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

 


(Mark One)

x Quarterly Report Pursuant To Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007

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 No. 000-21001

 


NMT MEDICAL, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 


 

Delaware   95-4090463

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

27 Wormwood Street, Boston, Massachusetts   02210-1625
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 737-0930

 


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 or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  x    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

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

As of November 5, 2007, there were 12,970,892 shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value per share, outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

INDEX

 

         Page Number
Part I. Financial Information   

Item 1.

  Financial Statements (unaudited)   
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006    3
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006    4
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006    5
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    6

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    12

Item 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    19

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures    20
Part II. Other Information   

Item 1.

  Legal Proceedings    20

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors    21

Item 6.

  Exhibits    26
Signatures    27

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NMT Medical, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

 

     At September 30,
2007
    At December 31,
2006
 

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 11,771,919     $ 8,285,561  

Marketable securities

     21,843,163       33,163,998  

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $242,468 at September 30, 2007 and $282,468 at December 31, 2006

     2,559,617       2,729,188  

Inventories

     2,293,497       1,909,236  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     3,753,452       4,055,627  
                

Total current assets

     42,221,648       50,143,610  
                

Property and equipment, at cost:

    

Laboratory and computer equipment

     4,046,786       3,830,430  

Leasehold improvements

     1,302,649       1,307,563  

Office furniture and equipment

     1,005,140       1,028,397  
                
     6,354,575       6,166,390  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     5,290,135       5,127,063  
                
     1,064,440       1,039,327  
                

Total Assets

   $ 43,286,088     $ 51,182,937  
                

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 2,321,877     $ 2,284,347  

Accrued expenses

     6,405,095       8,999,151  
                

Total current liabilities

     8,726,972       11,283,498  
                

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders' equity:

    

Preferred stock, $.001 par value

    

Authorized—3,000,000 shares

    

Issued and outstanding—none

     —         —    

Common stock, $.001 par value

    

Authorized—30,000,000 shares

    

Issued—13,010,517 shares at September 30, 2007 and 12,901,310 shares at December 31, 2006

     13,011       12,901  

Additional paid-in capital

     51,714,228       50,870,411  

Less treasury stock—40,000 shares at cost

     (119,600 )     (119,600 )

Accumulated deficit

     (17,040,447 )     (10,867,401 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (8,076 )     3,128  
                

Total stockholders' equity

     34,559,116       39,899,439  
                

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

   $ 43,286,088     $ 51,182,937  
                

See accompanying notes.

 

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NMT Medical, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

Revenues:

        

Product sales

   $ 4,553,332     $ 5,313,777     $ 14,591,100     $ 16,297,047  

Net royalty income

     1,855,140       1,597,193       5,123,035       4,646,543  
                                

Total revenues

     6,408,472       6,910,970       19,714,135       20,943,590  
                                

Costs and expenses:

        

Cost of product sales

     1,316,646       1,453,959       3,905,337       4,336,144  

Research and development

     4,613,931       3,484,136       11,219,885       11,050,175  

General and administrative

     2,101,864       1,872,891       6,001,381       6,111,462  

Selling and marketing

     2,163,801       1,920,077       6,515,231       6,286,165  
                                

Total costs and expenses

     10,196,242       8,731,063       27,641,834       27,783,946  
                                

Net gain from settlement of litigation

     —         —         —         15,183,894  
                                

Income (loss) from operations

     (3,787,770 )     (1,820,093 )     (7,927,699 )     8,343,538  
                                

Other income (expense):

        

Currency transaction gain (loss)

     35,040       (21,281 )     65,756       (15,516 )

Interest income

     441,706       512,308       1,427,397       1,286,569  
                                

Total other income

     476,746       491,027       1,493,153       1,271,053  
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (3,311,024 )     (1,329,066 )     (6,434,546 )     9,614,591  

Income tax (benefit) provision

     (110,500 )     50,000       (261,500 )     50,000  
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ (3,200,524 )   $ (1,379,066 )   $ (6,173,046 )   $ 9,564,591  
                                

Basic net income (loss) per common share:

   $ (0.25 )   $ (0.11 )   $ (0.48 )   $ 0.75  
                                

Diluted net income (loss) per common share:

   $ (0.25 )   $ (0.11 )   $ (0.48 )   $ 0.70  
                                

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     12,942,959       12,777,362       12,910,768       12,707,667  
                                

Diluted

     12,942,959       12,777,362       12,910,768       13,603,173  
                                

See accompanying notes.

 

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NMT Medical, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 

     For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2006  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net (loss) income

   $ (6,173,046 )   $ 9,564,591  

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities-

    

Depreciation and amortization

     233,888       90,671  

Amortization of bond discount

     (300,269 )     (177,287 )

Share-based compensation expense

     506,931       648,547  

Change in estimated tax benefit from stock option exercises

     (261,500 )     —    

Change in assets and liabilities-

    

Accounts receivable

     169,571       61,867  

Inventories

     (384,261 )     (296,286 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     302,175       (751,113 )

Accounts payable

     37,530       (273,884 )

Accrued expenses

     (2,594,056 )     232,904  
                

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (8,463,037 )     9,100,010  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (259,001 )     (519,792 )

Purchases of marketable securities

     (18,540,100 )     (38,377,755 )

Maturities of marketable securities

     30,150,000       25,600,000  
                

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     11,350,899       (13,297,547 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from exercise of common stock options

     291,146       820,002  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under the employee stock purchase plan

     307,350       332,595  
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     598,496       1,152,597  
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     3,486,358       (3,044,940 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     8,285,561       10,390,139  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 11,771,919     $ 7,345,199  
                

See accompanying notes.

 

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NMT Medical, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Operations

We are an advanced medical technology company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets proprietary implant technologies that allow interventional cardiologists to treat certain kinds of cardiac structural heart disease through minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures. We are investigating the potential connection between a common cardiac defect that allows a right to left shunt or flow of blood through a defect like a patent foramen ovale, or PFO, and brain attacks such as migraine headaches, stroke, and transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs. A PFO can allow venous blood, unfiltered and unmanaged by the lungs, to directly enter the arterial circulation of the brain, possibly triggering a cerebral event or brain attack. More than 25,000 PFOs have been closed globally with our minimally invasive, catheter-based implant technology.

2. Interim Financial Statements

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2007 and for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 are unaudited and include the accounts of our company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain items in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and include all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such interim periods. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. The results of operations for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.

3. Share-Based Compensation

We have various types of share-based compensation plans. These plans are administered by our Joint Compensation and Options Committee of our Board of Directors. A description of our share-based compensation plans is contained in Note 10 of the audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, or SFAS No. 123R, “Share Based Payment”. We recorded $260,660 and $506,931 of compensation expense in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, for share-based payment awards made to our employees and directors consisting of stock options issued based on the estimated fair values of the share-based payments on date of grant and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or ESPP. Of these amounts, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, $166,000 and $261,000 was recorded as part of general and administrative expense, $46,000 and $121,000 was included in research and development expense, $37,000 and $99,000 was included in selling and marketing expense and $12,000 and $26,000 was included in cost of product sales.

We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate fair value of stock-based awards with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

     For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2007     2006  

Expected life (years)

   4     4  

Expected stock price volatility

   55% - 58 %   58% - 63 %

Weighted average volatility

   56 %   61 %

Expected dividend yield

   0     0  

Risk-free interest rate

   4.00% - 5.18 %   4.27% - 5.12 %

The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury interest rates whose term is consistent with the expected life of the stock options. Expected volatility and expected life are based on our historical experience. Expected dividend yield was not considered in the option pricing formula since we do not pay dividends and have no current plans to do so in the future. As required by SFAS No. 123R, we adjust the estimated forfeiture rate based upon actual experience. The expected life for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was based upon the actual exercise activity for the preceding four years, which resulted in a life shorter than the vesting period. In accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 123R, we used the expected life equal to the vesting period of four years.

 

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The following table summarizes a reconciliation of all stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2007:

 

     Number of
shares
    Weighted
average exercise
price
   Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
term
   Aggregate
intrinsic value
                (in years)    (in thousands)

Options outstanding at January 1, 2007

   1,519,883     $ 6.94      

Granted

   269,850       9.83      

Exercised

   (72,700 )     4.00       $ 684

Cancelled

   (15,213 )     12.83      
              

Options outstanding at September 30, 2007

   1,701,820       7.48    6.50    $ 3,526
              

Options expected to vest at September 30, 2007

   363,773     $ 9.68    9.09    $ 219

Options exercisable at September 30, 2007

   1,280,298     $ 6.75    5.65    $ 3,273

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the pretax value (the period’s closing market price, less the exercise price, times the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by all option holders had they exercised their options at the end of the period.

Net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $80,179 and $291,146 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. We have not recorded any tax benefit from stock option exercises, since we do not expect to pay income taxes for the year ending December 31, 2007.

The following table summarizes information about stock options at September 30, 2007:

 

     Outstanding Options    Exercisable Options

Price at which options granted

   Shares    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Shares    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
          (in years)               

$ 1.50 - 2.25

   81,927    3.24    $ 1.92    81,927    $ 1.92

$ 2.26 - 3.50

   306,750    5.64      3.17    273,258      3.14

$ 3.51 - 5.18

   277,469    5.51      4.35    257,656      4.38

$ 5.19 - 7.80

   427,449    4.98      6.67    395,740      6.63

$ 7.81 - 12.19

   353,750    9.38      9.53    91,519      9.99

$ 12.20 - 15.92

   40,150    9.21      14.72    4,207      14.58

$ 15.93 - 17.60

   206,675    8.03      16.53    174,082      16.44

$ 17.61 - 23.10

   7,650    8.34      20.05    1,909      20.05
                  
   1,701,820    6.50    $ 7.48    1,280,298    $ 6.75
                  

4. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

We consider investments with maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents and investments with original maturity dates greater than 90 days to be marketable securities. Cash and cash equivalents, which are carried at cost and approximate market, consist of cash, money market accounts and commercial paper investments.

In accordance with SFAS No. 115 “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt Equity Securities”, we have classified our marketable securities as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale marketable securities at September 30, 2007 consisted of approximately $21.8 million of debt instruments with maturities ranging from October 2007 to August 2008. Accrued interest receivable of approximately $286,000 and $396,000 was included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

 

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5. Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market and consisted of the following:

 

     At September 30,
2007
   At December 31,
2006

Raw materials

   $ 912,601    $ 773,704

Work-in-process

     251,131      229,808

Finished goods

     1,129,765      905,724
             
   $ 2,293,497    $ 1,909,236
             

Finished goods and work-in-process consisted of materials, labor and manufacturing overhead.

6. Net Royalty Income

Royalties earned from C.R. Bard, Inc., or Bard, and Boston Scientific Corporation, or BSC, are reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations net of related royalty obligations due to third parties. Net royalty income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 also included a one-time revenue recognition of $500,000 related to a Settlement and Mutual General Release Agreement with AGA Medical Corporation (Notes 7 and 12).

7. Settlement of Litigation

On March 24, 2006, we entered into a Settlement and Mutual General Release Agreement with AGA Medical Corporation, or AGA. AGA agreed to make a cash payment of $30.0 million and was granted a nonexclusive sublicense to the patent involved in the litigation. The cash payment, which was received in its entirety on April 12, 2006, has been shared equally, after deduction of our legal fees and expenses, with the inventor of the patent, Lloyd A. Marks, M.D, or Dr. Marks. All parties agreed to have the case dismissed with prejudice and also agreed to a general release of any and all claims. Included in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was a net gain from settlement of litigation of approximately $15.2 million.

8. Income Taxes

We have provided for taxes on income from continuing operations based upon our anticipated effective income tax rate. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, we recorded a benefit from income taxes of $110,500 and $261,500, respectively, as a result of the anticipated benefit from these loss carrybacks. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $50,000 based on the anticipated taxable income for the year ended December 31, 2006, as a result of the $15.2 million gain from settlement of litigation with AGA.

Effective June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes”, or FIN 48, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attributes for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. The impact of uncertain income tax positions taken in 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. In addition, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, and accounting for interim periods and requires expanded disclosure with respect to the uncertainty in income taxes.

We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. As of the date of adoption, there was no material effect on the financial statements. There was no cumulative effect related to adopting FIN 48. We have not identified any unrecognized tax benefits that would require the recognition of a tax liability through the current period.

We are subject to U. S. Federal income tax as well as income tax of certain state jurisdictions. The tax years ranging from 2005 to 2006 remain open to examination by various taxing jurisdictions as the statute of limitations has not expired.

 

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9. Net Income (loss) per Common and Common Equivalent Share

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share was presented in conformity with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share”, for all periods presented. In accordance with SFAS No. 128, basic and diluted net income (loss) per share were determined by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the periods presented. The number of diluted shares outstanding include the dilutive effect of in-the-money options and warrants which is calculated based on the average share price for each period using the treasury stock method. Options to purchase 532,701 and 680,793 common shares have been excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding because including them would be anti-dilutive for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, options to purchase 895,506 common shares were included in diluted weighted average shares outstanding. For the three months ended September 30, 2006, options to purchase 895,506 common shares were excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding because including them would be anti-dilutive.

10. Comprehensive Income (loss)

We apply the provisions of SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income”, which establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income (loss) and its components in consolidated financial statements. Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources.

 

     For The Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For The Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2007     2006     2007     2006

Net income (loss)

   $ (3,200,524 )   $ (1,379,066 )   $ (6,173,046 )   $ $9,564,591

Unrealized income (loss) on marketable securities

     1,921       62,552       (11,204 )     65,331
                              

Net comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (3,198,603 )   $ (1,316,514 )   $ (6,184,250 )   $ $9,629,922
                              

The accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consists entirely of unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities.

11. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, or FAS 157. The Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are in the process of evaluating the impact, if any, that FAS 157 will have on our operating results and financial position.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB No. 115”, or FAS 159. The Statement permits companies to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value in order to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. FAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of FAS 159 on our operating results and financial position

In June 2007, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force 07-3, “Accounting for Nonrefundable Advance Payments for Goods or Services Received for Use in Future Research and Development Activities”, or EITF 07-3. EITF 07-3 requires nonrefundable advance payments for research and development goods or services to be deferred and capitalized. Expense is recognized as the services are performed or goods are delivered. EITF 07-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. We are evaluating the impact of adopting EITF 07-3 and believe there will be no material effect on our financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

12. Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Litigation

We are a party to the following legal proceeding that could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or liquidity if there were an adverse outcome. Although we intend to pursue our rights in this matter vigorously, we cannot predict the ultimate outcome.

In September 2004, we and the Children’s Medical Center Corporation, or CMCC, filed a civil complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, or the Court, for infringement of a patent owned by CMCC and licensed exclusively to

 

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us. The complaint alleges that Cardia, Inc., or Cardia, of Burnsville, Minnesota is making, selling and/or offering to sell a medical device in the United States that infringes CMCC’s U.S. patent relating to a device and method for repairing septal defects. We sought an injunction from the court to prevent further infringement by Cardia, as well as monetary damages. On August 30, 2006, the Court entered an order holding that Cardia’s device does not infringe the patent-in-suit. The order has no effect on the validity and enforceability of the patent-in-suit and has no impact on our ability to sell our products. We appealed the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and on June 6, 2007 the Federal Circuit ruled that the district court incorrectly interpreted one of the patent’s claims and incorrectly found no triable issue of fact concerning other claims. The Federal Circuit remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings consistent with its opinion and instructed that on remand the district court may reconsider the question of summary judgment for NMT based on the Federal Circuit’s claim construction. On remand, the district court has set a trial date of January 8, 2008.

On March 22, 1999, we filed a patent infringement suit in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, or the Massachusetts Court, against AGA alleging that AGA was infringing U.S. Patent No. 5,108,420, or the ‘420 patent, relating to aperture occlusion devices, to which we have an exclusive license. We sought an injunction from the Massachusetts Court to prevent further infringement by AGA, as well as monetary damages. On April 12, 1999, AGA served its answer and counterclaims denying liability and alleging that we had engaged in false or misleading advertising and in unfair or deceptive business practices. AGA’s counterclaims sought an injunction and an unspecified amount of damages. On May 3, 1999, we answered AGA’s counterclaims by denying liability. On April 25, 2001, the Massachusetts Court granted our motion to stay all proceedings in this matter pending reexamination of the ‘420 patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and, on December 2, 2003, the Massachusetts Court dismissed our claim and AGA’s counterclaim without prejudice to our ability to refile suit after the conclusion of the reexamination proceedings. Although a Patent Office examiner initially rejected the claims of the ‘420 patent, on August 19, 2004, the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences reversed the examiner’s rejection of the claims of the ‘420 patent and returned the reexamination for action consistent with its decision. On January 26, 2005, the Patent Office mailed a Notice of Intent to Issue a Reexamination Certificate. This reexamination certificate was issued on June 7, 2005. On October 13, 2004, AGA initiated a declaratory action in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota seeking a declaration that the ‘420 patent is invalid, unenforceable, and not infringed. On December 7, 2004, we revived our original Massachusetts action by filing a complaint alleging that AGA is infringing the ‘420 patent. On September 1, 2005, AGA’s declaratory judgment action in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota was transferred to the District of Massachusetts. On October 13, 2005, we answered AGA’s complaint in its declaratory judgment action, denying AGA’s claims. On November 2, 2005, we filed an amended complaint adding the inventor of the ‘420 patent as a plaintiff. On November 3, 2005, AGA answered our amended complaint, denying liability and counterclaiming that the ‘420 patent is invalid, unenforceable, and not infringed. On November 17, 2005, we answered AGA’s counterclaims by denying them.

On March 24, 2006, we entered into a Settlement and Mutual General Release Agreement with AGA. AGA agreed to make a cash payment of $30.0 million and was granted a nonexclusive sublicense to the patent involved in the litigation. The cash payment has been shared equally, after deduction of our legal fees and expenses, with the inventor of the patent, Dr. Lloyd Marks. All parties agreed to have the case dismissed with prejudice and also agreed to a general release of any and all claims. On April 12, 2006, we received the entire cash payment from the settlement totaling $30.0 million.

(b) Clinical Trials

MIST

In November 2004, we received approval in the United Kingdom for the MIST study, the first prospective, randomized, double-blinded study to evaluate the effectiveness of transcatheter closure of a PFO, using our proprietary STARFlex® septal repair technology, in the treatment and prevention of migraine headaches. MIST is a multi-center study involving approximately 16 centers, with an enrollment of 147 migraine patients with aura, who have a PFO and who were randomized to either PFO closure with the STARFlex® implant or a control arm. The study was designed by a scientific advisory board comprised of some of the top European and North American migraine specialists and interventional cardiologists. The MIST study’s patient recruitment process was supported by the Migraine Action Association, a migraine headache advocacy group representing more than 12,000 members in the United Kingdom. Results of the study have been accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed journal, Circulation. Total costs of this trial, including third party contracts and agreements with clinical sites and other service providers, are currently estimated to be approximately $4.8 million. Of this total, approximately $4.6 million was incurred through 2006. We estimate 2007 costs to be approximately $200,000, of which approximately $140,000 was incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

MIST II

In September 2005, we received conditional approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, of an Investigational Device Exemption, or IDE, to initiate enrollment in our pivotal PFO/migraine clinical study, named MIST II.

 

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MIST II is a prospective, randomized, multi-center, controlled study. The double-blinded trial is designed to randomize approximately 600 migraine patients with a PFO to either structural heart repair with our BioSTAR® technology or a control arm. The study incorporates our newest, most technologically advanced delivery system. There are currently 19 U.S. research centers committed to participate in MIST II, and enrollment began in January 2006. Patient follow-up will be over a one year period. We began randomizing our first patients into this trial in October 2007. We also project the costs of this clinical study as currently designed to be in the range of $20 to $22 million. Of this total, approximately $2.0 million was incurred through 2006. We estimate 2007 costs to be approximately $3.0 million, of which approximately $1.6 million was incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Costs incurred for this trial will be highly variable based upon the rate of patient enrollment.

MIST III

In October 2005, we received approval from the regulatory authorities in the United Kingdom to begin enrollment in MIST III. In MIST III, control patients from the original MIST study, who did not receive the STARFlex® implant, have the option to receive an implant after they have been unblinded as part of the MIST study. These patients will follow the identical protocol as in MIST after which they will be followed for an additional 18 months. In addition, migraine patients with a PFO who did receive a STARFlex® implant in MIST will be followed for an additional 18 months. We estimate the total cost of MIST III to be approximately $1.0 million. Of this total, approximately $750,000 was incurred through 2006. We expect minimal spending on this trial in 2007. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we incurred approximately $100,000 in costs for this trial.

BEST

In June 2005, we received approval in the United Kingdom for our BioSTAR® Evaluation Study, or BEST, a multi-center study designed to evaluate our new BioSTAR® PFO closure technology, the first in-human use of a bioabsorbable collagen matrix incorporated on our STARFlex® platform. BioSTAR®, our first biological closure technology, is designed to optimize the biological response by promoting quicker healing and device endothelialization. Patient enrollment was initiated in July 2005 and completed during the fourth quarter of 2005. The goal of our BEST study was to secure European commercial approval for our novel BioSTAR® technology through the Conformité Europeene, or CE Mark, process, which was granted in June 2007. We estimate total costs of this study, including third party contracts and agreements with clinical sites and other service providers, to be approximately $1.5 million. Of this total, approximately $1.3 million was incurred through 2006. We expect minimal spending for this trial in 2007. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007 we incurred approximately $40,000 in costs for this trial.

CLOSURE I

We have committed significant financial and personnel resources to the execution of our pivotal CLOSURE I clinical trial. Including contracts with third party providers, agreements with participating clinical sites, internal clinical department costs and manufacturing costs of the STARFlex® devices to be implanted, total costs are estimated to be approximately $20 million through completion of the trial and submission to the FDA. Of this total, approximately $13.8 million was incurred through 2006. We project 2007 costs to approximate $4.0 to $4.5 million, largely dependent upon the rate of patient enrollment, of which approximately $2.5 million was incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Currently there are approximately 725 patients enrolled.

On March 2, 2007, we participated in a public and private FDA advisory panel meeting to discuss the current status of the ongoing PFO/stroke trials being sponsored by us and other companies. At the close of the meeting, both the FDA and advisory panel concurred that only randomized, controlled trials would provide the necessary data to be considered for premarket approval, or PMA, for devices intended for transcatheter PFO closure in the stroke and TIA indication. During a private session, we provided the FDA and advisory panel with a revised study hypothesis and statistical plan to complete the CLOSURE I study as a randomized controlled trial. On April 23, 2007, we announced that we received conditional approval from the FDA for our revised study hypothesis and statistical plan in the CLOSURE I PFO/stroke and TIA trial in the U.S. Subsequent to this meeting, an interim look at the data was performed by the Data Safety Meeting Board. Based on this analysis, the conditional probability of a statistically significant benefit at the end of the data reviewed will require an enrollment of 850 to 900 patients. Enrollment is expected to be completed in early 2008. The original CLOSURE I statistical plan required an enrollment of 1,600 patients.

CARS

In August 2006, we announced that the FDA approved our CARS (“Closure After Recurrent Stroke”) IDE. This study will supplement our ongoing CLOSURE I clinical trial to evaluate the connection between PFO and stroke. We will provide eligible patients of both CARS and CLOSURE I with our newer STARFlex® implant technology. However, while patients in

 

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the CLOSURE I trial receive the implant at no cost, those covered under the CARS IDE can be charged for the device. Patients previously covered by our PFO Humanitarian Device Exemption, or HDE, only had access to our original CardioSEAL® device. In addition, the FDA informed us that they commenced a formal HDE review process for all existing PFO closure devices. Because of the many clinical advances since its approval over six years ago, the FDA asked us to consider voluntary withdrawal of our HDE. We expressed concern to the FDA that we did not want to put patients who were currently covered under the HDE at risk of losing access to PFO closure. The FDA endorsed our support for those patients and as a result, quickly approved the CARS IDE. The CARS IDE will provide continued PFO closure access to certain patients who previously were eligible for treatment under the HDE. Approval of the CARS IDE, combined with our ongoing CLOSURE I trial, allows us to maintain two sources for PFO closure in the United States.

(c) Other

On October 19, 2007 we announced the addition of James J. Mahoney, Jr. to our Board of Directors, effective October 18, 2007. Mr. Mahoney filled the vacancy left by Harry A. Schult, who announced his voluntary resignation on October 17, 2007.

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of our Company should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our public disclosures, whether written or oral, relating to future events or our future performance, including any discussion, express or implied, of our anticipated growth, operating results, future earnings per share, plans and objectives, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are often identified by the words “believe”, “plans”, “estimate”, “project”, “target”, “continue”, “intend”, “expect”, “future”, “anticipates”, and similar expressions that are not statements of historical fact. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results and timing of certain events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. It is routine for internal projections and expectations to change as the year or each quarter in the year progresses, and therefore it should be clearly understood that all forward-looking statements and the internal projections and beliefs upon which we base our expectations included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are made only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and may change. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Certain of our accounting policies are particularly important to the portrayal and understanding of our financial position and results of operations and require the application of significant judgment by our management. As a result, these policies are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. In applying these policies, we use our judgment in making certain assumptions and estimates. Our critical accounting policies, which consist of revenue recognition, accounts receivable reserves, inventories and expenses associated with clinical trials, are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies as of September 30, 2007.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 COMPARED WITH THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006

The following table presents consolidated statements of operations information as a reference for management’s discussion and analysis which follows thereafter. This table presents dollar and percentage changes for each listed line item for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006, as well as consolidated statements of operations information as a percentage of total revenues (except for cost of product sales, which is stated as a percentage of product sales) for such periods.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Increase
(Decrease)
2006 to 2007
    % Change
2006 to 2007
 
     2007     %     2006     %      
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Revenues:

            

Product sales

   $ 4,553     71.1 %   $ 5,314     76.9 %   $ (761 )   (14.3 )%

Net royalty income

     1,855     28.9 %     1,597     23.1 %     258     16.2 %
                                          

Total revenues

     6,408     100.0 %     6,911     100.0 %     (503 )   (7.3 )%
                                          

Costs and expenses:

            

Cost of product sales

     1,317     28.9 %     1,454     27.4 %     (137 )   (9.4 )%

Research and development

     4,614     72.0 %     3,484     50.4 %     1,130     32.4 %

General and administrative

     2,102     32.8 %     1,873     27.1 %     229     12.2 %

Selling and marketing

     2,163     33.8 %     1,920     27.8 %     243     12.7 %
                              

Total costs and expenses

     10,196     159.1 %     8,731     126.3 %     1,465     16.8 %
                                          

Loss from operations

     (3,788 )   (59.1 )%     (1,820 )   (26.3 )%     (1,968 )   108.1 %

Other Income:

            

Currency transaction gain (loss)

     35     0.5 %     (21 )   (0.3 )%     56     (266.7 )%

Interest income, net

     442     6.9 %     512     7.4 %     (70 )   (13.7 )%
                                          

Total other income, net

     477     7.4 %     491     7.1 %     (14 )   (2.9 )%
                                          

Loss before income taxes

     (3,311 )   (51.7 )%     (1,329 )   (19.2 )%     (1,982 )   149.1 %

Income tax (benefit) provision

     (110 )   (1.7 )%     50     0.7 %     (160 )   (320.0 )%
                                          

Net loss

   $ (3,201 )   (50.0 )%   $ (1,379 )   (20.0 )%   $ (1,822 )   132.1 %
                                          

 

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REVENUES

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 COMPARED WITH THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,    Increase
(Decrease)
2006 to 2007
    % Change
2006 to 2007
 
     2007     2006     
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Product sales:

         

CardioSeal®, STARFlex® and BioSTAR®:

         

North America

   $ 3,375     $ 4,657    $ (1,282 )   (27.5 )%

Europe

     1,178       657      521     79.3 %
                             

Total product sales

     4,553       5,314      (761 )   (14.3 )%

Net royalty income:

         

Bard

     1,862       1,576      286     18.1 %

BSC

     (7 )     21      (28 )   (133.3 )%
                             

Total net royalty income

     1,855       1,597      258     16.2 %
                             

Total revenues

   $ 6,408     $ 6,911    $ (503 )   (7.3 )%
                             

The decrease in product sales for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006 was primarily a result of a decrease in product demand in the United States. We believe that sales in North America continue to be impacted by delays by third party payors in approving reimbursement for the procedure as a result of the voluntary withdrawal of the HDE of our CardioSEAL® Septal Repair System. We believe that sales in North America will remain consistent with current levels. However, European sales represented approximately 25.9% and 12.4% of total product sales for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase in European sales was primarily attributable to the launch of our BioSTAR® bioabsorbable septal repair implant technology and Rapid Transport™ delivery system following the awarding of the CE Mark for BioSTAR® in June 2007. We also have increased sales and marketing programs, and believe there is greater acceptance of our technology by the clinical community throughout Europe. We also believe that as a result of the combination of (i) our MIST study results and headcount investments in the UK and other planned investments in Europe having increased awareness of the positive treatment effect on severe migraine sufferers with a PFO using our technology along with (ii) the awarding of the CE Mark for BioSTAR®, our European product sales will increase as a percentage of total sales.

The increase in the Bard royalty income was directly attributable to higher sales by Bard of its Recovery™ Filter, or RNF, product, for which Bard received FDA regulatory approval for commercial sale and use as of December 31, 2002. Commencing in the fourth quarter of 2007, the royalty rate earned on Bard’s RNF sales will decrease substantially from its current rate.

Cost of Product Sales. For the three months ended September 30, 2007, cost of product sales, as a percentage of product sales, was approximately 28.9% compared with 27.4% in the comparable period of 2006. The modest increase in cost of product sales as a percentage of product sales was primarily the result of increased sales in Europe, where the selling price of our product is lower than the selling price of our product in North America. As a result of increased sales in Europe, we expect 2007 cost of product sales, as a percentage of product sales, to increase slightly during the fourth quarter of 2007. For the full year 2007, we expect cost of product sales to be approximately 30% of total product sales, compared with approximately 27% for fiscal 2006. Included in cost of product sales were royalty expenses of approximately $472,000 and $522,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Research and Development. Research and development expense increased $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared with the same period in 2006. Included in research and development expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 is $600,000 for a one-time non-refundable payment made to a supplier of our collagen matrix material. This payment was due within thirty days of the first commercial sale of our BioSTAR® product and was made in August 2007. Approximate costs related to our MIST II trial ($750,000) and our CLOSURE I trial ($1.2 million) were also greater in 2007 than the comparable 2006 period.

 

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We expect 2007 research and development expense to increase to approximately $18 million compared to approximately $15.5 million in 2006. This anticipated increase is primarily attributable to an increase in costs for our MIST II clinical trial as well as the aforementioned $600,000 payment.

General and Administrative. The increase in general and administrative expense of approximately $229,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period for 2006 was primarily attributable to an increase in legal expense related to patent prosecutions. General and administrative expense for 2007 is expected to be approximately $500,000 below 2006 general and administrative expense.

Selling and Marketing. Selling and marketing expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was approximately $243,000 greater than the three months ended September 30, 2006. This was primarily the result of an increase in expenses related to the launch of BioSTAR® partially offset by savings across many other expense categories. We also currently expect worldwide selling and marketing expense in 2007 to be relatively flat when compared to 2006. This is primarily due to the reallocation of resources to support the anticipated growth in Europe, offset by the investments not required due to the voluntary withdrawal of our HDE in the U.S.

Interest Income. Interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was $442,000 compared to $512,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006. The decrease in interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 was primarily the result of lower cash balances in 2007 and recent reductions in interest rates. We currently expect interest income for 2007 to be approximately $1.8 million, relatively flat with interest income in 2006.

Income Tax Provision. We have provided for taxes on income from continuing operations based upon our anticipated effective income tax rate. For the three months ended September 30, 2007, we recorded a benefit from income taxes of $110,500 as a result of the anticipated benefit from these loss carrybacks. For the three months ended September 30, 2006, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $50,000 based on the anticipated taxable income for the year ended December 31, 2006, as a result of the $15.2 million gain from settlement of litigation with AGA.

 

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NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 COMPARED WITH NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006

The following table presents consolidated statements of operations information as a reference for management’s discussion and analysis which follows thereafter. This table presents dollar and percentage changes for each listed line item for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006, as well as consolidated statements of operations information as a percentage of total revenues (except for cost of product sales, which is stated as a percentage of product sales) for such periods.

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,     Increase
(Decrease)
2006 to 2007
    % Change
2006 to 2007
 
     2007     %     2006     %      
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Revenues:

            

Product sales

   $ 14,591     74.0 %   $ 16,297     77.8 %   $ (1,706 )   (10.5 )%

Net royalty income

     5,123     26.0 %     4,647     22.2 %     476     10.2 %
                                          

Total revenues

     19,714     100.0 %     20,944     100.0 %     (1,230 )   (5.9 )%
                                          

Costs and expenses:

            

Cost of product sales

     3,905     26.8 %     4,336     26.6 %     (431 )   (9.9 )%

Research and development

     11,220     56.9 %     11,051     52.8 %     169     1.5 %

General and administrative

     6,002     30.4 %     6,111     29.2 %     (109 )   (1.8 )%

Selling and marketing

     6,515     33.0 %     6,286     30.0 %     229     3.6 %
                              

Total costs and expenses

     27,642     140.2 %     27,784     132.7 %     (142 )   (0.5 )%
                                          

Net gain from settlement of litigation

     —       0.0 %     15,184     72.5 %     (15,184 )   —    
                                          

Income (loss) from operations

     (7,928 )   (40.2 )%     8,344     39.8 %     (16,272 )   (195.0 )%

Other Income:

            

Currency transaction gain (loss)

     66     0.3 %     (16 )   (0.1 )%     82     (512.5 )%

Interest income, net

     1,427     7.2 %     1,287     6.1 %     140     10.9 %
                                          

Total other income, net

     1,493     7.6 %     1,271     6.1 %     222     17.5 %
                                          

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (6,435 )   (32.6 )%     9,615     45.9 %     (16,050 )   (166.9 )%

Income tax (benefit) provision

     (262 )   (1.3 )%     50     0.2 %     (312 )   (624.0 )%
                                          

Net income (loss)

   $ (6,173 )   (31.3 )%   $ 9,565     45.7 %   $ (15,738 )   (164.5 )%
                                          

 

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REVENUES

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 COMPARED WITH NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   Increase
(Decrease)
2006 to
2007
    %
Change
2006 to
2007
 
     2007    2006     
     (In thousands, except percentages)  

Product sales:

          

CardioSeal®, STARFlex® and BioSTAR®:

          

North America

   $ 11,097    $ 14,336    $ (3,239 )   (22.6 )%

Europe

     3,494      1,961      1,533     78.2 %
                            

Total product sales

     14,591      16,297      (1,706 )   (10.5 )%

Net royalty income:

          

Bard

     5,080      4,060      1,020     25.1 %

AGA

     —        500      (500 )   (100.0 )%

BSC

     43      87      (44 )   (50.6 )%
                            

Total net royalty income

     5,123      4,647      476     10.2 %
                            

Total revenues

   $ 19,714    $ 20,944    $ (1,230 )   (5.9 )%
                            

The decrease in product sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was primarily a result of decreased product demand in the United States. We believe that sales in North America continue to be impacted by delays by third party payors in approving reimbursement for the procedure as a result of the voluntary withdrawal of the HDE of our CardioSEAL® Septal Repair System. We believe that sales in North America will remain consistent with current levels. European sales represented approximately 23.9% and 12.0% of total product sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase in European sales was partially related to the launch of our BioSTAR® bioabsorbable septal repair implant technology and our Rapid Transport™ delivery system following the awarding of the CE Mark for BioSTAR® in June 2007. The increase was also attributable to increased sales and marketing programs, as well as greater acceptance of our technology by the clinical community throughout Europe. We believe that as a result of the combination of (i) our MIST study results and headcount investments in the UK and other planned investments in Europe having increased awareness of the positive treatment effect on severe migraine sufferers with a PFO using our technology along with (ii) the impact of the June 2007 awarding of the CE Mark for BioSTAR®, our European product sales will continue to increase as a percentage of total sales.

Included in net royalty income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $500,000 for the one-time royalty recognition related to the AGA settlement and the issuance of a sublicense to AGA. The increase in the Bard royalty income was directly attributable to higher sales by Bard of its RNF product, for which Bard received FDA regulatory approval for commercial sale and use as of December 31, 2002. Commencing in the fourth quarter of 2007, the royalty rate earned on Bard’s RNF sales will decrease substantially from its current rate.

Cost of Product Sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, cost of product sales, as a percentage of product sales, was approximately 26.8% compared with 26.6% in the comparable period of 2006. The modest increase in cost of product sales as a percentage of product sales was primarily the result of increased sales in Europe, where the selling price of our product is lower than the selling price of our product in North America. As a result of increased sales in Europe, we currently expect 2007 cost of product sales, as a percentage of product sales, to increase slightly during the fourth quarter of 2007. Included in cost of product sales were royalty expenses of approximately $1.5 million and $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Research and Development. The increase in research and development expense of $169,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was primarily related to a one-time non-refundable payment of $600,000 to a supplier of our collagen matrix material, as well as numerous small variances spread across many spending categories. Approximate costs related to our MIST ($140,000) and MIST III ($100,000) clinical trials were lower than the comparable nine-month period in 2006.

 

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General and Administrative. The decrease in general and administrative expense of approximately $109,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period for 2006 was primarily attributable to reductions in bonus expense and stock-based compensation charges related to SFAS No. 123(R).

Selling and Marketing. Selling and marketing expenses increased approximately $229,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. This was primarily the result of an increase in expenses related to the launch of BioSTAR® offset by savings spread across many expense categories.

Interest Income. The increase in interest income of approximately $140,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 was primarily related to higher cash balances during the first half of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, primarily due to the $15 million received for the settlement of the AGA litigation in April 2006.

Income Tax Provision. In accordance with SFAS No. 109, we have provided for taxes on income from continuing operations based upon our anticipated effective income tax rate. We anticipate a net operating loss for fiscal 2007 and, accordingly, expect to carryback such losses to offset a portion of the 2006 tax provision. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we recorded a benefit from income taxes of $261,500 as a result of the anticipated benefit from these loss carrybacks. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $50,000 based on the anticipated taxable income for the year ended December 31, 2006, as a result of the $15.2 million gain from settlement of litigation with AGA.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

     For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
     2007     2006  
     (In thousands)  

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

   $ 33,615     $ 41,647  

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (8,463 )     9,100  

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     11,351       (13,298 )

Net cash provided by financing activities

     598       1,153  

Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 totaled approximately $8.5 million and consisted of (i) a net loss of approximately $6.2 million and (ii) a net increase in working capital requirements of approximately $2.5 million, partially offset by non-cash charges of approximately $179,000.

The non-cash items of approximately $179,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 consisted of (i) stock-based compensation, principally related to the new accounting rules, effective January 1, 2006, prescribed by SFAS 123(R); (ii) amortization of bond discount; (iii) depreciation and amortization of property and equipment; and (iv) change in estimated tax benefit from stock option exercises.

The net increase in working capital during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 of $2.5 million was primarily related to a decrease in current liabilities of approximately $2.5 million primarily as a result of a reduction in accruals related to our clinical trials.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 totaled approximately $9.1 million and consisted of (i) net income of approximately $9.6 million, including the $15.2 million for the gain on settlement of the AGA litigation and (ii) non-cash charges of approximately $562,000, which was offset by a net increase in working capital requirements of approximately $1 million.

The other non-cash charges of approximately $562,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 consisted of (i) stock-based compensation, principally related to the new accounting rules, effective January 1, 2006, prescribed by SFAS 123(R); (ii) amortization of bond discount; and (iii) depreciation and amortization of property and equipment.

The primary elements of the $1.0 million net increase in working capital requirements during the nine months ended

 

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September 30, 2006 was primarily related to an increase in current assets including an approximate $540,000 increase in royalties due from Bard, and an approximate $300,000 increase in inventory in anticipation of receiving a CE Mark and having BioSTAR ® commercially available by the end of 2006.

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities of approximately $11.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 consisted primarily of approximately $30.2 million of proceeds from maturities of marketable securities, offset by approximately $18.5 million of purchases of marketable securities. Purchases of property and equipment for use in our manufacturing, research and development and general and administrative activities totaled approximately $259,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. This compared to net cash used in investing activities of approximately $13.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $598,000 and $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. For both periods, this was primarily attributable to proceeds from the exercise of common stock options and the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to our employee stock purchase plan.

We currently expect to incur operating losses at least through 2008 primarily as a result of the anticipated ongoing costs of MIST II, MIST III and CLOSURE I. The total cost of our MIST II study is currently estimated to be approximately $20.0 to $22.0 million. Of this amount, approximately $2.0 million was incurred through 2006 and we expect to incur approximately $3.0 million in 2007. The total cost of our MIST III study is currently estimated to be $1.0 million. Of this amount, approximately $750,000 was incurred through 2006 and we estimate 2007 costs to be approximately $100,000. The total cost of our CLOSURE I clinical trial is estimated to be approximately $20.0 million through completion of the trial and submission to the FDA. Of this amount, approximately $13.8 million was incurred through 2006 and we expect to incur approximately $4.0 to $4.5 million in 2007, largely dependent upon the rate of enrollment.

Capital expenditures are projected to total approximately $500,000 during 2007, primarily for manufacturing and research and development equipment.

We believe that aggregate cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balances of approximately $33.6 million at September 30, 2007 will be sufficient to meet our working capital, financing and capital expenditure requirements through at least 2008. Based upon our projections, we currently expect that the aggregate of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities will approximate $27.0 million at the end of 2007.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET FINANCING

During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, we did not engage in any off-balance sheet activities.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, we did not participate in any derivative financial instruments or other financial and commodity instruments for which fair value disclosure would be required under SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments”. Our investments are primarily short-term money market accounts that are carried on our books at cost, which approximates fair market value, and corporate and U.S. government agency debt instruments that are carried on our books at amortized cost, increased or decreased by unrealized gains or losses, net of tax, respectively, which amounts are recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity in our consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, we have no quantitative information concerning the market risk of participating in such investments.

We are subject to market risk in the form of foreign currency risk. We denominate certain product sales and operating expenses in non-U.S. currencies, resulting in exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates. These exposures may change over time and could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition.

We translate the accounts of our foreign subsidiaries in accordance with SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation”. The functional currency of these foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar and, accordingly, translation gains and losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. Revenue and expense accounts are translated using the weighted average exchange rate in effect during the period.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2007. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2007, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are a party to the following legal proceeding that could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or liquidity if there were an adverse outcome. Although we intend to pursue our rights in this matter vigorously, we cannot predict the ultimate outcome.

In September 2004, we and the Children’s Medical Center Corporation, or CMCC, filed a civil complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, or the Court, for infringement of a patent owned by CMCC and licensed exclusively to us. The complaint alleges that Cardia, Inc., or Cardia, of Burnsville, Minnesota is making, selling and/or offering to sell a medical device in the United States that infringes CMCC’s U.S. patent relating to a device and method for repairing septal defects. We sought an injunction from the court to prevent further infringement by Cardia, as well as monetary damages. On August 30, 2006, the Court entered an order holding that Cardia’s device does not infringe the patent-in-suit. The order has no effect on the validity and enforceability of the patent-in-suit and has no impact on our ability to sell our products We appealed the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and on June 6, 2007 the Federal Circuit ruled that the district court incorrectly interpreted one of the patent’s claims and incorrectly found no triable issue of fact concerning other claims. The Federal Circuit remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings consistent with its opinion and instructed that on remand the district court may reconsider the question of summary judgment for NMT based on the Federal Circuit’s claim construction. On remand, the district court has set a trial date of January 8, 2008

On March 22, 1999, we filed a patent infringement suit in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, or the Massachusetts Court, against AGA alleging that AGA was infringing U.S. Patent No. 5,108,420, or the ‘420 patent, relating to aperture occlusion devices, to which we have an exclusive license. We sought an injunction from the Massachusetts Court to prevent further infringement by AGA, as well as monetary damages. On April 12, 1999, AGA served its answer and counterclaims denying liability and alleging that we had engaged in false or misleading advertising and in unfair or deceptive business practices. AGA’s counterclaims sought an injunction and an unspecified amount of damages. On May 3, 1999, we answered AGA’s counterclaims by denying liability. On April 25, 2001, the Massachusetts Court granted our motion to stay all proceedings in this matter pending reexamination of the ‘420 patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and, on December 2, 2003, the Massachusetts Court dismissed our claim and AGA’s counterclaim without prejudice to our ability to refile suit after the conclusion of the reexamination proceedings. Although a Patent Office examiner initially rejected the claims of the ‘420 patent, on August 19, 2004, the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences reversed the examiner’s rejection of the claims of the ‘420 patent and returned the reexamination for action consistent with its decision. On January 26, 2005, the Patent Office mailed a Notice of Intent to Issue a Reexamination Certificate. This reexamination certificate was issued on June 7, 2005. On October 13, 2004, AGA initiated a declaratory action in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota seeking a declaration that the ‘420 patent is invalid, unenforceable, and not infringed. On December 7, 2004, we revived our original Massachusetts action by filing a complaint alleging that AGA is infringing the ‘420 patent. On September 1, 2005, AGA’s declaratory judgment action in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota was transferred to the District of Massachusetts. On October 13, 2005, we answered AGA’s complaint in its declaratory judgment action, denying AGA’s claims. On November 2, 2005, we filed an amended complaint

 

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adding the inventor of the ‘420 patent as a plaintiff. On November 3, 2005, AGA answered our amended complaint, denying liability and counterclaiming that the ‘420 patent is invalid, unenforceable, and not infringed. On November 17, 2005, we answered AGA’s counterclaims by denying them.

On March 24, 2006, we entered into a Settlement and Mutual General Release Agreement with AGA. AGA agreed to make a cash payment of $30.0 million and was granted a nonexclusive sublicense to the patent involved in the litigation. The cash payment has been shared equally, after deduction of our legal fees and expenses, with the inventor of the patent, Dr. Lloyd Marks. All parties agreed to have the case dismissed with prejudice and also agreed to a general release of any and all claims. On April 12, 2006, we received the entire cash payment from the settlement totaling $30.0 million.

Other than as described above, we have no material pending legal proceedings.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following important factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and presented elsewhere by us from time to time.

SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF OUR REVENUES ARE DERIVED FROM SALES OF ONE PRODUCT LINE.

We derive a substantial portion of our ongoing revenues from sales of our CardioSEAL®, STARFlex® and BioSTAR® products. As demand for, and costs associated with, these products fluctuates, including the potential impact of our revenue and non-revenue producing PFO IDE clinical trials on product sales, our financial results on a quarterly or annual basis may be significantly impacted. Accordingly, events or circumstances adversely affecting the sales of any of these products would directly and adversely impact our business. These events or circumstances may include reduced demand for our products, lack of regulatory approvals, product liability claims and/or increased competition.

We were contacted by the FDA to review our existing HDE, which was approved more than six years ago. Since the HDE was approved, clinical conditions have significantly changed and the subset of patients who once qualified for consideration for PFO closure has increased beyond 4,000, the limit normally allowed under the HDE indication. Effective October 31, 2006, as a result and in connection with the CARS study, we voluntarily withdrew the HDE granted by the FDA on February 1, 2000 for our CardioSEAL® Septal Repair System for closure of PFO. At this time, we are unable to predict whether our action and the actions of the FDA will have a further material positive or negative impact on our product revenue. However, it is expected that sales growth in the United States may be limited until further regulatory approvals are obtained. The withdrawal does not reflect a device safety issue. CardioSEAL® will continue to be commercially available in the United States under the PMA indication for ventricular septal defect, or VSD.

WE MAY FACE UNCERTAINTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE EXECUTION, COST AND ULTIMATE OUTCOME OF MIST II.

In September 2005, we received conditional approval from the FDA of an IDE to initiate enrollment in our pivotal PFO/migraine clinical study, named MIST II. In August 2006, utilizing analyzed data from MIST, the FDA granted conditional approval for modifications to the trial that we requested. These changes included adjustment to the primary endpoint for the study from resolution to reduction of migraine headache and upgrading the implant to the new BioSTAR®. Based on the current level of enrollment, we are evaluating when this phase of the trial will be complete. We currently project the costs of this clinical study to be in the range of $20.0 to $22.0 million. We cannot be certain that this study will demonstrate an effective and sufficient treatment effect between PFO closure and migraine headaches utilizing our proprietary technology. We cannot be certain that our preliminary cost estimates for MIST II will not need to be adjusted upwards significantly. Furthermore, we cannot be certain that we will ultimately obtain a PMA from the FDA based upon the final results of this study or whether further studies might be required by the FDA before consideration of a PMA.

WE FACE UNCERTAINTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THIRD-PARTY REIMBURSEMENT.

In the United States, Medicare, Medicaid and other government insurance programs, as well as private insurance reimbursement programs, greatly affect revenues for suppliers of health care products and services. Such third-party payors may affect the pricing or relative attractiveness of our products by regulating the maximum amount, if any, of reimbursement which they provide to the physicians and hospitals using our devices, or any other products that we may develop. If, for any reason, the third-party payors decided not to provide reimbursement for our products, our ability to sell our products would be materially adversely affected. Moreover, mounting concerns about rising healthcare costs may cause the government or private insurers to implement more restrictive coverage and reimbursement policies in the future. In the international market, reimbursement by private third-party medical insurance providers and by governmental insurers and providers varies from country to country. In certain countries, our ability to achieve significant market penetration may depend upon the availability of third-party governmental reimbursement.

 

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WE MAY FACE UNCERTAINTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE EXECUTION, COST AND ULTIMATE OUTCOME OF CLOSURE I.

Upon receipt of final FDA approval, we commenced our CLOSURE I study in June 2003. On April 23, 2007, we announced that we received conditional approval from the FDA for our revised study hypothesis and statistical plan in the CLOSURE I PFO/stroke and TIA trial in the U.S. Based on an analysis, the conditional probability of a statistically significant benefit at the end of the data reviewed will require an enrollment of 850 to 900 patients, of which approximately 725 patients are already enrolled. The original CLOSURE I statistical plan required an enrollment of 1,600 patients. We currently anticipate that when completed, study data from CLOSURE I will be used to support a PFO PMA application. We currently estimate the total costs of CLOSURE I to be approximately $20.0 million through completion of the clinical trial and submission to the FDA. We have no direct experience conducting a clinical trial of this magnitude. We cannot be certain that patient enrollment will be completed at all. We cannot be certain that the projected costs of CLOSURE I will not need to be adjusted upwards, primarily related to the extended enrollment period. Furthermore, we cannot be certain that we will obtain a PMA from the FDA based upon the final results of the trial. If CLOSURE I does not result in a PMA, we may face uncertainties and/or limitations as to the continued growth of revenues of our CardioSEAL® and STARFlex® products, which may impact our profitability.

AS A RESULT OF GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS, WE MAY EXPERIENCE LOWER SALES AND EARNINGS.

The manufacture and sale of medical devices intended for commercial distribution are subject to extensive governmental regulations in the United States and abroad. Medical devices generally require pre-market clearance or pre-market approval prior to commercial distribution. Certain material changes or modifications to medical devices are also subject to regulatory review and clearance or approval. The regulatory approval process is expensive, uncertain and lengthy. If granted, the approval may include significant limitations on the indicated uses for which a product may be marketed. In addition, any products that we manufacture or distribute are subject to continuing regulation by the FDA. We cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or clearances for our products on a timely basis or at all. The occurrence of any of the following events could materially affect our business:

 

   

delays in receipt of, or failure to receive, regulatory approvals or clearances;

 

   

the loss of previous approvals or clearances, including our voluntary withdrawal of our PFO HDE;

 

   

the ability to enroll patients and charge for implants in the CARS IDE;

 

   

limitations on the intended use of a device imposed as a condition of regulatory approvals or clearances; and

 

   

our failure to comply with existing or future regulatory requirements.

In addition, sales of medical device products outside the United States are subject to foreign regulatory requirements that vary widely from country to country. Failure to comply with foreign regulatory requirements also could materially affect our business.

REVENUE GENERATED BY CARS IDE MAY BE LIMITED.

In August 2006, we received FDA approval for a new PFO/stroke IDE, called CARS. The CARS IDE will supplement our ongoing CLOSURE I clinical trial to evaluate the connection between PFO and stroke. We will provide eligible patients of both CARS and CLOSURE I with our newer STARFlex® implant technology. Patients previously covered by the HDE only had access to our original CardioSEAL® device. The CARS IDE will provide continued PFO closure access to certain patients who previously were eligible for treatment under the HDE. However, while patients in the CLOSURE I trial receive the implant at no cost, those covered under the CARS IDE can be charged for the device. We anticipate a shift of some recurrent stroke patients with PFOs to the CARS IDE from the original HDE because patients will have access to the newer STARFlex® technology. At this time it is difficult to determine the impact on product revenue in the U.S. as a result of the transition from paid-for HDE devices to the paid-for devices under CARS. We believe the CARS IDE is a significant competitive achievement for us and is necessary to accommodate the growing demand for more advanced PFO/stroke treatments.

 

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WE MAY FACE UNCERTAINTIES WITH RESPECT TO COMMERCIALIZATION, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND MARKET ACCEPTANCE OF OUR PRODUCTS.

We cannot be certain that our current products, or products currently under development, will achieve or maintain market acceptance. Certain of the medical indications that can be treated by our devices can also be treated by surgery, drugs or other medical devices. Currently, the medical community widely accepts many alternative treatments, and these other treatments have a long history of use. We cannot be certain that our devices and procedures will be able to replace such established treatments or that either physicians or the medical community, in general, will accept and utilize our devices or any other medical products that we may develop. In addition, our future success depends, in part, on our ability to develop new and improved implant technology products. Even if we determine that a product candidate has medical benefits, the cost of commercializing that product candidate may be too high to justify development. In addition, competitors may develop products that are more effective, cost less or are ready for commercial introduction before our products. If we are unable to develop additional, commercially viable products, our future prospects will be limited.

OUR MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS AND RELATED PRODUCT SALES MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY A REDUCTION OR INTERRUPTION IN SUPPLY AND AN INABILITY TO OR DELAYS IN DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF SUPPLY.

We procure certain components from a sole supplier in connection with the manufacture of some of our products. While we work closely with our suppliers to try to ensure continuity of supply while maintaining high quality and reliability, we cannot guarantee that those efforts will continue to be successful. In addition, due to the stringent regulations and requirements of governmental regulatory bodies, both in the U.S. and abroad, regarding the manufacture of our products, we may not be able to move quickly enough to establish alternative sources for these components. A reduction or interruption in supply, and an inability to develop alternative sources for such supply, would adversely affect our ability to manufacture our products in a timely and cost effective manner and, accordingly, could potentially negatively impact our related product sales.

WE MAY NEED TO RAISE DEBT OR EQUITY FUNDS IN THE FUTURE.

In the future, considering our anticipated significant spending on clinical trials, we may require additional funds for our research and product development programs, regulatory processes, preclinical and clinical testing, sales, marketing and manufacturing infrastructure and programs and potential licenses and acquisitions. On October 19, 2006, we announced that we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC. The shelf registration statement will permit us to offer and sell up to $65 million of equity or debt securities. Any additional equity financing may be dilutive to our stockholders, and additional debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants. Our capital requirements will depend on numerous factors, including the level of sales of our products, the progress of our research and development programs, the progress of clinical testing, the time and cost involved in obtaining regulatory approvals, the cost of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights, competing technological and market developments, developments and changes in our existing research, licensing and other relationships and the terms of any collaborative, licensing and other similar arrangements that we may establish. We do not currently have any existing line of credit arrangements, and we may not be able to obtain any such credit facilities on acceptable terms, if at all.

WE MAY FACE UNCERTAINTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE EXECUTION, COST AND ULTIMATE OUTCOME OF MIST.

In November 2004, we received approval to initiate our MIST clinical study in the United Kingdom. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of structural heart repair (transcatheter closure of a PFO) in the treatment and prevention of migraine headaches. Patient enrollment was completed in early July 2005, with follow-up evaluations over a six-month period. Preliminary results of MIST, which we released on March 13, 2006, found that over 60% of those screened had a right to left shunt. A shunt is a heart defect, which allows blood to cross from the right to left chambers of the heart, bypassing the lungs. Of those patients, almost 40% had a moderate or large PFO, six times greater than the general population. MIST results also indicated that approximately 42% of the patients treated with our STARFlex® technology had a reduction in migraine headache days of at least 50%. We currently estimate the total costs of MIST, including third-party contracts, agreements with clinical sites and other service providers, to be approximately $4.8. While the results of MIST represented proof of concept and a statistically significant treatment effect, we cannot be certain of the market acceptance of PFO closure as a treatment for certain migraine patients in Europe. Patients enrolled in MIST have an opportunity to consent to be treated and/or monitored as part of a follow-up study (MIST III). Results of the MIST study have been accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed journal, Circulation.

WE MAY FACE CHALLENGES IN EXECUTING OUR FOCUSED BUSINESS STRATEGY.

As a result of the 2001 sale of our vena cava filter product line and the 2002 sale of our neurosciences business unit, we have focused our business growth strategy to concentrate on the developing, manufacturing, marketing and selling of our cardiac septal repair implant devices. Our future sales growth and financial results depend almost exclusively upon the growth of sales of this product line. CardioSEAL®, STARFlex® and BioSTAR® product sales may not grow as quickly as we

 

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expect for various reasons, including, but not limited to, delays in receiving further FDA approvals for additional indications and product enhancements, difficulties in recruiting additional experienced sales and marketing personnel and increased competition. This focus has placed significant demands on our senior management team and other resources. Our future success will depend on our ability to manage and implement our focused business strategy effectively, including:

 

   

achieving successful migraine and stroke-related clinical trials;

 

   

developing next generation product lines;

 

   

improving our sales and marketing capabilities, including expansion in Europe;

 

   

expanding our production capabilities;

 

   

improving our ability to successfully manage inventory as we expand production;

 

   

continuing to train, motivate and manage our employees; and

 

   

developing and improving our operational, financial and other internal systems.

WE MAY BE UNABLE TO PROTECT OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND MAY FACE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INFRINGEMENT CLAIMS.

Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to obtain patents, maintain trade secret protection and operate without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties. We cannot be certain that:

 

   

any of our pending patent applications or any future patent applications will result in issued patents;

 

   

the scope of our patent protection will exclude competitors or provide competitive advantages to us;

 

   

any of our patents will be held valid if subsequently challenged; or

 

   

others will not claim rights in or ownership of the patents and other proprietary rights held by us.

Furthermore, we cannot be certain that others have not or will not develop similar products, duplicate any of our products or design around any patents issued, or that may be issued, in the future to us or to our licensors. Whether or not patents are issued to us or to our licensors, others may hold or receive patents which contain claims having a scope that covers products developed by us. We could incur substantial costs in defending any patent infringement suits or in asserting any patent rights, including those granted by third parties. In addition, we may be required to obtain licenses to patents or proprietary rights from third parties. There can be no assurance that such licenses will be available on acceptable terms, if at all.

Our issued U.S. patents, and corresponding foreign patents, expire at various dates ranging from 2010 to 2023. When each of our patents expires, competitors may develop and sell products based on the same or similar technologies as those covered by the expired patent. We have invested in significant new patent applications, and we cannot be certain that any of these applications will result in an issued patent to enhance our intellectual property rights.

WE RELY ON A SMALL GROUP OF SENIOR EXECUTIVES, AND INTENSE INDUSTRY COMPETITION FOR QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES COULD AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN NECESSARY, QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

We rely on a small group of senior executives and in the medical device field, there is intense competition for qualified personnel, such that we cannot be assured that we will be able to continue to attract and retain the qualified personnel necessary for the development of our business. Both the loss of the services of existing personnel, as well as the failure to recruit additional qualified scientific, technical and managerial personnel in a timely manner, would be detrimental to our anticipated growth and expansion into areas and activities requiring additional expertise. The failure to attract and retain such personnel could adversely affect our business.

ROYALTY INCOME WILL DECREASE.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, net royalty income increased approximately 10% compared to the period ended September 30, 2006. Net royalty revenues for the period ended September 30, 2006, included $500,000 related to the AGA settlement and the issuance of a sublicense to AGA. This increase has been directly attributable to higher sales by Bard of its RNF product, for which Bard received FDA approval for commercial sales and use as of December 31, 2002. We cannot be certain that the recent trend of Bard’s RNF sales can be sustained or even maintained at its current level. Furthermore, these sales levels could fluctuate on a quarter-to-quarter basis. We have incurred virtually no operating expenses, other than royalties paid, related to our net royalty income and, therefore, future increases or decreases, if any, in the level of Bard’s RNF sales could have a material effect on net income (loss) in future periods. In addition, commencing in the fourth quarter of 2007, the royalty rate payable on Bard’s RNF sales will decrease substantially to approximately 15% of past levels.

 

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OUR LIMITED MANUFACTURING HISTORY AND THE POSSIBILITY OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH MANUFACTURING REGULATIONS RAISE UNCERTAINTIES WITH RESPECT TO OUR ABILITY TO COMMERCIALIZE FUTURE PRODUCTS.

We have a limited history in manufacturing our products, including our CardioSEAL®, STARFlex® and BioSTAR® structural heart repair implants, and we may face difficulties as the commercialization of our products and the medical device industry changes. Increases in our manufacturing costs, or significant delays in our manufacturing process, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The FDA and other regulatory authorities require that our products be manufactured according to rigorous standards including, but not limited to, Good Manufacturing Practices and International Standards Organization, or ISO, standards. These regulatory requirements may significantly increase our production or purchasing costs and may even prevent us from making or obtaining our products in amounts sufficient to meet market demand. If we or a third-party manufacturer change our approved manufacturing process, the FDA will require a new approval before that process could be used. Failure to develop our manufacturing capabilities may mean that, even if we develop promising new products, we may not be able to produce them profitably, as a result of delays and additional capital investment costs.

WE MAY BE UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY GROW OUR PRODUCT REVENUES OR EXPAND GEOGRAPHICALLY DUE TO LIMITED MARKETING AND SALES EXPERIENCE.

Our structural heart repair implant devices are marketed primarily through our direct sales force. Since 2001, we have increased our combined U.S. and European sales and marketing organization headcount from 9 to 27. Because we had marketed our initial products, such as stents and vena cava filters, through third parties, we have limited experience marketing our products directly. We are uncertain that we can successfully expand geographically in Europe or other potential markets for our products. In order to market directly the CardioSEAL®, STARFlex® and BioSTAR® septal implants and any related products, we will have to continue to develop a marketing and sales organization with technical expertise and distribution capabilities.

WE MAY BE UNABLE TO COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY BECAUSE OF INTENSE COMPETITION AND RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE IN OUR INDUSTRY.

The medical device industry is characterized by rapidly evolving technology and intense competition. Existing and future products, therapies, technological approaches and delivery systems will continue to compete directly with our products. Many of our competitors have substantially greater capital resources, greater research and development, manufacturing and marketing resources and experience and greater name recognition than we do. In addition, new surgical procedures and medications could be developed that replace or reduce the importance of current or future procedures that utilize our products. As a result, any products that we develop may become obsolete before we recover any expenses incurred in connection with development of these products.

AN ADVERSE OUTCOME IN ANY LITIGATION WE ARE CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN COULD AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION.

We are currently involved in litigation as described in Part II, Item 1 (Legal Proceedings). An adverse outcome involving this matter could result in substantial monetary damages and/or negatively impact our ability to use intellectual property and, therefore, negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations.

PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS, PRODUCT RECALLS AND UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED LIABILITIES COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS.

The testing, marketing and sale of implantable devices and materials carry an inherent risk that users will assert product liability claims against us or our third-party distributors. In these claims, users might allege that their use of our devices had adverse effects on their health. A product liability claim or a product recall could have a material adverse effect on our business. Certain of our devices are designed to be used in life-threatening situations where there is a high risk of serious injury or death. Although we currently maintain limited product liability insurance coverage, we cannot be certain that in the future we will be able to maintain such coverage on acceptable terms, or that current insurance or insurance subsequently obtained will provide adequate coverage against any or all potential claims. Furthermore, we cannot be certain that we will avoid significant product liability claims and the attendant adverse publicity. Any product liability claim, or other claim, with respect to uninsured or underinsured liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

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OUR EXPANDING EUROPEAN OPERATIONS EXPOSE US TO RISK INHERENT IN FOREIGN OPERATIONS.

As we increase our presence in Europe and Canada following the receipt of a CE Mark (Europe) and Health Products and Food Branch, or HPB, approval (Canada) for our BioSTAR® technology, the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on our revenue and expenses could have an adverse impact on our worldwide profitability.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Number

  

Description of Exhibit

10.1(1)

   Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and John E. Ahern, President and Chief Executive Officer, dated October 18, 2007. (**)

31.1

   Certification of John E. Ahern, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

31.2

   Certification of Richard E. Davis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

32.1

   Certification of John E. Ahern, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

   Certification of Richard E. Davis, Executive Vice President 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.

(1) Confidential treatment requested as to certain portions, which portions are omitted and filed separately with the Commission.
(**) Management contract or compensatory plan arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

 

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(1) 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.

 

    NMT MEDICAL, INC.

Date: November 8, 2007

  By:  

/s/ JOHN E. AHERN

    John E. Ahern
    President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 8, 2007

  By:  

/s/ RICHARD E. DAVIS

    Richard E. Davis
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Number

  

Description of Exhibit

10.1(1)

   Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and John E. Ahern, President and Chief Executive Officer, dated October 18, 2007.

31.1

   Certification of John E. Ahern, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

31.2

   Certification of Richard E. Davis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

32.1

   Certification of John E. Ahern, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

   Certification of Richard E. Davis, Executive Vice President 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.

(1) Confidential treatment requested as to certain portions, which portions are omitted and filed separately with the Commission.
(**) Management contract or compensatory plan arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

 

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