-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, OgNMhhg+5OAfzkyHetoO0/Z0pQF+khaxZHMrnh7y3nNO8MISA3dkVRoA7L2FUuqg pQqZ/PAxAEdP+RY/CJEOew== 0001193125-06-107485.txt : 20060510 0001193125-06-107485.hdr.sgml : 20060510 20060510153122 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-06-107485 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 13 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20060331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20060510 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060510 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CURAGEN CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001030653 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-COMMERCIAL PHYSICAL & BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH [8731] IRS NUMBER: 061331400 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-23223 FILM NUMBER: 06825754 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 322 EAST MAIN STREET CITY: BRANFORD STATE: CT ZIP: 06405 BUSINESS PHONE: 203 481 1104 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 322 EAST MAIN STREET CITY: BRANFORD STATE: CT ZIP: 06405 10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


 

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006

OR

 

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

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number 000-23223

 


CURAGEN CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   06-1331400

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

322 East Main Street, Branford, Connecticut   06405
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 481-1104

 


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. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

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

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

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s common stock as of April 28, 2006 was 55,959,473.

 



Table of Contents

CURAGEN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

FORM 10-Q

INDEX

 

                Page
PART I. Financial Information   
     Item 1.   Financial Statements   
       Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 (unaudited)
   3
       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (unaudited)
   4
       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (unaudited)
   5
       Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)    6 - 13
     Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    14 - 23
     Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    24
     Item 4.   Controls and Procedures    25
PART II. Other Information   
     Item 1A.   Risk Factors    26
     Item 6.   Exhibits    26
Signatures    27
Exhibit Index    28


Table of Contents

CURAGEN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except par value and share data)

(unaudited)

 

     March 31,
2006
    December 31,
2005
 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 17,106     $ 20,757  

Short-term investments

     28,895       22,267  

Marketable securities

     165,284       183,504  
                

Cash and investments

     211,285       226,528  

Income taxes receivable

     363       709  

Inventory

     6,919       4,103  

Accounts receivable

     3,892       3,491  

Prepaid expenses

     2,003       1,522  
                

Total current assets

     224,462       236,353  

Property and equipment, net

     19,755       21,705  

Intangible and other assets, net

     12,532       12,399  
                

Total assets

   $ 256,749     $ 270,457  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 3,687     $ 2,943  

Accrued expenses

     6,179       3,864  

Accrued payroll and related items

     1,745       1,775  

Interest payable

     1,212       3,305  

Current portion of deferred revenue

     6,403       7,766  

Other current liabilities

     2,590       2,887  

Current portion of convertible subordinated debt

     66,228       —    
                

Total current liabilities

     88,044       22,540  
                

Long-term liabilities:

    

Convertible subordinated debt, net of current portion

     110,000       176,228  

Long-term liabilities

     547       518  

Deferred revenue, net of current portion

     13,300       14,250  
                

Total long-term liabilities

     123,847       190,996  
                

Commitments and contingencies

    

Minority interest in subsidiary

     704       485  
                

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common Stock; $.01 par value, issued and outstanding 55,960,817 shares at March 31, 2006, and 55,642,080 shares at December 31, 2005

     560       556  

Additional paid-in capital

     513,296       514,862  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (2,705 )     (2,833 )

Accumulated deficit

     (466,997 )     (453,133 )

Unamortized stock-based compensation

     —         (3,016 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     44,154       56,436  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 256,749     $ 270,457  
                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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CURAGEN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2006     2005  

Revenue:

    

Product revenue

   $ 4,495     $ 1,082  

Sequencing service revenue

     2,447       261  

Collaboration revenue

     1,793       1,368  

Grant revenue

     484       719  

Milestone revenue

     950       —    
                

Total revenue

     10,169       3,430  
                

Operating expenses:

    

Cost of product revenue

     2,627       207  

Cost of sequencing service revenue

     990       119  

Grant research

     399       421  

Research and development

     14,406       17,457  

General and administrative

     5,385       4,351  
                

Total operating expenses

     23,807       22,555  
                

Loss from operations

     (13,638 )     (19,125 )

Interest income

     1,976       2,107  

Interest expense

     (2,348 )     (3,361 )
                

Loss before income tax benefit and minority interest in subsidiary loss

     (14,010 )     (20,379 )

Income tax benefit

     54       73  

Minority interest in subsidiary loss

     92       907  
                

Net loss

   $ (13,864 )   $ (19,399 )
                

Basic and diluted net loss per share

   $ (0.25 )   $ (0.39 )
                

Weighted average number of shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share

     54,619       50,272  
                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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CURAGEN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2006     2005  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (13,864 )   $ (19,399 )

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     2,565       2,000  

Stock-based compensation

     1,310       318  

Stock-based 401(k) plan employer match

     107       170  

Non-cash interest income

     85       210  

Minority interest in subsidiary loss

     (92 )     (907 )

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Income taxes receivable

     346       (73 )

Inventory

     (2,816 )     (873 )

Accounts receivable

     (401 )     (1,096 )

Prepaid expenses

     (481 )     44  

Intangible and other assets, net

     (31 )     (78 )

Accounts payable

     790       1,033  

Accrued expenses

     2,365       1,772  

Accrued payroll and related items

     (30 )     (830 )

Interest payable

     (2,093 )     (3,050 )

Current portion of deferred revenue

     (1,363 )     786  

Other current liabilities

     (242 )     (452 )

Deferred revenue, net of current portion

     (950 )     —    
                

Net cash used in operating activities

     (14,795 )     (20,425 )
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Acquisitions of property and equipment

     (379 )     (2,897 )

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets

     71       114  

Payments for intangible assets

     —         (5 )

Purchases of short-term investments

     (11,146 )     (9,046 )

Proceeds from sales of short-term investments

     4,111       1,448  

Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments

     381       32,187  

Purchases of marketable securities

     (4,290 )     (18,312 )

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

     4,199       9,276  

Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities

     17,876       9,900  
                

Net cash provided by investing activities

     10,823       22,665  
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     321       228  
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     321       228  
                

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (3,651 )     2,468  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     20,757       23,849  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 17,106     $ 26,317  
                

Supplemental cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 4,225     $ 6,116  
                

Income tax benefit payments received, net of payments made

   $ 860       —    
                

Acquisition/construction of property, plant and equipment, unpaid at end of period

   $ 6     $ 2,458  
                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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CURAGEN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation and Reclassifications

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of our management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. The condensed consolidated financial statements of CuraGen Corporation and subsidiary (the “Company”) include CuraGen Corporation (“CuraGen”) and its majority-owned subsidiary, 454 Life Sciences Corporation (“454”), and accordingly, all material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The Company has determined that acquisitions of property and equipment on account, which were previously reported as components of changes in operating assets and liabilities and purchases of property and equipment, should not have been reported in the statements of cash flows. Therefore, the financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2005 have been revised to reflect an increase in cash flows used in operating activities with a corresponding increase in cash flows provided by investing activities of $1.4 million. Purchases of property and equipment acquired on account have now been presented as supplemental disclosure of non-cash items. In addition, the Company also revised the financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2005 to reflect non-cash interest income in the cash flows used in operating activities, and gross inflows and outflows from purchases, maturities and sales of short-term investments and marketable securities in the cash flows provided by investing activities. These revisions had no effect on the Company’s net income or the amount of cash and cash equivalents reported.

The 2005 condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the classifications used in 2006. All dollar amounts herein are shown in thousands, except par value and per share data.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

2. Comprehensive Loss

The accumulated balance of other comprehensive loss is disclosed as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and is comprised of unrealized gains and losses on short-term investments and marketable securities. A summary of total comprehensive loss is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2006     2005  

Net loss

   $ (13,864 )   $ (19,399 )
                

Other comprehensive loss:

    

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:

    

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period

     133       (1,549 )

Reclassification adjustment for realized losses included in net loss

     5       31  
                

Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities

     128       (1,518 )
                

Total comprehensive loss

   $ (13,736 )   $ (20,917 )
                

The Company periodically reviews its investment portfolios and its investment in TopoTarget A/S (“TopoTarget”) to determine if there is an impairment that is other than temporary, and as of the balance sheet date, has not experienced any impairments in its investments that were other than temporary.

 

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In evaluating whether the individual investments in the investment portfolio are other than temporarily impaired, the Company considers the credit rating of the individual securities, the cause of the impairment of the individual securities which is generally related to interest rate increases, and the severity of the impairment of the individual securities. In order for an individual investment to be impaired, the cause and severity of the impairment must be equal to or more than 5% of the book value of the investment.

The Company regularly evaluates the carrying value of its investment in TopoTarget by considering the market value of the stock of TopoTarget, a publicly traded company on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange. This investment is classified as an available-for-sale long-term marketable security and is included in Intangible and other assets, net, on the March 31, 2006 balance sheet at a fair value of $5,792 which includes an unrealized gain of $503.

 

3. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), effective January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R requires recognition of the fair value of stock-based compensation in net earnings. Previously Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”) required only expanded disclosures of stock-based compensation arrangements with employees, and encouraged (but did not require) compensation cost to be measured based on the fair value of the equity instruments awarded. Companies were permitted to continue to apply Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”) for equity instruments awarded to employees, which recognized compensation cost based on the intrinsic value of the equity instruments awarded. The Company continued to apply APB 25 for purposes of its stock-based compensation awards to employees through December 31, 2005, and accordingly recorded no compensation expense for option grants unless the option grants had an exercise price less than the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant.

CuraGen has one active stock-based compensation plan, the 1997 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Plan (“1997 Stock Plan”) and one inactive stock-based compensation plan, the 1993 Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan (“1993 Stock Plan”), and 454 has one active stock-based compensation plan, the 2000 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Plan (“454 2000 Stock Plan”). Under the active plans, restricted stock, stock options and other stock-related awards may be granted to directors, officers, employees and consultants or advisors of CuraGen and 454, respectively. No future awards may be granted under the inactive plan. To date, stock-based compensation issued under the plans has consisted of incentive and non-qualified stock options and restricted stock. Generally, stock options are granted to employees at exercise prices equal to the respective fair market values of the common stock of CuraGen and 454, at the dates of grant, and have terms of 10 years. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for stock option grants over the requisite service period of the individual stock option grants, which equals the vesting period. Generally, stock option grants to employees fully vest between three to five years from the grant date. The Company issues new shares upon the exercise of stock options.

The Company has transitioned to fair-value-based accounting for stock-based compensation under SFAS 123R using a modified version of the prospective application (“modified prospective application”). Under modified prospective application, restatement of prior financial statements is not required; however, SFAS 123R applies to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled on or after January 1, 2006. Additionally, compensation cost for the portion of awards for which the requisite service has not been rendered (generally referring to non-vested awards) that are outstanding as of January 1, 2006, is recognized as the remaining requisite service is rendered after the adoption of SFAS 123R.

The attribution of compensation cost for purposes of the pro forma disclosures required under SFAS 123 prior to January 1, 2006, was calculated on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of an award as if the awards were in-substance, multiple awards, which resulted in an acceleration of compensation cost. However, effective with the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company is recording compensation cost for new awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

In addition, the Company estimated forfeitures when calculating compensation expense for SFAS 123 pro forma disclosures, and adjusted the estimate of forfeitures over the requisite service period based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differed from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures were recognized through a cumulative true-up adjustment in the period of change and also impacted the amount of compensation expense to

 

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be recognized in future periods. The Company will continue to use this methodology after the adoption of SFAS 123R. With respect to accounting for the compensation expense related to restricted stock awards, the Company previously recognized forfeitures as they occurred. However, effective with the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company now estimates forfeitures for purposes of calculating compensation expense related to restricted stock. The impact on previously reported compensation expense related to restricted stock where forfeitures were recognized as incurred was not material.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company used the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the fair value of stock options granted to employees for purposes of SFAS 123 disclosure. Upon the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company continues to use the Black-Scholes option valuation model for purposes of valuing all new awards and awards modified, repurchased or cancelled on or after January 1, 2006.

Historically, CuraGen has used the following methods to determine the factors input into the Black-Scholes model: historical volatility is used to determine the expected stock price volatility factor; risk-free interest rates are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant, for the period corresponding to the approximate expected term of the options; and the expected term of the options has been calculated using CuraGen’s historical exercise patterns to estimate future exercise patterns. Effective with the adoption of SFAS 123R, CuraGen continues to utilize the same methodology for purposes of estimating the expected stock price volatility and the risk-free interest rates, however, for purposes of estimating the expected term CuraGen uses the simplified approach as outlined in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (Topic 14) (“SAB 107”), whereby the expected term is equal to the average of the vesting term and the contractual term.

Historically, 454 has used the following methods to determine the factors input into the Black-Scholes model: review of volatilities of otherwise similar entities with publicly traded stock is used to determine the expected stock price volatility of 454’s non-public stock; risk-free interest rates are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant, for the period corresponding to the approximate expected term of the options; and the expected term of the options has been calculated using 454’s historical exercise patterns to estimate future exercise patterns. Effective with the adoption of SFAS 123R, 454 continues to utilize the same methodology for purposes of estimating the expected stock price volatility and the risk-free interest rates, however, for purposes of estimating the expected term 454 uses the simplified approach as outlined in SAB 107, whereby the expected term is equal to the average of the vesting term and the contractual term.

For purposes of restricted stock grants, the grant date fair value is calculated as the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant less the purchase price of the restricted stock paid by the grantee, which is equal to the $.01 par value of the stock. CuraGen recognizes stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock grants over the requisite service period of the individual grants, which equals the vesting period. Generally, restricted stock grants to employees fully vest between two to three years from the grant date. CuraGen issues new shares to satisfy grants of restricted stock.

SFAS 123R requires the presentation of pro forma information for periods prior to the adoption as if the Company had accounted for all stock-based compensation under the fair value method. For purposes of pro forma disclosure, the estimated fair value of the options at the date of grant is amortized to expense over the requisite service period, which equals the vesting period. Employee stock-based compensation shown below includes the amortization of restricted stock compensation expense recorded in the statements of operations during the period presented. The following table illustrates the effect on net loss and earnings per share as if the fair value recognition provisions had been applied to the Company’s employee stock-based compensation.

 

    

Three Months Ended
March 31,

2005

 

Net loss, as reported

   $ (19,399 )

Employee stock-based compensation expense included in net loss

     313  

Total employee stock-based compensation expense determined under the fair-value-based method for all awards

     (1,022 )
        

Pro forma net loss

   $ (20,108 )
        

Basic and diluted net loss per share:

  

As reported

   $ (0.39 )

Pro forma

   $ (0.40 )

Upon adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company recognizes the compensation expense associated with stock options granted to employees after December 31, 2005, and the unvested portion of previously granted employee stock option awards that were outstanding as of December 31, 2005, in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Company recognized compensation expense of $559

 

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with respect to employee stock options. As of March 31, 2006 the Company had capitalized compensation expense for employee stock options of $8 into inventory. During the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Company also recognized compensation expense of $736 in the condensed consolidated statements of operations with respect to restricted stock grants. Due to the CuraGen and 454 net loss positions, no tax benefit was recorded during the period. Upon the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company reversed the $3,016 balance in the unamortized stock-based compensation account to additional paid-in-capital in accordance with SFAS 123R. Compensation expense related to the shares of restricted stock will be recognized in the Company’s statements of operations over the vesting periods.

For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the adoption of SFAS 123R had the following effect on amounts that would have been reported using the intrinsic value method under APB 25:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31, 2006  
     Using APB 25
Accounting
    SFAS 123R
Adjustments
    As Reported  

Loss before income tax benefit and minority interest in subsidiary loss

   $ (13,403 )   $ (607 )   $ (14,010 )

Net loss

   $ (13,305 )   $ (559 )   $ (13,864 )

Basic and diluted net loss per share

   $ (0.24 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.25 )

The fair value of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were estimated as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following assumptions:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2006     2005  

Expected stock price volatility - CuraGen

   79 %   82 %

Expected stock price volatility - 454

   31 %   33 %

Risk-free interest rate - CuraGen

   4.23 %   3.43 %

Risk-free interest rate - 454

   4.23 %   3.87 %

Expected option term in years - CuraGen

   6.25     4.61  

Expected option term in years - 454

   6.25     7.76  

Expected dividend yield - CuraGen and 454

   0 %   0 %

The approximate weighted-average grant date fair values using the Black-Scholes option valuation model of all stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2006    2005

CuraGen

   $ 2.91    $ 3.83

454

   $ 1.40    $ 1.15

A summary of the stock option activity under the 1993 Stock Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2006 is as follows:

 

    

Number

of Options

    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

(in years)

   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Outstanding January 1, 2006

   222,864     $ 2.91      

Granted

   —            

Exercised

   —            

Canceled or lapsed

   (800 )     5.00      
              

Outstanding March 31, 2006

   222,064       2.91    .86    $ 467,051
                    

Exercisable March 31, 2006

   222,064       2.91    .86    $ 467,051
                    

 

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The total intrinsic value of options exercised under the 1993 Stock Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2005 was $57. There were no options exercised under the 1993 Stock Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2006.

The following table presents weighted average price information about significant option groups under the 1993 Stock Plan exercisable at March 31, 2006:

 

Range of Exercise Prices

   Number of Options
Exercisable
  

Weighted
Average

Exercise Price

$ 1.50

   50,400    $ 1.50

   2.05

   78,000      2.05

   3.75 - 5.00

   93,664      4.38
       
   222,064      2.91
       

A summary of the stock option activity under the 1997 Stock Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2006 is as follows:

 

     

Number

of Options

    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

(in years)

   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Outstanding January 1, 2006

   5,183,311     $ 11.54      

Granted

   1,274,742       4.05      

Exercised

   (2,749 )     3.50      

Canceled or lapsed

   (162,084 )     13.22      
              

Outstanding March 31, 2006

   6,293,220       9.98    6.64    $ 2,935,140
                    

Exercisable March 31, 2006

   3,655,038       13.28    4.99    $ 1,457,406
                    

The total intrinsic value of options exercised under the 1997 Stock Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $4 and $28, respectively.

The following table presents weighted average price information about significant option groups under the 1997 Stock Plan exercisable at March 31, 2006:

 

Range of Exercise Prices

   Number of Options
Exercisable
  

Weighted
Average

Exercise Price

$2.565-3.780

   528,549    $ 3.24

3.875-5.031

   725,659      4.29

5.090-5.970

   845,844      5.73

6.000-8.710

   500,334      8.10

15.830-22.500

   341,800      16.76

24.938-31.660

   326,485      26.88

41.125-58.334

   386,367      52.54
       
   3,655,038      13.28
       

A summary of all stock option activity under the 454 2000 Stock Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2006 is as follows:

 

    

Number

of Options

    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

(in years)

   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Outstanding, January 1, 2006

   4,195,567     $ 2.53      

Granted

   723,700       3.54      

Exercised

   (122,900 )     2.53      

Canceled or lapsed

   (101,166 )     2.52      
              

Outstanding, March 31, 2006

   4,695,201       2.68    6.46    $ 5,004,551
                    

Exercisable, March 31, 2006

   2,825,018       2.48    4.93    $ 3,578,723
                    

 

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The total intrinsic value of options exercised under the 454 2000 Stock Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $118 and $0, respectively.

The following table presents weighted average price information about significant option groups under the 454 2000 Stock Plan exercisable at March 31, 2006:

 

Range of Exercise Prices

   Number of
Options
Exercisable
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

$1.25 - 2.50

   2,709,818    $ 2.46

2.75

   15,200      2.75

3.00

   100,000      3.00
       

Total

   2,825,018      2.48
       

As of March 31, 2006 there was $5,223 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock option grants under the 1993 Stock Plan, 1997 Stock Plan and 454 2000 Stock Plan. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.23 years.

A summary of all restricted stock activity under the 1997 Stock Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2006 is as follows:

 

    

Number

of Shares

of Restricted
Stock

   

Weighted
Average
Grant Date

Fair Value

Outstanding January 1, 2006

   1,043,320     $ 4.63

Granted

   300,000       4.73

Restrictions lapsed

   (9,375 )     6.22

Repurchased upon employee termination

   (7,000 )     5.17
        

Outstanding March 31, 2006

   1,326,945       4.64
        

The total fair value of restricted shares vested during the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $32. There were no restricted shares that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2005.

As of March 31, 2006, there was $3,595 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock grants under the 1997 Stock Plan. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.66 years.

 

4. Restructuring and Related Charges

In June 2003, CuraGen announced a restructuring plan intended to focus resources on continuing to advance its pipeline of protein, antibody, and small molecule therapeutics into preclinical and clinical development. In connection with the June 2003 restructuring plan, a charge of $2,888 was recorded in the second quarter of 2003, including $1,742 related to employee separation costs, $1,046 of operating lease obligations and $100 of asset impairment costs. The cash requirements under the June 2003 restructuring plan were $2,681, of which $2,383 was paid prior to March 31, 2006. The remaining cash requirements of $298 will be paid through 2008.

In September 2005, CuraGen underwent a corporate restructuring to focus on advancing its therapeutic pipeline through clinical development. In connection with the September 2005 restructuring plan, a charge of $1,280 was recorded in the third quarter of 2005, including $1,111 related to employee separation costs, $130 of operating lease obligations and $39 of asset impairment costs. The cash requirements under the September 2005 restructuring plan were $1,057, of which $921 was paid prior to March 31, 2006. The remaining cash requirements of $136 will be paid through the second quarter of 2006.

In November 2005, CuraGen underwent a corporate restructuring to focus on advancing its therapeutic pipeline through clinical development. In connection with the November 2005 restructuring plan, a charge of

 

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$1,537 was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005, including $1,396 of operating lease obligations and $141 of asset impairment costs. The cash requirements under the November 2005 restructuring plan were $1,396, of which $308 was paid prior to March 31, 2006. The remaining cash requirements of $1,088 will be paid through 2007.

 

5. Segment Reporting

The Company currently operates in two business segments: CuraGen and 454. CuraGen is a biopharmaceutical development company dedicated to improving the lives of patients by developing novel protein, antibody and small molecule therapeutics in the areas of oncology, inflammatory diseases, and diabetes. 454, the Company’s majority-owned subsidiary, has commercialized advanced technologies for rapidly and comprehensively determining the nucleotide sequence of entire genomes—”whole genome sequencing”—and performing ultra-deep sequencing of, or accurate detection of mutations in, target genes of interest. The operations of 454 are run by a separate management team and governed by a separate Board of Directors made up of members of CuraGen’s management team and Board of Directors.

 

     March 31,
2006
    December 31,
2005
 

Cash and investments:

    

CuraGen

   $ 199,298     $ 211,238  

454

     11,987       15,290  
                

Total

   $ 211,285     $ 226,528  
                

Total assets:

    

CuraGen

   $ 232,768     $ 247,493  

454

     30,406       30,119  

Intercompany eliminations

     (6,425 )     (7,155 )
                

Total

   $ 256,749     $ 270,457  
                
     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2006     2005  

Revenues:

    

CuraGen

   $ 1,540     $ 1,384  

454

     8,751       2,162  

Intercompany eliminations

     (122 )     (116 )
                

Total

   $ 10,169     $ 3,430  
                

Operating expenses:

    

CuraGen

   $ 14,773     $ 17,831  

454

     9,156       4,840  

Intercompany eliminations

     (122 )     (116 )
                

Total

   $ 23,807     $ 22,555  
                

Net loss:

    

CuraGen

   $ 13,687     $ 17,660  

454

     269       2,646  

Minority interest in subsidiary loss

     (92 )     (907 )
                

Total

   $ 13,864     $ 19,399  
                

Capital expenditures:

    

CuraGen

   $ 95     $ 2,677  

454

     305       222  

Intercompany eliminations

     (21 )     (2 )
                

Total

   $ 379     $ 2,897  
                

Depreciation and amortization:

    

CuraGen

   $ 1,932     $ 1,401  

454

     633       599  
                

Total

   $ 2,565     $ 2,000  
                

 

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6. Inventory

A summary of inventory is as follows:

 

     March 31,
2006
  

December 31,

2005

Raw material

   $ 4,404    $ 2,098

Work in process

     959      1,336

Finished goods

     1,556      669
             

Total

   $ 6,919    $ 4,103
             

 

7. Loss Per Share

Basic loss per share (“LPS”) is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period excluding unvested restricted stock. Diluted LPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if options or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. Convertible subordinated debt, stock options granted under CuraGen’s stock option plans but not yet exercised, unvested restricted stock and warrants granted but not yet exercised are anti-dilutive and therefore not considered for the diluted LPS calculations. Anti-dilutive potential common shares, consisting of convertible subordinated debt, outstanding stock options, unvested restricted stock and outstanding warrants are 20,236,558 and 20,840,046 at March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

8. 6% Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due 2007

In 2000, the Company completed an offering for $150,000 of 6% convertible subordinated debentures due February 2, 2007 and received net proceeds of approximately $145,600. To date, the Company repurchased $83,772 of its 6% convertible subordinated debentures due in 2007, for total consideration of $81,540, plus accrued interest of $1,221 to the date of repurchase, and recorded a gain of $1,472 in Gain on extinguishment of debt, which includes the write-off of the ratable portion of unamortized deferred financing costs relating to the repurchased debt. As of March 31, 2006, the remaining balance $66,228 of 6% convertible subordinated debentures due February 2, 2007 has been classified on the balance sheet in current liabilities, as the outstanding balance is due in less than one year.

 

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CURAGEN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

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

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as of March 31, 2006 and for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 should be read in conjunction with the sections of our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as well as our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” that are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Overview

We are a biopharmaceutical development company dedicated to improving the lives of patients by developing novel protein, antibody and small molecule therapeutics in the areas of oncology, inflammatory diseases, and diabetes. We have taken a systematic approach to identifying and validating the most promising therapeutic targets from our past research into the human genome and our efforts are now focused on developing and advancing potential therapeutics through preclinical and clinical development. As our pipeline has matured over the past few years, we have decreased our early-stage target discovery efforts and focused our resources on the advancement of our oncology therapeutics in the areas of cancer supportive care and the treatment of cancer. Our 66% majority-owned subsidiary, 454 Life Sciences (“454”), has commercialized advanced technologies for sequencing DNA. 454’s current products perform rapid and comprehensive “whole genome sequencing,” or the determination of the nucleotide sequence of entire genomes, as well as “ultra-deep sequencing,” or the accurate detection of mutations in target genes of interest. In the first quarter of 2005, 454 began commercializing the first version of the 454 Sequencing System. The 454 Sequencing System is comprised of 454’s Genome Sequencer 20 Instrument (“GS20”), reagent kits, consumables and a suite of analysis software.

Recent Developments

Preclinical and Clinical Therapeutics

We are currently focusing our resources on our oncology therapeutics in the areas of cancer supportive care and the treatment of cancer. We also maintain a portfolio of protein, antibody, and small molecule therapeutics, and targets in various stages of development in the areas of oncology, inflammatory diseases and diabetes.

Oncology Pipeline

 

    Velafermin is a protein therapeutic that we are investigating for the prevention of oral mucositis (“OM”), a debilitating side effect experienced by many cancer patients receiving treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination thereof. In December 2005, we completed a Phase II clinical trial on velafermin that randomized 212 patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy, with or without total body irradiation, prior to autologous bone marrow transplantation, to receive a single administration of either placebo or one of three doses of velafermin for the prevention of oral mucositis. Results from this trial were presented in February 2006 at the 2006 Bone Marrow Transplantation (“BMT”) Tandem Meetings. Data presented suggest that a single dose of 0.03 mg/kg velafermin administered to patients one day after reinfusion of stem cells may reduce the incidence of severe Grade 3 or 4 OM, however the primary analysis for a linear dose trend across increasing doses of velafermin did not achieve statistical significance. To confirm the activity of the 0.03 mg/kg dose of velafermin, we are conducting a second Phase II trial, which is expected to begin enrolling patients during the second quarter of 2006. This study will evaluate the efficacy of 0.03 mg/kg velafermin compared to placebo for the prevention of oral mucositis, and also evaluate the activity of a single dose of 0.01 mg/kg velafermin or 0.06 mg/kg velafermin compared to placebo;

 

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    PXD101 is a small molecule histone deacetylase (“HDAC”) inhibitor we in-licensed from TopoTarget A/S in June 2004 and is currently being investigated for the treatment of cancer, both as a single agent and in combination with other anti-cancer treatments. We are currently studying the activity of PXD101 in five proof-of-concept clinical trials:

 

Indication

   Phase   

Regimen

   Initiation of Patient
Enrollment
  

Milestone

Multiple myeloma

   II    Monotherapy or in combination with dexamethasone    January 2005    Preliminary results mid 2006

Solid tumors and colorectal cancer

   Ib    Combination with 5-fluorouracil    September 2005    Preliminary results Q4 2006

Solid tumors and ovarian cancer

   Ib    Combination with paclitaxel and/or carboplatin    September 2005    Preliminary results Q4 2006

T-cell lymphoma

   II    Monotherapy    January 2006    Preliminary results mid 2007

Multiple myeloma

   Ib    Combination with Velcade®    March 2006    Preliminary results mid 2007

Under the Clinical Trials Agreement (“CTA”) we signed with the National Cancer Institute (“NCI”) in August 2005, the NCI will also initiate additional clinical trials evaluating PXD101, both alone and in combination, for other cancer indications. In March 2006, the first NCI-sponsored study under the CTA began enrolling patients into a Phase I trial evaluating the safety of PXD101 in combination with bortezomib (Velcade®) for patients with advanced solid tumors or lymphomas;

 

    CR011 is a fully-human monoclonal antibody stemming from our collaboration with Amgen (formerly Abgenix, Inc.), and utilizes antibody-drug conjugation (“ADC”) technology licensed from Seattle Genetics. We anticipate that CR011 will enter a Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of metastatic melanoma during the first half of 2006;

 

    CR014 is a fully-human monoclonal ADC that targets TIM-1, also known as T-cell Immunoglobulin domain and Mucin domain 1, and is in preclinical studies to evaluate its role in the treatment of ovarian cancer and renal cell carcinoma. In March 2006 we presented new preclinical data on CR014 at the 97th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in Washington, D.C. that demonstrated potent anti-proliferative activity on antigen positive renal and ovarian carcinoma cell lines both in vitro and in vivo; and

 

    CR012 is a fully-human monoclonal antibody that targets SLPI, also known as secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, a protein located on the surface of certain cancer cells, and is in preclinical studies to evaluate its role in the treatment of colorectal and ovarian cancers. In March 2006 we presented new preclinical data on CR012 at the 97th Annual Meeting of the AACR in Washington, D.C. that demonstrated inhibition of colon carcinoma cell lines growth in vitro and in vivo.

In addition, we have several potential protein, antibody, and small molecule therapeutics that have been or are being prepared to be evaluated in animal studies. We will continue to evaluate strategic opportunities for these assets through partnerships, licensing, or the filing of investigational new drug application (“IND”) applications in the future.

454 Life Sciences Corporation

454 was formed in 2000 as our majority-owned subsidiary. 454 has commercialized advanced technologies for rapidly and comprehensively determining the nucleotide sequence of entire genomes—”whole genome sequencing”—and performing ultra-deep sequencing of, or accurate detection of mutations in, target genes of interest. The GS20 sequences more than 20 million bases from over 200,000 independent DNA fragments per five hour run on a single instrument. We believe 454’s affordable, high-throughput technology will expand the whole genome sequencing market beyond genome centers, where the majority of such sequencing services are currently performed, to research centers and academic institutions.

In April 2006, 454 and F. Hoffman-LaRoche Ltd. (“Roche”) announced enhancements to the GS20 including a single read accuracy of greater than or equal to 99%, two additional PicoTiterPlate gasket formats, new software algorithms supporting additional applications, and a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) enabled mode that allows the system to be embedded into existing lab infrastructures.

 

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Strategic Collaborations

In December 1999, we entered into a strategic alliance with Abgenix to develop and commercialize antibody therapeutics using Abgenix’ XenoMouse™ technology. We amended and restructured this alliance in November 2000 and again in April 2004. The initial phase of the agreement involving the identification of targets and initiation of monoclonal antibody generation was completed in June 2005. We and Abgenix continue to jointly characterize antibody candidates under the research phase of the alliance, and have, to date, characterized ten antibodies as having commercial product potential. We have elected to further develop nine of these antibodies and Abgenix has elected one. Under the agreement, antibodies resulting from the strategic alliance are available for characterization and allocation until December 2007.

In April 2006, the acquisition of Abgenix by Amgen, Inc. officially closed. Abgenix will now operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary and be referred to as Amgen Freemont, Inc. (“Amgen”). In accordance with the terms of the agreement pertaining to change of control, Amgen is obligated to assume all obligations of the agreement.

Summary

We expect to generate value for our shareholders by developing novel therapeutics and advanced technologies for the sequencing of DNA. We expect to become profitable by commercializing a subset of therapeutics stemming from our development pipeline, and establishing partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for the development and commercialization of other therapeutics from our development pipeline. Our failure to successfully develop pharmaceutical products that we can commercialize would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Royalties or other revenue generated from commercial sales of products developed through the application of our technologies and expertise are not expected for several years, if at all. We expect that our revenue or income sources for at least the next several years may be limited to: 454 product, service, grant, and milestone revenue; and interest income.

We expect to continue incurring substantial expenses relating to our research and development efforts, as we focus on: preclinical studies and clinical trials required for the development of therapeutic protein, antibody and small molecule product candidates; external programs identified by our platform as being promising and synergistic with our products and expertise; and 454, as it continues to work on the development and commercialization of its technology for whole genome analysis and other sequencing applications. Conducting clinical trials is a lengthy, time-consuming and expensive process. We will incur substantial expenses for, and devote a significant amount of time to, these studies. As a result, we expect to incur continued losses over the next several years, unless we are able to realize significant revenues through 454’s sales of DNA sequencing services and the GS20 and related reagents and consumables. The timing and amounts of such revenues cannot be predicted with certainty and may fluctuate. Results of operations for any period may be unrelated to the results of operations for any other period. In addition, historical results should not be viewed as indicative of future operating results.

All dollar amounts in this Item 2 are shown in millions, unless otherwise noted.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and as such, actual results may differ from our estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Our significant accounting policies are fully described in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Stock-Based Compensation

We utilized the modified prospective transition method to adopt SFAS 123R on January 1, 2006. Under this method, the provisions of SFAS 123R apply to all awards granted or modified after the date of adoption. In addition, the unrecognized expense of awards not yet vested at the date of adoption, determined under the original provisions of SFAS 123, shall be recorded in net income in the periods after the date of adoption. Prior to January 1, 2006, we accounted for stock options under the intrinsic value method described in APB 25, and related Interpretations as permitted by SFAS 123. When applying the intrinsic value method to stock options, we did not record stock-based compensation cost in net loss because the exercise price of our stock options equaled the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. For additional information on stock-based compensation please see Note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q.

 

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth a comparison of the components of our net loss for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (in millions):

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
       2006      2005    $ Change     % Change  

Product revenue

   $ 4.5    $ 1.1    $ 3.4     309 %

Sequencing service revenue

     2.4      0.3      2.1     700 %

Collaboration revenue

     1.8      1.4      0.4     29 %

Grant revenue

     0.5      0.7      (0.2 )   (29 )%

Milestone revenue

     0.9      —        0.9     100 %

Cost of product revenue

     2.6      0.2      2.4     1200 %

Cost of sequencing service revenue

     1.0      0.1      0.9     900 %

Grant research expenses

     0.4      0.4      —       —    

Research and development expenses

     14.4      17.5      (3.1 )   (18 )%

General and administrative expenses

     5.4      4.4      1.0     23 %

Interest income

     2.0      2.1      (0.1 )   (5 )%

Interest expense

     2.3      3.4      (1.1 )   (32 )%

Income tax benefit

     0.1      0.1      —       —    

Minority interest in subsidiary loss

     0.1      0.9      (0.8 )   (89 )%
                  

Net loss

   $ 13.8    $ 19.4     
                  

The following table sets forth a comparison of revenue by segment, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (in millions):

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
       2006      2005    $ Change     % Change  

Product revenue:

          

454

   $ 4.5    $ 1.1    $ 3.4     309 %
                  

Total

   $ 4.5    $ 1.1     
                  

Sequencing service revenue:

          

454

   $ 2.4    $ 0.2    $ 2.2     1100 %
                  

Total

   $ 2.4    $ 0.2     
                  

Collaboration revenue:

          

CuraGen

   $ 1.4    $ 1.4      —       —    

454

     0.4      —      $ 0.4     100 %
                  

Total

   $ 1.8    $ 1.4     
                  

Grant revenue:

          

454

   $ 0.5    $ 0.7    $ (0.2 )   (29 )%
                  

Total

   $ 0.5    $ 0.7     
                  

Milestone revenue:

          

454

   $ 0.9      —      $ 0.9     100 %
                  
   $ 0.9      —       
                  

Product revenue. 454’s product revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2006 consisted of GS20 instrumentation, reagents kits and consumables sold to 454’s distribution partner, Roche. 454’s product revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2006 also included royalties from Roche related to Roche product sales. 454 began selling products directly to end users in the first quarter of 2005 and through Roche in the fourth quarter of 2005. Under 454’s agreement with Roche, 454 receives payments at agreed upon transfer pricing for shipments of 454’s products to Roche. In addition, 454 receives a royalty from Roche upon its sale of products to end users. Royalties on sales to third parties completed by Roche are recognized when earned, based upon royalty reports received from Roche at the end of each calendar quarter.

 

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During the three month period ended March 31, 2006, the first full quarter of product sales through Roche, 454 recognized $4.5 million of product sales as compared to $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2005. The increase in product sales was due to an increase in the number of instruments, reagents and consumables sold, compared to the 2005 period in which sales of the GS20 had just begun, partially offset by a decrease in pricing. Together the transfer price and royalty received by 454 from Roche represented approximately 50% of the price paid by the end user. We expect product revenues during the remaining quarters of 2006 to continue to increase as a result of increasing unit sales to, and additional royalties from, Roche.

Sequencing service revenue. During the three month period ended March 31, 2006, 454 recognized $2.4 million of sequencing service revenue as compared to $0.2 million during the first quarter of 2005. The increase was due to the number of sequencing service contracts completed in the first quarter of 2006 as compared to the first quarter of 2005. 454 expects sequencing service revenue to remain roughly constant over the remaining three quarters of 2006.

Collaboration revenue. CuraGen’s collaboration revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2006 remained relatively constant with the same period in 2005. We expect to recognize $0.9 million in collaboration revenue during the second quarter of 2006, reflecting the completion of the remaining work under the Company’s Pharmacogenomics Agreement with Bayer AG.

Under 454’s Research and Development agreement with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, (the “Roche Research and Development Agreement”), Roche has an obligation to fund applications for sequencing DNA. In the first quarter of 2006 Roche funded approximately $0.4 million of 454’s application research and development. 454 expects similar funding levels for the remaining quarters of 2006.

Grant revenue. During the three month period ended March 31, 2006, 454 recognized $0.5 million of grant revenue as compared to $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2005. Grant revenue was related to two grants from the National Human Genome Research Institute (“NHGRI”), one of the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”). 454 expects revenue from these two NIH grants to be consistent with the first quarter of 2006 for the remaining three quarters of 2006, based on the planned research under these two grants.

Milestone revenue. Under the Roche License, Supply and Distribution Agreement dated May 11, 2005 between 454 and Roche (the “Roche License Agreement”), 454 is entitled to receive both up-front milestone payments for specific events, including contract negotiation and signing, supplier agreement execution and future product launches, as well as potential future commission/royalty sales-based payments for significant cumulative sales by Roche. Up-front payments under the Roche License Agreement are deferred and amortized into revenue on a straight-line basis from the later of the date the payment was earned or the effective date of the agreement, through the end of the agreement term. For the purposes of milestone revenue recognition, the effective date of the agreement was determined by management of 454 to be October 2005, the date of the commercial launch by Roche of 454’s products. Milestone revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2006 of $0.9 million relates to the amortization associated with $19.0 million of up-front payments from Roche earned during 2005. We expect milestone revenue to increase in 2006 due to amortization associated with additional up-front milestones expected to be earned in 2006.

Cost of product revenue. Cost of product revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2006 was $2.6 million as compared to $0.2 million in 2005 as a result of increased product sales. Effective February 1, 2005, the date on which we successfully completed the installation of our first 454 sequencing instrument at a customer site, we began to capitalize, in inventory, the costs of manufacturing instrumentation and reagents for commercial sale. Certain items that were previously capitalized as fixed assets were transferred into inventory at the net book value on February 1, 2005. In October 2005, 454 began selling instrumentation, reagents and consumables to Roche at an agreed upon transfer price and earning royalties from Roche on Roche sales. We expect the cost of instrument and reagent sales to increase in 2006 due to the expected increase in volume of unit sales to Roche. Due to the non-recurring nature of, the items transferred into inventory and, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2005, 454’s selling of instruments and reagents to Roche at agreed upon transfer prices and in exchange for royalties from Roche, the profit margin 454 earns on 454’s products is expected to decrease in 2006 as compared to 2005.

Cost of sequencing service revenue. Cost of sequencing service revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2006 was $1.0 million as compared to $0.1 million for the same period in 2005. The increase in cost of sequencing service revenue was due to the number of sequencing service contracts in the first quarter of 2006 as compared to the first quarter of 2005. 454 expects cost of sequencing service revenue to remain constant over the remaining three quarters of 2006.

Grant research expenses. Grant research expenses for the three month period ended March 31, 2006 were consistent with the same period in 2005. Grant research expenses were related to two federal grant awards from the

 

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NIH, and include personnel costs and lab supplies that are directly related to the research outlined in the grant award. We expect 2006 grant research expenses to decrease in comparison to 2005 based on the research plan outlined under these two grants.

Research and development expenses. The following table sets forth a comparison of research and development expenses by segment, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (in millions):

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2006    2005    $ Change     % Change  

Research and development expenses:

          

CuraGen

   $ 11.1    $ 15.0    $ (3.9 )   (26 )%

454

     3.3      2.5      0.8     32 %
                  

Total

   $ 14.4    $ 17.5     
                  

Research and development expenses consist primarily of: salary and benefits; supplies and reagents; contractual and manufacturing costs; perpetual license fees and milestone payments; depreciation and amortization; and allocated facility costs. Our research and development efforts are concentrated on four major project areas: collaborations; preclinical drug candidates; clinical trials; and our majority-owned subsidiary, 454. With the exception of 454, we budget and monitor our research and development costs by expense category, rather than by project, because these costs often benefit multiple projects and/or our technology platform.

Below is a summary that reconciles our total research and development expenses for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 by the major categories mentioned above (in millions):

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2006    2005    $ Change     % Change  

Salary and benefits

   $ 4.2    $ 4.2    $ —       —    

Supplies and reagents

     1.6      1.3      0.3     23 %

Contractual and manufacturing costs

     4.9      4.4      0.5     11 %

Perpetual license fees and milestone payments

     —        4.0      (4.0 )   (100 )%

Depreciation and amortization

     1.0      1.1      (0.1 )   (9 )%

Allocated facility costs

     2.7      2.5      0.2     8 %
                  

Total research and development expenses

   $ 14.4    $ 17.5     
                  

The decrease in research and development expenses for CuraGen for the three month period ended March 31, 2006 was primarily due to first quarter 2005 perpetual license fee payments of approximately $4.0 million (primarily related to our collaborations with TopoTarget and Seattle Genetics), offset by non-cash expenses for stock options and restricted stock recorded under SFAS 123R. We anticipate a slight decrease in research and development expenses during 2006 as compared to 2005, primarily in salaries and benefits, perpetual license fees and supplies and reagents, offset by an increase in contractual costs.

The increase in research and development expenses for 454 for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was primarily due to increased salary and benefits, as a result of an increase in personnel as well as non-cash expenses for stock options recorded under SFAS 123R, and increased supplies and reagents. We expect 454’s research and development expenses to increase in 2006 as compared to 2005 in support of anticipated new product launches.

As soon as CuraGen advances a potential clinical candidate into clinical trials, we begin to track the direct research and development expenses associated with that potential clinical candidate. The following table shows the cumulative direct research and development expenses as of March 31, 2006, as well as the current direct research and development expenses for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, which were incurred on or after we started conducting a Phase I clinical trial for a clinical candidate (in millions):

 

          Clinical Trial Costs          

Therapeutic Area and

Clinical Candidate

   Class    Cumulative as
of March 31,
2006 (since
commencement
of Phase I trial)
   Three
Months
Ended
March 31,
2006
   Three
Months
Ended
March 31,
2005
   Indication    Trial
Status

Cancer Supportive Care

                 

Velafermin

   Protein    $ 27.9    $ 2.3    $ 1.7    Oral Mucositis    Phase II

Oncology

                 

PXD101

   Small Molecule    $ 21.3    $ 2.3    $ 4.9    Various Cancers    Phase II

Kidney Inflammation

                 

CR002

   Antibody    $ 1.5      —      $ 0.5    Kidney Inflammation    Phase I

 

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Currently, our potential pharmaceutical products require significant research and development efforts and preclinical testing, and will require extensive evaluation in clinical trials prior to submitting an application to regulatory agencies for their commercial use. Although we are conducting or have conducted human studies with respect to velafermin, PXD101, and CR002, we may not be successful in developing or commercializing these or other products. Our product candidates are subject to the risks of failure inherent in the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products and we cannot currently provide reliable estimates as to when, if ever, our product candidates will generate revenue and cash flows.

Completion of research and development, preclinical testing and clinical trials may take many years. Estimates of completion periods for any of our major research and development projects are highly speculative and variable, and dependent on the nature of the disease indication, how common the disease is among the general populace, and the results of the research. For example, preclinical testing and clinical trials can often go on for an indeterminate period of time since the results of tests are continually monitored, with each test considered “complete” only when sufficient data has been accumulated to assess whether the next phases of clinical trials are warranted or whether the effort should be abandoned. Typically, Phase I clinical trials are expected to last between 12 and 24 months, Phase II clinical trials are expected to last between 24 and 36 months and Phase III clinical trials are expected to last between 24 and 60 months. The most significant time and costs associated with clinical development are the Phase III trials as they tend to be the longest and most comprehensive studies conducted during the drug development process.

In addition, many factors may delay the commencement and speed of completion of preclinical testing and clinical trials, including the number of patients participating in the trial, the duration of patient follow-up required, the number of clinical sites at which the trials are conducted, and the length of time required to locate and enroll suitable patient subjects. The successful completion of our development programs and the successful development of our product candidates are highly uncertain and are subject to numerous challenges and risks. Therefore, we cannot presently estimate anticipated completion dates for any of our projects.

Due to the variability in the length of time necessary to develop a product candidate, the uncertainties related to the cost of projects and the need to obtain governmental approval for commercialization, accurate and meaningful estimates of the ultimate costs to bring our product candidates to market are not available. If our major research and development projects are delayed, then we can expect to incur additional costs in conducting our preclinical testing and clinical trials and a longer period of time before we become profitable from our operating activities. Accordingly, the timing of the potential market approvals for our existing product candidates, velafermin, PXD101, CR002, and future product development candidates, may have a significant impact on our capital requirements.

General and administrative expenses. The following table sets forth a comparison of general and administrative expenses by segment, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (in millions):

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
       2006        2005      $ Change    % Change  

General and administrative expenses:

           

CuraGen

   $ 3.7    $ 2.9    $ 0.8    28 %

454

     1.7      1.5      0.2    13 %
                   

Total

   $ 5.4    $ 4.4      
                   

The increase in CuraGen’s general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2006, as compared to the same period in 2005 was primarily a result of executive recruiting costs, consulting and legal fees and non-cash expenses for stock options and restricted stock recorded under SFAS 123R. Our general and administrative expenses are expected to increase slightly for the full year 2006 as compared to 2005.

 

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The increase in 454’s general and administrative expenses for the three month period ended March 31, 2006, as compared to the same period in 2005, was attributable to the growth in the employee base as a result of the commercialization of 454’s GS20 as well as non-cash expenses for stock options recorded under SFAS 123R. Accordingly, 454’s general and administrative expenses are expected to continue to increase during 2006 as compared to 2005.

Interest income. Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2006 decreased slightly compared to the same period in 2005 primarily due to lower cash and investment balances, offset by higher yields in our investment portfolio. We earned an average yield of 3.6% in the first quarter of 2006 as compared to 2.5% in the first quarter of 2005. During 2006, we expect the yields in our investment portfolio to continue to be slightly higher than 2005. However, due to the utilization of cash and investment balances in the normal course of operations, we anticipate interest income to decrease in 2006. In the event that during 2006 we use cash to repurchase a portion of our remaining debt due in 2007, our estimate of the size of the anticipated decrease in interest income for 2006 will differ accordingly.

Interest expense. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2006 decreased compared to the same period in 2005 primarily due to the repurchases by us in 2005 of $63.8 million of our 6% convertible subordinated debentures due 2007. We expect interest expense, including interest paid to debt holders as well as amortization of deferred financing costs, to decrease during 2006 as compared to 2005 due to the repurchases as described above. In the event that during 2006 we use cash to repurchase a portion of our remaining existing debt due in 2007, our estimate of 2006 interest expense will differ accordingly.

Income tax benefit. CuraGen recorded an income tax benefit during the first quarter of 2006 as a result of Connecticut legislation, which allows companies to obtain cash refunds from the State of Connecticut at a rate of 65% of their annual research and development expense credit, in exchange for forgoing carryforward of the research and development credit. We expect the 2006 income tax benefit for CuraGen to be consistent with 2005 (before adjustments to reflect statute expirations), as 2006 qualified expenses are expected to remain relatively constant as compared to 2005.

Minority interest in subsidiary loss. Minority interest in subsidiary loss for the three months ended March 31, 2006 (which is the portion of 454’s loss attributable to shareholders of 454 other than us) decreased as compared to the same period in 2005, due to an increase in 454 revenue recognized during this period from the sales of instruments and reagents as well as sales of sequencing services. During 2006, losses attributed to the minority ownership in 454 are expected to be consistent with 2005. In the event that during 2006 the cumulative losses applicable to the minority interest in subsidiary exceed the minority interest in the equity capital of 454, all future losses applicable to the minority interest will be charged to CuraGen.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since our inception, we have financed our operations and met our capital expenditure requirements primarily through: private placements of equity securities; convertible subordinated debt offerings; public equity offerings; revenues received under our collaborative research agreements; government grants; sales and royalties from sales of instruments and reagents; and receipt of milestone payments. Since inception, we have not had any off-balance sheet arrangements. To date, inflation has not had a material effect on our business.

454 received two federal grants during 2004 for specific purposes that are subject to review and audit by the grantor agencies. Such audits could lead to requests for reimbursement by the grantor agency for any expenditures disallowed under the terms of the grant. Additionally, any noncompliance with the terms of the grant could lead to loss of current or future awards.

Cash and investments. The following table depicts the components of our operating, investing and financing activities for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, using the direct cash flow method (in millions):

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
     2006     2005  

Cash received from collaborators, customers and grantors

   $ 7.4     $ 3.2  

Cash paid to suppliers and employees

     (20.2 )     (19.2 )

Restructuring and related charges paid

     (0.7 )     (0.5 )

Interest income received

     2.0       2.0  

Interest expense paid

     (4.2 )     (6.1 )

Income tax benefit received

     0.9       —    
                

Net cash and investments used in operating activities

     (14.8 )     (20.6 )
                

Cash paid to acquire property and equipment, net of sales proceeds

     (0.3 )     (2.8 )
                

Net cash and investments used in investing activities

     (0.3 )     (2.8 )
                

Cash received from employee stock option exercises

     0.3       0.2  
                

Net cash and investments provided by financing activities

     0.3       0.2  
                

Unrealized loss on short-term investments and marketable securities

     (0.4 )     (1.5 )
                

Net decrease in cash and investments

     (15.2 )     (24.7 )

Cash and investments, beginning of period

     226.5       328.1  
                

Cash and investments, end of period

   $ 211.3     $ 303.4  
                

 

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In accordance with our investment policy, we are utilizing the following investment objectives for cash and investments: (1) investment decisions are made with the expectation of minimum risk of principal loss, even with a modest penalty in yield; (2) appropriate cash balances and related short-term funds are maintained for immediate liquidity needs, and appropriate liquidity is available for medium-term cash needs; and (3) maximum yield is achieved.

Future Liquidity. During the next twelve months, we expect to continue to fund our operations through a combination of the following sources: cash and investment balances; product revenue; sequencing service revenue; milestone payments; grant revenue; interest income; potential public securities offerings; and/or private strategic-driven common stock offerings. We plan to continue making substantial investments to advance our preclinical and clinical drug pipeline, as well as to advance 454’s next-generation sequencing technologies. Accordingly, over the next 24 months, we foresee the following as significant uses of liquidity: contractual services related to clinical trials and manufacturing; salary and benefits; perpetual license fees; supplies and reagents; potential milestone payments; and costs related to 454. In addition, we expect the payments of interest to the holders of our 2007 and 2011 convertible subordinated debt to be a continued significant use of liquidity, as well as the expected repayment of $66.2 million of the existing 6% convertible subordinated debentures due upon maturity in 2007.

Depending on market and other conditions, we may continue to repurchase or refinance portions of the existing 6% convertible subordinated debentures due 2007 in open market purchases, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. Such repurchases may be material and may affect interest income and interest expense as well as gains or losses on extinguishment of debt. In addition, we also may use sources of liquidity for working capital, and for general corporate purposes and potentially for future acquisitions of complementary businesses or technologies. The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures will depend upon numerous factors, including the amount and extent of our acquisitions, our product development activities, and our investments in technology and the amount of cash generated by our operations. Actual expenditures may vary substantially from our estimates. Our failure to use sources of liquidity effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We believe that our existing cash and investment balances and other sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet our requirements for the next twenty-four months. We consider our operating and capital expenditures to be crucial to our future success, and by continuing to make strategic investments in our preclinical and clinical drug pipeline, we believe that we are building substantial value for our shareholders. The adequacy of available funds to meet our future operating and capital requirements, including the repayment of the remaining balance of our $66.2 million of 6% convertible subordinated debentures due February 2, 2007, and our $110.0 million of 4% convertible subordinated notes due February 15, 2011, will depend on many factors. These factors include: the number, breadth and progress of our research, product development and clinical programs; the amounts and timing of sales of 454’s products and services; the costs and timing of obtaining regulatory approvals for any of our products; potential future acquisitions of complementary businesses or technologies; in-licensing of pharmaceutical products; and costs incurred in enforcing and defending our patent claims and other intellectual property rights.

While we will continue to explore alternative sources for financing our business activities, including the possibility of public securities offerings and/or private strategic-driven common stock offerings, we cannot be certain that in the future these sources of liquidity will be available when needed or that our actual cash requirements will not be greater than anticipated. In appropriate strategic situations, we may seek financial assistance from other sources, including contributions by others to joint ventures and other collaborative or licensing arrangements for the development and testing of products under development. However, should we be unable to obtain future financing either through the methods described above or through other means, we may be unable to meet the critical objective of our long-term business plan, which is to successfully develop and market pharmaceutical products, and may be unable to continue operations. This result could cause our shareholders to lose all or a substantial portion of their investment.

 

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Recently Enacted Pronouncements

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”) which is a revision of FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”) and which supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. SFAS 123, as originally issued, is effective until the provisions of SFAS 123R are fully adopted. In addition, in March 2005, the FASB issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 which provided guidance regarding the interaction between SFAS 123R and certain SEC rules and regulations and provided additional guidance regarding the valuation of share-based payment arrangements for public companies. SFAS 123R is effective for public entities that do not file as a small business issuer, as of the beginning of the first annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005, and therefore, we adopted SFAS 123R on January 1, 2006. Effective with the adoption of SFAS 123R the proforma disclosures previously permitted under SFAS 123 will no longer be an alternative to financial statement recognition. SFAS 123R establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. It also addresses transactions in which an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value of the entity’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments. Under SFAS 123R, we must determine the appropriate fair value model to be used for valuing share-based payments, the attribution method for compensation cost and the transition method to be used at date of adoption. For public companies the available transition methods include modified prospective and retroactive adoption options. See Note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further details of the adoption of SFAS 123R.

Certain Factors That May Affect Results of Operations

The SEC encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains such “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of these provisions, including any projections of earnings, revenues or other financial items, any statement of the plans and objectives of management for future operations, any statements concerning proposed new products or licensing or collaborative arrangements, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. It is our intent that such statements be protected by the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “should,” “may,” “will,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements may include statements about our:

 

    anticipated progress of clinical development programs;

 

    anticipated progress in technology development and commercialization strategy;

 

    results and projected timetables of our clinical trials;

 

    potential future licensing fees, milestone payments, grants and royalty payments;

 

    ability to market, commercialize and achieve market acceptance for our product candidates or products that we develop;

 

    expected future financial results, including estimated revenues, cost of product revenue, cost of sequencing service revenue, operating expenses, interest income, interest expense, income tax benefit and minority interest in subsidiary loss;

 

    estimates regarding the future sufficiency of our cash resources;

 

    expectation that we may repurchase or refinance additional portions of the existing 6% convertible subordinated debentures due 2007; and

 

    plans to continue to explore alternative sources for financing our business activities.

These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors that there can be no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from those projected or suggested in such forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: the risk that any one or more of CuraGen’s drug development programs will not proceed as planned for technical, scientific or commercial reasons or due to patient enrollment issues or based on new information from nonclinical or clinical studies or from other sources; the success of competing products and technologies; CuraGen’s

 

23


Table of Contents

stage of development as a biopharmaceutical company; government regulation and healthcare reform; technological uncertainty and product development risks; product liability exposure; uncertainty of additional funding; the Company’s history of incurring losses and the uncertainty of achieving profitability; reliance on research collaborations and strategic alliances; competition; patent infringement claims against the Company’s products, processes and technologies; the Company’s ability to protect its patents and proprietary rights; and, uncertainties relating to commercialization rights. Please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 for a description of these risks. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our outstanding long-term liabilities as of March 31, 2006 included $110.0 million of our 4% convertible subordinated notes due February 15, 2011, a long-term liability of $0.5 million for the remaining future minimum payments under a license agreement (see Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005) and the long-term portion of 454’s deferred revenue in the amount of $13.3 million. As the debentures and notes bear interest at a fixed rate, our results of operations would not be affected by interest rate changes. As of March 31, 2006, the market value of our $66.2 million 6% convertible subordinated debentures due 2007, based on quoted market prices, was estimated to have been $65.8 million, and the market value of our $110.0 million 4% convertible subordinated notes due 2011, based on quoted market prices, was estimated to have been $88.2 million. Although future borrowings may bear interest at a floating rate, and our result of operations would therefore be affected by interest rate changes, at this point we do not anticipate any significant future borrowings at floating interest rates, and therefore do not believe that a change of 100 basis points in interest rates would have a material effect on our financial condition.

There have been no other significant changes in our market risk compared to the disclosures in Item 7a of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

24


Table of Contents

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a -15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, these officers have concluded that, as of March 31, 2006, our disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective and designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.

(b) Changes in Internal Controls

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting, identified in connection with the above-mentioned evaluation of such internal controls that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

25


Table of Contents

Part II - Other Information

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors. The information presented below updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the risk factors and information disclosed in our Form 10-K.

454’s Sequencing System and reagent kits have been offered commercially for only a short period of time and its technology platform is based on new and relatively unproven technologies and methods. Our future success depends on market acceptance of our current products and our continued research, development and commercialization efforts relating to the future versions of our sequencing systems.

We began marketing, selling and distributing our 454 Sequencing System in 2005 as the GS20 and, as of December 31, 2005, had placed twenty systems. The future versions of our sequencing systems are either in development or the early stages of commercialization. Compared to well-known technologies, our DNA sequencing system has not yet been widely adopted or accepted. Accordingly, to be successful, our current and future sequencing systems, and the technologies underlying those products, must be accepted by our target markets. This market acceptance and the success of our products will depend on numerous factors, including:

 

    the ability to use our products for large-scale applications of DNA sequencing in a cost effective and dependable manner;

 

    whether customers adopt our DNA sequencing systems, as opposed to the products and technologies offered by our competitors;

 

    the willingness and ability of more researchers to invest in DNA sequencing technology than have already done so to date;

 

    the willingness and ability of customers to adopt new technologies requiring additional capital investment; and

 

    our ability to manufacture, market, sell and distribute our DNA sequencing systems and reagent kits on a competitive cost basis.

If a third party successfully asserts that 454 has infringed its patents, our business could be adversely affected.

We are aware of certain issued patents and an allowed patent application expected to issue in mid-2006 that are held by Illumina, Inc. (“Illumina”) and which may be construed by Illumina to apply to an aspect of 454’s sequencing technology that involves the use of DNA-capture beads with 454’s PicoTiter plates. We believe that 454 does not infringe any valid claim, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, and that, furthermore, certain claims of these patents should be held invalid if asserted against 454’s activities. Nevertheless, intellectual property litigation is expensive and time-consuming, with many risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that 454 will prevail in any specific action.

454 will continue to sell its products and we believe that alternative configurations of 454’s products are available. We expect that any such reconfiguration would take a number of months to implement and we cannot assure you that any such reconfiguration would be technologically feasible or would meet current customer requirements.

If 454 were unsuccessful in any action in which these patents were asserted and/or in reconfiguring its products in a timely way, it might have to curtail the manufacture and sale of its products, which could adversely affect our business.

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit 10.1    Addendum dated January 25, 2006, to Employment Agreement, dated September 9, 2002, between the Registrant and Timothy M. Shannon
Exhibit 10.2    Addendum dated January 25, 2006, to Employment Agreement, dated April 1, 2002, between the Registrant and David M. Wurzer
Exhibit 10.3    Addendum dated January 25, 2006, to Employment Agreement, dated April 1, 2002, between the Registrant and Elizabeth A. Whayland
Exhibit 10.4    Addendum dated January 25, 2006, to Employment Agreement, dated August 10, 2005, between 454 Life Sciences Corporation and Christopher K. McLeod
Exhibit 10.5    Employment Agreement, dated March 29, 2006, between the Registrant and Frank M. Armstrong, M.D.
Exhibit 10.6    Revised Board of Directors Compensation Policy of the Registrant, approved March 29, 2006
Exhibit 31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32    Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code).

 

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Table of Contents

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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: May 10, 2006   CuraGen Corporation
  By:  

/s/ Frank M. Armstrong

    Frank M. Armstrong
    Chief Executive Officer and President
    (principal executive officer of the registrant)
  By:  

/s/ David M. Wurzer

    David M. Wurzer
    Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (principal financial and accounting officer of the registrant)

 

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CURAGEN CORPORATION

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

No.     
Exhibit 10.1    Addendum dated January 25, 2006, to Employment Agreement, dated September 9, 2002, between the Registrant and Timothy M. Shannon
Exhibit 10.2    Addendum dated January 25, 2006, to Employment Agreement, dated April 1, 2002, between the Registrant and David M. Wurzer
Exhibit 10.3    Addendum dated January 25, 2006, to Employment Agreement, dated April 1, 2002, between the Registrant and Elizabeth A. Whayland
Exhibit 10.4    Addendum dated January 25, 2006, to Employment Agreement, dated August 10, 2005, between 454 Life Sciences Corporation and Christopher K. McLeod
Exhibit 10.5    Employment Agreement, dated March 29, 2006, between the Registrant and Frank M. Armstrong, M.D.
Exhibit 10.6    Revised Board of Directors Compensation Policy of the Registrant, approved March 29, 2006
Exhibit 31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32    Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code).

 

28

EX-10.1 2 dex101.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REGISTRANT AND TIMOTHY M. SHANNON Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Timothy M. Shannon

Exhibit 10.1

Confidential

LOGO

Interoffice Memorandum

 

To:    Personnel File
From:    Timothy M. Shannon, EVP & Chief Medical Officer
Date:    January 25, 2006
Re:    Amendment to Employment Agreement dated September 9, 2002

 


I, Timothy M. Shannon, (“the Executive”) signed an Employment Agreement (“the Agreement”) with my employer, CuraGen Corporation (“the Company”), on or about September 9, 2002, and subsequently signed an Addendum to the Agreement on October 31, 2003. Exhibit A, Item 1) of the original Agreement provides that the Executive’s initial base salary shall be subject to increases by the Board of Directors, which shall review the salary periodically. Therefore, pursuant to the minutes of the January 26, 2006, Meeting of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, the Executive’s 2006 base salary will be adjusted to $325,000 per year, payable in bi-weekly installments.

Unless explicitly changed in the Addendum dated October 31, 2003, all other terms of the original Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

 

Timothy M. Shannon

 

Patrick J. Zenner
EX-10.2 3 dex102.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REGISTRANT AND DAVID M. WURZER Employment Agreement between the Registrant and David M. Wurzer

Exhibit 10.2

Confidential

LOGO

Interoffice Memorandum

 

To:    Personnel File
From:    David M. Wurzer, EVP & Chief Financial Officer
Date:    January 25, 2006
Re:    Amendment to Employment Agreement dated April 1, 2002

 


I, David M. Wurzer, (“the Executive”) signed an Employment Agreement (“the Agreement”) with my employer, CuraGen Corporation (“the Company”), on or about April 1, 2002, and subsequently signed an Addendum to the Agreement on October 31, 2003. Exhibit A, Item 1) of the original Agreement provides that the Executive’s initial base salary shall be subject to increases by the Board of Directors, which shall review the salary periodically. Therefore, pursuant to the minutes of the January 25, 2006, Meeting of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, the Executive’s 2006 base salary will be adjusted to $300,000 per year, payable in bi-weekly installments.

Unless explicitly changed in the Addendum dated October 31, 2003, all other terms of the original Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

 

David M. Wurzer

 

Patrick J. Zenner

EX-10.3 4 dex103.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REGISTRANT AND ELIZABETH A. WHAYLAND Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Elizabeth A. Whayland

Exhibit 10.3

Confidential

LOGO

Interoffice Memorandum

 

To:    Personnel File
From:    Elizabeth A. Whayland, SVP of Finance & Corporate Secretary
Date:    January 25, 2006
Re:    Amendment to Employment Agreement dated May 20, 2002

 


I, Elizabeth A. Whayland, (“the Executive”) signed an Employment Agreement (“the Agreement”) with my employer, CuraGen Corporation (“the Company”), on or about May 20, 2002, and subsequently signed an Addendum to the Agreement on October 31, 2003. Exhibit A, Item 1) of the original Agreement provides that the Executive’s initial base salary shall be subject to increases by the Board of Directors, which shall review the salary periodically. Therefore, pursuant to the minutes of the January 25, 2006, Meeting of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, the Executive’s 2006 base salary will be adjusted to $211,000 per year, payable in bi-weekly installments.

Unless explicitly changed in the Addendum dated October 31, 2003, all other terms of the original Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

 

Elizabeth A. Whayland

 

Patrick J. Zenner

EX-10.4 5 dex104.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN 454 LIFE SCIENCES CORPORATION AND C. K. MCLEOD Employment Agreement between 454 Life Sciences Corporation and C. K. McLeod

Exhibit 10.4

Confidential

LOGO

Interoffice Memorandum

 

To:    Personnel File
From:    Christopher K. McLeod, President & CEO
Date:    January 25, 2006
Re:    Amendment to Employment Agreement dated August 10, 2005

 


I, Christopher K. McLeod, (“the Executive”) signed an Employment Agreement (“the Agreement”) with my employer, 454 Life Sciences Corporation (“the Company”), on or about August 10, 2005, and subsequently signed an Addendum to the Agreement on December 22, 2005. Schedule A, Item 1) of the original Agreement provides that the Executive’s initial base salary shall be subject to increases by the Board of Directors, which shall review the salary periodically. Therefore, pursuant to the minutes of the January 25, 2006, Meeting of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, the Executive’s 2006 base salary will be adjusted to $338,000 per year, payable in bi-weekly installments.

Unless explicitly changed in the Addendum dated December 22, 2005, all other terms of the original Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

 

Christopher K. McLeod

 

Patrick J. Zenner

EX-10.5 6 dex105.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REGISTRANT AND FRANK M. ARMSTRONG, M.D Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Frank M. Armstrong, M.D

Exhibit 10.5

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of March 29, 2006 between CuraGen Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal place of business at 322 East Main Street, Branford, Connecticut (the “Company”), and Frank M. Armstrong, MD (“Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Executive desires to be employed by the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and the Company desires to retain the Executive’s services, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

THEREFORE, the Company and the Executive, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1. Employment; Duties and Responsibilities

A) The Company shall employ the Executive, and the Executive shall serve the Company, as President and Chief Executive Officer, with such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Executive by the Board of Directors of the Company (“BOD”) and are typically associated with a position of that nature.

B) The Executive shall devote his best efforts and all of his business time to the performance of his duties under this Agreement and shall perform them faithfully, diligently and competently in a manner consistent with the policies and goals of the Company as determined from time to time by the BOD.

C) The Executive shall report to the BOD of the Company.

D) The Executive shall not engage in any activities outside the scope of his employment that would detract from, or interfere with, the fulfillment of his responsibilities or duties under this Agreement.

E) The Executive shall not serve as a director (or the equivalent position) of any company or entity other than the Company and shall not render services of a business, professional or commercial nature to any other person or firm, except for not-for-profit entities, without prior written consent of the BOD. Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.


F) The Executive shall not receive fees or other remuneration for work performed either within or outside the scope of his employment without prior written consent of the BOD. Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

2. Commencement and Term of Employment

The Executive’s employment by the Company under this Agreement shall commence on March 24, 2006 (the “Commencement Date”). The Executive is employed on an at-will basis, and, subject to the provisions of Section 10, either the Executive or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time for any reason.

3. Compensation

As full compensation for all services rendered by the Executive to the Company under this Agreement, the Company shall pay the Executive the compensation set forth in Schedule A attached and incorporated into this Agreement. This schedule may be amended from time to time in writing by the Company and the Executive. In addition, the Company shall pay the Executive certain compensation as sign-on payments as set forth in Schedule B attached and incorporated into this Agreement.

4. Fringe Benefits and Vacation

A) Fringe Benefits. The Executive will be entitled to participate in employee benefit plans which the Company provides or may establish for the benefit of its senior executives generally (for example, group life, disability, medical, dental and other insurance, retirement pension, profit-sharing and similar plans) (collectively, the “Fringe Benefits”). Eligibility to participate in the Fringe Benefits and receive benefits thereunder is subject to the plan documents governing such Fringe Benefits. Nothing contained herein shall require the Company to establish


or maintain any Fringe Benefits, and such Fringe Benefits may be modified from time to time. In addition, while the Executive remains employed by the Company, the Executive shall receive up to $10,000 for reimbursement of reasonable expenses associated with personal financial and tax planning, payable no later than 2 1/2 months following the end of the year in which the expenses are incurred, and provided that the Executive must submit appropriate documentation regarding the expenses to be eligible for such reimbursement.

B) Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to accrue on an annual basis up to 25 paid vacation days in accordance with the Company’s policies as in effect from time to time. All vacation days will be taken at times mutually agreed by the Executive and the Company and will be subject to the business needs of the Company.

C) Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance. The Executive shall be covered under the Company’s directors’ and officers’ insurance coverage to the same extent as any other director or officer of the Company.

5. Expenses

The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by him in connection with the performance of his services for the Company in accordance with the Company’s policies, upon submission of appropriate expense reports and documentation in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures.

6. Disability or Death

A) If, as the result of any physical or mental disability, the Executive shall have failed or is unable to perform his duties for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days, the Company may, by notice to the Executive, terminate his employment under this Agreement as of


the date of the notice without any further payment or the furnishing of any benefit by the Company under this Agreement (other than accrued and unpaid base salary and expenses and benefits which have accrued pursuant to any plan or by law).

B) The term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall terminate upon his death without any further payment or the furnishing of any benefit by the Company under this Agreement, other than accrued and unpaid base salary and commission and expenses and benefits which have accrued pursuant to any plan or by law. This provision shall not be read to change the terms of any other agreement between the Executive and the Company, including any stock option plans, which shall be governed by their respective terms.

7. Patents, Copyrights and Intellectual Property

A) The Executive shall promptly disclose to the Company all Inventions. Inventions shall mean, for purposes of this paragraph, inventions, discoveries, developments, methods and processes (whether or not patentable or copyrightable or constituting trade secrets) conceived, made or discovered by the Executive (whether alone or with others) while employed by the Company that relate, directly or indirectly, to the past, present, or future business activities, research, product design or development, personnel, and business opportunities of the Company, or result from tasks assigned to the Executive by the Company or done by the Executive for or on behalf of the Company. The Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the Company (or as otherwise directed by the Company) his full right, title and interest in and to all Inventions. The Executive agrees to execute any and all applications for domestic and foreign patents, copyrights or other proprietary rights and to do such other acts (including, among others, the execution and delivery of instruments of further assurance or confirmation) requested by the Company to assign the Inventions to the Company and to permit the Company to file, obtain and enforce any patents, copyrights or other proprietary rights in the Inventions. The Executive


agrees to make and maintain adequate and current records of all Inventions, in the form of notes, sketches, drawings, or reports relating thereto, which records shall be and remain the property of and available to the Company at all times.

8. Proprietary and Trade Secret Information

A) The Executive agrees that he will keep confidential and will not make any unauthorized use or disclosure, or use for his own benefit or the benefit of others, during or subsequent to his employment of any research, development, engineering and manufacturing data, plans, designs, formulae, processes, specifications, techniques, trade secrets, financial information, customer or supplier lists or other information that becomes known to him as a result of his employment with the Company which is the property of the Company or any of its clients, customers, consultants, licensors, licensees, or affiliates, provided nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the Executive from using his general knowledge and skill after termination of his employment whether acquired prior to or during his employment by the Company.

B) Proprietary information subject to paragraph 8(A) does not include information that: (i) is or later becomes available to the public through no breach of this Agreement by the Executive; (ii) is obtained by the Executive from a third party who had the legal right to disclose the information to the Executive; or (iii) is required to be disclosed by law, government regulation, or court order.

C) The Executive is not expected to and is expressly forbidden from disclosing to the Company a trade secret or confidential or proprietary information from a former employer.

D) Upon leaving the employment of the Company, the Executive will not remove from the Company premises, either directly or indirectly, any drawings, writings, prints, any documents or anything containing, embodying, or disclosing any confidential or proprietary information or any of the Company’s trade secrets unless express written permission is given by


the BOD. Upon termination of his employment, the Executive shall return to the Company any and all documents and materials that are the property of the Company or its customers, licensees, licensors or affiliates or which contain information that is the property of the Company.

9. Covenant Not to Compete

A) While in the employ of the Company and for a period of one year or the maximum period permitted by applicable law (whichever is shorter) following termination of his employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the approval of the Company, alone or as a partner, officer, director, consultant, employee, stockholder or otherwise, engage in any employment, consulting or business activity or occupation that is or is intended to be directly competitive with 454 Life Sciences Corporation or with Velafermin, any HDAC product for oncology, or any approved product of the Company or of any subsidiary which is being marketed and/or sold at the time of termination; provided, however, that the holding by the Executive of any investment in any security shall not be deemed to be a violation of this section if such investment does not constitute over one percent (1%) of the outstanding issue of such security. The restriction shall run for a period of one year after said termination, and if there shall be any violation hereof during said period, then for a period of one year after cessation of such violation.

B) While in the employ of the Company, the Executive shall promptly notify the Company if the Executive, alone or as a partner, officer, director, consultant, employee, stockholder or otherwise, engages in any employment, consulting or business activity or occupation outside his employment by the Company.

C) The Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, either during the term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement or for a period of one (1) year thereafter, solicit or attempt to solicit, directly or indirectly, the services of any person who was a full-time


employee of the Company, its subsidiaries, divisions or affiliates, or solicit or attempt to solicit the business of any person who was a client or customer of the Company, its subsidiaries, divisions or affiliates, in each case at any time during the last year of the term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement. The Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, either during the term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement or for a period of one (1) year thereafter, employ or attempt to employ, directly or indirectly, the services of any person who was a full-time employee of the Company, its subsidiaries, divisions or affiliates, or solicit the business of any person who was a client or customer of the Company, its subsidiaries, divisions or affiliates, in each case at any time during the last year of the term of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “person” shall include natural persons, corporations, business trusts, associations, sole proprietorships, unincorporated organizations, partnerships, joint ventures and governments or any agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions thereof.

D) The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the covenants in this section are necessary for the protection of the legitimate business interests of the Company and that the covenants are reasonable in all respects. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that, if his employment by the Company is terminated, his experience and capabilities are such that he is both qualified and willing to seek and obtain employment involving business activities which will not violate any covenant on his part to be observed hereunder and that a court decree enjoining any such violation will not prevent him from earning a reasonable livelihood.

E) Just compensation for the duties under this paragraph is included in the salary and benefits provided herein.

G) If the Executive is terminated as a result of a Change of Control, as defined in this Agreement, this Section, titled “Covenant Not to Compete,” shall not be applicable.


10. Termination

A) The Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and the Executive’s employment with the Company at any time for any reason, including for Performance Reasons or Cause (both terms as defined herein). For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Performance Reasons” shall mean termination of the Executive’s employment upon the assessment of the Board of Directors, or a Committee of the BOD, that the Executive has failed to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the Executive’s position. Such a determination shall be made using acceptable business practices and sound management principles and shall not be made in bad faith or arbitrarily.

B) For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” shall mean the Executive’s willfully engaging in conduct demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise, provided that the Executive receives a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the unanimous affirmative vote of the membership of the BOD, excluding the Executive, at a meeting of the BOD called and held for such purpose after the Executive has been given reasonable notice of such meeting and has been given an opportunity, together with his counsel, to be heard by the BOD, finding that in the good faith opinion of the BOD the Executive was guilty of the conduct set forth and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

C) The Executive’s act, or failure to act, shall be deemed “willful” if the Executive was not acting in good faith or acting without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any act or failure to act based on authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board of the Company, or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to have been done by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.


11. Change of Control

(A) “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any one of the following events with respect to the Company, but only to the extent each of the following is interpreted in a manner consistent with the meaning of “a change in the ownership or effective control of the corporation, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” under Section 409A of Internal Revenue Code, as amended, (the “Code Section 409A”) and any successor statute, regulation and guidance thereto, and limited to the extent necessary so that it will not cause adverse tax consequences with respect to Code Section 409A:

(i) such time as the majority of the members of the BOD is replaced during any 12-month period (commencing no earlier than the Commencement Date) by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the BOD prior to the date of appointment or election;

(ii) the acquisition by any “Person” (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and as used in Section 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) of the beneficial ownership of any capital stock of the Company if, after such acquisition, such person beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of the BOD (the “Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that the event described in this paragraph (ii) shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control by virtue of any of the following: (a) an acquisition by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company; (b) an acquisition by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or subsidiary of the Company; (c) an acquisition by any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities; or (d) an acquisition by any Person who, prior to such acquisition, already owned more than 50% of the Company Voting Securities;


(iii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company (a “Business Combination”), unless immediately following such Business Combination at least 50% of the total voting power of (x) the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (the “Surviving Corporation”), or (y) if applicable, the ultimate parent corporation that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of 100% of the voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Surviving Corporation, is represented by Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination (or, if applicable, shares into which such Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination); or

(iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, but only if such approval is in connection with one of the events described in Section 11(A)(i)-(iii) above.

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control of the Company shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the Company Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Company Voting Securities by the Company which reduces the number of Company Voting Securities outstanding.

12. Benefits Upon Termination

A) If the Executive is terminated for Cause, the Company shall not be obligated to make any further payment to the Executive (other than accrued and unpaid base salary and expenses to the date of termination), or continue to provide any benefit (other than benefits which have accrued pursuant to any plan or by law) to the Executive under this Agreement. Accrued and unpaid base salary, expenses, and benefits which have accrued pursuant to any plan or by law are hereinafter referred to as “Accrued Obligations”.


B) If the Executive is terminated for Performance Reasons, then, in addition to the Accrued Obligations, Executive shall be entitled to: (i) salary continuation at the salary the Executive was receiving at the time of termination for a period of six (6) months following termination; and (ii) upon timely election of COBRA continuation coverage, the Executive’s continued participation in any employee health and welfare benefit plan to which the Executive was a participant prior to his termination, with the Company premiums paid at the same percentage as when the Executive had participated as an employee, for up to six (6) months following termination; provided, that the Company’s obligation to continue the Executive’s participation in any employee health and welfare benefit plan shall cease as of the date that the Executive becomes eligible to participate in a similar benefit from another source.

C) If the Executive is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for Cause, Performance Reasons, his retirement, Disability or his death, then, in addition to the Accrued Obligations, Executive shall be entitled to: (i) salary continuation at the salary the Executive was receiving at the time of termination for a period of twelve (12) months following termination; and (ii) upon timely election of COBRA continuation coverage, the Executive’s continued participation in any employee health and welfare benefit plan to which the Executive was a participant prior to his termination, with the Company premiums paid at the same percentage as when the Executive had participated as an employee, for up to twelve (12) months following termination; provided, that the Company’s obligation to continue the Executive’s participation in any employee health and welfare benefit plan shall cease as of the date that the Executive becomes eligible to participate in a similar benefit from another source.

D) If the Executive is terminated by the Company within twelve (12) months of a Change of Control as defined in this Agreement for reasons other than Cause, Disability, or his death, then, in addition to the payments set forth in paragraphs B and C, as applicable, the


Executive shall be entitled to (i) salary continuation at the salary the Executive was receiving at the time of termination for an additional period of twelve (12) months following the conclusion of the payment period under the applicable paragraph above; and (ii) upon timely election of COBRA continuation coverage, the Executive’s continued participation in any employee health and welfare benefit plan to which the Executive was a participant prior to his termination, with the Company premiums paid at the same percentage as when the Executive had participated as an employee, for up to twelve (12) months following the conclusion of the coverage period set forth in the applicable paragraph above; provided that, if COBRA continuation coverage is otherwise earlier terminated under applicable law, then, in lieu of coverage, the Company will pay its share of the monthly Company premium in effect prior to the termination of COBRA continuation coverage directly to the Executive each month for the remainder of the relevant period.

E) If the Executive terminates his employment for a “Good Reason,” the Executive shall be entitled to the same benefits as provided in paragraphs C and D of this section. Termination by the Executive of his employment for “Good Reason” shall mean termination based on:

(i) subsequent to a Change in Control of the Company, and without the Executive’s express written consent, any material reduction in Executive’s duties or responsibilities compared to those prior to a Change in Control, or a change in the Executive’s reporting responsibilities, titles or offices as in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control, or any removal of the Executive from, or any failure to re-elect the Executive, to any of his previously held positions with the Company, except in connection with the termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause, Disability or Retirement or as a result of the Executive’s death or by the Executive other than for Good Reason;


(ii) subsequent to a Change in Control of the Company, a reduction by the Company in the Executive’s base salary as in effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to time;

(iii) subsequent to a Change in Control of the Company, a failure by the Company to continue any bonus plans in which the Executive is presently entitled to participate (the “Bonus Plans”) as the same may be modified from time to time but substantially in the form currently in effect, or a failure by the Company to continue the Executive as a participant in the Bonus Plans on at least the same basis as the Executive presently participates in accordance with the Bonus Plans;

(iv) subsequent to a Change in Control of the Company and without the Executive’s express written consent, the Company’s requiring the Executive to be based anywhere other than within fifty (50) miles of the Executive’s present office location, except for required travel on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with the Executive’s present business travel obligations;

(v) subsequent to a Change in Control of the Company, the failure by the Company to continue in effect any benefit or compensation plan, stock ownership plan, stock purchase plan, stock option plan, life insurance plan, health-and-accident plan or disability plan in which the Executive is participating at the time of a Change in Control of the Company (or plans providing the Executive with substantially similar benefits), the taking of any action by the Company which would adversely affect the Executive’s participation in or materially reduce the Executive’s benefits under any of such plans or deprive the Executive of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by the Executive at the time of the Change in Control, or the failure by the Company to provide the Executive with the number of paid vacation days to which the Executive is then entitled in accordance with the Company’s normal vacation policy in effect on the date hereof; or


(vi) subsequent to a Change in Control of the Company, any purported termination of the Executive’s employment which is not effected pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. No such purported termination shall be effective.

F) Upon a Change of Control, notwithstanding any other agreement, all stock, restricted stock, stock options or restricted stock options of the Executive shall become fully vested to 100%.

G) All payments and benefits set forth in Sections 12(B)-(F) are contingent upon the Executive’s execution of a separation agreement that is in a form acceptable to the Company and contains a full waiver and release of claims against the Company within twenty-one (21) days of the date such separation agreement is provided to the Executive.

H) Notwithstanding any other provision with respect to the timing of payments under Sections 12(A)-(E), as applicable, if, at the time of the Executive’s termination, the Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Code Section 409A, and any successor statute, regulation and guidance thereto) of the Company, then only to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A, any payments to which the Executive may become entitled under Sections 12(A)-(E), as applicable, will be withheld until the first business day of the seventh month following the termination of the Executive’s employment, at which time the Executive shall be paid an aggregate amount equal to six months of payments otherwise due to the Executive under the terms of Sections 12(A)-(E), as applicable. After the first business day of the seventh month following the termination of the Executive’s employment and continuing each month thereafter, the Executive shall be paid the regular monthly payments otherwise due to the Executive in accordance with the terms of


Sections 12(A)-(E), as applicable. In addition, in the event that the Company is obligated to make cash payments directly to the Executive in lieu of COBRA continuation coverage pursuant to the terms of Section 12(D) or (E), then, to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A, such cash payments will be withheld, if applicable, in the same manner as described above in this paragraph.

13. Arbitration

A) Any dispute under this Agreement, including any dispute as to cause or good reason for termination, shall be submitted to binding arbitration subject to the rules of the American Arbitration Association. EACH OF THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH ACTIONS, SUIT OR PROCEEDING. The Company shall bear all costs associated with the Arbitration, including filing fees and any stipend for the arbitrator. The Company and the Executive shall each bear its own attorneys’ fees. However, if the Executive prevails in a challenge to the Company’s determination for cause, the Executive shall be entitled to be reimbursed for all attorney fees.

B) Nothing in this section shall be read to preclude the Company seeking injunctive relief for the Executive’s breach of Section 8, Proprietary and Trade Secret Information or Section 9, Covenant Not to Compete.

14. Injunctive Relief

A) The Executive acknowledges that the services rendered by him under this Agreement are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and, in connection with such services, he will have access to confidential information concerning the Company’s business. By reason of this access to confidential information, the Executive consents and agrees that if he violates any of the provisions of this Agreement with respect to Proprietary and Trade Secret


Information or the Covenant Not to Compete, the Company would sustain irreparable harm and, therefore, in addition to any other remedies which the Company may have under this Agreement or otherwise, the Company shall be entitled to an injunction to be issued by any court of competent jurisdiction restraining the Executive from committing or continuing to commit any such violation of this Agreement.

15. Miscellaneous

A) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut, applicable to agreements made and to be performed in Connecticut, and shall be construed without regard to any presumption or other rule requiring construction against the party causing the Agreement to be drafted.

B) This Agreement contains a complete statement of all the arrangements between the Company and the Executive with respect to its subject matter, supersedes all previous agreements, written or oral, among them relating to its subject matter and cannot be modified, amended or terminated orally. Amendments may be made to this Agreement at any time if mutually agreed upon in writing.

C) Any amendment, notice or other communication under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be considered given when received and shall be delivered personally or mailed by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, to the parties at their respective addresses set forth in this Agreement, or at such other address as a party may specify by written notice to the other.

D) The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. Any waiver must be in writing.


E) Each of the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any court of the State of Connecticut or the Federal District Court of Connecticut over any action, suit or proceeding relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Each party hereby irrevocably waives any objections, including, without limitation, any objection to the laying of venue or based on the grounds of forum non conveniens which such party may now or hereafter have to the bringing of any such actions, suit or proceeding in any such court and irrevocably agrees that process in any such actions, suit or proceeding may be served upon that party personally or by Certified or Registered Mail, Return Receipt Requested.

F) The invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms or provisions of this Agreement which shall remain in full force and effect and any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision shall be given full effect as is legally permissible. If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable in one jurisdiction, it shall not affect the validity or enforceability of that term or provision in any other jurisdiction.

G) This Agreement is not assignable by either party except that it shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor to the Company by merger or consolidation or the acquisition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, provided such successor assumes all of the obligations of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of the Executive.

H) The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Company makes no representations or warranties regarding the tax treatment or tax consequences of any compensation, benefits or other payments under the Agreement, including, without limitation, by operation of Code Section 409A, or any successor statute, regulation and guidance thereto.


I) The Company and the Executive agree that they will negotiate in good faith and jointly execute an amendment to modify this Agreement to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A, or any successor statute, regulation and guidance thereto; provided that no such amendment shall increase the total financial obligation of the Company under this Agreement.

 

By:   LOGO   3/30/06     By:  

 

   
  Patrick J. Zenner   Date       Frank M. Armstrong, MD     Date
  Interim CEO and Chairman            
  CuraGen Corporation            
  322 East Main Street            
  Branford, CT 06511            


SCHEDULE A

Annual Compensation

The Executive shall receive the following compensation for services on an annual basis:

1) The Executive’s base salary shall be $490,000 per year, payable in bi-weekly installments, subject to change by the BOD, which shall review the salary on an annual basis.

2) The Executive shall be eligible to receive performance-based bonuses based on the attainment of goals set by the BOD. The Executive’s bonus shall be 50% of base salary at target, and may be increased up to 100% of base salary for above-plan performance.

3) The Executive shall be eligible to participate in the annual equity grant program specified in the Company’s Executive Incentive Plan (EIP).


SCHEDULE B

Sign-On Payments

1. Sign-on bonus. The Executive will receive a sign-on bonus in the amount of $175,000, payable on the first regular payroll date following commencement of employment. In the event the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment or if his employment is terminated by the Company for Cause during the twelve-month period following the commencement of the Executive’s employment, the Executive will be required to repay the sign-on bonus to the Company in full within twelve (12) months of the Executive’s employment termination. Termination of employment for Good Reason or the Executive’s death shall be deemed an involuntary termination. To the extent the sign-on bonus is deemed to be taxable compensation to you, the Company will make a “gross up” payment to you in order to pay for income tax imposed on you in connection with the sign-on bonus.

2. Equity grants. Effective as of Commencement Date, the Company will grant the Executive the following:

(i) a stock option for 500,000 shares of common stock of the Company (the “CuraGen Option”), with an exercise price set at the stock price at the close of business on the date of grant, which option shall vest as to 25% of the underlying shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and as to 6.25% of the underlying shares at the end of each quarter following the first anniversary of the date of grant until fully vested. The CuraGen Option will be subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Company’s 1997 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Plan, and the stock option agreement under which the CuraGen Option is granted.

(ii) a stock option for 100,000 shares of common stock of 454 Life Sciences Corporation (the “454 Option”), with an exercise price set at fair market value on the date


of grant, which option shall vest as to 50% on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and 50% on the second anniversary of the date of grant. The 454 Option will be subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the 454 Life Sciences Corporation’s 2000 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Plan, and the stock option agreement under which the 454 Option is granted.

(iii) 300,000 restricted shares of common stock of the Company, under which 100,000 shares shall be vested on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and with respect to the remaining 200,000 shares, the Company’s repurchase rights shall lapse as follows:

(A) with respect to 100,000 shares, on the earlier of (I) the second anniversary of the date of grant, or (II) the date when the Company’s common stock has been at least $7.00 per share for at least 90 consecutive days; and

(B) with respect to the remaining 100,000 shares, on the earlier of (I) the third anniversary of the date of grant, or (II) the date when the Company’s common stock has been at least $11.00 per share for at least 90 consecutive days.

The restricted stock grant will be subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Company’s 1997 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Plan, and the restricted stock agreement under which the restricted stock is granted.

3. Relocation payments. The Executive will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred by the Executive in connection with one-time moving and transportation cost associated with the relocation of the Executive’s family and household goods to the Branford metropolitan area, provided such relocation is effected within 24 months of the Commencement Date and provided that the Executive is an employee of the Company at the time the relocation payments are incurred by the Executive.

EX-10.6 7 dex106.htm REVISED BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMPENSATION POLICY OF THE REGISTRANT Revised Board of Directors Compensation Policy of the Registrant

Exhibit 10.6

CURAGEN CORPORATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMPENSATION POLICY

(Effective March 29, 2006)

 


STOCK COMPENSATION

Initial appointment grant:

 

    30,000 stock options to each Board member, granted on the date of appointment to the Board, vesting 1/3 upon grant, 1/3 after year 1 of service and 1/3 after year 2 of service. (Vesting will be accelerated upon a 50% or greater change in control of CuraGen Corporation.)

Annual grant:

 

    15,000 stock options to each Board member, granted in conjunction with the Annual Meeting, vesting immediately.

 

    7,500 stock options to the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, granted in conjunction with the Annual Meeting (or granted on the date of appointment to the position and prorated for the first fiscal year of appointment, the fiscal year ending with the date of the next regularly scheduled Annual Meeting), vesting immediately.

 

    5,000 stock options to the Audit Committee Chair, granted in conjunction with the Annual Meeting (or granted on the date of appointment to the position and prorated for the first fiscal year of appointment, the fiscal year ending with the date of the next regularly scheduled Annual Meeting), vesting immediately.

 

    2,500 stock options to the Compensation Committee Chair and the Nominating & Governance Committee Chair, granted in conjunction with the Annual Meeting (or granted on the date of appointment to the position and prorated for the first fiscal year of appointment, the fiscal year ending with the date of the next regularly scheduled Annual Meeting), vesting immediately.

CASH COMPENSATION - Retainers

Annual Retainer:

 

    $20,000 for all Directors paid quarterly in arrears and prorated for less than a full quarter ending on August 15th, November 15th, February 15th and May 15th.

Additional Annual Retainer:

 

    $30,000 for the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, paid quarterly in arrears and prorated for less than a full quarter ending on August 15th, November 15th February 15th , and May 15th.

 

    $15,000 for the Audit Committee Chair, paid quarterly in arrears and prorated for less than a full quarter ending on August 15th, November 15th, February 15th, and May 15th.

 

    $10,000 for the Compensation Committee Chair and the Nominating & Governance Committee Chair, paid quarterly in arrears and prorated for less than a full quarter ending on August 15th, November 15th, February 15th and May 15th.

CASH COMPENSATION – Meeting Fees

Board of Directors Meetings:

 

    $1,500 per regular meeting, plus expenses.

 

    $750 per telephonic meeting.

Committee Meetings:

 

    $1,250 per regular meeting to each Audit Committee Member.

 

    $1,000 per regular meeting to each Compensation and Nominating & Governance Committee Member.

 

    $1,000 per telephonic meeting to each Audit Committee Member.

 

    $750 per telephonic meeting to each Compensation and Nominating & Governance Committee Member.

Additional Fees:

 

    $1,000 per day for additional work performed onsite at CuraGen, in support of Board and/or Committee responsibilities.
EX-31.1 8 dex311.htm SECTION 302 CEO CERTIFICATION Section 302 CEO Certification

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS UNDER SECTION 302

I, Frank M. Armstrong, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report of CuraGen Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f), for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 10, 2006

 

/s/ Frank M. Armstrong

Frank M. Armstrong
Chief Executive Officer and President
(principal executive officer of the registrant)
EX-31.2 9 dex312.htm SECTION 302 CFO CERTIFICATION Section 302 CFO Certification

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS UNDER SECTION 302

I, David M. Wurzer, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report of CuraGen Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f), for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 10, 2006

/s/ David M. Wurzer

David M. Wurzer
Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (principal financial and accounting officer of the registrant)
EX-32 10 dex32.htm SECTION 906 CEO AND CFO CERTIFICATION Section 906 CEO and CFO Certification

EXHIBIT 32

Certification

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code), each of the undersigned officers of CuraGen Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2006 (the “Form 10-Q”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated: May 10, 2006   By:  

/s/ Frank M. Armstrong

    Frank M. Armstrong
    Chief Executive Officer and President
    (principal executive officer of the registrant)
Dated: May 10, 2006   By:  

/s/ David M. Wurzer

    David M. Wurzer
    Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer
    and Treasurer
    (principal financial and accounting officer of the
    registrant)
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-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----