UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2008
----------------
or
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___to ___
Commission File Number: 0-11485
ACCELR8 TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
COLORADO 84-1072256
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
7000 N Broadway, Bldg. 3-307, Denver, CO 80221
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(303) 863-8088
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(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if
changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ ]
Non-accelerated filer [ ] Smaller reporting company [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes[ ] No [X]
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 10,226,210
1
INDEX
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Page
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Condensed Balance Sheets 3
October 31, 2008 (unaudited) and July 31, 2008
Condensed Statements of Operations 4
for the three months ended October 31, 2008
and 2007 (unaudited)
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows 5
for the three months ended October 31, 2008
and 2007 (unaudited)
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements 6-9
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of 9
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 14
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 14
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures 14
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 15
Item 1A. Risk Factors 15
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 15
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 15
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 15
Item 5. Other Information 15
Item 6. Exhibits 16
SIGNATURES 17
CERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS
2
PART I--FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
- -----------------------------
Accelr8 Technology Corporation
Condensed Balance Sheets
ASSETS
October 31, 2008 July 31, 2008
---------------- -------------
(Unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,081,399 $ 1,233,100
Accounts receivable 0 6,334
Inventory 97,268 97,268
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 15,217 39,338
------------ ------------
Total current assets 1,193,884 1,376,040
Property and equipment, net 31,712 37,398
Investments, net 1,093,512 1,067,327
Intellectual property, net (Note 3) 3,287,548 3,346,701
------------ ------------
Total assets $ 5,606,656 $ 5,827,466
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 67,110 $ 133,628
Accrued compensation and other liabilities 30,937 25,889
Deferred revenue 111,999 112,651
Total current liabilities 210,046 272,168
Long-term liabilities:
Deferred compensation 1,112,262 1,142,327
Total liabilities 1,322,308 1,414,495
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' equity
Common Stock, no par value; 14,000,000 shares
authorized; 10,226,210 shares issued and
outstanding 13,803,820 13,803,820
Contributed capital 1,018,062 922,586
Accumulated (deficit) (10,263,934) (10,039,835)
Shares held for employee benefit (1,129,110
shares at cost) (273,600) (273,600)
------------ ------------
Total Shareholders' equity 4,284,348 4,412,971
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and Shareholders' equity $ 5,606,656 $ 5,827,466
============ ============
3
Condensed Statements of Operations
For the Three Months Ended October 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
2008 2007
------------ ------------
Revenues:
OptiChem(R) revenues $ 652 $ 14,584
Technical development Fees 300,000 0
License fees 0 50,000
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Total revenues 300,652 64,584
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Costs and expenses:
Research and development 159,777 269,067
General and administrative 250,463 251,067
Amortization 61,543 60,046
Marketing and sales 1,166 6,512
Depreciation 5,686 15,075
Cost of sales 0 1,313
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Total costs and expenses 478,635 603,080
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Loss from operations (177,983) (538,496)
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Other income (loss):
Interest and dividend income 8,914 23,666
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments (55,030) 26,352
Other income 0 1,354
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Total other income (loss) (46,116) 51,372
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Net loss $ (224,099) $ (487,124)
============ ============
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted net loss per share $ (.02) $ (.05)
============ ============
Weighted average shares outstanding 10,226,210 9,971,210
============ ============
4
Accelr8 Technology Corporation
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended October 31, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
2008 2007
----------- -----------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $ (224,099) $ (487,124)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) to net cash
(used in) operating activities:
Depreciation 5,686 15,075
Amortization 61,543 60,045
Fair value of stock options granted for services 95,476 18,249
Unrealized holding (gain) loss on investments 55,030 (26,352)
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Accounts receivable 6,334 5,625
Inventory 0 (359)
Prepaid expense and other 24,121 11,177
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable (66,518) 51,216
Accrued liabilities 5,048 9,216
Deferred revenue (652) 41,041
Deferred compensation (30,065) 45,104
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Net cash (used in) operating activities (68,096) (257,087)
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Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase Investments (6,215) --
Purchases of equipment and patent costs (2,390) (34,453)
Contribution to Deferred Compensation Trust (75,000) (75,000)
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Net cash (used in) investing activities (83,605) (109,453)
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Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (151,701) (366,540)
Beginning balance 1,233,100 1,393,669
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Ending balance $ 1,081,399 $ 1,027,129
=========== ===========
5
Note 1. Basis of Presentation
The financial statements included herein have been prepared by Accelr8
Technology Corporation (the "Company") without audit, pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
have been condensed or omitted as allowed by such rules and regulations. The
Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information
presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in
conjunction with our Annual Audited Financial Statements dated July 31, 2008
included in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB as filed with the SEC.
Management believes that the accompanying unaudited financial statements are
prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, which
require the use of Management estimates, and contain all adjustments (including
normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the operations and
cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three
months ended October 31, 2008 may not be indicative of the results of operations
for the year ended July 31, 2009.
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires Management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date
of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of
credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and
notes receivable, including receivables from major customers. The Company grants
credit to domestic and international clients in various industries. Exposure to
losses on accounts receivable is principally dependent on each client's
financial position. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its
clients' financial condition.
Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, investments and other
long-term liabilities approximates fair value at October 31, 2008 and 2007. The
carrying value of all other financial instruments potentially subject to
valuation risk, principally consisting of accounts receivable and accounts
payable, also approximate fair value.
Income Taxes
The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board
("FASB") Interpretation No. 48 ("FIN 48") "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes," on August 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 resulted in no adjustment to
opening retained earnings. The Company has no unrecognized tax benefits. Should
the Company determine that any penalty and interest be accrued as a result of
current or future tax positions taken on its returns, such penalties and
interest will be accrued in its financial statements as other non-interest
expense and as interest expense during the period in which such determination is
made.
The Company files federal and state income tax returns. These returns are
subject to examination by taxing authorities for all tax years after 2002.
6
Note 3. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2007, the FASB issued FASB SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, to expand the use of fair value
measurement by permitting entities to choose to measure many financial
instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently
required to be measured at fair value. SFAS 159 is effective beginning the first
fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently
evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 159 on its financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued FAS 160 which changes the accounting and
reporting for minority interests. Minority interests will be recharacterized as
noncontrolling interests and will be reported as a component of equity separate
from the parent's equity, and purchases or sales of equity interests that do not
result in a change in control will be accounted for as equity transactions.
In addition, net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be
included in consolidated net income on the face of the income statement and,
upon a loss of control, the interest sold, as well as any interest retained,
will be recorded at fair value with any gain or loss recognized in earnings. FAS
160 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The
Company does not expect the adoption of FAS 160 to have an effect on its
financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(revised 2007), Business Combinations
("SFAS 141R"). SFAS 141R will significantly change the accounting for business
combinations in a number of areas including the treatment of contingent
consideration, contingencies, acquisition costs, intellectual property research
& development and restructuring costs. In addition, under SFAS 141R, changes in
deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties in
a business combination after the measurement period will impact income tax
expense. SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2008. The Company has not yet determined the impact, if any, of SFAS 141R on its
financial statements.
Note 4. Intellectual Property
Intellectual property consisted of the following:
October 31, 2008 July 31, 2008
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OptiChem(R) Technologies $ 4,454,538 $ 4,454,538
Patents 414,022 411,632
Trademarks 49,019 49,019
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Total intellectual property 4,917,579 4,915,189
Accumulated amortization (1,630,031) (1,568,488)
----------- -----------
Net intellectual property $ 3,287,548 $ 3,346,701
=========== ===========
Intellectual properties are recorded at cost and are being amortized on a
straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 20 years, which
approximates the patent and patent application life of the OptiChem(R)
Technologies. Amortization expense was $61,543 and $60,045, respectively, for
the three months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007.
The Company routinely evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets
based upon estimated future cash flows from or estimated fair value of such
long-lived assets. If in Management's judgment, the anticipated undiscounted
cash flows or estimated fair value are insufficient to recover the carrying
amount of the long-lived asset, the Company will determine the amount of the
impairment, and the value of the asset will be written down. Management believes
that the fair value of the technology exceeds the carrying value. However, it is
possible that future impairment testing may result in intangible asset
write-offs, which could adversely affect the Company's financial condition and
results of operations.
7
Note 5. Research and Option Agreement and License and Supply Agreements
Effective May 16, 2008, the Company and Becton, Dickinson and Company ("BD")
entered into a Research and Option Agreement (the "Agreement").
The Agreement provides for the establishment of a research program until October
31, 2009 whereby BD will fund certain research work by the Company relating to
the Company's BACcel(TM) rapid pathogen diagnostics platform (the "BACcel(TM)
Platform"). The research program includes mutually agreed upon milestones to
support BD's product development planning. Under the terms of the Agreement, in
connection with the research program, the Company will receive certain periodic
payments from BD between the date of the Agreement and July 1, 2009.
The Agreement also grants BD an option to acquire for an upfront payment an
exclusive license (the "Exclusive License") from the Company for certain
know-how and patent rights relating to the BACcel (TM)Platform. The Exclusive
License also provides for the Company to receive royalty payments on worldwide
sales. The Exclusive License contains certain diligence requirements for BD to
develop and commercialize such products. If BD exercises the option but fails to
meet certain terms of the Exclusive License, the Company has the option to
convert the Exclusive License to a non-exclusive license. If BD does not
exercise the Exclusive License Accelr8 will receive a non-exclusive license from
BD for certain intellectual property.
Pursuant to the Agreement, from the date of the Agreement until October 31,
2009, the Company agreed not to engage in or participate in any discussions or
negotiations with parties other than BD for the joint development of, licensing
of or intellectual property relating to the BACcel(TM) Platform.
Unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Agreement
shall terminate upon the Exclusive License Agreement or the non-exclusive
license from BD to the Company coming into effect.
On November 24, 2007 the Company extended the non-exclusive Slide H license for
three more years, to expire on November 23, 2010. Terms of the extended license
are similar to those of the original license, which is $100,000, $50,000 for a
prepaid license and $50,000 in prepaid royalties. The Company granted another
royalty-bearing license to Schott Jenaer Glas GmbH for Streptavidin slides
(Slide HS) for two years that expires on December 31, 2008. The terms were
$100,000; $50,000 for a prepaid license and $50,000 in prepaid royalties.
The Company entered into an exclusive seven-year license with NanoString
Technologies Inc. on October 5, 2007. The license grants to NanoString the right
to apply OptiChem(R) coatings to NanoString's proprietary molecular detection
products. Pursuant to the license agreement, NanoString paid the Company a
non-refundable fee of $100,000 of which $50,000 was credited against future
royalties. Under the royalty-bearing license, NanoString is to pay the Company a
royalty at the rate of eight percent (8%) of net sales for sales up to $500,000
of NanoString licensed products. The royalty rate on the second $500,000 of net
sales is six percent (6%), and the royalty thereafter is four percent (4%).
Royalties of $652 were earned during the three months ended October 31, 2008.
Note 6. Employee Stock Based Compensation
On October 31, 2008, there were Common Stock options outstanding at prices
ranging from $1.45 to $4.50 with expiration dates between January 18, 2008 and
October 28, 2018. For the three months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, stock
options exercisable into 1,180,000 and 987,500 shares of Common Stock,
respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share
because their effect was antidilutive.
For the quarters ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company accounted for
stock based compensation to employees and directors using SFAS No. 123 (revised
2004), "Share-Based Payment" (SFAS 123R), which replaces SFAS 123 and supersedes
APB Opinion No. 25. SFAS 123R requires all share-based payments to employees,
including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial
statements based on their fair values. The pro forma disclosures previously
permitted under SFAS 123 are no longer an alternative to financial statement
recognition. Under the modified prospective application method, we apply the
standard to new awards, and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled.
Additionally, compensation costs for the unvested portion of awards are
recognized as compensation expense as the requisite service is rendered.
8
The fair value of options granted under the stock option agreements and
stock-based compensation plans discussed above is estimated on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions used for grants for the three months ended October 31, 2008 and
2007: no dividend yield; risk free interest rate of 3.5% to 5%; expected life of
3-10 years; and expected volatility of 66% to 51%. The weighted average
remaining contractual life of options outstanding at October 31, 2008 and 2007
was 4.50 and 4.11 years, respectively.
As of October 31, 2008, the total unrecognized share-based compensation cost
related to unvested stock options was approximately $30,282. For the three month
period ended October 31, 2008 and 2007 the Company recognized $95,476 and
$18,249, respectively in stock based compensation costs related to the issuance
of stock options to employees. This cost was calculated in accordance with SFAS
No. 123R and is reflected in the Company's operating expenses.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result
of Operations.
Forward Looking Information
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the Company, intends that such forward-looking
statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These forward-looking
statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will,"
"expect," "anticipate," "estimate," or "continue," or variations thereon or
comparable terminology, include the plans and objectives of Management for
future operations, including plans and objectives relating to the products and
future economic performance of the Company. In addition, all statements other
than statements of historical facts that address activities, events, or
developments the Company expects, believes, or anticipates will or may occur in
the future, and other such matters, are forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements included herein are based on current expectations
that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking
statements are based on assumptions that the Company will retain key management
personnel, the Company will be successful in the development of the BACcel(TM)
system, the Company will have sufficient capital to complete the development of
the BACcel(TM) system, the Company will be able to protect its intellectual
property, the Company's ability to respond to technological change, that the
Company will accurately anticipate market demand for the Company's products and
that there will be no material adverse change in the Company's operations or
business. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect
to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and
future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict
accurately and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although the
Company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements
are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove inaccurate and, therefore,
there can be no assurance that the results contemplated in forward-looking
statements will be realized. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's
unaudited condensed financial statements and related notes included elsewhere
herein. The Company's future operating results may be affected by various trends
and factors which are beyond the Company's control. These include, among other
factors, general public perception of issues and solutions, and other uncertain
business conditions that may affect the Company's business. The Company cautions
the reader that a number of important factors discussed herein, and in other
reports, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the risks
in the section entitled "Risk Factors" its 10-KSB for the year ended July 31,
2008, could affect the Company's actual results and cause actual results to
differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements.
9
Overview
Our vision is to develop and commercialize an innovative diagnostic system for
use with critically ill patients for rapid identification of bacteria and
specific strains based on the presence of major antibiotic resistance
mechanisms. Our business strategy is to demonstrate the value of our technology
in the broad market for biomedical products with the intent of licensing our
proprietary technology to established market leaders.
We are developing the BACcel(TM) system, a rapid bacterial diagnostic platform,
by integrating our proprietary technologies into an automated system.
Proprietary technologies include OptiChem(R) surface coatings, and various
innovative assay processing methods. We have received patents or we have patent
applications pending for the major technology components, methods, and systems.
The BACcel(TM) system development project began with a number of innovative
analytical biological concepts that had no direct precedent, but which adapted
well-accepted microbiological testing principles for automated analysis. Until
now, these testing principles have only been applied to cultures that contain
hundreds of millions of bacteria descended from single organisms, hand-selected
as cultured colonies grown from a patient specimen.
The BACcel(TM) system is based on simple transformations of standard methods,
using advanced automation technology to achieve substantially better performance
than is possible with current testing methods. We believed that speed and
precision should be possible by analyzing, as individuals, many thousands of
cells extracted directly from the patient specimen. This contrasts with standard
culturing in which the descendants of fewer than ten cells are presumed to
represent the entire infectious bacterial population in a specimen, and with
which many hours of repeated growth are required to perform analyses. Typically,
initial testing requires 2-3 days, which is too late to help guide the physician
to make treatment decisions for critically ill patients who often become
infected with drug-resistant bacteria. As a result, initial therapy typically
proves inadequate in 20% to 40% of such cases, causing high mortality, serious
medical complications, and extended length of stay.
Published studies on ICU patients consistently show that a hospital-acquired
infection (HAI) doubles the risk of mortality and complications. Infection with
a multi-resistant organism quadruples risks relative to comparable un-infected
patients. The most important reason for elevated risk is inadequate initial
therapy, caused by widespread and complex mechanisms of drug resistance.
We intend the BACcel(TM) system to report bacterial quantitation and
identification within 2 hours of patient specimen processing. We plan to augment
the first reported identification with additional identification of major
antibiotic resistance mechanisms. We believe that resistance mechanism
identification will require no more than 4 additional hours of testing, with
some results becoming available more quickly than others.
The purpose of this strategy is to narrow the drug choices for initial therapy
by identifying major resistance mechanisms that are likely to cause drugs to
fail. If successful, this approach would help the physician to subtract
ineffective drugs from the list of available drugs, leaving those that are most
likely to control the infection as initial therapy.
For example, the first report might state that a significant number of common
"Staph" is present in a patient specimen, likely causing a patient's infection.
The second report might then state that all of the organisms fall into a major
antibiotic resistance group known as "MRSA" (Methicillin Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus), often referred to as "superbugs" in news reports because
of their multiple drug resistance. This identification eliminates from
consideration the most important drugs otherwise preferred for treating Staph
infections.
The second report would include the identification of additional important
resistance mechanisms that might similarly rule out the next most important
drugs. In this way, we believe that the BACcel(TM) system will systematically
test for the most significant resistance mechanisms. This would leave the
physician with specific drug choices that are most likely to prove effective.
From these, the physician would then be able to hold in reserve those drugs
considered "salvage" or "last choice" drugs. This approach of reserving drugs
helps to delay the emergence of resistance for the few drugs still available to
treat highly resistant strains.
10
Without specific guidance, the physician now has no choice but to use these
reserved drugs to assure initial infection control but accelerating their loss
of effectiveness over time.
Popular news media have reported widely about MRSA as a multi-resistant
"superbug." However, organizations such as the CDC (US Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention) and IDSA (Infectious Diseases Society of America) have
also identified other multi-drug resistant organisms as presenting even greater
threats. They include Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, E. coli, and Klebsiella. In
the hospital ICU, MRSA typically causes no more than about 30% of mortality from
acquired infections. The other organisms just listed account for a much higher
percentage.
To the best of Management's knowledge, based on outside opinions and direct
market research, the Company is the only organization in the world to be
developing a rapid diagnostic solution, and one that includes these organisms
and strain types.
To date, we have established the functional requirements of the BACcel(TM)
platform. We have begun testing the specific analyses required in the BACcel(TM)
system and published the results at major scientific and clinical conferences.
We have been guided by leading medical experts in our development strategy and
product design.
During the next twelve months, the Company intends to expand its experimental
data to characterize and validate test performance to be used in future versions
of the BACcel(TM) system. In addition, we expect to further define requirements
for a commercial research product in advance of clinical product development.
In parallel to the BACcel(TM) system development, we have developed and
independently licensed OptiChem(R) surface coatings to other companies for use
in microarraying and other molecular detection products. We have granted Schott
Jenaer Glas GmbH, a global leader in high-quality glass manufacturing, a
non-exclusive license to manufacture and market microarraying slides using
OptiChem(R) coatings. We have also licensed NanoString Technologies Inc. to use
OptiChem(R) in their innovative molecular bar-coding systems for
high-sensitivity gene expression analysis.
During the three months ended October 31, 2008, research collaborators at the
Denver Health Medical Center and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis continued
studies using prototypes of the BACcel(TM) system. These collaborators and
Accelr8 scientists reported their recent findings in two presentations in
October at the joint sessions of the 48th Annual Interscience Conference on
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC, www.icaac.org) and the Infectious
Diseases Society of America (IDSA, www.idsociety.org). One study added to those
for antibiotic resistance tests previously presented by company scientists. The
other added a retrospective model that projected the clinical utility of rapid
diagnostics based on BACcel(TM) system results on stored bacterial cultures.
During the quarter ended October 31, 2008, we continued the scale-up of our
proprietary antibody development methods, including antibodies for
identification of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We believe
that the scale-up will provide material for BACcel(TM) system development,
outside research support, and additional test development. We also advanced the
development of antibodies required for additional organisms, and initiated other
types of testing used for identification of bacteria.
Effective May 16, 2008, we entered into a Research and Option Agreement with
Becton, Dickinson and Company ("BD"). Pursuant to the Research and Option
Agreement, BD will fund certain research work by the Company relating to the
Company's BACcel(TM) system. If BD exercises the licensing option, Management
believes that the Agreement would then further relieve Accelr8 of the need to
raise the large amount of funding required for BACcel(TM) product development,
protect Shareholders from the potentially significant dilution and mitigate the
risks associated with BACcel (TM) commercialization.
The Agreement also enables the Company to seek additional commercial
applications for its proprietary technology. Management believes that this
expands the opportunity horizon for Shareholders.
11
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2007, the FASB issued FASB SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, to expand the use of fair value
measurement by permitting entities to choose to measure many financial
instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently
required to be measured at fair value. SFAS 159 is effective beginning the first
fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently
evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 159 on its financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued FAS 160 which changes the accounting and
reporting for minority interests. Minority interests will be recharacterized as
noncontrolling interests and will be reported as a component of equity separate
from the parent's equity, and purchases or sales of equity interests that do not
result in a change in control will be accounted for as equity transactions.
In addition, net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be
included in consolidated net income on the face of the income statement and,
upon a loss of control, the interest sold, as well as any interest retained,
will be recorded at fair value with any gain or loss recognized in earnings. FAS
160 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The
Company does not expect the adoption of FAS 160 to have an effect on its
financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(revised 2007), Business Combinations
("SFAS 141R"). SFAS 141R will significantly change the accounting for business
combinations in a number of areas including the treatment of contingent
consideration, contingencies, acquisition costs, intellectual property, research
& development and restructuring costs. In addition, under SFAS 141R, changes in
deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties in
a business combination after the measurement period will impact income tax
expense. SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2008. The Company has not yet determined the impact, if any, of SFAS 141R on its
financial statements.
Changes in Results of Operations: Three months ended October 31, 2008 compared
to three months ended October 31, 2007
During the three months ended October 31, 2008, OptiChem(R) revenues were $652
as compared to $14,584 during the three month period ended October 31, 2007, a
decrease of $13,932 or 95.5%. The decrease was a result of licensing of
OptiChem(R) to NanoString in October 2007, as opposed to sales of OptiChem(R)
directly to NanoString during the three months ended October 31, 2007, thus
reducing OptiChem(R) revenues. OptiChem(R) revenues received during the three
months ended October 31, 2008 consist of royalty income.
Technical development fees during the three-month period ended October 31, 2008
were $300,000 as compared to $0 during the three-month period ended October 31,
2007, an increase of $300,000 or 100%. Technical development fees were received
as a result of the Research and Option Agreement with BD entered into in May
2008.
License fees during the three months ended October 31, 2008 were $0 as compared
to $50,000 during the three months ended October 31, 2007, a decrease of $50,000
or 100%. The license fees during the three months ended October 31, 2007 were
the result of a License Agreement entered into with NanoString in October 2007.
Research and development expenses for the three months ended October 31, 2008
were $159,777 as compared to $269,067 during the three months ended October 31,
2007, a decrease of $109,290 or 40.6%. The decrease was primarily the result of
decreased supplies, a reduction in the use of outside engineering firms related
to the development of the BACcel(TM) system and decreased salaries.
During the three months ended October 31, 2008, general and administrative
expenses were $250,463 as compared to $251,067 during the three month period
ended October 31, 2007, a decrease of $604. The decrease was nominal and in the
ordinary course of business.
The increase in amortization was negligible for the three months ended October
31, 2008 as compared to the three month period ended October 31, 2007.
12
Marketing and sales expenses for the three months ended October 31, 2008 were
$1,166 as compared to $6,512 during the three months ended October 31, 2007, a
decrease of $5,346 or 82%. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in
expenses in connection with scientific conference attendance.
Depreciation for the three months ended October 31, 2008 was $5,686 as compared
to $15,075 during the three months ended October 31, 2007, a decrease of $9,389
or 62%. The decreased depreciation was the result of the increased age of assets
and the disposal of equipment no longer used in our operations.
Cost of goods sold during the three months ended October 31, 2008 were $0 as
compared to $1,313 during the three months ended October 31, 2007. The decrease
in cost of goods sold was primarily the result of products being produced by
others under licensing agreements as compared to the Company producing the
products.
As a result of the above factors, loss from operations for the three months
ended October 31, 2008 was $177,983 as compared to a loss of $538,496 during the
three months ended October 31, 2007, a decreased loss of $360,513 or 66.9%.
Investment and dividend income during the three months ended October 31, 2008
was $8,914 as compared to $23,666 during the three months ended October 31, 2007
a decrease of $14,752 or 62%. Interest income decreased as a result of decreased
interest rates and reduced amounts of cash held by the Company.
Unrealized holding losses on investments held in the deferred compensation trust
for the three months ended October 31, 2008 was $55,030 as compared to an
unrealized gain of $26,352 for the three months ended October 31, 2007, a
decrease of $81,382. The change was a result of decreased value of the
underlying securities and general market conditions.
As a result of these factors, net loss for the three months ended October 31,
2008 was $224,099 as compared to $487,124 during the three months ended October
31, 2007, a decreased loss of $263,025 or 54%.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
During the three months ended October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007, we did not
generate positive cash flows from operating activities. The Company has
historically funded its operations generally through its existing cash balances,
cash flow generated from operations and sales of equity securities. Our primary
use of capital has been for the research and development of the BACcel(TM)
system. Notwithstanding our investments in research and development, there can
be no assurance that the BACcel(TM) system or any of our other products will be
successful, or even if they are successful, will provide sufficient revenues to
continue our current operations. Our working capital requirements are expected
to increase in line with the growth of our business. We have no lines of credit
or other bank or off balance sheet financing arrangements. We believe our
capital requirements will continue to be met with our existing cash balance,
additional issuance of equity or debt securities and/or a capital infusion from
potential partners in the development of the BACcel(TM) system. If we are unable
to realize any revenues from our products, we will require additional funds from
other sources to continue operations. Further, if capital requirements vary
materially from those currently planned, we may require additional capital
sooner than expected.
At October 31, 2008, as compared to July 31, 2008, cash and cash equivalents
decreased by $151,701 from $1,233,100 to $1,081,399, or approximately 12% and
the Company's working capital decreased $120,034 or 9.7% from $1,103,872 to
$983,838. During the same period, Shareholders' equity decreased from $4,412,971
to $4,284,348 as a result of losses incurred and charges related to stock
options. Our working capital requirements are expected to increase in line with
the growth of our business.
The net cash used in operating activities was $68,096 during the three months
ended October 31, 2008 compared to net cash used in operating activities of
$257,087 during the three months ended October 31, 2007. The principal elements
that gave rise to the decrease of net cash used in operating activities were
primarily the result of lower net losses for the period.
13
Cash used by investing activities during the three months ended October 31, 2008
was $83,605. The cash investing activities was the result of the funding of the
deferred compensation investment account and additional patent expenditures. As
a result, Management believes that current cash balances plus cash flow from
operations will be sufficient to fund our capital and liquidity needs for the
next eighteen months.
Thereafter, the Company may have to seek capital resources from other sources to
meet its obligations in the future. There can be no assurance that such capital
will be available in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
Additional issuances of equity or convertible debt securities, if any, will
result in dilution to our current Common Stockholders.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company's interest income is sensitive to fluctuations in the general
level of U.S. interest rates. As such, changes in U.S. interest rates affect the
interest earned on the Company's cash, cash equivalents, and short-term
investments.
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures.
An evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the
participation of the Company's Management, including Thomas V. Geimer, the
Company's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"),
of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure
controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"). Based on that
evaluation, Mr. Geimer concluded that as of October 31, 2008, the Company's
disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date to ensure that
information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and
forms. Mr. Geimer also confirmed that there was no change in the Company's
internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended October 31,
2008.
PART II--OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
Not Applicable.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors discussed in our
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008 filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2008 and investors are
encouraged to review those risk factors in detail before making any investment
in the Company's securities.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Not Applicable.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Not applicable.
14
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
None.
Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibit No. Description
- ----------- -----------
31.1 Certification of Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 Certification of Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 Certification of Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 0f 2002.
15
SIGNATURES*
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: December 15, 2008 ACCELR8 TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
/s/ Thomas V. Geimer
----------------------------
Thomas V. Geimer, Secretary,
Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Bruce H. McDonald
----------------------------
Bruce H. McDonald, Principal
Accounting Officer
16