UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(MARK ONE)
| | |
þ | | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2009
OR
| | |
o | | 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: 0-50632
ANADYS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
| | |
Delaware | | 22-3193172 |
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) | | (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.) |
| | |
5871 Oberlin Drive, Suite 200 | | |
San Diego, California | | 92121 |
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) | | (ZIP CODE) |
Company’s telephone number, including area code: 858-530-3600
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.
Yesþ Noo
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).
Yeso Noo
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. (Check one):
| | | | | | |
Large accelerated filero | | Accelerated filerþ | | Non-accelerated filero | | Smaller reporting companyo |
| | | | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | | |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yeso Noþ
The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of the close of business on July 28, 2009:
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Class | | Number of Shares Outstanding |
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Common Stock, $0.001 par value | | 37,309,892 |
ANADYS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
| | |
Item 1. | | Financial Statements |
ANADYS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| | | | | | | | |
| | June 30, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | (Note) | |
Assets | | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 18,043 | | | $ | 10,476 | |
Securities available-for-sale | | | 12,577 | | | | 17,460 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 2,576 | | | | 2,202 | |
| | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | 33,196 | | | | 30,138 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Property and equipment, net | | | 926 | | | | 1,476 | |
Other assets | | | 30 | | | | 60 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 34,152 | | | $ | 31,674 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | $ | 5,285 | | | $ | 5,381 | |
Common stock warrant liability | | | 3,306 | | | | — | |
Current portion of deferred rent | | | 58 | | | | 348 | |
Other current liabilities | | | 84 | | | | 84 | |
| | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | 8,733 | | | | 5,813 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Other long-term liabilities | | | 32 | | | | 36 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008; no shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 | | | — | | | | — | |
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 90,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008; 37,309,892 and 28,816,763 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively | | | 37 | | | | 29 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 296,662 | | | | 282,297 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss) | | | 32 | | | | (447 | ) |
Accumulated deficit | | | (271,344 | ) | | | (256,054 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Total stockholders’ equity | | | 25,387 | | | | 25,825 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 34,152 | | | $ | 31,674 | |
| | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2008, has been derived from audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
3
ANADYS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and development | | $ | 4,648 | | | $ | 5,501 | | | $ | 11,524 | | | $ | 11,510 | |
General and administrative | | | 2,532 | | | | 1,975 | | | | 4,587 | | | | 4,020 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating expenses | | | 7,180 | | | | 7,476 | | | | 16,111 | | | | 15,530 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income and other, net | | | 210 | | | | 384 | | | | 381 | | | | 995 | |
Gain from valuation of common stock warrant liability | | | 440 | | | | — | | | | 440 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total other income, net | | | 650 | | | | 384 | | | | 821 | | | | 995 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (6,530 | ) | | $ | (7,092 | ) | | $ | (15,290 | ) | | $ | (14,535 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss per share, basic and diluted | | $ | (0.21 | ) | | $ | (0.25 | ) | | $ | (0.51 | ) | | $ | (0.51 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares used in calculating net loss per share, basic and diluted | | | 31,493 | | | | 28,731 | | | | 30,173 | | | | 28,714 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
ANADYS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statements
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six months ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (15,290 | ) | | $ | (14,535 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 573 | | | | 552 | |
Share-based compensation expense | | | 1,746 | | | | 1,329 | |
Rent expense related to warrants issued in connection with operating lease for our former facility | | | 25 | | | | 25 | |
Gain on valuation of common stock warrant liability issued in connection with equity financing | | | (440 | ) | | | — | |
Gain on disposal of property and equipment | | | — | | | | (49 | ) |
Loss on the sale of available-for-sale security | | | — | | | | 24 | |
Amortization of premium/discount on securities available-for-sale | | | 78 | | | | 71 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | — | | | | (33 | ) |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | (344 | ) | | | (239 | ) |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | | (96 | ) | | | (1,284 | ) |
Deferred rent | | | (290 | ) | | | (299 | ) |
Other current and long-term liabilities | | | (4 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in operating activities | | | (14,042 | ) | | | (14,438 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of securities available-for-sale | | | (1,999 | ) | | | (3,996 | ) |
Proceeds from sale and maturity of securities available-for-sale | | | 7,283 | | | | 7,963 | |
Purchases of property and equipment | | | (23 | ) | | | (102 | ) |
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment | | | — | | | | 66 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by investing activities | | | 5,261 | | | | 3,931 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from the equity financing, net of issuance costs | | | 16,022 | | | | — | |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan | | | 326 | | | | 177 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 16,348 | | | | 177 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | 7,567 | | | | (10,330 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 10,476 | | | | 34,669 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 18,043 | | | $ | 24,339 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Fair value of common stock warrant liability | | $ | 3,746 | | | $ | — | |
Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale | | $ | 479 | | | $ | 9 | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
ANADYS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
Organization and Business
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, Anadys Pharmaceuticals Europe GmbH and Anadys Development Limited, the Company) should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related disclosures included in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 3, 2009. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information, in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and the guidance in Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, since they are interim financial statements, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and notes thereto. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Securities Available-for-Sale
Investments with an original maturity of more than three months when purchased have been classified by management as securities available-for-sale. Such investments are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary (of which there have been none to date) on available-for-sale securities are included in interest income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific-identification method. The Company views its available-for-sale securities as available for use in current operations. Accordingly, the Company has classified all investments as short-term, even though the stated maturity date may be one year or more beyond the current balance sheet date.
Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Effective June 15, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 165,Subsequent Events(SFAS No. 165), which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued. The adoption of SFAS 165 did not impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The Company evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date of June 30, 2009 through July 31, 2009, the date it issued these financial statements. During this period, the Company did not have any material recognizable or nonrecognizable subsequent events.
Effective June 15, 2009, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Position No. FAS 107-1,Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, which extends the disclosure requirements regarding the fair value of financial instruments under FAS 107,Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,to interim financial statements of publicly traded companies. The adoption of FAS 107-1 did not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
Effective June 15, 2009, we adopted the FASB Position No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2,Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, which extends the disclosure requirements regarding debt and equity securities to interim financial statements of publicly traded companies as well as provides new disclosure requirements. The adoption of FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 did not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
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2. Net Loss Per Share
The Company calculates basic and diluted net loss per share for all periods presented in accordance with the SFAS No. 128,Earnings Per Share. Basic net loss per share was calculated by dividing the net loss for the period by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted net loss per share was calculated by dividing the net loss for the period by the weighted-average number of common stock equivalents outstanding during the period determined using the treasury-stock method. For purposes of this calculation, options and warrants are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share when their effect is dilutive. The Company has excluded all outstanding options and warrants from the calculation of diluted net loss per common share because all such securities are anti-dilutive for all periods presented.
| | | | | | | | |
| | As of June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | (In thousands) | |
Historical outstanding anti-dilutive securities not included in diluted net loss per share calculation: | | | | | | | | |
Options to purchase common stock | | | 5,964 | | | | 5,749 | |
Common stock warrants | | | 2,944 | | | | 71 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | 8,908 | | | | 5,820 | |
| | | | | | |
The increase in common stock warrants as of June 30, 2009, is the result of the issuance of 2.9 million warrants to institutional investors in conjunction with the Company’s equity financing on June 3, 2009 (see Note 6).
3. Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss adjusted for changes in market values in securities available-for-sale. Below is a reconciliation of net loss to comprehensive loss for the periods presented.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | |
Net loss | | $ | (6,530 | ) | | $ | (7,092 | ) | | $ | (15,290 | ) | | $ | (14,535 | ) |
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale | | | 485 | | | | (168 | ) | | | 479 | | | | 9 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive loss | | $ | (6,045 | ) | | $ | (7,260 | ) | | $ | (14,811 | ) | | $ | (14,526 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
4. Share-Based Payment
The Company calculates share-based compensation expense for all periods presented in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R),Share-Based Payment(SFAS No. 123(R)). Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), share-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the award’s fair value as calculated by a Black-Scholes pricing model and is recognized as expense evenly over the requisite service period. The Company accounts for compensation expense for options granted to non-employees other than directors in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R) and EITF Issue 96-18,Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services(EITF Issue 96-18). Such expense is based on the fair value of the options issued using the Black-Scholes pricing model and is periodically re-measured as the underlying options vest in accordance with EITF Issue 96-18.
A summary of the Company’s stock options and related information as of June 30, 2009 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Weighted- | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Average | | | | |
| | | | | | Weighted | | | Remaining | | | | |
| | | | | | Average | | | Contractual | | | | |
| | Options | | | Exercise | | | Term in | | | Aggregate | |
| | Outstanding | | | Price | | | Years | | | Intrinsic Value | |
| | (in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | (in thousands) | |
Balance at June 30, 2009 | | | 5,964 | | | $ | 3.82 | | | | 6.29 | | | $ | 59 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercisable at June 30, 2009 | | | 4,051 | | | $ | 4.44 | | | | 5.33 | | | $ | 20 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
7
The Company has reported the following amounts of share-based compensation expense in the unaudited condensed consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Six months ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Research and development expense | | $ | 616 | | | $ | 313 | | | $ | 944 | | | $ | 623 | |
General and administrative expense | | | 446 | | | | 355 | | | | 802 | | | | 706 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total share-based compensation expense | | $ | 1,062 | | | $ | 668 | | | $ | 1,746 | | | $ | 1,329 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net share-based compensation expense, per common share basic and diluted | | $ | 0.03 | | | $ | 0.02 | | | $ | 0.06 | | | $ | 0.05 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Included in the research and development expense and general and administrative expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 is $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of share-based compensation expense related to the modification of stock options for employees included in the reduction in workforce (see Note 7).
As of June 30, 2009, there was an additional $2.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based awards granted under the Company’s stock option plans. This unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.33 years.
The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of options granted for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | | Six months ended June 30, |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2008 |
Stock Options: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividend yield | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % |
Expected volatility | | | 73.52 | % | | | 67.32 | % | | | 73.52 | % | | | 67.32 | % |
Risk-free interest rate | | | 1.86 | % | | | 3.62 | % | | | 1.86 | % | | | 3.62 | % |
Expected life of the option term (in years) | | | 5.71 | | | | 5.87 | | | | 5.71 | | | | 5.87 | |
Stock-based compensation expense recognized in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R) is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, and therefore is reduced by expected forfeitures. The Company estimates forfeitures based upon historical forfeiture rates, and will adjust its estimate of forfeitures if actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates.
5. Investments
Securities available-for-sale consisted of the following as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | June 30, 2009 | |
| | | | | | Unrealized | | | | |
| | Amortized Cost | | | Gain | | | Loss | | | Market Value | |
U.S. government sponsored enterprise securities | | $ | 5,606 | | | $ | 36 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 5,642 | |
Corporate debt securities | | | 6,939 | | | | 48 | | | | (52 | ) | | | 6,935 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 12,545 | | | $ | 84 | | | $ | (52 | ) | | $ | 12,577 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2008 | |
| | | | | | Unrealized | | | | |
| | Amortized Cost | | | Gain | | | Loss | | | Market Value | |
U.S. government sponsored enterprise securities | | $ | 6,604 | | | $ | 72 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 6,676 | |
Corporate debt securities | | | 11,304 | | | | 64 | | | | (584 | ) | | | 10,784 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 17,908 | | | $ | 136 | | | $ | (584 | ) | | $ | 17,460 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Company securities available-for-sale by contractual maturity as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are shown below (in thousands):
8
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | June 30, 2009 | |
| | | | | | Unrealized | | | | |
| | Amortized Cost | | | Gain | | | Loss | | | Market Value | |
Within one year | | $ | 11,802 | | | $ | 64 | | | $ | (52 | ) | | $ | 11,814 | |
After one year through two years | | | 743 | | | | 20 | | | | — | | | | 763 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 12,545 | | | $ | 84 | | | $ | (52 | ) | | $ | 12,577 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2008 | |
| | | | | | Unrealized | | | | |
| | Amortized Cost | | | Gain | | | Loss | | | Market Value | |
Within one year | | $ | 15,641 | | | $ | 106 | | | $ | (580 | ) | | $ | 15,167 | |
After one year through three years | | | 2,267 | | | | 30 | | | | (4 | ) | | | 2,293 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 17,908 | | | $ | 136 | | | $ | (584 | ) | | $ | 17,460 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Included in the Company’s securities portfolio as of June 30, 2009 is an American General Finance Corporation, a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (AIG), corporate bond which has been in an unrealized loss position for greater than one year. This security will mature on August 15, 2009. As of June 30, 2009, this security has an unrealized loss of $0.1 million.
As of June 30, 2009, the Company performed a review of all of the securities in its portfolio with an unrealized loss position, including the American General Finance Corporation corporate bond, to determine if any other-than-temporary impairments were required to be recorded. Factors considered in the Company’s assessment included but were not limited to the following: the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security until maturity; the number of months until the security’s maturity, the number of quarters that each security was in an unrealized loss position, ratings assigned to each security by independent rating agencies, the magnitude of the unrealized loss compared to the face value of the security and other market conditions. Impairments are not considered other than temporary as the Company has the intent and ability to hold these investments until maturity. No other-than-temporary impairments were identified as of June 30, 2009 related to securities currently in the Company’s portfolio.
6. Equity Financing
On June 3, 2009, the Company sold 8.4 million shares of common stock and 2.9 million common stock warrants to institutional investors for gross proceeds of approximately $17.5 million. The shares of common stock and the warrants were sold in units, with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase 0.35 of a share of common stock, at a purchase price of $2.09375 per unit. Each warrant has an exercise price of $2.75 per share, is exercisable 6 months after issuance and will expire five years from the date of issuance. The Company agreed to pay the Placement Agent, Cowen & Company, LLC, a fee equal to 6% of the gross proceeds from the offering of common stock and common stock warrants in the offering, and to reimburse it for legal and other expenses, not to exceed $100,000. The net proceeds related to this transaction were approximately $16.0 million.
The warrants included in this transaction contain a “fundamental change” provision, which may in certain circumstances allow the common stock warrants to be redeemed for cash at an amount equal to the Black Scholes Value, as defined in the warrants. In addition, the warrants include a “failure to timely deliver shares” provision, which may require the Company to pay cash to the warrant holder in certain circumstances as defined in the warrants. Accordingly, pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 (SFAS No. 133),Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activitiesand Emerging Issues Task Force No. 00-19 (EITF 00-19),Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock, the common stock warrants are recorded as a liability and then marked to market each period through earnings in other income or expense. See a discussion on the fair value of the common stock warrants at Note 8.
7. Restructuring
On June 3, 2009, the Company initiated a strategic restructuring to focus its operations on the development of ANA598, in particular a planned Phase II study of ANA598 in combination with interferon and ribavirin. The strategic restructuring resulted in a reduction in the Company’s workforce of approximately 40%, with most of the employees having departed by the end of June 2009 and several others departing at later dates prior to the end of 2009. The Company retained the clinical development infrastructure required to conduct the Phase II study of ANA598, key capabilities directed toward pharmaceutical development and next generation non-nucleosides, and a streamlined administrative staff. The Company anticipates the reduction in force will generate annual cash expense savings of between approximately $4.0 million and $5.0 million. The Company is providing cash severance payments, continuation of benefits, outplacement services and certain stock option modifications to employees directly affected by the workforce reduction in exchange for a waiver and release of any potential claims. The Company incurred a cash charge of approximately $1.0 million, which is included in operating expenses, for cash severance, benefits and outplacement services in connection with the workforce reduction during the second quarter of 2009. In addition, the Company incurred a noncash charge of $0.4 million associated with the modification of stock options for individuals included in the workforce reduction.
9
The Company’s restructuring liability as of June 30, 2009 are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | |
| | | | |
Beginning balance, April 1, 2009 | | $ | — | |
Additions | | | 982 | |
Severance payments | | | (55 | ) |
| | | |
Ending balance, June 30, 2009 | | $ | 927 | |
| | | |
As of June 30, 2009, the Company had a remaining accrual of $0.9 million associated with this strategic restructuring. The Company will incur an additional $0.3 million for cash severance, benefits and outplacement services in connection with the workforce reduction during the third quarter of 2009.
8. Fair Value Disclosures
As of June 30, 2009, the Company has $30.2 million of marketable securities consisting of money market funds, U.S. government sponsored enterprise securities and corporate debt securities with maturities that range from 1 day to 15 months with an overall average time to maturity of 6.5 months. The Company has the ability to liquidate these investments without restriction. The Company determines fair value for marketable securities with Level 1 inputs through quoted market prices. The Company determines fair value for marketable securities with Level 2 inputs through broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.
The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2009 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using | |
| | | | | | Quoted | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Prices in | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Active | | | Significant | | | | |
| | | | | | Markets for | | | Other | | | Significant | |
| | | | | | Identical | | | Observable | | | Unobservable | |
| | | | | | Assets | | | Inputs | | | Inputs | |
Description | | June 30, 2009 | | | (Level 1) | | | (Level 2) | | | (Level 3) | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Money market funds | | $ | 17,668 | | | $ | 17,668 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
U.S. government sponsored enterprise securities | | | 5,642 | | | | — | | | | 5,642 | | | | — | |
Corporate debt securities | | | 6,935 | | | | — | | | | 6,935 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total financial assets | | $ | 30,245 | | | $ | 17,668 | | | $ | 12,577 | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock warrants | | $ | 3,306 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,306 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total financial liabilities | | $ | 3,306 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,306 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
As of June 30, 2009, the Company has a $3.3 million common stock warrant liability. This liability is associated with 2.9 million warrants, issued in connection with our common stock offering, that closed on June 3, 2009 (see Note 6). The Company determines fair value for the warrants with Level 3 inputs through a Black Scholes pricing model. The Company initially assessed the fair value of the warrants on June 3, 2009, the date of their issuance, at $3.7 million. The Company then reassessed the fair value of the warrants on June 30, 2009 utilizing a Black Scholes pricing model. As of June 30, 2009, inputs used in the Black Scholes pricing model include a dividend yield of 0%, expected volatility of 88.79%, risk-free interest rate of 2.54% and expected life of approximately five years. As a result of this calculation, the Company recorded a gain of $0.4 million. The gain is reflected in our consolidated statement of operations as a component of other income, net.
The following table is a roll forward of the fair value of the common stock warrants, as to which fair value is determined by Level 3 inputs (in thousands):
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| | | | |
| | Three and six months ended | |
Description | | June 30, 2009 | |
Beginning balance | | $ | — | |
Purchases, issuances, and settlements | | | 3,746 | |
Realized gain included in net loss | | | (440 | ) |
| | | |
Ending balance | | $ | 3,306 | |
| | | |
9. Commitments
On June 18, 2009, the Company entered into a Sublease Agreement with Phenomix Corporation for the lease of approximately 13,893 square feet of office and laboratory space in which the Company will conduct its ongoing operations. Each month during the approximate 19.5 month term of the lease which commenced on July 9, 2009, the Company is required to remit base rent of $0.03 million. The lease also provides for additional payments, including a $0.03 million security deposit, common area maintenance charges, taxes, maintenance and utilities. The newly leased space, located in San Diego, California, will replace the Company’s former headquarters and research and development facility in which the Company occupied approximately 40,000 square feet under a lease expiring on August 1, 2009.
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| | |
Item 2. | | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this Quarterly Report) and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008 included with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 3, 2009. Operating results are not necessarily indicative of results that may occur in future periods.
This Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements about our strategies, objectives, discoveries, clinical trials, development programs, financial forecasts and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements which may be preceded by the words “intend,” “will,” “plan,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “aim,” “seek,” “believe,” “hope” or similar words. For such statements, we claim the protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers of this Quarterly Report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from our expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risk factors identified in our SEC reports, including this Quarterly Report.
Overview
Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving patient care by developing novel medicines for the treatment of hepatitis C. We are developing ANA598, a small-molecule, non-nucleoside inhibitor of the NS5B polymerase for the treatment of hepatitis C. We have completed three Phase I clinical studies of ANA598 that have demonstrated potent antiviral activity and good tolerability. In a monotherapy study in naïve genotype 1 patients, treatment with ANA598 for three days led to median declines in viral load of 2.4 to 2.9 log10 in three separate dose groups. We have recently finalized the protocol for our Phase II trial of ANA598 in combination with pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin in HCV patients. Allowance of the protocol has been received from the United States Food and Drug Administration, and patient dosing is expected to commence within the next several weeks. This study is expected to provide initial viral load and safety data at the end of this year and in the first two quarters of 2010.
On June 3, 2009, we initiated a strategic restructuring to focus our operations on the development of ANA598, in particular the planned Phase II study of ANA598 in combination with interferon and ribavirin. The strategic restructuring resulted in a reduction in our workforce of approximately 40%, with most of the employees having departed by the end of June 2009 and several others departing at later dates prior to the end of 2009. We retained the clinical development infrastructure required to conduct the Phase II study of ANA598, key capabilities directed toward pharmaceutical development and next generation non-nucleosides, and a streamlined administrative staff. We anticipate the reduction in force will generate annual cash expense savings of between approximately $4.0 million and $5.0 million. We are providing cash severance payments, continuation of benefits, outplacement services and certain stock option modifications to employees directly affected by the workforce reduction in exchange for a waiver and release of any potential claims. We incurred a charge of approximately $1.0 million for cash severance, benefits and outplacement services in connection with the workforce reduction. In addition, we incurred a noncash charge of $0.4 million associated with the modification of stock options for individuals included in the workforce reduction. We also moved our operations to a smaller building in July 2009 and expect to achieve an annual facility expense reduction of approximately $1.8 million.
We have also investigated ANA773, an oral, small-molecule inducer of endogenous interferons that acts via the Toll-like receptor 7 pathway for the treatment of HCV. In the fourth quarter of 2008, we commenced dosing HCV-infected patients in a Phase I clinical trial of ANA773. The primary objectives of the patient portion of the study are to assess safety, tolerability and viral load decline in HCV patients. We are in the process of concluding dosing in the final cohort of this study.
We have also investigated ANA773 for the treatment of cancer. We have recently elected to stop enrollment of new patients in the ongoing Phase I oncology trial to focus our resources on ANA598. We plan for currently enrolled patients to continue to receive ANA773 until disease progression is observed and to conclude the trial once all patients reach this point.
Once dosing is completed for the current cohorts in the ongoing HCV and oncology studies, we intend to seek out-licensing partnerships as a way to potentially continue development of ANA773. Anadys currently retains all commercialization rights to both ANA598 and ANA773, which were discovered at Anadys.
We have incurred significant operating losses since our inception and, as of June 30, 2009, our accumulated deficit was $271.3 million. We expect to incur substantial losses for at least the next several years as we:
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| • | | continue the development of ANA598 for the treatment of HCV; |
| • | | develop methods for and scale-up manufacturing of ANA598 for clinical trials and potential commercialization; |
| • | | commercialize any product candidates that receive regulatory approval; and |
| • | | potentially in-license technology and acquire or invest in businesses, products or technologies that are synergistic with our own. |
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We review our estimates on an on-going basis and make adjustments to the financials statements as considered necessary. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Drug Development Costs.Drug development costs include costs associated with the development of our product candidates including non-clinical activities, toxicology studies, manufacturing of non-clinical and clinical materials and clinical trials. We review and accrue drug development costs based on work performed. We estimate work performed utilizing factors such as subject enrollment, estimated timeline for completion of studies and other factors. These costs and estimates vary based on the type, scope and length of non-clinical and clinical studies as well as other factors. Drug development cost accruals are subject to revisions as studies, projects and trials progress to completion. Expense is adjusted for revisions in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.
Common Stock Warrant Liability.We account for common stock warrants which may potentially be settled with cash as a liability in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 (SFAS No. 133),Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activitiesand Emerging Issues Task Force No. 00-19 (EITF 00-19),Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock, which provide guidance for distinguishing between permanent equity, temporary equity and assets and liabilities. The common stock warrants have been recorded at their fair value at issuance and will continue to be recorded at fair value each subsequent balance sheet date until such time that they are exercised or are otherwise modified to remove the provisions that require this treatment, at which time the warrants will be adjusted to fair value and reclassified from liabilities to stockholders’ equity. Any change in value between reporting periods will be recorded as other income (expense) each reporting date. The fair value of the warrants is estimated using the Black Scholes pricing model.
Share-Based Compensation.We account for share-based compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R) (SFAS No. 123(R)),Share-Based Payment. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), share-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the award’s fair-value as calculated by a Black Scholes pricing model and is recognized as expense evenly over the requisite service period. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, our expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, the risk-free interest rate and the expected term of the awards. If any of the assumptions used in the model change significantly, share-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period.
Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Effective June 15, 2009, we adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 165,Subsequent Events(SFAS No. 165), which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued. The adoption of SFAS 165 did not impact our financial position or results of operations. We evaluated all events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date of June 30, 2009 through July 31, 2009, the date we issued these financial statements. During this period, we did not have any material recognizable or nonrecognizable subsequent events.
Effective June 15, 2009, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Position No. FAS 107-1,Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, which extends the disclosure requirements regarding the fair value of financial instruments under FAS 107,Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,to interim financial statements of publicly traded companies. The adoption of FAS 107-1 did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
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Effective June 15, 2009, we adopted the FASB Position No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2,Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, which extends the disclosure requirements regarding debt and equity securities to interim financial statements of publicly traded companies as well as provides new disclosure requirements. The adoption of FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Pending Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 168 (SFAS No. 168),The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles — A Replacement of FASB Statement No. 162, which is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. SFAS 168 replaces SFAS No. 162,The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, to establish the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the single source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 168 to have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
Research and Development Expenses.Research and development expenses were $4.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to $5.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008. The $0.9 million decrease primarily resulted from a $1.3 million decrease in ANA773 development costs partially offset by $0.5 million in severance costs related to the reduction in force. ANA773 development costs during the three months ended June 30, 2009 were primarily driven by our on-going Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of HCV. During the second quarter of 2008, ANA773 development costs were primarily driven by our completed 13-week GLP animal toxicology studies and the Phase I oncology clinical trial (which began dosing in February 2008). The ANA598 development costs during the three months ended June 30, 2009 were primarily associated with our 14-day healthy volunteer study which was initiated in February 2009 and our on-going long-term chronic toxicology studies which were initiated during September 2008. Our non-cash share-based compensation expense associated with share-based payments granted to our research and development employees was $0.6 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Included in our non-cash share-based compensation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2009, is $0.3 million associated with the modification of stock options for individuals included in the workforce reduction.
The following summarizes our research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008. Facility costs, depreciation and amortization, research and development support personnel and other indirect personnel related costs are included as a component of infrastructure and support personnel.
| | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | (In thousands) | |
ANA598 | | | 1,839 | | | | 1,942 | |
ANA773 | | | 617 | | | | 1,870 | |
Infrastructure, support personnel and other | | | 1,064 | | | | 1,376 | |
Severance related to reduction in force | | | 512 | | | | — | |
Non-cash employee and non-employee share-based compensation | | | 616 | | | | 313 | |
| | | | | | |
Total research and development expense | | $ | 4,648 | | | $ | 5,501 | |
| | | | | | |
Effective July 1, 2008, we began allocating costs for ANA773 between our HCV and oncology programs. For the three months ended June 30, 2009, ANA773 HCV related costs were approximately $0.5 million and ANA773 oncology related costs were approximately $0.1 million.
General and Administrative Expenses.General and administrative expenses were $2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008. The $0.5 million increase primarily resulted from severance costs recorded in conjunction with the corporate restructuring initiated in June 2009. Non-cash share-based compensation expense associated with share-based payments granted to our general and administrative employees and non-employee directors was $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008. Included in our non-cash share-based compensation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2009, is $0.1 million associated with the modification of stock options for individuals included in the workforce reduction.
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Interest Income and Other, net.Interest income and other, net was $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008. The $0.2 million decrease in our interest income and other from the three months ended June 30, 2008 to the three months ended June 30, 2009 was primarily the result of lower average cash, cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale balances, which were invested in interest bearing securities, during the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease in our interest income from the three months ended June 30, 2008 to the three months ended June 30, 2009 was also driven by a reduction in the yield on our investment portfolio which was attributable to a decrease in short-term interest rates between the two periods.
Common Stock Warrant Liability.Non-operating income associated with the decrease in common stock warrant liability was $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. This represents the decrease in the fair value of the warrants from June 3, 2009 to June 30, 2009. The fair value was calculated using the Black Scholes pricing model and is remeasured at each reporting period. Potential future increases in our stock price will result in losses being recognized in our statement of operations in future periods. Conversely, potential future declines in our stock price will result in gains being recognized in our statement of operations in future periods.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
Research and Development Expenses.Research and development expenses were $11.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to $11.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. While overall costs were consistent from period to period, ANA598 costs increased by $1.6 million, primarily due to costs incurred for the Phase Ia and Ib trials (which began dosing in June 2008 and October 2008, respectively) as well as long-term chronic toxicology studies in animals that commenced in September 2008. In addition, there was an increase of $0.5 million in severance costs related to the reduction in force. Offsetting these increases was a decrease in ANA773 costs of $2.0 million due to the completion of GLP animal toxicology studies in 2008, and decreased manufacturing of drug substance and drug product due to fewer ongoing and planned studies. Our non-cash share-based compensation expense associated with share-based payments granted to our research and development employees was $0.9 million and $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Included in our non-cash share-based compensation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2009, is $0.3 million associated with the modification of stock options for individuals included in the workforce reduction.
The following summarizes our research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008. Facility costs, depreciation and amortization, research and development support personnel and other indirect personnel related costs are included as a component of infrastructure and support personnel.
| | | | | | | | |
| | Six months ended June 30, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | (In thousands) | |
ANA598 | | | 5,652 | | | | 4,046 | |
ANA773 | | | 2,102 | | | | 4,130 | |
Infrastructure, support personnel and other | | | 2,314 | | | | 2,711 | |
Severance related to reduction in force | | | 512 | | | | — | |
Non-cash employee and non-employee share-based compensation | | | 944 | | | | 623 | |
| | | | | | |
Total research and development expense | | $ | 11,524 | | | $ | 11,510 | |
| | | | | | |
Effective July 1, 2008, we began allocating costs for ANA773 between our HCV and oncology programs. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, ANA773 HCV related costs were approximately $1.5 million and ANA773 oncology related costs were approximately $0.6 million.
General and Administrative Expenses.General and administrative expenses were $4.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to $4.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. The $0.6 million increase primarily resulted from severance costs related to the reduction in force. Non-cash share-based compensation expense associated with share-based payments granted to our general and administrative employees and non-employee directors for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively. Included in our non-cash share-based compensation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2009, is $0.1 million associated with the modification of stock options for individuals included in the workforce reduction.
Interest Income and Other, net.Interest income and other, net was $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. The $0.6 million decrease in our interest income and other from the six months ended June 30, 2009 to the six months ended June 30, 2008 was primarily the result of lower average cash, cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale balances, which were invested in interest bearing securities, during the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease in our interest income from the six months ended June 30, 2009
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to the six months ended June 30, 2008 was also driven by a reduction in the yield on our investment portfolio which was attributable to a decrease in short-term interest rates between the two periods.
Common Stock Warrant Liability.Non-operating income associated with the decrease in common stock warrant liability was $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. This represents the decrease in the fair value of the warrants from June 3, 2009 to June 30, 2009. Under SFAS 157, the warrants were determined to be Level 3. As such, the fair value was calculated using the Black Scholes pricing model and is remeasured at each reporting period. Potential future increases in our stock price will result in losses being recognized in our statement of operations in future periods. Conversely, potential future declines in our stock price will result in gains being recognized in our statement of operations in future periods.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our June 30, 2009 cash, cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale balance was $30.6 million. Our cash, cash equivalents and securities available-for sale increased by $2.7 million from December 31, 2008 to June 30, 2009. The increase in cash, cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale is the result of proceeds received from the equity financing during June 2009 partially offset by the year-to-date cash utilization to fund our operations. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale will be sufficient to meet our projected operating requirements for at least the next twelve months.
On June 3, 2009, we initiated a strategic restructuring to focus our operations on the development of ANA598, in particular a planned Phase II study of ANA598 in combination with interferon and ribavirin. The strategic restructuring resulted in a reduction in our workforce of approximately 40%, with most of the employees having departed by the end of June 2009 and several others departing at later dates prior to the end of 2009. We anticipate the reduction in force will generate annual cash expense savings of between approximately $4.0 million and $5.0 million. We also moved our operations to a smaller building in July 2009 and expect to achieve an annual facility expense reduction of approximately $1.8 million.
Future Cash Requirements
Over time we expect our development expenses to be substantial and to increase as we continue the advancement of our development programs. The lengthy process of completing clinical trials and seeking regulatory approval for our product candidates requires the expenditure of substantial resources. Any failure by us or delay in completing clinical trials, or in obtaining regulatory approvals, could cause our research and development expenses to increase and, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Our future capital uses and requirements depend on numerous forward-looking factors. These factors may include but are not limited to the following:
| • | | the progress of our nonclinical development activities; |
| • | | the progress of our clinical trials; |
| • | | our ability to establish and maintain strategic alliances; |
| • | | the costs involved in enforcing or defending patent claims and other intellectual property rights; |
| • | | the costs and timing of regulatory approvals; |
| • | | the costs of establishing or expanding manufacturing, sales and distribution capabilities; |
| • | | the costs related to development and manufacture of non-clinical, clinical and validation lots for regulatory and commercialization of drug supply; |
| • | | the success of the commercialization of ANA598, ANA773 or any other product candidates we may develop; and |
| • | | the extent to which we acquire or invest in other products, technologies and businesses. |
Investment Portfolio
As of June 30, 2009, we have $30.2 million of marketable securities consisting of money market funds, U.S. government sponsored enterprise securities and corporate debt securities with maturities that range from 1 day to 15 months with an overall
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average months to maturity of 6.5 months. We have the ability to liquidate these marketable securities without restriction. As of June 30, 2009 we do not own any marketable securities which are classified as asset-backed securities or auction rate securities.
Fair Value Inputs
Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset. We value our marketable securities by using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. The types of securities valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include money market securities. We do not adjust the quoted price for such securities. The types of instruments valued based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency include U.S. government sponsored enterprise securities and corporate debt securities. The price for each security at the measurement date is sourced from an independent pricing vendor. Periodically, management assesses the reasonableness of these sourced prices by comparing them to the prices provided by our portfolio managers to derive the fair value of these financial instruments. Historically, we have not experienced significant deviation between the prices from the independent pricing vendor and our portfolio managers. Management assesses the inputs of the pricing in order to categorize the financial instruments into the appropriate hierarchy levels. The fair value of the common stock warrants, which may potentially be settled with cash and are therefore treated as a liability, is estimated using the Black Scholes pricing model.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of June 30, 2009 and 2008, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. In addition, we do not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts. As such, we are not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in these relationships. We do not have relationships or transactions with persons or entities that derive benefits from their non-independent relationship with us or our related parties.
| | |
Item 3. | | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Our primary exposure to market risk is interest income sensitivity, which is affected by changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates, particularly because the majority of our investments are in short-term marketable securities. Due to the nature of our short-term investments, we believe that we are not subject to any material market risk exposure. We do not have any foreign currency or other derivative financial instruments.
Item 4.Controls and Procedures
Our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Vice President, Finance and Operations performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-l5(e) and l5d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Vice President, Finance and Operations concluded that as of the date of such evaluation, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in our periodic reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Vice President, Finance and Operations, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. It should be noted that the design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and can therefore only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the design will succeed in achieving its stated goals.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
You should consider carefully the following information about the risks described below, together with the other information contained in this Quarterly Report and in our other public filings before making any investment decisions regarding our stock. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects would likely be materially and adversely affected. In these circumstances, the market price of our common stock would likely decline, and you may lose all or part of the money you paid to buy our common stock.
The risk factors set forth below with an asterisk (*) next to the title are new risk factors or risk factors containing changes, including any material changes, from the risk factors previously disclosed in our annual report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Risks Related to Our Business
*Any significant set-back regarding, or the failure of, ANA598 will have a large negative impact on our business and stock price.
Following our recently announced restructuring, we intend to actively pursue only the development of ANA598. As a result, our development portfolio entails a highly concentrated risk of failure. If the timing or results of clinical trials and non clinical studies of ANA598 do not meet our, your, analysts’ or others’ expectations, the market price of our common stock could decline significantly. Any significant set-back regarding, or the failure of, ANA598 will have a significant negative impact on us and our stock price.
*Our projected ANA598 data timelines through 2010 depend on the rapid and efficient commencement and execution of the Phase II study and assume a certain pace of recruitment and enrollment of patients. Any challenges with initiation of sites or other factors that influence the rate of enrollment could delay our projected data timelines, which could cause our stock price to decline significantly.
We currently expect to receive initial data from the first dose cohort in the ANA598 Phase II study by the end of 2009 and to receive additional on-treatment safety and response data during the first two quarters of 2010. These projected data timelines depend on the rapid and efficient commencement and execution of the Phase II study. In particular, they assume a pace of recruitment and enrollment, which we currently believe should be achievable, but which could be influenced by a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. For example, if sites do not move quickly enough in recruiting, screening and enrolling patients or if institutional review board approval at a sufficient number of sites is not obtained in a timely manner, our desired timelines could be delayed. Any delay in meeting our projected data timelines could cause our stock price to decline significantly.
*We may be unable to enter into future strategic transactions, and in particular transactions around ANA598 or ANA773, on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
Our near and long-term viability will depend in part on our ability to successfully establish strategic transactions with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Since we do not currently possess the resources necessary to independently fully develop and commercialize ANA598 or ANA773, we either will need to develop or acquire these resources on our own, which will require substantial funding, time and effort, or will need to enter into collaborative agreements to assist in the development and commercialization of these potential products. If we fail to establish collaborations or licensing arrangements on acceptable terms, we may need to delay or terminate one or more of our programs. Even if we successfully establish new collaborations, these relationships may never result in the successful development or commercialization of any product candidates or the generation of sales or royalty revenue.
More specifically, we have elected to initiate the planned Phase II study of ANA598 prior to further exploring interest in a possible transaction around ANA598. In addition, we plan to explore outlicensing opportunities for ANA773. There is no guarantee that we will enter into a future transaction around ANA598 or ANA773 on favorable terms, or at all, or that discussions will initiate or progress on our desired timelines. Completing transactions of this nature is difficult and time-consuming. Potentially interested parties may decline to re-engage or may terminate discussions based upon their assessment of our competitive, financial, regulatory or intellectual property position or for any other reason. Furthermore, we may choose to defer consummating a transaction relating to ANA598 until additional data is obtained. If we do not actively pursue a transaction around ANA598 until we have longer term viral load data, we and our stockholders will bear the risk that ANA598 will fail prior to any future transaction.
*We will need additional funding and may be unable to raise capital when needed, which would force us to delay, reduce or eliminate our development programs.
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Our June 30, 2009 cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance was $30.6 million. We believe that this balance will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated operational cash needs for at least the next 12 months. However, we will need to seek additional funding in order to conduct future development activities. There is no guarantee that additional funding will be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If funds are not available, we may be required to delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate one or more of our development programs.
In addition, we will need to raise additional capital if we choose to conduct certain activities, including:
| • | | fund our development programs; |
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| • | | acquire rights to products or product candidates, technologies or businesses; |
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| • | | establish and maintain manufacturing, sales and marketing operations; and |
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| • | | commercialize our product candidates, if any, that receive regulatory approval. |
Our future funding requirements will depend on, and could increase significantly as a result of many factors, including:
| • | | the progress of our clinical trials; |
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| • | | the progress of our nonclinical development activities; |
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| • | | our ability to establish and maintain strategic alliances; |
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| • | | the costs involved in enforcing or defending patent claims and other intellectual property rights; |
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| • | | the pace and timing of development activities conducted under joint development arrangements we may establish; |
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| • | | the cost and timing of regulatory approvals; |
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| • | | the costs of establishing or expanding manufacturing, sales and distribution capabilities; |
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| • | | the costs related to development and manufacture of pre-clinical, clinical and validation lots for regulatory and commercialization of drug supply; |
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| • | | the commercialization of ANA598, ANA773 and any additional products; and |
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| • | | the extent to which we acquire or invest in other products technologies and businesses. |
We do not anticipate that we will generate significant revenues from operations for at least several years, if ever. Until we can generate significant revenues from operations, we expect to satisfy our future cash needs through public or private equity offerings, debt financings, strategic alliances or other transactions, project financing and grant funding, as well as through interest income earned on cash balances. We cannot be certain that additional funding will be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If funds are not available, we may be required to delay, reduce the scope of or eliminate one or more of our research or development programs or our commercialization efforts.
*Raising additional funds by issuing securities or through debt or project financing or strategic alliances and licensing arrangements may cause dilution to existing stockholders, restrict our operations or require us to relinquish proprietary rights.
We may seek to raise additional funds through public or private equity offerings, debt financings, project financings or strategic alliances and licensing arrangements. We cannot be certain that additional funding will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. To the extent that we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our stockholders’ ownership will be diluted. Other financing activities may also have an equity component, which also may lead to dilution. Any debt or project financing we enter into may involve covenants that restrict our operations. These restrictive covenants may include limitations on borrowing, specific restrictions on the use of our assets as well as prohibitions on our ability to create liens, pay dividends, redeem capital stocks or make investments. In addition, if we raise additional funds through strategic alliances and licensing arrangements, it may be necessary to relinquish potentially valuable rights to our potential products or proprietary technologies, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.
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For example, we might be forced to relinquish all or a portion of our sales and marketing rights with respect to potential products or license intellectual property that enables licensees to develop competing products.
We are at an early stage of development, and we may never attain product sales.
Our existing organizational structure was formed in May 2000. Since then, most of our resources have been dedicated to the development of our proprietary drug discovery technologies, research and development and preclinical and early-stage clinical testing of compounds. Our current product candidates are at only the very early stages of clinical trials. ANA598, ANA773 and any other compounds that we may develop, may never be approved for commercial sales. These compounds will require extensive and costly development, preclinical testing and clinical trials prior to seeking regulatory approval for commercial sales. The time required to attain product sales and profitability is lengthy and highly uncertain, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve or maintain product sales.
*We expect our net losses to continue for at least several years, and we are unable to predict the extent of future losses and when we will become profitable in our business operations, if ever.
We have incurred net losses since our incorporation in 1992, and through June 30, 2009 we have an accumulated deficit of $271.3 million. Our losses are attributable in large part to the significant research and development costs required to identify and validate potential product candidates and conduct preclinical studies and clinical trials. To date, we have generated limited revenues, consisting of one-time or limited payments associated with past collaborations or grants, and we do not anticipate generating product revenues for at least several years, if ever. We would need to increase our operating expenses over at least the next several years in order to fund the development costs of our product candidates and further our development activities. As a result, we expect to continue to incur significant and increasing operating losses for the foreseeable future. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with our research and product development efforts, we are unable to predict the extent of any future losses or when we will become profitable in our business operations, if ever. Even if we do achieve profitability in our business operations, we may not be able to sustain or increase such profitability on an ongoing basis.
*The technologies on which we rely are unproven and may not result in the development of commercially viable products.
Our current product candidates, ANA598 and ANA773, were selected based on the presumption that intervention at their respective targets, HCV polymerase and TLR7, offers a therapeutic benefit. There can be no assurance that intervention at either target will offer sufficient benefit and acceptable toxicity to warrant continued development and approval. ANA773 relies on the biology of a specific receptor, or protein, named Toll-Like Receptor-7, or TLR7. However, the interaction between small molecules and TLR7 represents a relatively new mechanism of action for the treatment of disease, including HCV and cancer, and there is no guarantee that an acceptable balance between therapeutic benefit and risk will be achieved with TLR7 agonists in HCV infected patients or in cancer patients. For example, in June 2006 we suspended dosing of ANA975, a TLR7 agonist prodrug, in our then on-going ANA975 clinical trial due to information from 13-week toxicology studies in animals that showed intense immune stimulation. We subsequently conducted additional pre-clinical studies and were unable to identify an acceptable balance between therapeutic benefit and risk using a daily dosing schedule over 13-weeks. Accordingly, we subsequently discontinued the development of ANA975 as a therapy for HCV infection. The science underlying ANA598 is also new and unproven, as no products acting at the HCV polymerase have been approved for marketing. ANA598 and ANA773 are at only the very beginning stage of clinical investigation. The process of successfully discovering product candidates is expensive, time-consuming and unpredictable, and the historical rate of failure for drug candidates is extremely high. If our approaches to drug discovery and development are not successful, we will not be able to establish or maintain a clinical development portfolio or generate product revenue.
*Because the results of preclinical studies and early clinical trials are not necessarily predictive of future results, we can provide no assurances that ANA598 or ANA773 will have favorable results in future clinical trials, or receive regulatory approval.
Positive results from preclinical studies or early clinical trials should not be relied upon as evidence that later or larger-scale clinical trials will succeed. There is typically an extremely high rate of attrition from the failure of drug candidates proceeding through clinical trials. There is no guarantee that viral load declines seen in early patient trials will be replicated in future trials of longer duration and/or larger patient populations. For example, short-term viral load data from our ANA598 Phase Ib study may not translate into long-term benefit due to the potential emergence of resistant variants or other factors. Similarly, there is no guarantee that favorable safety and tolerability seen in short term studies will be replicated in studies of longer duration and/or in larger subject populations. For example, in a recently conducted 14 day healthy volunteer study, three of the 24 subjects who received ANA598 discontinued from the study due to the onset of a skin rash during the study. We cannot guarantee that our clinical trials will be able to demonstrate the ability to reach desired ANA598 blood levels in patients sufficient to provide significant antiviral effect, without reaching the levels of exposure where we observed rash in this healthy volunteer study. We can also not guarantee that we will not see rash caused by ANA598 in the Phase II study at lower ANA598 blood levels where we did not see rash in the 14 day healthy volunteer study. Furthermore, if concurrent toxicology studies have unexpected results, the clinical development of the compound at
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issue could be suspended, delayed and/or terminated. If ANA598, or any other product candidate, fails to demonstrate sufficient safety and efficacy in any clinical trial or shows unexpected findings in concurrent toxicology studies, we would experience potentially significant delays in, or be required to abandon, development of ANA598. If we delay or abandon our development efforts related to ANA598, we may not be able to generate sufficient revenues to become profitable, and our reputation in the industry and in the investment community would likely be significantly damaged, each of which would cause our stock price to decrease significantly.
*We intend to develop ANA598 as a component of combination treatments, which presents additional challenges to the drug development process.
We are developing ANA598 as a potential component of future combination treatments. We may face additional challenges with this approach, as opposed to developing product candidates for monotherapy. For example, any negative properties of our product candidates may be exacerbated when combined with other agents and/or have unexpected effects in humans. Furthermore, the optimal development of our product candidates may entail explorations of combinations with other agents, which could require us to establish agreements or alliances with other companies or third parties. There is no guarantee that we will be able to enter into such alliances or agreements on terms that we view as favorable, or at all. If we are unable to optimize the development of our product candidates, our business prospects could be harmed, causing our stock price to suffer.
*To date, we have dosed ANA598 in patients for only three days as a single agent. There is no guarantee that in Phase II studies, in which ANA598 will be dosed for periods of longer duration in combination with other agents, we will be able to identify safe and tolerable doses that result in clinical benefit, as measured by clearance of virus and durability of that clearance.
Although we have seen significant antiviral activity in HCV patients receiving ANA598 as a single agent over three days, it remains unknown what doses and duration of treatment with ANA598, if any, will be efficacious in combination therapy. Furthermore, although we have plans to initiate a Phase II study in which ANA598 will be dosed for 12 weeks with current standard of care, it is presently unknown what duration of dosing of ANA598 will be most appropriate when used as a component of combination therapy, and further studies of longer duration may need to be explored. In addition, although we have presentedin vitro data showing that combinations of ANA598 with current standard of care and with certain direct antiviral agents appear to be synergistic, these results may not be replicated in clinical trials. Also, it is possible that ANA598 will not be additive or synergistic with other potential components of future treatment regimens. Furthermore, it is possible that tolerability will be worse over longer durations of treatment than was seen for the same dose at a shorter duration of treatment. For example, in a recently conducted 14 day healthy volunteer study, three of the 24 subjects who received ANA598 discontinued from the study due to the onset of a skin rash characterized as mild to moderate with itching (classified as grade 2 in a commonly used classification scheme of five grades, with grade 5 being the most severe) during the study, at comparable dose levels that were well tolerated over three days in patients. Similarly, if the tolerability of doses of ANA598 required for long-term treatment as part of future combinations is unacceptable or unfavorable relative to competitive product candidates, then the prospects for developing ANA598 as a treatment for chronic hepatitis C will be diminished, causing our stock price to decrease significantly.
*Our predictions and assumptions underlying our proposed ANA598 Phase II trial design may turn out to be wrong.
Our dose selection for the planned ANA598 Phase II trial was based in part on a comparison of the ANA598 blood levels reached in a recent healthy volunteer study to the ANA598 blood levels reached in our Phase Ib patient study. In particular, the dose selection is designed to achieve ANA598 blood levels in patients sufficient to provide significant antiviral effect without reaching the levels of exposure where we observed rash in the healthy volunteer study. However, our predictions are based on data from a small number of subjects who received ANA598 over a short period of time, and we cannot guarantee that our predictions will be correct. If our predictions and assumptions underlying the dose selection are incorrect, the development of ANA598 will be harmed and our stock price will suffer.
*Our predictions and assumptions regarding the expected antiviral effect of ANA598 may turn out to be wrong.
Based on analysis and modeling of data from our Phase I ANA598 studies, we expect the predicted antiviral effect, when combined with the effects of current standard of care, to increase the percentage of patients who achieve RVR (non-detectible levels of virus after four weeks of treatment) and cEVR (nondetectible levels of virus after twelve weeks of treatment). However, these are only predictions, based on data from a small number of subjects, and there is no guarantee that the actual data received from the proposed Phase II study will show an increased percentage of responsive patients or that an increase, if seen, will be large enough to be compelling to us, physicians, potential partners or investors.
*The FDA could impose additional requirements on the development of ANA598 which could result in unexpected cost increases and/or delays to our development timelines.
The development of ANA598 in the United States is subject to ongoing regulation by the FDA. There is no guarantee that the FDA will not impose additional requirements on our development program for ANA598, including requirements associated with patient enrollment, manufacturing processes of our clinical trials materials or other development activities related to ANA598, which could result in increased costs to us or a delay in our desired timelines.
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Fast track designation does not guarantee approval, or expedited approval, of ANA598 and there is no guarantee that ANA598 will maintain fast track designation.
In December 2008, we announced that the FDA granted fast track designation to ANA598 for the treatment of chronic HCV infection. Under the FDA Modernization Act of 1997, fast track designation is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of new drugs that are intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions. Compounds selected must demonstrate the potential to address an unmet medical need for such a condition. Mechanisms intended to facilitate development include opportunities for frequent dialogue with FDA reviewers and for timely review of submitted protocols. However, the designation does not guarantee approval or expedited approval of any application for the product. Furthermore, the FDA may revoke fast track designation from a product candidate at any time if it determines that the criteria are no longer met.
*We are completing a Phase I clinical trial of ANA773 for HCV and intend to explore partnership opportunities as a way to potentially continue the development of ANA773. There is no guarantee that we will be able to obtain a partnership around ANA773 or that the development of the program will be continued.
We are completing a Phase I trial of ANA773 in HCV infected patients. While we are encouraged by the data obtained to date, particularly at the higher doses at which we were able to confirm a dose response for ANA773 in HCV infected patients, further schedule exploration will likely be advisable before proceeding into larger scale studies. In connection with our recent restructuring and our desire to focus our resources on our ANA598 program, we have decided to suspend further development of ANA773 while we look for a partner to potentially fund further development of the program. There is no guarantee that we will be able to obtain a partnership around ANA773 or that the development of the program will be able to be continued. If the program is continued, if we or a licensee are unable to achieve viral load reduction at levels comparable to injectable interferon but with a cleaner side effect profile, the prospects for developing ANA773 as a competitive HCV product will be diminished. Furthermore, the Phase I clinical trial is being conducted in the Netherlands and not under a U.S. investigational new drug application, or IND. If, in the future, we or a licensee want to proceed with the development of ANA773 for HCV in the United States, approval from the FDA under a U.S. IND will be required. There is no assurance that the FDA will agree that ANA773 should be tested as an investigational treatment for HCV. Currently, there is no evidence that a TLR7 agonist can confer long-term benefit as a therapy for HCV at an acceptable safety risk, and there is no assurance that the FDA will view the data from our Phase I study in the Netherlands as sufficiently compelling to allow clinical investigation, even if we view the data positively. If the FDA does not view the data from our Phase I study in the Netherlands as sufficiently compelling, it may not allow studies under a U.S. IND, in which case development and commercialization of ANA773 for HCV in the United States would be precluded.
*In 2007 we terminated our ANA975 development program due to challenges seen in animal toxicology studies. To the extent that the ANA975 toxicology observations are mechanism related, our ANA773 programs for cancer and hepatitis C and ability to out-license this product candidate could be negatively impacted, causing our stock price to decline.
ANA975 is an oral prodrug of isatoribine, a TLR7 agonist. In 2007 we discontinued the development of ANA975 as a treatment for HCV infection due to intense immune stimulation in animals. To the extent that any of the ANA975 toxicology observations are mechanism related, rather than compound specific, we, or a licensee, will need to determine whether the level of immune stimulation induced by TLR7 agonists can be modulated to achieve a potential therapeutic benefit with an acceptable safety profile. Although results from our recently concluded ANA773 13-week animal toxicology study indicated that with every-other-day dosing of ANA773, immune stimulation of a magnitude believed to confer therapeutic potential can be achieved without adverse toxicology findings, there is no guarantee that this favorable toxicology profile will persist in future toxicology studies of longer duration, or that we will not see adverse safety findings in humans. If we are unable to modulate the immunomodulatory effect with a dose and schedule that provides therapeutic benefit without causing unacceptable adverse events, then the future development of ANA773 may not be viable or attractive to a potential licensee, which could materially and adversely affect our business and cause our stock price to decline.
Delays in the commencement of clinical testing of our current and potential product candidates could result in increased costs to us and delay our ability to generate revenues.
Our potential drug products will require additional nonclinical testing and extensive clinical trials prior to submission of any regulatory application for commercial sales. Previously, we have conducted only early-stage clinical trials on our own. As a result, we have very limited experience conducting clinical trials. In part because of this limited experience, we cannot be certain that planned clinical trials will begin or be completed on time, if at all. Delays in the commencement of clinical testing could significantly increase our product development costs and delay product commercialization. In addition, many of the factors that may cause, or lead to, a delay in the commencement of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to denial of regulatory approval of a product candidate.
The commencement of clinical trials can be delayed for a variety of reasons, including delays in:
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| • | | demonstrating sufficient safety and efficacy to obtain regulatory approval to commence a clinical trial; |
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| • | | reaching agreement on acceptable terms with prospective contract research organizations and trial sites; |
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| • | | manufacturing sufficient quantities or producing drug meeting our quality standards for a product candidate; |
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| • | | obtaining approval of an IND application or proposed trial design from the FDA; and |
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| • | | obtaining institutional review board approval to conduct a clinical trial at a prospective site. |
In addition, the commencement of clinical trials may be delayed due to insufficient patient enrollment, which is a function of many factors, including the size and nature of the patient population, the nature of the protocol, the proximity of patients to clinical sites, the availability of effective treatments for the relevant disease, the number of other products under development competing for the same patients in trials and the eligibility criteria for the clinical trial.
Delays in the completion of, or the termination of, clinical testing of our current and potential product candidates could result in increased costs to us and delay or prevent us from generating revenues.
Once a clinical trial has begun, it may be delayed, suspended or terminated by us, potential future collaborators, the FDA, or other regulatory authorities due to a number of factors, including:
| • | | ongoing discussions with the FDA or other regulatory authorities regarding the scope or design of our clinical trials; |
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| • | | failure to conduct clinical trials in accordance with regulatory requirements; |
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| • | | lower than anticipated enrollment or retention rate of patients in clinical trials; |
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| • | | inspection of the clinical trial operations or trial sites by the FDA or other regulatory authorities resulting in the imposition of a clinical hold; |
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| • | | lack of adequate funding to continue clinical trials; |
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| • | | negative results of clinical trials; |
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| • | | negative or potentially problematic results of ongoing and concurrent non-clinical toxicology studies; |
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| • | | requests by the FDA for supplemental information on, or clarification of, the results of clinical trials conducted in other countries; |
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| • | | insufficient supply or deficient quality of drug candidates or other materials necessary for the conduct of our clinical trials; or |
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| • | | serious adverse events or other undesirable drug-related side effects experienced by participants. |
Many of the factors that may lead to a delay, suspension or termination of clinical testing of a current or potential product candidate may also ultimately lead to denial of regulatory approval of a current or potential product candidate. If we experience delays in the completion of, or termination of, clinical testing, our financial results and the commercial prospects for our product candidates may be harmed, and our ability to generate product revenues will be delayed.
*Even if we successfully complete clinical trials of ANA598 or any future product candidate, there are no assurances that we will be able to submit, or obtain FDA approval of, a new drug application.
There can be no assurance that if our clinical trials of ANA598 or any other potential product candidate are successfully completed, we will be able to submit a new drug application, or NDA, to the FDA or that any NDA we submit will be approved by the FDA in a timely manner, if at all. If we are unable to submit a NDA with respect to ANA598 or any future product candidate, or if any NDA we submit is not approved by the FDA, we will be unable to commercialize that product in the United States. The FDA can and does reject NDAs and may require additional clinical trials, even when drug candidates performed well or achieved favorable results in large-scale Phase III clinical trials. If we fail to commercialize ANA598 or any future product candidate, we may be unable to generate sufficient revenues to attain profitability, and our reputation in the industry and in the investment community would likely be damaged, each of which would cause our stock price to decrease.
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*If we successfully develop products but those products do not achieve and maintain market acceptance, our business will not be profitable.
Even if ANA598 or any future product candidates are approved for commercial sale by the FDA or other regulatory authorities, the degree of market acceptance of any approved product candidate by physicians, healthcare professionals and third-party payors and our profitability and growth will depend on a number of factors, including:
| • | | our ability to provide acceptable evidence of safety and efficacy; |
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| • | | relative convenience and ease of administration; |
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| • | | the prevalence and severity of any adverse side effects; |
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| • | | availability of alternative treatments; |
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| • | | pricing and cost effectiveness; |
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| • | | effectiveness of our or our collaborators’ sales and marketing strategy; |
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| • | | our ability to obtain sufficient third-party insurance coverage or reimbursement; and |
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| • | | our ability to establish or maintain an attractive price for ANA598 when used in combination with other agents. |
If ANA598 or any future product candidate does not provide additional clinical benefit when included within a treatment regimen, that product likely will not be accepted favorably by the market. Similarly, if ANA773 does not provide additional clinical benefit when included within a treatment regimen, that product will likewise not be accepted favorably by the market. If any products we or our collaborators may develop do not achieve market acceptance, then we will not generate sufficient revenue to achieve or maintain profitability.
In addition, even if our products achieve market acceptance, we may not be able to maintain that market acceptance over time if:
| • | | new products or technologies are introduced that are more favorably received than our products, are more cost effective or render our products obsolete; or |
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| • | | complications, such as long-term toxicities and viral resistance, arise with respect to use of our products. |
We depend on outside parties to conduct our clinical trials, which may result in costs and delays that prevent us from obtaining regulatory approval or successfully commercializing product candidates.
We engage clinical investigators and medical institutions to enroll patients in planned clinical trials and contract research organizations to perform data collection and analysis and other aspects of our preclinical studies and clinical trials. As a result, we depend on these clinical investigators, medical institutions and contract research organizations to properly perform the studies and trials. If these parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or obligations or meet expected deadlines, or if the quality or accuracy of the clinical data they obtain is compromised due to the failure to adhere to our clinical protocols or for other reasons, our clinical trials may be extended, delayed or terminated. We may not be able to enter into replacement arrangements without undue delays or excessive expenditures. If there are delays in testing or regulatory approvals as a result of the failure to perform by third-parties, our drug development costs will increase and we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for or successfully commercialize our product candidates. In addition, we may not be able to maintain any of these existing relationships, or establish new ones on acceptable terms, if at all.
We do not have internal manufacturing capabilities, and if we fail to develop and maintain supply relationships with future collaborators or other outside manufacturers, we may be unable to develop or commercialize any of our products.
Our ability to develop and commercialize products will depend in part on our ability to manufacture, or arrange for collaborators or other parties to manufacture, our products at a competitive cost, in accordance with regulatory requirements and in sufficient quantities for clinical testing and eventual commercialization. Our current manufacturing agreements reflect a much smaller scale than would be required for commercialization. If we are unable to enter into or maintain commercial-scale manufacturing agreements with future collaborators or capable contract manufacturers on acceptable terms the development and commercialization of our products could be delayed, which would adversely affect our ability to generate revenues and would increase our expenses.
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*If we are unable to establish sales and marketing capabilities or enter into agreements with third parties to sell and market any products we may develop, we may not be able to generate product revenue.
We do not currently have the capabilities for the sales, marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical products. In order to commercialize any products, we would have to build our sales, marketing, distribution, managerial and other non-technical capabilities or make arrangements with third parties to perform these services. The establishment and development of our own sales force to market any products we may develop in the United States will be expensive and time-consuming and could delay any product launch, and we cannot be certain that we would be able to successfully develop this capacity. If we are unable to establish our sales and marketing capability or any other non-technical capabilities necessary to commercialize any product we may develop, we will need to contract with third parties to market and sell any products we may develop in the United States. We will also need to develop a plan to market and sell any products we may develop outside the United States. If we are unable to establish adequate sales, marketing and distribution capabilities, whether independently or with third parties, we may not be able to generate product revenue and may not become profitable.
*Our operating results may be harmed if our restructuring plans do not achieve the anticipated results or cause undesirable consequences.
In June 2009, we initiated a restructuring, which includes the reduction of approximately 40% of our workforce. Our restructuring activities may yield unintended consequences, such as attrition beyond our planned reduction in workforce and reduced employee morale, which may cause our employees to seek alternate employment. Additional attrition could have a material adverse effect on our operational performance. In addition, as a result of the restructuring and the reduction in our workforce, we face an increased risk of employment litigation.
*If we are unable to retain key management and scientific staff, we may be unable to successfully develop or commercialize our product candidates.
We are a small company and have approximately 30 employees following our restructuring. Our success depends on our continued ability to retain and motivate highly qualified management and scientific personnel. In particular, our programs depend on our ability to retain highly skilled clinical and preclinical personnel in the field of HCV, as well as biologists and chemists.
We may not be able to retain qualified management and scientific personnel in the future due to the intense competition for qualified personnel among biotechnology and pharmaceutical businesses, particularly in the San Diego, California area. If we are not able to retain the necessary personnel to accomplish our business objectives, we may experience constraints that will impede significantly the achievement of our development objectives. In addition, all of our employees are “at will” employees, which means that any employee may quit at any time and we may terminate any employee at any time. Currently we do not have employment agreements with any employees or members of senior management that provide any guarantee of continued employment by us. We do not currently carry “key person” insurance covering members of senior management other than Steve Worland, Ph.D., our President and Chief Executive Officer. The insurance covering Dr. Worland is in the amount of $1.5 million. If we lose the services of Dr. Worland, or James L. Freddo, M.D., our Senior Vice President, Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, or other members of our senior management team or key personnel, we may not be able to find suitable replacements, and our business may be harmed as a result.
Earthquake or wildfire damage to our facilities could delay our research and development efforts and adversely affect our business.
Our headquarters and research and development facilities in San Diego, California, are located in a seismic zone, and there is the possibility of an earthquake, which could be disruptive to our operations and result in delays in our research and development efforts. In addition, San Diego has experienced several severe wildfires during the past several years which have destroyed or damaged many businesses and residences in the San Diego area. In the event of an earthquake or a severe wildfire, if our facilities or the equipment in our facilities are significantly damaged or destroyed for any reason, or we are otherwise required to shut down our operations, we may not be able to rebuild or relocate our facility or replace any damaged equipment, or otherwise recommence our business operations, in a timely manner and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
*Our securities available-for-sale held in the form of marketable securities are subject to market, interest and credit risk that may reduce their value.
A portion of our securities available-for-sale is invested in marketable securities. Our cash position may be adversely affected by changes in the value of these securities. In particular, the value of these holdings may be adversely affected by increases in interest rates, downgrades by rating agencies on the issuers of corporate bonds included in the portfolio and by other factors which may result
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in other than temporary declines in value of the investments. Each of these events may cause us to record charges to reduce the carrying value of our investment portfolio and may adversely affect our cash position.
Risks Related to Our Industry
Because our product candidates and development and collaboration efforts depend on our intellectual property rights, adverse events affecting our intellectual property rights will harm our ability to commercialize products.
Our commercial success depends on obtaining and maintaining patent protection and trade secret protection of our product candidates, proprietary technologies and their uses, as well as successfully defending these patents against third-party challenges. We will only be able to protect our product candidates, proprietary technologies and their uses from unauthorized use by third parties to the extent that valid and enforceable patents or effectively-protected trade secrets cover them.
Due to evolving legal standards relating to the patentability, validity and enforceability of patents covering pharmaceutical inventions and the scope of claims made under these patents, our ability to obtain and enforce patents is uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions. Accordingly, rights under any issued patents may not provide us with sufficient protection for ANA598 or ANA773 or provide sufficient protection to afford us a commercial advantage against competitive products or processes. In addition, we cannot guarantee that any patents will issue from any pending or future patent applications owned by or licensed to us.
Even with respect to patents that have issued or will issue, we cannot guarantee that the claims of these patents are, or will be valid, enforceable or will provide us with any significant protection against competitive products or otherwise be commercially valuable to us. For example:
| • | | we might not have been the first to make, conceive, or reduce to practice the inventions covered by all or any of our pending patent applications and issued patents; |
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| • | | we might not have been the first to file patent applications for these inventions; |
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| • | | others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies; |
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| • | | it is possible that none of our pending patent applications will result in issued patents; |
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| • | | our issued or acquired patents may not provide a basis for commercially viable products, may not provide us with any competitive advantages, or may be challenged by third parties; |
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| • | | our issued patents may not be valid or enforceable; |
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| • | | we may not develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable; or |
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| • | | the patents of others may have an adverse effect on our business. |
Patent applications in the United States are maintained in confidence for up to 18 months or longer after their filing. Consequently, we cannot be certain that we were the first to invent, or the first to file patent applications on our product candidates. In the event that a third party has also filed a U.S. patent application relating to our product candidates or a similar invention, we may have to participate in interference proceedings declared by the U.S. Patent Office to determine priority of invention in the United States. The costs of these proceedings could be substantial and it is possible that our efforts would be unsuccessful, resulting in a material adverse effect on our U.S. patent position. Furthermore, we may not have identified all U.S. and foreign patents or published applications that affect our business either by blocking our ability to commercialize our drugs or by covering similar technologies that affect our drug market.
In addition, some countries, including many in Europe, do not grant patent claims directed to methods of treating humans, and in these countries patent protection may not be available at all to protect our drug candidates. Even if patents issue, we cannot guarantee that the claims of those patents will be valid and enforceable or provide us with any significant protection against competitive products, or otherwise be commercially valuable to us. We may be particularly affected by this because we expect that ANA598, if approved, will be marketed in foreign countries with high incidences of HCV infection.
Other companies may obtain patents and/or regulatory approvals to use the same drugs to treat diseases other than HCV or cancer. As a result, we may not be able to enforce our patents effectively because we may not be able to prevent healthcare providers from prescribing, administering or using another company’s product that contains the same active substance as our products when treating patients infected with HCV or who have cancer.
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If we fail to obtain and maintain patent protection and trade secret protection of ANA598 or ANA773, proprietary technologies and their uses, the competition we face would increase, reducing our potential revenues and adversely affecting our ability to attain or maintain profitability.
If we are sued for infringing intellectual property rights of others, it will be costly and time-consuming, and an unfavorable outcome in that litigation would have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our commercial success also depends upon our ability to develop, manufacture, market and sell our product candidates and use our proprietary technologies without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties. We may be exposed to future litigation by third parties based on claims that our product candidates, technologies or activities infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Numerous U.S. and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications owned by others exist in HCV and cancer. These could materially affect our ability to develop our drug candidates or sell our products. Because patent applications can take many years to issue, there may be currently pending applications, unknown to us, which may later result in issued patents that our product candidates or technologies may infringe. There also may be existing patents, of which we are not aware, that our product candidates or technologies may inadvertently infringe. Further, there may be issued patents and pending patent applications in fields relevant to our business, of which we may become aware from time to time, that we believe we do not infringe or that we believe are invalid or relate to immaterial portions of our overall drug discovery and development efforts. We cannot assure you that third parties holding any of these patents or patent applications will not assert infringement claims against us for damages or seeking to enjoin our activities. We also cannot assure you that, in the event of litigation, we will be able to successfully assert any belief we may have as to non-infringement, invalidity or immateriality, or that any infringement claims will be resolved in our favor.
There is a substantial amount of litigation involving patent and other intellectual property rights in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries generally. Any litigation or claims against us, with or without merit, may cause us to incur substantial costs, could place a significant strain on our financial resources, divert the attention of management from our core business and harm our reputation. In addition, intellectual property litigation or claims could result in substantial damages and force us to do one or more of the following if a court decides that we infringe on another party’s patent or other intellectual property rights:
| • | | cease selling, incorporating or using any of our product candidates or technologies that incorporate the challenged intellectual property; |
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| • | | obtain a license from the holder of the infringed intellectual property right, which license may be costly or may not be available on reasonable terms, it at all; or |
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| • | | redesign our processes or technologies so that they do not infringe, which could be costly and time consuming and may not be possible. |
If we find during clinical evaluation that our drug candidates for the treatment of HCV or cancer should be used in combination with a product covered by a patent held by another company or institution, and that a labeling instruction is required in product packaging recommending that combination, we could be accused of, or held liable for, inducing infringement of the third-party patents covering the product recommended for co-administration with our product. In that case, we may be required to obtain a license from the other company or institution to use the required or desired package labeling, which may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all.
If we fail to obtain any required licenses or make any necessary changes to our technologies, we may be unable to develop or commercialize some or all of our product candidates.
We may be involved in lawsuits or proceedings to protect or enforce our patent rights, trade secrets or know-how, which could be expensive and time-consuming.
The defense and prosecution of intellectual property suits and related legal and administrative proceedings can be both costly and time-consuming. Litigation and interference proceedings could result in substantial expense to us and significant diversion of effort by our technical and management personnel. Further, the outcome of patent litigation is subject to uncertainties that cannot be adequately quantified in advance, including the demeanor and credibility of witnesses and the identity of the adverse party. This is especially true in biotechnology related patent cases that may turn on the testimony of experts as to technical facts upon which experts may reasonably disagree and which may be difficult to comprehend by a judge or jury. An adverse determination in an interference proceeding or litigation with respect to ANA598 or ANA773, to which we may become a party could subject us to significant liabilities to third parties or require us to seek licenses from third parties. If required, the necessary licenses may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Adverse determinations in a judicial or administrative proceeding or failure to obtain necessary licenses
27
could prevent us from commercializing ANA598 or ANA773, which could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations.
Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of pre-trial document and witness discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. In addition, during the course of this kind of litigation, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock.
Confidentiality agreements with employees and others may not adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information and may not adequately protect our intellectual property.
We also rely on trade secrets to protect our technology, especially where we do not believe patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. In order to protect our proprietary technology and processes, we also rely in part on confidentiality and intellectual property assignment agreements with our corporate partners, employees, consultants, outside scientific collaborators and sponsored researchers and other advisors. These agreements may not effectively prevent disclosure of confidential information nor result in the effective assignment to us of intellectual property, and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or other breaches of the agreements. In addition, others may independently discover our trade secrets and proprietary information, and in such case we could not assert any trade secret rights against such party. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally obtained and is using our trade secrets is difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, courts outside the United States may be less willing to protect trade secrets. Costly and time-consuming litigation could be necessary to seek to enforce and determine the scope of our proprietary rights, and failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could adversely affect our competitive business position.
Many competitors have significantly more resources and experience, which may harm our commercial opportunity.
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are subject to intense competition and rapid and significant technological change. We have many potential competitors, including major drug and chemical companies, specialized biotechnology firms, academic institutions, government agencies and private and public research institutions. Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial resources, experience and expertise in:
| • | | research and development; |
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| • | | preclinical testing; |
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| • | | clinical trials; |
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| • | | regulatory approvals; |
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| • | | manufacturing; and |
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| • | | sales and marketing of approved products. |
Smaller or early-stage companies and research institutions may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established pharmaceutical or other companies. We will also face competition from these parties in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel, establishing clinical trial sites and patient registration for clinical trials, and acquiring and in-licensing technologies and products complementary to our programs or potentially advantageous to our business. If any of our competitors succeed in obtaining approval from the FDA or other regulatory authorities for their products sooner than we do or for products that are more effective or less costly than ours, our commercial opportunity could be significantly reduced.
*If our competitors develop treatments for HCV or cancer that are approved faster, marketed better or demonstrated to be more effective than ANA598, ANA773, or any other products that we may develop, our commercial opportunity will be reduced or eliminated.
We believe that a significant number of drugs are currently under development and may become available in the future for the treatment of HCV and certain cancers. Potential competitors may develop treatments for HCV or certain cancers that are more effective or less costly than our product candidates or that would make our product candidates obsolete or non-competitive. Some of these products may use therapeutic approaches that compete directly with ANA598 or ANA773. In addition, less expensive generic forms of currently marketed drugs could lead to additional competition upon patent expiration or invalidations.
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ANA598, a non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor, was selected as a development candidate in June 2007. If approved, ANA598 would likely be used in combination with the current standard of care and/or other direct antiviral agents such as protease inhibitors and polymerase inhibitors. Any product currently approved or approved in the future for the treatment of HCV infection could decrease or eliminate the commercial opportunity of ANA598. Other non nucleoside inhibitors would likely be the most direct competitors for ANA598. To our knowledge, non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor programs are currently under clinical evaluation by Pfizer, Gilead, Merck, Abbott, Boehringer Ingelheim and Vertex. Further, a number of companies have non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor research and pre-clinical development programs.
Other potential competitors are products currently approved for the treatment of HCV infection: Peg- Intron (pegylated interferon-alpha-2b), Rebetol (ribavirin), and Intron-A (interferon-alpha-2b), which are marketed by Schering-Plough, Pegasys (pegylated interferon-alpha-2a), Copegus (ribavirin USP), and Roferon- A (interferon-alpha-2a), which are marketed by Roche. Additional compounds in late state clinical trials for HCV include Albuferon, in development by Human Genome Sciences and Novartis, telaprevir, in development by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen Pharmaceutica), boceprevir and SCH-900518, in development by Schering-Plough, ITMN-191, in development by Intermune and Roche, TMC-435350, in development by Johnson & Johnson (Tibotec) and Medivir, MK-7009 in development by Merck, BI-201335 in development by Boehringer Ingelheim, and R-7128 in development by Pharmasset and Roche.
ANA773 is also subject to competition in the treatment of HCV from all of the HCV products and compounds in development listed above as potential competitors of ANA598 and most specifically from the products and development candidates that act as an immunomodulator or have an immunomodulatory component, including Peg-Intron (pegylated interferon-alpha-2b), Rebetol (ribavirin), Intron-A (interferonalpha- 2b), Pegasys (pegylated interferon-alpha-2a), Copegus (ribavirin USP), and Roferon-A (interferon-alpha- 2a), each of which are products currently approved for the treatment of HCV. IMO-2055, a TLR9 agonist in development by Idera, is also being studied in early stage clinical trials in HCV patients. Other agents in development as potential replacements to pegylated interferon-alfa include Alburferon, in development by Human Genome Sciences and Novartis and Locteron, in development by Biolex Therapeutics, both of which are longer-acting versions of interferon alfa. Also, in development as potential improvements to existing interferons are PEG-interferon lambda, in development by Zymogenetics and Bristol Myers-Squibb, and omega interferon in development by Intarcia Therapeutics.
Any product currently approved or approved in the future for the treatment of cancer could decrease or eliminate the commercial opportunity of ANA773 in the oncology markets. Programs that most directly compete with the ANA773 oncology program at this time are other TLR agonists under evaluation for oncology indications, IMO-2055, in development by Idera and Merck KGaA and a cancer program in development by Dynavax.
If we cannot establish pricing of our product candidates acceptable to the government, insurance companies, managed care organizations and other payors, any product sales will be severely hindered.
The continuing efforts of the government, insurance companies, managed care organizations and other payors of health care costs to contain or reduce costs of health care may adversely affect:
| • | | our ability to set a price we believe is fair for any products we or our collaborators may develop; |
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| • | | our ability to generate adequate revenues and gross margins; and |
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| • | | the availability of capital. |
In certain foreign markets, the pricing of prescription pharmaceuticals is subject to government control. In the United States, given recent federal and state government initiatives directed at lowering the total cost of health care, the U.S. Congress and state legislatures will likely continue to focus on health care reform, the cost of prescription pharmaceuticals and on the reform of the Medicare and Medicaid systems. The trend toward managed health care in the United States, which could significantly influence the purchase of health care services and products, as well as legislative proposals to reform health care, control pharmaceutical prices or reduce government insurance programs, may result in lower prices for our product candidates. While we cannot predict whether any legislative or regulatory proposals affecting our business will be adopted, the announcement or adoption of these proposals could have a material and adverse effect on our potential revenues and gross margins.
*If we cannot arrange for reimbursement policies favorable to our product candidates, their sales will be severely hindered.
Our ability to commercialize ANA598 or any other product candidate successfully will depend in part on the extent to which governmental authorities, private health insurers and other organizations establish appropriate reimbursement levels for the cost of ANA598 or any other product and related treatments. Third party payors are increasingly challenging the prices charged for medical
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products and services, including treatments for HCV and cancer. Also, the trend toward managed health care in the United States as well as legislative proposals to reform health care, control pharmaceutical prices or reduce government insurance programs, may also result in exclusion of our product candidates from reimbursement programs. The cost containment measures that health care payors and providers are instituting and the effect of any health care reform could materially and adversely affect our ability to earn product revenue and generate significant profits and could impact our ability to raise capital.
Product liability claims may damage our reputation and, if insurance proves inadequate, the product liability claims may harm our results of operations.
We face an inherent risk of product liability exposure for claimed injuries related to the testing of our product candidates in human clinical trials, and will face an even greater risk if we or our collaborators sell our product candidates commercially. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we will incur substantial liabilities. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, product liability claims may result in:
| • | | decreased demand for our product candidates; |
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| • | | injury to our reputation; |
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| • | | withdrawal of clinical trial participants; |
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| • | | the inability to establish new collaborations with potential collaborators; |
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| • | | substantial costs of related litigation; |
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| • | | substantial monetary awards to patients; and |
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| • | | the inability to commercialize our product candidates. |
We currently have product liability insurance that covers our clinical trials and plan to increase and expand this coverage as we commence larger scale trials. We also intend to expand our insurance coverage to include the sale of commercial products if marketing approval is obtained for any of our product candidates. However, insurance coverage is increasingly expensive. We may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost and we may not be able to obtain insurance coverage that will be adequate to satisfy any liability that may arise.
Any claims relating to our improper handling, storage or disposal of biological, hazardous and radioactive materials could be time-consuming and costly.
Our research and development involves the controlled use of hazardous materials, including chemicals that cause cancer, volatile solvents, including ethylacetate and acetonitrile, radioactive materials and biological materials including plasma from patients infected with HCV or other infectious diseases that have the potential to transmit disease. Our operations also produce hazardous waste products. We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and waste products. If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations or with the conditions attached to our operating licenses, the licenses could be revoked, and we could be subjected to criminal sanctions and substantial liability or required to suspend or modify our operations. Although we believe that our safety procedures for handling and disposing of these materials comply with legally prescribed standards, we cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials. In the event of contamination or injury, we could be held liable for damages or penalized with fines in an amount exceeding our resources, and our clinical trials could be suspended. In addition, we may have to incur significant costs to comply with future environmental laws and regulations. We do not currently have a pollution and remediation insurance policy.
Our business and operations would suffer in the event of system failures.
Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures. Any system failure, accident or security breach that causes interruptions in our operations could result in a material disruption of our drug discovery programs. To the extent that any disruption or security breach results in a loss or damage to our data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we may incur liability as a result, our drug discovery programs may be adversely affected and the further development of our product candidates may be delayed. In addition, we may incur additional costs to remedy the damages caused by these disruptions or security breaches.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
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Future sales of our common stock may cause our stock price to decline.
Our current stockholders hold a substantial number of shares of our common stock that they are able to sell in the public market. Significant portions of these shares are held by a small number of stockholders. Sales by our current stockholders of a substantial number of shares or the expectation that such sale may occur, could significantly reduce the market price of our common stock.
*Our stock price may be volatile.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors, most of which we cannot control, including:
| • | | changes in the regulatory status of our product candidates, including the status and results of our clinical trials of ANA598 and ANA773; |
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| • | | significant contracts, new technologies, acquisitions, commercial relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments; |
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| • | | disputes or other developments relating to proprietary rights, including patents, trade secrets, litigation matters, and our ability to patent or otherwise protect our product candidates and technologies; |
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| • | | conditions or trends in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; |
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| • | | fluctuations in stock market prices and trading volumes of similar companies, of our competitors or of the markets generally; |
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| • | | variations in our quarterly operating results; |
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| • | | changes in securities analysts’ estimates of our financial performance; |
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| • | | failure to meet or exceed securities analysts’ or investors’ expectations of our quarterly financial results, clinical results or our achievement of milestones; |
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| • | | sales of large blocks of our common stock, or the expectation that such sales may occur, including sales by our executive officers, directors and significant stockholders; |
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| • | | additions or departures of key personnel; |
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| • | | discussion of our business, products, financial performance, prospects or our stock price by the financial and scientific press and online investor communities such as chat rooms; |
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| • | | regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; |
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| • | | economic and political factors, including wars, terrorism and political unrest; and |
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| • | | technological advances by our competitors. |
*Our quarterly results may fluctuate significantly, resulting in fluctuations in our stock price.
We expect our results of operations to be subject to quarterly fluctuations. The level of our revenues, if any, and results of operations at any given time, will be based primarily on the following factors:
| • | | the status of development of ANA598, ANA773 and our other product candidates, including results of preclinical studies and clinical trials and changes in regulatory status; |
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| • | | our execution of collaborative, licensing or other arrangements, including arrangements involving ANA773, and the timing and accounting treatment of payments we make or receive under these arrangements; |
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| • | | whether or not we achieve specified research or commercialization milestones under any agreement that we enter into with collaborators and the timely payment by commercial collaborators of any amounts payable to us; |
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| • | | variations in the level of expenses related to our product candidates or potential product candidates during any given period; and |
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| • | | the effect of competing technological and market developments. |
These factors, some of which are not within our control, may cause the price of our stock to fluctuate substantially. In particular, if our quarterly operating results fail to meet or exceed the expectations of securities analysts or investors, our stock price could drop suddenly and significantly. We believe that quarterly comparisons of our financial results are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of our future performance.
Our largest stockholders may take actions that are contrary to your interests, including selling their stock.
A small number of our stockholders hold a significant amount of our outstanding stock. These stockholders may support competing transactions and have interests that are different from yours. In addition, the average number of shares of our stock that trade each day is generally low. As a result, sales of a large number of shares of our stock by these large stockholders or other stockholders within a short period of time could adversely affect our stock price.
Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents and Delaware law may discourage or prevent a change in control, even if an acquisition would be beneficial to our stockholders, which could affect our stock price adversely and prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that may delay or prevent a change in control, discourage bids at a premium over the market price of our common stock and adversely affect the market price of our common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock. These provisions include:
| • | | dividing our board of directors into three classes serving staggered three-year terms; |
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| • | | prohibiting our stockholders from calling a special meeting of stockholders; |
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| • | | permitting the issuance of additional shares of our common stock or preferred stock without stockholder approval; |
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| • | | prohibiting our stockholders from making certain changes to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws except with 66 2/3% stockholder approval; and |
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| • | | requiring advance notice for raising matters of business or making nominations at stockholders’ meetings. |
We are also subject to provisions of the Delaware corporation law that, in general, prohibit any business combination with a beneficial owner of 15% or more of our common stock for five years unless the holder’s acquisition of our stock was approved in advance by our board of directors. Although we believe these provisions collectively provide for an opportunity to receive higher bids by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors, they would apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders. In addition, these provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of our management.
We have never paid cash dividends on our capital stock and we do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.
We have paid no cash dividends on any of our classes of capital stock to date, and we currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. In addition, the terms of any future debt or credit facility may preclude us from paying any dividends. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be your sole source of potential gain for the foreseeable future.
| | |
Item 4. | | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
At our 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Annual Meeting) held on May 29, 2009, the stockholders were asked to vote on two items as follows:
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1. | | The election of two Class II directors to hold office for a three-year term, until the 2012 Annual Meeting. The nominees for election were Marios Fotiadis and Stephen Worland, Ph.D. No other nominations were received in accordance with the Company’s Bylaws. |
2. | | The ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009. |
The results of the matters presented at the Annual Meeting, based on the presence in person or by proxy of holders of 24,641,296 shares of the 28,879,980 shares of our common stock of record entitled to vote, were as follows:
1. | | The election of Marios Fotiadis and Stephen T. Worland, Ph.D. were approved as directors of the Company until the 2012 Annual Meeting and until their successors are elected as follows: |
| | | | | | | | |
| | For | | Withheld |
Marios Fotiadis | | | 23,389,633 | | | | 1,251,663 | |
Stephen T. Worland, Ph.D. | | | 23,847,979 | | | | 793,317 | |
The following individuals are continuing directors with terms expiring upon the 2010 Annual Meeting: Stelios Papadopoulos, Ph.D. and George A. Scangos, Ph.D. The following individuals are continuing directors with terms expiring upon the 2011 Annual Meeting: Mark G. Foletta, CPA, Steven H. Holtzman and Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos, Ph.D.
2. | | The ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2009 was approved as follows: |
| | | | | | |
For | | Against | | Abstain | | Broker Non-Votes |
| | | | | | |
24,639,843 | | 1,454 | | — | | — |
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| | | | |
Exhibit | | | | |
Number | | Exhibit Description | | Incorporated by Reference or Attached Hereto |
3.1 | | Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant | | Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 000-50632) filed on May 14, 2004. |
| | | | |
3.2 | | Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant | | Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 000-50632) filed on December 5, 2007. |
| | | | |
4.1 | | Form of Specimen Common Stock Certificate | | Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-110528) filed on March 18, 2004. |
| | | | |
4.2 | | Form of Warrant | | Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 000-50632) filed on June 4, 2009. |
| | | | |
10.24 | | Sub-lease agreement dated June 18, 2009 by and between the Registrant and Phenomix Corporation. | | Attached Hereto. |
| | | | |
10.25# | | Severance Agreement and General Release dated June 30, 2009 by and between the Registrant and James T. Glover. | | Attached Hereto. |
| | | | |
10.26# | | Terms of Employment dated July 1, 2009 for Peter T. Slover. | | Attached Hereto. |
| | | | |
10.27# | | Severance and Change in Control Agreement dated July 1, 2009 by and between the Registrant and Peter T. Slover | | Attached Hereto. |
| | | | |
31.1 | | Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended | | Attached Hereto. |
| | | | |
31.2 | | Certification of Vice President, Finance and Operations pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended | | Attached Hereto. |
| | | | |
32.1 | | Certifications of President and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, Finance and Operations pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | | Attached Hereto. |
| | |
# | | Indicates management contract or compensatory plan. |
34
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.
| | | | |
Date: July 31, 2009 | ANADYS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | |
| By: | /s/ Stephen T. Worland, Ph.D. | |
| Stephen T. Worland, Ph.D. | |
| President and Chief Executive Officer | |
|
| | |
| By: | /s/ Peter T. Slover | |
| Peter T. Slover | |
| Vice President, Finance and Operations | |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
| | | | |
Exhibit | | | | |
Number | | Exhibit Description | | Incorporated by Reference or Attached Hereto |
3.1 | | Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant | | Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 000-50632) filed on May 14, 2004. |
| | | | |
3.2 | | Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant | | Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 000-50632) filed on December 5, 2007. |
| | | | |
4.1 | | Form of Specimen Common Stock Certificate | | Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-110528) filed on March 18, 2004. |
| | | | |
4.2 | | Form of Warrant | | Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC File No. 000-50632) filed on June 4, 2009. |
| | | | |
10.24 | | Sub-lease agreement dated June 18, 2009 by and between the Registrant and Phenomix Corporation. | | Attached Hereto. |
| | | | |
10.25# | | Severance Agreement and General Release dated June 30, 2009 by and between the Registrant and James T. Glover. | | Attached Hereto. |
| | | | |
10.26# | | Terms of Employment dated July 1, 2009 for Peter T. Slover. | | Attached Hereto. |
| | | | |
10.27# | | Severance and Change in Control Agreement dated July 1, 2009 by and between the Registrant and Peter T. Slover | | Attached Hereto. |
| | | | |
31.1 | | Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended | | Attached Hereto. |
| | | | |
31.2 | | Certification of Vice President, Finance and Operations pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended | | Attached Hereto. |
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32.1 | | Certifications of President and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, Finance and Operations pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | | Attached Hereto. |
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# | | Indicates management contract or compensatory plan. |
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