8-K 1 v313984_8k.htm FORM 8-K

 

UNITED STATES 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 18, 2012

 

Apricus Biosciences, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada 0-22245 87-0449967

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation)

(Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

11975 El Camino Real, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92130
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (858) 222-8041

  

 

 (Former name or former address, if changed, since last report.)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

£Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

£Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

£Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

£Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-4(c))

 

 
 

 

Item 4.01.Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

 

(a) Dismissal of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

On May 18, 2012, Apricus Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”), at the direction of the Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company, dismissed EisnerAmper LLP (“EisnerAmper”) as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm.

 

EisnerAmper's audit report on the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

 

During the Company's two most recent fiscal years and through the effective date of their termination, May 18, 2012, there were no disagreements with EisnerAmper on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of EisnerAmper, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its report.

 

During the Company's two most recent fiscal years and through the effective date of their termination, May 18, 2012, there have been no reportable events of the type required to be disclosed by Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

 

The Company has provided EisnerAmper with a copy of the disclosures in this Current Report on Form 8-K prior to the date that these disclosures were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). The Company requested that EisnerAmper furnish to the Company a letter addressed to the Commission stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the Company in response to Item 304(a) of Regulation S-K and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A copy of the letter from EisnerAmper confirming its agreement with certain disclosures made herein is attached as Exhibit 16.1 hereto.

 

(b) Engagement of New Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

On May 18, 2012, the Audit Committee approved the engagement of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as its independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company's financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.

 

During the fiscal years December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and the subsequent interim period prior to engaging PwC, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf has consulted with PwC regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specific transaction, either completed or proposed or (ii) the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company's consolidated financial statements and, in the case of either (i) or (ii), a written report or oral advice that PWC concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to accounting, auditing or financial reporting issues, or (iii) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, or (iv) any “reportable event” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

 

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
16.1   Letter to Securities and Exchange Commission from EisnerAmper LLP, dated May 18, 2012.

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

 

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

 

  Apricus Biosciences, Inc.
   
 Date: May 21, 2012 By: /S/ Randy Berholtz  
    Name: Randy Berholtz  
    Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary