UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

ý

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003

 

 

 

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

 

 

For the transition period from                         to                         

 

 

 

 

 

Commission File Number:  0-21134

 

Paligent Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

04-2893483

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S.  Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

369 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York

 

10017

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(zip code)

 

(212) 453-3111

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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  ý   NO  o

 

The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

 

Outstanding as of May 9, 2003

 

 

 

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

 

32,490,948

 

 



 

PALIGENT INC.

 

INDEX

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, 2003 (unaudited) and December 31, 2002

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
Three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
Three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1 – Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

2



 

PALIGENT INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

March 31, 2003

 

December 31, 2002

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

23,243

 

$

153,046

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

26,083

 

94

 

Total current assets

 

49,326

 

153,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

67,137

 

75,789

 

Security deposits

 

77,582

 

77,582

 

Other assets

 

32,687

 

33,669

 

Total assets

 

$

226,732

 

$

340,180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

148,553

 

$

95,061

 

Due to related party

 

30,000

 

 

Accrued compensation

 

6,410

 

10,037

 

Accrued professional services

 

60,000

 

75,000

 

Current portion of capital lease obligations

 

19,834

 

20,383

 

Total current liabilities

 

264,797

 

200,481

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred rent

 

30,818

 

32,342

 

Security deposits

 

20,000

 

20,000

 

Capital lease obligations

 

14,905

 

20,545

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity (deficit):

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 32,490,948 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

 

324,910

 

324,910

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

154,634,974

 

154,634,974

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(155,063,672

)

(154,893,072

)

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

(103,788

)

66,812

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

$

226,732

 

$

340,180

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

PALIGENT INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

113

 

$

3,811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

170,713

 

272,975

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(170,600

)

$

(269,164

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

 

$

(0.01

)

$

(0.01

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

 

32,490,948

 

32,490,948

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

PALIGENT INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(170,600

)

$

(269,164

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

8,652

 

9,963

 

Deferred rent

 

(1,524

)

(70

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Due from related party

 

 

137,091

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(25,989

)

(22,622

)

Other assets

 

982

 

1,845

 

Accounts payable

 

53,492

 

44,111

 

Accrued patent and research costs

 

 

(285,859

)

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

(18,627

)

(47,909

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(153,614

)

(432,614

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from related party loan

 

30,000

 

 

Principal payments on capital lease obligations

 

(6,189

)

(5,301

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

23,811

 

(5,301

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

(129,803

)

(437,915

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

153,046

 

1,298,266

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

23,243

 

$

860,351

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

PALIGENT INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Interim Financial Statements

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Paligent Inc. (“Paligent” or the “Company”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Company at March 31, 2003 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the interim periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2002 was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.  The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting standards for interim financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.  The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the fiscal year or any other interim period.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business.  The Company has incurred losses from operations since inception, has working capital and stockholders’ deficits and has limited cash to fund operations in 2003.  Since disposing of its Internet assets and related operations in December 2000, the Company has significantly reduced its operating costs.  During April 2003, the Company received $500,000 in connection with the amendment of its license agreement with Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  However, at its present rate of spending, the Company expects that its existing funds and interest income will only be sufficient to fund the Company’s current operations into the fourth quarter of 2003.  While the Company evaluates strategic alternatives, including potential business investments and related financing, the Company’s rate of spending could vary from its current estimate.  No assurance can be given that the Company will be able to complete a business investment or that such financing will be available to the Company.  If the Company is unable to generate significant revenue from acquired operations, obtain additional revenue from its existing out-licensing of its biotechnology assets, secure additional financing for its present operations or secure sufficient financing for operations resulting from acquisition or merger, the Company will experience a cash shortage in the fourth quarter of 2003, the effect of which could result in the discontinuance of operations.  If additional funds are raised by issuing equity securities, further dilution to existing stockholders will result and future investors may be granted rights superior to those of existing stockholders.

 

These circumstances raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.  The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Reclassification

 

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

6



 

NOTE 2 – BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing (loss) income applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the additional weighted average common equivalent shares during the period.  Common equivalent shares are not included in the per share calculations where the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.  Common equivalent shares result from the assumed exercises of outstanding stock options and warrants, the proceeds of which are then assumed to have been used to repurchase outstanding shares of common stock (the “treasury stock method”).

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company had stock options and warrants outstanding that were anti-dilutive.  These securities could potentially dilute basic EPS in the future and were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.  Consequently, there were no differences between basic and diluted EPS for these periods.

 

NOTE 3 – RELATED PARTIES

 

On March 3, 2003, Richard J. Kurtz, a director and shareholder of the Company, loaned $30,000 to the Company to fund its current operations.  In April 2003, the Company’s repaid this loan to Mr. Kurtz from proceeds received under the PRO 2000 Amendment (see Note 5).

 

NOTE 4 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure, an Amendment of FAS 123” (“FAS 148”).  This statement provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation.  In addition, FAS 148 amends the disclosure requirements of FAS 123 to require more prominent and more frequent disclosures in financial statements about the effects of stock-based compensation.  The provisions of FAS 148 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002 and the interim disclosure provisions are effective for financial reports containing financial statements for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002.  The Company adopted FAS 148 during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2002.  The adoption of FAS 148 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position and the additional required disclosures are provided below.

The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations, in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans.  Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock option plan.  Had compensation cost for the Company’s stock-based compensation plan been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under those plans consistent with FAS 123, the Company’s net loss and loss per share would have been adjusted to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

7



 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

Net loss - as reported

 

$

170,600

 

$

269,164

 

Adjustment to net loss for proforma stock-based compensation expense

 

17,030

 

32,935

 

Net loss - pro forma

 

$

187,630

 

$

302,099

 

Basic and diluted net loss per common share - as reported

 

$

0.01

 

$

0.01

 

Basic and diluted net loss per common share - pro forma

 

$

0.01

 

$

0.01

 

 

NOTE 5 – SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

On April 11, 2003, the Company and Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Indevus”) executed an Amendment (the “PRO 2000 Amendment”) to the license agreement dated June 14, 2000 (the “PRO 2000 License”).  Under the terms of the PRO 2000 License, Indevus holds the exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and market PRO 2000 Gel.  Upon execution of the PRO 2000 Amendment, the Company received $500,000 from Indevus in exchange for (i) the elimination of the $500,000 milestone payment that was to be paid under the PRO 2000 License upon the initiation of a Phase II safety trial (planned to begin later in 2003); and (ii) a second option, upon which exercise the Company would receive an additional payment of $500,000, to acquire all of the Company’s rights, title and interest to PRO 2000 Gel as set forth in the PRO 2000 License, provided that such second option is exercised prior to September 30, 2004.

 

8



 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Statements in this Form 10-Q that are not statements or descriptions of historical facts are “forward-looking” statements under Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties.  These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of such terms as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” or similar variations or the negative thereof.  These forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are out of the Company’s control and which may affect its future business plans.  Factors that may affect the Company’s future business plans include: (i) its ability to identify, complete and integrate an acquisition of an operating business; (ii) the viability of the Company’s business strategy in connection with an acquisition and its ability to implement such strategy; (iii) its ability to secure financing for its current and potential future operations; and (iv) its ability to generate revenues sufficient to meet its operating costs.  Such statements reflect the current view of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  In addition, the Company’s business, operations and financial condition are subject to the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are described in the Company’s reports and statements filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Should one or more of those risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those discussed herein.  The descriptions of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions to which the Company’s business, operations and financial condition are subject are as of the date of this report.  The Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

 

Overview

 

Paligent Inc., together with its subsidiaries (collectively, “Paligent” or the “Company”), is presently seeking business opportunities to maximize value for its shareholders.  Since 2001, the Company has been evaluating various strategic alternatives, including acquisitions of new operating businesses and technologies as well as potential merger opportunities.

 

From its inception in 1985 through 1999, Paligent operated as a biotechnology company engaged in the development and commercialization of novel drugs with a product portfolio focused on infectious diseases and oncology.  During 1999, the Company’s principal efforts were devoted to drug development, human clinical trials and partnership commercialization focusing on two biotechnology compounds, PRO 2000 Gel and O6-Benzylguanine (“O6-BG”).  Beginning in fiscal 2000, the Company pursued an Internet strategy that focused on promoting and facilitating transactions between consumers, funeral industry service providers and financing institutions.  During fiscal 2000, the Company also closed its research facilities and out-licensed PRO 2000 Gel and O6-BG.  Under the terms of the out-licensing agreements, the Company retains certain future rights, including the receipt of payments based on the achievement of certain milestones as well as royalties from commercial sales, if any.  After a sustained period of deterioration in the Internet and technology sectors and related capital markets, the Company decided, in the fourth quarter of 2000, to discontinue the pursuit of its Internet strategy.  Shortly thereafter, the Company entered into an agreement to sell all of its Web-based assets and Internet operations and ceased its Internet activities.

 

9



 

Results of Operations

 

From inception through March 31, 2003, the Company has generated no revenues from product sales or services and has not been profitable.  As the Company evaluates various strategic alternatives in its quest for new growth areas that will maximize value to existing stockholders, the Company expects to incur additional losses.

 

Three months ended March 31, 2003 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2002

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2003, the Company reported a net loss of $171,000, or $0.01 per share, as compared to a net loss of $269,000, or $0.01 per share, in the comparable period in 2002.

 

The Company’s total revenue, which is derived from interest income, was $113 for the three months ended March 31, 2003, as compared to $4,000 for the comparable period in 2002.  The reduction in interest income is attributable to a decrease in average cash balances available for investment during the respective periods.

 

The Company’s total operating expenses, consisting of general and administrative costs, were $171,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 as compared to $273,000 for the comparable quarter in 2002, a decrease of $102,000.  The decrease in general and administrative costs in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 primarily comprises reductions in professional fees, including non-recurring legal fees incurred in fiscal 2002 that were attributable to the resolution of the patent licensing agreement relating to O6-BG.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At March 31, 2003, the Company’s aggregate cash and cash equivalents were $23,000, a net decrease of $130,000 from the end of the prior year.  This decrease comprises $154,000 and $6,000, respectively, of cash used to fund operations and payments on capital leases.  During the current quarter, the Company received $30,000 of loan proceeds from Richard J. Kurtz, a director and shareholder of the Company.  This loan was repaid in April 2003.

 

In April 2003, the Company and Indevus Pharmaceutivcals, Inc. executed an Amendment (the “PRO 2000 Amendment”) to the license agreement dated June 14, 2000.  Upon execution of the PRO 2000 Amendment, the Company received $500,000 from Indevus.

 

The Company has incurred losses since inception, has working capital and stockholders’ deficits and has limited cash to fund operations in 2003.  Since disposing of its Internet assets and related operations in December 2000, the Company has significantly reduced its operating costs.  Although the Company received $500,000 in connection with the PRO 2000 Amendment, the Company expects, at its present rate of spending, that its existing funds and interest income will only be sufficient to fund the Company’s current operations into the fourth quarter of 2003.  While the Company evaluates strategic alternatives, including potential business investments and related financing, the Company’s rate of spending could vary from its current estimate.  No assurance can be given that the Company will be able to complete a business investment or that such financing will be available to the Company.  If the Company is unable to generate significant revenue from acquired operations, obtain additional revenue from its existing out-licensing of its biotechnology assets, secure additional financing for its present operations or secure sufficient financing for operations resulting from acquisition or merger, the Company will experience a cash shortage in the fourth quarter of 2003, the effect of which could result in the discontinuance of operations.  If additional funds are raised by issuing equity securities, further dilution to existing stockholders will result and future investors may be granted rights superior to those of existing stockholders.

 

10



 

These circumstances raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The Company’s expectations regarding its rate of spending and the sufficiency of its cash resources over future periods are forward-looking statements. The rate of spending and sufficiency of such resources will be affected by numerous factors including the rate of planned and unplanned expenditures by the Company and the timing of payments received, if any, under the sublicenses of the biotechnology assets.

 

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. (“FAS”) 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure, an Amendment of FAS 123” (“FAS 148”).  This statement provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation.  In addition, FAS 148 amends the disclosure requirements of FAS 123 to require more prominent and more frequent disclosures in financial statements about the effects of stock-based compensation.  The provisions of FAS 148 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002 and the interim disclosure provisions are effective for financial reports containing financial statements for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002.  The Company adopted FAS 148 during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2002.  The adoption of FAS 148 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position and the additional required disclosures have been provided in Note 4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

11



 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.

 

In January 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Financial Reporting Release 48 (“FRR 48”), “Disclosure of Accounting Policies for Derivative Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments, and Disclosure of Quantitative and Qualitative Information About Market Risk Inherent in Derivative Financial Instruments, Other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments.”  FRR 48 required disclosure of qualitative and quantitative information about market risk inherent in derivative financial instruments, other financial instruments, and derivative commodity instruments beyond those already required under generally accepted accounting principles.  The Company is not a party to any of the instruments discussed in FRR 48 and considers its market risk to be minimal.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

As of a date within 90 days prior to the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Evaluation Date”), an evaluation was performed under the supervision of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the Evaluation Date.  There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the internal controls subsequent to the Evaluation Date.

 

12



 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

 

(a)

 

Exhibits.

 

 

 

 

 

99.1

Certification of CEO and principal financial officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Filed herewith.

 

 

 

(b)

 

Reports on Form 8-K.

 

 

 

 

 

Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 11, 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2003 relating to the Amendment to the License Agreement between the Company and Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. dated as of April 10, 2003.

 

13



 

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.

 

 

 

PALIGENT INC.

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

Date:  May 19, 2003

 

by:

/s/ Salvatore A. Bucci

 

 

 

 

Salvatore A. Bucci

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14



 

CERTIFICATION

I, Salvatore A. Bucci, certify that:

 

1.                                       I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of PALIGENT INC.;

 

2.                                       Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

 

3.                                       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

 

4.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

a)                                      designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b)                                     evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

c)                                      presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors:

a)                                      all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

b)                                     any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

 

Date:  May 19, 2003

 

by:

/s/ Salvatore A. Bucci

 

 

 

 

Salvatore A. Bucci

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

15