10-Q 1 ecte10q_mar312015.htm FORM 10-Q ecte10q_mar312015.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
________________
 
FORM 10-Q
________________
 
 
R
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015.

or

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

 
For the transition period from _________ to __________.

 
Commission File Number: 001-35218
 
 
ECHO THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
________________
 
Delaware
41-1649949
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
99 Wood Avenue South, Suite 302, Iselin, NJ
08830
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
732-549-0128
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
________________
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes R  No £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes R  No £

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

Large accelerated filer £
        Accelerated filer £

Non-accelerated filer £ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company R

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

As of May 8, 2015, 11,128,275 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value, were issued and outstanding.
 
 
ECHO THERAPEUTICS, INC.
 
 
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2015
 
     
 
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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
ECHO THERAPEUTICS, INC.
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
 
ASSETS
           
             
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 469,493     $ 1,278,941  
Prepaid and other
    447,386       490,824  
Total current assets
    916,879       1,769,765  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    930,570       1,138,593  
                 
Other assets:
               
Intangibles, net
    9,625,000       9,625,000  
Other
    129,705       62,478  
Total other assets
    9,754,705       9,687,478  
Total assets
  $ 11,602,154     $ 12,595,836  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
                 
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 1,368,775     $ 1,801,469  
Accrued and other
    365,282       968,392  
Premium financing payable
    212,829        
Derivative liabilities
    3,309,000       208,155  
Total current liabilities
    5,255,886       2,978,016  
Deferred revenue, net
    95,535       95,535  
Total liabilities
    5,351,421       3,073,551  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized:
               
  Convertible Series
               
C - 10,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 1,000 shares
    10       10  
D - 3,600,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 1,000,000 shares
    10,000       10,000  
E - 1,748,613 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
    17,486       17,486  
F - 5,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding
  3,555,180 and 840,336 shares, respectively
    35,552       8,403  
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; issued and
    outstanding 11,128,275 and 12,629,695 shares, respectively
    111,281       126,295  
Additional paid-in capital
    142,312,182       137,292,157  
Accumulated deficit
    (136,235,778 )     (127,932,066 )
   Total stockholders’ equity
    6,250,733       9,522,285  
      Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 11,602,154     $ 12,595,836  
 
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
ECHO THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 
   
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2015
   
2014
 
Licensing revenue
  $     $ 19,107  
Total revenues
          19,107  
                 
Operating Expenses:
               
Research and development
    831,333       1,266,202  
Selling, general and administrative
    1,482,265       1,323,162  
Loss on disposal of property and equipment
    108,840        
Depreciation and amortization
    86,704       99,900  
Total operating expenses
    2,509,142       2,689,264  
                 
Loss from operations
    (2,509,142 )     (2,670,157 )
                 
Other Income (Expense):
               
Gain (loss) on revaluation of derivative warrant liability
    (257,845 )     140,000  
Financing expense
    (5,534,000 )      
Interest expense
    (2,725 )     (242,884 )
Other expense, net
    (5,794,570 )     (102,884 )
Net loss
  $ (8,303,712 )   $ (2,773,041 )
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted
  $ (0.72 )   $ (0.23 )
                 
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
    11,548,590       11,858,894  
 
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
ECHO THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2015
 (Unaudited)
 
   
Preferred Stock
   
Common Stock
   
Additional Paid-in Capital
   
Accumulated Deficit
   
Total Stockholders’ Equity
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
Balance at December 31, 2014
    3,589,949     $ 35,899       12,629,695     $ 126,295     $ 137,292,157     $ (127,932,066 )   $ 9,522,285  
Exchange - Common Stock for Series F
    1,500,000       15,000       (1,500,000 )     (15,000 )                  
Proceeds from issuance of Series F and warrants
    666,667       6,667                   2,760,333             2,767,000  
Capital contribution
                            59,325             59,325  
Issuance of Series F pursuant to Reimbursement Agreement
    548,177       5,482                   1,796,518             1,802,000  
Share-based compensation, net of restricted stock cancellations
                (1,420 )     (14 )     403,849             403,835  
Net loss
                                   (8,303,712 )     (8,303,712 )
Balance at March 31, 2015
    6,304,793     $ 63,048       11,128,275     $ 111,281     $ 142,312,182     $ (136,235,778 )   $ 6,250,733  

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
ECHO THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 
   
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2015
   
2014
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net loss
  $ (8,303,712 )   $ (2,773,041 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    86,704       99,900  
Share-based compensation, net
    403,835       345,637  
Fair value of common stock issued for services
          8,404  
(Gain) loss on revaluation of derivative warrant liability 
    257,845       (140,000 )
Warrant repricing charged to legal expense
    328,000        
Loss on disposal of assets
    108,840        
    Financing expense     5,534,000        
    Amortization of deferred financing costs      —        242,001  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Prepaid and other
    43,860       (68,981 )
Accounts payable
    (150,754 )     (332,080 )
Deferred revenue from licensing arrangements
          (19,107 )
Accrued and other
    (53,110 )     (586,395 )
Net cash used in operating activities
    (1,744,492 )     (3,223,662 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of property and equipment
    (5,171 )      
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
    17,651        
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash
    (76,968 )     250,000  
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (64,488 )     250,000  
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from equity issuances
    1,000,000       500,000  
Proceeds from common stock subscription
          1,500,000  
Capital contribution
    59,325        
Principal payments on capitalized lease obligations
          (672 )
Principal payments on premium financing
    (59,793 )      
Net cash provided by financing activities
    999,532       1,999,328  
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (809,448 )     (974,334 )
Cash and cash equivalents:
               
Beginning of period
    1,278,941       8,055,385  
End of period
  $ 469,493     $ 7,081,051  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of  cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during the year:
               
Interest
  $ 2,725     $ 1,239  
Income taxes
  $ 456     $  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing transactions:
               
Prepaid insurance financed
  $ 272,623     $  
Director’s fees payable offset against prepaid insurance
  $ 272,200     $  
Accrued legal fees settled with stock
  $ 550,000     $  
Security deposit offset against accounts payable
  $ 9,740     $  
Conversion of convertible preferred stock into Common Stock at par value
  $ 15,000     $  
 
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
Echo Therapeutics, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Quarter Ended March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
(1)
ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Echo Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company") is a medical device company with expertise in advanced skin permeation technology. The Company is developing its non-invasive, wireless continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system with potential use in the wearable-health consumer market and the diabetes outpatient market. A significant longer-term opportunity may also exist in the hospital setting. Echo has also developed its needle-free skin preparation device as a platform technology that allows for enhanced skin permeation enabling extraction of analytes, such as glucose, enhanced delivery of topical pharmaceuticals and other applications.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sontra Medical, Inc., a Delaware corporation. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  These financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States consistent with those applied in, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related footnotes for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 15, 2015. Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.  These financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2015 and its results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented and are not necessarily indicative of results for subsequent interim periods or for the full year.  These interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements as allowed by the relevant SEC rules and regulations; however, the Company believes that its disclosures are adequate to ensure that the information presented is not misleading.

(2)  LIQUIDITY AND MANAGEMENT’S PLANS

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a basis that assumes that the Company will continue as a going concern and that contemplates the continuity of operations, realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.  As of March 31, 2015, the Company had cash of approximately $469,000, working capital deficit of approximately $4,339,000, and an accumulated deficit of approximately $136,000,000. The Company continues to incur recurring losses from operations.  The Company will need to obtain proceeds under its current financing arrangement and secure additional capital to fund its product development, research, manufacturing and clinical programs in accordance with its current planned operations.  The Company has funded its operations in the past primarily through debt and equity issuances.  Management intends to utilize its current financing arrangement and will continue to pursue additional financing to fund its operations.  Management believes that it will be successful in obtaining proceeds from their current financing arrangement and raising additional capital.  No assurances can be given that additional capital will be available on terms acceptable to the Company.  The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of the uncertainty.

Subsequent to March 31, 2015, the Company received cash proceeds of $500,000 from a $4,000,000 Equity financing it arranged in December 2014 ($2,000,000 was previously received).


(3)  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The principal categories and estimated useful lives of property and equipment were:

   
2015
   
2014
   
Estimated Useful Lives
 
Computer equipment
  $ 336,258     $ 334,865       3  
Office and laboratory equipment
    740,177       740,177       3-5  
Furniture and fixtures
    596,936       755,444       7  
Manufacturing equipment
    111,980       111,980       5  
Leasehold improvements
    769,147       825,589       3 - 7  
  Total property and equipment
    2,554,498       2,768,055          
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    1,623,928       1,629,462          
 Property and equipment, net
  $ 930,570     $ 1,138,593          

The Company recorded a loss on disposal of $108,840 in connection with its relocation from its Philadelphia office to Iselin, New Jersey in the first quarter. See Note 4.

(4)  OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

The Company leased approximately 7,900 square feet of corporate office space in a multi-story building located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under a lease expiring May 31, 2017. The company terminated this lease early and moved to Iselin, New Jersey on January 15, 2015 where the Company has leased 2,800 square feet of office space for 38 months at a monthly rental of approximately $7,700. The Company posted a $77,000 Letter of Credit to secure the lease which is reduced to $38,500 after nineteen months of occupancy, assuming no defaults, as defined.

The Company leases approximately 37,000 square feet of manufacturing, laboratory and office space in a single-story building located in Franklin, Massachusetts under a lease expiring October 31, 2017. On May 5, 2015, the Company signed a lease for approximately 10,000 square feet for a research and development facility in Littleton, Massachusetts.  The lease is for 65 months. Effective base monthly rent over the lease term will be $11,470. The Company secured the property with a Letter of Credit for $150,000. The Letter of Credit is expected to be reduced to $50,000 after 24 months of timely lease payments. The Company expects to move to the new facility from its Franklin, Massachusetts research and development facility on or about July 1, 2015. The Company agreed to post a $50,000 Letter of Credit until July 1, 2015 while the Littleton facility was being improved. The Company will terminate its Franklin lease about 28 months early and may be expected to incur certain undetermined termination fees as a result.

(5)  DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES

Derivative warrant liability:

As a result of having warrants which are outstanding, issued in connection with a 2012 Credit Facility (which was terminated in October 2014), we are required to record the changes in the value of these derivative warrants through their expirations in November 2017. The table below presents the changes in the derivative warrant liability, which is measured at fair value on a recurring basis and classified as Level 3 in fair value hierarchy:

   
2015
   
2014
 
Derivative warrant liability as of January 1
  $ 208,155     $ 1,119,155  
Gain (loss) on revaluation
    (257,845 )     911,000  
Derivative warrant liability as of March 31
  $ 466,000     $ 208,155  

None of the derivative warrants were exercised in 2015 or 2014 pursuant to cashless exercise provisions.

 
Derivative financing liability:
 
In December 2014, the Company reached agreement with investors to provide $4,000,000 of installment financing in exchange for Series F Preferred Stock and warrants. The deal was priced at $1.50 per share, or the stock price in effect, if lower. At March 31, 2015, installments totaling $2,000,000 still remained to be paid by investors, potentially representing 1,333,333 shares of Series F Preferred to be issued in the future with warrants to purchase the same number of common shares at the agreed exercise price of $3.00. Our closing market price at March 31, 2015 of $2.13 per share, was $0.63 above the deal price of $1.50. As a result of the market price being higher than the stated deal price, the Company was required to record a charge to financing expense and a corresponding credit to derivative liability representing the potential value to be provided in excess of the potential cash proceeds calculated as follows:

Excess of Market share price over deal share price ($2.13 vs. $1.50)
  $ 0.63  
Potential future share issuance
    1,333,333  
    $ 840,000  
Fair value of warrants utilizing Black-Scholes model
    2,003,000  
    $ 2,843,000  

As the Company receives subsequent cash installments, the derivative liability will increase or decrease depending on the fair value of the shares and warrants on the date the installments are made. Prior installments were issued at the fair market of Common Stock which was below the contractual price of $1.50 and therefore such liability had a nominal value. Subsequent to March 31, 2015 we collected $500,000 of the remaining $2,000,000 when our stock price was $2.18. This will result in an additional financing charge in the second quarter for that installment since it was above the value of $2.13 per share of our Common Stock at March 31, 2015.

(6)  EQUITY TRANSACTIONS

Restart of Operations and related option grants

On January 2, 2015, in conjunction with restarting the operations of the Company, stock option grants to purchase 400,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.35 were issued to various employees primarily at our Franklin, Massachusetts research and development facility. On January 5, 2015, an additional stock option grant was made to purchase 50,000 shares of our Common stock at an exercise price of $1.48 to our new Manager of Business Development in Iselin, New Jersey. On March 2, 2015, we issued another stock option grant to purchase 20,000 shares of our Common Stock at $2.34 to a senior technician hired for our Franklin facility. All grants vest over a three years with 1/3 vesting immediately and the balance vesting equally at each of the two respective anniversary periods. All grants were made pursuant to the 2008 Plan.

Board Matters

On January 7, 2015, the Board realigned annual compensation at $30,000 per annum per director. Each director, other than our CEO whose employment agreement precluded him from receiving director compensation the first year, received a stock option to purchase 150,000 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.62 vesting 25% immediately and then 25% at the beginning of each quarter thereafter. These options contain a condition where they are only exercisable after the average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the ten (10) days prior to exercise, equals or exceeds $7.50 per share. Such amount was valued using a binomial lattice model and included in share-based compensation expense.

Exchange of Common Stock for Series F Preferred Stock

On January 9, 2015 and again on March 31, 2015, Platinum Partners Value Arbitrage Fund, L.P. and Platinum Partners Liquid Opportunity Fund, L.P. exchanged 843,526 and 208,884 and 356,474 and 91,116, respectively of their common shares held for Series F Preferred Stock. Based on the terms of the Series F (e.g. conversion ratio of 1:1 and no liquidation preference) the Company determined that the value of the Series F is equivalent to the common shares.

Capital Contribution

Late in the third quarter of 2014 the research and development operations of the Company were suspended and key personnel were laid off. In October 2014, two of our directors received a non-recourse loan for $500,000 from PPVA. The purpose of this contribution was to provide the directors monies to advance their plan for the Company and attempt to maintain its viability during the suspension of operations. $440,675 was expended in the fourth quarter of 2014 by these directors primarily for salaries of key employees and targeted technology efforts focused on the wearable technology sector. The Company considered this expenditure by two of its directors a capital contribution since the funds were spent on matters specifically related to the operations of the Company. In February 2015, the $440,675 capital contribution together with the balance of monies received in 2015 of $59,325, equivalent to the original $500,000 the two directors had received, was settled in Series F Shares by the Company to PPVA. See discussion below.


Settlement of Amounts Owed for Series F Preferred Stock and Warrants

On September 23, 2014, the Company announced that, as it believed that its current liquidity was insufficient to fund its needs beyond September 30, 2014, it was suspending its product development, research, manufacturing and clinical programs and operations to conserve its liquidity and capital resources. The workforce reduction due to the suspension of operations comprised approximately 70% of Echo’s workforce, leaving only administrative personnel.  Affected employees were notified on September 23, 2014. The employees whose employment was terminated as part of the workforce reduction were not offered severance pay. The Company indicated that they could possibly incur additional costs not currently contemplated due to events that may occur as a result of, or that were associated with, the workforce reduction.

At the time of the work force reduction announcement, Platinum Management (NY) LLC, together with its affiliates, a significant stockholder of the Company (“Platinum”), was in the process of engaging in a proxy contest with the Company pursuant to which it sought to ultimately remove three of the then-current directors of the Company. In conjunction therewith, Platinum provided $500,000 on a non-recourse basis to two of the Company’s directors whose removal Platinum was not seeking, namely Michael Goldberg and Shepard Goldberg, which was recorded as a capital contribution (“Contribution”) in 2014. Proceeds of the Contribution were utilized for retaining certain key employees and for research and technology initiatives, all for the benefit of the Company. A small portion of the monies was not disbursed, which was transferred to the Company. At the time of the Contribution, Shepard Goldberg and Michael Goldberg agreed that, should the Contribution ultimately benefit the Company, they would use their best efforts to cause the Company to issue equity to Platinum as consideration for making the Contribution.

In December 2014, as part of a negotiated settlement agreement, the three directors, whom Platinum sought to remove, resigned as directors and Platinum agreed to make a direct investment in the Company.  In connection with the proxy contest, Platinum expended $550,000 on legal representation and related expenses (the “Expenses”). In its proxy statement, Platinum advised stockholders that it would pay all the costs associated with the solicitation of proxies, but would seek reimbursement from the Company, and not submit such reimbursement to a vote of stockholders.

On February 12, 2015, the Company agreed to reimburse Platinum for its Contribution and the Expenses it incurred in the proxy fight. In this regard, the Board of Directors of the Company determined that both the Contribution and Expenses together resulted in the Company being able to continue operations and put into place a strong management team.  Pursuant to a Reimbursement Agreement, dated February 12, 2015 (the “Reimbursement Agreement”), Platinum received 548,177 shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock (consisting of 333,333 shares of Series F for the $500,000 capital contribution and 214,844 shares of Series F for the $550,000 of legal expenses they incurred, for a Series F share total of 548,177) and Warrants to purchase 333,333 shares of common stock of the Company.  These Warrants expire in five years and have a $3.00 per share exercise price. Additionally, the Company agreed to re-price 700,000 warrants, originally disbursed to Platinum in connection with its August 31, 2012 Loan Agreement, and referred to as the Derivative Warrants, currently priced in the $20.00 to $22.70 range per share, to $7.50 per share. The Company recorded a charge to legal expense for $328,000 representing the cost of re-pricing the Derivative Warrants. The Company also recorded a non-cash charge of $257,845 related to the change in the value of the derivative liability.  Additionally, the Company recorded a charge to financing expense of $924,000 representing the additional value given to the investors as a result of the closing market price of $2.56 being above the deal price of $1.50 used for the reimbursement of the $500,000 capital contribution. The shares issued for the legal expenses were done at the market close of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of the Reimbursement Agreement.

Equity Raise

In the first quarter of 2015, the Company received the second installment, or $1,000,000, of its $4,000,000 December 2014 financing and issued 666,667 shares of Series F Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase the same number of shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 were issued to investors. The Company recorded financing expense of $1,767,000 with a corresponding credit to additional paid in capital since the average market price on the dates the financing was received of $2.49 was above the deal price of $1.50, representing the excess value provided to the investors.

 
(7)  EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

In March 2003, the Company’s shareholders approved its 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2003 Plan”). Pursuant to the 2003 Plan, the Company’s Board of Directors (or its committees and/or executive officers delegated by the Board of Directors) may grant incentive and nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, and other stock-based awards to the Company’s employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors.  As of March 31, 2015, there were 5,000 restricted shares of Common Stock issued and options to purchase an aggregate of 26,500 shares of Common Stock outstanding under the 2003 Plan and no shares are available for future grants due to the 2003 Plan’s expiration.

In May 2008, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2008 Equity Compensation Plan, as amended (the “2008 Plan”). The 2008 Plan provides for grants of incentive stock options to employees and nonqualified stock options and restricted stock to employees, consultants and non-employee directors of the Company.  The maximum number of shares available under the 2008 Plan is 10,000,000 shares.  As of March 31, 2015, there were 27,391 restricted shares of Common Stock issued and options to purchase 1,516,233 shares of Common Stock outstanding under the 2008 Plan and 8,443,376 shares available for future grants.

The following table shows the remaining shares available for future grants for each plan and outstanding shares:
 
   
Equity Compensation Plans
   
Not Pursuant
to a Plan
   
2003 Plan
   
2008 Plan
   
Shares Available For Issuance
               
Total reserved for stock options and restricted stock
    160,000       10,000,000      
Net restricted stock issued net of cancellations
    (5,000 )     (27,391 )    
Stock options granted
    (154,449 )     (2,945,883 )    
Add back options cancelled before exercise
    92,349       1,416,650      
Less shares no longer available due to Plan expiration
    (92,900 )          
Remaining shares available for future grants at March 31, 2015
          8,443,376      
         
Stock options granted
    154,449       2,945,883       310,000  
Less:  Stock options cancelled
    (92,349 )     (1,416,650 )     (193,333 )
Stock options exercised
    (35,600 )     (13,000 )     (66,667 )
Net shares outstanding before restricted stock
    26,500       1,516,233       50,000  
Net restricted stock issued net of cancellations
    5,000       27,391       6,485  
Outstanding shares at March 31, 2015
    31,500       1,543,624       56,485  
 
 (8)  STOCK OPTIONS

The fair value of each stock option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with certain assumptions noted below. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Common Stock using historical periods consistent with the expected term of the options. The Company uses historical data, as well as subsequent events occurring prior to the issuance of the financial statements, to estimate option exercise and employee termination and forfeitures within the valuation model. The expected term of stock options granted under the Company’s stock plans is based on the average of the contractual term (generally 10 years) and the vesting period (generally 24 to 42 months).  The risk-free rate is based on the yield of a U.S. Treasury security with a term consistent with the option.

For options issued and outstanding during the three month periods ended March 31, 2015, and 2014, the Company recorded additional paid-in capital and non-cash compensation expense of $383,000 and $158,000, respectively, each net of estimated forfeitures.

 
The assumptions used principally for stock options granted to employees and members of the Company’s Board of Directors in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 
 
2015
   
2014
 
Risk-free interest rate
    1.52% – 1.61%       1.99% – 2.71%  
Expected dividend yield
           
Expected term
 
5 years
   
6.5 years
 
Forfeiture rate (excluding fully vested stock options)
    15%       15%  
Expected volatility
    90%       141%  
 
A summary of stock option activity as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:

 
 
 
 
Stock Options
 
 
 
 
Shares
   
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
 
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding options at January 1, 2015
    1,039,900     $ 3.00          
Granted
    770,000     $ 1.49          
Exercised
        $          
Forfeited or expired
    (217,167 )   $ 3.69          
Outstanding options at March 31, 2015
    1,592,733     $ 2.18  
9.23 years
  $  
Exercisable options at March 31, 2015
    531,000     $ 3.06  
8.52 years
  $  

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $1.49 per share. As of March 31, 2015, there was approximately $1,068,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested share-based option compensation arrangements. With the exception of the unrecognized share-based compensation related to certain restricted stock grants to officers and employees that contain performance conditions related to FDA approval for Symphony or the sale of substantially all of the stock or assets of the Company, unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized over the next four years.

(9)  RESTRICTED STOCK

For restricted stock issued and outstanding during the three month period ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred non-cash compensation expense of approximately $21,000 and $161,000, respectively, each net of estimated forfeitures.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company did not grant restricted shares of Common Stock to certain officers, employees, directors and consultants of the Company.

A summary of non-vested restricted stock activity as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:

Restricted Stock
 
 
 
Shares
   
Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Non-vested shares at January 1, 2015
    47,958     $ 9.74  
Granted
        $  
Vested
    (8,000 )   $ 3.56  
Forfeited
    (1,082 )   $ 6.83  
Non-vested shares at March 31, 2015
    38,876     $ 11.09  

Among the 38,876 shares of non-vested restricted stock, the various vesting criteria include the following:

● 
  14,185 shares of restricted stock vest upon the FDA approval of our CGM system or the sale of the Company;
 
● 
  21,066 shares of restricted stock vest over 4 years, at each of the anniversary dates of the grants; and
 
● 
  3,625 shares of restricted stock vest over 1 year, at each of the anniversary dates of the grants.
 
As of March 31, 2015, there was approximately $97,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested share-based restricted stock arrangements granted pursuant to the Company’s equity compensation plans that vest over time in the foreseeable future. As of March 31, 2015, the Company cannot estimate the timing of completion of performance vesting requirements required by certain of these restricted stock grant arrangements.  Compensation expense related to these restricted share grants will be recognized when the Company concludes that achievement of the performance vesting conditions is probable.
 
(10)  WARRANTS

In the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company issued warrants to purchase 666,667 shares of our common stock connection with a partial closing related to the private placement of the Company’s Common Stock as well as the 333,333 shares of our common stock in connection with a Reimbursement Agreement. See Notes 5 and 6.

The Derivative Warrants to purchase 700,000 shares of our Common Stock, at exercise prices ranging from $20.00 to $22.70 and expiring in 2017, are included in the outstanding warrants at December 31, 2014 and 2013. On February 12, 2015, these warrants were re-priced to $7.50 to compensate PPVA in connection with the Reimbursement Agreement reached between the Company and PPVA. See Notes 5 and 6.

A summary of warrant activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:

 
 
 
Warrants
 
 
 
Shares
   
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Outstanding warrants at January 1, 2015
    1,847,066     $ 10.04  
Granted
    1,000,000     $ 3.00  
Forfeited
    (37,638 )   $ 22.50  
Outstanding warrants at March 31, 2015
    2,809,428     $ 4.10  
 
At March 31, 2015, the Company had the following outstanding warrants:
 
Type of Warrant/ Range of
Exercise Prices
 
 
Expirations
 
Number Outstanding
   
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)
   
Weighted- Average Exercise Price
   
 
Number Exercisable
 
Derivative:
                           
$ 7.50  
8/31/17 to 11/6/17
    700,000       2.48     $ 7.50       700,000  
Equity:
                                   
$ 2.75 - $3.00  
12/10/18 to 03/09/20
    2,109,428       4.70     $ 2.97       2,109,428  
Total outstanding
        2,809,428                       2,809,428  

The Company uses valuation methods and assumptions that consider among other factors the fair value of the underlying stock, risk-free interest rate, volatility, expected life and dividend rates in estimating fair value for the warrants considered to be derivative instruments.  The following assumptions were utilized by the Company:

Risk-free interest rate
    .70%  
Expected dividend yield
     
Expected term (contractual term)
 
2.5 years
 
Forfeiture rate
     
Expected volatility
    102%  

Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Common Stock using historical periods consistent with the expected term of the warrant. The risk-free rate is based on the yield of a U.S. Treasury security with a term consistent with the warrant.

 
(11)  LITIGATION & OTHER SIGNIFICANT MATTERS

From time to time, in addition to those identified below, we are subject to legal proceedings, claims, investigations, and proceedings in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, we make a provision for a liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. These provisions, if any, are reviewed at least quarterly and adjusted to reflect the impacts of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular case. Litigation is inherently unpredictable. We believe that we have valid defenses with respect to the legal matters pending against us and are vigorously defending these matters. Given the uncertainty surrounding litigation and our inability to assess the likelihood of a favorable or unfavorable outcome in the above noted matters and our inability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss or range of loss, it is possible that the resolution of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, cash flows or results of operations.  At March 31, 2015, no litigation loss is deemed probable or reasonably estimated.

In February 2014, Patrick T. Mooney, M.D., our former President and Chief Executive Officer, and his wife, Elizabeth Mooney, filed a complaint against the Company and certain of its directors and officers in the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia County.  The complaint, which alleges (i) that Dr. Mooney’s termination was without cause so that he is entitled to certain severance benefits under his employment agreement and associated statutory remedies; (ii) that certain legally required disclosures by us and our General Counsel defamed Dr. Mooney; and (iii) that Dr. Mooney’s wife is entitled to damages under a theory of loss of consortium, seeks in excess of $20 million in damages. The Company has denied the allegations of the complaint and asserted counterclaims against Dr. Mooney based upon the same conduct which provided the cause for his termination.  Thereafter, the Company restructured the counterclaims and affirmative defenses.  The Company believes that it has strong defenses to the claims asserted and intends to defend them vigorously. At March 31, 2015, no litigation loss is deemed probable or reasonably estimated.

In July 2014, Dr. and Mrs. Mooney filed another complaint in the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia County against the Company, certain of its directors and Officers and a former Director and officer alleging (i) wrongful use of civil proceedings and (ii) abuse of process in the original filing of the counterclaims withdrawn in the earlier action.  Mrs. Mooney also asserted another claim for loss of consortium.  This complaint seeks in excess of $30 million in damages.  The Company has denied the allegations.  The Company believes that this action is without merit, that it acted lawfully and in good faith, and that it has strong defenses to the claims asserted.  Accordingly, the Company intends to vigorously defend against this lawsuit. At March 31, 2015, no litigation loss is deemed probable or reasonably estimated.

In August 2014, Dr. Mooney filed a complaint in Delaware Chancery Court against the Company for advancement of defense costs related to his February 2014 complaint, many of which the Company had paid to date and the remainder of which were subject to a good faith dispute that counsel for the Company and Dr. Mooney had been attempting to amicably resolve.  Dr. Mooney also demanded that the Company pay for his attorneys fees related to his July 2014 complaint against the Company, amongst other matters.  The Company filed a Motion to Dismiss. A hearing on the merits was held on January 15, 2015 and the Company is awaiting the Courts ruling. At March 31, 2015, no litigation loss is deemed probable or reasonably estimated.

NASDAQ Compliance

On January 30, 2015, the Company received a letter from NASDAQ, indicating that the Company no longer complies with NASDAQ’s audit committee requirements set forth in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605.  Such rule requires that the Audit Committee of the Company have a minimum of three members and be composed only of independent directors.  On December 31, 2014, Vincent P. Enright, William F. Grieco and James F. Smith resigned from the Board of Directors of the Company, as well as its Audit Committee. As a result, the Audit Committee had no members as of Decembers 31, 2014.  On January 5, 2015, the Board of Directors appointed Shepard Goldberg and Michael Goldberg to the Audit Committee, both of whom are independent directors.  

NASDAQ provided to the Company a cure period in order to regain compliance as follows:
 
until the earlier of the Company’s next annual shareholders’ meeting or December 31, 2015; or
 
if the next annual shareholders’ meeting is held before June 29, 2015, then the Company must evidence compliance no later than June 29, 2015.

The Company intends to add at least one additional independent member to the Audit Committee by the date required by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605.
 
 
ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and elsewhere in this report. The matters discussed herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which involve risks and uncertainties. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical information provided herein may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed elsewhere in this report and the risks discussed in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s analysis, judgment, belief or expectation only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

Business

We are a medical device company with expertise in advanced skin permeation technology. We are developing a non-invasive, wireless continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system for initial use in the wearable-health consumer market and the diabetes outpatient market. The transdermal skin preparation component of our CGM System allows for enhanced skin permeation that will enable extraction of analytes such as glucose, enhanced delivery of topical pharmaceuticals and other applications.

Research and Development

We believe that ongoing research and development efforts are essential to our success.  A major portion of our operating expenses to date is related to our research and development activities. R&D expenses generally consist of internal salaries and related costs, and third-party vendor expenses for product design and development, product engineering and contract manufacturing. In addition, R&D costs include regulatory consulting, feasibility product testing (internal and external) and conducting nonclinical and clinical studies. R&D expenses were approximately $831,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and $4,962,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014. We intend to maintain our strong commitment to R&D as an essential component of our product development efforts. Licensed or acquired technology developed by third parties may be an additional source of potential products; however, our ability to raise sufficient financing may impact our level of R&D spending.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments for all assets and liabilities, including those related to intangible asset impairment, long lived asset impairment, stock-based compensation expense and the fair value of stock purchase warrants classified as derivative liabilities. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience, current economic and industry conditions and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. This forms the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. There have been no changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates subsequent to those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on April 15, 2015.

We believe that full consideration has been given to all relevant circumstances that we may be subject to, and the consolidated financial statements accurately reflect our best estimate of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented.
 
Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

Licensing Revenue — We signed two licensing agreements during fiscal year 2009, each with a minimum term of ten years, that required non-refundable license payments by the licensees.  The non-refundable license payments received in cash totaled $1,250,000 across both transactions. Approximately $95,000 remained unrecognized at March 31, 2015. We have been recognizing the non-refundable payments as revenue on a straight-line basis over our contractual or estimated performance period. Periodically, we have adjusted our amortization period for revenue recognition for each of our license arrangements to reflect a revision in the estimated timing of regulatory approval. We determined that $0 and approximately $19,000 of licensing revenue was recognizable in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
Research and Development Expenses — R&D expenses decreased by approximately $435,000, or 34%, to approximately $831,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from approximately $1,266,000 for the same period in 2014. R&D expenses decreased primarily as a result of the need to rehire key employees in January 2015 and customary start-up time.

R&D expenses for our CGM amounted to approximately 33% and 47% of total operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we concentrated our limited funding on transforming our existing ICU product line for use in the wearable and diabetic marketplaces. Specifically, we are developing a new generation of flexible, wearable, non-invasive technology with mobile applicability. Additionally, we devoted resources to assisting our partner in China, Medical Technologies Innovation Asia (MTIA), in meeting the stringent requirements set forth by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). For the three months ended March 31, 2014, expenses consisted of primarily development, clinical and manufacturing of $881,000, $168,000 and $217,000, respectively. All of our 2015 costs were for development initiatives.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses — SG&A expenses increased by approximately $159,000, or 12%, to approximately $1,482,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from approximately $1,323,000 for the same period in 2014.  A $328,000 charge for the re-pricing of warrants was charged to legal expense as it related to the reimbursement of Platinum’s legal expenditures from last year’s proxy battle with the former directors. Otherwise, we have experienced decreases in personnel costs, investor relations, director fees, travel and other expenses offset partially by increases in legal (due to the aforementioned $328,000 charge), website redesign, and insurance costs. Insurance costs have increased due to mandated directors and officers policies which came of out of the Letter of Agreement reached in December 2014 between the Company, its board and its former board members, and Platinum.

SG&A expenses represented 59% (or 46%, excluding the $328,000 non-cash legal charge described above) and 49% of total operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We are not engaged in selling activities and, accordingly, general and administrative expenses relate principally to salaries and benefits for our executive, financial and administrative staff, public company costs, insurance, investor relations, legal, accounting, public relations, capital-raising and facilities.

Loss on disposal of property and equipment — The Company recorded a  $109,000 loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 primarily representing furniture and fixtures that were sold and the write-off of leasehold improvements in our Philadelphia office when we relocated to our Iselin, New Jersey office in January 2015.

Interest Income — Interest income was approximately $400 and $1,000 for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Interest Expense — Interest expense was approximately $2,700 and $243,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The decrease in interest expense in 2015 over 2014 was related to noncash deferred financing costs in 2014 incurred in conjunction with our Credit Facility with Montaur. Such facility was terminated in October 2014.

Gain (loss) on Revaluation of Derivative Warrant Liability — Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as a derivative gain or loss. The primary underlying risk exposure pertaining to the warrants is the change in fair value of the underlying common stock. The gain (loss) on revaluation of the derivative warrant liability for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $(258,000) and $140,000, respectively.

 
Financing Expense — This is a non-cash charge with two components representing: (i.) $2,691,000 of excess value given to investors in the three months ended March 31, 2015, who received 1,000,000 shares of Series F Stock and warrants to purchase the same number of shares of our common stock, when the closing market price of our Common Stock was above the $1.50 purchase price they paid for their shares and warrants, and (ii.) $2,843,000 of potential excess value represented by the future potential issuance of 1,333,333 shares and warrants to purchase the same number of shares for the remaining $2,000,000 of installments to be received under our December 2014 financing, based on our closing market price at March 31, 2015 of $2.13.

As we receive subsequent cash installments, we will incur additional expense or record income depending on whether the fair value of the shares and warrants on the date the installments are made are above the $2.13 per share fair value that our Common Stock was at March 31, 2015. Subsequent to March 31, 2015 we collected $500,000 of the remaining $2,000,000 when our stock price was $2.18. This will result in an additional financing charge in the second quarter.

Net Loss — As a result of the factors described above, we had a net loss of approximately $8,304,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to approximately $2,773,000 for the same period in 2014.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have financed our operations since inception primarily through sales of our equity, the issuance of convertible promissory notes, draws from a non-revolving credit facility, unsecured and secured promissory notes, non-refundable payments received under license agreements and cash received in connection with exercises of Common Stock options and warrants. As of March 31, 2015, we had approximately $469,000 of cash and cash equivalents, with no other short term investments.

Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $1,744,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The use of cash in operating activities was primarily attributable to the net loss of approximately $8,304,000 offset by non-cash expenses of approximately $87,000 for depreciation and amortization, $404,000 for share-based compensation expense, a $328,000 charge for a warrant re-pricing related to reimbursement for legal expenses of the 2014 proxy battle,  a loss on revaluation of $258,000 related to derivative credit facility warrants, $5,534,000 non-cash charges to financing expense in connection with continuing installments from our December 2014 financing as well as the capital contribution repaid on the same terms, and a $109,000 loss on the sale and disposal of property and equipment resulting from the closing of our Philadelphia office and write-off of various leasehold improvements. Increases in prepaid and other resulted in a net increase in cash available for operations of approximately $44,000, while decreases in accounts payable and accrued expenses decreased cash available for operations by approximately $204,000.

Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $65,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  Cash of approximately $18,000 was provided by the sales of certain property and equipment in connection with our move from Philadelphia to Iselin, NJ.  Also, cash of approximately $5,000 was used to purchase property and equipment during the same 2015 period.

Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $1,000,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. We received $1,000,000 in net proceeds from the sale of our equity and a capital contribution of approximately $59,000. Principal payments on premium financing used approximately $60,000 during the same 2015 period.

At March 31, 2015, $2,000,000 was due under our $4,000,000 December 2014 financing arrangement. As of May 12, 2015, $1, 500,000 remained outstanding.

At March 31, 2015, we updated our review of our intangible assets. Our intangibles represent a significant portion of our asset base and new management has been seeking licensing and other opportunities related to monetizing these intangibles. Nonetheless, the amounts remain at risk for impairment and such impairment could occur in the future. If this does happen, it could potentially affect our listing standard as well as our ability to raise capital in the future.


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements, including unrecorded derivative instruments that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources. We have a large number of warrants and stock options outstanding but we do not expect to receive sufficient proceeds from the exercise of these instruments unless and until the trading price of our Common Stock is significantly greater than the applicable exercise prices of the options and warrants for a sustained period of time.

Effect of Inflation and Changes in Prices

We do not believe that inflation and changes in prices will have a material effect on our operations.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Not applicable.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation and the material weaknesses described below, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as a result of the material weaknesses.

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of March 31, 2015 the following material weaknesses existed:

(1)   We lacked a sufficient complement of personnel with an appropriate level of knowledge and experience in the application of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. The monitoring of our accounting and reporting functions were either not designed and in place or not operating effectively, and

(2)   We lacked the quantity of resources to implement an appropriate level of review controls to properly evaluate the completeness and accuracy of transactions entered into by our Company.

Our management believes that these weaknesses are due in part to the small size of our staff and limited funding which makes it challenging to maintain adequate disclosure controls. To remediate the material weaknesses in disclosure controls and procedures, we will attempt to seek assistance with complex filing matters and to take additional steps to improve our financial reporting systems and implement new policies, procedures and controls.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

There have been no material changes to the legal proceedings disclosure described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

On January 9, 2015 and again on March 31, 2015, Platinum Partners Value Arbitrage Fund, L.P. and Platinum Partners Liquid Opportunity Fund, L.P. exchanged 843,526 and 208,884 and 356,474 and 91,116, respectively, shares  of  common stock held by them for Series F Preferred Stock.  On December 18, 2014, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which, on February 26, 2014, we issued and sold to an accredited investor an aggregate of 666,667 shares of Series F Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $1.50 per share with five year warrants to purchase 666,667 shares of our Common Stock at $3.00 per share, for aggregate consideration of $1,000,000 in cash.  Pursuant to a Reimbursement Agreement, dated February 12, 2015 (the “Reimbursement Agreement”), Platinum Partners Value Arbitrage Fund L.P. received 548,177 shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock (consisting of 333,333 shares of Series F for the $500,000 capital contribution and 214,844 shares of Series F for the $550,000 of legal expenses they incurred, for a Series F share total of 548,177) and Warrants to purchase 333,333 shares of our common stock.  These Warrants expire in five years and have a $3.00 per share exercise price. Additionally, we agreed to re-price 700,000 warrants, originally disbursed to Platinum-Montaur Life Sciences, LLC in connection with its August 31, 2012 Loan Agreement, and referred to as the derivative warrants, currently priced in the $20.00 to $22.70 range per share, to $7.50 per share. We deemed the offer, sale and issuance of these securities to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, including Regulation D and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder, relative to transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. The purchaser of the securities represented to us that it was an accredited investor and was acquiring the shares for investment purposes only and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof and that it could bear the risks of the investment and could hold the securities for an indefinite period of time. The purchaser received written disclosures that the securities had not been registered under the Securities Act and that any resale must be made pursuant to a registration statement or an available exemption from such registration.

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

We leased approximately 7,900 square feet of corporate office space in a multi-story building located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under a lease expiring May 31, 2017. We terminated this lease early and moved to Iselin, New Jersey on January 15, 2015 where we lease 2,800 square feet of office space for 38 months at a monthly rental of approximately $7,700. We posted a $77,000 Letter of Credit to secure the lease which is reduced to $38,500 after nineteen months of occupancy, assuming no defaults, as defined.

We lease approximately 37,000 square feet of manufacturing, laboratory and office space in a single-story building located in Franklin, Massachusetts under a lease expiring October 31, 2017. On May 5, 2015, we signed a lease for approximately 10,000 square feet for a research and development facility in Littleton, Massachusetts. The lease is for 65 months. Effective base monthly rent over the lease term will be $11,470. We secured the property with a Letter of Credit for $150,000. The Letter of Credit is expected to be reduced to $50,000 after 24 months of timely lease payments. We expect to move to the new facility from our Franklin, Massachusetts research and development facility on or about July 1, 2015. We agreed to post a $50,000 Letter of Credit until July 1, 2015 while the Littleton facility was being improved. We will terminate our Franklin lease about 28 months early and may be expected to incur certain undetermined termination fees as a result.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS.

The Exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such Exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference in this report, except as noted.


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.

                                   ECHO THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Date: May 15, 2015
 
                                                                                                                                                   By:   
/s/ Scott W. Hollander
 
 
Scott W. Hollander
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                   By:   
/s/ Alan W. Schoenbart 
 
 
Alan W. Schoenbart
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 

 
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
Description
10.1
Lease between the Company and The Realty Associates Fund X, L.P. dated January 20, 2015.
10.2
Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8K filed February 18, 2015.
10.3
Lease between the Company and Ferris Development 352 Turnpike Rd, LLC dated May 5, 2015.
31.1
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101
The following materials from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language), (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.