could divert management’s attention and harm our business.

The stock markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market prices for the common stock of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. These broad market fluctuations may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. In the past, securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company following a decline in the market price of its securities. This risk is especially relevant for us because biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies have experienced significant stock price volatility in recent years. We may become involved in this type of litigation in the future. Litigation often is expensive and diverts management’s attention and resources, which could adversely affect our business.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number      

  

Description of Exhibit

3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-33103) for the period ended September 30, 2006 as filed with the SEC on November 30, 2006
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-33103) for the period ended September 30, 2006 as filed with the SEC on November 30, 2006
   3.2.1    Amendment of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33103) as filed with the SEC on December 17, 2007
4.1    Form of the Registrant’s Common Stock Certificate, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-33103) for the period ended September 30, 2006 as filed with the SEC on November 30, 2006
4.2    Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement dated February 21, 2006, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-135821) as filed with the SEC on July 17, 2006
4.5    Registration Rights Waiver and Amendment dated November 29, 2007, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33103) as filed with the SEC on December 3, 2007
4.6    Form of Warrant to Purchase Stock issued to Silicon Valley Bank on November 30, 2007, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33103) as filed with the SEC on December 3, 2007
4.7    Form of Warrant to Purchase Stock issued to Oxford Finance Corporation on November 30, 2007, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33103) as filed with the SEC on December 3, 2007
4.8    Form of Warrant to Purchase Stock issued to GE Business Financial Services Inc. (formerly known as Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc.), on November 30, 2007, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33103) as filed with the SEC on December 3, 2007
   10.27    Second Amended and Restated Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Director Compensation Policy
 31.1±    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2±    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32±    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002

___________________________

# Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.

± Included in this Report.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

CADENCE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Dated: November 6, 2008

 

By:

  /S/ WILLIAM R. LARUE
    William R. LaRue
   

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,

Treasurer and Assistant Secretary

    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Number      

  

Description of Exhibit

3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-33103) for the period ended September 30, 2006 as filed with the SEC on November 30, 2006
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-33103) for the period ended September 30, 2006 as filed with the SEC on November 30, 2006
   3.2.1    Amendment of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33103) as filed with the SEC on December 17, 2007
4.1    Form of the Registrant’s Common Stock Certificate, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-33103) for the period ended September 30, 2006 as filed with the SEC on November 30, 2006
4.2    Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement dated February 21, 2006, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-135821) as filed with the SEC on July 17, 2006
4.5    Registration Rights Waiver and Amendment dated November 29, 2007, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33103) as filed with the SEC on December 3, 2007
4.6    Form of Warrant to Purchase Stock issued to Silicon Valley Bank on November 30, 2007, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33103) as filed with the SEC on December 3, 2007
4.7    Form of Warrant to Purchase Stock issued to Oxford Finance Corporation on November 30, 2007, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33103) as filed with the SEC on December 3, 2007
4.8    Form of Warrant to Purchase Stock issued to GE Business Financial Services Inc. (formerly known as Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc.), on November 30, 2007, incorporated herein by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33103) as filed with the SEC on December 3, 2007
   10.27    Second Amended and Restated Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Director Compensation Policy
 31.1±    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 31.2±    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32±    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002

___________________________

# Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.

± Included in this Report.

 

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