We have submitted 22 ANDAs to the FDA for approval since August 1997, including six filed during 2004 and one filed subsequent to year-end. Of these 22 ANDAs, the FDA has approved 15 through December 31, 2004. Accordingly, we have seven pending ANDAs. Our strategy has been to analyze the marketplace and try to determine opportunities for products having good market potential, that are difficult to develop, that require difficult-to-source raw materials and/or products representing smaller therapeutic niche markets. Recently, we have started looking at products which have potential patent litigation, and/or first to file opportunities. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited Pursuant to a stock purchase agreement, Sun Pharma made an initial investment of $7.5 million for the purchase of 5.3 million common shares of Caraco in 1997. Sun Pharma and its affiliates had loaned us approximately $10 million since August 1997. As of December 31, 2003, we have repaid all of such loans. Sun Pharma has also assisted us, by acting as guarantor, in obtaining line of credit loans from ICICI Bank Limited, The Bank of Nova Scotia and Citibank FSB in the amounts of $5.0 million, $12.5 million and $10.0 million, respectively. In August 1997, we entered into an agreement, whereby Sun Pharma was required to transfer to us the technology formula for 25 generic pharmaceutical products over a period of five years through August 2003. We exchanged 544,000 shares of our common stock for each technology transfer of an ANDA product (when bio-equivalency studies were successfully completed) and 181,333 shares for each technology transfer of a DESI product. The products provided to us from Sun Pharma were selected by mutual agreement. Under such agreement, we conducted, at our expense, all tests including bio-equivalency studies. Pursuant to such agreement, Sun Pharma delivered to us the technology for 13 products. This agreement has expired and as noted below, we have entered into a new agreement, with Sun Global, an affiliate of Sun Pharma. On November 21, 2002, we entered into a products agreement with Sun Global. Under the agreement, which was approved by our independent directors, Sun Global has agreed to provide us with 25 new generic drugs over a five-year period. Our rights to the products are limited to the United States and its territories or possessions, including Puerto Rico. Sun Global retains rights to the products in all other territories. The products are selected by mutual agreement. Under such agreement, we conduct, at our expense, all tests including bio-equivalency studies. We are also obligated to market the products consistent with our customary practices and to provide marketing personnel. In return for the technology transfer, Sun Global will receive 544,000 shares of a newly created Series B Preferred Stock for each generic drug transferred when such drug has passed its bio-equivalency studies. The preferred shares are non-voting, do not receive dividends and are convertible into common shares after three years (or immediately upon a change in control) on a one-to-one basis. The preferred shares have a liquidation preference equal to the value attributed to them on the dates on which they were earned. While such preferred shares are outstanding, we cannot, without the consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the preferred stock, amend or repeal our articles of incorporation or bylaws if such action would adversely affect the rights of the preferred stock. In addition, without such consent, we cannot authorize the issuance of any capital stock having any preference or priority superior to the preferred stock. The products agreement was amended by the Independent Committee, comprised of the three independent directors, in the first quarter of 2004 to eliminate the provision requiring that the Independent Committee concur in the selection of each product, and provides instead, that each product satisfy certain objective criteria developed by management and approved by the Independent Committee. Pursuant to such objective criteria, we have selected 18 products, eight of which passed bio-equivalency studies as of December 2004 and two products since then. Sun Global has thereby earned 544,00 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for each product. See Part II – Item 6. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Future Outlook.” |