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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011
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 000-51820
ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 77-0567768 | |
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | |
2091 Stierlin Court | ||
Mountain View, California | 94043 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code):(650) 944-7000
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.
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
Total number of shares of common stock outstanding as of May 6, 2011: 72,111,808.
ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. | Financial Statements |
ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(a development stage company)
(a development stage company)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2011 | 2010(1) | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 22,037 | $ | 13,671 | ||||
Marketable securities | 9,803 | 27,778 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 670 | 965 | ||||||
Total current assets | 32,510 | 42,414 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 23,248 | 24,361 | ||||||
Restricted cash | 400 | 400 | ||||||
Other assets | 65 | 1,307 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 56,223 | $ | 68,482 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 1,620 | $ | 2,781 | ||||
Accrued clinical trial expenses | 176 | 216 | ||||||
Other accrued expenses | 3,131 | 3,158 | ||||||
Deferred revenue | 4,053 | 4,331 | ||||||
Current portion of contingent consideration liability | 5,300 | 5,300 | ||||||
Financing obligations | 16,364 | 18,597 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 30,644 | 34,383 | ||||||
Deferred rent | 14,039 | 14,609 | ||||||
Noncurrent portion of contingent consideration liability | 7,200 | 7,200 | ||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
Preferred stock | — | — | ||||||
Common stock | 6 | 6 | ||||||
Additional paid-in-capital | 278,851 | 278,386 | ||||||
Other comprehensive income | 2 | 2 | ||||||
Deficit accumulated during development stage | (274,519 | ) | (266,104 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 4,340 | 12,290 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 56,223 | $ | 68,482 | ||||
(1) | The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2010 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements at that date. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
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ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(a development stage company)
(a development stage company)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Period from | ||||||||||||
December 19, | ||||||||||||
2000 | ||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | (inception) to | |||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | ||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 1,259 | $ | — | $ | 61,080 | ||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||
Research and development | 6,262 | 7,564 | 284,251 | |||||||||
General and administrative | 2,820 | 5,052 | 94,930 | |||||||||
Restructuring charges | — | — | 2,037 | |||||||||
Acquired in-process research and development | — | — | 3,916 | |||||||||
Total operating expenses | 9,082 | 12,616 | 385,134 | |||||||||
Loss from operations | (7,823 | ) | (12,616 | ) | (324,054 | ) | ||||||
Loss/ (gain) on change in fair value of contingent consideration liability | — | (722 | ) | (3,145 | ) | |||||||
Interest and other income/ (expense), net | 10 | (19 | ) | 13,873 | ||||||||
Interest expense | (602 | ) | (55 | ) | (6,282 | ) | ||||||
Net loss | (8,415 | ) | (13,412 | ) | (319,608 | ) | ||||||
Consideration paid in excess of noncontrolling interest | — | — | (61,566 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss attributed to noncontrolling interest in Symphony Allegro, Inc. | — | — | 45,089 | |||||||||
Net loss attributable to Alexza common stockholders | $ | (8,415 | ) | $ | (13,412 | ) | $ | (336,085 | ) | |||
Basic and Diluted net loss per share attributable to Alexza common stockholders | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | (0.26 | ) | ||||||
Shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Alexza common stockholders | 59,886 | 52,524 | ||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
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ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(a development stage company)
(a development stage company)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Period from | ||||||||||||
December 19, | ||||||||||||
2000 | ||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | (inception) to | |||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | ||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (8,415 | ) | $ | (13,412 | ) | $ | (319,608 | ) | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss attributable to Alexza common stockholders to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | ||||||||||||
Share-based compensation | 465 | 1,650 | 22,324 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of contingent liability | — | 722 | 3,145 | |||||||||
Extinguishment of officer note receivable | — | — | 2,300 | |||||||||
Issuance of common stock for intellectual property | — | — | 92 | |||||||||
Charge for acquired in-process research and development | — | — | 3,916 | |||||||||
Amortization of assembled workforce | — | — | 222 | |||||||||
Amortization of debt discount and deferred interest | 134 | 4 | 824 | |||||||||
Amortization of premium (discount) on available-for-sale securities | 75 | 7 | (346 | ) | ||||||||
Write off of other asset | — | — | 2,800 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 1,137 | 1,167 | 27,303 | |||||||||
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment | — | 19 | 205 | |||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Other receivables | — | 1,406 | — | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 295 | 132 | (664 | ) | ||||||||
Other assets | 36 | — | (2,660 | ) | ||||||||
Accounts payable | (1,161 | ) | (617 | ) | 1,491 | |||||||
Accrued clinical and other accrued liabilities | (67 | ) | (248 | ) | (393 | ) | ||||||
Deferred revenues | (278 | ) | 40,000 | 4,053 | ||||||||
Other liabilities | (570 | ) | 617 | 17,429 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (8,349 | ) | 31,447 | (237,567 | ) | |||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||||||
Purchases of available-for-sale securities | — | (17,746 | ) | (401,606 | ) | |||||||
Maturities of available-for-sale securities | 17,900 | 6,460 | 392,152 | |||||||||
Purchases of available-for-sale securities held by Symphony Allegro, Inc. | — | — | (49,975 | ) | ||||||||
Maturities of available-for-sale securities held by Symphony Allegro. Inc. | — | — | 45,093 | |||||||||
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash | — | — | (400 | ) | ||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (24 | ) | (2,196 | ) | (50,548 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment | — | — | 57 | |||||||||
Cash paid for merger | — | — | (250 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 17,876 | (13,482 | ) | (65,477 | ) | |||||||
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
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ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(a development stage company)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
(a development stage company)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Period from | ||||||||||||
December 19, | ||||||||||||
2000 | ||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | (inception) to | |||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | ||||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants and exercise of stock options and stock purchase rights | — | 44 | 162,207 | |||||||||
Repurchase of common stock | — | — | (8 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of convertible preferred stock | — | — | 104,681 | |||||||||
Proceeds from repayment of stockholder note receivable | — | — | 29 | |||||||||
Proceeds from purchase of noncontrolling interest in Symphony Allegro, Inc | — | — | 4,882 | |||||||||
Proceeds from purchase of noncontrolling interest by preferred shareholders in Symphony Allegro, Inc, net of fees | — | — | 47,171 | |||||||||
Payments of contingent payments to Symphony Allegro Holdings, LLC. | — | (7,500 | ) | (7,500 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from financing obligations, net of issuance costs | — | — | 33,738 | |||||||||
Payments of financing obligations | (1,161 | ) | (728 | ) | (20,119 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (1,161 | ) | (8,184 | ) | 325,031 | |||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 8,366 | 9,781 | 22,037 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 13,671 | 13,450 | — | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 22,037 | $ | 23,231 | $ | 22,037 | ||||||
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
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ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. The Company and Basis of Presentation
Business
Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Alexza” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on December 19, 2000 as FaxMed, Inc. In June 2001, the Company changed its name to Alexza Corporation and in December 2001 became Alexza Molecular Delivery Corporation. In July 2005, the Company changed its name to Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The Company is a pharmaceutical development company focused on the research, development, and commercialization of novel proprietary products for the acute treatment of central nervous system conditions. The Company’s primary activities since incorporation have been establishing its offices, recruiting personnel, conducting research and development, conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, performing business and financial planning, and raising capital. Accordingly, the Company is considered to be in the development stage and operates in one business segment. The Company’s facilities and employees are currently located in the United States.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not contain all of the information and footnotes required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company’s interim consolidated financial information. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2011 or for any other interim period or any other future year.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 15, 2011.
Basis of Consolidation
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Alexza and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Significant Risks and Uncertainties
The Company has incurred significant losses from operations since its inception and expects losses to continue for the foreseeable future. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $31.8 million and working capital of $1.9 million. The Company’s operating and capital plans call for cash expenditure to exceed that amount for 2011. The Company plans to raise additional capital to fund its operations, to develop its product candidates and to develop its manufacturing capabilities. Management plans to finance the Company’s operations through the sale of equity securities, debt arrangements or partnership or licensing collaborations. Such funding may not be available or may be on terms that are not favorable to the Company. The Company’s inability to raise capital as and when needed could have a negative impact on its financial condition and its ability to continue as a going concern. Based on the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance at March 31, 2011, the net proceeds from its May 2011 stock and warrant issuance (see Note 13), interest earned thereon, the proceeds from option exercises and purchases of common stock pursuant to our 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and its expected cash usage, management estimates that it has sufficient capital resources to meet its anticipated cash needs into the first quarter of 2012.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to
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reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts of liabilities that may result from uncertainty related to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. As of December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2011, the Company classified all of its outstanding financing obligations as a current liability due to this uncertainty.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) published Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13 (“ASU 2009-13”), which amends the criteria to identify separate units of accounting within Subtopic 605-25, “Revenue Recognition-Multiple-Element Arrangements”. The revised guidance eliminates the residual method of allocation, and instead requires companies to use the relative selling price method when allocating revenue in a multiple deliverable arrangement. When applying the relative selling price method, the selling price for each deliverable shall be determined using vendor specific objective evidence of selling price, if it exists, otherwise using third-party evidence of selling price. If neither vendor specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence of selling price exists for a deliverable, companies shall use their best estimate of the selling price for that deliverable when applying the relative selling price method. The adoption of ASU 2009-13 only affects multiple deliverable arrangements entered into, or materially modified, after January 1, 2011. The prospective adoption of ASU 2009-13 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In April 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-17, “Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force.” ASU 2010-17 provides guidance on defining a milestone and determining when it may be appropriate to apply the milestone method of revenue recognition for research and development transactions. A vendor can recognize consideration in its entirety as revenue in the period in which the milestone is achieved only if the milestone meets all criteria to be considered substantive. Additional disclosures describing the consideration arrangement and the entity’s accounting policy for recognition of such milestone payments are also required. The Company elected to adopt the milestone method of revenue recognition on a prospective basis effective January 1, 2011. The Company’s adoption of ASU 2010-17 did not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
2. Equity Financing Facility
On May 26, 2010, the Company obtained a committed equity financing facility under which the Company may sell up to $25 million of its common stock to Azimuth Opportunity, Ltd. (“Azimuth”) over a 24-month period pursuant to the terms of a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”). The Company is not obligated to utilize any of the facility.
The Company will determine, at its sole discretion, the timing, the dollar amount and the price per share of each draw under this facility, subject to certain conditions. When and if the Company elects to use the facility by delivery of a draw down notice to Azimuth, the Company will issue shares to Azimuth at a discount of between 5.00% and 6.75% to the volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock over a preceding period of trading days (a “Draw Down Period”). The Purchase Agreement also provides that from time to time, at the Company’s sole discretion, it may grant Azimuth the right to purchase additional shares of the Company’s common stock during each Draw Down Period for an amount of shares specified by the Company based on the trading price of its common stock. Upon Azimuth’s exercise of an option, the Company will sell to Azimuth the shares subject to the option at a price equal to the greater of the daily volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock on the day Azimuth notifies the Company of its election to exercise its option or the threshold price for the option determined by the Company, less a discount calculated in the same manner as it is calculated in the draw down notices.
Azimuth is not required to purchase any shares at a pre-discounted purchase price below $3.00 per share, and any shares sold under this facility will be sold pursuant to a shelf registration statement declared effective by the SEC on May 20, 2010. As part of the May 2011 registered direct offering (Note 13), the Company agreed to refrain from utilizing this equity financing facility or any similar facilities, or entering into variable rate transactions, until the earlier of (1) 30 days after the approval of the New Drug Application (“NDA”) for the Company’s AZ-004 product candidate or (2) June 30, 2012. The Purchase Agreement will terminate on May 26, 2012. As of March 31, 2011, there have been no sales of common stock under the Purchase Agreement.
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3. Fair Value Accounting
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, may be used to measure fair value. The three levels are:
• | Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. | ||
• | Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. | ||
• | Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. |
The following table represents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for its financial assets (cash equivalents, and marketable securities) by major security type and liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands):
March 31,2011 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||
Money market funds | $ | 20,784 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 20,784 | ||||||||
Available for sale debt securities | ||||||||||||||||
Government-sponsored enterprises | — | 9,803 | $ | — | 9,803 | |||||||||||
Total available for sale debt securities | $ | — | $ | 9,803 | $ | — | $ | 9,803 | ||||||||
Total assets | $ | 20,784 | $ | 9,803 | $ | — | $ | 30,587 | ||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Contingent consideration liability | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 12,500 | $ | 12,500 | ||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 12,500 | $ | 12,500 | ||||||||
December 31, 2010 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||
Money market funds | $ | 12,750 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 12,750 | ||||||||
Available for sale debt securities | ||||||||||||||||
Government-sponsored enterprises | $ | — | $ | 12,997 | $ | — | $ | 12,997 | ||||||||
Corporate debt securities | $ | — | 14,781 | — | 14,781 | |||||||||||
Total available for sale debt securities | $ | — | $ | 27,778 | $ | — | $ | 27,778 | ||||||||
Total assets | $ | 12,750 | $ | 27,778 | $ | — | $ | 40,528 | ||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Contingent consideration liability | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 12,500 | $ | 12,500 | ||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 12,500 | $ | 12,500 | ||||||||
Cash equivalents and marketable securities
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The following table outlines the amortized cost, fair value and unrealized gain/(loss) for the Company’s financial assets by major security type as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands):
Amortized | Unrealized | |||||||||||
March 31, 2011 | Cost | Fair Value | Gain/(Loss) | |||||||||
Money market funds | $ | 20,784 | $ | 20,784 | $ | — | ||||||
Government-sponsored enterprises | 9,801 | 9,803 | 2 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 30,585 | $ | 30,587 | $ | 2 | ||||||
Amortized | Unrealized | |||||||||||
December 31, 2010 | Cost | Fair Value | Gain/(Loss) | |||||||||
Money market funds | $ | 12,750 | $ | 12,750 | $ | — | ||||||
Government-sponsored enterprises | 12,994 | 12,997 | 3 | |||||||||
Corporate debt securities | 14,782 | 14,781 | (1 | ) | ||||||||
Total | $ | 40,526 | $ | 40,528 | $ | 2 | ||||||
The Company had no sales of marketable securities during the three months ended March 31, 2011 or 2010. As of March 31, 2011, all of the Company’s marketable securities have a maturity of less than one year.
The Company’s available-for-sale debt securities are valued utilizing a multi-dimensional relational model. Inputs, listed in approximate order of priority for use when available, include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data.
Contingent Consideration Liability
In connection with the exercise of the Company’s option to purchase all of the outstanding equity of Symphony Allegro, Inc. (“Allegro”), the Company is obligated to make contingent cash payments to the former Allegro stockholders related to certain payments received by the Company from future partnering agreements pertaining to AZ-004/104 (Staccatoloxapine) or AZ-002 (Staccatoalprazolam). In order to estimate the fair value of the liability associated with the contingent cash payments, the Company prepared several cash flow scenarios for the three product candidates, AZ-004, AZ-002 and AZ-104, which are subject to the contingent payment obligation. Each potential cash flow scenario consisted of assumptions of the range of estimated milestone and license payments potentially receivable from such partnerships and assumed royalties received from future product sales. Based on these estimates, the Company computed the estimated payments to be made to the former Allegro stockholders. Payments were assumed to terminate upon the expiration of the related patents.
The projected cash flows for AZ-004 in the U.S. and Canada continue to be based on terms similar to those noted in the agreements with Biovail Laboratories International SRL (“Biovail”) signed in February 2010 and multiple internal product sales forecasts, as the Company has assumed for purposes of estimating the contingent consideration liability that any potential partnership agreement for AZ-004 in the U.S. and Canada will have similar terms and structures to that of the Biovail agreements, despite these agreements being terminated in October 2010. The timing and extent of the projected cash flows for AZ-004 outside of the U.S. and Canada, AZ-002 and AZ-104 were based on internal estimates for potential milestones and multiple product royalty scenarios and are also consistent in structure to the Biovail agreements as the Company expects future partnerships for these product candidates to have similar structures.
The Company then assigned a probability to each of the cash flow scenarios based on several factors, including: the product candidate’s stage of development, preclinical and clinical results, technological risk related to the successful development of the different drug candidates, estimated market size, market risk and potential partnership interest to determine a risk adjusted weighted average cash flow based on all of these scenarios. These probability and risk adjusted weighted average cash flows were then discounted utilizing the Company’s estimated weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”). The Company’s WACC considered the Company’s cash position, competition, risk of substitute products, and risk associated with
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the financing of the development projects. The Company determined the discount rate to be 18% and applied this rate to the probability adjusted cash flow scenarios.
This fair value measurement is based on significant inputs not observed in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement. Level 3 instruments are valued based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and reflect the Company’s assumptions in measuring fair value.
The Company records any changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability in earnings in the period of the change. Certain events including, but not limited to, clinical trial results, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approval or non-approval of the Company’s submissions, the timing and terms of any strategic partnership agreement, and the commercial success of AZ-004, AZ-104 or AZ-002 could have a material impact on the fair value of the contingent consideration liability, and as a result, the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company modified the assumptions regarding the timing of certain cash flows. The changes in these assumptions along with the effect of the passage of three months on the present value computation resulted in no net change to the contingent consideration liability at March 31, 2011 compared to December 31, 2010.
The following table represents a reconciliation of the change in the fair value measurement of the contingent consideration liability for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Beginning balance | $ | 12,500 | $ | 24,838 | ||||
Payments made | — | (7,500 | ) | |||||
Adjustments to fair value measurement | — | 722 | ||||||
Ending balance | $ | 12,500 | $ | 18,060 | ||||
4. Share-Based Compensation Plans
2005 Equity Incentive Plan
In December 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”). The 2005 Plan is an amendment and restatement of the Company’s previous equity incentive plans. New grants of stock options and restricted stock units issued under the 2005 Plan that are not subject to performance-based vesting conditions generally vest over four years, based on service time, or upon the accomplishment of certain milestones and have a maximum contractual term of 10 years. Restricted stock units granted to non-employee directors generally vest one year after the date of grant. Prior to vesting, restricted stock units do not have dividend equivalent rights, do not have voting rights and the shares underlying the restricted units are not considered issued and outstanding. Shares are issued upon vesting of the restricted stock units.
The 2005 Plan provides for annual reserve increases on the first day of each year commencing on January 1, 2007 and ending on January 1, 2015. The annual reserve increases will be equal to the lesser of (i) 2% of the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, or (ii) 1,000,000 shares of common stock. The Company’s Board of Directors has the authority to designate a smaller number of shares by which the authorized number of shares of common stock will be increased prior to the last day of any calendar year. On each of January 1, 2011 and 2010 an additional 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for issuance under this provision.
2005 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan
In December 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 2005 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Directors’ Plan”). The Directors’ Plan provides for the automatic grant of nonstatutory stock options to purchase shares of common stock to the Company’s non-employee directors, which vest over four years and have a term of 10 years. The Directors’ Plan provides for an annual reserve increase to be added on the first day of each fiscal year, commencing on January 1, 2007 and ending on January 1, 2015. The annual reserve increases will be equal to the number of shares subject to options granted during
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the preceding fiscal year less the number of shares that revert back to the share reserve during the preceding fiscal year. The Company’s Board of Directors has the authority to designate a smaller number of shares by which the authorized number of shares of common stock will be increased prior to the last day of any calendar year. On January 1, 2011 and 2010 an additional 75,000 and 37,500 shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock were reserved for issuance under this provision.
On January 21, 2011, the Company commenced a voluntary employee stock option exchange program (the “Exchange Program”) to permit the Company’s eligible employees to exchange some or all of their eligible outstanding options (“Original Options”) to purchase the Company’s common stock with an exercise price greater than or equal to $2.37 per share, whether vested or unvested, for a lesser number of new stock options (“New Options”). In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Exchange Program, on February 22, 2011 (the “Grant Date”), the Company accepted outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 2,128,430 shares of the Company’s common stock, with exercise prices ranging from $2.38 to $11.70, and issued, in exchange, an aggregate of 808,896 New Options with an exercise price of $1.23. The New Options will vest 33% on February 22, 2012 with the balance of the shares vesting in a series of twenty-four successive equal monthly installments thereafter, and have a term of five years. The exchange resulted in a decrease in the Company’s common stock subject to outstanding stock options by 1,319,534 shares, which increased the number of shares available to be issued under the 2005 Plan.
The following table sets forth the summary of option activity under the Company’s share-based compensation plans for the three months ended March 31, 2011:
Outstanding Options | ||||||||
Weighted | ||||||||
Number of | Average | |||||||
Shares | Exercise Price | |||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2011 | 4,518,656 | $ | 4.72 | |||||
Options granted | 842,196 | 123 | ||||||
Options exercised | (400 | ) | 110 | |||||
Options canceled | (2,225,004 | ) | 6.18 | |||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2011 | 3,135,448 | 2.75 | ||||||
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was $0 and $61,000, respectively.
The following table sets forth the summary of restricted stock unit activity under the Company’s equity incentive plans for the three months ended March 31, 2011:
Weighted | ||||||||
Number | Average | |||||||
Of | Grant-Date | |||||||
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2011 | 1,401,937 | $ | 2.60 | |||||
Granted | 227,881 | 1.33 | ||||||
Released | (168,069 | ) | 2.38 | |||||
Forfeited | — | — | ||||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2011 | 1,461,749 | 2.43 | ||||||
As of March 31, 2011, 2,304,200 and 250,000 shares remained available for issuance under the 2005 Plan and the Directors’ Plan, respectively.
2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In December 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The ESPP allows eligible employee participants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a discount through payroll deductions. The ESPP consists of a fixed offering period, generally 24
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months with four purchase periods within each offering period. Purchases are generally made on the last trading day of each October and April. Employees purchase shares at each purchase date at 85% of the market value of the Company’s common stock on their enrollment date or the end of the purchase period, whichever price is lower.
The ESPP provides for annual reserve increases on the first day of each fiscal year commencing on January 1, 2007 and ending on January 1, 2015. The annual reserve increases will be equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year, or (ii) 250,000 shares of common stock. The Company’s Board of Directors has the authority to designate a smaller number of shares by which the authorized number of shares of common stock will be increased prior to the last day of any calendar year. An additional 250,000 shares were reserved for issuance on each of January 1, 2011 and 2010 under this provision. The Company did not issue any shares under the ESPP during the three months ended March 31, 2011 or 2010. At March 31, 2011, 250,036 shares were available for issuance under the ESPP.
5. Share-Based Compensation
Employee Share-Based Awards
Compensation cost for employee share-based awards is based on the grant-date fair value and is recognized over the vesting period of the applicable award on a straight-line basis. The Company issues employee share-based awards in the form of stock options and restricted stock units under the Company’s equity incentive plans, and stock purchase rights under the ESPP.
Valuation of Stock Options, Stock Purchase Rights and Restricted Stock Units
During the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the weighted average fair value of the employee stock options granted, excluding the options issued in the Exchange Program, was $0.88 and $1.75, respectively. The weighted average fair value of restricted stock units issued was $1.33 and $2.40 in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The weighted average fair value of stock purchase rights granted under the ESPP was $0.88 and $1.54 during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
The estimated grant date fair values of the stock options, excluding the options issued in the Exchange Program, and stock purchase rights were calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model, and the following weighted average assumptions:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Stock Option Plans | ||||||||
Expected term | 5.0 years | 5.0 years | ||||||
Expected volatility | 89 | % | 86 | % | ||||
Risk-free interest rate | 1.99 | % | 2.49 | % | ||||
Dividend yield | 0 | % | 0 | % | ||||
Employee Stock Purchase Plan | ||||||||
Expected term | 1.8 years | 2.0 years | ||||||
Expected volatility | 95 | % | 83 | % | ||||
Risk-free interest rate | 0.68 | % | 1.41 | % | ||||
Dividend yield | 0 | % | 0 | % |
The Exchange Program described in Note 4 did not result in incremental expense, as the fair value of the New Options granted was less than the fair values of the Original Options measured immediately prior to being replaced on the date the New Options were granted and the Original Options were cancelled. The estimated grant date fair value of the New Options was calculated using the Black-Sholes valuation model and the following weighted average assumptions. At the time of exchange, the exercise price of the Original Options was in excess of the market price, therefore the expected term of the Original Options granted was determined using the Monte Carlo Simulation method. The expected term of New Options
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granted was determined using the “shortcut” method, as illustrated in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB 107”), because the terms of the New Options are unique as compared to the existing awards and the Company does not have historical experience under the New Options terms. Under this approach, the expected term is estimated to be the average of the vesting term and the contractual term of the option. All other assumptions have been calculated using the historical methodologies applied by the Company to all other stock option awards.
Original | New | |||||||
Options | Options | |||||||
Number of shares | 2,128,430 | 808,896 | ||||||
Expected term | 4.7 years | 3.4 years | ||||||
Expected volatility | 94 | % | 98 | % | ||||
Risk-free interest rate | 1.96 | % | 1.38 | % | ||||
Dividend yield | 0 | % | 0 | % |
The estimated fair value of restricted stock units awards is calculated based on the market price of Alexza’s common stock on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of dividends expected to be paid on Alexza common stock prior to vesting of the restricted stock unit. The Company’s estimate assumes no dividends will be paid prior to the vesting of the restricted stock unit.
As of March 31, 2011, there were $1,858,000, $158,000 and $111,000 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock option awards, unvested restricted stock units and stock purchase rights, respectively, which are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years, 1.0 years and 1.0 years, respectively.
There was no share-based compensation capitalized at March 31, 2011.
6. Net Loss per Share Attributable to Alexza Common Stockholders
Historical basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Alexza common stockholders is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to Alexza common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The following items were excluded in the net loss per share attributable to Alexza common stockholders calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 because the inclusion of such items would have had an anti-dilutive effect:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Stock options | 3,827,052 | 4,645,815 | ||||||
Restricted stock units | 1,431,843 | 755,183 | ||||||
Warrants to purchase common stock | 16,446,527 | 12,727,554 |
7. Comprehensive Loss Attributed to Alexza Common Stockholders
Comprehensive loss attributed to Alexza common stockholders is comprised of net loss and unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities. Total comprehensive loss attributed to Alexza common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Net loss | $ | (8,415 | ) | $ | (13,412 | ) | ||
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities | — | 8 | ||||||
Comprehensive loss attributable to Alexza common stockholders | $ | (8,415 | ) | $ | (13,404 | ) | ||
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8. Other Accrued Expenses
Other accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Accrued compensation | $ | 1,322 | $ | 1,557 | ||||
Accrued professional fees | 703 | 798 | ||||||
Other | 1,106 | 803 | ||||||
Total | $ | 3,131 | $ | 3,158 | ||||
9. Debt Obligations
Equipment Financing Agreements
The Company has outstanding borrowings under financing agreements to finance equipment purchases. Borrowings under the agreements are to be repaid in 36 to 48 monthly installments of principal and interest. The interest rate, which is fixed for each draw, is based on the U.S. Treasury securities of comparable maturities and ranges from 9.2% to 10.6%. The equipment purchased under each of the equipment financing agreements is pledged as security. The Company believes the amortized book value represents the approximate fair value of the outstanding debt.
Term Loan Agreements
Hercules Technology Growth Capital
In May 2010, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (“Loan Agreement”) with Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (“Hercules”). Under the terms of the Loan Agreement, the Company borrowed $15,000,000 at an interest rate of the higher of (i) 10.75% or (ii) 6.5% plus the prime rate as reported in the Wall Street Journal, with a maximum interest rate of 14% and issued to Hercules a secured term promissory note evidencing the loan. The Company made interest only payments through January 2011 and beginning in February 2011 the loan is being repaid in 33 equal monthly installments. The Company believes the amortized book value represents the approximate fair value of the outstanding debt.
The Loan Agreement limits both the seniority and amount of future debt the Company may incur. The Company may be required to prepay the loan in the event of a change in control. In conjunction with the loan, the Company issued to Hercules a five-year warrant to purchase 376,394 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $2.69 per share. The warrant is immediately exercisable and expires in May 2015. The Company estimated the fair value of this warrant as of the issuance date to be $921,000 which was recorded as a debt discount to the loan and consequently a reduction to the carrying value of the loan. The fair value of the warrant was calculated using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, and was based on the contractual term of the warrant of five years, a risk-free interest rate of 2.31%, expected volatility of 84% and a 0% expected dividend yield. The Company also recorded fees paid to Hercules as a debt discount, which further reduced the carrying value of the loan. The debt discount is being amortized to interest expense.
Autoliv ASP, Inc.
In June 2010, in return for transfer to the Company of all right, title and interest in a production line for the commercial manufacture of chemical heat packages completed or to be completed by Autoliv ASP, Inc (“Autoliv”) on behalf of the Company, the Company paid Autoliv $4 million in cash and issued Autoliv a $4 million unsecured promissory note. In February 2011, the Company entered into an agreement to amend the terms of the unsecured promissory note. Under the terms of that amendment, the original $4 million note was cancelled and a new unsecured promissory note was issued with a reduced principal amount of $2.8 million (the “New Note”).
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The New Note bears interest beginning on January 1, 2011 at 8% per annum and is being paid in 48 consecutive and equal installments of approximately $67,900. The Company believes the amortized book value represents the approximate fair value of the outstanding debt.
Future scheduled principal payments under the equipment financing agreements and the term loans as of March 31, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):
Equipment | ||||||||||||
Financing | Loan | |||||||||||
Obligations | Agreements | Total | ||||||||||
2011 — remaining 9 months | 227 | 4,175 | 4,402 | |||||||||
2012 | — | 6,111 | 6,111 | |||||||||
2013 | — | 5,773 | 5,773 | |||||||||
2014 | — | 781 | 781 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 227 | $ | 16,840 | $ | 17,067 | ||||||
10. Facility Leases
The Company leases two buildings in Mountain View, California, which the Company began to occupy in the fourth quarter of 2007. The Company recognizes rental expense on the facility on a straight line basis over the initial term of the lease. Differences between the straight line rent expense and rent payments are classified as deferred rent liability on the balance sheet. The lease for both facilities expires on March 31, 2018, and the Company has two options to extend the lease for five years each.
The Mountain View lease, as amended, included $15,964,000 of tenant improvement reimbursements from the landlord. The Company has recorded all tenant improvements as additions to property and equipment and is amortizing the improvements over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the improvement or the remaining life of the lease. The reimbursements received from the landlord are included in deferred rent liability and amortized over the life of the lease as a contra-expense.
In May 2008, the Company entered into an agreement to sublease a portion of its Mountain View facility. The sublease agreement, as recently amended on April 4, 2011, has been terminated by the Company effective July 4, 2011. On April 21, 2011, the Company entered into a new sublease for 21 months with a separate party for this space, commencing on July 15, 2011.
In January 2010, the Company entered into an agreement to sublease an additional portion of its Mountain View facility from March 1, 2010 through February 28, 2014. The sublessee has an option to extend the sublease agreement for 12 months and a second option to extend the sublease agreement an additional 37 months. If the sublessee exercises these options, the rent will be at fair market rates at the time the option is exercised. In January 2010, the Company recorded a charge of $1,144,000 to record the difference between the lease payments made by the Company and the cash receipts to be generated from the sublease over the life of the sublease and is amortizing this amount to rent expense over the term of the lease as a contra-expense.
In August 2010, the Company entered into an agreement to sublease approximately 2,500 square feet of the Company’s premises to Cypress Bioscience, Inc. (“Cypress”) and to provide certain administrative, facility and information technology support for a period of 12 months. After 12 months, the space will be leased on a month-to-month basis.
11. License Agreement
Cypress Bioscience, Inc.
On August 26, 2010, the Company entered in to a license and development agreement (“Cypress Agreement”) with Cypress forStaccatonicotine. According to the terms of the Cypress Agreement, Cypress paid the Company a non-refundable upfront payment of $5 million to acquire the worldwide license for theStaccatonicotine technology.
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Following the completion of certain preclinical and clinical milestones relating to theStaccato nicotine technology, if Cypress elects to continue the development ofStaccatonicotine, Cypress will be obligated to pay the Company an additional technology transfer payment of $1 million. The Company retains a carried interest of 10%, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, in the net proceeds of any sale or license by Cypress of theStaccatonicotine assets, and the carried interest will be subject to put and call rights in certain circumstances.
Cypress has the responsibility for preclinical, clinical and regulatory aspects of the development ofStaccatonicotine, along with the commercialization of the product. Cypress paid the Company a total of $3.9 million in research and development funding for the Company’s efforts to execute a development plan culminating with the delivery of clinical trial materials for a Phase 1 study withStaccatonicotine.
For revenue recognition purposes, the Company viewed the Cypress Agreement as a multiple element arrangement. Multiple element arrangements are analyzed to determine whether the various performance obligations, or elements, can be separated or whether they must be accounted for as a single unit of accounting. The Company evaluates whether the delivered elements under the arrangement have value on a stand-alone basis and whether objective and reliable evidence of fair value of the undelivered items exist. Deliverables that do not meet these criteria are not evaluated separately for the purpose of revenue recognition. For a single unit of accounting, payments received are recognized in a manner consistent with the final deliverable. The Company has concluded that there is not objective and reliable evidence of fair value of all of the undelivered elements, and thus the Company is accounting for such elements as a single unit of accounting. The Company is recognizing revenue ratably over the estimated performance period of the agreement. The Cypress Agreement was entered into prior to the Company’s adoption of ASU 2009-13 on January 1, 2011. If this agreement is modified, the Company will be required to apply the provisions of ASU 2009-13.
12. Autoliv Manufacturing and Supply Agreement
On November 2, 2007, the Company entered into a Manufacturing and Supply Agreement (the “Manufacture Agreement”) with Autoliv relating to the commercial supply of chemical heat packages that can be incorporated into the Company’sStaccatodevice (the “Chemical Heat Packages”). Autoliv had developed these Chemical Heat Packages for the Company pursuant to a development agreement between Autoliv and the Company. Under the terms of the Manufacture Agreement, Autoliv agreed to develop a manufacturing line capable of producing 10 million Chemical Heat Packages a year.
In June 2010 and February 2011, the Company entered into agreements to amend the terms of the Manufacture Agreement (together the “Amendments”). Under the terms of the first of the Amendments, the Company paid Autoliv $4 million and issued Autoliv a $4 million unsecured promissory note in return for a production line for the commercial manufacture of Chemical Heat Packages. Each production line is comprised of two identical and self sustaining “cells,” and the first such cell was completed, installed and qualified in connection with such Amendment. Under the terms of the Second Amendment, the original $4 million note was cancelled and the New Note was issued with a reduced principal amount of $2.8 million, and production on the second cell ceased. The New Note is payable in 48 equal monthly installments of approximately $67,900. In the event that the Company requests completion of the second cell of the first production line for the commercial manufacture of Chemical Heat Packages, Autoliv will complete, install and fully qualify such second cell for a cost to the Company of $1.2 million and Autoliv will transfer ownership of such cell to the Company upon the payment in full of such $1.2 million and the New Note.
The provisions of the Amendments supersede (a) the Company’s obligation set forth in the Manufacture Agreement to reimburse Autoliv for certain expenses related to the equipment and tooling used in production and testing of the Chemical Heat Packages in an amount of up to $12 million upon the earliest of December 31, 2011, 60 days after the termination of the Manufacture Agreement or 60 days after approval by the FDA of an NDA filed by the Company, and (b) the obligation of Autoliv to transfer possession of such equipment and tooling.
Subject to certain exceptions, Autoliv has agreed to manufacture, assemble and test the Chemical Heat Packages solely for the Company in conformance with the Company’s specifications. The Company will pay Autoliv a specified purchase price, which varies based on annual quantities ordered by the Company,
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per Chemical Heat Package delivered. The initial term of the Manufacture Agreement expires on December 31, 2012, at which time the Manufacture Agreement will automatically renew for successive five-year renewal terms unless the Company or Autoliv notifies the other party no less than 36 months prior to the end of the initial term or the then-current renewal term that such party wishes to terminate the Manufacture Agreement. The Manufacture Agreement provides that during the term of the Manufacture Agreement, Autoliv will be the Company’s exclusive supplier of the Chemical Heat Packages. In addition, the Manufacture Agreement grants Autoliv the right to negotiate for the right to supply commercially any second generation Chemical Heat Package (a “Second Generation Product”) and provides that the Company will pay Autoliv certain royalty payments if the Company manufactures Second Generation Products itself or if the Company obtains Second Generation Products from a third party manufacturer. Upon the termination of the Manufacture Agreement, the Company will be required, on an ongoing basis, to pay Autoliv certain royalty payments related to the manufacture of the Chemical Heat Packages by the Company or third party manufacturers.
13. Subsequent Events
On May 6, 2011, the Company issued an aggregate of 11,927,034 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase up to an additional 4,174,457 shares of its common stock in a registered direct offering. Net proceeds from the offering were approximately $15.8 million, after deducting estimated offering expenses. The warrants will be exercisable six months after issuance at $1.755 per share and will expire five years from the date of issuance. The shares of common stock and warrants are immediately separable and will be issued separately. The securities were sold pursuant to a shelf registration statement declared effective by the SEC on May 20, 2010. The Company agreed to customary obligations regarding registration, including indemnification and maintenance of the registration statement and the Company also agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, it will not, within the 90 days following the closing of the offering, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of its common stock or securities convertible into, exercisable for or exchangeable for shares of its common stock. Further, if the Company proposes to issue securities prior to the earlier of (a) the date on which it receives written approval from the FDA for its NDA for AZ-004 or (b) June 30, 2012, the investors in the offering, subject to certain exceptions, have the right to purchase their pro rata share, based on their participation in the offering, of such securities. In addition, the Company agreed to not issue shares pursuant to its equity financing facility with Azimuth or any similar facilities, or enter into variable rate transactions, until the earlier of (1) 30 days after the approval of the NDA for AZ-004 or (2) June 30, 2012.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “potential” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of these statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the prospects of us receiving approval to market AZ-004, our anticipated timing and prospects for the resubmission of our New Drug Application for AZ-004, management’s plans for the use of the net proceeds from the offering, the implications of interim or final results of our clinical trials, the progress and timing of our research programs, including clinical testing, the extent to which our issued and pending patents may protect our products and technology, the potential of our product candidates to lead to the development of safe or effective therapies, our ability to enter into collaborations, our future operating expenses, our future losses, our future expenditures and the sufficiency of our cash resources. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in our forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks faced by us and described in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. You should read this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited financial statements and notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The names “Alexza Pharmaceuticals,” “Alexza,” and “Staccato” are registered trademarks of Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All other trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are the property of their respective owners.
We are a pharmaceutical company focused on the research, development, and commercialization of novel proprietary products for the acute treatment of central nervous system conditions. All of our product candidates are based on our proprietary technology, theStaccatosystem. TheStaccato system vaporizes an excipient-free drug to form a condensation aerosol that, when inhaled, allows for rapid systemic drug delivery. Because of the particle size of the aerosol, the drug is quickly absorbed through the deep lung into the bloodstream, providing speed of therapeutic onset that is comparable to intravenous, or IV, administration but with greater ease, patient comfort and convenience.
In early 2010, we conducted a thorough review of our product pipeline, evaluating current and potential newStaccato-based product candidates. This review yielded three categories ofStaccato-based product candidates: (1) product candidates where we believe we can add value through internal development, (2) product candidates where we have developed the product idea, but where a development partner is required, and (3) product candidates based on new ideas, primarily focused on new chemical entities, where theStaccatotechnology can facilitate better or more effective delivery. In July 2010, we announced that, in addition to AZ-004, AZ-007 (Staccatozaleplon) andStaccatonicotine would remain in active development. Active development on the remainder of our development pipeline is suspended. We are continuing to seek partners to support development and commercialization of our product candidates. We believe that, based on our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance at March 31, 2011, the net proceeds from our May 2011 stock and warrant issuance, interest earned thereon, the proceeds from option exercises and purchases of common stock pursuant to our 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and our expected cash usage, we have sufficient capital resources to meet our anticipated cash needs into the first quarter of 2012. We are unable to assert that our financial position is sufficient to fund operations beyond that date, and as a result, there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We may not be able to raise sufficient capital on acceptable terms, or at all, to continue development of AZ-004 or our other programs or to continue operations and we may not be able to execute any strategic transaction.
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Our product candidates in active development are:
• | AZ-004 (Staccato loxapine).We are developing AZ-004 for the rapid treatment of agitation in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. In December 2009, we submitted a New Drug Application, or NDA, for AZ-004, submitted as Adasuvetm Staccato® (loxapine) inhalation aerosol, 5 mg and 10 mg. In October 2010, we received a Complete Response Letter, or CRL, from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, regarding our NDA for AZ-004. A CRL is issued by the FDA indicating that the NDA review cycle is complete and the application is not ready for approval in its present form. In December 2010, we completed an End-of-Review meeting with the FDA to discuss the issues outlined in the AZ-004 CRL. In January 2011, we received the official FDA minutes of the meeting, and we anticipate resubmitting the AZ-004 NDA in July 2011. In April 2011 we completed a meeting with the FDA to discuss preliminary draft labeling and initial Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, program proposals. We are seeking commercial partners for the worldwide development and commercialization of AZ-004. | |
In the CRL, the FDA stated that its primary clinical safety concern was related to data from the three Phase 1 pulmonary safety studies with AZ-004. This concern was primarily based on observed, dose-related post-dose decreases in forced expiratory volume in one second, or FEV1, a standard measure of lung function, in healthy subjects and in subjects with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. The FDA also noted that decreases in FEV1 were recorded in subjects who were administered device-only, placebo versions of AZ-004. In the information package submitted to the FDA in response to the CRL and in preparation for the End-of-Review meeting, we presented evidence that we believe demonstrates the placebo device is safe, including a blinded expert review of the flow-volume loops data from the healthy subject study as further evidence that there appears to be no consistent pattern suggestive of airway obstruction in these subjects. We also provided an analysis that we believe shows that there is no meaningful temporal relationship between placebo administration and decreases in FEV1. We believe this evidence and analysis confirm that the changes seen were likely background events in the population studied, where the repeated and extensive pulmonary function testing may have contributed to some of the observations. Additionally, we believe we showed that the aerosol characterization does not indicate a basis for concern. We agreed to reiterate these arguments in our NDA resubmission. | ||
In the information package, we also believe we showed that the pulmonary safety program in subjects with asthma or COPD had identified patients who may be susceptible to bronchospasm, the nature of this adverse event, and how it can be managed. We stated we believe the risk in these patients could be mitigated through labeling and a REMS program. At the End-of-Review meeting, the FDA stated that it would be reasonable to propose a REMS program for the use ofStaccatoloxapine, and requested that as part of our resubmission, we provide a detailed REMS proposal including labeling, a medication guide, a communication plan and post-approval studies to manage the potential risks. In the resubmission, we must also show how to identify patients at risk of developing pulmonary side effects, as well as a way to decide who should and should not be treated withStaccatoloxapine when they present for treatment. The FDA also informed us that it would likely present the NDA to an advisory committee. | ||
The CRL also raised issues relating to the suitability of our stability studies and certain other Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls, or CMC, concerns, including items relating to the FDA’s pre-approval manufacturing inspection. Because AZ-004 incorporates a novel delivery system, the CRL included input from the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, or the CDRH. In the CRL, the CDRH requested a human factors study and related analysis to validate that the product can be used effectively in the proposed clinical setting. We have finalized the protocol with input from the FDA and expect to complete this study in the coming months. We are not currently required to conduct any additional efficacy or safety clinical trials for AZ-004. The CDRH also requested further bench testing of the product under an additional “worst-case” manufacturing scenario. We have completed this additional “worst-case” bench testing of the product, submitted the data to the FDA and believe that this issue has been adequately addressed. |
In April 2011 we completed a Type C meeting with the FDA. The primary purpose of this meeting was to discuss preliminary draft labeling and initial REMS program proposals. The FDA granted |
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this meeting at our request, as a follow-on activity to discussions during our End-of-Review meeting held in December 2010. | ||
In the information package submitted to the FDA in preparation for this guidance meeting, we included updated draft labeling and a medication guide, and initial proposals for an AZ-004 REMS program, including a draft communication plan and draft post-approval study outline. | ||
Following the guidance meeting, we believe there is agreement with the FDA on the definition of patients at risk. We believe that our clinical program has identified the patients who are at risk for respiratory adverse reactions, or bronchospasm, associated with the administration ofStaccatoloxapine, notably patients who have obvious respiratory signs and/or who are taking medications to treat asthma or COPD. | ||
We proposed to the FDA that standard medical clearance procedures, including a medical and medication history, and a physical examination, would provide the appropriate information to determine eligibility of patients for treatment. The FDA indicated that while screening and examining patients is useful, this cannot identify all patients who should not receive Staccato loxapine. Therefore the FDA indicated that close observation of the patient post-dosing would be important. | ||
The FDA emphasized that there are two key components for a risk mitigation proposal: (i) adequacy of monitoring via patient observation for a period of time relative to the likely occurrence of a respiratory adverse reaction, and (ii) availability of rescue medication (e.g., inhaled albuterol) should an adverse reaction occur. The FDA suggested that it is also possible that a REMS for AZ-004 could include elements to assure safe use as one manner in which to address the need for post-dose observation and training for possible treatment of a respiratory adverse reaction, if it were to occur. We will address this updated guidance from the FDA in our draft REMS proposal contained within the AZ-004 NDA resubmission. | ||
In the information package submitted to the FDA, we also proposed, as a study outline, to conduct a post-approval observational study of the real-world use ofStaccatoloxapine. The AZ-004 study objectives would include an assessment of patient selection, the usability of AZ-004 in a range of agitated patients, safety and adverse event observations during dosing and in post-dose time periods,and the adequacy of post-dose monitoring. The FDA indicated that the size of the study needs to be sufficient to characterize the usage and safety profile of AZ-004 in a real-world setting. | ||
In summary, the FDA indicated that a complete review of the proposed REMS in conjunction with the full clinical review of the resubmitted NDA will be necessary to determine whether the REMS would be acceptable. The FDA stated it would present the AZ-004 application to an advisory committee. | ||
We note that we have not received the official FDA meeting minutes from the guidance meeting. The summaries of that meeting in this Report and our other filings may be altered or supplemented by the information contained in the official meeting minutes. | ||
• | AZ-007(Staccato zaleplon).We have completed Phase 1 testing for AZ-007. This product candidate is being developed for the treatment of insomnia in patients who have difficulty falling asleep, including patients who awake in the middle of the night and have difficulty falling back asleep. In the Phase 1 study, AZ-007 delivered an IV-like pharmacokinetic profile with a median time to peak drug concentration of 1.6 minutes. Pharmacodynamics, measured as sedation assessed on a 100 mm visual-analog scale, showed onset of effect as early as 2 minutes after dosing. We do not intend to spend any external development resources on AZ-007 in the first half of 2011, but are continuing internal work on the technical product development of AZ-007. | |
• | Staccato nicotineis designed to help smokers quit by addressing both the chemical and behavioral components of nicotine addiction by delivering nicotine replacement via inhalation. On August 25, 2010, we entered into a license and development agreement, or the Cypress Agreement, with Cypress Bioscience, Inc., or Cypress, forStaccatonicotine. According to the terms of the Cypress Agreement, Cypress paid us a non-refundable upfront payment of $5 million to acquire the worldwide license for theStaccatonicotine technology. In addition, following the completion of certain preclinical and clinical milestones relating to theStaccatonicotine technology, if Cypress |
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elects to continue the development ofStaccatonicotine, Cypress is obligated to pay to us an additional technology transfer payment of $1 million. We have a carried interest of 10%, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, in the net proceeds of any sale or license by Cypress of theStaccatonicotine assets and the carried interest will be subject to put and call rights in certain circumstances. Under the Cypress Agreement, Cypress has responsibility for preclinical, clinical and regulatory aspects of the development ofStaccatonicotine, along with the commercialization of the product. Through April 1, 2011, Cypress has paid us a total of $3.9 million for our efforts to execute a defined development plan for Cypress culminating with the delivery of clinical trial materials for a Phase 1 study withStaccato nicotine. |
Our product candidates not in active development are:
• | AZ-104(Staccato loxapine, low-dose).AZ-104, a lower-dose version of AZ-004, is being studied for the treatment of patients suffering from acute migraine headaches. AZ-104 has completed a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy subjects and two Phase 2 clinical trials in patients with migraine headache. | ||
• | AZ-002 (Staccato alprazolam).AZ-002 has completed a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy subjects and a Phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial in panic disorder patients for the treatment of panic attacks, an indication we are not planning to pursue. However, given the safety profile, the successful and reproducible delivery of alprazolam, and the IV-like pharmacological effect demonstrated to date, we are assessing AZ-002 for other possible indications and renewed clinical development. | ||
• | AZ-003(Staccato fentanyl).We have completed and announced positive results from a Phase 1 clinical trial of AZ-003 in opioid-naïve healthy subjects. This product candidate is being developed for the treatment of patients with acute pain, including patients with breakthrough cancer pain and postoperative patients with acute pain episodes. |
On May 6, 2011, we issued an aggregate of 11,927,034 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase up to an additional 4,174,457 shares of our common stock in a registered direct offering. Net proceeds from the offering were approximately $15.8 million, after deducting estimated offering expenses. The warrants are exercisable six months after issuance at $1.755 per share, and will expire five years from the date of issuance. The shares of common stock and warrants are immediately separable and will be issued separately. The securities were sold pursuant to a shelf registration statement declared effective by the SEC on May 20, 2010. We agreed to customary obligations regarding registration, including indemnification and maintenance of the registration statement, and we also agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, we will not, within the 90 days following the closing of the offering, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into, exercisable for or exchangeable for shares of our common stock. Further, if we propose to issue securities prior to the earlier of (a) the date on which we receive written approval from the FDA for our NDA for AZ-004 or (b) June 30, 2012, the investors in the offering, subject to certain exceptions, have the right to purchase their pro rata share, based on their participation in the offering, of such securities. The foregoing rights and restrictions and applicable listing standards may affect our ability to consummate certain types of offerings of our securities in the future.
In May 2010, we obtained a committed equity financing facility under which we may sell up to 8,936,550 shares of our common stock to Azimuth Opportunity, Ltd., or Azimuth, over a 24-month period. We are not obligated to utilize any of the facility and we remain free to enter into and consummate other equity and debt financing transactions. We will determine, at our sole discretion, the timing, the dollar amount and the price per share of each draw under this facility, subject to certain conditions. When and if we elect to use the facility, we will issue shares to Azimuth at a discount between 5.00% and 6.75% to the volume weighted average price of our common stock over a preceding period of trading days. Azimuth is not required to purchase any shares at a pre-discounted purchase price below $3.00 per share. Any shares sold under this facility will be sold pursuant to a shelf registration statement declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2010. This facility replaces a similar facility that was established in March 2008 and expired after its 24-month term. As part of our May 2011 registered direct offering, we agreed to refrain from utilizing this equity financing facility or any similar facilities, or entering into variable rate transactions, until the earlier of: (i) 30 days after the approval of our AZ-004 NDA or (ii) June 30, 2012. As of March 31, 2011, there have been no sales of common stock under these facilities.
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Other than those licensed to Cypress, we currently retain all rights to our product candidates and theStaccatosystem. We intend to capitalize on our internal resources to develop certain of our product candidates and identify routes to utilize external resources to develop and commercialize other product candidates.
We were incorporated December 19, 2000. We have funded our operations primarily through the sale of equity securities, payments received pursuant to collaborations, capital lease and equipment financings, debt financings and government grants. We have generated $61.1 million in revenues from inception through March 31, 2011, primarily through license and development agreements and United States Small Business Innovation Research grants and drug compound feasibility studies. Prior to 2007, we recognized governmental grant revenue and drug compound feasibility revenues, however, we expect no grant revenue or drug compound feasibility screening revenue in 2011. We do not expect any material product revenue until at least 2012, if at all.
We have incurred significant losses since our inception. As of March 31, 2011, our deficit accumulated during development stage was $274.5 million and total stockholders’ equity was $4.3 million. We recognized net losses of $8.4 million, $1.5 million, $56.1 million, $77.0 million and $319.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011, the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, and the period from December 19, 2000 (Inception) to March 31, 2011, respectively. We expect our net losses to increase in 2011 compared to 2010, as the 2010 results were impacted by the $40 million of revenue recognized from the termination of our license agreement with Biovail Laboratories International, SRL, or Biovail, for AZ-004.
The process of conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials necessary to obtain FDA approval is costly and time consuming. We consider the development of our product candidates to be crucial to our long term success. If we do not complete development of our product candidates and obtain regulatory approval to market one or more of these product candidates, we may be forced to cease operations. The probability of success for each product candidate may be impacted by numerous factors, including preclinical data, clinical data, competition, device development, manufacturing capability, regulatory approval and commercial viability. Our current strategy is to focus our resources on AZ-004. In addition, we plan to seek commercial partners for the worldwide development and commercialization for all of our product candidates. If in the future we enter into additional partnerships, third parties could have control over preclinical development or clinical trials for some of our product candidates. Accordingly, the progress of such product candidates would not be under our control. We cannot forecast with any degree of certainty which of our product candidates, if any, will be subject to any future partnerships or how such arrangements would affect our development plans or capital requirements.
As a result of the uncertainties discussed above, the uncertainty associated with clinical trial enrollments, and the risks inherent in the development process, we are unable to determine the duration and completion costs of the current or future clinical stages of our product candidates or when, or to what extent, we will generate revenues from the commercialization and sale of any of our product candidates. Development timelines, probability of success and development costs vary widely. While we are currently focused on developing our product candidates, we anticipate that we and our partners, will make determinations as to which programs to pursue and how much funding to direct to each program on an ongoing basis in response to the scientific and clinical success of each product candidate, as well as an ongoing assessment as to the product candidate’s commercial potential. We do not expect any of our current product candidates to be commercially available before 2012, if at all.
We believe that with current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities along with the proceeds from our May 2011 stock and warrant issuance, interest earned thereon, the proceeds from option exercises and purchases of common stock pursuant to our 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or ESPP, we will be able to maintain our currently planned operations into the first quarter of 2012. Changing circumstances may cause us to consume capital significantly faster or slower than we currently anticipate or to alter our operations. We have based these estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could utilize our available financial resources sooner than we currently expect.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Three months Ended March 31, 2011 and 2010
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Revenue
The following table summarizes the revenues recognized to date (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Revenue | $ | 1,259 | $ | — | ||||
Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2011 of $1,259,000 were related to our license and development agreement with Cypress signed in August 2010. There were no revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development costs are identified as either directly attributable to one of our product candidates or as general research. Direct costs consist of personnel costs directly associated with a candidate, preclinical study costs, clinical trial costs, related clinical drug and device development and manufacturing costs, contract services and other research expenditures. Overhead, facility costs and other support service expenses are allocated to each candidate or to general research, and the allocation is based on employee time spent on each program.
The following table allocates our expenditures between product candidate costs or general research, based on our internal records and estimated allocations of employee time and related expenses (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Product candidate expenses | $ | 5,714 | $ | 6,180 | ||||
General research | 548 | 1,384 | ||||||
Total research and development expenses | $ | 6,262 | $ | 7,564 | ||||
Research and development expenses were $6.3 million and $7.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The decrease in 2011 was primarily due to our deferral of certain AZ-004 commercialization and manufacturing efforts as a result of the CRL received for the AZ-004 NDA. In addition, we reduced our general research efforts to preserve our cash balances.
In July 2010, we announced that we moved AZ-007 into active development. However, due to the FDA not approving AZ-004 for commercial marketing in October 2010, we have slowed the clinical development of AZ-007 from second half of 2010 levels and eliminated all external development costs. We are continuing our development obligations under the Cypress agreement forStaccato nicotine. We expect that 2011 research and development expenses will remain relatively consistent with 2010 levels.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $2.8 million and $5.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The decrease was a result of the Company reducing discretionary spending to preserve cash balances and the result of a charge of $1.1 million included in our 2010 expenses related to our entering into a sublease agreement for a portion of one of our Mountain View facilities equal to the difference between the lease payments made by us and the cash receipts generated from the sublease over the life of the sublease and a $0.3 million non-cash share-based compensation charge for the surrender of certain stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2010.
We expect our general and administrative expenses to remain consistent, excluding the above outlined charge related to our subleasing of a portion of our facilities, with 2010 levels.
Change in the Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Liability
In connection with our acquisition of all of the outstanding equity of Symphony Allegro, Inc., or Allegro, in the third quarter of 2009, we are obligated to pay Symphony Allegro Holdings LLC, or Holdings, certain
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percentages of cash receipts that may be generated from future collaboration transactions for AZ-002, AZ-004 and/or AZ-104. We measure the fair value of this contingent consideration liability on a recurring basis. Any changes in the fair value of this contingent consideration liability are recognized in earnings in the period of the change. Certain events, including, but not limited to, clinical trial results, FDA approval or nonapproval of our submissions, such as our NDA filed in December 2009, the timing and terms of a strategic partnership, and the commercial success of AZ-002, AZ-004 and/or AZ-104, could have a material impact on the fair value of the contingent consideration liability, and as a result, our results of operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we modified the assumptions regarding the timing of certain cash flows. The changes in these assumptions along with the effect of the passage of three months on the present value computation resulted in no net change to the contingent cash liability as of March 31, 2011 compared to December 31, 2010.
Interest and Other Income/(Expense), Net
Interest and other income/(expense) was $10,000 and $(19,000) for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The amounts primarily represent income earned on our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as well as losses on the retirement of fixed assets. We expect interest income to continue to remain nominal through 2011 as we expect the low interest rate environment to continue.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $602,000 and $55,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The amounts represent interest on our equipment financing obligations and term loan agreement. Interest expense increased due to the addition of the $15 million term loan agreement in May 2010 and the additional expense related to the Autoliv $2.8 million unsecured promissory note beginning in January 2011. We expect interest expense to decrease slightly from first quarter levels due to decreasing outstanding debt balances as we make our monthly payments.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since inception, we have financed our operations primarily through private placements and public offerings of equity securities, receiving aggregate net proceeds from such sales totaling $266.9 million, revenues primarily from licensing and development agreements and government grants totaling $61.1 million. We have received equipment financing obligations and term loans, interest earned on investments, as described below, and funds received upon exercises of stock options and exercises of purchase rights under our ESPP. As of March 31, 2011, we had $31.8 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. Our cash and marketable securities balances are held in a variety of interest bearing instruments, including obligations of U.S. government agencies and money market accounts. Cash in excess of immediate requirements is invested with regard to liquidity and capital preservation.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities.Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities was $(8.3) million and $31.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The net cash used in the three months ended March 31, 2011 primarily reflects the net loss of $8.4 million offset by share-based compensation expense of $0.5 million and depreciation and amortization of $1.1 million, and the decrease in accounts payable of $1.2 million and deferred rent of $0.6 million.
The net cash provided in the three months ended March 31, 2010 primarily reflects the receipt of the $40 million up-front payment from Biovail as part of our collaboration and the receipt of the $1.4 million other receivable. Cash flows from operations in the three months ended March 31, 2010 also reflects the net loss of $13.4 million, net of share-based compensation expense of $1.7 million and depreciation and amortization of $1.2 million.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities.Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities was $17.9 million and $(13.5) million during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Investing activities consist primarily of purchases and maturities of marketable securities and property and equipment purchases. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we had maturities of marketable securities of $17.9 million.
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, we had purchases of marketable securities, net of maturities, of $11.3 million, and purchases of property and equipment of $2.2 million, primarily consisting of equipment purchases.
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Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $1.2 million and $8.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Cash flows from financing activities have generally consisted of proceeds from the issuance of our common stock and net cash flows from our financing agreements. In the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, principal payments on our financing obligations were $1.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively. In the three months ended March 31, 2010, we made a payment of $7.5 million to Holdings as a result of our receipt of the $40 million Biovail payment.
We believe that with current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities along with the proceeds from our May 2011 stock and warrant issuance, interest earned thereon, the proceeds from option exercises and purchases of common stock pursuant to our ESPP, we will be able to maintain our current operations, at our current cost levels, into the first quarter of 2012. Changing circumstances may cause us to consume capital significantly faster or slower than we currently anticipate or to alter our operations. We have based these estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could utilize our available financial resources sooner than we currently expect. The key assumptions underlying these estimates include:
• | expenditures related to continued preclinical and clinical development of our lead product candidates during this period within budgeted levels; | ||
• | no unexpected costs related to the development of our manufacturing capability; and | ||
• | no growth in the number of our employees during this period. |
Our forecast of the period of time that our financial resources will be adequate to support operations is a forward-looking statement and involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results could vary as a result of a number of factors, including the factors discussed in “Risk Factors.” In light of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with the development and commercialization of our product candidates and the extent to which we enter into strategic partnerships with third parties to participate in development and commercialization of our product candidates, we are unable to estimate the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures associated with our current and anticipated clinical trials. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including:
• | the cost, timing and outcomes of regulatory approvals or non-approvals; | ||
• | the scope, rate of progress, results and costs of our preclinical studies, clinical trials and other research and development activities; | ||
• | the terms and timing of any distribution, strategic partnership or licensing agreements that we may establish; | ||
• | the number and characteristics of product candidates that we pursue; | ||
• | the cost and timing of establishing manufacturing, marketing and sales capabilities; | ||
• | the cost of establishing clinical and commercial supplies of our product candidates; | ||
• | the cost of preparing, filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights; and | ||
• | the extent to which we acquire or invest in businesses, products or technologies, although we currently have no commitments or agreements relating to any of these types of transactions. |
We will need to raise additional funds to support our operations, and such funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. In this regard, for the year ended December 31, 2010, we received an explanatory paragraph from our independent registered public accounting firm in their audit opinion raising substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.If we are unable to raise additional funds when needed, we may not be able to continue development of our product candidates or we could be required to delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our development programs, or reduce our efforts to build our commercial manufacturing capacity, and other operations. We may seek to raise additional funds through public or private financing, strategic partnerships or other arrangements. Any additional equity financing may be dilutive to stockholders and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants. Certain restrictions imposed on us in connection with our May 2011 stock and warrant issuance, as well as applicable listing standards, may affect our ability to consummate certain types of offerings of our securities in the future. If we raise funds through collaborative or licensing arrangements, we may be required to relinquish, on terms that are not favorable to us, rights to some of our technologies or product candidates that we would otherwise seek to develop or commercialize ourselves. Our failure to raise capital when needed may harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
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Contractual Obligations
We lease two buildings with an aggregate of 106,894 square feet of manufacturing, office and laboratory facilities in Mountain View, California, which we began to occupy in the fourth quarter of 2007. We currently have subleases covering 19,334 square feet, 20,956 square feet and 2,500 square feet of these facilities, reducing the space we occupy to 64,104 square feet. The lease for both facilities expires on March 31, 2018, and we have two options to extend the lease for five years each. On April 4, 2011, we terminated the sublease agreement pertaining to 19,334, square feet which will be effective July 4, 2011, and subsequently leased this space to another party for a period of 21 months commencing on July 15, 2011. Our other sublease agreements will expire on February 28, 2014 with regards to 20,956 square feet and on August 31, 2011 with regards to 2,500 square feet. We believe that the Mountain View facilities are sufficient for our office, manufacturing and laboratory needs for at least the next three years.
We have financed a portion of our equipment purchases through various equipment financing agreements. Under the agreements, equipment advances are to be repaid in 36 to 48 monthly installments of principal and interest. The interest rate, which is fixed for each draw, is based on the U.S. Treasuries of comparable maturities and ranges from 9.2% to 10.5%. The equipment purchased under the equipment financing agreement is pledged as security.
On May 4, 2010, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement, or loan agreement, with Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc., or Hercules. Under the terms of the loan agreement, we have borrowed $15,000,000 at an interest rate equal to the higher of (i) 10.75% or (ii) 6.5% plus the prime rate as reported in the Wall Street Journal, with a maximum interest rate of 14%, and issued to Hercules a secured term promissory note evidencing the loan. We made interest only payments through January 2011 and beginning in February 2011 the loan began to be repaid in 33 equal monthly installments.
On November 2, 2007, we entered into a manufacturing and supply agreement, or the manufacture agreement, with Autoliv ASP, Inc, or Autoliv, relating to the commercial supply of chemical heat packages that can be incorporated into ourStaccatodevice. Autoliv had developed these chemical heat packages for us pursuant to a development agreement between Autoliv and us executed in October 2005.
In June 2010 and February 2011, we entered into agreements to amend the terms of the manufacture agreement, or the amendments. Under the terms of the first of the amendments, we paid Autoliv $4 million and issued Autoliv a $4 million unsecured promissory note in return for a production line for the commercial manufacture of chemical heat packages. Each production line is comprised of two identical and self sustaining “cells,” and the first such cell was completed, installed and qualified in connection with such amendment. Under the terms of the second of the amendments, the original $4 million note was cancelled and a new unsecured promissory note was issued with a reduced principal amount of $2.8 million, or the second note, and production on the second cell ceased. The second note is payable in 48 equal monthly installments of approximately $67,900. In the event that we request completion of the second cell of the first production line for the commercial manufacture of chemical heat packages, Autoliv will complete, install and fully qualify such second cell for a cost to us of $1.2 million and Autoliv will transfer ownership of such cell to us upon the payment in full of such $1.2 million and the second note. At our request, Autoliv will manufacture up to two additional production lines for the commercial manufacture of chemical heat packages at a cost not to exceed $2,400,000 for each additional line.
We will pay Autoliv a specified purchase price, which varies based on annual quantities ordered by us, per chemical heat package delivered. The initial term of the manufacture agreement expires on December 31, 2012, at which time the manufacture agreement will automatically renew for successive five-year renewal terms unless we or Autoliv notify the other party no less than 36 months prior to the end of the initial term or the then-current renewal term that such party wishes to terminate the manufacture agreement.
Our recurring losses from operations and our need for additional capital raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, and as a result, we have classified all of our financing obligations as current. If this substantial doubt is removed in future periods, we will reclassify these financing obligations between current and non-current. Our scheduled future minimum contractual payments, net of sublease income, including interest at March 31, 2011, are as follows (in thousands):
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Operating | Equipment | |||||||||||||||
Lease | Financing | Loan | ||||||||||||||
Agreements | Obligations | Agreements | Total | |||||||||||||
2011 — remaining 9 months | 3,495 | 235 | 5,355 | 9,085 | ||||||||||||
2012 | 4,825 | — | 7,140 | 11,965 | ||||||||||||
2013 | 4,469 | — | 6,124 | 10,593 | ||||||||||||
2014 | 4,859 | — | 815 | 5,674 | ||||||||||||
Thereafter | 15,858 | — | — | 15,858 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 33,506 | $ | 235 | $ | 19,434 | $ | 53,175 | ||||||||
Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Judgments
Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments related to development costs. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making assumptions about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 3 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 15, 2011, we believe the following accounting policies are critical to the process of making significant estimates and judgments in preparation of our financial statements.
Share-Based Compensation
We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options and purchase rights issued under our ESPP. The determination of the fair value of share-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 our expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, risk-free interest rates and expected dividends.
We estimated the expected term of options based on the historical term periods of options that have been granted but are no longer outstanding and the estimated terms of outstanding options. We estimated the volatility of our stock based on our actual historical volatility since our initial public offering. We base the risk-free interest rate that we use in the option pricing model on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with remaining terms similar to the expected term on the options. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and therefore use an expected dividend yield of zero in the option pricing model.
We are required to estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. We use historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures and record share-based compensation expense only for those awards that are expected to vest. All share-based payment awards are amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which are generally the vesting periods.
The estimated fair value of restricted stock unit awards is calculated based on the market price of our common stock on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of dividends expected to be paid on our common stock prior to vesting of the restricted stock unit. Our current estimate assumes no dividends will be paid prior to the vesting of the restricted stock unit.
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If factors change and we employ different assumptions for estimating share-based compensation expense in future periods or if we decide to use a different valuation model, the expenses in future periods may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period and could materially affect our operating loss, net loss and net loss per share.
See Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on this Form 10-Q for further information regarding ASC 718 option valuation disclosures.
Contingent Consideration Liability
In August 2009, we completed our purchase of all of the outstanding equity of Allegro and in exchange we: (i) issued to Symphony Capital LLC and other investors, or the Allegro Investors, 10 million shares of our common stock; (ii) issued to the Allegro Investors five year warrants to purchase five million shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $2.26 per share; and (iii) will pay certain percentages of cash payments that may be generated from future partnering transactions for the programs.
We estimate the fair value of the liability associated with the contingent cash payments to the Allegro Investors, or contingent consideration liability, on a quarterly basis using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model. We derive multiple cash flow scenarios for each of the product candidates subject to the cash payments and apply a probability to each of the scenarios. These probability and risk adjusted weighted average cash flows are then discounted utilizing our estimated weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”). Our WACC considers the Company’s cash position, competition, risk of substitute products, and risk associated with the financing of the development projects. We determined the discount rate to be 18% and applied this rate to the probability adjusted cash flow scenarios.
Changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability are recognized in earnings in the period of the change. Certain events including, but not limited to, clinical trial results, FDA approval or non-approval of our submissions, the timing and terms of a strategic partnership, the commercial success of the programs, and the discount rate used could have a material impact on the fair value of the contingent consideration liability, and as a result, our results of operations.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue in accordance with the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101,Revenue Recognition in FinancialStatements, as amended by Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104,Revision of Topic 13.
In determining the accounting for collaboration agreements, we determine whether an arrangement involves multiple revenue-generating deliverables that should be accounted for as a single unit of accounting or divided into separate units of accounting for revenue recognition purposes and, if this division is required, how the arrangement consideration should be allocated among the separate units of accounting. If the arrangement represents a single unit of accounting, the revenue recognition policy and the performance obligation period must be determined, if not already contractually defined, for the entire arrangement. If the arrangement represents separate units of accounting, a revenue recognition policy must be determined for each unit.
Revenues for non-refundable upfront license fee payments, where we continue to have obligations, will be recognized as performance occurs and obligations are completed.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, published Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2009-13, or ASU 2009-13, which amends the criteria to identify separate units of accounting within Subtopic 605-25, “Revenue Recognition-Multiple-Element Arrangements”. The revised guidance eliminates the residual method of allocation, and instead requires companies to use the relative selling price method when allocating revenue in a multiple deliverable arrangement. When applying the relative selling price method, the selling price for each deliverable shall be determined using vendor specific objective evidence of selling price, if it exists, otherwise using third-party evidence of selling price. If neither vendor specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence of selling price exists for a deliverable, companies shall use their best estimate of the selling price for that deliverable when applying the relative selling price method. The adoption of ASU 2009-13 only affects multiple deliverable
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arrangements entered into, or materially modified, after January 1, 2011. The prospective adoption of ASU 2009-13 did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In April 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-17, “Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force.” ASU 2010-17 provides guidance on defining a milestone and determining when it may be appropriate to apply the milestone method of revenue recognition for research and development transactions. A vendor can recognize consideration in its entirety as revenue in the period in which the milestone is achieved only if the milestone meets all criteria to be considered substantive. Additional disclosures describing the consideration arrangement and the entity’s accounting policy for recognition of such milestone payments are also required. The Company elected to adopt the milestone method of revenue recognition on a prospective basis effective January 1, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2010-17 on January 1, 2011 did not have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
None.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Our exposure to market risk is confined to our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities. The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve our capital to fund operations. We also seek to maximize income from our investments without assuming significant risk. To achieve our objectives, we maintain a portfolio of cash equivalents and marketable securities in a variety of securities of high credit quality. As of March 31, 2011, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $31.8 million. The securities in our investment portfolio are not leveraged, are classified as available-for-sale and are, due to their very short-term nature, subject to minimal interest rate risk. We currently do not hedge interest rate exposure. Because of the short-term maturities of our investments, we do not believe that an increase in market rates would have a material negative impact on the realized value of our investment portfolio. We actively monitor changes in interest rates. We perform quarterly reviews of our investment portfolio and believe we have minimal exposure related to mortgage and other asset-backed securities. We have no exposure to auction rate securities.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Our management (with the participation of our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and outside counsel) has reviewed our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2011, our internal disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls.
A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within a company have been detected. Accordingly, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of our disclosure control system are met and, as set forth above, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded, based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report, that our disclosure controls and procedures were sufficiently effective to provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of our disclosure control system were met.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included in this Quarterly Report, before deciding whether to invest in shares of our common stock. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations. The occurrence of any of the following risks could harm our business, financial condition or results of operations. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Relating to Our Business
Our management concluded that due to our need for additional capital, and the uncertainties surrounding our ability to raise such funding, substantial doubt exists as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, were prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. The going concern basis of presentation assumes that we will continue in operation for the next twelve months and will be able to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business and do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from our inability to continue as a going concern. Our management concluded that due to our need for additional capital, and the uncertainties surrounding our ability to raise such funding, substantial doubt exists as to our ability to continue as a going concern. We may be forced to reduce our operating expenses, raise additional funds, principally through the additional sales of our securities or debt financings, or enter into a corporate partnership to meet our working capital needs. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain sufficient additional funds when needed or that such funds, if available, will be obtainable on terms satisfactory to us. If we are unable to raise sufficient additional capital or complete a strategic transaction, we may be unable to continue to fund our operations, develop our product candidates or realize value from our assets and discharge our liabilities in the normal course of business. These uncertainties raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we become unable to continue as a going concern, we may have to liquidate our assets, and might realize significantly less than the values at which they are carried on our financial statements, and stockholders may lose all or part of their investment in our common stock.
We have a history of net losses. We expect to continue to incur substantial and increasing net losses for the foreseeable future, and we may never achieve or maintain profitability.
We are not profitable and have incurred significant net losses in each year since our inception, including net losses of $8.4 million, $1.5 million, $56.1 million and $77.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, and the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $319.6 million for the period from December 19, 2000 (inception) to March 31, 2011. As of March 31, 2011, we had a deficit accumulated during development stage of $274.5 million and stockholders’ equity of $4.3 million. We expect to continue to incur substantial net losses and negative cash flow for the foreseeable future. These losses and negative cash flows have had, and will continue to have, an adverse effect on our stockholders’ equity and working capital.
Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with pharmaceutical product development and commercialization, we are unable to accurately predict the timing or amount of future expenses or when, or if, we will be able to achieve or maintain profitability. Currently, we have no products approved for commercial sale, and to date we have not generated any product revenue. We have financed our operations primarily through the sale of equity securities, capital lease and equipment financing, debt financing, collaboration and licensing agreements, and government grants. The size of our future net losses will depend, in part, on the rate of growth or contraction of our expenses and the level and rate of growth, if any, of our revenues. Revenues from strategic partnerships are uncertain because we may not enter into any additional strategic partnerships. If we are unable to develop and commercialize one or more of our product candidates or if sales revenue from any product candidate that receives marketing approval is insufficient,
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we will not achieve profitability. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability.
We are a development stage company. Our success depends substantially on our lead product candidates. If we do not develop commercially successful products, we may be forced to cease operations.
You must evaluate us in light of the uncertainties and complexities affecting a development stage pharmaceutical company. We have not completed clinical development for any of our product candidates. In October 2010, we received a CRL from the FDA regarding our NDA for our AZ-004 product candidate. A CRL is issued by the FDA indicating that the NDA review cycle is complete and the application is not ready for approval in its present form. In December 2010, we completed an End-of-Review meeting with the FDA to discuss the issues outlined in the AZ-004 CRL. In January 2011, we received the official FDA minutes of the meeting, and we anticipate resubmitting the AZ-004 NDA in July 2011. In April 2011, we completed a meeting with the FDA to discuss preliminary draft labeling and initial Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program proposals. The FDA indicated that a complete review of the proposed REMS in conjunction with the full clinical review of the resubmitted NDA will be necessary to determine whether the REMS will be acceptable. We may be unsuccessful in resolving the concerns raised in the CRL, our proposed REMS may not be acceptable to the FDA and we may never receive marketing approval for AZ-004 or any of our product candidates as a result of the issues raised in the CRL. Each of our other product candidates is at an earlier stage of development and may be affected by concerns expressed in the CRL. Each of our product candidates will be unsuccessful if it:
• | does not demonstrate acceptable safety and efficacy in preclinical studies and clinical trials or otherwise does not meet applicable regulatory standards for approval; | ||
• | does not offer therapeutic or other improvements over existing or future drugs used to treat the same or similar conditions; | ||
• | is not capable of being produced in commercial quantities at an acceptable cost, or at all; or | ||
• | is not accepted by patients, the medical community or third party payors. |
Our ability to generate product revenue in the future is dependent on the successful development and commercialization of our product candidates. We have not proven our ability to develop and commercialize products. Problems frequently encountered in connection with the development and utilization of new and unproven technologies and the competitive environment in which we operate might limit our ability to develop commercially successful products. We do not expect any of our current product candidates to be commercially available before 2012, if at all. If we are unable to make our product candidates commercially available, we will not generate product revenues, and we will not be successful.
We will need substantial additional capital in the future. If additional capital is not available, we will have to delay, reduce or cease operations.
We will need to raise additional capital to fund our operations, to develop our product candidates and to develop our manufacturing capabilities. Our future capital requirements will be substantial and will depend on many factors including:
• | our response to the CRL, including the NDA we expect to resubmit in July 2011, and interactions with the FDA regarding the issues raised in the CRL; | ||
• | the scope, rate of progress, results and costs of our preclinical studies, clinical trials and other research and development activities, and our manufacturing development and commercial manufacturing activities; | ||
• | the cost, timing and outcomes of regulatory proceedings; | ||
• | the cost and timing of developing manufacturing capacity; |
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• | the cost and timing of developing sales and marketing capabilities prior to receipt of any regulatory approval of our product candidates; | ||
• | revenues received from any existing or future products; | ||
• | payments received under our collaboration with Cypress and any future strategic partnerships; | ||
• | the filing, prosecution and enforcement of patent claims; and | ||
• | the costs associated with commercializing our product candidates, if they receive regulatory approval. |
We believe that with current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities along with the proceeds from our May 2011 stock and warrant issuance, interest earned thereon, the proceeds from option exercises and purchases of common stock pursuant to our 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or ESPP, we will be able to maintain our current operations, at our current cost levels, into the first quarter of 2012. Further, due to the FDA not approving AZ-004 for commercial marketing in October 2010, we are slowing the clinical development of AZ-007. Changing circumstances may cause us to consume capital significantly faster or slower than we currently anticipate, or to alter our operations. We have based these estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could exhaust our available financial resources sooner than we currently expect. The key assumptions underlying these estimates include:
• | expenditures related to continued preclinical and clinical development of our product candidates during this period within budgeted levels; | ||
• | no unexpected costs related to the development of our manufacturing capability; | ||
• | no unexpected costs related to the resubmission of our AZ-004 NDA: and | ||
• | no growth in the number of our employees during this period. |
We may never be able to generate a sufficient amount of product revenue to cover our expenses. Until we do, we expect to finance our future cash needs through public or private equity offerings, debt financings, strategic partnerships or licensing arrangements, as well as interest income earned on cash and marketable securities balances and proceeds from stock option exercises and purchases under our ESPP. Any financing transaction may contain unfavorable terms. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our stockholders’ equity will be diluted and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants. If we raise additional funds through strategic partnerships, we may be required to relinquish rights to our product candidates or technologies, or to grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.
The process for obtaining approval of an NDA is time consuming, subject to unanticipated delays and costs, and requires the commitment of substantial resources. We received a CRL for our NDA in October 2010.
In October 2010, we received a complete response letter, or CRL, from the FDA regarding our NDA. A CRL is issued by the FDA indicating that the NDA review cycle is complete and the application is not ready for approval in its present form. The CRL conveyed the FDA’s comments regarding certain issues with our NDA, including data from the three Phase 1 pulmonary safety studies with AZ-004, suitability of stability studies and certain other CMC concerns, including matters related to the FDA’s inspection of our manufacturing facilities. In December 2010, we met with the FDA to address the concerns raised in the CRL and have received official FDA minutes from the meeting. We expect to resubmit our NDA in July 2011 to address the FDA’s concerns outlined in the CRL. In April 2011, we completed a meeting with the FDA to discuss preliminary draft labeling and initial REMS program proposals. The FDA indicated that a complete review of the proposed REMS in conjunction with the full clinical review of the resubmitted NDA will be necessary to determine whether the REMS will be acceptable. We may be unsuccessful in resolving these issues, our proposed REMS may not be acceptable to the FDA and we may never receive marketing approval for AZ-004 or any of our product candidates as a result of the issues raised in the CRL.
The FDA will conduct an in-depth review of our resubmission to determine whether to approve AZ-004 for commercial marketing for the indications we have proposed. If the FDA is not satisfied with the
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information we provide, the FDA may refuse to approve our NDA or may require us to perform additional studies or provide other information in order to secure approval. The FDA may delay, limit or refuse to approve our resubmitted NDA if we do not sufficiently address the issues raised in the CRL.
If the FDA determines that the clinical trials of AZ-004 that were submitted in support of our NDA were not conducted in full compliance with the applicable protocols for these studies, as well as with applicable regulations and standards, or if the FDA does not agree with our interpretation of the results of such studies, the FDA may reject the data that resulted from such studies. The rejection of data from clinical trials required to support our NDA for AZ-004 could negatively impact our ability to obtain marketing authorization for this product candidate and would have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
In addition, our resubmitted NDA may not be approved, or approval may be delayed, as a result of changes in FDA policies for drug approval during the review period. For example, although many products have been approved by the FDA in recent years under Section 505(b)(2) under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, objections have been raised to the FDA’s interpretation of Section 505(b)(2). If challenges to the FDA’s interpretation of Section 505(b)(2) are successful, the FDA may be required to change its interpretation, which could delay or prevent the approval of an NDA. Any significant delay in the review or approval of our resubmitted NDA would have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Unstable market conditions may have serious adverse consequences on our business.
The recent economic downturn and market instability has made the business climate more volatile and more costly. Our general business strategy may be adversely affected by unpredictable and unstable market conditions. If the current equity and credit markets deteriorate further, or do not improve, it may make any necessary debt or equity financing more difficult, more costly, and more dilutive. While we believe that with current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities along with the proceeds from our May 2011 stock and warrant issuance, interest earned thereon, the proceeds from option exercises and purchases of common stock pursuant to our ESPP, we will be able to maintain our current operations, at our current cost levels, into the first quarter of 2012, we may obtain additional financing on less than attractive rates or on terms that are excessively dilutive to existing stockholders. Failure to secure any necessary financing in a timely manner and on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and stock price and could require us to delay or abandon clinical development plans or alter our operations. There is a risk that one or more of our current component manufacturers and partners may encounter difficulties during challenging economic times, which would directly affect our ability to attain our operating goals on schedule and on budget.
Unless our preclinical studies demonstrate the safety of our product candidates, we will not be able to commercialize our product candidates.
To obtain regulatory approval to market and sell any of our product candidates, we must satisfy the FDA and other regulatory authorities abroad, through extensive preclinical studies, that our product candidates are safe. OurStaccatosystem creates condensation aerosol from drug compounds, and there currently are no approved products that use a similar method of drug delivery. Companies developing other inhalation products have not defined or successfully completed the types of preclinical studies we believe will be required for submission to regulatory authorities as we seek approval to conduct our clinical trials. We may not have conducted or may not conduct in the future the types of preclinical testing ultimately required by regulatory authorities, or future preclinical tests may indicate that our product candidates are not safe for use in humans. Preclinical testing is expensive, can take many years and have an uncertain outcome. In addition, success in initial preclinical testing does not ensure that later preclinical testing will be successful.
We may experience numerous unforeseen events during, or as a result of, the preclinical testing process, which could delay or prevent our ability to develop or commercialize our product candidates, including:
• | our preclinical testing may produce inconclusive or negative safety results, which may require us to conduct additional preclinical testing or to abandon product candidates that we believed to be promising; | ||
• | our product candidates may have unfavorable pharmacology, toxicology or carcinogenicity; and |
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• | our product candidates may cause undesirable side effects. |
Any such events would increase our costs and could delay or prevent our ability to commercialize our product candidates, which could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Failure or delay in commencing or completing clinical trials for our product candidates could harm our business.
We have not completed all the clinical trials necessary to support an application with the FDA for approval to market any of our product candidates other than what we believe to be adequate clinical trials to support the marketing approval for AZ-004 in the United States. Future clinical trials may be delayed or terminated as a result of many factors, including:
• | insufficient financial resources to fund such trials; | ||
• | delays or failure in reaching agreement on acceptable clinical trial contracts or clinical trial protocols with prospective sites; | ||
• | regulators or institutional review boards may not authorize us to commence a clinical trial; | ||
• | regulators or institutional review boards may suspend or terminate clinical research for various reasons, including noncompliance with regulatory requirements or concerns about patient safety; | ||
• | we may suspend or terminate our clinical trials if we believe that they expose the participating patients to unacceptable health risks; | ||
• | we may experience slower than expected patient enrollment or lack of a sufficient number of patients that meet the enrollment criteria for our clinical trials; | ||
• | patients may not complete clinical trials due to safety issues, side effects, dissatisfaction with the product candidate, or other reasons; | ||
• | we may have difficulty in maintaining contact with patients after treatment, preventing us from collecting the data required by our study protocol; | ||
• | product candidates may demonstrate a lack of efficacy during clinical trials; | ||
• | we may experience governmental or regulatory delays, failure to obtain regulatory approval or changes in regulatory requirements, policy and guidelines; and | ||
• | we may experience delays in our ability to manufacture clinical trial materials in a timely manner as a result of ongoing process and design enhancements to ourStaccatosystem. |
Any delay in commencing or completing clinical trials for our product candidates would delay commercialization of our product candidates and harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. It is possible that none of our product candidates will successfully complete clinical trials or receive regulatory approval, which would severely harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If our product candidates do not meet safety and efficacy endpoints in clinical trials, they will not receive regulatory approval, and we will be unable to market them.
We have not yet received regulatory approval from the FDA or any foreign regulatory authority to market any of our product candidates. The clinical development and regulatory approval process is extremely expensive and takes many years. The timing of any approval cannot be accurately predicted. If we fail to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, we will be unable to market and sell them and therefore we may never be profitable. In October 2010 the FDA issued a CRL regarding our NDA for AZ-004. In December 2010, we met with the FDA to address the concerns raised in the CRL and have
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received official FDA minutes from the meeting. We expect to resubmit our NDA in July 2011 to address the FDA’s concerns outlined in the CRL. In April 2011, we completed a meeting with the FDA to discuss preliminary draft labeling and initial REMS program proposals. The FDA indicated that a complete review of the proposed REMS in conjunction with the full clinical review of the resubmitted NDA will be necessary to determine whether the REMS will be acceptable. We may be unsuccessful in resolving these issues, our proposed REMS may not be acceptable to the FDA and we may never receive marketing approval for AZ-004 or any of our product candidates as a result of the issues raised in the CRL.
As part of the regulatory process, we must conduct clinical trials for each product candidate to demonstrate safety and efficacy to the satisfaction of the FDA and other regulatory authorities abroad. The number and design of clinical trials that will be required varies depending on the product candidate, the condition being evaluated, the trial results and regulations applicable to any particular product candidate. In June 2008, we announced that our Phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial of AZ-002 (Staccatoalprazolam) did not meet either of its two primary endpoints. In September 2009, we announced that our Phase 2b clinical trial of AZ-104 (Staccatoloxapine, low-dose) for the treatment of migraine did not meet its primary endpoint.
Prior clinical trial program designs and results are not necessarily predictive of future clinical trial designs or results. Initial results may not be confirmed upon full analysis of the detailed results of a trial. Product candidates in later stage clinical trials may fail to show the desired safety and efficacy despite having progressed through initial clinical trials with acceptable endpoints. In the CRL, the FDA raised concerns regarding the safety of AZ-004 based on data from three Phase 1 pulmonary safety studies. If we do not resolve these concerns to the satisfaction of the FDA, AZ-004 will not be approved for marketing.
If our product candidates fail to show a clinically significant benefit compared to placebo, they will not be approved for marketing.
The design of our clinical trials is based on many assumptions about the expected effect of our product candidates, and if those assumptions prove incorrect, the clinical trials may not produce statistically significant results. OurStaccatosystem is not similar to other approved drug delivery methods, and there is no precedent for the application of detailed regulatory requirements to our product candidates. We cannot assure you that the design of, or data collected from, the clinical trials of our product candidates will be sufficient to support the FDA and foreign regulatory approvals.
Regulatory authorities may not approve our product candidates even if they meet safety and efficacy endpoints in clinical trials.
The FDA and other foreign regulatory agencies can delay, limit or deny marketing approval for many reasons, including:
• | a product candidate may not be considered safe or effective; | ||
• | the manufacturing processes or facilities we have selected may not meet the applicable requirements; and | ||
• | changes in their approval policies or adoption of new regulations may require additional work on our part. |
Part of the FDA approval process includes FDA inspections on manufacturing facilities to ensure adherence to applicable regulations. The FDA may delay, limit or deny marketing approval of our other product candidates as a result of such inspections. In August 2010 the FDA inspected our manufacturing facilities at our Mountain View headquarters. The CRL we received in October 2010 regarding our NDA for AZ-004 raised issues regarding our manufacturing processes that must be resolved before we will be allowed to market AZ-004.
Any delay in, or failure to receive or maintain, approval for any of our product candidates could prevent us from ever generating meaningful revenues or achieving profitability. The CRL we received in October 2010 conveyed the FDA’s comments regarding certain issues with our NDA, including Phase 1 pulmonary safety studies with AZ-004, stability studies and matters related to the inspection of our manufacturing
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faculties. We may never receive marketing approval for AZ-004 or any of our product candidates as a result of the issues raised in the CRL.
Our product candidates may not be approved even if they achieve their endpoints in clinical trials. Regulatory agencies, including the FDA, or their advisors may disagree with our trial design and our interpretations of data from preclinical studies and clinical trials. Regulatory agencies may change requirements for approval even after a clinical trial design has been approved. For example, AZ-004 and Alexza’s other product candidates combine drug and device components in a manner that the FDA considers to render them combination products under FDA regulations. The FDA exercises significant discretion over the regulation of combination products, including the discretion to require separate marketing applications for the drug and device components in a combination product. To date, Alexza’s products are being regulated as drug products under the new drug application process administered by the FDA. The FDA could in the future require additional regulation of Alexza’s products under the medical device provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Regulatory agencies also may approve a product candidate for fewer or more limited indications than requested or may grant approval subject to the performance of post-marketing studies. In addition, regulatory agencies may not approve the labeling claims that are necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of our product candidates.
Our product candidates will remain subject to ongoing regulatory review even if they receive marketing approval. If we fail to comply with continuing regulations, we could lose these approvals, and the sale of any future products could be suspended.
Even if we receive regulatory approval to market a particular product candidate, the FDA or a foreign regulatory authority could condition approval on conducting additional costly post-approval studies or trials or could limit the scope of our approved labeling or could impose burdensome post-approval obligations, such as those required under a REMS. If required, a REMS may include various elements, such as distribution of a medication guide or a patient package insert, implementation of a communication plan to educate healthcare providers of the drug’s risks, and imposition of limitations on who may prescribe or dispense the drug or other measures that the FDA deems necessary to assure the safe use of the drug. Moreover, the product may later cause adverse effects that limit or prevent its widespread use, force us to withdraw it from the market, cause the FDA to impose additional REMS obligations or impede or delay our ability to obtain regulatory approvals in additional countries. In addition, we will continue to be subject to FDA review and periodic inspections to ensure adherence to applicable regulations. After receiving marketing approval, the FDA imposes extensive regulatory requirements on the manufacturing, labeling, packaging, adverse event reporting, storage, advertising, promotion and record keeping related to the product.
If we fail to comply with the regulatory requirements of the FDA and other applicable U.S. and foreign regulatory authorities or previously unknown problems with any future products, suppliers or manufacturing processes are discovered, we could be subject to administrative or judicially imposed sanctions, including:
• | restrictions on the products, suppliers or manufacturing processes; | ||
• | warning letters or untitled letters; | ||
• | civil or criminal penalties or fines; | ||
• | injunctions; | ||
• | product seizures, detentions or import bans; | ||
• | voluntary or mandatory product recalls and publicity requirements; | ||
• | suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals; | ||
• | total or partial suspension of production; and |
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• | refusal to approve pending applications for marketing approval of new drugs or supplements to approved applications. |
If we do not produce our devices cost effectively, we will never be profitable.
OurStaccatosystem based product candidates contain electronic and other components in addition to the active pharmaceutical ingredients. As a result of the cost of developing and producing these components, the cost to produce our product candidates, and any approved products, will likely be higher per dose than the cost to produce intravenous or oral tablet products. This increased cost of goods may prevent us from ever selling any products at a profit. In addition, we are developing single dose and multiple dose versions of ourStaccatosystem. Developing multiple versions of ourStaccatosystem may reduce or eliminate our ability to achieve manufacturing economies of scale. Developing multiple versions of ourStaccatosystem reduces our ability to focus development resources on each version, potentially reducing our ability to effectively develop any particular version. We expect to continue to modify each of our product candidates throughout their clinical development to improve their performance, dependability, manufacturability and quality. Some of these modifications may require additional regulatory review and approval, which may delay or prevent us from conducting clinical trials. The development and production of our technology entail a number of technical challenges, including achieving adequate dependability, that may be expensive or time consuming to solve. Any delay in or failure to develop and manufacture any future products in a cost effective way could prevent us from generating any meaningful revenues and prevent us from becoming profitable.
We rely on third parties to conduct our preclinical studies and our clinical trials. If these third parties do not perform as contractually required or expected, we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, or we may be delayed in doing so.
We do not have the ability to conduct preclinical studies or clinical trials independently for our product candidates. We must rely on third parties, such as contract research organizations, medical institutions, academic institutions, clinical investigators and contract laboratories, to conduct our preclinical studies and clinical trials. We are responsible for confirming that our preclinical studies are conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and that each of our clinical trials is conducted in accordance with its general investigational plan and protocol. The FDA requires us to comply with regulations and standards, commonly referred to as good laboratory practices for conducting and recording the results of our preclinical studies and good clinical practices for conducting, monitoring, recording and reporting the results of clinical trials, to assure that data and reported results are accurate and that the clinical trial participants are adequately protected. Our reliance on third parties does not relieve us of these responsibilities. If the third parties conducting our clinical trials do not perform their contractual duties or obligations, do not meet expected deadlines, fail to comply with the FDA’s good clinical practice regulations, do not adhere to our clinical trial protocols or otherwise fail to generate reliable clinical data, we may need to enter into new arrangements with alternative third parties and our clinical trials may be extended, delayed or terminated or may need to be repeated, and we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize the product candidate being tested in such trials.
Problems with the third parties that manufacture the active pharmaceutical ingredients in our product candidates may delay our clinical trials or subject us to liability.
We do not currently own or operate manufacturing facilities for clinical or commercial production of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, or API, used in any of our product candidates. We have no experience in drug manufacturing, and we lack the resources and the capability to manufacture any of the APIs used in our product candidates, on either a clinical or commercial scale. As a result, we rely on third parties to supply the API used in each of our product candidates. We expect to continue to depend on third parties to supply the API for our product candidates and any additional product candidates we develop in the foreseeable future.
An API manufacturer must meet high precision and quality standards for that API to meet regulatory specifications and comply with regulatory requirements. A contract manufacturer is subject to ongoing periodic unannounced inspection by the FDA and corresponding state and foreign authorities to ensure strict compliance with current good manufacturing practice, or cGMP, and other applicable government regulations and corresponding foreign standards. Additionally, a contract manufacturer must pass a pre-approval inspection by the FDA to ensure strict compliance with cGMP prior to the FDA’s approval of any
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product candidate for marketing. A contract manufacturer’s failure to conform with cGMP could result in the FDA’s refusal to approve or a delay in the FDA’s approval of a product candidate for marketing. We are ultimately responsible for confirming that the APIs used in our product candidates are manufactured in accordance with applicable regulations.
Our third party suppliers may not carry out their contractual obligations or meet our deadlines. In addition, the API they supply to us may not meet our specifications and quality policies and procedures. If we need to find alternative suppliers of the API used in any of our product candidates, we may not be able to contract for such supplies on acceptable terms, if at all. Any such failure to supply or delay caused by such contract manufacturers would have an adverse effect on our ability to continue clinical development of our product candidates or commercialize any future products.
If our third party drug suppliers fail to achieve and maintain high manufacturing standards in compliance with cGMP regulations, we could be subject to certain product liability claims in the event such failure to comply resulted in defective products that caused injury or harm.
If we experience problems with the manufacturers of components of our product candidates, our development programs may be delayed or we may be subject to liability.
We outsource the manufacturing of the components of ourStaccatosystem, including the printed circuit boards, the plastic airways, and the chemical heat packages to be used in our commercial single dose device. We have no experience in the manufacturing of components, other than our chemical heat packages, and we currently lack the resources and the capability to manufacture them, on either a clinical or commercial scale. As a result, we rely on third parties to supply these components. We expect to continue to depend on third parties to supply these components for our current product candidates and any devices based on the Staccato system we develop in the foreseeable future.
The third-party suppliers of the components of ourStaccatosystem must meet high precision and quality standards for our finished devices to comply with regulatory requirements. A contract manufacturer is subject to ongoing periodic unannounced inspection by the FDA and corresponding state and foreign authorities to ensure that our finished devices remain in strict compliance with the QSR, which sets forth the FDA’s current good manufacturing practice requirements for medical devices, and other applicable government regulations and corresponding foreign standards. We are ultimately responsible for confirming that the components used in theStaccatosystem are manufactured in accordance with specifications, standards and procedures necessary to ensure that our finished devices comply with the QSR or other applicable regulations.
Our third party suppliers may not comply with their contractual obligations or meet our deadlines, or the components they supply to us may not meet our specifications and quality policies and procedures. If we need to find alternative suppliers of the components used in theStaccato system, we may not be able to contract for such components on acceptable terms, if at all. Any such failure to supply or delay caused by such contract manufacturers would have an adverse affect on our ability to continue clinical development of our product candidates or commercialize any future products.
In addition, the heat packages used in the single dose version of ourStaccatosystem are manufactured using certain energetic, or highly combustible, materials that are used to generate the rapid heating necessary for vaporizing the drug compound while avoiding degradation. Manufacture of products containing energetic materials is regulated by the U.S. government. We have entered into a manufacture agreement with Autoliv for the manufacture of the heat packages in the commercial design of our single dose version of ourStaccatosystem. If Autoliv fails to manufacture the heat packages to the necessary specifications, or does not carry out its contractual obligations to supply our heat packages to us, or if the FDA requires different manufacturing or quality standards than those set forth in our manufacture agreement, our clinical trials or commercialization efforts may be delayed, suspended or terminated while we seek additional suitable manufacturers of our heat packages, which may prevent us from commercializing our product candidates that utilize the single dose version of theStaccatosystem.
If we do not establish additional strategic partnerships, we will have to undertake development and commercialization efforts on our own, which would be costly and delay our ability to commercialize any future products.
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A key element of our business strategy is our intent to selectively partner with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other companies to obtain assistance for the development and potential commercialization of our product candidates. In December 2006, we entered into such a development relationship with Symphony Allegro, Inc., or Allegro, and in December 2007 we entered into a strategic relationship with Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Endo, for the development of AZ-003, or the Endo license agreement. In January 2009, we mutually agreed with Endo to terminate the Endo license agreement. In June 2009, we amended the terms of our option agreement with Allegro, resulting in our acquisition of Allegro and the termination of the agreement in August 2009. In February 2010, we entered into a collaboration with Biovail for the commercialization of AZ-004 in the United States and Canada. In October 2010, Biovail gave us notice that it was terminating the collaboration and the collaboration terminated in January 2011. In August 2010, we entered into a license and development agreement with Cypress forStaccatonicotine. We intend to enter into additional strategic partnerships with third parties to develop and commercialize our product candidates. Other than Cypress, we do not currently have any strategic partnerships for any of our product candidates. We face significant competition in seeking appropriate strategic partners, and these strategic partnerships can be intricate and time consuming to negotiate and document. We may not be able to negotiate additional strategic partnerships on acceptable terms, or at all. We are unable to predict when, if ever, we will enter into any additional strategic partnerships because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with establishing strategic partnerships. If we are unable to negotiate additional strategic partnerships for our product candidates we may be forced to curtail the development of a particular candidate, reduce or delay its development program or one or more of our other development programs, delay its potential commercialization, reduce the scope of our sales or marketing activities or undertake development or commercialization activities at our own expense. In addition, we will bear all the risk related to the development of that product candidate. If we elect to increase our expenditures to fund development or commercialization activities on our own, we may need to obtain additional capital, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we do not have sufficient funds, we will not be able to bring our product candidates to market and generate product revenue.
If we enter into additional strategic partnerships, we may be required to relinquish important rights to and control over the development of our product candidates or otherwise be subject to terms unfavorable to us.
Our relationship with Cypress is, and any other strategic partnerships or collaborations with pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies we may establish will be, subject to a number of risks including:
• | business combinations or significant changes in a strategic partner’s business strategy may adversely affect a strategic partner’s willingness or ability to complete its obligations under any arrangement; |
• | we may not be able to control the amount and timing of resources that our strategic partners devote to the development or commercialization of product candidates; | ||
• | strategic partners may delay clinical trials, provide insufficient funding, terminate a clinical trial or abandon a product candidate, repeat or conduct new clinical trials or require a new version of a product candidate for clinical testing; | ||
• | strategic partners may not pursue further development and commercialization of products resulting from the strategic partnering arrangement or may elect to discontinue research and development programs; | ||
• | strategic partners may not commit adequate resources to the marketing and distribution of any future products, limiting our potential revenues from these products; | ||
• | disputes may arise between us and our strategic partners that result in the delay or termination of the research, development or commercialization of our product candidates or that result in costly litigation or arbitration that diverts management’s attention and consumes resources; | ||
• | strategic partners may experience financial difficulties; |
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• | strategic partners may not properly maintain or defend our intellectual property rights or may use our proprietary information in a manner that could jeopardize or invalidate our proprietary information or expose us to potential litigation; | ||
• | strategic partners could independently move forward with a competing product candidate developed either independently or in collaboration with others, including our competitors; and | ||
• | strategic partners could terminate the arrangement or allow it to expire, which would delay the development and may increase the cost of developing our product candidates. |
If we fail to gain market acceptance among physicians, patients, third-party payors and the medical community, we will not become profitable.
TheStaccatosystem is a fundamentally new method of drug delivery. Any future product based on ourStaccatosystem may not gain market acceptance among physicians, patients, third-party payors and the medical community. If these products do not achieve an adequate level of acceptance, we will not generate sufficient product revenues to become profitable. The degree of market acceptance of any of our product candidates, if approved for commercial sale, will depend on a number of factors, including:
• | demonstration of efficacy and safety in clinical trials; | ||
• | the existence, prevalence and severity of any side effects; | ||
• | potential or perceived advantages or disadvantages compared to alternative treatments; | ||
• | perceptions about the relationship or similarity between our product candidates and the parent drug compound upon which each product candidate is based; | ||
• | the timing of market entry relative to competitive treatments; | ||
• | the ability to offer any future products for sale at competitive prices; | ||
• | relative convenience, product dependability and ease of administration; | ||
• | the strength of marketing and distribution support; | ||
• | the sufficiency of coverage and reimbursement of our product candidates by governmental and other third-party payors; and | ||
• | the product labeling, including the package insert, and the marketing restrictions required by the FDA or regulatory authorities in other countries. |
Our product candidates that we may develop may require expensive carcinogenicity tests.
We combine small molecule drugs with ourStaccatosystem to create proprietary product candidates. Some of these drugs may not have previously undergone carcinogenicity testing that is now generally required for marketing approval. We may be required to perform carcinogenicity testing with product candidates incorporating drugs that have not undergone carcinogenicity testing or may be required to do additional carcinogenicity testing for drugs that have undergone such testing. Any carcinogenicity testing we are required to complete will increase the costs to develop a particular product candidate and may delay or halt the development of such product candidate.
If some or all of our patents expire, are invalidated or are unenforceable, or if some or all of our patent applications do not yield issued patents or yield patents with narrow claims, competitors may develop competing products using our or similar intellectual property and our business will suffer.
Our success will depend in part on our ability to obtain and maintain patent and trade secret protection for our technologies and product candidates both in the United States and other countries. We do not know whether any patents will issue from any of our pending or future patent applications. In addition, a third party may successfully circumvent our patents. Our rights under any issued patents may not provide us with
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sufficient protection against competitive products or otherwise cover commercially valuable products or processes.
The degree of protection for our proprietary technologies and product candidates is uncertain because legal means afford only limited protection and may not adequately protect our rights or permit us to gain or keep our competitive advantage. For example:
• | we might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by each of our pending patent applications and issued patents; | ||
• | we might not have been the first to file patent applications for these inventions; | ||
• | others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies; | ||
• | the claims of our issued patents may be narrower than as filed and not sufficiently broad to prevent third parties from circumventing them; | ||
• | it is possible that none of our pending patent applications will result in issued patents; | ||
• | we may not develop additional proprietary technologies or drug candidates that are patentable; | ||
• | our patent applications or patents may be subject to interference, opposition or similar administrative proceedings; | ||
• | any patents issued to us or our potential strategic partners may not provide a basis for commercially viable products or may be challenged by third parties in the course of litigation or administrative proceedings such as reexaminations or interferences; and | ||
• | the patents of others may have an adverse effect on our ability to do business. |
Even if valid and enforceable patents cover our product candidates and technologies, the patents will provide protection only for a limited amount of time.
Our potential strategic partners’ ability to obtain patents is uncertain because, to date, some legal principles remain unresolved, there has not been a consistent policy regarding the breadth or interpretation of claims allowed in patents in the United States, and the specific content of patents and patent applications that are necessary to support and interpret patent claims is highly uncertain due to the complex nature of the relevant legal, scientific and factual issues. Furthermore, the policies governing pharmaceutical and medical device patents outside the United States may be even more uncertain. Changes in either patent laws or interpretations of patent laws in the United States and other countries may diminish the value of our intellectual property or narrow the scope of our patent protection.
Our current patents or any future patents that may be issued regarding our product candidates or methods of using them, can be challenged by our competitors who can argue that our patents are invalid and/or unenforceable. Third parties may challenge our rights to, or the scope or validity of, our patents. Patents also may not protect our product candidates if competitors devise ways of making these or similar product candidates without legally infringing our patents. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the FDA regulations and policies provide incentives to manufacturers to challenge patent validity or create modified, non-infringing versions of a drug or device in order to facilitate the approval of generic substitutes. These same types of incentives encourage manufacturers to submit new drug applications that rely on literature and clinical data not prepared for or by the drug sponsor.
We also rely on trade secrets to protect our technology, especially where we do not believe that patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. The employees, consultants, contractors, outside scientific collaborators and other advisors of our company and our strategic partners may unintentionally or willfully disclose our confidential information to competitors. Enforcing a claim that a third party illegally obtained and is using our trade secrets is expensive and time consuming and the outcome is unpredictable. Failure to protect or maintain trade secret protection could adversely affect our competitive business position.
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Our research and development collaborators may have rights to publish data and other information in which we have rights. In addition, we sometimes engage individuals or entities to conduct research that may be relevant to our business. The ability of these individuals or entities to publish or otherwise publicly disclose data and other information generated during the course of their research is subject to certain contractual limitations. These contractual provisions may be insufficient or inadequate to protect our trade secrets and may impair our patent rights. If we do not apply for patent protection prior to such publication or if we cannot otherwise maintain the confidentiality of our technology and other confidential information, then our ability to receive patent protection or protect our proprietary information may be jeopardized.
Litigation or other proceedings or third party claims of intellectual property infringement could require us to spend time and money and could shut down some of our operations.
Our commercial success depends in part on not infringing patents and proprietary rights of third parties. Others have filed, and in the future are likely to file, patent applications covering products that are similar to our product candidates, as well as methods of making or using similar or identical products. If these patent applications result in issued patents and we wish to use the claimed technology, we would need to obtain a license from the third party. We may not be able to obtain these licenses at a reasonable cost, if at all.
In addition, administrative proceedings, such as interferences and reexaminations before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, could limit the scope of our patent rights. We may incur substantial costs and diversion of management and technical personnel as a result of our involvement in such proceedings. In particular, our patents and patent applications may be subject to interferences in which the priority of invention may be awarded to a third party. We do not know whether our patents and patent applications would be entitled to priority over patents or patent applications held by such a third party. Our issued patents may also be subject to reexamination proceedings. We do not know whether our patents would survive reexamination in light of new questions of patentability that may be raised following their issuance.
Third parties may assert that we are employing their proprietary technology or their proprietary products without authorization. In addition, third parties may already have or may obtain patents in the future and claim that use of our technologies or our products infringes these patents. We could incur substantial costs and diversion of management and technical personnel in defending our self against any of these claims. Furthermore, parties making claims against us may be able to obtain injunctive or other equitable relief, which could effectively block our ability to further develop, commercialize and sell any future products and could result in the award of substantial damages against us. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us, we may be required to pay damages and obtain one or more licenses from third parties. We may not be able to obtain these licenses at a reasonable cost, if at all. In that event, we could encounter delays in product introductions while we attempt to develop alternative methods or products. In the event we cannot develop alternative methods or products, we may be effectively blocked from developing, commercializing or selling any future products. Defense of any lawsuit or failure to obtain any of these licenses would be expensive and could prevent us from commercializing any future products.
We review from time to time publicly available information concerning the technological development efforts of other companies in our industry. If we determine that these efforts violate our intellectual property or other rights, we intend to take appropriate action, which could include litigation. Any action we take could result in substantial costs and diversion of management and technical personnel in enforcing our patents or other intellectual property rights against others. Furthermore, the outcome of any action we take to protect our rights may not be resolved in our favor.
Competition in the pharmaceutical industry is intense. If our competitors are able to develop and market products that are more effective, safer or less costly than any future products that we may develop, our commercial opportunity will be reduced or eliminated.
We face competition from established as well as emerging pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions, government agencies and private and public research institutions. Our commercial opportunity will be reduced or eliminated if our competitors develop and commercialize products that are safer, more effective, have fewer side effects or are less expensive than any future products that we may develop and commercialize. In addition, significant delays in the development of our
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product candidates could allow our competitors to bring products to market before us and impair our ability to commercialize our product candidates.
We anticipate that, if approved, AZ-004 would compete with the available forms of loxapine and other available antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of agitation, such as intramuscular formulations, oral tablets and oral solutions.
We anticipate that, if approved, AZ-007 would compete with non-benzodiazepine GABA-A receptor agonists. We are also aware of more than 10 approved generic versions of zolpidem oral tablets, as well as at least one insomnia product that is under review by the FDA. Also, we are aware that a company has received a complete response letter from the FDA with respect to a version of zolpidem intended to treat middle of the night awakening. Additionally, we are aware of four products in Phase 3 development for the treatment of insomnia.
We anticipate that, if approved, AZ-104 would compete with currently marketed triptan drugs and with other migraine headache treatments. In addition, we are aware of at least 15 product candidates in development for the treatment of migraines, one of which is an inhaled formulation.
We anticipate that, if approved, AZ-003 would compete with some of the available forms of fentanyl, including injectable fentanyl, oral transmucosal fentanyl formulations and ionophoretic transdermal delivery of fentanyl. We are also aware of three fentanyl products under review by regulatory agencies either in the United States or abroad, and at least 14 products in Phase 3 clinical trial development for acute pain, four of which are fentanyl products. There are two inhaled forms of fentanyl products that are in at least Phase 2 development. In addition, if approved, AZ-003 would compete with various generic opioid drugs, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine, or combination products including one or more of such drugs.
We anticipate that, if approved, AZ-002 would compete with the oral tablet form of alprazolam and possibly IV and oral forms of other benzodiazepines.
Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial resources and expertise in research and development, manufacturing, preclinical testing, conducting clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals and marketing approved products than we do. Established pharmaceutical companies may invest heavily to discover quickly and develop novel compounds or drug delivery technology that could make our product candidates obsolete. Smaller or early stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through strategic partnerships with large and established companies. In addition, these third parties compete with us in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel, establishing clinical trial sites and patient registration for clinical trials, as well as in acquiring technologies and technology licenses complementary to our programs or advantageous to our business. Accordingly, our competitors may succeed in obtaining patent protection, receiving FDA approval or discovering, developing and commercializing products before we do. If we are not able to compete effectively against our current and future competitors, our business will not grow and our financial condition will suffer.
If we are unable to establish sales and marketing capabilities or enter into additional agreements with third parties to market and sell our product candidates, we may be unable to generate significant product revenue.
We do not have an internal sales organization and we have no experience in the sales and distribution of pharmaceutical products. There are risks involved with establishing our own sales capabilities and increasing our marketing capabilities, as well as entering into arrangements with third parties to perform these services. Developing an internal sales force is expensive and time consuming and could delay any product launch. On the other hand, if we enter into arrangements with third parties to perform sales, marketing and distribution services, our product revenues or the profitability of these product revenues are likely to be lower than if we market and sell any products that we develop ourselves.
We may establish our own specialty sales force and/or engage additional pharmaceutical or other healthcare companies with an existing sales and marketing organization and distribution systems to sell, market and distribute any future products. We are currently seeking partners for the worldwide development and commercialization of AZ-004. We also intend to seek international distribution partners for our product candidates. We may not be able to establish a specialty sales force or establish sales and
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distribution relationships on acceptable terms. Factors that may inhibit our efforts to commercialize any future products without strategic partners or licensees include:
• | our inability to recruit and retain adequate numbers of effective sales and marketing personnel; | ||
• | the inability of sales personnel to obtain access to or persuade adequate numbers of physicians to prescribe any future products; | ||
• | the lack of complementary products to be offered by sales personnel, which may put us at a competitive disadvantage relative to companies with more extensive product lines; and | ||
• | unforeseen costs and expenses associated with creating an independent sales and marketing organization. |
Because the establishment of sales and marketing capabilities depends on the progress towards commercialization of our product candidates and because of the numerous risks and uncertainties involved with establishing our own sales and marketing capabilities, we are unable to predict when, if ever, we will establish our own sales and marketing capabilities. If we are not able to partner with additional third parties and are unsuccessful in recruiting sales and marketing personnel or in building a sales and marketing infrastructure, we will have difficulty commercializing our product candidates, which would adversely affect our business and financial condition.
If we lose our key personnel or are unable to attract and retain additional personnel, we may be unable to develop or commercialize our product candidates.
We are highly dependent on our President and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas B. King, the loss of whose services might adversely impact the achievement of our objectives. In addition, recruiting and retaining qualified clinical, scientific and engineering personnel to manage clinical trials of our product candidates and to perform future research and development work will be critical to our success. There is currently a shortage of skilled executives in our industry, which is likely to continue. As a result, competition for skilled personnel is intense and the turnover rate can be high. Although we believe we will be successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel, competition for experienced management and clinical, scientific and engineering personnel from numerous companies and academic and other research institutions may limit our ability to do so on acceptable terms. In addition, we do not have employment agreements with any of our employees, and they could leave our employment at will. We have change of control agreements with our executive officers and vice presidents that provide for certain benefits upon termination or a change in role or responsibility in connection with a change of control of our company. We do not maintain life insurance policies on any employees. Failure to attract and retain personnel would prevent us from developing and commercializing our product candidates.
If plaintiffs bring product liability lawsuits against us, we may incur substantial liabilities and may be required to limit commercialization of the product candidates that we may develop.
We face an inherent risk of product liability as a result of the clinical testing of our product candidates in clinical trials and will face an even greater risk if we commercialize any products. We may be held liable if any product we develop causes injury or is found otherwise unsuitable during product testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in decreased demand for any product candidates or products that we may develop, injury to our reputation, withdrawal of clinical trials, costs to defend litigation, substantial monetary awards to clinical trial participants or patients, loss of revenue and the inability to commercialize any products that we develop. We have product liability insurance that covers our clinical trials up to a $10 million aggregate annual limit. We intend to expand product liability insurance coverage to include the sale of commercial products if we obtain marketing approval for AZ-004 or any other products that we may develop. However, this insurance may be prohibitively expensive, or may not fully cover our potential liabilities. Inability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage at an acceptable cost or otherwise to protect against potential product liability claims could prevent or delay the commercialization of our product candidates. If we are sued for any injury caused by any future products, our liability could exceed our total assets.
Healthcare law and policy changes, based on recently enacted legislation, may have an adverse effect on us.
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Healthcare costs have risen significantly over the past decade. In March 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, or, collectively, the Healthcare Reform Act. This law substantially changes the way health care is financed by both governmental and private insurers, and significantly impacts the pharmaceutical industry. The Healthcare Reform Act contains a number of provisions that are expected to impact our business and operations, including provisions governing enrollment in federal healthcare programs, reimbursement and discount programs and fraud and abuse prevention and control, which will impact existing government healthcare programs and will result in the development of new programs, including Medicare payment for performance initiatives and improvements to the physician quality reporting system and feedback program. We anticipate that if we obtain approval for our product candidates, some of our revenue and the revenue from our collaborators may be derived from U.S. government healthcare programs, including Medicare. Additionally, in 2009, the Department of Defense implemented a program pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 that requires rebates, based on Federal statutory pricing, from manufacturers of innovator drugs and biologics. Furthermore, beginning in 2011, the Healthcare Reform Act imposes a non-deductible fee treated as an excise tax on pharmaceutical manufacturers or importers who sell “branded prescription drugs,” which includes innovator drugs and biologics (excluding certain orphan drugs, generics and over-the-counter drugs) to U.S. government programs. We expect that the Healthcare Reform Act and other healthcare reform measures that may be adopted in the future could have an adverse effect on our industry generally and our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates or could limit or eliminate our spending on development projects.
In addition to this legislation, there will continue to be proposals by legislators at both the federal and state levels, regulators and third-party payors to keep these costs down while expanding individual healthcare benefits. Certain of these changes could impose limitations on the prices we will be able to charge for any product candidates that are approved or the amounts of reimbursement available for these products from governmental agencies or third-party payors, or may increase the tax obligations on life sciences companies such as ours. While it is too early to predict specifically what effect the Health Reform Act and its implementation or any future legislation or policies will have on our business, we believe that healthcare reform may have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Our product candidates AZ-002, AZ-003 and AZ-007 contain drug substances that are regulated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Failure to comply with applicable regulations and requirements could harm our business.
The Controlled Substances Act imposes various registration, recordkeeping and reporting requirements, procurement and manufacturing quotas, labeling and packaging requirements, security controls and a restriction on prescription refills on certain pharmaceutical products. A principal factor in determining the particular requirements, if any, applicable to a product is its actual or potential abuse profile. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, regulates chemical compounds as Schedule I, II, III, IV or V substances, with Schedule I substances considered to present the highest risk of substance abuse and Schedule V substances the lowest risk. Alprazolam, the API in AZ-002, is regulated as a Schedule IV substance, fentanyl, the API in AZ-003, is regulated as a Schedule II substance, and zaleplon, the API in AZ-007, is regulated as a Schedule IV substance. Each of these product candidates is subject to DEA regulations relating to manufacture, storage, distribution and physician prescription procedures, and the DEA may regulate the amount of the scheduled substance that would be available for clinical trials and commercial distribution. As a Schedule II substance, fentanyl is subject to more stringent controls, including quotas on the amount of product that can be manufactured as well as a prohibition on the refilling of prescriptions without a new prescription from the physician. The DEA periodically inspects facilities for compliance with its rules and regulations. Failure to comply with current and future regulations of the DEA could lead to a variety of sanctions, including revocation, or denial of renewal, of DEA registrations, injunctions, or civil or criminal penalties and could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The single dose version of our Staccato system contains materials that are regulated by the U.S. government, and failure to comply with applicable regulations could harm our business.
The single dose version of ourStaccatosystem uses energetic materials to generate the rapid heating necessary for vaporizing the drug, while avoiding degradation. Manufacture of products containing energetic materials is controlled by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF. Technically, the energetic materials used in ourStaccatosystem are classified as “low explosives,” and the ATF has granted us a license/permit for the manufacture of such low explosives. Additionally, due to inclusion of the energetic materials in ourStaccatosystem, the U.S. Department of Transportation, or
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DOT, regulates shipments of the single dose version of ourStaccatosystem. The DOT has granted the single dose version of ourStaccatosystem “Not Regulated as an Explosive” status. Failure to comply with the current and future regulations of the ATF or DOT could subject us to future liabilities and could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, these regulations could restrict our ability to expand our facilities or construct new facilities or could require us to incur other significant expenses in order to maintain compliance.
We use hazardous chemicals and highly combustible materials in our business. Any claims relating to improper handling, storage or disposal of these materials could be time consuming and costly.
Our research and development processes involve the controlled use of hazardous materials, including chemicals. We also use energetic materials in the manufacture of the chemical heat packages that are used in our single dose devices. Our operations produce hazardous waste products. We cannot eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or discharge or injury from these materials. Federal, state and local laws and regulations govern the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of these materials. We could be subject to civil damages in the event of an improper or unauthorized release of, or exposure of individuals to, hazardous materials. In addition, claimants may sue us for injury or contamination that results from our use or the use by third parties of these materials and our liability may exceed our total assets. Compliance with environmental and other laws and regulations may be expensive, and current or future regulations may impair our research, development or production efforts.
Certain of our suppliers are working with these types of hazardous and energetic materials in connection with our component manufacturing agreements. In the event of a lawsuit or investigation, we could be held responsible for any injury caused to persons or property by exposure to, or release of, these hazardous and energetic materials. Further, under certain circumstances, we have agreed to indemnify our suppliers against damages and other liabilities arising out of development activities or products produced in connection with these agreements.
We will need to implement additional finance and accounting systems, procedures and controls in the future as we grow and to satisfy new reporting requirements.
The laws and regulations affecting public companies, including the current provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Sarbanes-Oxley, and rules enacted and proposed by the SEC and by The NASDAQ Global Market, will result in increased costs to us as we continue to undertake efforts to comply with rules and respond to the requirements applicable to public companies. The rules make it more difficult and costly for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage as compared to the polices previously available to public companies. The impact of these events could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or our board committees or as executive officers.
As a public company, we need to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley and the related rules and regulations of the SEC, including expanded disclosure, accelerated reporting requirements and more complex accounting rules. Compliance with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley and other requirements will continue to increase our costs and require additional management resources. We have been upgrading our finance and accounting systems, procedures and controls and will need to continue to implement additional finance and accounting systems, procedures and controls as we grow to satisfy new reporting requirements. We currently do not have an internal audit group. In addition, we may need to hire additional legal and accounting staff with appropriate experience and technical knowledge, and we cannot assure you that if additional staffing is necessary that we will be able to do so in a timely fashion.
Our business is subject to increasingly complex corporate governance, public disclosure and accounting requirements that could adversely affect our business and financial results.
We are subject to changing rules and regulations of federal and state government as well as the stock exchange on which our common stock is listed. These entities, including the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the SEC and The NASDAQ Global Market, have issued a significant number of new and increasingly complex requirements and regulations over the course of the last several years and continue to develop additional regulations and requirements in response to laws enacted by Congress. On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, was enacted. The
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Dodd-Frank Act contains significant corporate governance and executive compensation-related provisions, some of which the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, has recently implemented by adopting additional rules and regulations in areas such as the compensation of executives (“say-on-pay”). We cannot assure you that we are or will be in compliance with all potentially applicable regulations. If we fail to comply with the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Act and associated SEC rules, or any other regulations, we could be subject to a range of consequences, including restrictions on our ability to sell equity securities or otherwise raise capital funds, the de-listing of our common stock from The NASDAQ Global Market, suspension or termination of our clinical trials, failure to obtain approval to market AZ-004, restrictions on future products or our manufacturing processes, significant fines, or other sanctions or litigation. Our efforts to comply with these requirements have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, an increase in expenses and a diversion of management’s time from other business activities.
Our facilities are located near known earthquake fault zones, and the occurrence of an earthquake or other catastrophic disaster could damage our facilities and equipment, which could cause us to curtail or cease operations.
Our facilities are located in the San Francisco Bay Area near known earthquake fault zones and, therefore, are vulnerable to damage from earthquakes. We are also vulnerable to damage from other types of disasters, such as power loss, fire, floods and similar events. If any disaster were to occur, our ability to operate our business could be seriously impaired. We currently may not have adequate insurance to cover our losses resulting from disasters or other similar significant business interruptions, and we do not plan to purchase additional insurance to cover such losses due to the cost of obtaining such coverage. Any significant losses that are not recoverable under our insurance policies could seriously impair our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Relating to Owning Our Common Stock
Our stock price has been and may continue to be extremely volatile.
Our common stock price has experienced large fluctuations. In addition, the trading prices of life science and biotechnology company stocks in general have experienced extreme price fluctuations in recent years. The valuations of many life science companies without consistent product revenues and earnings are extraordinarily high based on conventional valuation standards, such as price to revenue ratios. These trading prices and valuations may not be sustained. Any negative change in the public’s perception of the prospects of life science or biotechnology companies could depress our stock price regardless of our results of operations. Other broad market and industry factors may decrease the trading price of our common stock, regardless of our performance. Market fluctuations, as well as general political and economic conditions such as terrorism, military conflict, recession or interest rate or currency rate fluctuations, also may decrease the trading price of our common stock. In addition, our stock price could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, including:
• | actual or anticipated regulatory approvals or non-approvals of our product candidates or competing products; | ||
• | actual or anticipated cash depletion of our financial resources | ||
• | actual or anticipated results and timing of our clinical trials; | ||
• | changes in laws or regulations applicable to our product candidates; | ||
• | changes in the expected or actual timing of our development programs, including delays or cancellations of clinical trials for our product candidates; | ||
• | period to period fluctuations in our operating results; | ||
• | announcements of new technological innovations or new products by us or our competitors; | ||
• | changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts; | ||
• | sales results for AZ-004, if it is approved for marketing; | ||
• | conditions or trends in the life science and biotechnology industries; | ||
• | changes in the market valuations of other life science or biotechnology companies; |
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• | developments in domestic and international governmental policy or regulations; | ||
• | announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; | ||
• | additions or departures of key personnel; | ||
• | disputes or other developments relating to proprietary rights, including patents, litigation matters and our ability to obtain patent protection for our technologies; | ||
• | sales of our common stock (or other securities) by us; and | ||
• | sales and distributions of our common stock by our stockholders. |
In the past, stockholders have often instituted securities class action litigation after periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities. If a stockholder files a securities class action suit against us, we would incur substantial legal fees, and our management’s attention and resources would be diverted from operating our business in order to respond to the litigation.
If we sell shares of our common stock in future financings, existing common stockholders will experience immediate dilution and, as a result, our stock price may go down.
We will need to raise additional capital to fund our operations, to develop our product candidates and to develop our manufacturing capabilities. We may obtain such financing through the sale of our equity securities from time to time. As a result, our existing common stockholders will experience immediate dilution upon any such issuance. For example, in August 2009 we issued 10,000,000 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase an additional 5,000,000 shares of our common stock in connection with the closing of our acquisition of all of the equity of Symphony Allegro, Inc., in October 2009 we issued 8,107,012 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase an additional 7,296,312 shares of our common stock in a private placement, in May 2010 we issued a warrant to purchase 376,394 shares of our common stock in connection with a secured term debt financing, in August 2010 we issued 6,685,183 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase up to an additional 3,342,589 shares of our common stock in a registered direct offering and in May 2011 we issued 11,927,034 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase up to an additional 4,174,457 shares of our common stock in a registered direct offering. Additionally, in May 2010, we entered into a common stock purchase agreement with Azimuth that provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Azimuth is committed to purchase up to 8,936,550 shares of our common stock at times and in amounts determined by us. If we enter into other financing transactions in which we issue equity securities in the future, our existing common stockholders will experience immediate dilution upon any such issuance.
If we fail to continue to comply with the listing requirements of The NASDAQ Global Market, the price of our common stock and our ability to access the capital markets could be negatively impacted.
Our common stock is currently listed on The NASDAQ Global Market. To maintain the listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market we are required to meet certain listing requirements, including, among others, either: (i) a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share, a market value of publicly held shares (excluding shares held by our executive officers, directors and 10% or more stockholders) of at least $5 million and stockholders’ equity of at least $10 million; or (ii) a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share, a market value of publicly held shares (excluding shares held by our executive officers, directors and 10% or more stockholders) of at least $15 million and a total market value of listed securities of at least $50 million. As of May 6, 2011, the closing bid price of our common stock was $1.41 the total market value of our publicly held shares of our common stock (excluding shares held by our executive officers, directors and 10% or more stockholders) was $83.5 million and the total market value of our listed securities was $101.7 million. As of March 31, 2011, we had stockholders’ equity of $4.4 million. In addition, as recently as December 2010 the bid price of our common stock has been as low as $0.86 per share. If the closing bid price of our common stock is below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days, we could be subject to delisting from The NASDAQ Global Market. Not maintaining our listing on The NASDAQ Global Market may result in a decrease in the trading price of our common stock, lessen interest by institutions and individuals in investing in our common stock, make it more difficult to obtain analyst coverage and make it more difficult for us to raise capital in the future.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities
None.
Use of Proceeds from the Sale of Registered Securities
Not applicable.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
See the Exhibit Index following the signature page to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a list of exhibits filed or furnished with this report, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ||||
(Registrant) | ||||
May 9, 2011 | /s/ Thomas B. King | |||
Thomas B. King | ||||
President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||
May 9, 2011 | /s/ August J. Moretti | |||
August J. Moretti | ||||
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Secretary (principal financial officer) | ||||
May 9, 2011 | /s/ Mark K. Oki | |||
Mark K. Oki | ||||
Vice President, Finance and Controller (principal accounting officer) |
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Exhibit Index
3.5 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. (1) | |
3.6 | Amended and Restated Bylaws. (1) | |
3.7 | Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws. (2) | |
4.1 | Specimen Common Stock Certificate. (1) | |
4.2 | Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Right Agreement dated November 5, 2004, by and between Alexza and certain holders of Preferred Stock. (1) | |
10.1 | 2011 Cash Bonus Plan. (3)* | |
10.2† | Amendment No. 2 to Manufacturing and Supply Agreement between Registrant and Autoliv ASP, Inc. dated February 15, 2011. (3) | |
10.3 | Promissory Note issued by Registrant to Autoliv ASP, Inc. dated February 15, 2011. (3) | |
10.4 | Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Options to 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. (4)* | |
10.5 | Form of Option Agreement to 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. (4)* | |
10.6 | Form of Option Agreement to 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. (4)* | |
31.1 | Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a). | |
31.2 | Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a). | |
32.1 | Certifications required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350). |
* | Management contract or compensation plan or arrangement. | |
† | Confidential treatment has been granted with respect to certain portions of this exhibit. This exhibit omits the information subject to this confidentiality request. Omitted portions have been filed separately with the SEC. | |
(1) | Incorporated by reference to exhibits to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on December 22, 2005, as amended (File No. 333-130644). | |
(2) | Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 000-51820) as filed with the SEC on March 17, 2008. | |
(3) | Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 000-51820) as filed with the SEC on March 15, 2011. | |
(4) | Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-51820) as filed with the SEC on February 22, 2011. |
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