SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed | by a Party other than the Registrant ¨ |
Check | the appropriate box: |
| | |
¨ Preliminary Proxy Statement | | ¨ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
x | Definitive Proxy Statement |
¨ | Definitive Additional Materials |
¨ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 |
Allion Healthcare, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
| | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
| (1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
| (2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
| (3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
| (4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
| ¨ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
| ¨ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. |
| (1) | Amount previously paid: |
| (2) | Form, schedule or registration statement no.: |
October 25, 2005
Dear Stockholder:
On behalf of the board of directors and management of Allion Healthcare, Inc., I cordially invite you to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on November 29, 2005, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, at the Eisenhower Suite, Hilton Huntington, 598 Broad Hollow Road, Melville, New York 11747. At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to:
1. Elect six members to the board of directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified;
2. Ratify the selection of BDO Seidman, LLP (“BDO Seidman”) as Allion’s Independent Registered Public Accountants for the 2005 fiscal year;
3. Approve and adopt the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, attached hereto; and
4. Transact such other business as properly comes before the Annual Meeting.
These and the above matters are more fully described in the accompanying Notice of the Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.
It is important that your stock be represented at the meeting regardless of the number of shares you hold. We have enclosed with this letter a Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, a Proxy Statement, a proxy card and a return envelope. We have also enclosed Allion Healthcare, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. Please vote your proxy as directed on the proxy card so that your stock may be voted at this meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please sign and promptly return your proxy card in the enclosed postage paid envelope. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote in person if you wish, even though you have previously returned your proxy. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted.
The board of directors of Allion recommends that stockholders vote FOR election of the board’s nominees for director, FOR ratification of BDO Seidman as Allion’s Independent Registered Public Accountants, and FOR the approval of Allion’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
Sincerely,
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0001193125-05-207659/g63138g29d50.jpg)
Michael P. Moran
Chairman of the Board,
President, and
Chief Executive Officer
Your Vote is Important
Please execute and return the enclosed proxy promptly,
whether or not you plan to attend the Allion Healthcare, Inc. Annual Meeting.
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC.
1660 WALT WHITMAN ROAD, SUITE 105
MELVILLE, NEW YORK 11747
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
| | |
DATE: | | November 29, 2005 |
TIME: | | 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time |
PLACE: | | The Eisenhower Suite, Hilton Huntington, 598 Broad Hollow Road, Melville, New York 11747 |
YOUR VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.
| | |
DATE AND TIME: | | November 29, 2005, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time |
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PLACE | | The Eisenhower Suite, Hilton Huntington, 598 Broad Hollow Road, Melville, New York 11747 |
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ITEMS OF BUSINESS: | | (1) Elect six members to the board of directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified; |
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| | (2) Ratify the selection of BDO Seidman as Allion’s Independent Registered Public Accountants for the 2005 fiscal year; |
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| | (3) Approve and adopt the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, attached hereto; and |
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| | (4) Transact such other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. |
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VOTING BY PROXY: | | To ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting, please complete, sign, date and return the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed addressed envelope. The giving of a proxy will not affect your right to revoke the proxy or to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. |
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ADMISSION TO THE MEETING: | | You are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting if you were a stockholder as of the close of business on October 24, 2005. The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, November 29, 2005. |
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0001193125-05-207659/g63138g23z67.jpg)
James G. Spencer
Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
October 25, 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC.
1660 WALT WHITMAN ROAD, SUITE 105
MELVILLE, NEW YORK 11747
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 29, 2005
We are providing these proxy materials to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the board of directors of Allion Healthcare, Inc. for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and for any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement provides information that you should read before you vote on the proposals that will be presented to you at the 2005 Annual Meeting. The 2005 Annual Meeting will be held on November 29, 2005 at the Eisenhower Suite, Hilton Huntington, 598 Broad Hollow Road, Melville, New York 11747, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time. In this Proxy Statement, we refer to Allion Healthcare, Inc. as “Allion,” “we” or “us.”
We intend to mail this Proxy Statement and a proxy card on or about October 26, 2005 to people who, according to our records, owned common shares of Allion as of the close of business on October 24, 2005. With this Proxy Statement, we are mailing a copy of Allion’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to vote on the following proposals:
1. Elect six directors, each for a one-year term;
2. Ratify the selection by the board of directors of BDO Seidman as Allion’s Independent Registered Public Accountants for the 2005 fiscal year;
3. Approve and adopt the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, attached hereto; and
4. Transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
The board of directors recommends that the stockholders vote FOR election of each of the board’s nominees for director, FOR approval of BDO Seidman as Allion’s Independent Registered Public Accountants and FOR approval and adoption of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2005 ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
The Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting will be held on November 29, 2005 at the Eisenhower Suite, Hilton Huntington, 598 Broad Hollow Road, Melville, New York 11747, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time.
This Proxy Solicitation
We are sending you this Proxy Statement because the board of directors of Allion is seeking a proxy to vote your shares at the 2005 Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement is intended to assist you in deciding how to vote your shares. At the close of business on October 24, 2005, which shall be referred to in this proxy statement as the “Record Date,” there were 12,801,998 shares of common stock of Allion outstanding, which constitute all of the outstanding voting shares of Allion. Only holders of record of shares of our common stock on the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each share issued and outstanding on the Record Date will be entitled to one vote on each of the proposals presented at the Annual Meeting. On October 26, 2005, we will begin mailing this Proxy Statement to all people who will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Allion is paying the cost of soliciting these proxies. Allion’s directors, officers and employees may request proxies in person or by telephone, mail, facsimile or otherwise, but they will not receive additional compensation for their services. Allion will reimburse brokers and other nominees for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding these proxy materials to the beneficial owners of our shares.
Quorum Required
Our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws require the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders of record holding a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote on the matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting to constitute a quorum in order to conduct business at the Annual Meeting. If a quorum is not present, a vote cannot occur, and a majority in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting may adjourn the meeting without notice other than by announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. Proxy cards received by us but marked “ABSTAIN” and broker non-votes will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered in determining whether or not a quorum exists.
Voting Your Shares
Voting in Person. You may vote your shares at the Annual Meeting either in person or by proxy. To vote in person, you must attend the Annual Meeting and obtain and submit a ballot. Ballots for voting in person will be available at the Annual Meeting.
Voting By Proxy. To vote by proxy, you must complete and return the enclosed proxy card in time to be received by us before the Annual Meeting. If a proxy card is properly executed, returned to us and not revoked, the shares represented by the proxy shall be voted in accordance with the instructions set forth thereon. If a proxy card is signed but no instructions are given with respect to the matters to be acted upon, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted FOR the election of the six nominees for director, designated Proposal 1 on the proxy card, and FOR the proposal to ratify the selection of BDO Seidman as Allion’s Independent Registered Public Accountants for the fiscal year 2005, designated Proposal 2 on the proxy card, as these are “discretionary” proposals, as described below. If you do not return your proxy card and do not attend the meeting, and the shares are registered in your name, your shares will not be voted.
Broker Voting. Shares registered in the name of a broker or other nominee will be voted as follows:
| • | | Discretionary Proposals. A broker or other nominee that holds your shares in its name is permitted to vote your shares on the “discretionary” proposals, which include the election of directors and the ratification of BDO Seidman as Allion’s Independent Registered Public Accountants for the 2005 fiscal |
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| year, even if the broker does not receive voting instructions from you. If the broker does not receive voting instructions from you with respect to the proposal for the ratification of BDO Seidman as Allion’s Independent Registered Public Accountants, the broker will vote your shares FOR this proposal. With respect to the proposal for the election of directors which requires a plurality of votes, your failure to indicate voting instructions to the broker will not count for or against a nominee. |
| • | | Non-Discretionary Proposals. Certain proposals are “non-discretionary,” which means that brokers who do not receive instructions from their clients do not have discretion to vote on those items. This includes the proposal to approve the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Accordingly, if you do not vote your proxy or instruct your broker how to vote your shares, your shares will not be considered a vote cast or entitled to vote on this proposal and will count as a vote AGAINST this proposal. Shares represented by proxies which are marked “abstain” will be counted as part of the total number of votes cast on this proposal and will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST this proposal. |
Votes Required
In the election of directors, the six nominees for director who receive the most votes will be elected. If you do not vote for a particular nominee, or you indicate ABSTAIN on your proxy card, your vote will not be counted for or against the nominee.
For the ratification of the appointment of BDO Seidman as Allion’s Independent Registered Public Accountants for the 2005 fiscal year, the proposal will be approved if a majority of the shares present or represented at the meeting and eligible to vote on this matter consent to the proposal. If you do not vote for the appointment of BDO Seidman, your shares will be voted FOR the proposal. If you indicate ABSTAIN on your proxy card, your vote will count AGAINST this proposal.
For the approval of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the proposal will be approved if a majority of the shares outstanding and eligible to vote on this matter approve the proposal. If you do not vote for the adoption of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or you indicate ABSTAIN on your proxy card, your vote will count AGAINST this proposal.
We have described in this Proxy Statement all of the proposals that we expect will be made at the Annual Meeting. If we or a stockholder properly present any other proposal to the Annual Meeting, the proxies have discretion to vote your shares on the proposal as they see fit.
Revoking Your Proxy
If you decide to change your vote, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted. You may revoke your proxy in one of three ways:
1. You may notify the Secretary of Allion in writing that you wish to revoke your proxy. Please contact: Allion Healthcare, Inc., 1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105, Melville, New York 11747, Attention: James G. Spencer, Secretary. We must receive your notice before the time of the Annual Meeting.
2. You may submit a proxy dated later than your original proxy.
3. You may attend the Annual Meeting and vote. Merely attending the Annual Meeting will not by itself revoke a proxy; you must obtain a ballot and vote your shares to revoke the proxy.
Adjournments and Postponements
Any action on the items of business described above may be considered at the Annual Meeting at the time and on the date specified above or at any time and date to which the Annual Meeting may be properly adjourned or postponed.
Additional Information
Together with this Proxy Statement, we are mailing our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The Annual Report does not constitute a part of the proxy solicitation material.
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Information Related to Forward Looking Statements
This Proxy Statement and our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements. All statements that are not purely historical are forward looking statements and can be identified with words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “goal,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and “continue.”
These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors concerning our business operations, financial conditions and financial results, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Readers of this Proxy Statement are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. The reader also should consult the cautionary statements and risk factors listed from time to time in the other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K that was mailed together with this Proxy Statement. These statements discuss our future expectations or state other forward-looking information, and may involve known and unknown risks over which we have no control.
Proposal 1:
Election of Directors
The following individuals are the board of director’s nominees for election to the board of directors of Allion:
Michael P. Moran
John W. Colloton
James B. Hoover
John Pappajohn
Derace Schaffer, M.D.
Harvey Werblowsky
Each director will be elected to serve for a one-year term, until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his replacement is elected and qualified, unless he resigns or is removed before his term expires.All six of the nominees are currently members of the board of directors and have consented to serve as directors if re-elected. For more detailed information about each of the nominees, see the discussion under the heading “Directors and Executive Officers,” which begins on page 10 of this Proxy Statement.
If any of the nominees listed above cannot serve for any reason (which is not anticipated), the board of directors may designate a substitute nominee or nominees. If a substitute is nominated for election to the board of directors, we will vote all valid proxies for the election of the substitute nominee or nominees. Alternatively, the board of directors may decide to reduce the size of the number of directors to eliminate the vacancy.
To the knowledge of Allion, no arrangement or understanding exists between any of the six nominees and any other person or persons pursuant to which any nominee was or is to be selected as a director or nominee of Allion. None of the nominees has any family relationship to any other nominee or to any executive officer of Allion.
Recommendation
The board of directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” each of the nominees to the board of directors.
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Proposal 2:
Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accountants
The board of directors, upon the recommendation of the audit committee of the board of directors, and subject to ratification by Allion’s stockholders, has appointed BDO Seidman to act as Independent Registered Public Accountants for Allion and its consolidated subsidiaries for the 2005 fiscal year. The board believes that BDO Seidman’s experience with and knowledge of Allion are important, and would like to continue this relationship. BDO Seidman has advised Allion that the firm does not have, and has never had, any direct or indirect financial interest in Allion or any of its subsidiaries, other than as a provider of auditing and accounting services.
In making the recommendation for BDO Seidman to continue as Allion’s Independent Registered Public Accountants for the year ended December 31, 2005, the audit committee reviewed past audit results performed during 2004 and proposed audit services to be performed during 2005. In selecting BDO Seidman, the audit committee and the board of directors carefully considered BDO Seidman’s independence. BDO Seidman has never performed any work except audit and tax services for Allion since it became Allion’s independent accountants in fiscal year 2003.
BDO Seidman has confirmed to Allion that it is in compliance with all rules, standards and policies of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) governing auditor independence. A representative of BDO Seidman is expected to attend the Annual Meeting. The BDO Seidman representative will have the opportunity to make a statement if he desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
In the event the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the board of directors will reconsider its selection. Even if the selection of BDO Seidman as Allion’s Independent Registered Public Accountants for fiscal year 2005 is ratified, the board of directors, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent accounting firm for such fiscal year if the board of directors feels that such a change would be in Allion’s and its stockholders’ best interests.
Recommendation
The board of directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” ratification of the appointment of BDO Seidman, as Allion’s Independent Registered Public Accountants.
Proposal 3:
Approval of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
The board of directors recommends that the stockholders approve and adopt the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that is described in more detail below and attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A. You should read Appendix A in its entirety. The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was approved unanimously by the board of directors at a meeting held on July 13, 2005 and reflects changes that are intended to protect stockholders from certain types of takeover practices by making changes from certain default provisions that would otherwise apply under the Delaware General Corporate Law (“DGCL”). The board of directors believes that the best interests of Allion and its stockholders will be served by adopting the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation would (i) prohibit stockholder action through written consents, (ii) limit stockholders’ ability to amend, alter or repeal our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws and certain provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and (iii) amend provisions relating to the number and removal of directors.
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The foregoing changes are intended to ensure the stability and continuity of Allion’s leadership and policies and to protect stockholders from inadequate takeover bids and may encourage persons seeking to acquire control of Allion to negotiate first with the board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms. Nevertheless, you should note that the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation could deter a future takeover attempt where the stockholders could have received a substantial premium over market value for their shares. Also, any negotiations with the board by persons seeking to acquire control of Allion could pose a conflict of interest for some members of the board who would be confronted with the prospect of losing their positions upon consummation of such an acquisition, even though the terms of the transaction could be favorable to Allion’s stockholders.
Except for these amendments, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is being restated without any further changes. The proposed amendments are as follows:
| • | | Super Majority Approval Requirements. Section 242 of the DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws require a greater percentage. If approved, Section 6.3 of our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation would require the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the total votes entitled to vote in the election of directors to amend, or repeal any of our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws. In addition, Article XI of our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation would require a vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote in the election of directors to amend provisions of our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating to the number, election, term of office and removal of our directors, indemnification of our directors and officers, director liability and the procedure for calling special meetings of stockholders. Any change to the foregoing supermajority voting requirements would also require a two-thirds vote of the outstanding shares entitled to vote in an election of directors. |
| • | | Board Composition. Article III, Section 12 of our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws currently provides that any or all of our directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares of stock outstanding and entitled to vote for the election of directors. The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, if approved by your vote, would reduce stockholders’ ability to change the composition of the board of directors. Section 7.2 of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation would provide that the number of directors will be fixed from time to time with the consent of two-thirds of the directors. Section 7.4 of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation would provide that directors may only be removed for cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board or the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of our capital stock then entitled to vote at an election of directors. These provisions would prevent our stockholders from removing any incumbent director without cause. Section 7.5 of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation would grant sole power to the directors to create new directorships or fill a vacancy on the board, and would give any director so appointed the right to hold office until his successor is duly elected and qualified or his earlier resignation or removal. These provisions could delay or prohibit removal of an incumbent director even though a majority of the stockholders may deem it desirable. |
| • | | Action by Written Consent. Unless otherwise provided in a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, Section 228 of the DGCL permits any action required or permitted to be taken by stockholders of a corporation at a meeting to be taken without notice, without a meeting and without a stockholder vote if a written consent setting forth the action to be taken is signed by the holders of shares of outstanding stock having the requisite number of votes that would be necessary to authorize the action at a meeting |
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| of stockholders at which all shares entitled to vote were present and voted. If approved, the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation would eliminate this ability of stockholders to act by written consent. Section 8.1 of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation would provide that stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and not by written consent in lieu of a meeting. This amendment will give all stockholders the opportunity to participate in determining any proposed action and will prevent the holders of a majority of the voting stock from using the written consent procedure to take stockholder action without affording all stockholders an opportunity to participate. This provision will also require stockholders to comply with the advance notice provisions of Section 11 of our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws for conducting business at annual or special meetings. Section 11 states that written notice of all stockholder proposals must be given to the Secretary not less than sixty days nor more than ninety days prior to the first anniversary of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting, unless the annual meeting for the current year is advanced by more than twenty days or postponed by more than seventy days from such anniversary, in which case the proposal must be submitted on the later of the forty-fifth day prior to the annual meeting or the tenth day following public announcement of the meeting. This could lengthen the amount of time required to take stockholder action, which will ensure that stockholders will have sufficient time to weigh the arguments presented by both sides in connection with any contested stockholder vote. Accordingly, the written consent proposal may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of Allion. For example, a proposal for the removal of directors with cause could, if the board of directors desired, be delayed until the next annual meeting of stockholders. Additionally, this amendment will protect the interests of Allion and its stockholders in the event of a sudden takeover attempt by requiring a hostile party, which otherwise could use consent procedures to obtain stockholder approvals for rapid changes, to deal fairly with stockholders and to give the board a better opportunity to analyze prospective business combinations and tender offers, evaluate alternatives and make careful recommendations to stockholders. |
The effective date of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will be the date on which it is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, which shall be on any date selected by the board of directors on or prior to our next annual meeting of stockholders, but in no event later than such time. If, at any time prior to the effective date of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the board of directors, in its sole discretion, determines that the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is no longer in Allion’s best interests and the interests of our stockholders, then the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation may be abandoned without further action by our stockholders.
Recommendation
The board of directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” approval of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
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OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE MEETING
The board of directors has no knowledge of any other matter that may come before the Annual Meeting and does not intend to present any other matters. However, if any other matter shall properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof, the persons named as proxies will have discretionary authority to vote the shares represented by the accompanying proxies in accordance with their best judgment.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information known to us with respect to beneficial ownership of our common stock as of September 6, 2005, as to:
| • | | each of our directors and Named Executive Officers individually; |
| • | | all of our directors and executive officers as a group; and |
| • | | each person (or group of affiliated persons) known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our outstanding common stock. |
For the purposes of calculating percentage ownership as of September 6, 2005, 12,794,248 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding. In computing the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by a person and the percent ownership of that person, we deemed outstanding shares of common stock subject to options and/or warrants held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of September 6, 2005. We did not deem these shares outstanding for purposes of computing the percent ownership of any other person. In preparing the following table, we relied upon statements filed with the SEC by beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock pursuant to Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), unless we knew or had reason to believe that the information contained in such statements was not complete or accurate, in which case we relied upon information which we considered to be accurate and complete. We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the beneficial owners of the common stock listed below, based on the information furnished by these owners, have sole voting power and investment power with respect to these shares, subject to applicable community property laws. Except as otherwise noted below, the address of the particular stockholder named in the following table is Allion Healthcare, Inc., 1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105, Melville, New York 11747.
| | | | | |
| | Beneficial Ownership of Shares
| |
Name
| | Number
| | Percentage
| |
Directors and Officers: | | | | | |
John Pappajohn(1) | | 1,769,715 | | 13.2 | % |
Michael P. Moran(2) | | 650,000 | | 4.8 | % |
Derace Schaffer, M.D.(3) | | 420,000 | | 3.3 | % |
James B. Hoover(4) | | 387,094 | | 3.0 | % |
Mikelynn Salthouse, R.N.(5) | | 85,000 | | * | |
James G. Spencer(6) | | 62,500 | | * | |
John Colloton(7) | | 16,667 | | * | |
Harvey Werblowsky(8) | | 16,667 | | * | |
Robert Fleckenstein, R.Ph.(9) | | 12,500 | | * | |
All officers and directors as a group (9 persons) | | 3,420,143 | | 23.6 | % |
| | |
5% Stockholders: | | | | | |
Principal Life Insurance Company(10) | | 743,590 | | 5.8 | % |
Edgewater Private Equity Fund II, L.P.(11) | | 646,653 | | 5.1 | % |
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(1) | The common stock owned includes 375,000 shares held by Halkis, Ltd., a sole proprietorship owned by Mr. Pappajohn and 250,000 shares held by Thebes, Ltd., a sole proprietorship owned by Mr. Pappajohn’s spouse, 70,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options and 537,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants. The common stock also includes 4,651 shares and warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants held by Equity Dynamics, Inc. and 5,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants held by the Pappajohn Revocable Trust. |
(2) | The common stock owned includes 650,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options. |
(3) | The common stock owned includes 120,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options. |
(4) | The common stock includes 58,889 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options. The common stock also includes 307,692 shares of common stock held by Dauphin Capital Partners, L.P., over which Mr. Hoover exercises voting and investment control by virtue of his position as general partner, and 5,128 shares owned by TriSons, an entity controlled by Mr. Hoover and his spouse. |
(5) | The common stock owned includes 85,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options. |
(6) | The common stock owned includes 62,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options. |
(7) | The common stock owned includes 16,667 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options. |
(8) | The common stock owned includes 16,667 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options. |
(9) | The common stock owned includes 12,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options. |
(10) | The address for the Principal Life Insurance Company is 711 High Street, Des Moines, IA 50392. |
(11) | The address for Edgewater Private Equity Fund II, L.P. is 900 N. Michigan Ave., 14th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and certain of our officers (as specified in regulations issued by the SEC) and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of the common stock with the SEC. Such persons are called “insiders.” Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16 forms they file.
Based solely on our receipt during the 2004 fiscal year of the copies of such reports of ownership and the certifications from executive officers and directors that no other reports were required for such persons, we believe that during the 2004 fiscal year all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and such greater than ten percent stockholders were complied with on a timely basis.
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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The nominating and corporate governance committee of the board of directors has recommended, and the board, acting unanimously, has proposed, the following individuals as nominees for directorships to hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified: Michael P. Moran, John W. Colloton, James B. Hoover, John Pappajohn, Dr. Derace Schaffer and Harvey Z. Werblowsky. Future recommendations for director nominees will be proposed by the nominating and corporate governance committee of the board of directors as discussed in more detail below.
The following table shows, as of September 6, 2005, the names and ages of all of Allion’s executive officers and the director nominees who will continue to serve if their elections are approved by stockholders at the Annual Meeting.
| | | | |
Name
| | Age
| | Positions
|
Michael P. Moran | | 45 | | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President |
John W. Colloton(1) | | 74 | | Director |
James B. Hoover(1)(2)(3) | | 50 | | Director |
John Pappajohn | | 77 | | Director |
Derace Schaffer, M.D.(1)(2)(3) | | 57 | | Director |
Harvey Z. Werblowsky, Esq.(2)(3) | | 57 | | Director |
Robert E. Fleckenstein, R.Ph. | | 52 | | Vice President, Pharmacy Operations |
MikeLynn Salthouse, R.N. | | 49 | | Vice President, HIV Sales |
James G. Spencer | | 37 | | Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer |
(1) | Member of audit committee |
(2) | Member of nominating and corporate governance committee |
(3) | Member of compensation committee |
Michael P. Moran has served as our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President and as a member of our board of directors since 1997. From 1996 to 1997, Mr. Moran was a Regional Vice President at Coram Healthcare, Inc. From 1990 to 1996, Mr. Moran was a Regional Vice President for Chartwell Home Therapies, Inc. Prior to 1990, Mr. Moran held various sales and management positions at Critical Care America, Inc. Mr. Moran received a B.A. in management from Assumption College.
John W. Colloton has served as one of our directors since 2004. He is currently Director Emeritus of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and serves as the lead director of Wellmark, Inc. (Iowa-South Dakota Blue Cross & Blue Shield). From 1989 to 2003, Mr. Colloton served as a director of Baxter International Inc. and from 1997 to 2002, he served as a director of Radiologix, Inc. From 1971 to 1993, Mr. Colloton served as a director of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and from 1993 through the year 2000, he served as Vice President of the University of Iowa for Statewide Health Services. Mr. Colloton received his B.A. in business administration from Loras College and a masters degree in hospital administration from the University of Iowa.
James B. Hoover has served as one of our directors since 2003. Since 1998, he has served as the Managing Partner of Dauphin Capital Partners, a venture capital firm, of which he is the founder. Prior to founding Dauphin Capital in 1998, Mr. Hoover was a General Partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, or WCAS, a management buy-out firm specializing in healthcare and information services. From 1984 to 1992, Mr. Hoover was a General Partner of Robertson, Stephens & Co., an investment banking firm specializing in the financing of emerging growth companies with a particular emphasis on the healthcare industry. Currently, Mr. Hoover serves as a director of Quovadx Inc., a public company, as well as a director of several private healthcare companies. He is a member of the Special Projects Committee of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He received his MBA from the Graduate School of Business at Indiana University. He holds a B.S. from Elizabethtown College (Pennsylvania) where he presently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of its Investment Committee.
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John Pappajohn has served as one of our directors since 1996. Since 1969, Mr. Pappajohn has served as the President and principal stockholder of Equity Dynamics, Inc., a financial consulting firm, and the sole owner of Pappajohn Capital Resources, a venture capital firm. Mr. Pappajohn has been an active private equity investor in healthcare companies for more than 30 years, has served on the boards of directors of over 40 public companies and currently serves as a director of the following public companies: MC Informatics, Inc., PACE Health Management Systems, Inc., Patient Infosystems, Inc. and Healthcare Acquisition Corp. In addition to being a founder of Allion, Mr. Pappajohn has been a founder of several public healthcare companies such as Caremark Rx, Inc., Quantum Health Resources, Radiologix, Inc. and Patient Infosystems, Inc. Mr. Pappajohn has also worked with many private healthcare companies, including Logisticare, Inc. and Source Medical Corporation. Mr. Pappajohn received his B.S.C. in business from the University of Iowa.
Derace Schaffer, M.D. has served as one of our directors since 1996. Dr. Schaffer has served as the Chairman of Radiologix and from 1980 to 2001 was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the IDE Group, P.C., one of the radiology practices with which Radiologix has a contractual relationship. Dr. Schaffer is currently a Clinical Professor of Radiology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Dr. Schaffer is also Chief Executive Officer and President of the Lan Group, a venture capital firm specializing in healthcare and high technology investments. He is an active co-investor on a variety of healthcare companies, and in addition to being a founder of Allion he co-founded Patient Infosystems, Inc., and Radiologix, Inc., both of which are public companies. Dr. Schaffer has also worked with many private healthcare companies, including Logisticare, Inc. and Source Medical Corporation. Dr. Schaffer has served as a director on many healthcare company boards of directors including several health systems and more than ten healthcare services and technology companies. He currently serves as a director of Healthcare Acquisition Corp., a public company and is a founder and director of Cardsystems, Inc. Dr. Schaffer is a board certified radiologist. He received his postgraduate radiology training at the Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Schaffer is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society.
Harvey Z. Werblowsky, Esq. has served as one of our directors since 2004. Since December 2003, he has been the General Counsel of Kushner Companies, a real estate organization. From December 1990 until December 2003, Mr. Werblowsky was a partner at the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP. Mr. Werblowsky received a B.A. from Yeshiva University and a J.D. from New York University School of Law.
Robert E. Fleckenstein, R.Ph. has served as our Vice President, Pharmacy Operations since December 2003 and is responsible for our national pharmacy operations. Mr. Fleckenstein has held positions in pharmacy management for 20 years, with over 10 of those years in specialty pharmacy. In 2003, he served as Account Manager for US Oncology, Inc. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Fleckenstein served as Vice President of Operations for CVS ProCare at its Pittsburgh distribution center. From 1997 to 2000, he served as Director of Pharmacy Services for Stadtlanders Drug Company. Prior to 1997, Mr. Fleckstein held various management level positions in specialty and hospital pharmacy companies. Mr. Fleckstein received his B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh and his MBA from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh.
MikeLynn Salthouse, R.N. has served as our Vice President, HIV Sales since 2002. Ms. Salthouse has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 20 years, including nine years with Stadtlanders and CVS ProCare, where she served as Vice President, Sales, and Vice President, Business Development. Prior to 1993, Ms. Salthouse held sales management positions with both Ivonyx and Clinical Homecare, infusion service companies, as well as various sales and management positions at McNeil Consumer Products, a division of Johnson & Johnson. Ms. Salthouse attended Loma Linda University and graduated from Riverside College, both in Southern California.
James G. Spencer has served as our Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer since 2004. From October 2003 to May 2004, Mr. Spencer served as a consultant to us until becoming Chief Financial Officer. From 2002 until 2003, Mr. Spencer served as a Vice President in the Health Care Investment Banking Group for
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Thomas Weisel Partners LLC. From 1999 to 2002, he served as Vice President in the Health Care Investment Banking Group for Credit Suisse First Boston. Prior to 1999, Mr. Spencer worked at Alex. Brown and Sons in Health Care Investment Banking. Mr. Spencer received his MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and his B.S. in Economics and Management Statistics from the University of Maryland.
The board of directors has determined that the following directors are “independent” as such term is defined by the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules (the “Nasdaq Rules”): Harvey Z. Werblowsky, James B. Hoover, Dr. Derace Schaffer and John W. Colloton. Michael P. Moran is not “independent” under the Nasdaq Rules because he is an executive officer of Allion. The board of directors has determined that John Pappajohn is not an independent director, under the Nasdaq Rules or the Exchange Act, due, among other things, to the warrants and other compensation that he has received from Allion.
Our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the board of directors has the authority to set the number of directors that constitutes the board of directors from time to time. Currently, our board of directors consists of six directors. The directors serve for a one year term until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. No stockholder or group of stockholders has put forward a candidate for election as a director of Allion.
Meetings of the Board of Directors and Board Committees
The board of directors held a total of nine meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and seven meetings during the first six months of the 2005 fiscal year. Each of the directors attended at least 80% of the meetings of the board in 2004. All six of our directors attended the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in the 2004 fiscal year.
The standing committees of the board of directors include an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. All members of these committees are independent directors as such term is defined in the Nasdaq Rules.
Audit Committee. The audit committee provides assistance to the board of directors in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations in matters involving our accounting, financial reporting, internal controls and legal compliance functions by approving the services performed by our independent accountants and reviewing their reports regarding our accounting practices and systems of internal accounting controls. The audit committee also oversees the audit efforts of our independent accountants and determines whether they are independent of management. The audit committee currently consists of Messrs. Colloton and Hoover and Dr. Schaffer, each of whom is an independent member of our board of directors, as defined in the Nasdaq Rules and in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 10A-3. Mr. Hoover serves as the chairperson of our audit committee, and our board of directors has determined that he meets the definition of an “Audit Committee Financial Expert,” as defined by the SEC. We believe that the composition of our audit committee meets the criteria for independence under, and the functioning of our audit committee complies with, the applicable requirements of, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”), the Nasdaq Rules and SEC rules and regulations. The audit committee met four times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
Compensation Committee. The compensation committee determines our general compensation policies and the compensation provided to our directors and officers. The compensation committee also reviews and determines bonuses for our executive officers. In addition, the compensation committee reviews and determines equity-based compensation for our directors, officers, employees and consultants and administers our stock option plans. The current members of the compensation committee are Messrs. Werblowsky and Hoover and Dr. Schaffer, each of whom is an independent director as defined in the Nasdaq Rules. Mr. Werblowsky serves as the chairperson of our compensation committee. We believe that the composition of our compensation committee meets the criteria for independence under, and the functioning of our compensation committee complies with, the applicable requirements of the Nasdaq Rules and SEC rules and regulations. The compensation committee met once during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for making recommendations to the board of directors regarding candidates for directorships and the size and composition of the board. In addition, the nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for reporting and making recommendations to the board concerning corporate governance matters. The current members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are Messrs. Werblowsky and Hoover and Dr. Schaffer, each of whom is independent as defined in the Nasdaq Rules. Dr. Schaffer serves as the chairperson of our nominating and corporate governance committee. We believe that the composition of and performance of functions by our nominating and corporate governance committee meets the criteria for independence under the applicable requirements of the Nasdaq Rules and SEC rules and regulations. The nominating and corporate governance committee met once during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
The audit committee, the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee each has adopted a written charter that further describes its function and responsibilities. You may obtain copies of these charters by going to the “Investor Relations” section of our website located atwww.allionhealthcare.com. We also have included a copy of the audit committee charter attached hereto as Appendix B.
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees including our senior financial officers. Our Code of Ethics has been filed with the SEC and is also available on our website located atwww.allionhealthcare.com. Waivers of this code of ethics may be made only upon written request submitted to and approved by Allion’s board of directors. Changes in or waivers of the Code of Ethics will be promptly disclosed on our website.
Director Nominee Criteria and Process
The nominating and corporate governance committee of the board of directors unanimously recommended the nominees for election to the board of directors at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The nominating and corporate governance committee works with the board of directors on an annual basis to establish criteria for selecting new directors, identify individuals qualified to become board members, screen and recommend to the board nominees for election to the board, and evaluate the performance of incumbent directors in determining whether to nominate them for reelection at the next annual meeting of stockholders. The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider nominees recommended by Allion’s stockholders and third-party search firms, outside counsel or other experts, to identify potential new director candidates. In evaluating a potential director candidate, the nominating and corporate governance committee considers, among other factors, the candidate’s high-level leadership experience in business or administrative activities, breadth of knowledge about issues affecting Allion and the healthcare, pharmaceutical and disease management industries, and ability and willingness to contribute special competencies to board activities. In addition to these criteria, the nominating and corporate governance committee evaluates directoral candidates based on their personal attributes, including integrity, loyalty to Allion and dedication to its success and welfare, sound and independent business judgment, awareness of the role of a director in Allion’s corporate citizenship and image, time available for meetings and consultation on corporate matters, wide contacts with business and political leaders and willingness to assume a broad, fiduciary responsibility on behalf of all of Allion’s stockholders for the management of the business. The nominating and corporate governance committee evaluates candidates on the basis of their qualifications, experience, skills and ability and without regard to gender, race, color, national origin or other protective status. Once possible candidates are identified, the nominating and corporate governance committee will discuss its recommendations with the board of directors. If the candidate is approved by the board, the recommended candidate will be nominated for election, subject to a vote by stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders. If the recommendation by the nominating and corporate governance committee is undertaken to fill a vacancy on the board or new directorship, the candidate can be appointed as a director by a two-thirds vote of the board of directors and shall hold office until his or her successor is duly appointed or elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.
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Stockholder Nominations for Directors
Allion’s stockholders may submit candidates for consideration as director nominees by following the procedures outlined in the section entitled “Stockholder Proposals” in this Proxy Statement. Candidates proposed by stockholders in accordance with the required procedures outlined in that section are reviewed using the same criteria as candidates initially proposed by the nominating and corporate governance committee.
Director Compensation
Historically, our non-employee directors have each been granted options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock pursuant to our 1998 Stock Option Plan and 2002 Stock Incentive Plan as compensation for their initial term of service on our board of directors. These options have an exercise price ranging from $2.00 to $6.00 per share approximating the fair market value as of the date of grant, and vest monthly in equal amounts over either a two or three-year period, beginning one month following the date such option is granted, and cease vesting when a director ceases to serve on our board of directors. Historically, we also granted our non-employee directors options to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock pursuant to our 1998 Stock Option Plan and our 2002 Stock Incentive Plan for each additional year that such director was re-elected. These options have an exercise price approximating the fair market value as of the date of grant and vest monthly in equal amounts over a one-year period. Our directors have not received any other compensation for their service as directors. We reimburse all directors for expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings. Directors who are employees or affiliates of ours have not received any compensation for their services as a director, except for the warrants we issued to John Pappajohn, which are explained in further detail in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Guarantee of Loan” under “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.” Mr. Moran has not been compensated for his services as a director.
Executive Officer Compensation
The following table sets forth certain elements of compensation paid by us during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 to our Chief Executive Officer, and our three most highly compensated executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer. We refer to these executives as the “Named Executive Officers.”
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Annual Compensation
| | Long-Term Compensation Awards
|
Name and Principal Position
| | Year
| | Salary($)
| | Bonus ($)(1)
| | Other Annual Compensation ($)(2)
| | Securities Underlying Options (#)
|
Michael P. Moran, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer President | | 2004 2003 2002 | | $ $ $ | 251,924 247,483 247,569 | | $ $ $ | 100,000 100,000 0 | | $ $ $ | 0 0 0 | | 0 0 50,000 |
| | | | | |
James G. Spencer,(3) Chief Financial Officer Secretary and Treasurer | | 2004 | | $ | 151,538 | | $ | 20,000 | | $ | 2,513 | | 125,000 |
| | | | | |
Mikelynn Salthouse, R.N.,(4) Vice President, HIV Sales | | 2004 2003 2002 | | $ $ $ | 169,204 150,000 40,385 | | $ $ $ | 10,000 0 0 | | $ $ $ | 7,200 7,200 1,650 | | 40,000 0 75,000 |
| | | | | |
Robert E. Fleckenstein, R.Ph.,(5) Vice President, Pharmacy Operations | | 2004 | | $ | 131,000 | | $ | 18,750 | | $ | 0 | | 50,000 |
(1) | Bonuses were paid at the discretion of the compensation committee from time to time during 2004 based on merit-based performance. We do not have a written bonus plan. |
(2) | For the years presented, perquisites and other personal benefits did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of total annual salary and bonus for the named executive officer. |
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(3) | Mr. Spencer became our Chief Financial Officer on May 18, 2004. The amount shown in the table above represents the amount we paid Mr. Spencer from May 20 through December 31, 2004. In addition to the amount shown above, Mr. Spencer served as a consultant to us from January 1 until May 17, 2004, during which time he was paid a fee of $23,681. We pay 100% of the premiums for Mr. Spencer’s healthcare insurance plan in lieu of his participation in company-sponsored plans. In 2004, we paid $2,513 of health insurance premiums for Mr. Spencer. The amount we pay for Mr. Spencer’s coverage is less than the amount that we would be required to pay had he elected to be covered by the healthcare insurance that we make available to all of our employees. All of our other Named Executive Officers except Mr. Spencer receive healthcare insurance that is identical to what we offer all of our employees. |
(4) | The amounts shown for “Other Annual Compensation” reflect amounts paid to Ms. Salthouse for an annual automobile allowance. |
(5) | Mr. Fleckenstein became our Vice President, Pharmacy Operations, in January 2004. |
No Loans to Directors or Executive Officers
We have not granted any loans to any directors or executive officers that are currently outstanding.
Employment Agreements
Currently, we do not have employment agreements with any of our Named Executives. Many key responsibilities within our business have been assigned to them, and the loss of their services could adversely affect our business. In particular, the loss of the services of our Named Executive Officers—Messrs. Moran, Spencer, Salthouse and Fleckenstein—could disrupt our operations. As a practical matter, any employment agreement we may enter into will not assure the retention of such employee.
Options Granted in Last Fiscal Year
The following table sets forth information regarding stock options granted in 2004 under our 2002 Stock Incentive Plan to our Named Executive Officers. The potential realizable value is calculated assuming the fair market value of the common stock appreciates at the indicated rate for the entire term of the option and that the option is exercised and sold on the last day of its term at the appreciated price. These gains are based on assumed rates of appreciation compounded annually from the dates the respective options were granted to their expiration date based upon an assumed share price of $17.12, which was the closing price of our common stock on September 6, 2005, minus the share exercise price of $6.00. The 5% and 10% assumed rates of stock price appreciation are required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not represent our estimate or projection of future stock price growth. Actual gains, if any, on exercised stock options will depend on the future performance of our common stock.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name
| | Number of Securities Underlying Options(1)
| | Percentage of Total Options Granted to Employees in Fiscal Year 2004(2)
| | | Exercise Price(3)
| | Expiration Date
| | Potential Realizable Value At Assumed Annual Rates Of Stock Price Appreciation For Option Term
|
| | | | | 5%
| | 10%
|
Michael P. Moran | | 0 | | 0 | % | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — |
James G. Spencer | | 125,000 | | 21 | % | | $ | 6.00 | | 5/18/2014 | | $ | 1,555,917 | | $ | 1,732,935 |
Mikelynn Salthouse, R.N. | | 40,000 | | 7 | % | | $ | 6.00 | | 5/18/2014 | | $ | 534,788 | | $ | 633,933 |
Robert E. Fleckenstein, R.Ph. | | 50,000 | | 9 | % | | $ | 6.00 | | 5/18/2014 | | $ | 668,485 | | $ | 792,491 |
(1) | The options granted in 2004 were issued on May 18, 2004 and vest ratably over a four-year period beginning on the date of grant, except that the options issued to Mr. Spencer were vested 25% on the date of grant, with the remaining options vesting 33 1/3% on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant. |
(2) | The figures representing percentages of total options granted to employees in the last fiscal year are based on a total of 587,250 shares underlying options granted to our employees during 2004. |
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(3) | The exercise price of each option granted was equal to the fair market value of our common stock as valued by our board of directors on the date of grant. |
Aggregated Stock Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option Values
The following table provides information regarding the number and value of vested and unvested options held by each of our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2004. There were no options exercised by the Named Executive Officers in 2004. There was no public trading market for our common stock on December 31, 2004. Accordingly, the dollar values in the table are calculated based upon an assumed share price of $17.12, which was the closing price of our common stock on September 6, 2005, less the exercise price of the options, and multiplying the result by the number of shares.
| | | | | | | | | | |
Name
| | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options at Fiscal Year End(#)
| | Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at Fiscal Year End Exercisable($)
|
| Exercisable
| | Unexercisable
| | Exercisable
| | Unexercisable
|
Michael P. Moran | | 641,667 | | 8,333 | | $ | 10,652,000 | | $ | 113,500 |
James G. Spencer | | 31,250 | | 93,750 | | $ | 347,500 | | $ | 1,042,500 |
Mikelynn Salthouse, R.N. | | 62,500 | | 52,500 | | $ | 851,250 | | $ | 615,050 |
Robert E. Fleckenstein, R.Ph. | | 0 | | 50,000 | | $ | — | | $ | 556,000 |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
No interlocking relationship exists between our board of directors or compensation committee (whose members are listed below) and the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity. Additionally, no member of our compensation committee was during 2004, or formerly, an officer or employee of ours or any of our subsidiaries.
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
The compensation committee of the board of directors generally determines Allion’s executive compensation policies. In discharging its oversight role, the compensation committee is empowered to study or investigate any matter of interest or concern that it deems appropriate and shall have the sole authority to retain outside counsel or other experts for this purpose, including the sole authority to approve the fees payable to such counsel or other experts and all other terms of retention. The compensation committee evaluates the performance of Allion’s executive officers relative to the corporate goals and objectives established by the board of directors and sets compensation levels based on this evaluation. Factors which the compensation committee considers relevant in determining compensation include Allion’s performance and relative stockholder return, and the value of similar incentive awards to those with similar responsibilities at comparable companies.
The compensation committee of Allion’s board of directors is currently composed of Messrs. Hoover and Werblowsky and Dr. Schaffer, with Mr. Werblowsky serving as its Chairman. Each of these directors is independent under the definition of independence in the Nasdaq Rules. The compensation committee develops and recommends to the board of directors all compensation paid or awarded to Allion’s executive officers, and oversees, approves and administers executive compensation, employee benefits programs and policies applicable to our employees. As administrator of Allion’s employee benefit programs, the compensation committee has the power to determine who receives stock option grants and the terms of the options granted, including the exercise price, the number of shares subject to each option and the exercisability thereof, as well as the authority to cancel and re-grant options. This report relates to Allion’s compensation policy for its executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
Philosophy. Allion’s compensation philosophy is to develop and implement policies that will encourage and reward outstanding financial performance and increase Allion’s profitability, thereby increasing stockholder
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value. Maintaining competitive compensation levels in order to attract, retain and reward executives who bring valuable experience and skills to Allion is also an important consideration. Working with management, the compensation committee develops and implements compensation plans for the company’s executive officers.
Compensation Structure
Executive officers’ compensation consists primarily of three components: (i) base salary, (ii) cash bonus and (iii) stock option grants. While the elements of compensation are considered separately, the compensation committee takes into account the total compensation package afforded by Allion to the individual executive.
Base Salary. The compensation committee evaluates the levels of base salary for Allion’s executive officers after considering a variety of factors that determine an executive’s value to Allion, including the individual’s knowledge, experience, and accomplishments and the responsibilities of the position held. No specific formula is applied in setting an executive officer’s base salary, either with respect to the total amount of such base salary or the relative value such base salary should bear to the executive officer’s total compensation package. Salaries paid to executive officers (including the Chief Executive Officer) are reviewed annually by the compensation committee, and proposed adjustments are based on an assessment of the nature of (i) the position and changes in the executive’s responsibilities, (ii) the individual’s contributions to Allion’s corporate goals, (iii) experience and tenure of the executive officer, (iv) comparable market salary data and (v) growth in Allion’s size and complexity. The compensation committee strives to ensure that base salaries are at a level that will permit it to compete with other companies for managers and executives with comparable qualifications and abilities and believes that the base salaries currently offered to key employees are sufficient to enable Allion to retain these employees while it evaluates its operating strategy for the future. The compensation committee approves all changes to executive officers’ salaries.
Cash Bonus.Prior to its initial public offering on June 22, 2005, Allion did not historically award regular cash bonuses and currently does not have a formal bonus plan. In recognition of the significant additional efforts required of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer in connection with Allion’s initial public offering and subsequent status as a publicly traded company, Mr. Moran and Mr. Spencer each were awarded one-time, discretionary cash bonuses of $100,000 and $50,000, respectively, in 2005. In the future, the compensation committee may, in its discretion, award bonuses to executive officers and is currently considering the adoption of a formal bonus plan. Such bonuses may be based on an executive officer’s performance as well as Allion’s performance, such as consummation of an important acquisition or financing, achievement or surpassing of sales targets, or recognition of superior performance.
Stock Options. Stock option grants are designed to align the interests of executives with those of Allion’s stockholders. Stock option grants may be made to executive officers when one of the following events occurs: (i) initial employment, (ii) promotion to a new, higher position that entails increased responsibilities and accountability, (iii) recognition of superior performance, or (iv) as an incentive for continued service with Allion as well as continued superior performance. The compensation committee awarded stock options in 2004 under our 2002 Stock Incentive Plan to our Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Moran. See the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Options Granted in the Last Fiscal Year” for more information about these grants. The compensation committee is currently considering alternative forms of compensation to replace stock options for directors and executive officers as a result of Allion’s recent initial public offering.
Chief Executive Officer’s Compensation. Mr. Moran does not have an employment contract with Allion. The factors used to determine his compensation are the same as those described for all executive officers. For more information on Mr. Moran’s compensation, you should read the section entitled “Executive Officer Compensation” in this Proxy Statement.
Compensation Deduction Limit. The SEC requires that this report comment on Allion’s policy with respect to a special rule under the tax laws, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Section 162(m) generally limits the compensation that a corporation can deduct for payments to a Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers to $1 million per officer per year. Section 162(m) specifically exempts qualified performance-based compensation from the limit if the compensation meets certain
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requirements, including the requirement for the compensation to be paid only on account of objective performance goals preestablished and approved by a compensation committee consisting of at least two outside directors. With respect to compensation attributable to stock options, it is deemed to be “performance-based” only if, among other things, the amount of compensation the employee could receive is based solely on an increase in the value of the stock after the date of the grant or award. Certain compensation plans or agreements that exist before a corporation becomes publicly held in connection with an initial public offering may be exempt from the deduction limit imposed by Section 162(m) during a “reliance period,” which generally ends on the earliest of approximately three years after the initial public offering, the expiration or a material modification of such plan or agreement, or the issuance of all the compensation under such plan or agreement. Because the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan existed before our initial public offering on June 22, 2005, compensation received pursuant to the exercise of a stock option granted under the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan will be exempt from the deduction limit of Section 162(m) if the grant of the option occurred on or before the last day of the reliance period. In order for awards granted after the expiration of such reliance period to be exempt from the limit imposed by Section 162(m), the plan must be amended to comply with the exemption requirements under Section 162(m) and must be resubmitted for approval by our stockholders.
This compensation committee report shall not be deemed “soliciting material,” to be “filed” with the SEC, subject to Regulation 14A or 14C or to liability under Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically request that the information be treated as soliciting material. This report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any document previously or subsequently filed with the SEC that incorporates by reference all or any portion of this Proxy Statement, unless this report is specifically incorporated by reference.
September 28, 2005
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
James B. Hoover
Derace Schaffer, M.D.
Harvey Z. Werblowsky, Esq.
Stock Performance
Our common stock was not publicly traded in 2004. Shares of Allion common stock were sold in an initial public offering on June 22, 2005 at $13.00 per share. The closing price of Allion common stock on October 21, 2005, the last business day before the record date for the Annual Meeting, was $17.53. Allion shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol ALLI.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Option Grants to Directors
We have granted options to purchase common stock to our directors and officers. For more information, see the discussion under the heading “Options Granted in Last Fiscal Year” in this Proxy Statement.
Guarantee of Loan
In January 2000, we issued warrants to purchase 375,000 shares of common stock to John Pappajohn, a director, as consideration for his guarantee of a $1.5 million credit facility with West Bank. These warrants are exercisable at a price of $1.00 per share. As consideration for the renewal of his guaranty, we issued warrants to purchase 125,000 shares of common stock to Mr. Pappajohn in July 2003, exercisable at a price per share of
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$5.00. In March 2005, when West Bank agreed to extend the maturity of its loan until September 2005, Mr. Pappajohn agreed to keep his guaranty in place through September 2005. As consideration for continuing his guaranty, in April 2005 we issued to Mr. Pappajohn warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock exercisable at a price of $13.00 per share.
Legal Services
One of our directors, Harvey Z. Werblowsky, was a partner at the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP. Prior to 2004, McDermott Will & Emery LLP served as our outside legal counsel on a variety of legal matters pertaining to our business. Mr. Werblowsky left McDermott Will & Emery LLP in 2003.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, AUDIT FEES AND AUDITOR INDEPENDENCE
Audit Committee Report
The role of the audit committee is to assist the board of directors in its oversight of Allion’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of Allion’s financial statements, in accordance with the audit committee charter, a copy of which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix B. This audit committee charter was revised in connection with our initial public offering in June 2005 to reflect the composition, duties and responsibilities of an audit committee that meets the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley, the Nasdaq Rules and the Exchange Act. Management of Allion is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of Allion’s financial statements, accounting and financial reporting principles, and internal control and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. The independent accountants are responsible for auditing Allion’s financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. In this context, the audit committee’s responsibilities are to oversee and monitor (i) Allion’s accounting and financial reporting processes, (ii) the integrity and audits of Allion’s financial statements, (iii) Allion’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iv) the qualifications and independence of Allion’s independent accountants, and (v) the performance of Allion’s independent accountants. The audit committee meets periodically with the independent accountants to discuss the results of their explanations, the overall quality of Allion’s financial reporting and their evaluation of Allion’s internal control over financial reporting, as well as Allion’s critical accounting policies and practices and alternative treatments of financial information. You should refer to the audit committee charter for a more detailed explanation of the audit committee’s specific functions, responsibilities and procedures.
Now that Allion’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq National Market, the company is governed by the listing standards applicable thereto, specifically the definition of independence in the Nasdaq Rules. The audit committee currently consists of Messrs. Colloton and Hoover and Dr. Schaffer, each of whom is an independent member of our board of directors, as defined in the Nasdaq Rules and in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 10A-3.
Allion’s audit committee is also responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the independent accountants. As part of this responsibility, the audit committee is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent accountants to assure that the provision of these services does not impair the accountants’ independence.
In the performance of the audit committee’s oversight function, the audit committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, with management. This review included a discussion of the quality and acceptability of Allion’s financial reporting and controls. Allion’s management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and reporting process, including our system of internal control over financial reporting. The audit committee relies without independent verification on the information provided to it and on such representations made by management.
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The audit committee has discussed with BDO Seidman, Allion’s Independent Registered Public Accountants for the year ended December 31, 2004, the matters required to be discussed by Statements on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communications with Audit Committees (“SAS 61”), as amended by Statement on Auditing Standards No.’s 89 and 90 (“SAS 89” and “SAS 90”). SAS 61, as amended by SAS 89 and SAS 90, requires Allion’s independent accountants to provide the audit committee with additional information regarding the scope and results of their audit of Allion’s financial statements, including information with respect to (i) their responsibility under generally accepted auditing standards, (ii) significant accounting policies, (iii) management judgements and estimates, (iv) any significant audit adjustments, (v) any disagreements with management and (vi) any difficulties encountered in performing the audit. The audit committee has received the written disclosures from BDO Seidman required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, as currently in effect, which provides that the independent accountants must discuss their independence with the audit committee and disclose in writing to the audit committee all relationships between the accountants and the company which, in the accountants’ judgment, reasonably may be thought to bear on their independence. The audit committee has discussed with BDO Seidman its independence and has determined that because there were no non-audit services performed by BDO Seidman for Allion, the accountants’ independence has been maintained.
Based upon the reports and discussions described in this report, the audit committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in Allion’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the SEC. The audit committee has also selected and recommended to stockholders the ratification of the reappointment of BDO Seidman as the Independent Registered Public Accountants to audit Allion’s consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2005.
As specified in the audit committee charter, it is not the duty of the audit committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that Allion’s financial statements are complete and accurate and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. That is the responsibility of management and Allion’s independent accountants. In giving its recommendation to the board of directors, the audit committee has relied without independent verification on management’s representation that such financial statements have been prepared with integrity and objectivity and BDO Seidman’s representations that they have been audited and are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principals. Accordingly, the audit committee’s oversight does not provide an independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting processes or appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with the accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Neither do the audit committee’s reviews and discussions referred to above assure that the audit of Allion’s financial statements has been conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, that Allion’s audited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or that BDO Seidman is in fact independent.
This audit committee report shall not be deemed “soliciting material,” to be “filed” with the SEC, subject to Regulation 14A or 14C or to liability under Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically request that the information be treated as soliciting material. This report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any document previously or subsequently filed with the SEC that incorporates by reference all or any portion of this Proxy Statement, unless this report is specifically incorporated by reference.
September 28, 2005
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
James B. Hoover (Chairperson)
John W. Colloton
Derace Schaffer, M.D.
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Information Regarding the Fees Paid to BDO Seidman during the Year Ended December 31, 2004
General
The audit committee considered whether the services rendered by BDO Seidman, except for services rendered in connection with its audit of Allion’s annual financial statements and review of the quarterly financial statements, are compatible with maintaining BDO Seidman’s independence. The board of directors has ratified and affirmed the audit committee’s appointment of the accounting firm BDO Seidman to serve as the Independent Registered Public Accountants of Allion for the current fiscal year subject to ratification by Allion’s stockholders. Representatives of BDO Seidman are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for Allion by BDO Seidman for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 were:
| | | | | | |
| | 2004
| | 2003
|
Audit Fees | | $ | 100,976 | | $ | 100,255 |
Audit-Related Fees | | | 0 | | | 116,436 |
Tax Fees | | | 13,092 | | | 13,756 |
| |
|
| |
|
|
Total Fees | | $ | 114,068 | | $ | 230,447 |
Audit Fees. BDO Seidman billed Allion approximately $100,976 for fiscal year 2004 and $100,255 for fiscal year 2003 for professional services rendered for the annual audit for Allion’s financial statements, and the quarterly reviews of the financial statements.
Audit Related Services. The aggregate audit-related fees billed during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 were primarily related to the audits and reviews of Medicine Made Easy, which Allion acquired on May 1, 2003.
Tax Fees. The aggregate amount billed for all tax fees for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, principally covered tax planning, tax consulting and tax compliance services provided to Allion. The aggregate tax fees billed during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 were primarily related to the preparation and filing of Allion’s federal consolidated and state tax returns. Going forward, we expect to incur additional costs associated with accounting fees related to the internal control over financial reporting attestation report required by all public companies under Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley.
All Other Fees. No other professional services were rendered or fees were billed by BDO Seidman for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003.
The audit committee approves all audit engagement fees and all other significant compensation to be paid to the independent auditor and the terms of the engagement. The audit committee has adopted policies and procedures for the pre-approval of the above fees. All requests for services to be provided by BDO Seidman are submitted to the audit committee. There were no non-audit related services that would require pre-approval from the entire audit committee.
None of the hours expended on the audit engagement of BDO Seidman were attributable to persons other than full-time, permanent employees of BDO Seidman.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE INFORMATION
Stockholders can access Allion’s corporate governance information, including Allion’s Code of Ethics and the charters of the audit committee, compensation committee, and nominating and corporate governance committee at Allion’s website,www.allionhealthcare.com. The content of Allion’s website is not incorporated by reference into, or considered a part of, this document.
COMMUNICATING WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In order to communicate with the board of directors as a whole, with non-management directors or with specified individual directors, correspondence may be directed to James G. Spencer, Secretary, Allion Healthcare, Inc., at 1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105, Melville, New York 11747.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
If you intend to propose any matter for action at our 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and wish to have the proposal included in our Proxy Statement for such meeting, you must submit your proposal to James G. Spencer, Secretary, Allion Healthcare, Inc., at 1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105, Melville, New York 11747, not later than August 1, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, or if the meeting date for our 2006 Annual Meeting is changed by more than 30 days from this year’s meeting date, then such proposal must be received within a reasonable time before we print and mail the proxy materials for our 2006 Annual Meeting. Please note that we will only consider proposals for inclusion in our Proxy Statement and proxy relating to the 2006 Annual Meeting which comply with all of the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act as well as the requirements of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Third Amended and Restated Bylaws. For each stockholder proposal, the stockholder must provide Allion with (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, (ii) the reasons for bringing such business and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and (iii) the number of shares of Allion which are beneficially owned and of record for such stockholder and such beneficial owner, if applicable. Stockholders at an annual meeting may only consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors or by a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has given to our Secretary timely written notice under the above outlined requirements, in proper form, of the stockholder’s intention to bring that business before the meeting. We will be able to use proxies you give us for next year’s Annual Meeting to vote for or against any stockholder proposal that is not included in the Proxy Statement at our discretion if the proposal is submitted to us after September 30, 2006. However, if our 2006 Annual Meeting is changed by more than 20 days from the date of this year’s meeting, we will be able to use proxies you give us for next year’s Annual Meeting to vote for or against any stockholder proposal that is not included in the Proxy Statement at our discretion, unless the proposal is submitted by the later of (i) 45 days before the meeting and (ii) 10 days following the public announcement of the 2006 Annual Meeting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have adopted a process called “householding” for mailing the annual report and Proxy Statement in order to reduce printing costs and postage fees. Householding means that stockholders who share the same last name and address will receive only one copy of the annual report and Proxy Statement, unless we receive contrary instructions from any stockholder at that address. We will continue to mail a proxy card to each stockholder of record.
If you prefer to receive multiple copies of the annual report and Proxy Statement at the same address, we will provide additional copies to you promptly upon request. If you are a stockholder of record, please contact James G. Spencer, Secretary, Allion Healthcare, Inc., at 1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105, Melville, New York 11747, or at telephone number (631) 547-6520. Eligible stockholders of record receiving multiple copies of the annual report and Proxy Statement can request householding by contacting us in the same manner.
If you are a beneficial owner, you may request additional copies of the annual report and Proxy Statement or you may request householding by contacting your broker, bank or nominee.
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Appendix A
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC.
Allion Healthcare, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows:
FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Allion Healthcare, Inc.
SECOND: The original Certification of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed on February 3, 1989; a Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed on November 15, 1999; an Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed on June 1, 2000; an Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed January 5, 2001; and an Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed on April 4, 2003. On January 9, 2001, the Corporation filed a Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock. On April 25, 2001, the Corporation filed an Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of Series B Preferred Stock. On March 31, 2003, the Corporation filed a Certificate of Designation of Series C Preferred Stock. On April 15, 2004, the Corporation filed a Certificate of Designation of Series D Preferred Stock. On December 14, 2004, the Corporation filed a Certificate of Designation of Series E Preferred Stock.
THIRD: That pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates and integrates and further amends the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of this Corporation.
FOURTH: That the Board of Directors of the Corporation duly adopted resolutions setting forth the proposed amendment and restatement of the Certificate of Incorporation of said Corporation by written consent in lieu of special meeting, declaring such amendment and restatement to be advisable and directing that such amendment and restatement be submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for approval.
FIFTH: The stockholders of the Corporation duly adopted the proposed amendment and restatement by written consent in lieu of a special meeting, all in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
SIXTH: The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:
ARTICLE 1
NAME
The name of the Corporation is Allion Healthcare, Inc.
ARTICLE 2
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (“Delaware Law”).
ARTICLE 3
REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT
The registered address of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centreville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808; and the name of the registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.
ARTICLE 4
CAPITAL STOCK
The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is one hundred million (100,000,000) shares, consisting of eighty million (80,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and twenty-million (20,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).
Any other class or series of stock of the Corporation shall be subject to all of the rights, privileges, preferences and priorities of such class or series as set forth in the certificate of designations filed to establish such class or series.
Section 4.1.Common Stock. Except as otherwise provided by the Delaware Law or this Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of Common Stock: (i) subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock, shall share ratably in all dividends payable in cash, stock or otherwise and other distributions, whether in respect of liquidation or dissolution (voluntary or involuntary) or otherwise and (ii) are subject to all the powers, rights, privileges, preferences and priorities of any series of Preferred Stock as provided herein or in any resolution or resolutions.
| (a) | Conversion Rights. The Common Stock shall not be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same class of the Corporation’s capital stock. |
| (b) | Preemptive Rights. No holder of Common Stock shall have any preemptive rights with respect to the Common Stock or any other securities of the Corporation, or to any obligations convertible (directly or indirectly) into securities of the Corporation whether now or hereafter authorized. |
| (c) | Liquidation Rights. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the Corporation’s debts and amounts payable upon shares of Preferred Stock entitled to a preference, if any, over holders of Common Stock upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding up, the remaining net assets of the Corporation shall be distributed among holders of shares of Common Stock equally on a per share basis. A merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or other entity, or a sale or conveyance of all or any part of the assets of the Corporation (which shall not in fact result in the liquidation of the Corporation and the distribution of assets to its stockholders) shall not be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution or winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this Paragraph (c). |
| (d) | Voting Power. Except as otherwise provided by Delaware Law or this Certificate of Incorporation and subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock, all of the voting power of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be vested in the holders of the Common Stock, and each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote for each share held by such holder on all matters voted upon by the Corporation in connection with such issuance. |
| (e) | Dividends. Subject to the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock, and to the other provisions of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as amended from time to time), holders of |
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| Common Stock shall be entitled to receive equally, on a per share basis, such dividends and other distributions in cash, securities or other property of the Corporation as may be declared thereon by the Board of Directors from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefore. |
| (f) | Lost Certificates. Upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation (an affidavit of the registered holder will be satisfactory) of the ownership and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any certificate evidencing one or more shares of any class of Common Stock, and in the case of any such loss, theft or destruction, upon receipt of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation (provided that if the holder is a financial institution or other institutional investor, its own agreement will be satisfactory), or, in the case of any such mutilation upon surrender of such certificate, the Corporation shall (at its expense) execute and deliver in lieu of such certificate a new certificate of like kind representing the number of shares of such class represented by such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated certificate and dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated certificate. |
Section 4.2.Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to provide for the issue of all or any of the shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and to determine or alter, for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such shares and as may be permitted by the Delaware Law. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issue of shares of that series. In case the number of shares of any such series shall be so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.
ARTICLE 5
EXISTENCE
The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
ARTICLE 6
MANAGEMENT
Section 6.1.Management of the Corporation. For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and in further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of its directors and of its stockholders or any class thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided. The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The phrase “whole Board” and the phrase “total number of directors” shall be deemed to have the same meaning, to wit, the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies. No election of directors need be by written ballot.
Section 6.2.Procedures of the Board. Except to the extent prohibited by law, the Board of Directors shall have the right (which, to the extent exercised, shall be exclusive) to establish the rights, powers, duties, rules and procedures that from time to time shall govern the Board of Directors and each of its members, including without limitation the vote required for any action by the Board of Directors, and that from time to time shall affect the directors power to manage the business and affairs of the Corporation; and no By-laws shall be adopted by stockholders which shall impair or impede the implementation of the foregoing.
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Section 6.3.By laws. The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything contained in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the bylaws of the Corporation shall not be amended or repealed by the stockholders, and no provision inconsistent therewith shall be adopted by the stockholders, without the affirmative vote of the holders of 66 2/3% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
ARTICLE 7
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 7.1.Authority. The Board of Directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of Delaware Law, this Certificate of Incorporation and the By-laws of the Corporation; provided, however, that no By-laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the directors which would have been valid if such by-laws had not been adopted.
Section 7.2.Number of Directors. The number of directors of the Corporation constituting the whole Board of Directors shall initially be six (6) members and thereafter such number as shall be fixed from time to time upon the approval of two-thirds of the Board of Directors. Each director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until he or she sooner resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified.
Section 7.3.Election and Term of Office. The directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election of directors; provided that, whenever the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation are entitled to elect one or more directors pursuant to the provisions of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including, but not limited to, any duly authorized certificate of designation), such directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of such class or series present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election of such directors. The directors shall be elected and shall hold office only in this manner, except as provided in Section 2 of this Article Seven. Each director shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.
Section 7.4.Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed, with cause, by a majority of the board of directors or the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders called for such purpose. For purposes of this section, “cause” shall mean only (i) conviction of a felony, (ii) declaration of unsound mind or order of a court, (iii) gross dereliction of duty, (iv) conviction of an act involving moral turpitude or (v) commission of an act which constitutes intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law if in either case such act involves both improper substantial personal benefit and a material injury to the Corporation.
Section 7.5.Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or any other cause may be filled, so long as there is at least one remaining director, only by the Board of Directors, provided that a quorum is then in office and present, or by a majority of the directors then in office, if less than a quorum is then in office, or by the sole remaining director. Directors elected to fill a newly created directorship or other vacancies shall hold office until such director’s successor has been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal as hereinafter provided.
Section 7.6.Rights of Holders of Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article Seven, whenever the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right,
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voting separately or together by series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorship shall be governed by the rights of such Preferred Stock as set forth in the certificate of designations governing such series.
ARTICLE 8
STOCKHOLDER MEETINGS
Section 8.1.Action at Stockholder Meetings. Any action required by Delaware Law to be taken at any annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders, may be taken only at such meeting, duly called in accordance with the Corporation’s By-laws, and not by written consent pursuant to Section 228 of Delaware Law or otherwise.
Section 8.2.Place of Stockholder Meetings. Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware, as the By-Laws may provide. The books of the Corporation may be kept (subject to any provision contained in the statutes) outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors in the By-Laws of the Corporation.
Section 8.3.Special Meetings of Stockholders. For so long as the Corporation’s Common Stock is registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by either the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of the majority of the total number of directors then in office or by the chief executive officer of the Corporation.
ARTICLE 9
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 9.1.Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (hereinafter an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while so serving, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the full extent authorized by Delaware Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), or by other applicable law as then in effect, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, judgments, fines, or excise taxes, penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such Indemnitee in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, agent, partner, member or trustee and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Each person who is or was serving as a director or officer of a subsidiary of the Corporation shall be deemed to be serving, or have served, at the request of the Corporation. Any indemnification (but not advancement of expenses) under this Article Nine (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Delaware Law, as the same exists or hereafter may be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment). Such determination shall be
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made with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination (a) by a majority vote of the directors who were not parties to such proceeding (the “Disinterested Directors”), even though less than a quorum, (b) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum, (c) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, or if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (d) by the stockholders. The Corporation, may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.
Section 9.2.Procedure for Indemnification. Any indemnification or advance of expenses (including attorneys’ fees, costs and charges) under this Article Nine shall be made promptly, and in any event within thirty (30) days upon the written request of the Indemnitee (and, in the case of advance of expenses, receipt of a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified therefor pursuant to the terms of this Article Nine). The right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article Nine shall be enforceable by the Indemnitee in any court of competent jurisdiction, if the Corporation denies such request, in whole or in part, or if no disposition thereof is made within thirty (30) days. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his/her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advance of expenses (including attorney’s fees, costs and charges) under this Article Nine where the required undertaking, if any, has been received by the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standard of conduct set forth in Delaware Law, as the same exists or hereafter may be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel and its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he/she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Delaware Law, as the same exists or hereafter may be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), nor the fact that there has been an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel and its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
Section 9.3.Advancement of Expenses. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees, costs and charges) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending a proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay all amounts so advanced in the event that it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article Nine. The majority of the Disinterested Directors (or a committee thereof) may, in the manner set forth above, and upon approval of such Indemnitee, authorize the Corporation’s counsel to represent such person, in any proceeding, whether or not the Corporation is a party to such proceeding.
Section 9.4.Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, whether or note the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expenses, liability or loss under Delaware Law.
Section 9.5.Amendment or Repeal. Any repeal or modification of this Article Nine or any repeal or modification of relevant provisions of Delaware Law or any other applicable laws shall not in any way diminish any rights to indemnification of such person or the obligations of the Corporation arising hereunder with respect
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to any proceeding arising out of, or relating to, any actions, transactions or facts occurring prior to the final adoption of such modification or repeal.
Section 9.6.Reliance. Persons who after the date of the adoption of this provision become or remain directors, officers, employees or agents of the Corporation or who, while a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, become or remain a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary, shall be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnity, advance of expenses and other rights contained in this Article Nine in entering into or continuing such service. The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this Article Nine shall apply to claims made against an Indemnitee arising out of acts or omissions which occurred or occur both prior and subsequent to the adoption hereof.
Section 9.7.Other Rights. The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this Article 9 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under this Certificate of Incorporation or under any law (common or statutory), bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise. both as to action in his/her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office or while employed by or acting as agent for the Corporation, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent, and shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, executors and administers of such person. All rights to indemnification under this Article Eight shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation who serves or served in such capacity at any time while this Article Nine is in effect. For the purposes of this Article Nine, references to “the Corporation” include all constituent corporations absorbed in a consolidation or merger as well as the resulting or surviving corporation, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such a constituent corporation or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article Nine, with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation, as he would if he/she had served the resulting or surviving corporation in the same capacity.
ARTICLE 10
LIABILITY
A director of the Corporation shall under no circumstances have any personal liability to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director; provided, however, that this provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of Delaware Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENT
The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation, and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage or separate class vote may be specified by law, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws of the Corporation
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or otherwise, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the capital stock required by law, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws of the Corporation or otherwise, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to adopt any provision inconsistent with, to amend or repeal any provision of, or to adopt a bylaw inconsistent with, Articles Seven,Nine,Ten, or Eleven or Section 8.3 of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned affirms as true the foregoing under penalties of perjury and has executed this Certificate as of this day of , 2005.
| | |
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. |
| |
By: | | |
| | Michael P. Moran, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President |
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Appendix B
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of the audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Allion Healthcare, Inc. (the “Company”) is to assist the Board in overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Company’s financial statements. The Audit Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are to:
| • | | Monitor the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting process and systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting and legal compliance; |
| • | | Appoint, approve and monitor the independence, qualifications, services, performance and compensation of the Company’s independent auditors; and |
| • | | Review and approve, as appropriate, related party transactions for potential conflict of interest situations. |
While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Audit Committee Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements are complete and accurate, are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and fairly present the financial condition and financial result of the Company. The foregoing is the sole responsibility of management and the independent auditors.
II. COMPOSITION
The Audit Committee shall have at least three members, comprised solely of independent directors (as defined in the applicable rules of the Nasdaq National Market) and shall also satisfy the Nasdaq National Market’s heightened independence requirement for members of an audit committee. Each member of the Audit Committee shall be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company’s balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement, or will become able to do so within a reasonable period of time after his or her appointment to the Audit Committee. Additionally, the Audit Committee shall have at least one member who satisfies the definition of an “audit committee financial expert” as set forth in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K, promulgated by the SEC and as determined by the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee or the Board (as the case may be) (the “Financial Expert”). The designation of the Financial Expert shall be made by the Board at least annually.
The members of the Audit Committee shall be nominated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and appointed annually by the Board and shall serve until his or her successor is duly appointed and qualified or until such member’s earlier resignation or removal. Unless a Chair is elected by the full Board, the members of the Audit Committee may designate a Chair by majority vote of the full Audit Committee membership. No member of the Audit Committee shall serve simultaneously on the audit committees of more than two other public companies without the prior approval of the Board.
Formal action to be taken by the Audit Committee shall be by unanimous written consent or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Audit Committee members present (in person or by conference telephone) at a meeting at which a quorum is present. A quorum shall consist of at least one-half of the members of the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee may invite such members of management and other persons to its meetings as it may deem desirable or appropriate. The Audit Committee shall maintain a separate book of minutes of its proceedings and actions and report regularly to the Board summarizing the Audit Committee’s actions and any significant
issues considered by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee may, in its discretion, delegate authority to subcommittees, whether or not such delegation is specifically contemplated under any plan or program when and as it deems appropriate.
III. MEETINGS
The Audit Committee shall hold meetings are deemed necessary or desirable by the chair of the Audit Committee. All Audit Committee members are expected to attend each meeting. As part of its responsibility to foster open communication, the Audit Committee should meet periodically with management and the independent auditor in separate sessions to discuss any matters that the Audit Committee or either of these groups believe should be discussed privately. When deemed appropriate, Audit Committee meetings may be held in person or by telephone. Meeting agendas shall be prepared and provided in advance to members, along with appropriate background materials. Minutes or other records of meetings and activities of the Audit Committee shall be maintained and reported to the full Board.
IV. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
The Audit Committee shall provide assistance to the directors in fulfilling their responsibility to the stockholders and the investment community relating to the corporate accounting and reporting practices of the Company and oversight of (1) the quality and integrity of financial reports of the Company, (2) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence and (4) the performance of the Company’s independent auditors. In so doing, it is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to maintain free and open communication between the directors, the independent auditors and the financial management of the Company.
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Audit Committee believes its policies and procedures should remain flexible, in order to best react to changing conditions and to ensure to the directors and stockholders that the corporate accounting and reporting practices of the Company are in accordance with all requirements and are of the highest quality. The Audit Committee shall have the sole authority to appoint or replace the independent auditors. The Audit Committee shall be directly responsible for the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditors (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditors regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work. The independent auditors shall report directly to the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee shall preapprove all auditing services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent auditors, subject to the de minimus exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit.
The Audit Committee shall have the following authority and responsibilities:
Independent Auditors
| 1. | The Audit Committee shall recommend to the Board, subject to approval of the stockholders, the appointment of the independent auditor. |
| 2. | The independent auditors report directly to the Audit Committee and are ultimately accountable to the Audit Committee and the Board. The Audit Committee shall review the independence and qualifications of the independent auditors and evaluate the performance of the auditors, the provision of audit and non-audit services, and the discharge of auditors when circumstances warrant. In performing this review, the Audit Committee shall: |
| (i) | Obtain and review a report from the independent auditors at least annually regarding (1) the independent auditors’ internal quality-control procedures; (2) any material issues raised by the |
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| most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm; and (3) any steps taken to deal with any such issues. Evaluate the qualifications and performance of the independent auditors, including considering whether the auditors’ quality controls are adequate. The Audit Committee shall present its conclusions with respect to the independent auditors to the Board promptly after each such review; |
| (ii) | On an annual basis, obtain from the independent auditors a written communication delineating all their relationships and professional services as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees. In addition, review with the independent auditors the nature and scope of any disclosed relationships or professional services, consider whether the provision of permitted nonaudit services, if any, is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence, and take, or recommend that the Board of Directors take, appropriate action to ensure the continuing independence of the auditors; |
| (iii) | Review and evaluate the lead partner of the independent auditor and ensure the rotation of the lead audit partner every five years and other audit partners every seven years, and consider whether there should be a regular rotation of the independent auditor itself; and |
| (iv) | Present its conclusions with respect to the independent auditor to the Board. |
| 3. | The Audit Committee shall review with the independent auditor any problems or difficulties and management’s response. |
| 4. | The Audit Committee shall approve all audit engagement fees and other significant compensation to be paid to the independent auditor and the terms of such engagement. Pre-approve any non-audit services to be provided to the Company by the independent auditor. Set clear hiring policies by the Company with respect to employees or former employees of the independent auditor. |
| 5. | From time to time, the Audit Committee shall discuss with the independent auditor and management: |
| (i) | all critical accounting policies, |
| (ii) | all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor; |
| (iii) | the effect of any regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures, if any; and |
| (iv) | other material written communications between the independent auditor and management, including, but not limited to, the management letter and schedule of unadjusted differences. |
| 6. | The Audit Committee shall annually review the independent auditors’ audit plan. Discuss scope, staffing, locations, reliance upon management and general audit approach. |
| 7. | The Audit Committee shall, from time to time, review with the independent auditor its evaluation of the quality of the Company’s accounting principles and such matters as are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee under generally accepted auditing standards. |
| 8. | The Audit Committee shall have the power to resolve any disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting. |
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| Financial | Reporting Process |
| 1. | Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor, as appropriate, earnings press releases and other financial information, including particularly any “pro forma” information or other non-GAAP financial measures, and any earnings guidance to be disseminated to the public, communicated to ratings agencies, included in any Current Report on Form 8-K or otherwise properly used in any other public presentation |
| 2. | Prior to releasing year-end earnings, discuss the results of the audit with the independent auditors. Discuss certain matters required to be communicated to audit committees in accordance with SAS No. 61. Review significant accounting and reporting issues of complex or unusual transactions and the effect of off-balance sheet structures on the financial statement of the Company. |
| 3. | Discuss the annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and the independent auditor and outside legal counsel, including the Company’s disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Based on review and discussions, make recommendations to the Board whether the Company’s annual audited financial statements should be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
| 4. | Review the regular internal reports to management prepared by the independent auditor and management’s responses to these documents. |
| 5. | Consider the independent auditor’s judgments about the quality (not just the acceptability) and appropriateness of the Company’s accounting principles as applied in financial accounting. Inquire as to the independent auditor’s views about whether management’s choices of accounting principles appear reasonable from the perspective of income, asset and liability recognition, and whether those principles are common practices or are minority practices. |
| 6. | In consultation with management, and the independent auditor, consider the integrity and adequacy of the Company’s financial reporting processes and controls, both external and internal. Discuss significant financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor, control and report such exposures. Review significant findings prepared by the independent auditor together with management’s responses, including the status of previous recommendations. |
| 7. | Consider and approve, if appropriate, major changes to the Company’s auditing and accounting principles and practices as suggested by the independent accountants, management. |
| Internal | Controls and Legal Compliance |
| 1. | Evaluate whether management is setting the appropriate tone at the top by communicating the importance of internal control over financial reporting and ensuring that all individuals possess an understanding of their roles and responsibilities. |
| 2. | Review and investigate any matters relating to the integrity of management, potential conflicts of interest and adherence to the Company’s policies. |
| 3. | Review disclosures made to the Audit Committee by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer during their certification process for the Form 10-K and Form 10-Q about any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting or material weaknesses therein and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| 4. | Consider and review with management and the independent auditors, the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting. Develop, in consultation with management, a timetable for implementing recommendations to correct identified deficiencies or weaknesses. |
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| 5. | On at least an annual basis, review with the Company’s counsel any legal matters that could have a significant impact on the organization’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and inquiries received from regulators or governmental agencies. |
| 6. | Review management’s monitoring of the Company’s compliance with laws and management’s exercise of ethical practices and ensure that management has the proper review systems in place to ensure that the Company’s financial statements, reports and other information disseminated to governmental organizations, and the public, satisfy legal requirements. |
| Reports | of the Audit Committee |
| 1. | Report to the Board about Audit Committee activities and issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the Company’s financial statement, or internal controls over financial reporting. |
| 2. | Prepare a report of the Audit Committee to be included in the Company’s proxy statement for its annual meeting of stockholders, disclosing whether (1) the Audit Committee had reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors, as well as discussed within the Audit Committee (without management or the independent auditors present), the financial statements and the quality of accounting principles and significant judgments affecting the financial statements; (2) the Audit Committee discussed with the auditors the independence of the auditors; and (3) based upon the Audit Committee’s review and discussions with management and the independent auditors, the Audit Committee had recommended to the Board that the audited financials be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K. |
| 3. | Report annually to the shareholders, describing the Audit Committee’s composition, responsibilities and how they were discharged, and any other information required by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Nasdaq National Market, including approval of non-audit services. |
| 1. | The Audit Committee will perform such other functions as assigned by law, the Nasdaq National Market, the Company’s articles of incorporation or bylaws or the Board. |
| 2. | Review and reassess the adequacy of the Charter at least annually. Submit the Audit Committee Charter to the Board for approval and have the document published at least every three years in accordance with regulations promulgated by the SEC. |
| 3. | Review and pre-approve all related-party transactions as defined by the Nasdaq National Market. |
| 4. | Review regularly the Company’s compliance processes. |
| 5. | The Audit Committee shall perform any other activities consistent with the Audit Committee Charter, the Company’s Bylaws and governing law, as the Audit Committee or the Board deems appropriate or necessary. |
| 6. | Establish procedures for: |
| (i) | The receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters; and |
| (ii) | The confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
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V. RESOURCES AND AUTHORITY
The Audit Committee has the authority to conduct any investigation appropriate to fulfilling its responsibilities, and it has direct access to the independent auditors, management and Company employees. The Audit Committee shall have resources, authority and funding appropriate to discharge its duties and responsibilities, including the authority to select, retain, terminate, and approve the fees and other retention terms of special counsel or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate, without seeking approval of the Board or management.
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Appendix C
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004
OR
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission File Number: 0-17821
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC.
(Name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | |
Delaware | | 11-2962027 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105, Melville, New York 11747
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number: (631) 547-6520
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO ¨
Indicate by checkmark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229. 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in the definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES ¨ NO x
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2004, based on assumed price of $6.25 per share of Common Stock (as there is no trading market for the Common Stock), was approximately $13,437,500.
As of March 25, 2005, the registrant had outstanding 3,100,000 shares of common stock.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
INFORMATION RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K and certain information incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, other than statements that are purely historical are forward looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and other similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify these forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements, which include statements about our strategy to expand our business and become profitable, our ability to integrate past acquisitions and identify additional ones, our expectations regarding reimbursement rates and our eligibility for specific HIV/AIDS programs, our access to additional capital, the future demand for our services, expectations about future treatments for HIV/AIDS patients, and management’s expectations regarding future operating results are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements.
All forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this Report are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Readers of this Report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements.
The forward-looking statements and any expectations based on such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other important factors, including, without limitation, changes in reimbursement rates, our compliance with Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement regulations, our ability to market our services, our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions and other factors discussed under in Item 7 of this Report under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Report. The reader also should consult the cautionary statements and risk factors listed from time to time in the other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1
PART I
OVERVIEW
We are a national provider of specialty pharmacy and disease management services focused on HIV/AIDS patients. We work closely with patients, healthcare providers such as physicians, nurses, AIDS Service Organizations, or ASOs, and with government and private payors to improve clinical outcomes and reduce treatment costs for our patients. We sell HIV/AIDS prescription and ancilliary medications, and nutritional supplies under our trade name MOMS Pharmacy. Most of our customers rely on Medicaid and the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, or ADAP, to pay for their medications. Billing requirements for these programs are complex. We are one of a limited number of providers that qualify for certain HIV/AIDS medication reimbursement programs under legislation recently enacted in California and we believe we qualify for an HIV/AIDS medication reimbursement program in New York.
We believe that the combination of services we offer to patients, healthcare providers and payors makes us an attractive source of specialty pharmacy and disease management services, and reduces overall healthcare costs. Our services include the following:
| • | | Specialized prescription packaging systems, which we call MOMSPak, which improve adherence by simplifying the complicated dosing regimens faced by HIV/AIDS patients; |
| • | | Reimbursement expertise that assists patients and healthcare providers with the complex reimbursement processes of private and government payors, and that optimizes collection of payment; |
| • | | Services that arrange for delivery of medications as directed by our patients or their physicians in a discreet, convenient and timely manner, designed to help that patients actually receive their prescriptions; |
| • | | Specialized pharmacists who consult with patients, physicians, nurses and ASOs to provide education, counseling, treatment coordination, clinical information and compliance monitoring; and |
| • | | Information systems and prescription automation solutions that make the provision of clinical data and the transmission of prescriptions more efficient and accurate. |
Rigorous patient adherence to precise medication regimens is an important factor in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, according to the AIDS Research Institute. The complexity, cost and duration of many HIV/AIDS medication regimens often results in poor patient adherence, which in turn can lead to diminished patient health, resistance to medications, higher costs of healthcare, and reduced patient survival rates. Studies on adherence within the HIV/AIDS population have shown that if 95% of medication doses are not taken as prescribed, the medication may be ineffective or the patient may develop drug resistance.
We have positioned our distribution centers in or near those metropolitan areas in those states in which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, has indicated in its studies is where more than 50% of the United States HIV/AIDS patient population reside: New York, California, Florida, New Jersey and Washington. As of March 25, 2005, we served approximately 8,300 patients, who were located mainly in these areas.
We have generated internal growth by increasing the number of patients we serve and by filling an increased number of prescriptions per patient. We entered California through an acquisition completed in May 2003. In the first quarter of 2005, we increased our presence in California by acquiring two additional specialty pharmacies. We expect that in 2005, California will account for approximately 58% of our total net sales. We will continue to evaluate acquisition opportunities as they arise, especially for other specialty pharmacies that have established relationships with HIV/AIDS clinics and hospitals.
2
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
During the second half of 2004 and the first quarter of 2005, there have been several developments that we believe will have a significant effect on our business and our future financial results:
| • | | During 2004, we raised a total of approximately $13 million (before payment of fees and expenses) from the sale of additional shares of preferred stock, as discussed below in Item 5 under the heading “Unregistered Sales.” We discuss our financial resources and our anticipated needs for outside financing in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.” |
| • | | On February 28, 2005 we purchased 100% of the stock of Specialty Pharmacies, Inc., a California-based company specializing in HIV/AIDS pharmacy services and significantly expanded our operations and patient base in the San Francisco, California market. |
| • | | On March 2, 2005 we entered into a letter of intent with Oris Medical Systems, Inc., or Oris Medical, to become the exclusive licensee of the LabTracker™ software system for HIV/AIDS and to acquire Oris Medical. If we are able to negotiate a definitive agreement with Oris Medical, we expect that this software will help us expand our business, as discussed below in this Item 1 under the heading “Our Products and Services—Information Systems and Prescription Automation Solutions.” There is no assurance that we will be able to reach a definitive agreement with Oris Medical. See the discussion in Item 7 below under the heading “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company.” |
| • | | In March 2005 we decided to cease our operations in Texas and are in the process of closing our Texas facility. We expect to complete this process by June 30, 2005 when our lease in Austin, Texas expires. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Texas facility represented $4.5 million of our net sales. |
| • | | In March 2005 we decided to cease providing services for transplant and oncology patients. Currently, we serve these patients from our pharmacies in Texas, Florida and New York. Most of these patients receive Medicare reimbursement which is not an area of focus for us. We may sell some of our business to a third party for a nominal amount. |
OUR COMPANY; CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS
We were incorporated in Delaware in 1983 under the name The Care Group, Inc. The Care Group, Inc. filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in 1998. We emerged from bankruptcy in 1999 and changed our name to Allion Healthcare, Inc. at that time. Our principal executive offices are located at 1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105, Melville, New York, 11747. Our telephone number is (631) 547-6520 and our fax number is (631) 249-5863.
Our internet address is www.allionhealthcare.com. We are providing the address of our internet website solely for informational purposes. We do not intend the internet address to be an active link, and the contents of the website are not a part of this Report.
We have also adopted procedures for our stockholders to communicate with our Board of Directors. Stockholders who wish to contact the Board of Directors, or an individual director, should contact the Board of Directors or individual director in writing at 1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105, Melville, New York, 11747. The Secretary will compile all communications and submit them to the Board of Directors, or individual directors, on a periodic basis.
HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, commonly known as HIV, is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, commonly known as AIDS. HIV is spread most commonly by sexual contact with an infected partner. HIV is also spread through contact with infected blood, including through the use of
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contaminated needles or syringes. Once inside a host body, HIV attacks T cells, a major component of the immune system. The virus then takes over the cells’ reproductive machinery and reproduces itself causing the cells to weaken and eventually die. When the infected cells die, they release the recently created virus into the bloodstream. Other T cells are then invaded and die, and the body is left vulnerable to diseases that easily would have been fought off by a normally functioning immune system.
The demographic profile of HIV/AIDS patients has shifted since the disease was first diagnosed in 1981. According to a recent CDC study, most HIV/AIDS patients now live in the inner-city of a major metropolitan area and are dependent on government programs to pay for the medications to treat HIV/AIDS. According to the CDC research report AIDS Epidemic Update December 2004, over the past ten years in the United States an estimated 40,000 people per year have been infected with HIV. A disproportionate number of these patients have been African Americans and Hispanics. The proportion of new cases in African Americans in the United States rose from 25% in 1981 to 50% in 2001. The proportion of Hispanics infected with HIV rose from 14% in 1981 to 20% in 2001. We believe that as more HIV/AIDS patients look to government programs, the government is likely to take a more active role regulating the pharmacies and other providers of HIV/AIDS.
When HIV/AIDS was first diagnosed, initial treatments were monotherapies and other treatments that were often administered in a hospital or other clinical setting. Monotherapy involves treatment with only one drug at a time. Doctors now use a combination of two or more drugs in an effort to combat resistance to drugs. The current standard of care for the treatment of HIV/AIDS includes the use of a triple-drug therapy, also referred to as a “combination therapy” because a single drug regimen may cause rapid resistance, thus requiring physicians to frequently change the treatment regimen. The most prevalent combination threaby is known as highly active antiretroviral therapies, or HAART. Combination therapies are predominantly oral and are often administered by the patient outside a clinical setting, further complicating compliance with the frequently changing multi-therapy regimen.
Combination therapy often requires that a patient take variations of the multi-therapy regimens at many times during the day. For example, a patient may need to take certain medications either after meals or on an empty stomach, or, after high-fat or low-fat meals. The number of medications and varying dosages and schedules often can confuse and overwhelm patients. As a result, many patients lose confidence in their ability to adhere to their drug regimens and simply give up, while others lose track of which doses they have taken or inadvertently miss a dose because of their personal schedules. Alcohol and illicit drug use are also factors in causing non-compliance and may lead to an increasing amount of Medicaid fraud. Poor adherence or even slight or occasional deviations from a prescribed regimen can reduce the potency of therapy and lead to viral resistance. Given the ability of HIV/AIDS to mutate rapidly in the absence of antiretroviral medication, taking a combination therapy exactly as prescribed, without missing or reducing doses, is critical to effective treatment. Once resistance has developed in a patient, success rates of other antiretroviral drugs are limited, particularly if the patient’s adherence issues are not resolved, and treatment options become greatly limited.
Before combination therapies became available in 1996, individuals living with HIV had high mortality rates. Before combination therapies, 50–60% of adults infected with HIV were diagnosed with an AIDS-defining condition within 10 years of infection, and 48% of them died due to related complications. In the United States, HIV/AIDS-associated morbidity and mortality have declined significantly due to combination therapies. After increasing every year between 1987 and 1994 at an average rate of 16% annually, HIV mortality in the United States leveled off in 1995 and has since decreased. In 1995, 19% of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States died compared to 4% in 2003. HIV/AIDS is now a more manageable chronic disease.
We are one of only a few specialty pharmacy and disease management service providers that primarily service HIV/AIDS patients. Despite the special needs of the HIV/AIDS infected population, few national and regional pharmacies have focused on the special needs of this patient population. We believe that national and regional pharmacies have avoided focusing on HIV/AIDS patients because of regulation of the HIV/AIDS industry and due to increased public attention on the HIV/AIDS community brought on by HIV/AIDS political
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groups and through the many political figures who have worked to promote the interests of the HIV/AIDS community. Most of the pharmacies serving this market have been local or small regional providers located in a single urban market. These pharmacies often do not have the resources or sophistication to provide the disease management services required by patients, healthcare providers and payors to ensure adherence, which we believe is very important to patient health. We also believe that neither the retail pharmacies nor the mail order pharmacies offer the range of services we provide.
OUR STRATEGY
Our objective is to become the leading specialty pharmacy and disease management services provider serving HIV/AIDS patients in the United States. Key elements of our strategy, include:
| • | | Increasing Sales in the Markets We Currently Serve. Our internal growth has been generated through a combination of an increase in the number of patients we serve, an increase in the average dollar value of prescriptions and an increase in the number of prescriptions per patient. We intend to continue to expand in the major metropolitan markets where the majority of HIV/AIDS patients live through enhancing our existing and obstaining new relationships with HIV/AIDS clinics, hospitals and prescribing physicians and through the use of direct contact, outreach programs and community-based education programs. |
| • | | Pursuing Strategic Acquisitions. Our growth strategy includes acquiring specialty pharmacies located in areas that enable us to serve large numbers of HIV/AIDS patients. We acquired our first pharmacy in California—Medicine Made Easy—in 2003 and since that time we have acquired two other specialty pharmacies in California. The patient base of these pharmacies and their relationships with area healthcare providers has greatly expanded our presence on the West Coast. We will continue to evaluate acquisition opportunities as they arise, especially other specialty pharmacies that have established relationships with HIV/AIDS clinics and hospitals. |
| • | | Developing Marketing Relationships with Drug Manufacturers. We intend to pursue relationships with drug manufacturers to increase recognition for our service and our ability to sell our specialty pharmacy and disease management services. These organizations have large marketing budgets and large sales teams who actively make sales calls to the leading prescribers of HIV/AIDS medications. We believe these relationships will promote our products and services. In March 2004, we entered into a specialized services agreement with Roche Laboratories Inc. to receive product pricing discounts in exchange for providing blind patient data with respect to Fuzeon®, an injectable HIV medication. |
| • | | Qualifying for HIV/AIDS Reimbursement Programs. Because we focus on serving HIV/AIDS patients and providing certain specialized pharmacy and disease management services, we have qualified for additional reimbursements for HIV/AIDS medications in California and believe we qualify in New York for additional reimbursements under Medicaid programs in those states. We own two of the ten pharmacies qualified for the California pilot program. We intend to continue to seek to qualify for programs under other state Medicaid programs that may provide additional or preferred reimbursements for the HIV/AIDS medications we sell. |
| • | | Growth Through Relationship with Oris/LabTracker™. LabTracker™ enables physicians and healthcare providers to record, track, analyze and graph the outcomes of more than 250 possible HIV/AIDS treatment combinations. Lab Tracker™ also enables the healthcare providers to view, cross-reference and re-sort patient treatment information based on dozens of different patient demographics. LabTracker™ has the ability to show the correlation between laboratory results and the medications prescribed to a HIV/AIDS patient. Oris Medical has an exclusive license to use Ground Zero Software’s LabTracker™ software system for HIV/AIDS. Currently, more that 200 clinics and physicians use the LabTracker™ system. If we are able to negotiate and sign a definitive agreement with Oris Medical, we will have access to use LabTracker™ software, which we expect will assist us in entering new geographic markets and gaining access to clinics, physicians, and hospitals where we do not currently treat patients. |
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OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
We offer a range of specialty pharmacy and disease management services to assist patients, healthcare providers and payors in managing HIV/AIDS. We sell HIV/AIDS prescription and ancillary medications, and nutritional supplies. Patients or physicians generally initiate the prescription process by contacting us on our toll-free telephone number, through our facsimile number or through our electronic prescription writer. Some clinics have medication drop-off boxes in which physicians also may leave prescriptions for us to fill. A patient may also direct his or her physician to call, fax or electronically transmit a prescription. If requested by a patient, one of our pharmacists may contact the patient’s physician directly to obtain prescription information. Our pharmacists are required to validate and verify the completeness of each prescription, answer questions and, if appropriate, help coordinate support and training for patients. As soon as we receive a prescription, we also seek approval for reimbursement from the payor. Once the prescription and reimbursement are verified, the order is filled, shipped and delivered.
We have designed our services to meet the following challenges that are of particular importance to HIV/AIDS patients, healthcare providers and payors:
Adherence
Packaging. We have designed our services to improve patient adherence to complex medication regimens. We package prescriptions in a format customized for the patient, which organizes the medications into dose-by-dose packets, called MOMSPak, or into individual doses using pillboxes for our patients, if requested by the patient. Our customized packaging helps to ensure that our patients are not confused by the complex regimen associated with their numerous medications, and also helps to eliminate patient error in determining when they should be taken, and how they should be administered.
Delivery. We arrange for independent delivery of medications as directed by our patients or their physicians in a discreet, convenient and timely manner and help patients receive their prescriptions. We believe that this increases patient adherence as it eliminates the need to pick up medications at a local pharmacy.
Reimbursement Management
We have reimbursement expertise that assists patients and healthcare providers with the complex reimbursement processes of government and private payors, and that optimizes collection of payment. By focusing on HIV/AIDS, we have developed significant expertise in managing reimbursement issues related to the patient’s condition, treatment program, and the payor. We have developed sophisticated systems for managing the process of checking eligibility, receiving authorization, adjudicating claims and ensuring that payment is received. In our experience, it is critical to understand the process of checking eligibility and need for authorizations and approvals to facilitate the collection of payments.
Due to the high cost and extended duration required to treat HIV/AIDS, the availability of adequate health insurance is an on-going concern for our patients and their families. We work closely with physicians and our patients to monitor coverage reduction or termination dates and seek alternative coverage options to ensure the patient’s clinical needs are met and his or her quality of life is not compromised. The majority of our claims are submitted electronically for our patients, which substantially eliminates the paper claim submission process. Because of our ability to facilitate reimbursement from private and government payors, in many cases, we can provide prescription medications to patients at lower initial out-of-pocket costs than they might obtain from other sources.
The two largest HIV/AIDS markets in the United States, California and New York, recently underwent fundamental changes in Medicaid reimbursement for HIV/AIDS medications. California recently approved a three-year HIV/AIDS Pharmacy Pilot Program, which provides additional reimbursement for HIV/AIDS
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medications for up to ten qualified pharmacies. We own two of the ten pharmacies that qualified for this program. In New York, we believe that we will be the only specialized HIV pharmacy services provider to qualify for a higher reimbursement rate under the revised reimbursement mechanisms of the New York state-mandated Medicaid HIV/AIDS program.
We work with government and private payors to obtain appropriate reimbursement. Our billing and reimbursement specialists typically secure pre-approval from a payor before any shipment of medications. Our billing and reimbursement specialists also review such issues as pre-certification or other prior approval requirements, lifetime limits, pre-existing condition clauses and the availability of special state programs. Because the majority of our prescriptions are adjudicated through electronic submissions we are reasonably certain we will receive payment from the payor.
Disease Management
The medications we distribute to our patients require timely delivery, may require temperature maintained distribution, and very often require dosage monitoring. Our employees have developed expertise in HIV/AIDS that allows them to provide customized care to our patients. By focusing on the HIV/AIDS community, we have been able to design our services to help patients understand and manage their medication needs and schedules.
Upon initiating service, we work closely with the patient and the patient’s physician and other care providers to implement the prescribed therapy and provide the following services:
| • | | programs to monitor utilization compliance and outcomes; |
| • | | clinical information and consultation regarding the patient’s illness, medications being used and treatment regimens; |
| • | | educational information on the patient’s illness, including advancements in research, technology and medication regimens; |
| • | | assistance in setting realistic expectations for a patient’s therapy, including anticipated outcomes and side effects; |
| • | | systems for inventory management and record keeping; and |
| • | | assistance in coordinating treatments outside of the home / hospital setting. |
We believe that these specialty pharmacy and disease management services benefit government and private payors by helping our patients avoid potentially costly episodes that can result from non-compliance with a prescribed care regimen. Improved patient compliance avoids costs for the payor by reducing the incidence of physician intervention, hospitalization and emergency room visits. Our staff works closely with patient care coordinators to routinely monitor the patient’s care regimen.
Information Systems and Prescription Automation Solutions
We use licensed information systems that allow patients and healthcare providers to manage and treat HIV/AIDS. We believe the transmission of electronic prescriptions reduces confusion and potential medication errors. Our electronic prescription transmittal software, EZrx, allows healthcare providers to view their patients’ prescription history and combine data on medications and dosages with the patients’ lab results. In addition, EZrx enables physicians to request new prescriptions and renewal prescriptions online, thereby saving physicians and their staff time that would otherwise be spent completing the necessary patient prescriptions.
We recently entered into a letter of intent with Oris Medical to be the exclusive licensee of Ground Zero Software’s LabTracker™ software system for HIV/AIDS. LabTracker™ enables physicians and healthcare providers to record, track, analyze and graph the outcomes of more than 250 possible HIV/AIDS treatment
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combinations. Lab Tracker™ also enables the healthcare providers to view, cross-reference and re-sort patient treatment information based on dozens of different patient demographics. LabTracker™ has the ability to show the correlation between laboratory results and the medications prescribed to a HIV/AIDS patient. Currently, healthcare providers that desire to use this feature are required to manually input prescription information. These reports contain more accurate, timely and comprehensive information about the interaction between a drug and the health of a HIV/AIDS patient. We believe this information allows healthcare providers to alter drug regimens as needed. If we are able to negotiate a definitive agreement with Oris Medical to be the exclusive licensee of LabTracker™, we expect that healthcare providers will be able to import prescription information electronically through the LabTracker™ software. We believe this capability, coupled with the features of LabTracker™, will significantly enhance our ability to attract and retain patients and to develop enhanced business relationships with healthcare providers. There is no assurance that we will be able to reach a definitive agreement with Oris Medical. See the discussion in Item 7 below under the heading “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company.”
MARKETING
We market our services to healthcare providers and patients through advertising, and the activities of our sales team, which is experienced in HIV/AIDS. We provide our services under the trade name of MOMS Pharmacy.
We believe MOMS Pharmacy is a recognized brand-name within the HIV/AIDS community. We have a website atwww.momspharmacy.com to directly market our products to the HIV/AIDS community and service organizations, which contains educational material and information of interest for the community. We are providing the address of this internet website in this Report solely for informational purposes. We do not intend the internet address to be an active link, and the contents of the website are not a part of this Report.
SUPPLIERS AND PHARMACEUTICAL ARRANGEMENTS
We ensure the timely delivery of our approximately 1,000 branded and generic prescription medications by purchasing the medications we use to fill prescriptions from wholesale distributors. In 2003, we entered into a five-year agreement with AmerisourceBergen Corporation to provide us with the HIV/AIDS medications we sell, although we will continue to purchase some medications from other wholesalers and from manufacturers. As part of this agreement, we receive improved payment terms relative to the terms we could get from other pharmaceutical distributors. Pursuant to this agreement, we agreed to purchase certain minimum amounts in the future. The terms of our agreement with AmerisourceBergen and its impact on our financial results and condition are discussed below in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.”
We actively pursue relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers and are currently negotiating partnerships with pharmaceutical companies. Historically, and in the future, these relationships are formed through partnering agreements, joint ventures and marketing agreements. We actively look to work with the manufacturers and marketers of the leading HIV/AIDS medications. These organizations have large marketing budgets and large sales teams. The HIV/AIDS sales teams at these pharmaceutical companies are actively making sales calls on the leading prescribers of HIV/AIDS medications. Often they have strong relationships and the ability to inform the physician about our products and services. We have agreed to provide Roche with detailed data and other information about our sales of Fuzeon® that assists Roche in better understanding its customers.
We have entered into a specialized services agreement with Roche Laboratories Inc. to receive product pricing discounts in exchange for providing blind patient data with respect to Fuzeon®, an injectable HIV medication manufactured by Roche. Roche has entered into a specialty agreement with only a limited number of pharmacies.
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COMPETITION
Our industry is highly competitive, fragmented and undergoing consolidation, with many public and private companies focusing on different products or diseases. Each of our competitors provides a different mix of products and services than we do. Some of our current and potential competitors include:
| • | | specialty pharmacy distributors such as, Accredo Health, Inc., BioScrip, Inc., Curative Health Services, Inc., and Priority Healthcare Corp.; |
| • | | pharmacy benefit management companies such as, Medco Health Solutions, Inc., ExpressScripts, Inc. and Caremark, Rx, Inc.; |
| • | | specialty pharmacy divisions of national wholesale drug distributors; |
| • | | hospital-based pharmacies; |
| • | | retail pharmacies, such as CVS Corp. and Walgreen Co.; |
| • | | manufacturers that sell their products both to distributors and directly to clinics and physician offices; and |
| • | | hospital-based care centers and other alternate site healthcare providers. |
Many of our existing and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing and distribution resources than we do. Additionally, many of these companies have greater name recognition and more established relationships with HIV/AIDS patients. Furthermore, these competitors may be able to adopt more aggressive pricing policies and offer customers more attractive terms than we can.
THIRD PARTY REIMBURSEMENT COST CONTAINMENT AND LEGISLATION
As of January 1, 2004, Medicare adopted new reimbursement methodologies for covered prescription drugs, which reduced reimbursement for many drugs. In 2005, CMS changed the reimbursement methodology to be based on average sales price (ASP) rather than average wholesale price (AWP). Medicare will again change the reimbursement methodology in 2006 to be based on pricing established by competitive bid. Because only a small amount of our net sales are from patients reimbursed by Medicare, this change has not had a significant effect on us.
As of September 1, 2004 as part of the passage of the state of California budget, reimbursement rates for pharmacy services provided under Medi-Cal were reduced. Under the changed reimbursement rate, prescriptions are reimbursed at AWP less 17%, and the provider is paid a $7.00 dispensing fee. The previous reimbursement rate was AWP less 10% with a $4.30 dispensing fee. On September 28, 2004, California approved a three-year HIV/AIDS Pharmacy Pilot Program bill that funds an additional $9.50 fee per prescription for qualified HIV pharmacies that participate in the program. The payments are retroactive and applies to services rendered since September 1, 2004.
In New York, reimbursement rates for pharmacy services provided under Medicaid were reduced in September 2004. Under the changed reimbursement rate, prescriptions are reimbursed at the AWP less 12.75% plus a dispensing fee. The previous reimbursement rate was AWP less 12% plus a dispensing fee of $3.50 to $4.50. Approved specialized HIV pharmacies will continue to be reimbursed at AWP less 12% plus a dispensing fee. We believe we have been approved as a specialized HIV pharmacy qualifying for the more favorable reimbursement rate. The legislation authorizing the more favorable reimbursement rate is currently effective until March 31, 2006.
Cost containment initiatives are a primary trend in the United States health care industry. The increasing prevalence of managed care, centralized purchasing decisions, consolidation among and integration of healthcare providers and competition for patients has affected, and continues to affect, pricing, purchasing, and usage
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patterns in health care. Efforts by payors to eliminate, contain or reduce costs through coverage exclusions, lower reimbursement rates, greater claims scrutiny, closed provider panels, restrictions on required formularies, mandatory use of generics, limitations on payments in certain therapeutic drug categories, claim delays or denials and other similar measures could erode our profit margins or materially harm the results of our operations.
Some government and private payors may attempt to control costs further by selecting certain companies to be their exclusive providers of pharmaceutical benefits. If such arrangements were with our competitors, we would be unable to obtain reimbursement for purchases made by patients insured by such payors.
We derive a significant portion of our net sales from Medicaid and ADAP, both highly regulated government programs, subject to frequent changes and cost containment measures. Medicaid is a state program partly funded by the Federal government. In recent years, these programs have reduced reimbursement to providers. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 increased state discretion over the administration of Medicaid programs and reduced spending levels for the Medicare and Medicaid programs. We expect continued financial pressure on these programs. Approximately 25 states have implemented “preferred drug list” programs, under which drugs would not appear on an approved and reimbursable Medicaid formulary unless the Medicaid programs receive discounts or other concessions. The drug industry has instituted litigation to halt these programs in some of these states, but the outcome of the litigation is unknown. If the states prevail in these lawsuits, then this could result in reductions in the reimbursement that we receive from Medicaid programs for our services and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation. In addition, a number of state Medicaid programs have reduced their reimbursement rates in response to AWP prices published by First DataBank.
The impact of changes in reimbursement rates and programs and of cost containment initiatives generally on our financial results is discussed below in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
Marketing, repackaging, dispensing, selling and purchasing drugs is highly regulated and regularly scrutinized by state and Federal government agencies for compliance with laws and regulations relating to the following topics, including, but not limited to:
| • | | the payment of inducements for patient referrals; |
| • | | manufacturer calculated and reported AWP and ASP amounts; |
| • | | restrictions on joint ventures and management agreements; |
| • | | prohibition on referrals from physicians with whom we have a financial relationship; |
| • | | professional licensure; |
| • | | repackaging, storing and distributing prescription pharmaceuticals; |
| • | | incentives to patients; and |
The laws and regulations are very complex and generally broad in scope resulting in differing interpretations and a lack of consistent court decisions. Compliance with laws continue to be a significant operational requirement for us. We believe that we currently comply in all material respects, and intend to continue to comply, with all laws and regulations with respect to our operations and conduct of business. However, the application of complex standards to the detailed operation of our business always creates areas of uncertainty, and there can be no assurance that all of our business practices would be interpreted by the appropriate regulatory agency to be in compliance in all respects with the applicable requirements. Moreover,
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regulation of the health care industry is in a state of flux. Any failure or alleged failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
In addition, we are unable to predict or determine the future course of federal, state and local regulation, legislation or enforcement or what additional federal or state legislation or regulatory initiatives may be enacted in the future relating to our business or the health care industry in general, or what effect any such legislation or regulation might have on us. We cannot provide any assurance that federal or state governments will not impose additional restrictions or adopt interpretations of existing laws that could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial position. Consequently, any future change, interpretation or any violation (or alleged violation) of law and regulations could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The following are particular areas of government regulation that apply to our business.
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act. This law, as amended by the Prescription Drug Marketing Act, imposes requirements for the labeling, packaging and repackaging, dispensing and advertising of prescription medication; and also prohibits, among other things, the distribution of unapproved adulterated or misbranded drugs. To the extent that this law applies to us, we believe that we comply with a reasonable interpretation of the repackaging, labeling, compounding, documentation, record-keeping and storage requirements.
Federal Controlled Substances Act. This federal law contains pharmacy registration, packaging and labeling requirements, as well as record-keeping requirements related to a pharmacy’s inventory and its receipt and disposition of all controlled substances. Each state has also enacted similar legislation governing pharmacies’ handling of controlled substances. We maintain federal and state controlled substance registrations for each of our facilities where applicable, and follow procedures intended to comply with all such record keeping requirements.
Federal Mail Order Provisions. The United States Postal Service and the Federal Trade Commission regulate mail order sellers, requiring truth in advertising, a reasonable supply of drugs to fill orders, the consumer’s right to a refund if an order cannot be filled within 30 days, and in certain cases, child-resistant packaging. To the extent applicable, we believe we substantially comply with these requirements.
Pharmacy Drug Use Review Law. Federal law requires that states offering Medicaid prescription drug benefits implement a drug use review program. The program requires “before and after” drug use reviews and the use of certain approved compendia and peer-reviewed medical literature as the source of standards for such drug use reviews. States offering Medicaid prescription drug benefits must develop standards for pharmacy patient counseling and record-keeping. These standards apply as well to non-resident pharmacies. We believe our pharmacists monitor these requirements, provide the necessary patient counseling and maintain the appropriate records.
Anti-Kickback Laws. Being a health care business, we are subject to various laws that regulate our relationships with referral sources such as physicians, hospitals and other providers of health care services. Under the government payment programs for health care services (Medicare, Medicaid, etc.), the federal government enforces the federal statute that prohibits the offer, payment, solicitation or receipt of any remuneration to or from any person or entity, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind to induce or exchange for: the referral of patients covered by the programs; or the purchasing, leasing, ordering, or arranging for or recommending the lease, purchase or order of any item, good, facility or service covered by the programs. Violations by individuals or entities are punishable by criminal fines, civil penalties, imprisonment or exclusion from participation in reimbursement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid.
States also have similar laws proscribing kickbacks, some of which are not limited to services for which government-funded payment may be made. State laws (and their respective exceptions or safe harbors) vary and are subject to interpretations of courts or regulatory agencies.
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Anti-kickback laws are very broad in scope and are subject to modifications and variable interpretations. In an effort to clarify the Federal anti-kickback law, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has adopted a set of “safe harbor” rules, which specify various payment practices that are protected from civil or criminal liability. Not all of our business arrangements and the services we provide may fit within these safe harbors. A practice that does not fall within a safe harbor is not necessarily unlawful, but may be subject to scrutiny and challenge. Failure to satisfy the requirements of a safe harbor requires an analysis of whether the parties intend to violate the anti-kickback law. In the absence of an applicable safe harbor, a violation of the anti-kickback law may occur even if only one purpose of a payment arrangement is to induce patient referrals or purchases or induce the provision of a prescription drug reimbursable by a federal healthcare program such as Medicare or Medicaid. Anti-kickback laws have been cited as a partial basis, along with the state consumer protection laws discussed below, for investigations and multi-state settlements relating to financial incentives provided by drug manufacturers to retail pharmacies in connection with pharmaceutical marketing programs. We review our business practices regularly to comply with the federal anti-kickback law and similar state laws. We have a variety of relationships with referral sources such as physicians, clinics and hospitals. As we grow, we may pursue additional arrangements with such parties. Where applicable, we attempt to structure these relationships to fit into the appropriate safe harbor; however, it is not always possible to meet all requirements of a safe harbor. While we feel that our relationships comply with the anti-kickback laws, if we are found to violate any of these laws, we could suffer penalties, fines, or possible exclusion from participation in federal and state health care programs, which could reduce our net sales and profits.
Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Among other things, HIPAA broadened the scope of the DHHS Secretary’s power to impose civil monetary penalties on healthcare providers, and added an additional category to the list of individuals and entities who may be excluded from participating in any Federal health care program like Medicaid. HIPAA encourages the reporting of health care fraud by allowing reporting individuals to share in any recovery made by the government, and requires the DHHS Secretary to create new programs to control fraud and abuse and conduct investigations, audits and inspections. HIPAA also created new health care fraud crimes including expanding the coverage of previous laws by, among other things, to include:
| • | | knowingly and willfully attempting to defraud any health care benefit program (including government and private, commercial plans); and |
| • | | knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing, or covering up a material fact or making any materially false or fraudulent statements in connection with claims and payment for health care services by a health care benefit plan (including government and private, commercial plans). |
We believe that our business arrangements and practices comply with these HIPAA provisions. However, a violation could subject us to penalties, fines, or possible exclusion from Medicare or Medicaid. Such sanctions could reduce our net sale or profits.
OIG Fraud Alerts and Advisory Opinions. The Office of Inspector General of DHHS periodically issues Fraud Alerts and Advisory Opinions identifying certain questionable arrangements and practices that it believes may implicate the Federal fraud and abuse laws. In a December 1994 Special Fraud Alert relating to “prescription drug marketing schemes,” the OIG stated that investigation may be warranted when a prescription drug marketing activity involves the provision of cash or other benefits to pharmacists in exchange for such pharmacists’ performance of marketing tasks in the course of their pharmacy practice, including, for example, sales-oriented “educational” or “counseling” contacts or physician and/or patient outreach where the value of the compensation is related to the business generated. We believe that we have structured our business arrangements to comply with federal fraud and abuse laws. However, if we are found to have violated any of these laws, we could suffer penalties, fines or possible exclusion from the Medicare, Medicaid or other government programs, which could adversely affect our operations.
State Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Laws. State laws regulating unfair and deceptive trade practices and consumer protection statutes have been used as bases for the investigations and
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multi-state settlements relating to pharmaceutical industry promotional drug programs in which pharmacists are provided incentives to encourage patients and/or physicians to switch from one prescription drug to another. We do not participate in any such programs. However, if we are ever characterized as having violated any of these laws, we could suffer penalties and fines, which could adversely affect our operations. It should also be noted that a number of states involved in these consumer protection driven enforcement actions have requested that the FDA exercise greater regulatory oversight in the area of pharmaceutical promotion activities by pharmacists. It is not possible to determine whether the FDA will act in this regard or what effect, if any, FDA involvement would have on our operations.
The Stark Law. Federal law prohibits physicians from making a referral for certain health items or services if they, or their family members, have a financial relationship with the entity receiving the referral. No bill may be submitted in connection with a prohibited referral. Violations are punishable by civil monetary penalties upon both the person making the referral and the provider rendering the service. Such persons or entities are also subject to exclusion from federal health care programs, such as Medicaid. In 1995, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published final regulations under the Stark Law which provide some guidance on interpretation of the scope and exceptions of the Stark Law as they apply to clinical laboratory services (Stark I). In addition, CMS released Phase I of the Stark final regulations which became effective, in large part on January 4, 2002, which covers additional health services, including outpatient prescription drugs and which describes the parameters of the statutory exceptions in more detail and sets forth additional exceptions for physician referrals and physician financial relationships. Phase II of the Stark Law final regulations became effective on July 26, 2004. Phase II clarifies portions of Phase I, addresses certain exceptions to the Stark Law not addressed in Phase I, and creates several new exceptions. As a result of Phase II’s comment period and the fact that Phase II did not address application of the Stark Law to Medicaid, CMS plans to release Phase III regulations at a future date. Another feature of the Phase II regulations is that they include new provisions relation to indirect ownership and indirect compensation relationships between physicians and entities offering designated health services. These provisions are complex and have not been interpreted by the courts. We believe we have structured our relationships with physicians to comply with these Phase II provisions.
Additionally, a number of states have enacted similar referral prohibitions, which may cover financial relationships between entities and health care practitioners other than physicians, as well. The Stark Law applies to our relationships with physicians and physician referrals for our products and services. We believe we have structured our relationships to comply with the Stark Law as well as the applicable state provisions similar to the Stark Law. However, if our practices are found to violate the Stark Law or a similar state prohibition, we may be subject to sanctions or be required to alter or discontinue some of our practices. This could reduce our net sales or profits.
Beneficiary Inducement Prohibition. The federal civil monetary penalty law prohibits the offering of remuneration or other inducements to beneficiaries of federal health care programs to influence the beneficiaries’ decision to seek specific governmentally reimbursable items or services, or to choose a particular provider. The federal civil monetary penalty law and its associated regulations exclude items provided to patients to promote the delivery of preventive care. However, permissible incentives do not include cash or cash equivalents. From time to time, we loan some items at no charge to our patients to assist them with adhering to their drug therapy regimen. Although these items are not expressly included on the list of excluded items set forth in the statute and regulations, we nevertheless believe that our provision of these items does not violate the civil monetary penalty law and regulations in part because we do not believe that providing these items is likely to influence patient choice of goods or services. A determination that we violated the statute or regulations, however, could result in sanctions that reduce our net sales or profits.
False Claims; Insurance Fraud Provisions. We are also subject to federal and state laws prohibiting individuals or entities from knowingly and willfully making claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid, or other third-party payors that contain false or fraudulent information. These laws provide for both criminal and civil penalties, including being excluded from federal health care programs such as Medicaid, and being required to
13
repay previously collected amounts. Healthcare providers who submit claims which they knew or should have known were false, fraudulent, or for items or services that were not provided as claimed, may be excluded from Medicaid, required to repay previously collected amounts, and subject to substantial civil monetary penalties.
Government Investigations. The government increasingly examines arrangements between healthcare providers and potential referral sources to ensure that they are not designed to exchange remuneration for patient care referrals. Investigators are increasingly willing to look behind formalities of business transactions to determine the underlying purpose of payments. Enforcement actions have increased over the years and are highly publicized. The OIG, in its Fiscal Year 2002 Work Plan, identified “pharmaceutical fraud” as one of its “special focus areas.” In the OIG’s Fiscal Year 2003, 2004, 2005 Work Plans, “pharmaceutical fraud” was identified as an “investigative focus area.” To our knowledge, we are not currently the subject of any investigation. Any future investigation may cause publicity that would cause potential patients to avoid us, reducing potential net sales and profits.
In addition to investigations and enforcement actions initiated by government agencies, we could be the subject of an action brought under the Federal False Claims Act by a private individual (such as a former employee, a customer or a competitor) on behalf of the government. Actions under the Federal False Claims Act, commonly known as “whistleblower” lawsuits, are generally filed under seal to allow the government adequate time to investigate and determine whether it will intervene in the action, and defendant healthcare providers are often without knowledge of such actions until the government has completed its investigation and the seal is lifted.
Privacy and Confidentiality; Electronic Transactions and Security. Many of our activities involve the receipt or use of confidential health information, including the transfer of the confidential information to a third-party payor program, such as Medicaid. Federal and state laws protect the confidentiality of such records and health information. Pursuant to the privacy provisions of HIPAA, DHHS promulgated regulations, that had a compliance deadline of April 14, 2003 and that impose extensive requirements on the way in which healthcare providers, health plans and their business associates use and disclose protected health information. This final rule gives individuals significant rights to understand and control how their protected health information is used and disclosed. Direct providers, such as a pharmacy, must obtain an acknowledgement from their patients that the patient has received the pharmacy’s Notice of Privacy Practices. For most uses and disclosures of protected health information that do not involve treatment, payment or health care operations, the rule requires that all providers and health plans obtain a valid individual authorization. In most cases, use or disclosure of protected health information must be limited to the minimum amount necessary to achieve the purpose of the use or disclosure. Standards are provided for removing all individually identifiable health information in order to produce de-identified data that may be transferred without obtaining the patient’s authorization. Sanctions for failing to comply with the privacy standards issued pursuant to HIPAA include criminal penalties and civil sanctions.
In addition to the federal health information privacy regulations described above, most states have enacted confidentiality laws that limit the disclosure of confidential medical information. The final privacy rule under HIPAA does not preempt state laws regarding health information privacy that are more restrictive than HIPAA. The failure to comply with these federal and state provisions could result in the imposition of administrative or criminal sanctions.
On October 16, 2002 (which was extended to October 16, 2003 for those providers who submitted a “plan” describing how they will come into compliance) all healthcare providers who transmit certain health claims transactions electronically were required to comply with the HIPAA final regulations establishing transaction standards and code sets.
In addition, pursuant to HIPAA, in February 2003, DHHS issued regulations pursuant to HIPAA that govern the security of protected health information that is maintained or transmitted electronically. The compliance date
14
for these regulations is April 21, 2005. The regulations impose additional administrative burdens on healthcare providers, such as pharmacies, relating to the storage and utilization of, and access to, health information. These HIPAA security regulations may require that we invest significant capital in upgrading information systems hardware, software and procedures.
Laws governing Medicare, Medicaid, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services, or CHAMPUS, and other government programs may change, and various administrative rulings, interpretations and determinations may make compliance difficult. Any changes may materially increase or decrease program payments or the cost of providing services. Final determinations of government program reimbursement often require years, because of audits, providers’ right of appeal and numerous technical requirements. We believe we make adequate provision for adjustments. However, future reductions in reimbursement could reduce our net sales and profits.
Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. In the past, Medicare covered only a limited number of outpatient prescription drugs. In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug Modernization Act, which includes a new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, was passed. Final regulations implementing the law providing broader coverage for outpatient prescription drugs will become effective on January 1, 2006. Because only a small number of our patients are covered by Medicare and we expect to stop servicing Medicare patients in the first quarter of 2005, this change should not have any significant effect on us.
Reform. The U.S. health care industry continues to undergo significant change. Future changes in the nature of the health system could reduce our net sales and profits. We cannot provide any assurance as to the ultimate content, timing or effect of any health care reform legislation, nor is it possible at this time to estimate the impact of potential legislation, which may be material, on us. Further, although we exercise care in structuring our operations to comply in all material respects with the laws and regulations summarized in this Government Regulation section, we can not assure you that (i) government officials charged with responsibility for enforcing such future laws will not assert that we or certain transactions in which we are involved are in violation thereof, and (ii) such future laws will ultimately be interpreted by the courts in a manner consistent with our interpretation. Therefore, it is possible that future legislation and regulation and the interpretation thereof could have a material adverse effect on us.
State Regulation of The Practice of Pharmacy
We are licensed to do business as a pharmacy in each state in which we operate a dispensing pharmacy. Many of the states into which we deliver prescription medications have laws and regulations that require out-of-state mail service pharmacies to register with, or be licensed by, the board of pharmacy or similar regulatory body in the state. These states generally permit the dispensing pharmacy to follow the laws of the state within which the dispensing pharmacy is located.
However, various states have enacted laws and adopted regulations requiring, among other things, compliance with all laws of the states into which the out-of-state pharmacy dispenses medications, whether or not those laws conflict with the laws of the state in which the pharmacy is located. To the extent that such laws or regulations are found to be applicable to our operations, and that such laws of other states where our pharmacies dispense medications are more stringent than those of the states in which our pharmacies are located, we would be required to comply with them. In addition, to the extent that any of these laws or regulations prohibit or restrict the operation of mail service pharmacies and are found to be applicable to us, they could have a harmful effect on our prescription mail service operations.
Some federal and state pharmacy associations and some boards of pharmacy have attempted to develop laws or regulations restricting the activity of out-of-state pharmacies.
Pharmacists must obtain state licenses to dispense medications. Our pharmacists are licensed in those states where their activity requires it. Pharmacists must also comply with professional practice rules. We monitor our
15
pharmacists’ practices for compliance with such state laws and rules. We do not believe that the activities undertaken by our pharmacists violate rules governing the practice of pharmacy or medicine. In an effort to combat fraud, New York State recently enacted emergency regulations requiring the use of an official New York State prescription for all prescribing done in-state. The emergency regulations are expected to become permanent.
Licensing and Registration
We are licensed as an in-state pharmacy in New York, California, Texas and Florida. We satisfy the criteria to deliver prescription to patients in other states that require us to be licensed as an out-of-state pharmacy. We believe that we substantially comply with all state licensing laws applicable to our business.
Laws enforced by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as some similar state agencies, require our pharmacy locations to individually register in order to handle controlled substances, including prescription drugs. A separate registration is required at each principal place of business where the applicant manufactures, distributes, or dispenses controlled substances. Federal and state laws require that we follow specific labeling and record-keeping requirements for controlled substances. We maintain federal and state controlled substance registrations for each of our facilities that require it, and follow procedures intended to comply with all such record-keeping requirements.
Pharmacists. Pharmacists must obtain state licenses to dispense drugs. Our pharmacists are licensed in those states where their activity requires it. Pharmacists must also comply with professional practice rules. We monitor our pharmacists’ practices for compliance with such state laws and rules. We do not believe that the activities undertaken by our pharmacists violate rules governing the practice of pharmacy or medicine.
Pharmacy Counseling. Federal law requires that states offering Medicaid prescription drug benefits implement a drug use review program. The program requires “before and after” drug use reviews, the use of predetermined standards, and patient education. Its purpose is to improve the quality of care by ensuring drug prescriptions are medically necessary, and not likely to cause adverse effects. Participating states must develop standards for pharmacy counseling. These standards apply as well to non-resident pharmacies like us. We believe our pharmacists monitor these requirements and provide necessary counseling.
Federal Mail Order. Federal law imposes standards for:
| • | | the labeling, packaging and repackaging, advertising and adulteration of prescription drugs; and |
| • | | the dispensing of controlled substances and prescription drugs. |
The Federal Trade Commission and the United States Postal Service regulate mail order drug sellers. The law requires truth in advertising, a reasonable supply of drugs to fill orders, and a right to a refund if an order cannot be filled within thirty days. To the extent applicable, we believe that we substantially comply with all of these requirements.
Prescription Drug Marketing Act. This federal law exempts many drug and medical devices from federal labeling and packaging requirements, as long as they are not adulterated or misbranded and were prescribed by a physician. The law also prohibits the sale, purchase or trade of drug samples that are not intended for sale or intended to promote the sale of the drug. Records must be kept of drug sample distribution, and proper storage and maintenance methods used. To the extent that this law applies to us, we believe that it complies with the documentation, record keeping and storage requirements.
Liability Insurances. Providing health care services and products entails an inherent risk of liability. In recent years, participants in the health care industry have become subject to an increasing number of lawsuits, many of which involve large claims and significant defense costs. The company may from time to time be
16
subject to such suits as a result of the nature of its business. We maintain general liability insurance, including professional and product liability, in an amount deemed adequate by its management. There can be no assurance, however, that claims in excess of, or beyond the scope of, its insurance coverage will not arise. In addition, the company’s insurance policies must be renewed annually. Although, we have not experienced difficulty in obtaining insurance coverage in the past, there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so in the future on acceptable terms or at all.
EMPLOYEES
As of March 25, 2005, we had 125 full-time employees and 15 part-time employees, all of whom were engaged in management, sales, marketing, pharmacy services, customer service, administration or finance. None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We have never experienced an employment-related work stoppage and consider our employee relations to be good.
Our principal executive offices and our New York pharmacy are located in approximately 8,215 square feet of space in Melville, New York, which we have leased through June 30, 2009. We also lease space for our regional pharmacy operations in the following locations:
| | | | | | |
Location
| | Principal Use
| | Square Footage
| | Property Interest
|
Melville, NY | | Pharmacy and Executive Offices | | 8,215 | | Leased—expiring August 31, 2009 |
Austin, TX | | Pharmacy | | 3,600 | | Leased—expiring June 30, 2005 |
Miami, FL | | Pharmacy | | 2,700 | | Leased—expiring September 30, 2005 |
Torrance, CA | | Pharmacy | | 7,876 | | Leased—expiring December 31, 2005 |
At this time, we believe we have adequate space for our current operations. We plan on renewing our leases prior to expiration or moving to a comparable space at a comparable price.
In January 2005, we acquired facilities in Van Nuys and San Diego, California in connection with our acquisition of North American Home Health Supply, Inc. In February 2005, we acquired facilities in San Francisco, California and Seattle, Washington in connection with our acquisition of Specialty Pharmacies, Inc. We plan to continue operations out of these locations.
In March 2005, we decided to cease our operations in Texas and are in the process of closing our pharmacy in Austin, Texas. We hope to cease these operations by June 30, 2005 and do not plan to renew our lease for this property. Our plans to discontinue our Texas operations are described in more detail in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
New Jersey Medicaid Audit. During the first quarter of 2003, Medicaid commenced a review of our billing practices in New Jersey. In particular, Medicaid reviewed whether we followed the appropriate procedures and whether we obtained the requisite patient consents at the time of delivery. During 2003, we accrued an estimated cost of $200,000 for the New Jersey Medicaid Audit. In April 2004, we entered into a settlement agreement with Medicaid of New Jersey for $200,000. We do not anticipate any additional expense related to this audit. In July 2004, we were granted a license to bill New Jersey Medicaid from New York, as a result we will no longer serve New Jersey Medicaid patients from Texas.
New York Medicaid Audit. In May 2004, we were notified that MOMS Pharmacy, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary and a New York corporation, is the subject of an audit and review being conducted by the New York State Department of Health. As part of the audit, the Department withheld payment of certain Medicaid claims
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we had submitted. The Department refunded $800,000 of the $920,000 which it initially withheld, but it may conclude that we are subject to certain financial penalties and fines, in which case some or all of the payments withheld ultimately may not be paid to us.
In addition to the matters noted above, we are involved from time to time in legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business. We currently have no pending or threatened litigation that we believe will result in an outcome that would materially affect our business. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that future litigation to which we become a party will not have a material adverse effect on our business.
ITEM 4. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
No matters were submitted to a vote of our security holders during the fourth quarter of 2004.
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PART II
ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK
None of our securities are listed on any exchange, nor are our securities traded in any market. We are unable to provide any information as to if and when our securities will be publicly traded. As of October 24, 2005, there were approximately 279 holders of record of our common stock.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never paid cash dividends on our capital stock and have no intention of paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Payments of future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors, after taking into account such factors as it considers relevant, including our financial condition, the performance of our business, the perceived benefits to our company and our stockholders of reinvesting earnings, anticipated cash needs of our business, the tax consequences of retained earnings and the tax consequences to our company and our stockholders of making dividend payments. If any dividend payment is made on our common stock, then holders of our outstanding shares of preferred stock are entitled to participate in such payment as if they had converted their shares into common stock.
UNREGISTERED SALES
There were no unregistered sales of our common stock during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. During 2004, we completed unregistered sales of two new classes of our preferred stock, both of which are convertible into shares of our common stock.
In April and May 2004, we raised an aggregate of $8,806,958 through the issuance of 1,491,828 shares of our Series D convertible preferred stock at $6.00 per share in private placements with several investors. The terms and rights of the Series D convertible preferred shares are set forth in our Certificate of Designation of Series D Preferred Stock. There will be no dividends payable on these shares unless our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, declares a dividend with respect to the common stock. In the event of any liquidation, the Series D convertible preferred shares shall share on a pari passu basis in liquidation with the Series A, B and C preferred stock outstanding. In conjunction with the offering and for services rendered, we issued 24,000 shares of Series D preferred stock to a placement agent, issued warrants to purchase 114,759 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $6.00 per share to placement agents and paid fees of $746,383. We used the proceeds of the offering to repay notes held by the previous owners of MME and to repay a revolving credit line. The Series D convertible preferred stock was sold pursuant to Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933.
In December 2004, we raised an aggregate of $4,150,081 through the issuance of 664,013 shares of our Series E convertible preferred stock at $6.25 per share in private placements with several investors. The terms and rights of the Series E convertible preferred shares are set forth in our Certificate of Designation of Series E Preferred Stock. There will be no dividends payable on these shares unless our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, declares a dividend with respect to the common stock. In the event of any liquidation, the Series E convertible preferred stock shall share on a pari passu basis in liquidation with the Series A, B, C and D preferred stock outstanding. The holders of the Series E convertible preferred stock may, at their option and from time to time, convert their shares of Series E stock into our common stock. In conjunction with the offering and for services rendered, we issued five-year warrants to purchase 51,201 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $6.25 per share to placement agents and paid fees of $320,006. We used the proceeds of this offering to finance our acquisition of Specialty Pharmacies. The Series E convertible preferred stock was sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under Rule 506 of the Securities Act of 1933 (and similar exemptions from registration under applicable state securities laws).
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SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table sets forth certain information concerning compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance:
| | | | | | | | |
Plan Category
| | (a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
| | | (b) Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
| | (c) Number of securities remaining available under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | | 1,667,750 | (1) | | $ | 3.03 | | 882,250 |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | | 1,162,387 | (2) | | | 4.38 | | — |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
TOTAL | | 2,830,137 | | | $ | 3.58 | | 882,250 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
(1) | Includes options granted pursuant to our 1998 Stock Option Plan and 2002 Stock Option Plan. |
(2) | Includes warrants granted to individuals and corporations as consideration for services provided within the meaning of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 and for purchase consideration for acquisitions. The warrants were granted by us upon authorization of our Board of Directors and were not issued pursuant to a single equity compensation plan that exists to grant warrants in exchange for goods and services. The terms of the warrants vary from grant to grant. |
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ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Report. The selected financial data as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 have been derived from our audited financial statements. The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31,
| |
(in thousands, except per share) | | 2000
| | | 2001
| | | 2002
| | | 2003
| | | 2004
| |
Statement of Operations Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Sales | | $ | 9,168 | | | $ | 16,236 | | | $ | 27,457 | | | $ | 48,223 | | | $ | 64,606 | |
Cost of Sales | | | 7,659 | | | | 13,705 | | | | 23,272 | | | | 41,970 | | | | 57,092 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Gross Profit | | | 1,509 | | | | 2,531 | | | | 4,185 | | | | 6,253 | | | | 7,514 | |
Operating Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general and Administrative Expenses | | | 2,416 | | | | 3,919 | | | | 4,756 | | | | 8,744 | | | | 9,891 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Operating Loss | | | (907 | ) | | | (1,388 | ) | | | (571 | ) | | | (2,491 | ) | | | (2,377 | ) |
Other Income (Expense) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest Expense | | | (307 | ) | | | (157 | ) | | | (104 | ) | | | (244 | ) | | | (227 | ) |
Costs of Withdrawn Public Offering and Other | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | (479 | ) | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
Legal Settlement (Expense) Income | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 150 | | | | (200 | ) | | | 0 | |
Other Income (Expense) | | | 73 | | | | 445 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Loss Before Income Taxes | | | (1,141 | ) | | | (1,100 | ) | | | (1,004 | ) | | | (2,935 | ) | | | (2,604 | ) |
Provision (Benefit) for Taxes | | | (130 | ) | | | 14 | | | | 35 | | | | 20 | | | | 76 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Net Loss from Continuing Operations | | | (1,011 | ) | | | (1,114 | ) | | | (1,039 | ) | | | (2,955 | ) | | | (2,680 | ) |
Discontinued Operations | | | 260 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Net Loss | | | ($751 | ) | | | ($1,114 | ) | | | ($1,039 | ) | | | ($2,955 | ) | | | ($2,680 | ) |
Basic and Diluted Loss Per Common Share | | | ($0.24 | ) | | | ($0.36 | ) | | | ($0.34 | ) | | | ($0.95 | ) | | | ($0.86 | ) |
Basic and Diluted Weighted Average of Common Shares Outstanding | | | 3,097 | | | | 3,100 | | | | 3,100 | | | | 3,100 | | | | 3,100 | |
Cash Dividends Declared on Common Stock | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
| | | | | |
Balance Sheet Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | | $ | 728 | | | $ | 1,559 | | | $ | 213 | | | $ | 641 | | | $ | 6,980 | |
Working Capital | | $ | 845 | | | $ | 912 | | | $ | (261 | ) | | $ | (1,884 | ) | | $ | 4,848 | |
Total Assets | | $ | 2,071 | | | $ | 4,709 | | | $ | 4,622 | | | $ | 12,415 | | | $ | 19,996 | |
Total Long Term Liabilities | | $ | 1,500 | | | $ | 1,720 | | | $ | 1,860 | | | $ | 3,019 | | | $ | 215 | |
Total Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) | | $ | (588 | ) | | $ | 295 | | | $ | (744 | ) | | $ | 2,393 | | | $ | 11,514 | |
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ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with “Financial Data” and our Financial Statements and Notes thereto, which appear in Item 8 of this Report.
OVERVIEW
We are a national provider of specialty pharmacy and disease management services focused on HIV/AIDS patients. We work closely with patients, healthcare providers such as physicians, nurses, clinics and AIDS Service Organizations, or ASOs, and with government and private payors to improve clinical outcomes and reduce treatment costs for our patients. We sell HIV/AIDS and ancillary medications, and nutritional supplies under our trade name MOMS Pharmacy. The following discussion and analysis provides information that our management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing below in Item 8 of this Report.
We operate our business as a single segment configured to serve key geographic areas most efficiently. As of March 25, 2005, we operated seven distributions centers that are located strategically in California (3 separate locations), New York, Texas, Florida and Washington to serve major metropolitan areas in which high concentrations of HIV/AIDS patients reside. In discussing our results of operations, we address changes in the net sales contributed by each of these distribution centers because we believe this provides a meaningful indication of the historical performance of our business.
The key components of our financial results are our sales, our gross profit and our operating expenses.
Sales. We sell HIV/AIDS prescription and ancillary medications, and nutritional supplies. In 2004, approximately 88% of our net sales came from payments from Medicaid and ADAP. These are both highly regulated government programs that are subject to frequent changes and cost containment measures. We continually monitor changes in reimbursement for HIV/AIDS medications. We currently qualify under Medicaid initiatives in California for a special HIV/AIDS pilot program and believe we qualify for a Medicaid HIV/AIDS reimbursement initiative in New York. These initiatives provide us with additional reimbursement amounts. There can be no assurance that the California or New York legislators will not change these programs in a manner adverse to us, fail to renew these programs or terminate these programs early.
Gross Profit. Our gross profit reflects net sales less the cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold is the cost of pharmaceutical products we purchase from wholesalers, and is primarily dependent on contract pricing with our main wholesaler, AmerisourceBergen. The amount that we are reimbursed by government and private payors has generally increased as the price of the pharmaceuticals we purchase has increased. However, as a result of cost containment initiatives prevalent in the healthcare industry, private and government payors have reduced reimbursement rates, which prevents us from recovering the full amount of any price increases. For this reason, our gross margin (which is gross profit as a percentage of net sales) has declined from 15.2% in 2002 to 13.0% in 2003 to approximately 11.6% in 2004.
Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses are made up of both variable and fixed costs. Variable costs increase as net sales increase. Our principal variable costs are labor and delivery. Fixed costs do not vary directly with changes in net sales. Our principal fixed costs are facilities and equipment and insurance. As we grow, subject to constraints such as facility size, we do not expect to increase fixed costs as the result of increased volume. In addition, we believe that as we increase the efficiency of our operations we will be able to decrease our variable costs relative to net sales.
Growth of Our Business. We have expanded our business by acquiring other specialty pharmacies and expanding our existing business. Since the beginning of 2003, we have acquired three specialty pharmacies in
22
California. The acquisition we completed in 2003 contributed approximately $14 million of the $21 million increase in our net sales in 2003, as compared to 2002. The two businesses we acquired in the first quarter of 2005 had aggregate annual net sales of approximately $49 million in 2004, as compared to our 2004 net sales of $64 million. Our internal growth comes from increasing the number of patients we serve. In addition, we have experienced increases in net sales due to increases in the number and cost of prescriptions that are purchased by each patient. Prior to our acquisitions in California, we operated distribution facilities in New York, Florida and Texas. As discussed above, we decided to cease our Texas operations in March 2005. We began operating in Florida in 2002, and while our Florida operations continue to grow, they remain a relatively small part of our business.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our critical accounting policies affect the amount of income and expense we record in each period as well as the value of our assets and liabilities and our disclosures regarding contingent assets and liabilities. In applying these critical accounting policies, we must make estimates and assumptions to prepare our financial statements that, if made differently, could have a positive or negative effect on our financial results. We believe that our estimates and assumptions are both reasonable and appropriate, in light of applicable accounting rules. However, estimates involve judgments with respect to numerous factors that are difficult to predict and are beyond management’s control. As a result, actual amounts could differ materially from estimates.
Management believes that the following accounting policies represent “critical accounting policies,” which the SEC defines as those that are most important to the portrayal of a company’s financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often because management must make estimates about uncertain and changing matters. We discuss these and other significant accounting policies related to our continuing operations in Note 3 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
Revenue Recognition. Net sales refer to our sales of medications and nutritional supplements to patients and are reported net of the amount billed to patients, government and private payors and others in the period when delivery to our patients is completed. Any customer can initiate the filling of prescriptions by having a doctor call in prescriptions to our pharmacists, faxing over a prescription, or mailing prescriptions to one of our facilities. Once we have verified that the prescriptions are valid and have received authorization from a customer’s insurance company, the pharmacist then fills the prescriptions and ships the medications to the customers through our outside delivery service, an express courier service, or postal mail.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We are reimbursed for the medications we sell by government and private payors. The net sales and related accounts receivable are recorded net of payor contractual discounts to reflect the estimated net billable amounts for the products delivered. We estimate the allowance for contractual discounts on a payor-specific basis, given our experience or interpretation of the contract terms if applicable. However, the reimbursement rates are often subject to interpretation that could result in payments that differ from our estimates. Additionally, updated regulations and contract negotiations occur frequently, necessitating our continual review and assessment of the estimation process. While management believes the resulting net carrying amounts for accounts receivable are fairly stated at each quarter-end and that we have made adequate provision for uncollectible accounts based on all available information, no assurance can be given as to the level of future provisions for uncollectible accounts, or how they will compare to the levels experienced in the past.
Intangible Asset Impairment. In assessing the recoverability of our intangible assets, we must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets. If we determine that impairment indicators are present and that the assets will not be fully recoverable, their carrying values are reduced to estimated fair value. Impairment indicators include, among other conditions, cash flow deficits, a historic or anticipated decline in net sales or operating profit, adverse legal or regulatory developments, accumulation of costs significantly in excess of amounts originally expected to acquire the asset,
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and a material decrease in the fair value of some or all of the assets. Changes in strategy and/or market conditions could significantly impact these assumptions, and thus we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets. We adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS No. 144”) effective January 1, 2002, and the adoption of the Statement had no impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“FAS”) No. 141, “Business Combinations”, and No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, goodwill and intangible assets associated with acquisitions that are deemed to have indefinite lives are no longer amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests. Such impairment tests require the comparison of the fair value and carrying value of reporting units. Measuring fair value of a reporting unit is generally based on valuation techniques using multiples of sales or earnings, unless supportable information is available for using a present value technique, such as estimates of future cash flows. We assess the potential impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets annually and on an interim basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Some factors we consider important which could trigger an interim impairment review include the following:
| • | | Significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; |
| • | | Significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business; and |
| • | | Significant negative industry or economic trends. |
If we determine through the impairment review process that goodwill has been impaired, we record an impairment charge in our consolidated statement of income. Based on our 2004 impairment review process, we have not recorded any impairments during the year ended December 31, 2004.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
We describe recent accounting pronouncements applicable to us at Item 8 of this Report under Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
Net Sales. Net sales in 2004 increased to $64,605,721 from $48,222,993 in 2003, an increase of 34.0%. The following table sets forth the net sales for each of our distribution centers in 2004 and 2003:
| | | | | | |
| | Years ended December 31,
|
Distribution Center
| | 2004 Net Sales
| | 2003 Net Sales
|
New York | | $ | 36,507,850 | | $ | 27,808,291 |
California(1) | | $ | 21,803,119 | | $ | 13,767,864 |
Texas | | $ | 4,525,719 | | $ | 5,720,436 |
Florida | | $ | 1,769,033 | | $ | 926,402 |
| |
|
| |
|
|
Total | | $ | 64,605,721 | | $ | 48,222,993 |
| |
|
| |
|
|
(1) | California operations were acquired in May 2003. |
Our net sales growth in New York and Florida was due primarily to an increase in the number of prescriptions filled from our existing facilities. Net sales in New York increased by $8,699,561 for the year ended December 31, 2004, as compared to the same period in 2003. Net sales in Florida increased by $842,631
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for the year ended December 31, 2004, as compared to the same period in 2003. Net sales in California increased by $8,035,255 for the year ended December 31, 2004 as compared to 2003, primarily because we operated in California for all of 2004, as compared to just eight months in 2003 (as we acquired our initial California operation in May 2003), due to improved operations and an increase in the number of prescriptions we filled in California. Net sales in Texas decreased by $1,194,717 as compared with the same period in 2003, due to discontinuation of service to patients that moved to other pharmacies.
Our net sales increase in 2004 was partially offset by reductions in reimbursement rates in California and New York for the last four months of the year. However, we have qualified for a pilot program in California and we believe we qualify for additional reimbursement in New York for specialized HIV pharmacies, as discussed above in Item 1 under the heading “Third Party Reimbursement Cost Containment and Legislation.” The payments anticipated from California and New York are expected to be retroactive for services rendered since September 1, 2004, but no amounts will be recognized as sales until they are actually received.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased to $7,514,046 in 2004 from $6,253,487 in 2003, but our gross margin declined to 11.6% from 13.0%. Our gross profit increased primarily due to an increase in net sales. Our gross margin declined primarily due to a reduction in reimbursement rates by Medicaid and Medi-Cal, as discussed above in Item 1 under the heading “Third Party Reimbursement Cost Containment and Legislation.”
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $9,891,461 in 2004 from $8,744,127 in 2003, but as a percentage of net sales they declined to 15.3% from 18.1%. The decrease as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to a reduction in labor costs as a percentage of sales, staff reductions in California, decreases in bad debt expense and a decrease in professional fees.
The main components of the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $1,147,334 for the year ended December 31, 2004 as compared to the same period in 2003 consisted of the following:
| | | |
Components of Selling, General and Administrative Expense
| | Change ($)
|
Labor costs | | $ | 467,000 |
Shipping (associated with acquisition of MME) | | | 266,000 |
Insurance costs (commercial, employee medical and workers compensation) | | | 157,000 |
Rent, repair and maintenance (resulting from acquisition of MME and our move to our facility in Melville, NY) | | | 153,000 |
Travel expenses | | | 93,000 |
Legal and settlement expenses related to New York Medicaid audit | | | 132,000 |
Operating Loss. Operating loss declined to $2,377,415 in 2004 from $2,690,640 in 2003, which represents 3.7% and 5.6% of net sales, respectively. The decline in operating loss (both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of sales) reflects the effect of a greater increase in sales (up 34.0% in 2004 from 2003 excluding the legal settlement in 2003 associated with a New Jersey Medicaid audit) than in operating expenses (up 13.1% in 2004 from 2003 excluding the legal settlement in 2003 associated with a New Jersey Medicaid audit), partially offset by the decline in our gross margin, as discussed above.
Other Income (Expense). Other income (expense) decreased to an expense to $226,531 in 2004 from $243,882 in 2003. For the year ended December 31, 2004, other income (expense) is comprised of interest expense of $226,531. For the year ended December 31, 2003, other income (expense) included interest expense of $243,882. The decline in interest expense to $226,531 in 2004 from 2003 reflected lower outstanding borrowing balances in 2004. As discussed below in Item 7 under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources,” we substantially increased our borrowings in the first quarter of 2005 to fund a portion of the purchase price of the two businesses that we acquired. Consequently, interest expense is likely to be substantially higher in 2005 than it was in 2004.
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Provision for Taxes. We recorded a tax provision for $76,202 in 2004, as compared to a tax provision of $19,646 for the comparable period in the prior year. The provision for taxes relates primarily to state franchise tax payments due to the state of Delaware, which increased due to an increase in the number of shares of our capital stock outstanding as a result of the completion of an offering in 2004 of our Series D and Series E convertible preferred stock. Because we operated at a loss in 2004 and 2003, we did not pay any income taxes and, thus, did not record any amount for income taxes owed.
Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
Net Sales. Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2003 increased to $48,222,993 from $27,457,438 for the year ended December 31, 2002, an increase of 75.63%. The following table sets forth the net sales for each of our distribution centers in 2002 and 2003:
| | | | | | |
| | Years ended December 31,
|
Distribution Center
| | 2003 Net Sales
| | 2002 Net Sales
|
| |
New York | | $ | 27,808,291 | | $ | 21,416,134 |
California(1) | | $ | 13,767,864 | | | — |
Texas | | $ | 5,720,436 | | $ | 6,016,072 |
Florida | | $ | 926,402 | | $ | 25,232 |
| |
|
| |
|
|
Total | | $ | 48,222,993 | | $ | 27,457,438 |
| |
|
| |
|
|
(1) | California operations were acquired in May 2003. |
Our May 2003 acquisition of Medicine Made Easy, or MME, significantly increased our net sales in 2003, as compared to 2002. The MME acquisition is discussed above in Item 1 under the heading “Business Overview.” Prior to May 2003, we did not have any operations in California. Excluding California, our net sales increased by 25.5% in 2003 from 2002. Our net sales in New York and Florida increased in 2003 as compared to 2002 as a result of growth in the number of patients served and prescriptions filled from our existing facilities. In addition, we did not begin to operate in Florida until December 2002, so the increase in sales in Florida in 2003 from 2002 also reflects the fact that we operated in Florida for all of 2003, as compared to just one month in 2002. In 2003, net sales in Texas decreased by approximately $296,000 as compared with the same period in 2002. This decline resulted primarily from our decision to restrict service to New Jersey patients during a New Jersey Medicaid audit, which negatively affected our Texas operations. In 2004, we began to service our New Jersey patients from our New York facility.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased to $6,253,487 in 2003 from $4,185,502 in 2002, but our gross margin declined to 13.0% from 15.2% of net sales, respectively. Our gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2003 decreased by approximately 2.3% as compared with gross margins for the year ended December 31, 2002, because of a 2% prescription reimbursement rate decrease by New York Medicaid and ADAP in July 2003, and because we devoted more of our efforts to servicing the HIV/AIDS market (as compared to other markets that included payors with higher reimbursement rates).
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $8,744,127 in 2003 from $4,756,037 in 2002, and as a percentage of net sales they increased to 18.1% from 17.3%. The increase as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to the impact of the May 2003 acquisition of MME, which operated at a loss in 2003, as well as the effect of a full year of operations in Florida in 2003, as compared to one month in 2002.
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The main components of the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $3,988,090 for the year ended December 31, 2003 as compared to the same period in 2002 consisted of the following:
| | | |
Components of Selling, General and Administrative Expense
| | Change ($)
|
Labor costs | | $ | 1,470,000 |
General operating expenses (related to MME acquisition) | | | 819,000 |
Depreciation and amortization (related to MME acquisition) | | | 275,000 |
Clinical, administrative and sales personnel costs (FL and NY) | | | 153,000 |
Professional fees (primarily related to NJ audit, HIPAA compliance and consulting expenses) | | | 569,000 |
Bad debt expense | | | 188,000 |
Shipping costs | | | 138,000 |
Insurance | | | 133,000 |
Operating Loss. Operating loss increased to $2,690,640 in 2003 from $420,535 in 2002, which represents 5.6% and 1.5% of net sales, respectively. The increase in operating loss (both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of net sales) reflects primarily the effect of additional expenses relating to the MME operations that we acquired in 2003 which contributed approximately $894,000 in operating loss for the eight months that we owned that business in 2003, as well as the negative impact on our gross margin of a 2% prescription reimbursement rate decrease by New York Medicaid and ADAP in July 2003. Additionally this change resulted from a legal settlement expense of $200,000 in 2003 relating to a New Jersey Medicaid audit. In 2002 the Company benefited from income of $150,000 relating to a legal settlement with New Geri Care of Brooklyn. The settlement represented the amount New Geri Care of Brooklyn failed to pay for inventory it acquired in connection with the purchase of certain assets from us in September 2001.
Other Income (Expense). Other income (expense) decreased to $243,882 in 2003 from expense of $583,223 in 2002. For the year ended December 31, 2003, other income (expense) is comprised of interest expense of $243,882. The increase in interest expense is primarily attributable to our increased short-term borrowing from our revolving credit facility and interest on the secured promissory notes that we issued to the sellers of MME.
For the year ended December 31, 2002, we had substantially lower interest expense of $104,358 (due to lower outstanding borrowings). In December 2002, we ceased efforts to complete a public offering of our common stock and as a result, we wrote off $413,757 of deferred offering costs relating to the terminated offering. In addition, we wrote off $65,108 of expenses related to acquisitions that were not consummated.
Provision for Taxes. For the year ended December 31, 2003, we recorded a tax provision for $19,646, as compared to a tax provision of $35,002 for the comparable period in the prior year. The provision for taxes relates primarily to franchise tax payments, which increased due to increased shares in our capital stock outstanding as a result of the sales in 2003 of our Series C convertible preferred stock. Because we operated at a loss in 2003 and 2002, we did not pay any taxes and, thus, did not record any amount for taxes owed.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our business has operated at a loss historically. As a result, we have required third-party financing to fund our losses, as well as our capital requirements and our acquisitions. We have not historically had substantial capital expenditures. We have secured third-party financing through periodic sales of shares of our convertible preferred stock, as well as from available bank borrowings. There is no assurance that in the future we will be able to secure additional third-party financing on favorable terms or at all. If we are unable to secure necessary third-party financing, or if the terms of such financing are unfavorable, our business and our financial condition would be materially and adversely affected. See the discussion below under the heading “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company.”
We believe that we have adequate cash on hand and available from our bank lines to fund any operating losses and satisfy our debt repayment obligations we might incur if our business does not perform as we expect over the next 12 months.
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Operating Requirements
We have historically funded our operating requirements through the issuance of shares of our convertible preferred stock and bank borrowings. We require cash to purchase the medications that we need to fill prescriptions. Our wholesalers require payment within 31 days of delivery of the medications to us. We are reimbursed by third-party payors, on average, within 30 days after a prescription is filled and a claim is submitted in the appropriate format. Our operations used $2,396,121 of cash in 2004, which was a slight decline from 2003, when our operations used $2,694,845 of cash. The change reflects primarily our lower operating loss in 2004, as well as the impact of increases in working capital. In September 2003, we began to purchase our medications primarily from AmerisourceBergen under a new wholesaling contract, which had significantly more favorable payment terms than we had been able to secure previously from our wholesalers. In 2002, our operations used $442,111 of cash. In 2002, we had a substantially smaller business that required less cash to operate.
The credit terms that we receive from our suppliers significantly impacts our liquidity. The five-year purchase agreement that we signed with AmerisourceBergen in September 2003 significantly improved our supplier payment terms, from 13 to 31 days, and thus our overall liquidity. Since entering into that agreement, we have purchased nearly all of our medications from AmerisourceBergen. We continue to purchase medications from other wholesalers and from manufacturers on various payment terms. The contract with AmerisourceBergen requires certain minimum purchase commitments over the term of the agreement, as discussed below under the heading “ – Contractual Obligations.” If we do not meet the minimum purchase commitments at the end of the five-year agreement term, we will be charged 0.20% of the unpurchased volume commitment. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, AmerisourceBergen has a subordinated security interest in all of our assets.
Long-Term Requirements
We expect that the cost of additional acquisitions to grow our business will be our primary long-term funding requirement. In addition, as our business grows, we anticipate that we will need to invest in additional capital equipment, such as the machines we use to create the MOMSPak for dispensing medication to our patients. We also may be required to expand our existing facilities or to invest in modifications or improvements to new or additional facilities. Historically, we have funded the cost of acquisitions and other non-operating expenses through third-party financing. We are in regular discussions with our stockholders about potential future sales of additional shares of our stock. We also may, in the future, seek to raise additional capital by pursuing an initial public offering of our common stock. There is no assurance that any of these financing alternatives will be successful. The completion of an initial public offering is particularly subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, including changes in the condition of the capital markets.
Capital Resources
At December 31, 2004 we had cash and cash equivalents of $6,979,630, up from $640,790 at December 31, 2003. The increase in cash and cash equivalents reflects the impact of net proceeds (after payment of fees and expenses) of $11,607,449 from the sale of shares of our Series D and Series E convertible preferred stock, reduced by the repayment of $2,650,000 of outstanding debt and our 2004 operating losses and other expenses.
We have a revolving credit facility with GE Capital for an amount up to a maximum of $6.0 million available to us for short-term borrowings, which expires in April 2006. Borrowings under the facility are based on our accounts receivable and bear interest at the “Prime Rate” plus 2%. At December 31, 2004, the Prime Rate was 5.25%. At December 31, 2004, our borrowing capacity was approximately $4.5 million, and our borrowings under this facility were $1,154. As discussed below, in the first quarter of 2005 we borrowed an additional $4.5 million under this facility to fund a portion of North American and Specialty Pharmacies acquisitions, which are discussed above in Item 1 under the heading “Recent Developments.” Our borrowings are collateralized by a primary security interest in all of our assets. This security interest is senior to the security interest granted to AmerisourceBergen,
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pursuant to the terms of an intercreditor agreement between GE Capital and AmeriscourceBergen. As of December 31, 2004, we were in compliance with all of these covenants required under this credit facility.
In addition to the revolving credit line, as of December 31, 2004, we had a $1.5 million line of credit with West Bank, a Des Moines, Iowa bank. Interest on this credit line accrued interest at the Prime Rate per annum. As of December 31, 2004 we had not borrowed any amounts under this line of credit, however, in the first quarter of 2005, we borrowed $1.5 million under this credit line to fund a portion of our recent acquisitions. This line of credit has been guaranteed by one of our directors (who also is one of our principal investors). The line of credit matures in September 2005.
Funding of 2005 Acquisitions
We used a portion of our cash balances, as well as our credit facilities, to fund the acquisitions of North American Home Health and Specialty Pharmacies that we completed during the first quarter of 2005. We used approximately $4.0 million of our cash and cash equivalents, as well as $4.5 million of borrowings under our facility with GE Capital and $1.5 million of borrowings under the revolving credit line with West Bank. Following these borrowings, we have additional borrowing capacity of approximately $1.0 million. We also issued a total of $3.9 million of promissory notes to the former owners of the two acquired businesses, as discussed below under the heading “Contractual Obligations.”
We are currently exploring alternatives to refinance our existing bank borrowings, including seeking additional borrowing capacity as a result of the expansion of our business. There is no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining new or additional bank credit facilities, or that such facilities will be available to us on favorable terms or at all. If necessary, we expect to be able to renew or refinance the West Bank credit line when it comes due in September 2005.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
At December 31, 2004, our contractual cash obligations and commitments over the next five years were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Payments due by Period
|
| | Total
| | Less than 1 year
| | 1-3 years
| | 4-5 years
| | More than 5 years
|
Long-Term Debt Obligation(2) | | $ | 1,350,000 | | $ | 1,350,000 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 0 |
Capital (Finance) Lease Obligations(2) | | | 323,946 | | | 130,640 | | | 193,306 | | | 0 | | | 0 |
Operating Lease Obligations | | | 1,070,497 | | | 376,104 | | | 584,337 | | | 110,056 | | | 0 |
Revolving Credit Line | | | 1,154 | | | 1,154 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 0 |
Purchase Obligations(1) | | | 331,267,941 | | | 91,892,941 | | | 239,375,000 | | | 0 | | | 0 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Total | | $ | 334,013,538 | | $ | 93,750,839 | | $ | 240,152,643 | | $ | 110,056 | | $ | 0 |
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(1) | If we fail to satisfy the minimum purchase obligation under our purchase agreement with AmerisourceBergen, we would be required to pay an amount equal to 0.2% of the unpurchased commitments at the end of the five-year term of the contract. |
(2) | Interest expense payments on these amounts are expected to approximate $77,000 over the next three years. |
In the first quarter of 2005, in connection with the two acquisitions that we completed, we incurred $6.0 million of borrowings under our bank credit lines. Of this amount, $1.5 million comes due in September 2005, and the remainder comes due in April 2006. In addition, we issued a total of $3.9 million of promissory notes to the former owners of the two businesses that we acquired, of which $2.6 million matures in February 2006 and the remainder is payable in 2007.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
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RISK FACTORS
You should consider each of the following factors as well as the other information in this Report, including the financial statements and related notes included in Item 8 below, in evaluating our business and our prospects. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business and financial results could suffer materially.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMPANY
If demand for our products and services is reduced, our business and ability to grow would be harmed.
Because we provide specialty pharmacy and disease management services that are focused almost exclusively on patients infected with HIV or diagnosed with AIDS, a reduction in demand for HIV/AIDS medications would significantly harm our business as we would not be able to quickly shift our business to provide medications for other diseases. Reduced demand for our products and services could be caused by a number of circumstances, including but not limited to the following:
| • | | a cure and/or vaccine for HIV/AIDS; |
| • | | patient shifts to treatment regimens other than those we offer; |
| • | | new treatments or methods of delivery of existing HIV/AIDS medications that do not require our specialty pharmacy and disease management services; |
| • | | recalls of certain HIV/AIDS medications; |
| • | | adverse reactions caused by the HIV/AIDS medications we sell; |
| • | | the expiration or challenge to the “orphan drug” status or drug patent of the medications we sell; |
| • | | competing treatment from a new HIV/AIDS medication or a new use of an existing HIV/AIDS medication; or |
| • | | a new strain of HIV develops that is resistant to available HIV/AIDS medications, such as the new strain of HIV recently identified by the New York Department of Health that develops into AIDS within two to three months. |
We have a history of losses and we may never achieve or maintain profitability.
Our predecessor company, The Care Group, Inc., filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in September 1998. We emerged from bankruptcy in February 1999 and, since that time, have continued to experience operating losses. Our operations to date have been funded in part by private placements of our common and preferred stock and the sale of certain operations. We may never achieve or maintain profitability. If we fail to achieve profitability at all or within the time frame expected by investors, your investment in our stock could result in a significant or total loss.
Changes in reimbursement by third party payors could harm our business.
Our gross profit margins are determined by reimbursement rates from government and private payors and supplier prices. The prices we receive for our products depend primarily on the reimbursement rates paid by our government and private payors due to the fact that nearly all of our sales are subject to reimbursement by third party payors. Cost containment initiatives are a primary trend in the United States health care industry. The increasing prevalence of managed care, centralized purchasing decisions, consolidation among and integration of healthcare providers and competition for patients has affected, and continues to affect, pricing, purchasing, and usage patterns in health care. Efforts by payors to eliminate, contain or reduce costs through coverage exclusions, lower reimbursement rates, greater claims scrutiny, closed provider panels, restrictions on required formularies, mandatory use of generics, limitations on payments in certain therapeutic drug categories, claim delays or denials and other similar measures could erode our profit margins or materially harm the results of our operations.
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We are primarily dependent on reimbursement from government payors, such as the state AIDS Drug Assistance Program, or ADAP, and Medicaid programs, both highly regulated governmental programs that are subject to frequent changes and cost-containment measures. In recent years, these programs have reduced reimbursement to providers. Changes to the programs themselves, the amounts programs pay, or coverage limitations established by the programs for the medications we sell, may reduce our earnings. For example, these programs could revise their pricing methodology for medications we sell, decide not to cover certain medications or cover only a certain number of units prescribed within a specified time period. We are likely to experience some form of revised drug pricing as ADAP and Medicaid HIV/AIDS medication expenditures have garnered significant attention from government agencies during the past few years.
We estimate that approximately 90% of our gross sales for the year ended December 31, 2004 consisted of reimbursement from federal and state programs. Any reduction in amounts reimbursable by government programs for our services or changes in regulations governing such reimbursements could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our disqualification from participating in the state Medicaid programs of New York, New Jersey, California or Florida would dramatically reduce our net sales and our ability to achieve profitability.
We are also dependent on reimbursement from private payors. Many payors seek to limit the number of providers that supply drugs to their enrollees. From time to time, payors with which we have relationships require that we and our competitors bid to keep their business, and there can be no assurance that we will be retained or that our margins will not be adversely affected when that happens. The loss of a payor relationship could result in the loss of a significant number of patients and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we do not continue to qualify for preferred reimbursement programs in California and do not qualify for the program in New York, our net sales could decline.
As of September 1, 2004 as part of the passage of the state of California budget, reimbursement rates for pharmacy services provided under the Medicaid reimbursement administered in California, or Medi-Cal, were reduced. On September 28, 2004, California approved an HIV/AIDS Pharmacy Pilot Program bill which funds an additional $9.50 fee per prescription for qualified HIV pharmacies that participate in the program through January 1, 2008, unless extended.
In New York, reimbursement rates for pharmacy services provided under Medicaid were reduced in August 2004. Approved specialized HIV pharmacies will continue to be reimbursed at the old, higher rate structure through March 31, 2006.
We believe that these preferred reimbursements in California and New York provide us with a competitive advantage. However, there can be no assurance that the California or New York legislatures will not change these programs in a manner adverse to us or will not terminate early or elect not to renew these programs. If either of these programs is not renewed or is terminated early, our net sales could be adversely affected. Additionally, if either California or New York permit additional companies to take advantage of these preferred reimbursement programs, our competitive advantage in these states could be adversely impacted.
Our success in identifying and integrating acquisitions may impact our business.
As part of our strategy, we continually evaluate acquisition opportunities. We may make acquisitions to grow our patient base, which involves risks. There can be no assurance that we will complete any future acquisitions or that such transactions, if completed, will be integrated successfully or will contribute favorably to our operations and financial condition. In addition, acquisitions may expose us to unknown or contingent liabilities of acquired businesses, including liabilities for failure to comply with health care or reimbursement laws. While we try to negotiate indemnification provisions that we consider to be appropriate for the transactions,
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there can be no assurance that liabilities relating to the prior operations of these and other acquired companies will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, future acquisitions may result in dilutive issuances of equity securities, incurrence of additional debt, amortization of expenses related to acquired goodwill and intangible assets and exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are not able to effectively market our services to clinics that focus on serving HIV/AIDS patients and the health care providers affiliated with these clinics, we may not be able to grow our patient base as rapidly as we have planned.
Our success, in part, depends on our ability to develop and maintain relationships with clinics that focus on serving HIV/AIDS patients and health care providers affiliated with these clinics. These clinics and health care providers are an important patient referral source for our business. We believe that developing and maintaining these relationships will allow us to rapidly expand the number of patients we serve. If we are unable to effectively market our services to these clinics and health care providers, or if our existing relationships with clinics are terminated, our ability to grow our patient base will be harmed and could dramatically reduce our net sales and our ability to achieve profitability.
If we fail to manage our growth effectively, our business could be harmed.
Our business has grown over the past several years as a result of internal growth due to an increase in the number of patients we serve and prescriptions per patient, as well as growth through acquisitions. If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, our losses could increase. The management of our growth will depend, among other things, upon our ability to improve our operational, financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures. In addition, we may not be able to successfully hire, train and manage additional sales marketing, customer support, pharmacy and delivery personnel quickly enough to support our growth. To provide this support, we may need to open additional offices, which will result in additional budgets on our systems and resources and require additional capital expenditures.
We are highly dependent on our relationship with AmerisourceBergen, the loss of which could adversely affect our business.
In September 2003, we entered into a five-year purchase agreement with AmerisourceBergen. Currently, we purchase almost 100% of our prescription medications from AmerisourceBergen. The wholesale distributor industry has experienced rapid consolidation and, as a result, there are only a few alternative wholesale distributors from whom we can purchase the medications we offer to HIV/AIDS patients. In the event that our relationship with AmerisourceBergen terminates or is not renewed, we might not be able to enter into a new agreement with another wholesale distributor on a timely basis or on terms favorable to us. Our inability to enter into a new supply agreement could cause a shortage of the supply of medications we keep in stock. If we are unable to purchase the medication to service our customers, our business could be harmed.
If we are not able to negotiate favorable credit terms with our suppliers, we may have to rely disproportionately on other financing sources to increase our inventory volume.
Our business plan assumes that we will be able to increase substantially the number of customers to whom we provide prescription medications. Because we often face a significant delay between the time we purchase medications from suppliers and when we receive reimbursement or payment from third-party payors, we depend on the extension of credit from our suppliers to meet our working capital needs. These suppliers sometimes shorten their credit terms as companies grow. In the past, our ability to grow has been limited in part by our inability to negotiate favorable credit terms from our suppliers. We may become limited in our ability to continue to increase our inventory volume if we are unable to maintain credit terms from our suppliers or, alternatively, if we are unable to obtain financing from third party lenders to support our inventory needs in the future.
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Our net sales could be adversely affected if we do not meet our minimum purchase requirements under our agreement with AmerisourceBergen.
Our supply agreement with AmerisourceBergen requires us to make minimum purchases during the 5-year term of the agreement that will be no less than $400 million. If we do not meet the minimum purchase commitments as set forth in the agreement at the end of the agreement, we will be required to pay an amount equal to of 0.20% of the unpurchased volume. We would also be required to pay this amount in the event we terminate our agreement with AmerisourceBergen without cause or in the event we default under the agreement. If we were required to pay this penalty, we would incur a possibly significant expense with all corresponding net sales.
Our MOMSPak automated packaging system and a prolonged malfunction could hurt our relations with the patients we serve and our ability to grow.
A portion of the prescriptions we fill require our customers to take multiple medications many times a day. We rely on our MOMSPak packaging system to create the MOMSPak for dispensing patient medication. We expect that prescriptions packaged in a MOMSPak will increase substantially in the future as more of the patients we serve switch to the MOMSPak from traditional pill boxes. We currently lease three MOMSPak machines. If these machines fail to function properly for a prolonged period, we may have to fill prescriptions by hand using pill boxes or by otherwise sorting the various drug combinations into individual doses. Delays or failure to package medications by our MOMSPak packaging system could result in our loss of a substantial portion of our patients who receive their prescriptions in MOMSPaks.
We believe that one component of our ability to compete effectively is our MOMSPak, created by our MOMSPak prescription packaging system. We developed our MOMSPak packaging system with software and other technology that we licensed from third-parties. We have not attempted to obtain patent protection for our MOMSPak system and do not intend to in the future. As a consequence, our competitors may develop technology that is substantially equivalent to our MOMSPak system and we could not prevent them from doing so. If our competitors or other third parties were able to recreate the MOMSPak, one of our competitive advantages in serving patients with HIV/AIDS could be lost.
A disruption in our telephone system or our computer system could harm our business.
We receive and take prescription orders over the telephone, by facsimile or through our electronic prescription writer. We also rely extensively upon our computer system to confirm payor information, patient eligibility and authorizations; to check on medication interactions and patient medication history; to facilitate filling and labeling prescriptions for delivery and billing, and to help ensure collection of payments. Our success depends, in part, upon our ability to promptly fill and deliver complex prescription orders as well as on our ability to provide reimbursement management services for our patients and their healthcare providers. Any continuing disruption in our telephone, facsimile or computer systems could adversely affect our ability to receive and process prescription orders, make deliveries on a timely basis and receive reimbursement from our payors. This could adversely affect our relations with the patients and healthcare providers we serve and potentially result in a partial reduction in orders from, or a complete loss of, these patients.
We rely on third-party delivery services to deliver our products to the patients we serve. Price increases or service interruptions in our delivery services could adversely affect our results of operations and our ability to make deliveries on a timely basis.
Delivery is essential to our operations and represents a significant expense in the operation of our business that we cannot pass on to our customers. As a result, any significant increase in shipping rates could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Similarly, strikes or other service interruptions by these delivery services would adversely affect our ability to deliver our products on a timely basis. In addition, some of the
33
medications we ship require special handling, including refrigeration to maintain temperatures within certain ranges. The spoilage of one or more shipments of our products could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We rely on a few key employees whose absence or loss could adversely affect our business.
Many key responsibilities within our business have been assigned to a small number of employees. The loss of their services could adversely affect our business. In particular, the loss of the services of Michael P. Moran, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, James G. Spencer, our Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, Mikelynn Salthouse, our Vice President, HIV Sales, or Robert Fleckenstein, our Vice President of Pharmacy Operations could disrupt our operations. We do not have employment contracts with any of these key employees and several of our key employees are not restricted from competing with us if they cease working for us or from soliciting our employees. Additionally, as a practical matter, any employment agreement we may enter into will not assure the retention of such employee. In addition, we do not maintain “key person” life insurance policies on any of our employees. As a result, we are not insured against any losses resulting from the death of our key employees. Further, as we grow we must be able to attract and retain other qualified technical operating and professional staff, such as pharmacists. If we cannot attract and retain, on acceptable terms, the qualified employees necessary for the continued development of our business, we may not be able to sustain our business or grow.
We may not be able to obtain insurance to protect our business from liability.
Our business exposes us to risks inherent in the provision of drugs and related services. Regulatory claims, lawsuits or complaints relating to our products and services may be asserted against us in the future. Although we currently maintain professional and general liability insurance, there can be no assurance that the scope of coverage or limits of such insurance will be adequate to protect us against future claims. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain adequate liability insurance in the future on acceptable terms or with adequate coverage against potential liabilities.
RISKS RELATED TO THE SPECIALTY PHARMACY INDUSTRY
There is substantial competition in our industry, and we may not be able to compete successfully.
The specialty pharmacy industry is highly competitive and is continuing to become more competitive. All of the medications, supplies and services that we provide are also available from our competitors. Our current and potential competitors may include:
| • | | other specialty pharmacy distributors; |
| • | | specialty pharmacy divisions of wholesale drug distributors; |
| • | | pharmacy benefit management companies; |
| • | | hospital-based pharmacies; |
| • | | other retail pharmacies; |
| • | | manufacturers that sell their products both to distributors and directly to clinics and physicians offices; and |
| • | | hospital-based care centers and other alternate site health care providers. |
Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources and marketing staffs and more established operations and infrastructure than we have. A significant factor in effective competition will be our ability to maintain and expand relationships with patients, healthcare providers and private and government payors.
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If we are found to be in violation of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement regulations, we could become subject to retroactive adjustments and recoupments.
As a Medicare and Medicaid provider, we are subject to retroactive adjustments due to prior-year audits, reviews and investigations; government fraud and abuse initiatives; and other similar actions. Federal regulations also provide for withholding payments to recoup amounts payable under the programs. While we believe we are in material compliance with applicable Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement regulations, there can be no assurance that we, pursuant to such audits, reviews, and investigations, among other things, will be found to be in compliance in all respects with such reimbursement regulations. A determination that we are in violation of any such reimbursement regulations could result in retroactive adjustments and recoupments and have a material adverse effect on us. As a Medicaid provider, we are also subject to routine, unscheduled audits. The extrapolative methodology, which uses an adjustment factor derived from a statistical sampling to calculate the money that must be paid to Medicaid, may result in an adverse impact on our results of operations should an audit result in a negative finding. There can be no assurance at this time as to the impact on us of future Medicaid rate changes or audits.
Our industry is subject to extensive government regulation and noncompliance by us or our suppliers could harm our business.
The marketing, sale and purchase of medications are extensively regulated by federal and state governments. If we fail or are accused of failing to comply with laws and regulations, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed. Many of the medications that are most often dispensed by us receive greater attention from law enforcement officials than those medications that are most often dispensed by traditional pharmacies due to the high cost of HIV/AIDS medications and the potential for illegal use. Our business could also be harmed if the entities with which we contract or have business relationships, such as pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, physicians or HIV/AIDS clinics, are accused of violating laws or regulations. The applicable regulatory framework is complex and evolving, and the laws are very broad in scope. There are significant uncertainties involving the application of many of these legal requirements to our business. Many of the laws remain open to interpretation and have not been addressed by substantive court decisions that clarify their meaning. We are unable to predict what additional federal or state legislation or regulatory initiatives may be enacted in the future relating to our business or the health care industry in general, or what effect any such legislation or regulation might have on us. We cannot provide any assurance that Federal or state governments will not impose additional restrictions or adopt interpretations of existing laws that could increase our cost of compliance with such laws or reduce our ability to become profitable. If we are found to have violated any of these laws, we could be required to pay fines and penalties, which could materially adversely affect its profitability, and its ability to conduct its business as currently structured. The health care laws and regulations that especially apply to our activities include the following:
| • | | The federal “Anti-Kickback Law” prohibits the offer, solicitation, payment or receipt of anything of value in return for the referral of patients covered by federally funded health care programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and ADAP, or for the arrangement or recommendation of the purchase of any item, facility or service covered by those programs. Several states also have similar laws proscribing kickbacks that are not limited to services for which Medicare and Medicaid payment may be made. |
| • | | The federal civil monetary penalty law prohibits the offering of remuneration or other inducements to beneficiaries of federal health care programs to influence the beneficiaries’; decision to seek specific governmentally reimbursable items or services, or to choose a particular provider. The federal civil monetary penalty law and its associated regulations exclude items provided to patients to promote the delivery of preventive care. However, permissible incentives would not include cash or cash equivalents. We from time to time loan some items at no charge to our patients to assist them with adhering to their drug therapy regimen. Although these items are not expressly included on the list of excluded items set forth in the statute and regulations, we nevertheless believe that our provision of these items does not violate the civil monetary penalty law and regulations. A determination that we violated the statute or regulations, however, could result in sanctions that reduce our net sales or profits. |
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| • | | The Ethics in Patient Referrals Act of 1989, as amended, commonly referred to as the “Stark Law,” prohibits physician referrals to entities with which the physician or his or her immediate family members have a “financial relationship.” A violation of the Stark Law is punishable by civil sanctions, including significant fines and exclusion from participation in Medicare and Medicaid. Many states have also enacted similar prohibitions, which may cover financial relationships between entities and health care practitioners, other than physicians, as well. |
| • | | There are a number of federal statutory provisions that prohibit a person from submitting, or causing the submission, of a claim to the federal or a state government for an item or service when the person knows or should know that the claim is false or fraudulent. The Federal False Claims Act contains such a prohibition, as well as a provision encouraging private individuals to file suits on behalf of the government against health care providers such as us. A violation of these provisions could result in criminal penalties, significant financial sanctions or exclusion from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Federal false claims actions may be based on underlying violations of the kickback and/or self-referral prohibitions, as well. State law also proscribes fraudulent acts against third-party payors, including the ADAP and Medicaid programs. |
| • | | In addition to investigations and enforcement actions initiated by governmental agencies, we could be the subject of an action brought under the Federal False Claims Act by a private individual (such as a former employee, a customer or a competitor) on behalf of the government. Actions under the Federal False Claims Act, commonly known as “whistleblower” lawsuits, are generally filed under seal to allow the government adequate time to investigate and determine whether it will intervene in the action, and defendant health care providers are often without knowledge of such actions until the government has completed its investigation and the seal is lifted. |
| • | | Federal and state investigations and enforcement actions continue to focus on the health care industry, scrutinizing a wide range of items such as referral and billing practices, product discount arrangements, dissemination of confidential patient information, clinical drug research trials, pharmaceutical marketing programs, and gifts for patients. It is difficult to predict how any of the laws implicated in these investigations and enforcement actions may be interpreted to apply to our business. The pharmaceutical industry continues to garner much attention from federal and state governmental agencies. In its Fiscal Year 2002 Work Plan, the OIG identified “pharmaceutical fraud” as one of its “special focus areas” and committed itself to conduct further assessments relating to Medicaid medication reimbursement issues. In the OlG’s 2003, 2004, and 2005 Work Plans, the OIG emphasized its continuing focus on pharmaceutical fraud. The Department of Justice has “identified prescription drug issues” (including product substitution without authorization, controlled substances controls, free goods/diversion, medication errors, sale of samples, and contracting with pharmacy benefit management companies) as being among the “top 10” areas in the health care industry meriting his office’s attention. |
| • | | The Office of Inspector General of DHHS periodically issues Fraud Alerts and Advisory Opinions identifying certain questionable arrangements and practices which it believes may implicate the Federal fraud and abuse laws. In a December 1994 Special Fraud Alert relating to “prescription drug marketing schemes,” the OIG stated that investigation may be warranted when a prescription drug marketing activity involves the provision of cash or other benefits to pharmacists in exchange for such pharmacists’ performance of marketing tasks in the course of their pharmacy practice, including, for example, sales-oriented “educational” or “counseling” contacts or physician and/or patient outreach where the value of the compensation is related to the business generated. |
| • | | The Department of Health and Human Services has promulgated regulations implementing what are commonly referred to as the Administrative Simplification provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, concerning the maintenance, transmission, privacy and security of electronic health information, particularly individually identifiable information. Each state may also have similar statutes and regulations governing the maintenance, transmission, privacy and security of electronic health information, including individually identifiable information. In addition, if we choose to distribute medications through new distribution channels such as the Internet, |
36
| we will have to comply with government regulations that exist now and that may be promulgated in the future. Compliance with these regulations could cause us to incur additional, and possibly large, expenses. If we are found to have violated any of the provisions of HIPAA, then we could be subjected to fines, penalties, and criminal penalties. |
| • | | HIPAA created new health care fraud crimes expanding the coverage of previous laws by criminalizing the defrauding of any health care benefit program, including both governmental and private, commercial plans. |
| • | | State laws prohibit the practice of medicine, pharmacy and nursing without a license. To the extent that we assist patients and providers with prescribed treatment programs, a state could consider our activities to constitute the practice of medicine. If we are found to have violated those laws, we could face civil and criminal penalties and be required to reduce, restructure, or even cease our business in that state. Pharmacies and pharmacists must obtain state licenses to operate and dispense medications. Nonresident pharmacies must also obtain licenses in some states to operate and provide goods and services to residents of those states. If we are unable to maintain our licenses, or obtain new licenses, as required, or if states place burdensome restrictions or limitations on nonresident pharmacies, this could limit or affect our ability to operate in some states which could adversely impact our business and results of operations. |
| • | | State consumer protection laws generally prohibit false advertising and unfair, deceptive trade practices. These state consumer protection laws have been the basis for investigations and multi-state settlements relating to prescription medication promotional practices of drug manufacturers involving pharmacies and/or physicians. |
| • | | The Federal Food Drug and Cosmetics Act, as amended by the Prescription Drug Marketing Act, imposes requirements for the labeling, packaging and repackaging, dispensing and advertising of prescription medication. It also prohibits, among other things, the distribution of unapproved, adulterated or misbranded drugs. In the past, FDA has viewed particular combination packaging arrangements as constituting new drugs which must be tested and labeled in the packaging combination. On occasion, FDA has also sought to apply drug compounding guidance to analogous arrangements. We believe that sufficient legal authority, and pharmacy industry practice, supports our position that our activities do not require FDA approval or registration with FDA as a manufacturer. However, FDA may disagree with our interpretation and we could be required to defend our position; although no such action has ever been initiated against us. |
| • | | Federal Controlled Substances Act contains pharmacy registration, packaging and labeling requirements, as well as record-keeping requirements related to a pharmacy’s inventory and its receipt and disposition of all controlled substances. Each state has also enacted similar legislation governing pharmacies’ handling of controlled substances. |
| • | | The United States Postal Service and the Federal Trade Commission regulate mail order sellers, requiring truth in advertising, a reasonable supply of drugs to fill orders, the consumer’s right to a refund if an order cannot be filled within 30 days, and in certain cases, child-resistant packaging. |
| • | | Federal law requires that states offering Medicaid prescription drug benefits implement a drug use review program. The program requires “before and after” drug use reviews and the use of certain approved compendia and peer-reviewed medical literature as the source of standards for such drug use reviews. States offering Medicaid prescription drug benefits must develop standards for pharmacy patient counseling and record-keeping. These standards apply as well to nonresident pharmacies. |
| • | | In the past, Medicare covered only a limited number of outpatient prescription drugs. In December of 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug Modernization Act, which includes a new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit was passed. Final regulations implementing the law providing broad coverage for outpatient prescription drugs will become effective on January 1, 2006. Since only a small number of our patients are covered by Medicare, this change should not have a significant effect on us. |
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Recent investigations into reporting of average wholesale prices could reduce our pricing and margins.
Many government payors, including the state ADAP and Medicaid programs, which comprise most of our business, pay us directly or indirectly for the medications we handle at average wholesale price, or AWP, or at a percentage of AWP. Private payors with whom we may contract also reimburse for medications at AWP or at a percentage of AWP. We are aware of several whistleblower lawsuits against, and settlements entered into by, various drug manufacturers relating to the alleged reporting of artificially inflated AWPs to independent price reporting services. Various federal and state governmental agencies, including the Department of Justice, the OIG and the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, have conducted investigations into whether the reported AWP of many medications is an appropriate or accurate measure of their market price. Based on figures that fraud investigators determined to be closer to what medical providers actually pay, in May 2000, one of the independent price reporting services began reporting revised AWPs for approximately 400 national drug codes, comprising 48 medications. Most state Medicaid programs have incorporated these revised prices into their medication payment methodology in some manner. Although none of these 48 medications are HIV/AIDS antiretrovirals, federal and state governmental attention continues to focus on the validity of using AWP and the resulting Medicaid medication payments, including payments for HIV/AIDS antiretrovirals.
As of January 1, 2004, Medicare adopted new pricing that reduced reimbursement for many drugs. In 2005, the agency that administers the Medicare and Medicaid Programs, the Centers for Medicine & Medicaid Services (known as CMS), will change reimbursement to be based on average sales price (ASP) or under a competitive acquisition program (CAP) rather than AWP. This change in pricing may result in reduced reimbursement amounts for drugs that we dispense.
We cannot predict the eventual results of any payment reforms, future government investigations or recommended strategies for states to employ to lower drug costs. Modifications to reimbursement payments, if adopted could have a significant impact to our financial condition and results of operation.
Our business could be affected by reforms in the health-care industry.
Health care reform measures have been considered by Congress and other federal and state bodies during recent years. The intent of the proposals generally has been to reduce health care costs and the growth of total health care expenditures, to expand health care coverage for the uninsured and to eliminate fraud, waste and financial abuse. Although comprehensive health care reform has been considered, only limited proposals have been enacted. Comprehensive health care reform may be considered again and efforts to enact reform bills are likely to continue. Implementation of government health care reform may adversely affect development and marketing expenditures by biotechnology companies, which could decrease the business opportunities available to us or the demand for its specialty services. We are unable to predict the likelihood of such legislation or similar legislation being enacted into law or the effects that any such legislation would have on our business.
ITEM 7A. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK |
INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY
Our primary financial market risk exposure consists of interest rate risk related to interest that we are obligated to pay on our debt, the majority of which is variable-rate debt. The fair value of our variable rate debt is sensitive to changes in interest rates. If market rates decline, the required payments will decrease, and as rates increase, the amount we are required to pay will increase. Under our current policy, we do not use interest rate derivative instruments to manage our risk of interest rate fluctuations.
We have not hedged against our interest rate risk exposure. As a result, we will benefit from decreasing interest rates, but rising interest rates on our debt will also harm us.
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ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
The following financial statements required by this item are included in this Report beginning on page 38.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Allion Healthcare, Inc.
Melville, New York
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Allion Healthcare, Inc. as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. We have also audited the schedule listed in the accompanying index. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and schedule. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Allion Healthcare, Inc at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Also, in our opinion, the schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
/s/ BDO Seidman, LLP
Melville, New York
March 23, 2005
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ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2004
| | | 2003
| |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
CURRENT ASSETS: | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 6,979,630 | | | $ | 640,790 | |
Accounts receivable, (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $296,320 in 2004 and $437,031 in 2003) | | | 4,678,596 | | | | 3,074,488 | |
Inventories | | | 733,581 | | | | 1,296,655 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 722,984 | | | | 107,399 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Total current assets | | | 13,114,791 | | | | 5,119,332 | |
| | |
Property and equipment, net | | | 561,732 | | | | 527,667 | |
Goodwill | | | 4,472,068 | | | | 4,472,068 | |
Intangible assets, net | | | 1,643,449 | | | | 2,117,601 | |
Other assets | | | 203,622 | | | | 178,777 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 19,995,662 | | | $ | 12,415,445 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | $ | 6,784,658 | | | $ | 5,750,909 | |
Revolving credit line | | | 1,154 | | | | — | |
Notes payable-subordinated | | | 1,250,000 | | | | 1,150,000 | |
Current portion of capital lease obligations | | | 130,640 | | | | 89,460 | |
Other current liabilities | | | 100,000 | | | | 12,685 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Total current liabilities | | | 8,266,452 | | | | 7,003,054 | |
| | |
LONG TERM LIABILITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Notes payable | | | — | | | | 2,750,000 | |
Capital lease obligations | | | 193,306 | | | | 162,160 | |
Other | | | 21,409 | | | | 106,951 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Total liabilities | | | 8,481,167 | | | | 10,022,165 | |
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|
|
| |
|
|
|
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | | | | | | | | |
| | |
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
Convertible preferred stock, $.001 par value, shares authorized 20,000,000; issued and outstanding 4,570,009 in 2004 and 2,414,168 in 2003 | | | 4,570 | | | | 2,414 | |
Common stock, $.001 par value; shares authorized 80,000,000; issued and outstanding 3,100,000 in 2004 and 2003 | | | 3,100 | | | | 3,100 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 22,060,733 | | | | 10,261,526 | |
Accumulated deficit | | | (10,553,908 | ) | | | (7,873,760 | ) |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Total stockholders’ equity | | | 11,514,495 | | | | 2,393,280 | |
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|
|
| |
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | $ | 19,995,662 | | | $ | 12,415,445 | |
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|
|
| |
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2004
| | | 2003
| | | 2002
| |
NET SALES | | $ | 64,605,721 | | | $ | 48,222,993 | | | $ | 27,457,438 | |
COST OF GOODS SOLD | | | 57,091,675 | | | | 41,969,506 | | | | 23,271,936 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Gross profit | | | 7,514,046 | | | | 6,253,487 | | | | 4,185,502 | |
| | | |
OPERATING EXPENSES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 9,891,461 | | | | 8,744,127 | | | | 4,756,037 | |
Legal settlement expense (income) | | | — | | | | 200,000 | | | | (150,000 | ) |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Operating loss | | | (2,377,415 | ) | | | (2,690,640 | ) | | | (420,535 | ) |
| | | |
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | | (226,531 | ) | | | (243,882 | ) | | | (104,358 | ) |
Costs of withdrawn public offering and other | | | — | | | | — | | | | (478,865 | ) |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Total other expense | | | (226,531 | ) | | | (243,882 | ) | | | (583,223 | ) |
| | | |
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES | | | (2,603,946 | ) | | | (2,934,522 | ) | | | (1,003,758 | ) |
| | | |
PROVISION FOR TAXES | | | 76,202 | | | | 19,646 | | | | 35,002 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
NET LOSS | | | ($2,680,148 | ) | | | ($2,954,168 | ) | | | ($1,038,760 | ) |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER COMMON SHARE | | | ($0.86 | ) | | | ($0.95 | ) | | | ($0.34 | ) |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
BASIC AND DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING | | | 3,100,000 | | | | 3,100,000 | | | | 3,100,000 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
42
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Preferred Stk. $.001 par value
| | Common Stk. $.001 par value
| | | | | | | | |
| | Shares
| | Par Value
| | Shares
| | Par Value
| | Additional Paid-In Capital
| | Accumulated Deficit
| | | Total
| |
Balance, January 1, 2002 | | 1,179,168 | | $ | 1,179 | | 3,100,000 | | $ | 3,100 | | $ | 4,171,725 | | $ | (3,880,832 | ) | | $ | 295,172 | |
Net Loss | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1,038,760 | ) | | | (1,038,760 | ) |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2002 | | 1,179,168 | | | 1,179 | | 3,100,000 | | | 3,100 | | | 4,171,725 | | | (4,919,592 | ) | | | (743,588 | ) |
Issuance of Preferred Stock | | 1,235,000 | | | 1,235 | | — | | | — | | | 6,062,447 | | | — | | | | 6,063,682 | |
Issuance of Warrants for acquisition | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | 27,354 | | | — | | | | 27,354 | |
Net Loss | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2,954,168 | ) | | | (2,954,168 | ) |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2003 | | 2,414,168 | | | 2,414 | | 3,100,000 | | | 3,100 | | | 10,261,526 | | | (7,873,760 | ) | | | 2,393,280 | |
Issuance of Preferred Stock | | 2,155,841 | | | 2,156 | | — | | | — | | | 11,799,207 | | | — | | | | 11,801,363 | |
Net Loss | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2,680,148 | ) | | | (2,680,148 | ) |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2004 | | 4,570,009 | | $ | 4,570 | | 3,100,000 | | $ | 3,100 | | $ | 22,060,733 | | $ | (10,553,908 | ) | | $ | 11,514,495 | |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
43
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2004
| | | 2003
| | | 2002
| |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | | ($2,680,148 | ) | | | ($2,954,168 | ) | | | ($1,038,760 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 716,981 | | | | 606,057 | | | | 315,661 | |
Provision for doubtful accounts | | | (140,711 | ) | | | 266,851 | | | | 28,905 | |
Loss on sale of asset | | | — | | | | 5,575 | | | | — | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | (1,463,397 | ) | | | (346,869 | ) | | | (598,887 | ) |
Inventories | | | 563,075 | | | | (404,292 | ) | | | (277,183 | ) |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | | | (491,413 | ) | | | (140,918 | ) | | | 201,941 | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | | 1,078,083 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Deferred rent | | | 21,409 | | | | 272,919 | | | | 926,212 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities | | | (2,396,121 | ) | | | (2,694,845 | ) | | | (442,111 | ) |
| | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payments for acquisition of Medicine Made Easy net of Cash acquired of $92,854 | | | — | | | | (2,257,146 | ) | | | — | |
Purchase of property and equipment | | | (138,208 | ) | | | (117,183 | ) | | | (67,917 | ) |
Sale of property and equipment | | | 27,500 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (101,708 | ) | | | (2,374,329 | ) | | | (67,917 | ) |
| | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of Preferred Stock net of fees | | | 11,607,449 | | | | 6,063,682 | | | | — | |
Proceeds from line of credit | | | 33,590,405 | | | | 20,725,000 | | | | 5,250,000 | |
Payment of deferred financing cost | | | — | | | | (101,564 | ) | | | (265,188 | ) |
Repayment of line of credit | | | (33,589,251 | ) | | | (21,190,081 | ) | | | (5,778,855 | ) |
Repayment of long-term debt | | | (112,934 | ) | | | | | | | (42,462 | ) |
Repayment of Notes Payable | | | (2,650,000 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | 8,845,669 | | | | 5,497,037 | | | | (836,505 | ) |
| | | |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | | | 6,338,840 | | | | 427,863 | | | | (1,346,533 | ) |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR | | | 640,790 | | | | 212,927 | | | | 1,559,460 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR | | $ | 6,979,630 | | | $ | 640,790 | | | $ | 212,927 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income taxes paid | | $ | 75,407 | | | $ | 15,666 | | | $ | 13,982 | |
Interest paid | | $ | 225,830 | | | $ | 227,216 | | | $ | 106,491 | |
Assets acquired via capital lease | | $ | 165,623 | | | | — | | | $ | 365,000 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
44
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. THE COMPANY
As of December 31, 2004, Allion Healthcare, Inc., referred to as the Company, was the parent corporation of four wholly owned subsidiaries, which operate under the MOMS Pharmacy name as one reportable segment. These subsidiaries are located in New York, California, Texas and Florida. The Company is licensed to dispense prescription medication in all 50 U.S. States. The Company focuses on delivering its specialty pharmacy and disease management services primarily to HIV/AIDS patients.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its four wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
INVENTORIES. Inventories consist entirely of pharmaceuticals available for sale. Inventories are recorded at lower of cost or market, cost being determined on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis.
USE OF ESTIMATES BY MANAGEMENT. The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles require the Company’s management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates primarily relate to accounts receivable, intangibles and deferred tax valuation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT. Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Machinery and equipment under capital leases are amortized over the lives of the respective leases or useful lives of the asset, whichever is shorter.
REVENUE RECOGNITION. Net sales are recognized as medications or products are delivered to customers. A substantial portion of the Company’s net sales are billed to third-party payors, including insurance companies, managed care plans and governmental payors. Net sales are recorded net of contractual adjustments and related discounts. Contractual adjustments represent estimated differences between billed net sales and amounts expected to be realized from third-party payors under contractual agreements.
INCOME TAXES. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount currently estimated to be realized.
CASH EQUIVALENTS. For purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
CREDIT RISK. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables. The Company places its cash equivalents with financial institutions. The Company has substantially all of its cash in four bank accounts. The balances are insured by FDIC up to $100,000. Such cash balances, at times, may exceed FDIC limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company’s trade receivables represent a broad customer base. The Company routinely assesses the financial strengths of its customers. As a consequence, concentrations of credit risk are limited.
45
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
NET LOSS PER SHARE INFORMATION. Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted per share amounts include dilutive common equivalent shares. Common equivalent shares, consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants; common equivalent shares are excluded from the calculation if their effect is anti-dilutive. Diluted loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 do not include the impact of common stock options and warrants then outstanding of 2,830,137, 2,359,973 and 1,984,200, respectively, as the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS. The Company accounts for its stock option awards to employees under the intrinsic value based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” Under the intrinsic value based method, compensation cost is the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock at grant date or other measurement date over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. The Company makes pro forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share as if the fair value based method of accounting had been applied as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (“SFAS 123”, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” and SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure.”) The Company has not granted options below fair market value on the date of grant. Had compensation expenses been determined as provided by SFAS No. 123 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, the pro forma effect on the Company’s net loss per share would have been the following for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
| | | | | | | | | |
| | YEAR ENDED
| |
| | December 31, 2004
| | | December 31, 2003
| | | December 31, 2002
| |
Net loss, as reported | | ($2,680,148 | ) | | ($2,954,168 | ) | | ($1,038,760 | ) |
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value method used | | (441,485 | ) | | (72,725 | ) | | (262,784 | ) |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Net loss, pro forma | | ($3,121,633 | ) | | ($3,026,893 | ) | | ($1,301,544 | ) |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Net loss per share; | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted, as reported | | ($0.86 | ) | | ($0.95 | ) | | ($0.34 | ) |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Basic and diluted, as pro forma | | ($1.01 | ) | | ($0.98 | ) | | ($0.42 | ) |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following range of weighted-average assumptions were used for grants during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002.
| | | | | | | | | |
| | 2004
| | | 2003
| | | 2002
| |
Dividend yield | | 0.00 | % | | 0.00 | % | | 0.00 | % |
Volatility | | 1.00 | % | | 1.00 | % | | 1.00 | % |
Risk-free interest rate | | 4.40 | % | | 4.02 | % | | 3.35 | % |
Expected life | | Eight Years | | | Eight Years | | | Eight Years | |
The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during 2004, 2003 and 2002 were $1.77, $0.38 and $0.55 respectively.
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require
46
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company’s stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its stock options.
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS. Management regularly reviews the collectibility of accounts receivable by tracking collection and write-off activity. Estimated write-off percentages are then applied to each aging category by payor classification to determine the allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts. The allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts is adjusted as needed to reflect current collection, write-off and other trends, including changes in assessment of realizable value. While management believes the resulting net carrying amounts for accounts receivable are fairly stated at each quarter-end and that the Company has made adequate provisions for uncollectible accounts based on all information available, no assurance can be given as to the level of future provisions for uncollectible accounts, or how they will compare to the levels experienced in the past. The Company’s ability to successfully collect its accounts receivable depends, in part, on its ability to adequately supervise and train personnel in billing and collection, and minimize losses related to system changes.
SHIPPING AND HANDLING COSTS. Shipping and handling costs that are incurred are not included in cost of sales. These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Shipping and handling costs were approximately $889,000, $720,000 and $359,000 in 2004, 2003 and 2002 respectively. Shipping and handling costs are not billed to customers.
LONG-LIVED ASSETS. Amortization of intangible assets is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets of five years. The carrying values of intangible and other long-lived assets are periodically reviewed to determine if any impairment indicators are present. If it is determined that such indicators are present and the review indicates that the assets will not be fully recoverable, based on undiscounted estimated cash flows over the remaining amortization and depreciation period, their carrying values are reduced to estimated fair value. Impairment indicators include, among other conditions, cash flow deficits, an historic or anticipated decline in net sales or operating profit, adverse legal or regulatory developments, accumulation of costs significantly in excess of amounts originally expected to acquire the asset and a material decrease in the fair market value of some or all of the assets. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows generated by other asset groups. No such impairment existed at December 31, 2004.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“FAS”) No. 141, “Business Combinations”, and No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, goodwill and intangible assets associated with the Medicine Made Easy, referred to as MME, acquisition that are deemed to have indefinite lives are no longer amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests. Such impairment tests require the comparison of the fair value and carrying value of reporting units. Measuring fair value of a reporting unit is generally based on valuation techniques using multiples of sales or earnings, unless supportable information is available for using a present value technique, such as estimates of future cash flows. The Company assesses the potential impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets annually and on an interim basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Some factors considered important which could trigger an interim impairment review include the following:
| • | | Significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; |
| • | | Significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business; and |
| • | | Significant negative industry or economic trends. |
47
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
If it’s determined through the impairment review process that goodwill has been impaired, an impairment charge would be recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. Based on the 2004 impairment review process, there was no impairment charge.
ADVERTISING COSTS. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs in 2004, 2003 and 2002 were approximately $78,000, $131,000 and $29,000, respectively and were included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
RECLASSIFICATIONS. Certain prior years’ balance have been reclassifed to conform with the current years’ presentation.
NOTE 3. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. SFAS No. 123(R) supersedes Accounting Principals Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends SFAS No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. Generally, the approach in SFAS No. 123(R) is similar to the approach described in SFAS No. 123. However, SFAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative. SFAS No. 123(R) permits public companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods:
A. “modified prospective” method in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of Statement 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of statement 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date.
B. “modified retrospective” method which includes the requirements of the modified prospective method described above, but also permits entities to restate based on the amounts previously recognized under SFAS No. 123 for purposes of pro forma disclosures either (a) all prior periods presented or (b) prior interim periods of the year of adoption.
SFAS No. 123(R) must be adopted in the first interim or annual period beginning after June 15, 2005, which in our case would be the quarterly period beginning July 1, 2005 and ending September 30, 2005. Early adoption will be permitted in periods in which financial statements have not yet been issued. We expect to adopt Statement 123(R) on July 1, 2005.
As permitted by SFAS No. 123, we currently account for share-based payments to employees using the intrinsic value method prescribed in APB Opinion No. 25. Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R)’s fair value method may have a significant impact on our results of operations, although it will have no impact on our overall financial position. The impact of adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) cannot be predicted at this time because it will depend on levels of share-based payments granted in the future and on required changes in the method of computation of fair value. However, had we adopted SFAS No. 123(R) in prior periods, the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of SFAS No. 123 as described in our disclosure of pro forma net income and earnings per share in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements.
48
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
NOTE 4. ACQUISITION
On May 1, 2003, the Company acquired Medicine Made Easy, referred to as MME. MME fills specialty oral and injectable prescription medications and biopharmaceuticals. MME began operations in January 1999 in the State of California. The aggregate consideration for the acquisition was $4,950,000, subject to post-closing adjustments, and warrants to purchase 227,273 shares of the Company’s common stock for $11.00 per share. The purchase price was paid as follows: (i) $300,000 in cash prior to closing as a lock-up fee; (ii) $2,250,000 in cash at closing.; (iii) $1,150,000 by subordinated secured promissory notes payable on May 1, 2004.; and (iv) $1,250,000 by subordinated secured promissory notes payable on May 1, 2005. These notes payable accrue interest at a rate of Prime Rate plus 2% per annum. The Prime Rate as of December 31, 2004 was 5.25%. The notes payable are secured by cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventory, fixed and other assets of the Company, and are subordinated to the Company’s senior indebtedness.
| | | |
Purchase Price Paid | | | |
Cash paid to seller prior to closing | | $ | 300,000 |
Cash paid at closing | | | 2,250,000 |
Notes payable-subordinated | | | 2,400,000 |
Direct acquisition costs | | | 496,898 |
Liabilities assumed | | | 2,060,551 |
Fair value of warrants issued | | | 27,354 |
| |
|
|
Total | | $ | 7,534,803 |
| |
|
|
| |
Allocation of Purchase Price | | | |
Net current assets | | $ | 1,018,906 |
Property and equipment | | | 202,461 |
Identified intangible assets | | | 1,841,368 |
Goodwill (not deductible for tax purposes) | | | 4,472,068 |
| |
|
|
Total | | $ | 7,534,803 |
| |
|
|
The operations of MME were included in the consolidated financial statements as of May 1, 2003. Under SFAS 141, “Business Combinations”, the Company made an adjustment to current assets and goodwill in the amount of $235,000 as of December 31, 2003 as a result of the Company reaching an agreement on the California AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Audit.
The following pro forma results were developed assuming the acquisition of Medicine Made Easy occurred January 1, 2002. In addition, the sale of the Series C convertible preferred stock is also presumed to have occurred on January 1, 2002.
| | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, 2003 (Unaudited)
| | | Year Ended December 31, 2002 (Unaudited)
| |
Revenue | | $ | 55,865,003 | | | $ | 49,203,059 | |
Net loss | | $ | (3,654,185 | ) | | $ | (2,034,752 | ) |
Basic and diluted loss per share | | $ | (1.18 | ) | | $ | (0.66 | ) |
49
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
NOTE 5. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Useful Life
| | December 31, 2004
| | | December 31, 2003
| |
| | | Cost
| | Accumulated Amortization
| | | Cost
| | Accumulated Amortization
| |
Intangible assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customer lists | | 5 Years | | $ | 2,030,745 | | $ | (978,831 | ) | | $ | 2,030,745 | | $ | (572,682 | ) |
California License | | Perpetual | | | 478,616 | | | — | | | | 478,616 | | | — | |
Non-Compete Covenant | | 3 Years | | | 147,007 | | | (81,671 | ) | | | 147,007 | | | (32,668 | ) |
Software | | 5 Years | | | 50,000 | | | (16,667 | ) | | | 50,000 | | | (6,667 | ) |
Other | | 5 Years | | | 45,000 | | | (30,750 | ) | | | 45,000 | | | (21,750 | ) |
| | | |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Total | | | | $ | 2,751,368 | | $ | (1,107,919 | ) | | $ | 2,751,368 | | $ | (633,767 | ) |
| | | |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Amortization of intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 was approximately $474,151, $377,000 and $182,000, respectively. The annual amortization on these assets for 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 will be approximately $474,151, $366,483, $243,149 and $81,050, respectively. As of 2008 intangibles will be fully amortized.
NOTE 6. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
| | | | | | | | |
| | Useful Lives in Years
| | December 31, 2004
| | December 31, 2003
|
Machinery and equipment under capital lease obligations | | 4 | | $ | 530,623 | | $ | 365,274 |
Machinery and equipment | | 3-5 | | | 345,607 | | | 322,126 |
Leasehold Improvements | | 2-5.5 | | | 191,535 | | | 154,034 |
Furniture and fixtures | | 3-5 | | | 38,333 | | | 4,944 |
| | | |
|
| |
|
|
| | | | | 1,106,098 | | | 846,378 |
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | | | | | 544,366 | | | 318,711 |
| | | |
|
| |
|
|
| | | | $ | 561,732 | | $ | 527,667 |
| | | |
|
| |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization expense relating to property and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 was approximately $242,830, $229,000 and $72,000, respectively.
NOTE 7. REVOLVING CREDIT LINE
The Company has an available short-term revolving credit facility for up to $6.0 million. At December 31, 2004, the Company’s borrowing capacity was approximately $4.5 million and its borrowings under this facility was $1,154. This credit facility expires on April 21, 2006. Borrowings under the facility are based on the Company’s accounts receivable, bear interest at Prime + 2% and are collateralized by a perfected and primary security interest in all of the Company’s assets, accounts receivable, trademarks, licenses and values of any kind of the Company. The prime rate at December 31, 2004 was 5.25%. In connection with this credit line, the Company must comply with certain financial covenants. As of December 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with its covenants under its revolving credit-facility.
The Company has a line of credit from a bank for $1.5 million that accrues interest at Prime Rate per annum, with the full principal payable in September of 2005. At December 31, 2004 there was nothing drawn on the line of credit. The Company anticipates the note will be renewed. The Prime Rate at December 31, 2004 was 5.25%. This bank loan has been guaranteed by one of the Company’s principal investors.
50
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
NOTE 8. NOTES PAYABLE
As part of the acquisition of MME, the Company issued two notes. One note for $1,150,000 was paid on May 1, 2004. The second note is for $1,250,000 and is due May 1, 2005. These notes accrue interest at Prime Rate plus 2% per annum. The Prime Rate as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 was 5.25% and 4.00%, respectively. These notes payable are secured by cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventory, fixed and other assets of the Company, and are subordinated to the Company’s senior debt.
NOTE 9. INCOME TAXES
A reconciliation of the income tax expense (benefit) computed at the statutory Federal income tax rate to the reported amount follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31,
| |
| | 2004
| | | 2003
| | | 2002
| |
Federal statutory rate: | | | 34 | % | | | 34 | % | | | 34 | % |
Tax benefit at Federal statutory rates | | $ | (885,342 | ) | | $ | (997,737 | ) | | $ | (341,278 | ) |
Change in valuation allowance | | | 938,894 | | | | 1,093,502 | | | | 405,721 | |
Permanent differences | | | 113,191 | | | | 77,833 | | | | 8,316 | |
State income taxes | | | (90,541 | ) | | | (153,952 | ) | | | (37,757 | ) |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| | $ | 76,202 | | | $ | 19,646 | | | $ | 35,002 | |
At December 31, 2004, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes of approximately $8,864,072 expiring at various dates from 2005 through 2024.
Deferred tax assets (liabilities) comprise of the following:
| | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2004
| | | December 31, 2003
| |
Allowance for doubtful accounts | | $ | 119,000 | | | $ | 175,000 | |
Benefit of net operating loss carryforward | | | 3,506,000 | | | | 2,550,000 | |
Intangibles (tax basis difference) | | | 165,000 | | | | 117,000 | |
Contribution Carryover | | | 18,000 | | | | 18,000 | |
Sec 263A adjustment | | | 19,000 | | | | 19,000 | |
Book/Tax Depreciation Differences | | | (25,000 | ) | | | (15,000 | ) |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| | | 3,802,000 | | | | 2,864,000 | |
Valuation allowance | | | (3,802,000 | ) | | | (2,864,000 | ) |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Net deferred tax assets | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carry-forwards have been fully reserved by a valuation allowance. Pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, future ownership changes and other limitations may apply to the utilization of this asset.
51
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
NOTE 10. LEASE COMMITMENTS
The Company leases commercial space in four locations. They are as follows:
| | | | |
Location
| | Principal Use
| | Property Interest
|
Melville, NY | | Pharmacy and Executive Offices | | Leased—expiring June 30, 2009 |
Torrance, CA | | Pharmacy | | Leased—expiring December 31, 2005 |
Austin, TX | | Pharmacy | | Leased—expiring June 30, 2005 |
Miami, FL | | Pharmacy | | Leased—expiring September 30, 2005 |
At December 31, 2004, the Company’s lease commitments provide for the following minimum annual rentals.
| | | |
Year
| | Minimum Rent
|
2005 | | $ | 376,105 |
2006 | | | 187,654 |
2007 | | | 194,691 |
2008 | | | 201,992 |
2009 | | | 110,056 |
| |
|
|
| | $ | 1,070,497 |
| |
|
|
During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, rental expense approximated to $479,600, $330,000 and $158,000 respectively.
NOTE 11. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common shares reserved at December 31, 2004, are as follows:
| | |
Stock Option Plans | | 1,667,750 |
Warrants | | 1,312,387 |
Convertible Preferred Stock | | 4,570,009 |
Under the terms of the Company’s Stock Option Plans, the Board of Directors may grant incentive and nonqualified stock options to employees, officers, directors, agents, consultants and independent contractors of the Company. In connection with the introduction of the 2002 Stock Option Plan, 2,750,000 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance. The Company grants stock options with exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant, as determined by the Board of Directors. Options generally vest over a two to five year period and expire ten years from the date of the grant.
52
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
A summary of the status of the Company’s stock option plans as of December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002 and changes during the years then ended is presented below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2004
| | 2003
| | 2002
|
Stock Options
| | Shares
| | | Weighted Average Exercise Price
| | Shares
| | | Weighted Average Exercise Price
| | Shares
| | | Weighted Average Exercise Price
|
Outstanding, beginning of year | | 1,365,200 | | | $ | 1.80 | | 1,341,700 | | | $ | 1.61 | | 1,001,400 | | | $ | 0.97 |
Granted | | 589,250 | | | | 6.01 | | 50,000 | | | | 5.00 | | 495,000 | | | | 3.50 |
Exercised | | — | | | | — | | — | | | | — | | — | | | | — |
Cancelled | | (286,700 | ) | | | 3.09 | | (26,500 | ) | | | 2.91 | | (4,700 | ) | | | 2.24 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Outstanding, end of year | | 1,667,750 | | | $ | 3.03 | | 1,365,200 | | | $ | 1.71 | | 1,491,700 | | | $ | 1.80 |
| |
|
| | | | |
|
| | | | |
|
| | | |
Options exercisable at year end | | 1,133,758 | | | $ | 1.75 | | 1,001,268 | | | $ | 1.20 | | 954,408 | | | | |
| |
|
| | | | |
|
| | | | |
|
| | | |
Weighted average fair value of options under the plan granted during the year | | | | | $ | 1.77 | | | | | $ | 0.38 | | | | | $ | 0.55 |
| | | | |
|
| | | | |
|
| | | | |
|
|
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2004:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Options Outstanding
| | Options Exercisable
|
Range of Exercise Price
| | Number of Outstanding
| | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
| | Weighted Average Exercise Price
| | Number Outstanding
| | Weighted Average Exercise Price
|
$ .17 - $ .66 | | 555,000 | | 4.09 | | $ | .18 | | 555,000 | | $ | .18 |
$1.00 - $2.00 | | 241,000 | | 5.50 | | $ | 1.51 | | 241,000 | | $ | 1.51 |
$3.00 | | 24,500 | | 6.96 | | $ | 3.00 | | 14,903 | | $ | 3.00 |
$3.50 | | 210,000 | | 7.50 | | $ | 3.50 | | 175,002 | | $ | 3.50 |
$5.00 | | 50,000 | | 8.76 | | $ | 5.00 | | 20,834 | | $ | 5.00 |
$6.00 - $6.25 | | 587,250 | | 9.42 | | $ | 6.01 | | 127,019 | | $ | 6.00 |
| |
| | | | | | |
| | | |
| | 1,667,750 | | | | | | | 1,133,758 | | | |
| |
| | | | | | |
| | | |
In January 2000, the Company issued 375,000 common stock warrants to a director of the Company, which have an exercise price of $1.00 per share. The warrants were issued as consideration for guarantying the Company’s facility with West Bank. These warrants expire ten years from the date of grant.
On May 1, 2003, the Company issued warrants to the previous owners of Medicine Made Easy. These warrants can be exercised to purchase 227,273 shares of the Company’s common stock for $11.00 a share and expire in May 2008. The fair value of the warrants was $27,354, and was included in the purchase price of MME.
In July 2003, the Company issued 125,000 warrants, which have an exercise price of $5.00 per share, to a director of the Company in connection with the extension of the guarantee for the West Bank credit facility. These warrants expire ten years from the date of grant.
In April and May 2004, the Company issued warrants to purchase 114,759 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $6.00 per share to the placement agents in conjunction with the Company’s Series D private placement. These warrants expire 5 years from the date of issue.
53
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
In December 2004 the Company issued warrants to purchase 51,201 shares of common stock, which have an exercise price of $6.25, in conjunction with the Company’s Series E convertible preferred stock to the placement agent. These warrants expire 5 years from the date of issue.
The Company has issued 117,500 warrants in prior years to various individuals and corporations for consulting purposes. These warrants can be exercised to purchase 117,500 shares of the Company’s common stock for prices ranging from $0.17 a share to $1.00 a share. These warrants expire at various dates from February 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.
d. | Convertible Preferred Stock |
The Company has authorized 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.001 par value, which the Board of Directors has authority to issue from time to time in series. The Board of Directors also has the authority to fix, before the issuance of each series, the number of shares in each series and the designation, preferences, rights and limitations of each series.
In March 2000, the Company sold 512,500 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock to a group of investors, the net proceeds to the Company were approximately $1,025,000.
In April 2001, the Company sold 333,334 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock to a group of investors. The net proceeds to the Company were approximately $988,000. In October 2001, the Company sold an additional 333,334 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock to a group of investors. The net proceeds to the Company were approximately $999,000.
In April 2003, the Company raised $6,063,682, net of costs of $111,318 related to this issuance in a private placement with several investors. The Company sold 1,235,000 shares of Series C convertible preferred stock at $5.00 per share. There will be no dividends payable on the shares, unless the Company, in its sole discretion declares a dividend. In the event of any liquidation, these shares shall share on a pari passu basis in liquidation with the Series A and B preferred stock outstanding. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of the Series C convertible preferred stock was used in connection with the Company’s $1,475,000 settlement of its lawsuit with Morris and Dickson. $2,250,000 of the proceeds was used to fund the acquisition of Medicine Made Easy. $841,789 of the proceeds was used to repay Company indebtedness. The Company has additional indebtedness to the sellers of Medicine Made Easy as described more fully in Note 8.
In April and May 2004, the Company raised an aggregate of $8,806,958 through the issuance of 1,491,828 shares of Series D convertible preferred stock at $6.00 per share in private placements with several investors. The terms and rights of the Series D convertible preferred shares are set forth in the Certificate of Designation of Series D Preferred Stock of the Company. There will be no dividends payable on these shares, unless the Company, in its sole discretion, declares a dividend with respect to the common stock. In the event of any liquidation, the shares shall share on a pari passu basis in liquidation with the Series A, B and C preferred stock outstanding. In conjunction with the offering and for services rendered, the Company issued 24,000 shares of Series D convertible preferred stock to a placement agent, issued warrants representing 114,759 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $6.00 per share to placement agents and paid fees of $745,198. The Company used $1,150,000 of the proceeds to pay off notes to the previous owners of MME (the acquisition discussed in Note 4 above) and the remaining balances of its revolving credit lines.
In December 2004 the Company completed a private placement of shares of its Series E convertible preferred stock, par value $.001 per share. The Company sold a total of 664,013 shares of Series E convertible preferred stock at a price of $6.25 per share to certain accredited investors for an aggregate purchase price of
54
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
$4,150,081. The Company used a placement agent to assist it with the private placement. In connection with the placement, the Company paid a fee of $410,478 in cash, and it issued 5-year warrants to purchase 51,201 shares of Company common stock (representing 8% of the number of shares of Series E preferred stock). The warrants will have a per share exercise price of $6.25, subject to customary provisions regarding anti-dilution and “net issue” exercise.
The Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D and Series E preferred stock have senior preference and priority as to dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of affairs before any payments to holders of the common stock. Each share of Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D and Series E preferred stock is convertible, at the option of the holder at any time, into one (1) share of common stock.
NOTE 12. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the following classes of financial instruments were:
Current Assets and Current Liabilities: The carrying amount of cash, receivables and payables and certain other short-term financial instruments approximate their fair value.
Long-Term Debt: The fair value of the Company’s long term debt, including the current portions, was estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on the Company’s assumed incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The carrying amount of variable and fixed rate debt at December 31, 2004 approximates its fair value.
NOTE 13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A director of the Company has guaranteed a $1,500,000 loan from a bank. This loan accrues interest at Prime Rate per annum, with the full principal payable in September of 2005. The Prime Rate at December 31, 2004 was 5.25%.
NOTE 14. LITIGATION
New Jersey Medicaid Audit. During the first quarter of 2003, Medicaid commenced a review of the Company’s billing practices in New Jersey. In particular, Medicaid reviewed whether the appropriate procedures were followed by the Company and whether the requisite patient consents were obtained by the Company at the time of delivery. During 2003 the Company accrued an estimated cost of $200,000 for the New Jersey Medicaid Audit. In April 2004 the Company entered into a settlement agreement with Medicaid of New Jersey for $200,000. The Company does not anticipate any additional expense related to this audit. In July 2004, the Company was granted a license to bill New Jersey Medicaid from New York, as a result the Company will no longer serve New Jersey Medicaid patients from Texas.
New York Medicaid Audit. In May 2004, the Company was notified that MOMS Pharmacy, Inc., the Company’s New York wholly owned subsidiary, is the subject of an audit and review being conducted by the New York State Department of Health. As part of the audit, the Department of Health withheld payment of Medicaid claims to us but ceased withholding payments in December 2004. The Department returned $800,000 of the total $920,000 it withheld from us. The Department may conclude that MOMS is subject to certain financial penalties and fines, in which case some or all of the payments withheld will not be paid to the Company. At this time, management believes the outcome will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and financial resources. The Company accrued the full amount of the monies still withheld as expenses in 2004.
55
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
NOTE 15. CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS
The Company provides prescription medications to its customers in the United States through its four wholly owned subsidiaries. Credit losses relating to customers historically have been minimal and within management’s expectations.
At December 31, 2004, the Company maintained 98% of its cash and cash equivalents with two financial institutions.
Under certain federal and state third-party reimbursement programs, the Company received net sales of approximately $58,710,000, $42,739,000 and $23,081,000 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 respectively. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company had an aggregate outstanding receivable from federal and state agencies of approximately $4,186,000 and $3,012,000, respectively.
NOTE 16. CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Future minimum commitments under non-cancelable capital leases are as follows:
| | | | |
| | Capital
| |
Leases | | | | |
2005 | | $ | 153,857 | |
2006 | | | 116,274 | |
2007 | | | 49,620 | |
2008 | | | 49,620 | |
| |
|
|
|
Total minimum lease payments | | | 369,371 | |
Amounts representing interest | | | (45,425 | ) |
| |
|
|
|
Present value of net minimum lease payments (including current portion of $130,640) | | $ | 323,946 | |
| |
|
|
|
NOTE 17. OTHER LONG-TERM DEBT
The Company owes the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) $100,000 as of December 31, 2004 which is recorded in other current liabilities. The United States Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the settlement of the I.R.S. claim against the Company on September 29, 1999. The Company had agreed to pay $130,000 over six years to satisfy the I.R.S. claim. The Company will not carry forward any net operating losses or credit available from pre-1999 periods, into post-1998 years. The Company will have no federal income tax liability from any periods prior to January 1, 1999. In addition, the IRS will not conduct any further audits of the Company for periods prior to January 1, 1999, provided that the Company complies with the terms of the Bankruptcy Court’s confirmation order of February 1, 1999.
NOTE 18. MAJOR SUPPLIERS
During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company purchased approximately $55,707,000 of inventory from its major supplier, $40,268,000 from three major suppliers in fiscal 2003 and approximately $22,459,000 from two major suppliers in fiscal 2002.
In September 2003, the Company signed a five-year agreement with a drug wholesaler that requires certain minimum purchases per the agreement. If the Company has not met the minimum purchase commitments as set
56
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
forth in the agreement, the Company will be charged a prorated amount of 0.20% of the projected volume remaining on the term of the agreement. The agreement also states that the Company’s minimum purchases during the term of the agreement will be no less than $400,000,000.
NOTE 19. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
Quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, is summarized below (in thousands, except share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2004
| |
(in thousands, except per share) | | First Quarter
| | | Second Quarter
| | | Third Quarter
| | | Fourth Quarter
| | | Total
| |
Net Sales | | $ | 14,447 | | | $ | 15,671 | | | $ | 17,016 | | | $ | 17,472 | | | $ | 64,606 | |
Operating Loss | | $ | (586 | ) | | $ | (1,004 | ) | | $ | (330 | ) | | $ | (457 | ) | | $ | (2,377 | ) |
Net Loss | | $ | (677 | ) | | $ | (1,103 | ) | | $ | (370 | ) | | $ | (530 | ) | | $ | (2,680 | ) |
Basic and Diluted Loss per Common Share | | $ | (0.22 | ) | | $ | (0.36 | ) | | $ | (0.12 | ) | | $ | (0.16 | ) | | $ | (0.86 | ) |
| |
| | 2003
| |
| | First Quarter
| | | Second Quarter
| | | Third Quarter
| | | Fourth Quarter
| | | Total
| |
Net Sales | | $ | 8,302 | | | $ | 12,132 | | | $ | 13,818 | | | $ | 13,911 | | | $ | 48,223 | |
Operating Loss | | $ | (152 | ) | | $ | (890 | ) | | $ | (987 | ) | | $ | (462 | ) | | $ | (2,491 | ) |
Net Loss | | $ | (202 | ) | | $ | (955 | ) | | $ | (1,066 | ) | | $ | (731 | ) | | $ | (2,954 | ) |
Basic and Diluted Loss per Common Share | | $ | (0.07 | ) | | $ | (0.31 | ) | | $ | (0.34 | ) | | $ | (0.23 | ) | | $ | (0.95 | ) |
NOTE 20. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On January 4, 2005, the Company purchased 100% of the stock of North American Home Health Supply, Inc. (“NAHH”), a California corporation. NAHH is engaged primarily in the retail HIV/AIDS pharmacy and prescription nutritional supply business in California. The Company intends to incorporate the Home Health Supply business into its existing operations in California. The Company paid total consideration of $7,067,178.
| | | | |
Purchase Price Paid | | | | |
Cash paid at closing | | $ | 5,000,000 | |
Cash Payment for Working Capital | | | 311,981 | |
Notes Payable | | | 1,375,000 | |
Fair value of warrants issued | | | 241,760 | |
Direct acquisition costs | | | 500,000 | |
| |
|
|
|
Total Purchase Price | | | 7,428,741 | |
less: net tangible assets | | | (361,563 | ) |
| |
|
|
|
| | $ | 7,067,178 | |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Allocation of Purchase Price | | | | |
Covenant Not to Compete (five year life) | | | 50,000 | |
Referral Lists (fifteen year life) | | | 4,514,331 | |
Goodwill | | | 2,502,847 | |
| |
|
|
|
| | $ | 7,067,178 | |
| |
|
|
|
57
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The following pro forma results were developed assuming the acquisition of NAHH occurred January 1, 2003. In addition, we have assumed that the sale of the Company’s Series D and E convertible preferred stock occurred on January 1, 2003.
| | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, 2004 (Unaudited)
| |
Revenue | | $ | 80,006,659 | |
Net loss | | $ | (1,538,104 | ) |
Basic and diluted loss per share | | $ | (0.50 | ) |
On February 28, 2005 the Company purchased 100% of the stock of Specialty Pharmacies, Inc. (“SPI”) for aggregate consideration of approximately $7.9 million. SPI is engaged primarily in the business of providing HIV/AIDS pharmacy services in Washington and California. In the transaction, the sellers received cash, promissory notes of MOMS Pharmacy and warrants to purchase 351,438 shares of common stock of Allion. The purchase price consisted of a combination of cash and securities, which included $5,000,000 of cash paid prior to and at closing, promissory notes due February 28, 2006, in the aggregate principal amount of $2,500,000 and warrants issued by the Company to purchase an aggregate of 351,438 shares of Company common stock, at an exercise price of $6.26 per share. The purchase price is subject to a post-closing adjustment based on the amount of SPI’s working capital as of the closing. The Company will reimburse Sellers up to a maximum of $200,000, for any amounts received by the Company as a result of SPI’s qualifying for the California HIV Pilot Program.
On March 3, 2005, the Company entered into a letter of intent with Oris Medical Systems, Inc., a California corporation based in San Diego. The letter contemplates a potential software licensing agreement under which the Company would secure an exclusive license from Oris Medical to use an electronic prescription writing system (Ground Zero Software’s LabTracker™ software) that is tailored to address the needs of physicians who treat HIV and AIDS patients. Under such a license, the Company would pay Oris Medical a per patient royalty fee (for patients using the software) that would be capped at $40 million. The Company is not obligated to enter into this software license or to complete any other transaction with Oris Medical. However, to secure the exclusive right to negotiate a software license with Oris Medical, or to negotiate an acquisition of Oris Medical, the Company is making certain payments to Oris Medical. These payments are $50,000 per month in each of February, March, April, May and June 2005 to cover Oris Medical’s monthly operating expenses. In addition, if the Company completes an initial public offering of its common stock, the Company has agreed to pay Oris Medical an additional $1 million within three days of completion of that offering. In exchange for these payments, Oris Medical granted the Company an exclusivity right to negotiate a definitive agreement through August 31, 2005. The Company has the right, at its sole option, to extend this exclusivity period for up to four successive one-month periods if the Company pays Oris Medical’s monthly operating expenses for July-October 2005, up to $50,000 per month. The Company may not reach a definitive agreement on either a licensing or acquisition transaction with Oris Medical.
In March 2005, the Company decided to cease its operations in Texas and will complete closing its facilities by June 30, 2005. For the year ended December 31, 2004, Texas represented $4.5 million of the Company’s net sales. The Company’s lease in Austin, Texas expires on June 30, 2005.
In March 2005, the Company decided to cease serving transplant and oncology patients, which are not areas where the Company plans to specialize going forward. Most of these patients receive reimbursement from Medicare. Currently these patients are served from the Company’s locations in Texas, Florida and New York and are approximately $1.5 million of net sales. The Company may sell a portion of this business to another pharmacy in return for a nominal amount.
58
ITEM 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE |
None.
ITEM 9A. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based on this evaluation management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that all material information required to be filed in this report has been made known to him in a timely manner.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING.
There have been no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. | OTHER INFORMATION |
None.
59
PART III
ITEM 10. | DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT |
The following table sets forth the names, ages and principal positions of our directors and executive officers as of March 25, 2005:
| | | | |
Name
| | Age
| | Position
|
Michael P. Moran | | 44 | | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
John W. Colloton(2)(4) | | 74 | | Director |
James B. Hoover(1)(2)(3)(4) | | 50 | | Director |
John Pappajohn(1)(2)(4) | | 76 | | Director |
Derace Schaffer, M.D(1)(4) | | 56 | | Director |
Harvey Z. Werblowsky, Esq. | | 57 | | Director |
Robert E. Fleckenstein, RPh | | 51 | | Vice President, Pharmacy Operations |
MikeLynn Salthouse | | 49 | | Vice President, HIV Sales |
James G. Spencer | | 36 | | Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer |
(1) | Member of the Compensation Committee |
(2) | Member of the Audit Committee |
(3) | Audit Committee Financial Expert |
(4) | Member of Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee |
John W. Colloton, has served as a director of Allion Healthcare since May 18, 2004. He is currently Director Emeritus of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Mr. Colloton previously served as a director of Baxter International Inc. from 1989-2003 and of Radiologix, Inc. from 1997-2002. From 1971 to 1993, Mr. Colloton served as a director of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and from 1993 through the year 2000 he was vice president of the University of Iowa for Statewide Health Services. Mr. Colloton also serves as a Lead Director of Wellmark, Inc. (Iowa-South Dakota Blue Cross & Blue Shield).
James B. Hoover, has served as a director of Allion Healthcare since September 2003. Mr. Hoover has served as the Managing Partner of Dauphin Capital Partners since 1998. Prior to founding Dauphin Capital in 1998, Mr. Hoover was a General Partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson and Stowe, a management buy-out firm specializing in health care and information services. Prior to joining WCAS, Mr. Hoover was a General Partner of Robertson, Stephens & Co., an investment banking firm specializing in the financing of emerging growth companies with a particular emphasis on the health care industry. Mr. Hoover joined Robertson, Stephens in 1984. Mr. Hoover is a director of Quovadx Inc., and U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. two publicly traded companies, as well as a director of several private health care companies. He is a member of the Special Projects Committee of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He received his MBA from the Graduate School of Business at Indiana University. He holds a BS degree from Elizabethtown College (Pennsylvania) where he presently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of its Investment Committee. Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Hoover is “independent” as such term is defined in Rule 4200 of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. listing standards. Our Board of Directors has also determined that James B. Hoover, Chairman of our Audit Committee, meets the SEC definition of an “audit committee financial expert” and the additional “independence” requirements of NASD’s listing standards for audit committee members.
Michael P. Moran, has served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our Board of Directors since September 1997. From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Moran also served as our Chief Financial Officer. From 1996 to September of 1997 Mr. Moran was a Regional Vice President at Coram Healthcare, Inc. From 1990 to 1996 Mr. Moran was a Regional Vice President for Chartwell Home Therapies, Inc. Prior to 1990, Mr. Moran held various sales and management positions at Critical Care America, Inc. Mr. Moran received a B.A. in management from Assumption College.
John Pappajohn, has served as a director of Allion Healthcare since 1996. Since 1969, Mr. Pappajohn has been the President and principal stockholder of Equity Dynamics, Inc., a financial consulting firm, and the sole
60
owner of Pappajohn Capital Resources, a venture capital firm. Mr. Pappajohn has served on the Boards of over 40 public companies and currently serves as a director of the following public companies; MC Informatics, Inc., PACE Health Management Systems, Inc. and Patient Infosystems, Inc. Mr. Pappajohn received his B.A. in Business from the University of Iowa.
Derace Schaffer, M.D., has served as a director of Allion Healthcare since 1996. Dr. Schaffer is a founder of Radiologix, Inc., a public company. Dr. Schaffer is the Chairman and CEO of the IDE Group, P.C., one of the radiology practices with which Radiologix has a contractual relationship. Dr. Schaffer was also CEO and President of the Lan Group, a venture capital firm. Dr. Schaffer is a founder of Patient Infosystems, Inc., a public company. Dr. Schaffer is a founder and director of Cardsystems, Inc. Dr. Schaffer is a board certified radiologist. He received his postgraduate radiology training at the Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Schaffer is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society, and until 2004 he was Clinical Professor of Radiology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. In 2004, Dr. Schaffer accepted a position as a professor at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
Harvey Z. Werblowsky, Esq., has served as a director of Allion Healthcare since May 18, 2004. Since December 2003, he has been the general counsel of Kushner Companies, a real estate organization. From December 1990 until December 2003, Mr. Werblowsky was a partner at the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP. Mr. Werblowsky received a BA degree from Yeshiva University and a JD degree from New York University School of Law.
Robert E. Fleckenstein, RPh, has served as Vice President of Pharmacy Operations since January 2004 and is responsible for national pharmacy operations. Mr. Fleckenstein has held positions in pharmacy management for 20 years, with over 10 of those years in specialty pharmacy. From 2000 to 2002, Bob served as Vice President of Operations for CVS ProCare at its Pittsburgh distribution center. From 1997 to 2000 he served as Director of Pharmacy Services for Stadtlanders Drug Company. Bob received his B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh and his MBA from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh.
James G. Spencer, has served as our Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer since May 18, 2004 and served as a consultant to us from October 2003 until becoming Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Allion Healthcare, Mr. Spencer served as a Vice President in the Health Care Investment Banking Group for Thomas Weisel Partners starting in February 2002. Prior to that time, he served as Vice President in the Health Care Investment Banking Group for Credit Suisse First Boston from 1999 to 2002. Prior to 1999, Mr. Spencer worked at Alex. Brown and Sons in Health Care Investment Banking. Mr. Spencer has a MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a B. S. in Economics and Management Statistics from the University of Maryland.
MikeLynn Salthouse, RN, has served a Vice President, HIV Sales since October 2002. Ms. Salthouse has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 20 years, including 9 years with Stadtlanders and CVS ProCare. Ms. Salthouse served as Vice President, Sales and Vice President, Business Development while with Stadtlanders and CVS ProCare. For the years prior to 1993, Ms. Salthouse held sales management positions with both Ivonyx and Clinical Homecare, infusion service companies, as well as various sales and management positions at McNeil Consumer Products, a division of Johnson & Johnson. Ms. Salthouse attended Loma Linda University and graduated from Riverside College, both in Southern California.
BOARD COMMITTEES
The standing committees of our Board of Directors include the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee.
The members of the Audit Committee are John Colloton, James Hoover and John Pappajohn. In 2005, Derace Shaffer will replace John Pappajohn as a member of our Audit Committee. The Audit Committee
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provides assistance to the Board of Directors in fulfilling their responsibility to the stockholders, potential stockholders and the investment community relating to corporate accounting, reporting practices of the corporation, and the quality and integrity of our financial reports. In so doing, the Audit Committee is responsible for maintaining free and open means of communication between the directors, the independent auditors, the internal auditors and the financial management of the corporation. Our Board of Directors has determined that James B. Hoover, Chairman of the our Audit Committee, meets the SEC’s definition of “audit committee financial expert.” The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on our website at www.allionhealthcare.com.
The members of the Compensation Committee are James Hoover, John Pappajohn, and Derace Schaffer. The Chairman of the Compensation Committee is John Pappajohn. The Compensation Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to discharge the Board of Directors’ responsibilities relating to compensation of our directors, officers and executives. The Compensation Committee has overall responsibility for approving and evaluating the director, officer and executive compensation, plans, policies and programs. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter is available on our website at www.allionhealthcare.com.
The members of the Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee are John Colloton, James Hoover, John Pappajohn, and Derace Schaffer. Mr. Hoover has been appointed as Chairman of the Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee. The Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee: (i) assists the Board of Directors by identifying individuals qualified to become Board members and recommends to the Board the director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders, (ii) recommends to the Board the corporate governance guidelines and (iii) takes a leadership role in shaping our corporate governance. The Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee evaluates the current Board members at the time they are considered for nomination. The Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee also considers whether any new members should be added to the Board. The Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. A copy of the Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee charter is available on our website at www.allionhealthcare.com.
As provided in its charter, the Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee seeks to select individuals as director nominees who shall have the highest personal and professional ethics integrity and values, who are committed to representing the long-term interests of the stockholders and capable of an objective perspective, who have mature judgment and experience at policy-making levels, who are willing to devote sufficient time to carrying out their duties and responsibilities effectively, and who are committed to serve on the Board of Directors for an extended period of time. The Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee will also consider the current composition of the Board of Directors and select nominees that fit the perceived needs of the Board of Directors in terms of independence, background and experience with public company governance, finance, marketing and the healthcare industry, as they are relevant to our then-current activities.
The Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee determines the current needs of the Board and screens candidates to determine whether a nominee meets the general requirements. The Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee will consider recommendations from our stockholders of potential candidates for nomination as director. In the case of a stockholder nominee, before the Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee will screen the candidate the following information must be supplied: a current and complete resume, a statement of the candidate’s share ownership and ten (10) references, including both professional and personal references. If this information is supplied, the Corporate Governance/Nominating Committee will subject the candidate to a similar screening process as is used for an internal nomination.
CODE OF ETHICS
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of our executive officers and directors, including the chief executive officer, chief financial financer, chief accounting officer, and controller, a copy of which was
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filed as Exhibit 14.1 to 2003 Form 10-KSB. The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing and authorizing any waivers from the Code of Ethics, and we will file any waivers from, or amendments to, this code with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Code of Ethics and the charters for our audit committee, nominating and corporate governance committee and compensation committee, are available on our website,www.allionhealthcare.com. This information is also available in print, at no cost, upon written request to our Secretary at the address set forth above.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
None of the members of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors is or has ever been an officer or employee of Allion Healthcare, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the Board of Directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee.
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ITEM 11. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION |
The following table sets forth all compensation received for services rendered to us in all capacities for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, by (i) each person who served as our Chief Executive Officer during the year ended December 31, 2004 and (ii) each of our other executive officers who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2004:
Summary Compensation Table
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Annual Compensation
| | | Long-Term Compensation
| | All Other Compensation ($)
|
| | Year
| | Salary ($)
| | | Bonus ($)(1)
| | Other Annual Compensation ($)(2)
| | | Awards
| | Payouts
| |
Name and Principal Position
| | | | | | Restricted Stock Award(s) ($)
| | Securities Underlying Options/ (#)
| | LTIP Payouts ($)
| |
Michael P. Moran, | | 2004 | | $ | 251,924 | | | $ | 100,000 | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | 0 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 0 |
Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer | | 2003 | | $ | 247,483 | | | $ | 100,000 | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | 0 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 0 |
| 2002 | | $ | 247,569 | | | $ | 0 | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | 50,000 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 0 |
| | | | | | | | |
James G. Spencer, | | 2004 | | $ | 151,538 | (3) | | $ | 20,000 | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | 125,000 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 0 |
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Mikelynn Salthouse, | | 2004 | | $ | 169,204 | | | $ | 10,000 | | $ | 7,200 | (4) | | $ | 0 | | 40,000 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 0 |
Vice President, HIV Sales | | 2003 | | $ | 150,000 | | | $ | 0 | | $ | 7,200 | (4) | | $ | 0 | | 0 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 0 |
| 2002 | | $ | 40,385 | | | $ | 0 | | $ | 1,650 | (4) | | $ | 0 | | 75,000 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 0 |
| | | | | | | | |
Robert E. Fleckenstein, RPh, | | 2004 | | $ | 131,000 | | | $ | 18,750 | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | 50,000 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 0 |
Vice President of Pharmacy Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Bonuses were paid at the discretion of the Compensation Committee from time to time during 2004 based on merit-based performance. We do not have a written bonus plan. |
(2) | For the years presented perquisites and other personal benefits did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of total annual salary and bonus for the named executive officer. |
(3) | Mr. Spencer became our Chief Financial Officer on May 18, 2004. The amount shown in the table above represents the amount we paid Mr. Spencer from May 20 through December 31, 2004. In addition to the amount shown above, Mr. Spencer served as a consultant to us from January 1 until May 17, 2004 during which time he was paid a fee of $23,681. |
(4) | This reflects amounts paid to Ms. Salthouse for an annual automobile allowance. |
Options Grants in Last Fiscal Year (Individual Grants)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name
| | Securities Underlying Options(1)
| | Percentage of Total Options Granted
| | | Exercise Price
| | Expiration
| | Grant Date Present Value(2)
|
Michael P. Moran | | 0 | | 0 | % | | | — | | — | | | — |
James G. Spencer | | 125,000 | | 21 | % | | $ | 6.00 | | 5/18/2014 | | $ | 235,938 |
Mikelynn Salthouse | | 40,000 | | 7 | % | | $ | 6.00 | | 5/18/2014 | | $ | 66,300 |
Robert E. Fleckenstein | | 50,000 | | 9 | % | | $ | 6.00 | | 5/18/2014 | | $ | 82,875 |
(1) | The options granted in 2004 were issued on May 18 and vest ratably over a four-year period on the date of grant, except that the options issued to Mr. Spencer were vested 25% on the date of grant and vest 33-1/3% on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant. |
(2) | Calculated using the same methodology as used in Black-Scholes option valuation model as used in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements set forth in Item 8 of this Report. |
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Aggregated Stock Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-end Option Values
The following table sets forth the number of exercisable and unexercisable options held by our named executive officers at December 31, 2004. The option value of $6.26 per share was determined by comparison to the offering price of our Series E Preferred Stock.
| | | | | | | | |
Name
| | Shares acquired on exercise (#)
| | Value Realized ($)
| | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options at Fiscal Year-End Exercisable/Unexercisable (#)
| | Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at Fiscal Year End Exercisable/Unexercisable ($)
|
Michael P. Moran | | — | | — | | 648,611 / 1,389 | | 3,696,181 / 3,819 |
James G. Spencer | | — | | — | | 31,250 / 93,750 | | 15,625 / 15,625 |
Mikelynn Salthouse | | — | | — | | 72,917 / 42,083 | | 203,021 / 13,229 |
Robert E. Fleckenstein | | — | | — | | 0 / 50,000 | | 3,125 / 9,375 |
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Our directors do not receive cash compensation for serving on our board, but the non-employee directors are eligible to receive stock options for our common stock. We do not have a formal policy regarding the granting of stock options to our directors. In 2004, each of our non-employee directors received 20,000 options for their service as board members. These options have an exercise price of $6.00 and vest over a period of one year. In 2004, John Colloton and Harvey Werblowsky received 50,000 options for joining the Board of Directors. These options have an exercise price of $6.00 and vest over a period of three years. In 2004, Mr. Moran did not receive compensation for his services as a director.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Currently, we do not have any written employment agreements with any of our executive officers. The risks associated with not having employment agreements with our executive officers is discussed at Item 7 of this Report under the heading “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Company.”
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for determining the Company’s executive compensation policies, developing compensation incentive plans and programs, reviewing and approving the compensation of the Company’s chief executive officer and making grants of stock options.
Philosophy. The compensation philosophy of the Company is to develop and implement policies that will encourage and reward outstanding financial performance and increase the profitability of the Company, thereby increasing stockholder value. Maintaining competitive compensation levels in order to attract, retain and reward executives who bring valuable experience and skills to the Company is also an important consideration.
As of the end of December, 2004, the Compensation Committee was composed of James Hoover, John Pappajohn and Derace Schaffer, M.D. with Mr. Pappajohn serving as the Committee Chairperson. Working with the Company, the Compensation Committee develops and implements compensation arrangements for the Company’s executive officers.
Compensation Structure. There are three primary components of executive compensation for the Company’s executive officers: base salary, bonus and stock option grants. While the elements of compensation are considered separately, the Compensation Committee takes into account the total compensation package afforded by the Company to the individual executive.
Base Salary. Base salaries for the Company’s executive officers are determined initially by evaluating the responsibilities of the position held and the experience of the individual in light of the Company’s compensation philosophy described above. No specific formula is applied in setting an executive officer’s base salary, either with respect to the total amount of such base salary or the relative value such base salary should bear to the executive
65
officer’s total compensation package. Salaries paid to executive officers (including the Chief Executive Officer) are reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee and proposed adjustments are based upon an assessment of the nature of the position and the individual’s contribution to the Company’s corporate goals, experience and tenure of the executive officer, comparable market salary data, growth in the Company’s size and complexity and changes in the executive’s responsibilities. The Compensation Committee approves all changes to executive officers’ salaries.
Bonus. The Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may award bonuses to executive officers. Such bonuses are based upon: an executive officer’s performance as well as the performance of the Company, such as the consummation of an important acquisition or financing, meeting or exceeding sales targets or recognition of superior performance. In 2004, the Compensation Committee approved all bonuses paid to the named executive officers.
Stock Options. Stock options are designed to align the interests of executives with those of the Company’s stockholders. At this time, stock options are the only form of equity that an executive officer of the Company is entitled to receive. Stock option grants may be made to executive officers when one of the following events occurs: (i) upon initial employment, (ii) upon promotion to a new, higher position that entails increased responsibilities and accountability, (iii) for recognition of superior performance or (iv) as an incentive for continued service with the Company as well as continued superior performance.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation. Mr. Moran does not have an employment agreement with the Company. The Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Moran was entitled to a bonus of $100,000 based upon, among other things, the pursuit of several strategic acquisitions for the company. Mr. Moran did not receive an increase in salary nor did he receive any stock options during the year ended December 31, 2004.
Executive Officer Compensation. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the Compensation Committee’s general approach in setting executive officer compensation is to seek to be competitive with other companies in the Company’s industry and to get the best talent for the applicable management position. In determining bonuses, the Compensation Committee reviews the Company’s performance as a whole as well as all of the executive officer’s achievements. Other than the Company’s former chief financial officer, no executive officers of the Company were employed by employment agreement during the year ended December 31, 2003. None of our executive officers, outside the Chief Executive Officer, were given cash bonuses during 2003. Stock options are awarded to executive officers by the Compensation Committee according to the factors mentioned above. None of our executive officers were granted stock options during 2003. The Compensation Committee feels that actions taken regarding executive compensation are appropriate in view of the individual and corporate performance.
Policy Regarding Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. In the event total compensation for any named executive officer exceeds the $1 million threshold at which tax deductions are limited under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m), the Compensation Committee intends to balance tax deductibility of executive compensation with its responsibility to retain and motivate executives with competitive compensation programs. As a result, the Compensation Committee may take such actions as it deems to be in the best interests of the stockholders, including (i) provide non-deductible compensation above the $1 million threshold; (ii) require deferral of a portion of the bonus or other compensation to a time when payment may be deductible by the Company; and/or (iii) modify existing programs to qualify bonuses and other performance-based compensation to be exempt from the deduction limit.
This report by the Compensation Committee shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s board of directors
James B. Hoover
John Pappajohn
Derace Schaffer, M.D.
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ITEM 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 25, 2005 regarding the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by (i) each person known by us to own more than five percent of the our outstanding capital stock; (ii) each of our directors and named executive officers and (iii) all of our directors and named executive officers as a group. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table and under applicable community property laws, to our knowledge, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock. Options exercisable on or before May 25, 2005, are included as shares beneficially owned. For the purposes of calculating percent ownership as of March 25, 2005, we had issued and outstanding: 3,100,000 shares of our common stock; 512,500 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock; 666,668 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock; 1,235,000 shares of our Series C Preferred Stock; 1,491,828 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock; 664,013 shares of our Series E Preferred Stock; and, for any individual who beneficially owns shares represented by options exercisable on or before May 25, 2005 or shares of preferred stock convertible on or before May 25, 2005. These shares are treated as if outstanding for purposes of determining ownership of a particular class of our securities for that person, but not for any other person. The heading Fully Diluted is intended to reflect ownership of our common stock assuming holders of our outstanding preferred stock converted their shares on March 25, 2005, and for any particular person, shares issuable upon exercise of options on or before May 25, 2005. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the individuals and entities named below is: c/o Allion Healthcare, Inc., 1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105, Melville, New York 11747.
Security Ownership Table
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Shares of Preferred Stock, Series:
| |
Name
| | Common Stock
| | % of Common Stock
| | | A
| | % of A
| | | B
| | % of B
| | | C
| | % of C
| | | D
| | % of D
| | E
| | % of E
| | | % of All
| |
John Pappajohn(1) 2116 Financial Ctr. Des Moines, IA 50309 | | 1,657,500 | | 44.1 | % | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | 100,000 | | 8.1 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | 20.1 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Life Insurance Company(2) | | 733,334 | | 19.1 | % | | — | | — | | | 333,334 | | 50.0 | % | | 400,000 | | 32.4 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | 9.6 | % |
711 High Street | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Des Moines, IA 50392 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Edgewater Private Equity Fund II, L.P.(3) | | 637,373 | | 20.2 | % | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | 50,000 | | 4.0 | % | | — | | — | | 7,137 | | 1.1 | % | | 8.3 | % |
900 N. Michigan Ave., 14th Fl | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Chicago, IL 60611 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Michael P. Moran(4) | | 648,611 | | 17.3 | % | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | 7.8 | % |
1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mellville, NY 11747 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gary Kirke(5) | | 500,000 | | 13.9 | % | | 500,000 | | 97.6 | % | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | 6.5 | % |
417 Locust Street | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Des Moines, IA 50309 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derace Schaffer, MD(6) | | 418,611 | | 13.0 | % | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | 5.4 | % |
3489 Elmwood Ave. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Rochester, NY 14610 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gainesborough Investments, L.L.C.(7) | | 333,334 | | 9.7 | % | | — | | — | | | 333,334 | | 50.0 | % | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | 4.3 | % |
420 Bedford St., Ste. 110 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lexington, MA 02420 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
James B. Hoover(8) | | 371,944 | | 11.8 | % | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | 320,000 | | 25.9 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | 4.8 | % |
1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Melville, NY 11747 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Shares of Preferred Stock, Series:
| |
Name
| | Common Stock
| | % of Common Stock
| | | A
| | % of A
| | B
| | % of B
| | C
| | % of C
| | | D
| | % of D
| | | E
| | % of E
| | | % of All
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Crestview Capital Master L.L.C.(9) | | 326,500 | | 9.5 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | 166,500 | | 11.2 | % | | 160,000 | | 24.1 | % | | 4.3 | % |
95 Revore Drive, Ste. A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Northbrook, IL 60062 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dauphin Capital Partners, LP(10) | | 300,000 | | 8.8 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 300,000 | | 24.3 | % | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | 3.9 | % |
108 Forest Ave., Locust Valley, NY 11560 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Northwest Holdings, Ltd. | | 250,000 | | 8.1 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | 3.3 | % |
4th Floor, Bank of Nova Scotia Bldg., PO Box 1068 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Georgetown, Grand Cayman, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cayman Islands | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sands Brothers Venture Capital LLC(11) | | 200,000 | | 6.1 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 200,000 | | 16.2 | % | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | 2.6 | % |
90 Park Ave., | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
New York, NY 10016 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Presidio Partners LP(12) | | 166,668 | | 5.1 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | 166,668 | | 11.2 | % | | — | | — | | | 2.2 | % |
44 Montgomery Street, Suite 2110 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
San Francisco, CA 94104 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Joseph Giamanco(13) | | 215,000 | | 6.5 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 40,000 | | 3.2 | % | | — | | — | | | 50,000 | | 7.5 | % | | 2.8 | % |
Four Whiterock Terrace | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Holmodel, NJ 07733 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Peter Nordin APS(14) | | 125,000 | | 3.9 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | 125,000 | | 8.4 | % | | — | | — | | | 1.6 | % |
Bakkeuej 2A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DU-3070 Suekkersten | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Phillip Roy Fund LLP(15) | | 100,000 | | 3.1 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | 100,000 | | 15.1 | % | | 1.3 | % |
28463 US 19 North, Suite 102 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Clearwater, FL 33761 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Thominvest OY(16) | | 83,333 | | 2.6 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | 83,333 | | 5.6 | % | | — | | — | | | * | |
Italahdenkatu 15-17 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Helsinki, Finland | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
John Colloton(17) | | 16,667 | | 0.5 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | * | |
1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Melville, NY 11747 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Harvey Werblowsky(18) | | 16,667 | | 0.5 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | * | |
1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Melville, NY 11747 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mikelynn Salthouse(19) | | 82,917 | | 2.6 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | * | |
1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Melville, NY 11747 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
James G. Spencer(20) | | 62,500 | | * | | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | * | |
1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Melville, NY 11747 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Robert Fleckenstein(21) | | 12,500 | | * | | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | * | |
1660 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 105 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Melville, NY 11747 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
All officers and directors as a group (9 persons) | | 3,287,917 | | 70.4 | % | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 420,000 | | 34.0 | % | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | 35.6 | % |
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(1) | Includes 375,000 shares held by Halkis, Ltd., a sole proprietorship owned by Mr. Pappajohn and 250,000 shares held by Thebes, Ltd., a sole proprietorship owned by Mr. Pappajohn’s spouse. Includes 70,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options, 487,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants and 100,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series C Preferred. |
(2) | Includes 333,334 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series B Preferred and 400,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series C Preferred. |
(3) | Includes 50,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series C Preferred. |
(4) | Represents 648,611 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options. |
(5) | Includes 500,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series A Preferred. |
(6) | Includes 118,611 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options. |
(7) | Includes 333,334 shares of Common Stock usable upon conversion of shares of Series C Preferred. |
(8) | Represents 51,944 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options and 15,000 shares issuable upon conversion of shares of the Series C. Includes Dauphin Capital Partners, LP ownership and 5,000 shares owned by TriSons (controlled by Mr. Hoover and his spouse). |
(9) | Represents 166,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of the Series D Preferred and 160,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of the Series E Preferred. |
(10) | Includes 300,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series C Preferred. |
(11) | Includes 30,000 shares of Common Stock held by Sands Brother Venture Capital II LLC issuable upon conversion of shares of Series C Preferred, 100,000 shares of Common Stock held by Sands Brothers Venture Capital III LLC issuable upon conversion of shares of Series C Preferred, and 40,000 shares of Common Stock held by Sands Brothers Venture Capital IV LLC issuable upon conversion of shares of Series C Preferred. Sands Brothers Venture Capital LLC disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Sands Brothers Venture Capital II LLC, Sands Brothers Venture Capital III LLC and Sands Brothers Venture Capital IV LLC. |
(12) | Represents 166,668 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of the Series D Preferred owned by Presidio Partners LP, Geary Partners L.P., Brady Retirement Fund LP and Presidio Offshore International. |
(13) | Represents 40,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of the Series C Preferred and 50,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of the Series E Preferred. |
(14) | Represents 125,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of the Series D Preferred. |
(15) | Represents 100,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of the Series E Preferred. |
(16) | Represents 83,333 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of the Series D Preferred. |
(17) | Represents 16,667 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options. |
(18) | Represents 16,667 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options. |
(19) | Represents 82,917 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options. |
(20) | Represents 62,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options. |
(21) | Represents 12,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options. |
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ITEM 13. | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS |
In January 2000, 375,000 common stock warrants with an exercise price of $1.00 were issued to John Pappajohn, a director as consideration for his guarantee of a $1,500,000 credit facility with West Bank. As consideration for the renewal of his guarantee, we issued warrants to purchase 125,000 shares of common stock to Mr. Pappajohn in July 2003, exercisable at a price per share of $5.00. The warrants expire ten years from the date of grant, if not exercised. The terms of the credit line with West Bank are discussed above in Item 7 under the heading “Liquidation and Capital Resources.”
ITEM 14. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
The aggregate fees billed by BDO Seidman, LLP for professional services rendered for the years ended December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 were:
| | | | | | |
| | 2004
| | 2003
|
Audit Fees | | $ | 99,000 | | $ | 97,239 |
Audit-Related Fees | | | 11,292 | | | 111,432 |
Tax Related Fees | | | 12,500 | | | 13,250 |
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|
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Total Fees | | $ | 122,792 | | $ | 221,921 |
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Audit fees consist of professional services rendered for the annual audit for our financial statements and the quarterly reviews of the financial statements.
The aggregate fees billed for all audit-related services rendered by BDO for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 principally covered due diligence in connection with acquisitions, accounting consultations, audits and consultations in connection with dispositions.
The aggregate amount billed for all tax fees for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 , principally covered preparing and filing our federal consolidated and state tax returns.
No other professional services were rendered or fees were billed by BDO for the most recent fiscal year or for the year ending December 31, 2003.
The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for the pre-approval of the above fees. All requests for services to be provided by BDO are submitted to the Audit Committee. Requests for all non-audit related services require pre-approval from the entire Audit Committee. A schedule of approved services is then reviewed and approved by the entire Audit Committee at each Audit Committee meeting.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. | EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES |
The following documents are filed as part of this report.
(1) | Financial Statements. The financial statements are set forth under Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K. |
(2) | Schedules. An index of Exhibits and Schedules is on page 68 of this Report. Schedules other than those listed below have been omitted from this Report because they are not required, are not applicable or the required information is included in the financial statements or the notes thereon. |
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SUPPLEMENTARY DATA AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(3) | Exhibits. The exhibits listed in the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Report. |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto.
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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| | | | ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. |
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Date: March 29, 2005 | | | | By: | | /s/ JAMES SPENCER |
| | | | | | | | James Spencer Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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|
/s/ MICHAEL P. MORAN
Michael P. Moran, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Date: March 29, 2005 |
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/s/ JOHN PAPPAJOHN
John Pappajohn, Director Date: March 29, 2005 |
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/s/ DERACE SCHAFFER
Derace Schaffer, M.D., Director Date: March 29, 2005 |
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/s/ JAMES HOOVER
James Hoover, Director Date: March 29, 2005 |
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/s/ HARVEY WERBLOWSKY
Harvey Werblowsky, Director Date: March 29, 2005 |
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/s/ JOHN COLLOTON
John Colloton, Director Date: March 29, 2005 |
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Supplemental Information to be Furnished With Reports Filed
Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act by Registrants Which Have Not Registered
Securities Pursuant to Section 12 of the Act
Allion Healthcare, Inc. has not furnished, and does not intend to furnish, an annual report to its stockholders covering the 2004 fiscal year nor does it intend to furnish a proxy statement or other soliciting materials to its stockholders in 2005.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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2.1 | | Confirmation Order dated February 1, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 10, 1999.) |
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2.2 | | First Amended Plan of Reorganization of The Care Group, Inc., et al dated January 2, 1998. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 10, 1999.) |
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2.3 | | Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2003, among MOMs Pharmacy, Inc., as buyer, Allion Healthcare, Inc. as parent, and Darin A Peterson and Allan H. Peterson collectively as sellers. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2003.) |
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2.4 | | Stock Purchase Agreement by and among MOMS Pharmacy, Inc. and Michael Stone and Jonathan Spanier dated as of January 4, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 10, 2005.) |
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2.5 | | Stock Purchase Agreement by and among MOMS Pharmacy, Inc. and Pat Iantorno, Eric Iantorno, Jordan Iantorno, Jordan Iantorno A/C/F Max Iantorno, Michael Winters and George Moncada dated as of February 28, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report of Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2005.) |
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3.2 | | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Registrant’s proxy statement filed on June 4, 2003.) |
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3.3 | | Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of Series A Preferred Stock of Allion Healthcare, Inc.* |
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3.4 | | Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of Series B Preferred Stock of Allion Healthcare, Inc.* |
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3.5 | | Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of Series C Preferred Stock of Allion Healthcare, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 16, 2003.) |
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3.6 | | Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of Series D Preferred Stock of Allion Healthcare, Inc.* |
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3.8 | | Certificate of Designation of Rights and Preferences of Series E Preferred Stock of Allion Healthcare, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2004.) |
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3.2 | | Second Amended and Restated By-laws of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 15, 2003.) |
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4.1 | | Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of Allion Healthcare, Inc. issued to Darin A. Peterson, as of May 1, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2003.) |
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4.2 | | Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of Allion Healthcare, Inc. issued to Allan H. Peterson, as of May 1, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report of Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2003.) |
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4.3 | | Warrants to Purchase Common Stock of Allion Healthcare, Inc. issued to the former owners of North American Home Health Supply, Inc., as of January 4, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report of Form 8-K filed on January 10, 2005.) |
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4.4 | | Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of Allion Healthcare, Inc. issued to the former owners of Specialty Pharmacies Inc., as of February 28, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report of Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2005.) |
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| | |
4.5 | | Subordinated Secured Promissory Note of Allion Healthcare, Inc. dated as of May 1, 2003, in the principal amount of $1,187,500, issued to Darin A. Peterson (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2003.) |
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4.6 | | Subordinated Secured Promissory Note of Allion Healthcare, Inc., dated as of May 1, 2003, in the principal amount of $62,500, issued to Allan H. Peterson (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2003.) |
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4.7 | | Subordinated Secured Promissory Notes of Allion Healthcare, Inc., dated as of January 4, 2005, in the aggregate amount of $1,375,000, issued to the former owners of North American Home Health Supply, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 10, 2005.) |
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4.8 | | Subordinated Secured Promissory Notes of Allion Healthcare, Inc., dated as of February 28, 2005, in the aggregate amount of $1,900,000, issued to the former owners of Specialty Pharmacies, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2005.) |
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4.9 | | Continuing Guaranty of Allion Healthcare, Inc. Indebtedness to West Des Moines State Bank by Guarantor John Pappajohn dated as of December 16, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 14, 2004). |
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4.10 | | Guaranty given by Allion Healthcare, Inc. to and for the benefit of Michael Stone and Jonathan Spanier dated as of January 4, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 10, 2005.) |
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10.1 | | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 30, 2001, by and between Allion Healthcare, Inc. and Gainesborough, L.L.C (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on 10-KSB/A filed in May 2004). |
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10.2 | | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2004). |
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10.3 | | 1998 Stock Option Plan* |
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10.4 | | 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 15, 2003.) |
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10.5 | | Subordinated Security Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2003, among Allion Healthcare, Inc., as borrower, Darin A. Peterson and Allan H. Peterson, collectively, as lenders, and Darin A. Peterson, as collateral agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2003.) |
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10.6 | | Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of April 21, 1999, by and among the Registrant, The Care Group of Texas Inc., Care Line of Houston, Inc., Mail Order Meds, Inc., Care Line of New York, Inc., Commonwealth Certified Home Care, Inc. and HCFP Funding, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 14, 2004.) |
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10.7 | | Amendment No. 1 to Loan and Security Agreement, executed as of July 27, 2001 and effective as of April 21, 2001, by and among the Registrant, The Care Group of Texas Inc., Care Line of Houston, Inc., Mail Order Meds, Inc., Care Line of New York, Inc., Commonwealth Certified Home Care, Inc. and Heller Healthcare Finance, Inc. (f/k/a HCFP Funding, Inc.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 14, 2004.) |
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10.8 | | Amendment No. 2 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of April 2002, by and among the Registrant, The Care Group of Texas, Inc., Care Line of Houston, Inc., Mail Order Meds, Inc., Care Line of New York, Inc., Commonwealth Certified Home Care, Inc. and Heller Healthcare Finance, Inc. (f/k/a HCFP Funding, Inc.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 14, 2004.) |
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| | |
10.9 | | Amendment No. 3 and Consent to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2003, by and among the Registrant, The Care Group of Texas, Inc., Care Line of Houston, Inc., Mail Order Meds, Inc., Care Line of New York, Inc., Commonwealth Certified Home Care, Inc. and Heller Healthcare Finance, Inc. (f/k/a HCFP Funding, Inc.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 14, 2004.) |
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10.10 | | Amendment No. 4 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 2003, by and among the Registrant, The Care Group of Texas, Inc., Care Line of Houston, Inc., Mail Order Meds, Inc., Care Line of New York, Inc., Commonwealth Certified Home Care, Inc. and Heller Healthcare Finance, Inc. (f/k/a HCFP Funding, Inc.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 14, 2004.) |
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10.11 | | Agreement of Lease Between Reckson Operating Partnership, L.P and Allion Healthcare, Inc. (Filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 14, 2004). |
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10.12 | | Amendment No. 5 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 2005, by and among the Registrant, The Care Group of Texas, Inc., Care Line of Houston, Inc., Mail Order Meds, Inc., Care Line of New York, Inc., Commonwealth Certified Home Care, Inc. and Heller Healthcare Finance, Inc. (f/k/a HCFP Funding, Inc.)* |
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10.13 | | Amendment No. 6 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of February 2005, by and among the Registrant, The Care Group of Texas, Inc., Care Line of Houston, Inc., Mail Order Meds, Inc., Care Line of New York, Inc., Commonwealth Certified Home Care, Inc. and Heller Healthcare Finance, Inc. (f/k/a HCFP Funding, Inc.)* |
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10.14 | | AmerisourceBergen Prime Vendor Agreement dated September 15, 2003**. |
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10.15 | | Letter Agreement with Oris Medical Systems, Inc. dated March 3, 2005 relating to potential software licensing arrangement under which we would secure an exclusive license from Oris Medical to use an electronic prescription writing system (Ground Zero Software’s LabTracker™ software). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8K filed on March 7, 2005.) |
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10.16 | | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 4, 2005, by and between Allion Healthcare, Inc. and Michael Stone and Jonathan Spanier.* |
14.1 | | Code of Ethics. (Filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 14, 2004.) |
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21.1 | | Subsidiaries of the Registrant.* |
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31.1 | | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.* |
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31.2 | | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.* |
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31.3 | | Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*** |
** | Certain portions of this document have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment. We have filed non-redacted copies of this agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
*** | These certifications are being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and are not being filed as part this Annual Report on Form 10-K or as a separate disclosure document. |
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SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description
| | Balance at Beginning of Period
| | Charged to Costs and Expenses
| | Deductions (1)
| | Balance at End of Period
|
Year ended December 31, 2002: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts | | $ | 281,799 | | $ | 105,652 | | $ | 110,845 | | $ | 276,606 |
Year ended December 31, 2003: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts | | $ | 276,606 | | $ | 236,558 | | $ | 76,132 | | $ | 437,032 |
Year ended December 31, 2004: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts | | $ | 437,032 | | $ | 80,200 | | $ | 220,912 | | $ | 296,320 |
(1) | Consists primarily of recoveries of accounts previously deemed uncollectable. |
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Ú FOLD AND DETACH HERE AND READ THE REVERSE SIDE Ú
PROXY
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS, NOVEMBER 29, 2005
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC.
The undersigned revokes all previous proxies, acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on November 29, 2005 and the Proxy Statement, and appoints Michael P. Moran and James G. Spencer or either of them the proxy of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of common stock of Allion Healthcare, Inc. that the undersigned is entitled to vote, either on his or her own behalf or on behalf of an entity or entities, at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Allion to be held at the Eisenhower Suite, Hilton Huntington, 598 Broad Hollow Road, Melville, New York 11747, on November 29, 2005 at 9:00 a.m., and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, with the same force and effect as the undersigned might or could do if personally present thereat. The shares represented by this proxy shall be voted in the manner set forth below.
(continued on reverse side)
Ú FOLD AND DETACH HERE AND READ THE REVERSE SIDE Ú
The board of directors recommends a vote FOR the directors listed below in Proposal 1 and a vote FOR all other proposals. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted as specified below. If no specification is made, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of the directors listed below in Proposal 1 and FOR the ratification of the selection of BDO Seidman, LLP as Allion’s Independent Registered Public Accountants listed below in Proposal 2.
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1. | | TO ELECT DIRECTORS TO SERVE UNTIL THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS HAVE BEEN ELECTED AND QUALIFIED. | | FOR ALL NOMINEES ¨ | | WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FROM ALL NOMINEES ¨ | | 2. | | TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF BDO SEIDMAN, LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2005. | | FOR ¨ | | AGAINST ¨ | | ABSTAIN ¨ |
| | Nominees: John W. Colloton James B. Hoover Michael P. Moran | | John Pappajohn Derace Schaffer, M.D. Harvey Z. Werblowsky | | | | | | 3. | | APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. | | FOR ¨ | | AGAINST ¨ | | ABSTAIN ¨ |
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| | TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE for any nominee or nominees, write the name of such nominee or nominees below. | | | | |
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| | | | | | COMPANY ID: PROXY NUMBER: ACCOUNT NUMBER: |
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Signature(s) Signature(s) Date |
NOTE ADDRESS CHANGE ABOVE
Please sign your name exactly as it appears hereon. If acting as an attorney, executor, trustee, or in other representative capacity, sign name and title.