e10vq
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
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þ |
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006.
or
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o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from
to
.
Commission file number 000-21291
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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74-2704230 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
301 Congress Avenue, Suite 1850
Austin, Texas 78701
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(512) 708-9310
(Registrants 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 þ
No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer o
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Accelerated filer þ
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Non-accelerated filer o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
As of May 8, 2006, the registrant had 37,195,053 shares of its common stock, $0.001 par value per
share, issued and outstanding.
INTROGEN THERAPEUTICS, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
INTROGEN THERAPEUTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
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December 31, |
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March 31, |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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(Unaudited) |
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ASSETS |
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Current Assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
28,090 |
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$ |
6,537 |
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Short term investments |
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5,032 |
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20,841 |
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Total cash, cash equivalents and short term investments |
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33,122 |
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27,378 |
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Marketable securities |
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2,892 |
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2,764 |
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Prepaid expense and other current assets |
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297 |
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282 |
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Total current assets |
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36,311 |
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30,424 |
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Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $12,588 and $12,946, respectively |
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6,181 |
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5,859 |
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Grant rights acquired |
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163 |
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Other assets |
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326 |
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321 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
42,981 |
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$ |
36,604 |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
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Current Liabilities: |
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Accounts payable |
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$ |
2,258 |
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$ |
2,481 |
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Accrued liabilities |
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3,296 |
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2,938 |
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Deferred revenue |
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472 |
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513 |
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Current portion of notes payable |
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756 |
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730 |
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Total current liabilities |
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6,782 |
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6,662 |
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Notes payable, net of current portion |
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7,784 |
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7,683 |
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Deferred revenue, long-term |
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1,404 |
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1,358 |
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Total liabilities |
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15,970 |
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15,703 |
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Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8) |
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Stockholders Equity: |
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Preferred stock, $.001 par value per share; 5,000 shares authorized; 4,900 shares
issuable; 100 and zero Series A shares issued and outstanding in 2005 and 2006,
respectively |
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Common stock, $.001 par value per share; 100,000 shares authorized; 37,147 and 37,195
shares issued and outstanding in 2005 and 2006, respectively |
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37 |
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37 |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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170,675 |
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172,844 |
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Deferred compensation |
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(68 |
) |
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Accumulated deficit |
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(143,459 |
) |
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(151,678 |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
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(174 |
) |
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(302 |
) |
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Total stockholders equity |
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27,011 |
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20,901 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
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$ |
42,981 |
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$ |
36,604 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
INTROGEN THERAPEUTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(UNAUDITED)
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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(Unaudited) |
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Contract services, grant and other revenue |
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$ |
509 |
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$ |
225 |
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Operating costs and expense: |
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Research and development, including share-based
compensation of zero and $217 in 2005 and 2006,
respectively |
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5,239 |
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5,046 |
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General and administrative, including share-based
compensation of $88 and $2,021 in 2005 and 2006,
respectively |
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1,810 |
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3,796 |
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Total operating costs and expense |
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7,049 |
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8,842 |
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Loss from operations |
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(6,540 |
) |
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(8,617 |
) |
Interest income |
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184 |
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299 |
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Interest expense |
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(150 |
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(156 |
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Other income |
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275 |
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255 |
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Net loss |
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$ |
(6,231 |
) |
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$ |
(8,219 |
) |
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Net loss per share, basic and diluted |
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$ |
(0.20 |
) |
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$ |
(0.22 |
) |
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Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share |
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30,741 |
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37,180 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
INTROGEN THERAPEUTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(UNAUDITED)
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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(Unaudited) |
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net loss |
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$ |
(6,231 |
) |
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$ |
(8,219 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
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Depreciation |
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400 |
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358 |
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Share-based compensation |
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88 |
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2,238 |
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Amortization of grant rights acquired |
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237 |
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133 |
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Changes in assets and liabilities: |
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Increase (decrease) in other assets |
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(25 |
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20 |
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Increase (decrease) in accounts payable |
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(139 |
) |
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223 |
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Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities |
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(358 |
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(357 |
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Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue |
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153 |
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(6 |
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Net cash used in operating activities |
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(5,875 |
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(5,610 |
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Cash flows from investing activities: |
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Purchases of property and equipment |
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(97 |
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(36 |
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Purchases of short-term investments |
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(14,046 |
) |
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(15,809 |
) |
Maturities of short-term investments |
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5,964 |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
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(8,179 |
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(15,845 |
) |
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Cash flows from financing activities: |
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Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
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346 |
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29 |
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Proceeds from notes payable |
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265 |
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97 |
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Principal payments under notes payable |
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(171 |
) |
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(224 |
) |
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Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
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440 |
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(98 |
) |
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Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
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(13,614 |
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(21,553 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
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30,187 |
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28,090 |
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Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
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$ |
16,573 |
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$ |
6,537 |
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Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
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Cash paid for interest |
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$ |
133 |
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$ |
148 |
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Non-cash unrealized loss on marketable securities |
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$ |
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$ |
128 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
INTROGEN THERAPEUTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Formation and Business of the Company
See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Part I, Item 2) below for a discussion of our business.
We have not yet generated any significant revenue from unaffiliated third parties, nor is
there any assurance of future product revenue. Presently, we earn minimal revenue from contract
services activities, grants, interest income and rent from the lease of a portion of our facilities
to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. We do not expect to generate revenue from
the commercial sale of our products in the near future. We may never generate revenue from the
commercial sale of our products.
Our research and development activities involve a high degree of risk and uncertainty. Our
ability to successfully develop, manufacture and market our proprietary products is dependent upon
many factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, the need for and the ability to obtain
additional financing, the reliance on collaborative research and development arrangements with
corporate and academic affiliates and the ability to develop manufacturing, sales and marketing
experience. Additional factors include uncertainties as to patents and proprietary technologies,
competitive technologies, technological change and risk of obsolescence, development of products,
competition, government regulations and regulatory approval, and product liability exposure. As a
result of these factors and the related uncertainties, there can be no assurance of our future
success.
2. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These
financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required under United
States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In managements
opinion, all accounting entries considered necessary for a fair presentation have been made in
preparing these financial statements, and such entries are normal in nature. Operating results for
the three month period ended March 31, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may
be expected for the entire fiscal year.
3. Significant Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial
statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed
with the SEC on March 16, 2006. Those accounting policies remain in effect except to the extent
described in the following notes.
Share-Based Compensation
Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R
(SFAS No. 123R), Accounting For Share-Based Compensation. From that date forward, we record
share-based compensation expense for all stock options issued to all persons to the extent that
such options vest on January 1, 2006 or later. That expense is determined under the fair value
method using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. We recognize that expense ratably over the
period the stock options vest.
Prior to January 1, 2006, we applied Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB No. 25),
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and related interpretations for determining compensation
expense related to our stock option grants. Under that principle, we measured compensation expense
for stock options issued to our directors and employees using the intrinsic value of the stock
option at date of grant, which generally resulted in us recording no compensation expense since the
intrinsic value of those stock options was typically zero at the date of grant due to the exercise
price of those stock options being equal to the fair value of our shares on the date of grant.
Compensation expense for stock options issued to all other persons was measured using the fair
value of the stock option at the date of grant determined under the Black-Scholes option pricing
model, which generally resulted in us recording a compensation expense.
4
The Black-Scholes option pricing model we use to compute share-based compensation expense
requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimates. Items requiring estimation
include the expected term optionholders will retain their vested stock options before exercising
them, the estimated volatility of our common stock price over the expected term of a stock option
and the number of stock options that will be forfeited prior to the completion of their vesting
requirements. Application of alternative assumptions could result in significantly different
share-based compensation amounts being recorded in our financial statements.
We implemented SFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective transition method. Under this
method, prior periods are not restated.
4. Stock Options
The 2000 Stock Option Plan (Stock Option Plan) was initiated in October 2000. All stock option
grants since that time have been under this plan. The Stock Option Plan provides for the granting
of options, either incentive or non-statutory, or stock purchase rights to our employees, directors
and consultants to purchase shares of our common stock. Option awards
are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the fair value
of the Company's stock at the date of grant. The awards generally
cliff vest 25% per year over a four year period and have contractual
terms of ten years. The Stock
Option Plan provides for annual increases
each January 1 in the number of shares available for issuance in an amount equal to the lesser of
1.6 million shares, 5% of the outstanding shares on the date of the annual increase, or a lesser
amount as may be determined by the Board of Directors. At March 31, 2006, there were approximately
2.4 million shares of common stock reserved for future grants under this plan. In the event of a
merger, reorganization or change in our controlling ownership, options granted under the Stock Option Plan (1) may be
assumed or substituted with substantially equivalent options by the successor corporation and (2) become fully vested and immediately exercisable regardless of whether or not they are assumed or substituted by
the successor corporation.
The Stock Option Plan terminates in 2010 and may be amended or terminated by the Board of
Directors.
Prior to October 2000, stock options were granted under our 1995 Stock Plan. We no longer
issue options under this plan. In the event of a merger, reorganization or change in our
controlling ownership, all options outstanding under this plan become fully vested and immediately
exercisable unless the successor corporation assumes or substitutes other options in their place.
No shares of common stock were reserved for future grants under this plan at March 31, 2006.
Our accounting policy for stock options is described in Note 3 under Share-Based
Compensation. Had we recognized share-based compensation expense in our financial statements for
the three months ended March 31, 2005 determined using the fair value method for all stock options
(as allowed by SFAS No. 123), our net loss would have been increased to the following pro forma
amounts (in thousands, except per share information):
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, 2005 |
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Net loss, as reported |
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$ |
(6,231 |
) |
Add: Share-based employee compensation expense
included in reported net loss |
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Deduct: Total share-based employee compensation
expense determined under fair value based method
for all awards |
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(750 |
) |
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Pro forma net loss |
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$ |
(6,981 |
) |
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Loss per share: |
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Basic and Diluted as reported |
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$ |
(0.20 |
) |
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Basic and Diluted pro forma |
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$ |
(0.23 |
) |
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|
These pro forma disclosures are not applicable to the three months ended March 31, 2006,
because share-based compensation expense for all stock options vesting during that period is
recognized in our financial statements for that period. Our adoption of SFAS No. 123R increased
research and development expense by $217,000 and general and administrative expense by $2.0 million
for the three months ended March 31, 2006.
5
Activity under our option plans is as follows:
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Weighted |
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Weighted Average |
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Average |
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Remaining |
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Options |
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Exercise Price |
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Contractual |
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Aggregate Intrinsic |
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Outstanding |
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per Share |
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Life |
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Value
(000s) |
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Balance, December 31, 2005 |
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5,978,369 |
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$ |
4.49 |
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n/a |
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n/a |
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Granted |
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265,200 |
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5.47 |
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n/a |
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n/a |
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Exercised |
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(44,826 |
) |
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|
0.64 |
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n/a |
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n/a |
|
Cancelled |
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(3,075 |
) |
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5.60 |
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n/a |
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n/a |
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Balance, March 31, 2006 |
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6,195,668 |
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|
4.56 |
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|
6.76 |
|
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$ |
6,822 |
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Exercisable at March 31, 2006 |
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3,963,709 |
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|
3.86 |
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|
5.96 |
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$ |
6,179 |
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Additional information of note related to our stock options includes:
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The weighted average fair value of options granted during the three months ended March
31, 2006 was $3.96. |
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|
The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options at exercise, represented in the table
above, was $207,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2006. |
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|
The total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested stock
options and subject to recognition in future periods was approximately $8.1 million as of
March 31, 2006. This amount relates to approximately 2.2 million shares with a per share
weighted average fair value of $5.14. We anticipate this expense to be recognized over a
weighted average period of approximately 1 year. |
We applied the following assumptions on a weighted average basis in computing the fair value
of stock options at their date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model:
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Expected volatility |
|
|
91.80 |
% |
|
|
90.41 |
% |
Risk free interest rate |
|
|
4.12 |
% |
|
|
4.31 |
% |
Expected dividend yield |
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|
0.00 |
% |
|
|
0.00 |
% |
Expected life, in years |
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|
10.00 |
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|
5.07 |
|
Specifics regarding these assumptions include:
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The expected volatility is calculated using the daily historical volatility of our
common stock since our initial public offering in October 2000, which approximates the
expected life of the option grants. |
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|
The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. treasury yield curve for a
seven-year term and the ten-year zero coupon treasury bill rate for the three months
ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. |
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|
As allowed by Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, we have elected to apply the
shortcut approach in developing our estimate of expected term for plain vanilla
stock options by using the mid-point between the vesting date and contractual
termination date. |
We periodically evaluate and revise, as necessary, the assumptions used to calculate the fair
value of our stock options in response to changing market conditions and experience.
5. Intangible Assets
Our intangible assets with definite lives that are subject to amortization, all of which arose
from our acquisition of Magnum Therapeutics Corporation (Magnum) in 2004, are as follows (in
thousands):
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December 31, 2005 |
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March 31, 2006 |
|
|
|
Gross |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
To Carrying |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Amortization |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Amortization |
|
|
Amount |
|
Asset acquisition: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquired grant rights (22 month amortization period) |
|
$ |
1,741 |
|
|
$ |
(1,578 |
) |
|
$ |
163 |
|
|
$ |
1,741 |
|
|
$ |
(30 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,711 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
Ending balance |
|
$ |
1,741 |
|
|
$ |
(1,578 |
) |
|
$ |
163 |
|
|
$ |
1,741 |
|
|
$ |
(30 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,711 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
Research and development expense includes amortization of intangibles of $133,000 and $237,000
for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005, respectively. During the three months
ended March 31, 2006, the acquired grant rights were reduced by $30,000 as a result of the final
contractual settlement of the purchase of Magnum. During the three months ended December 31, 2005,
we changed our estimate of the useful life of the acquired grant rights from 22 months to 17
months. The effect of
6
this change was to increase amortization expense in 2005 and decrease amortization expense in
2006 by $470,000. Estimated annual amortization expense for fiscal year 2006 is $133,000 and zero
thereafter.
6. Investment in VirRx, Inc.
Under an agreement with VirRx, Inc. (VirRx), we purchased $150,000 of their Series A Preferred
Stock in the three month period ended March 31, 2006 and the three month period ended March 31,
2005. We record these purchases as research and development expense. We are no longer required to
make periodic purchases of their Series A Preferred Stock under this agreement but may be required
to make additional stock purchases in the event VirRx reaches certain specified milestones as
described below in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Business and Collaborative Arrangements VirRx, Inc. VirRx is required to use the
proceeds from these stock sales in accordance with the terms of a collaboration and license
agreement between VirRx and us for the development of VirRxs technologies. We may unilaterally
terminate this collaboration and license agreement upon 90 days prior written notice. In accordance
with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation 46R, Consolidation of
Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, VirRx is not
consolidated in our financial statements. For additional discussion of our agreements with VirRx,
see Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2005, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2006.
7. Investment in SR Pharma plc
In July 2005, we purchased approximately 8.3% of the issued share capital of SR Pharma plc (SR
Pharma) for approximately $3.0 million. SR Pharma is a European biotechnology company publicly
traded on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) that is developing
oncology and other products. This investment is classified as marketable securities on our balance
sheet. Marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are presented at fair value
with any unrealized gains or losses included in other comprehensive income (loss).
8. Mortgage Note Payable
We have a mortgage note payable to a bank related to our facilities that had an outstanding
principal balance of $7,427,000 and $7,482,000 at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005,
respectively. In April 2006, we exercised our option to extend the note payable to a November 2009
maturity date, at which time the remaining outstanding principal balance is payable in full. As a
result, the interest rate changed from 6.25% to 7.35% and our monthly installments of principal and
interest changed from approximately $56,000 per month to approximately $61,000 per month. Our
facilities are pledged as security for the mortgage note payable.
9. Stockholders Equity
Stock Sales
In November 2005, we sold approximately 3.6 million shares of our common stock in a direct
equity sale to Colgate-Palmolive pursuant to a shelf registration statement for an aggregate
purchase price of approximately $20.0 million. Our net proceeds from this transaction, after
related fees and expense, were approximately $19.6 million. For additional discussion of our
agreements with Colgate-Palmolive, see Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included in
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed with the SEC on March
16, 2006.
Conversion of Preferred Stock to Common Stock
In 2001, we sold 100,000 shares of $0.001 par value, Series A Non-Voting Convertible Preferred
Stock to Aventis Pharmaceutical Products, Inc. (Aventis), which is now Sanofi-Aventis, for $25.0
million. In June 2005, these 100,000 issued and outstanding shares of our Series A non-voting
convertible preferred stock were converted into 2,343,721 shares of our common stock. Following the
conversion, these shares of preferred stock were cancelled and are no longer issuable. We received
no cash or other consideration in connection with this conversion.
Under a voting agreement related to these shares, Aventis must vote all of the shares of ours
it holds in the same manner as the shares voted by a majority of the other stockholders on any
corporate action put to a vote of our stockholders. This voting requirement terminates at the
earliest of June 2011 or the sale of these shares pursuant to an effective registration statement
on the open market or to an Aventis non-affiliate, as defined in the voting agreement.
7
Pursuant to a demand registration made by Aventis in accordance with the terms of a
registration rights agreement related to these shares, in November 2005 we filed a Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-129687) to facilitate the public resale of up to 4,322,369
shares of our common stock held by Aventis, which includes the converted shares. This registration
statement has been declared effective by the SEC and Aventis may resell these shares from time to
time in the open market pursuant to the registration statement. We will not receive any of the
proceeds from the sale of the shares held by Aventis. As of March 31, 2006, Aventis held
approximately 4.2 million shares of our common stock subject to the voting agreement.
After this conversion, we have 5.0 million shares of authorized and unissued preferred shares,
of which 100,000 shares have been cancelled and 4.9 million shares are undesignated and issuable.
10. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss
Accumulated other comprehensive income or loss is included as a component of stockholders
equity and is composed of (1) foreign currency translation adjustments and (2) unrealized gains and
losses on investments designated as available-for-sale securities. Accumulated comprehensive income
(loss) is calculated as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(6,231 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,219 |
) |
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(128 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(6,231 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,347 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our condensed
consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q. The discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). These forward-looking statements are
based on our current expectations and entail various risks and uncertainties. Our actual results
could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of
various factors, including those set forth below under Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Product Development Overview
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in 1993. We are a biopharmaceutical
company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted molecular therapies
for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. We are developing product candidates to treat a
wide range of cancers using tumor suppressors, cytokines and other targeted molecular therapies.
These agents are designed to increase production of normal cancer-fighting proteins that act to
overpower cancerous cells, stimulate immune activity and enhance conventional cancer therapies.
Our primary approach to the treatment of cancers is to deliver targeted molecular therapies
that increase production of normal cancer-fighting proteins to induce apoptosis, cell cycle
control, cell growth control and gene regulation, including the regulation of angiogenic and immune
factors. Our products work by acting as templates for the transient in vivo production of proteins
that have pharmacological properties. The resultant proteins engage disease-related molecular
targets or receptors to produce specific therapeutic effects.
We believe the use of molecular therapies that are cleared from the body after administration
in order to induce the production of biopharmaceutical proteins is an emerging field presenting a
new approach for treating many cancers without the toxic side effects common to traditional
therapies. We have developed significant expertise in developing targeted therapies that may be
used to treat disease and in using what we believe are safe and effective delivery systems to
transport these agents to the cancer cells. We believe we are able to treat a number of cancers in
a way that kills cancer cells without harming normal cells.
8
The Introgen Strategy
Our objective is to be a leader in the development of targeted molecular tumor suppressor
therapies and other products for the treatment of cancer and other diseases that, like cancer,
result from cellular dysfunction and uncontrolled cell growth. To accomplish this objective, we are
pursuing the following strategies:
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|
|
Develop and Commercialize ADVEXIN therapy, INGN 225 and INGN 241 for Multiple Cancer
Indications. We plan to continue our development programs to commercialize our ADVEXIN
therapy using the p53 tumor suppressor and our INGN 241 product using the mda-7 tumor
suppressor, also know as interleukin 24 (IL-24), in multiple cancer indications. |
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|
Develop Our Portfolio of Targeted Molecular Therapies and Other Drug Products. Utilizing
our significant research, clinical, regulatory and manufacturing expertise, we are
evaluating development of additional molecular therapies for various cancers, such as INGN
225, a highly specific cancer immunotherapy, INGN 234, an oral rinse or mouthwash
formulation containing the p53 tumor suppressor, INGN 401, using the FUS-1 tumor suppressor,
and INGN 007, a replication-competent viral therapy. We have established an efficient
process for evaluating new drug candidates and advancing them from pre-clinical to clinical
development. We have identified and licensed multiple technologies, which we intend to
combine with our adenoviral and non-viral vector systems and which we believe are attractive
development targets for the treatment of various cancers. We are also evaluating the
development of mebendazole (INGN 601), our first small molecule product candidate. We intend
to evaluate additional opportunities to in-license or acquire new technologies. |
|
|
|
|
Develop a Nanoparticle Systemic Administration Platform. Early pre-clinical and clinical
studies with these new nanoparticle drugs have demonstrated a good safety profile and
promising anti-cancer activity. In addition to FUS-1, we incorporate the p53 tumor
suppressor and the mda-7 tumor suppressor in these nanoparticle formulations. |
|
|
|
|
Develop the Topical Use of Tumor Suppressors. We plan to continue developing topical
product candidates for the treatment or prevention of oral and dermal cancers. We believe
these treatments are a logical extension of our loco-regional delivery of cancer therapies
and represent attractive product candidates since pre-malignant and malignant cells can be
exposed to natural, biological tumor suppressors and DNA repairing agents. |
|
|
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|
Establish Targeted Sales and Marketing Capabilities. The oncology market can be
effectively addressed by a small, focused sales force because it is characterized by a
concentration of specialists in relatively few major cancer centers. We believe we can
address this market by a combination of building a direct sales force as part of the ADVEXIN
therapy commercialization process and pursuing marketing and distribution agreements with
corporate partners for ADVEXIN therapy as well as additional products. |
|
|
|
|
Expand Our Market Focus to Non-Cancer Indications. We plan to leverage our scientific,
research and process competencies in molecular therapy and vector development to pursue
targeted molecular therapies for a variety of other diseases and conditions. We believe
these therapies could hold promise for diseases such as cardiovascular disease and
rheumatoid arthritis, which, like cancer, result from cellular dysfunction or uncontrolled
cell growth. |
ADVEXIN® Therapy (p53)
Our lead product candidate, ADVEXIN® therapy, combines the p53 tumor suppressor
with a non-replicating, non-integrating adenoviral delivery system we have developed and
extensively tested. The p53 molecule is one of the most potent members of a group of
naturally-occurring tumor suppressors, which act to kill cancer cells, arrest cancer cell growth
and protect cells from becoming cancerous.
ADVEXIN therapy for head and neck cancer has been designated an Orphan Drug under the Orphan
Drug Act. This designation may give us up to seven years of marketing exclusivity for ADVEXIN
therapy for this indication if approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
We have two ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials of ADVEXIN therapy in patients with recurrent
squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. These trials involve administration of ADVEXIN therapy,
both independently and in combination with chemotherapy, in recurrent squamous cell cancer of the
head and neck.
We have received Fast Track designation for ADVEXIN therapy from the FDA under its protocol
assessment program as a result of the FDAs agreement with the design of our two ongoing Phase 3
clinical trials of ADVEXIN therapy. Under this Fast Track designation, the FDA will take actions to
expedite the evaluation and review of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for
9
ADVEXIN therapy. We plan to pursue with the FDA an Accelerated Approval of ADVEXIN therapy,
which is one alternative provided under a Fast Track designation.
We have reviewed historically successful FDA registration strategies for numerous cancer
drugs, noting that during the past seven years, approximately 14 cancer drugs were initially
approved based upon submissions of Phase 2 clinical data. A number of the Phase 2 trials supporting
these approvals employed single-arm studies involving relatively small patient populations.
Virtually all of those drugs relied on surrogate endpoints for approval and a substantial number of
the products were for orphan drug indications. Further, the approval in 2006 of Erbitux®
for the treatment of head and neck cancer was based on a Phase 2, uncontrolled study in which 13%
of the study patients met an endpoint of partial response.
We have conducted a series of meetings with the FDA to develop and implement the filing
strategy for the BLA for ADVEXIN therapy, which is the application for approval to market and sell
ADVEXIN therapy in the United States. As a result of these meetings, we are developing and pursuing
an initial rolling BLA filing strategy based primarily on data from our Phase 2 clinical trials of
ADVEXIN therapy for treatment of recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. The FDA has
concurred that preliminary evaluation of this data suggests a level of efficacy consistent with the
standard for the initiation of a rolling BLA (a submission process also known as Submission Of a
Partial Application or SOPA). The FDA has also concluded that ADVEXIN therapy continues to show
promise with respect to an unmet medical need since there are no approved biological therapies in
the United States for recurrent head and neck cancer. The FDA has also concluded that the clinical
development program for ADVEXIN therapy for recurrent head and neck cancer continues to meet the
criteria for Fast Track designation. In conjunction with the new data, the new analyses, and other
newly employed biological techniques, we are hopeful of more specifically targeting recurrent head
and neck cancer in patients resulting in even better efficacy than has already been demonstrated.
Accordingly, we have submitted a SOPA Request to the FDA Division of Cell and Gene Therapy
proposing a rolling BLA for ADVEXIN therapy for the treatment of recurrent head and neck cancer,
based primarily on data from our Phase 2 clinical trials. We have further proposed to the FDA that,
since the basis of the proposed rolling BLA is Phase 2 clinical data utilizing surrogate endpoints,
the rolling BLA could be evaluated under the provisions of Subpart H for Accelerated Approval. In
order to fully explore all of the review and approval possibilities for ADVEXIN therapy, the FDA
has requested we submit existing new data and analyses from the Phase 2 ADVEXIN therapy clinical
trials for recurrent head and neck cancer and consider conducting interim efficacy analyses on one
or both of our ongoing Phase 3 trials. Given that we have two ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials in
head and neck cancer as discussed further below, we and the FDA are evaluating the most effective
use of the data from these Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials in the review and approval of ADVEXIN
therapy. Regulatory approval approaches may allow Accelerated Approval on the basis of Phase 2
clinical data with subsequent confirmatory data being provided by the Phase 3 clinical studies or,
alternatively, a full approval based on data from Phase 2 and certain Phase 3 clinical trials. We
will also be exploring with the FDA whether its recently announced Critical Path Initiative, which
permits new product evaluation on the basis of specifically targeted (i.e., by prognostic or
biologic parameters) clinical trials and/or patient populations, can be used in the ADVEXIN therapy
approval process.
We have proposed to the FDA an acceleration of the initiation of the planned interim safety
analysis relative to one of our two ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials of ADVEXIN therapy in patients
with recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. We had anticipated such analysis would
have already begun, but the requisite number of survival events (i.e., patient deaths) has not
occurred. We believe such safety information will be useful to the FDA as part of our ongoing BLA
submission process. We also plan to avail ourselves of suggestions by the FDA that we consider
proposing to them an interim efficacy analysis of one or both of the ongoing Phase 3 clinical
trials. As with the acceleration of the interim safety analysis, we believe that the interim
efficacy results from one or both Phase 3 studies will be useful to the FDA in its review of our
BLA.
We have conducted multi-national, multi-site Phase 2 clinical trials of ADVEXIN therapy in 217
patients with recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck treated previously with surgery,
radiation or chemotherapy. In the combined analysis of these trials, the overall tumor growth
control rate was 59%. Tumor growth control rate represents the percentage of treated tumors where
there was disappearance of the tumor, shrinkage of the tumor or the absence of additional tumor
growth beyond 25% of pre-treatment measurements. In approximately 10% of the treated lesions there
was either complete tumor regression or a reduction of tumor size greater than or equal to 50% of
the pre-treatment size. Subpopulations of patients participating in these trials had certain
defining prognostic, medical and biological characteristics that represent refined targeting of
ADVEXIN therapy. Analysis of the data from these patient subpopulations showed objective response
rates of up to 29%. These findings, along with other data, are planned for presentation at future
scientific meetings and for future publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
We performed a Phase 2 clinical trial of ADVEXIN therapy combined with neoadjuvant
chemotherapy and surgery in women with locally advanced breast cancer. After at least 35 months of
follow-up, 92% of the treated patients were alive and 83% had survived
10
without evidence of disease recurrence. Objective clinical responses were seen following
the combined therapy in all of the patients with a median of 80% reduction in tumor size. Following
tumor shrinkage, complete tumor removal by subsequent surgery was achieved in 100% of the patients.
The results of the therapy with the addition of ADVEXIN are better than what would be expected from
neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment alone. Neoadjuvant treatments are administered prior to surgery
and represent a novel and increasingly applied approach to making surgical tumor resections less
invasive, improving outcomes and facilitating breast conservation. These data were announced during
the 2005 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
We completed a Phase 2 clinical trial of ADVEXIN therapy administered as a complement to
radiation therapy in non-small cell lung cancer. In the 19 patients who participated in the trial,
combined ADVEXIN and radiation treatment resulted in 63% biopsy-proven complete responses at three
months, which is approximately four times the expected rate using radiotherapy alone. The results
of this study were published in Clinical Cancer Research.
We performed a Phase 1/early Phase 2 clinical trial of ADVEXIN therapy for the treatment of
advanced, unresectable, squamous cell esophageal cancer. Results of this trial in patients with
esophageal cancer refractory to chemotherapy and radiation indicate three of the ten patients
treated, or 30%, had negative biopsies after receiving ADVEXIN therapy. The median survival of the
patients treated with ADVEXIN therapy was approximately twelve months, which compared favorably to
historical controls in which a median survival of less than ten months was observed for patients
who did not respond to standard treatments. Six patients, or 60%, were still alive one year after
beginning ADVEXIN therapy. This clinical trial was performed at Chiba University in Japan.
We are currently conducting additional Phase 1/2 clinical trials of ADVEXIN therapy by itself
and in combination with chemotherapy or radiation therapy in a variety of cancers. These additional
clinical trials include:
|
|
|
A Phase 2 clinical trial of ADVEXIN therapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral
cavity, or oropharynx, that can be removed surgically, to assess the feasibility, efficacy
and safety of administering ADVEXIN therapy at the time of surgery for suppression of
remaining tumor cells, followed by a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. |
|
|
|
|
A Phase 1/early Phase 2 clinical trial in which a mouthwash or oral rinse formulation of
ADVEXIN therapy, which has been designated as INGN 234, is administered to prevent
precancerous oral lesions from developing into cancerous lesions. |
We have completed other clinical trials of Advexin, including Phase 1 studies in prostate
cancer and bronchoalveolar carcinoma. To date, clinical investigators at sites in North America,
Europe and Japan have treated over 500 patients with ADVEXIN therapy, establishing a large safety
database. Findings from several of our clinical trials have been published in Clinical Cancer
Research and Proceedings of the American Society for Clinical Oncology as well as presented at
numerous conferences, including the San Antonio Breast Cancer Conference and various meetings of
the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Association for Cancer Research and the
American Society of Gene Therapy.
A growing body of data suggests ADVEXIN therapy demonstrates clinical activity in a variety of
cancer indications. Safety data from our clinical trials suggest this activity may be achieved
without the treatment-limiting side effects frequently associated with many other cancer therapies.
Our clinical trials indicate ADVEXIN therapy is well tolerated as a monotherapy. The addition
of ADVEXIN therapy to standard chemotherapy, surgery or radiation does not appear to increase the
frequency or severity of side effects normally associated with these treatment regimens.
Recent studies provide new insight into the molecular pathways by which the p53 tumor
suppressor, the active component of ADVEXIN therapy, kills tumor cells. These studies were
undertaken to provide additional molecular data supporting the activity observed during the
clinical development of ADVEXIN therapy and to provide additional information regarding the
specific pathways that mediate the observed clinical effects of ADVEXIN therapy. The studies were
conducted by our collaborators at Okayama University in Japan and at The University of Texas M. D.
Anderson Cancer Center and were published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. Other data suggest the
enhanced therapeutic effects of a combination of ADVEXIN and Erbitux therapies in an animal model
of human non-small cell lung cancer. Other pre-clinical studies conducted by our collaborators at
Wayne State University, the Karmanos Cancer Institute located in Detroit, Michigan and the
University of California-Irvine, as published in The Laryngoscope, show that the combination of
ADVEXIN therapy and docetaxel resulted in increased levels of programmed cell death in head and
neck tumor cells. Two lung cancer patients, who were part of our ADVEXIN therapy studies program
and who had recently celebrated their five-year survival anniversary, were featured in Conquest
magazine, a publication of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. In addition,
11
a patient with recurrent head and neck cancer who achieved a complete tumor remission on
ADVEXIN therapy continues to be disease-free over seven years later while receiving repeated
ADVEXIN treatments.
We hold the worldwide rights for pre-clinical and clinical development, manufacturing,
marketing and commercialization of ADVEXIN therapy.
INGN 241 (mda-7)
INGN 241 uses mda-7, a promising tumor suppressor, that we believe, like p53, has broad
potential to induce apoptosis or cell death in many types of cancer. We have combined the mda-7
tumor suppressor with our adenoviral delivery system to form INGN 241. Our pre-clinical trials have
shown the protein produced by INGN 241 suppresses the growth of many cancer cells, including those
of the breast, lung, ovaries, colon, prostate and the central nervous system, while not affecting
the growth of normal cells. Because INGN 241 kills cancer cells even if other tumor suppressors,
including p53, are not functioning properly, it appears mda-7 functions via a novel mechanism of
tumor suppression.
We have conducted pre-clinical work indicating that in addition to its known activity as a
tumor suppressor, the protein produced by mda-7 may also stimulate the bodys immune system to kill
metastatic tumor cells and to protect the body against cancer, thereby offering the potential of
providing an added advantage in treating various cancers because it may attack cancer using two
different mechanisms. Because the mda-7 tumor suppressor may act as a cytokine, or immune system
modulator, it is also known as interleukin 24, or IL-24. The mda-7 molecule may also work as a
radiation sensitizer to make several types of human cancer cells more susceptible to radiation
therapy. We have seen evidence of this effect in our pre-clinical work.
We have identified the molecular pathways by which mda-7, the active component of INGN 241,
induces growth arrest and programmed cell death or apoptosis in cancer cells. Pre-clinical studies
using lung cancer cells have demonstrated the mda-7 protein binds to a critical cellular enzyme
known as PKR. The binding of mda-7 to PKR is essential for the anti-cancer activity of INGN 241.
The identification of this binding partner demonstrates a significant advancement in understanding
how this therapeutic can be effective against cancer. Additional studies have identified bystander
killing of pancreatic cancer cells by the mda-7 protein. Bystander killing involves the killing of
neighboring tumor cells by the mda-7 protein released from adjacent INGN 241-treated tumor cells.
Pre-clinical data indicate INGN 241 works synergistically with celecoxib, marketed by Pfizer
as Celebrex®, to inhibit the growth and increase killing of breast cancer cells. These
data demonstrate the potential utility of INGN 241 in combination with celecoxib, a drug approved
for treatment of precancerous lesions of the colon as well as arthritis. The combination of
celecoxib and INGN 241 showed greater than additive increases in cell death compared with either
therapy alone and also resulted in the suppression of tumor cell growth.
Pre-clinical data indicate INGN 241 and bevacizumab, marketed by Roche Holding AG and
Genentech, Inc. as Avastin®, each inhibit tumor angiogenesis through distinct mechanisms
in models of lung cancer. Study results demonstrate that the combination of INGN 241 and Avastin
significantly increases anti-tumor activity compared with either agent used separately.
Our pre-clinical work indicates INGN 241 effectively kills cancer cells that are resistant to
cisplatin, one of the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agents. These pre-clinical studies also
identified a novel defect in a protein degradation pathway in the cisplatin-resistant cells. This
defect enhances the activity of INGN 241, suggesting that INGN 241 may have particular utility in
treating cancers that do not respond to cisplatin.
In pre-clinical studies, we have observed the expression of mda-7 in ovarian cancer cells
potently activates a cell death or apoptotic pathway regulated by the Fas signaling system. This
activation resulted in significant increases in apoptosis and inhibition of cancer cell
proliferation that were specific to cancer cells. These effects were not observed in normal ovarian
tissue, supporting previous data showing a cancer-selective effect of INGN 241.
We have published the results of a pre-clinical study indicating INGN 241 may suppress the
growth in vivo of non-small cell lung cancer through apoptosis in combination with
anti-angiogenesis. The data demonstrate INGN 241 can inhibit production of the VEGF protein, a
potent inducer of angiogenesis, within lung cancer cells, which in turn inhibits tumor
angiogenesis, a key requirement for tumor growth.
12
Pre-clinical work has demonstrated administration of INGN 241 results in the development of
systemic immune responses against tumor cells and suggests INGN 241 could be used as a novel cancer
molecular immunotherapy. In pre-clinical studies, implantation of INGN 241-treated tumor cells into
mice resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth. Significantly, mice immunized with INGN
241-treated cells showed inhibition of tumor growth after a subsequent challenge with additional
tumor cells.
We have conducted pre-clinical studies with INGN 241 in breast cancer cell lines as a single
agent, as well as in combination with radiation therapy, with chemotherapy (Taxotere or
Adriamycin), with the hormone inhibitor Tamoxifen and with Herceptin, a biologic cancer therapy. In
all settings, INGN 241 reduced cell growth and increased programmed tumor cell death (apoptosis).
This effect was enhanced when combined with drugs currently used to treat breast cancer. In animal
models of breast cancer, treatment with INGN 241 alone or in combination with radiation therapy
resulted in significant decreases in tumor growth. In particular, our pre-clinical studies have
shown treatment with a combination of INGN 241 plus Herceptin induces cell death in Her-2/neu
positive breast cancer cells at a rate greater than that seen with either agent alone. In these
studies, it was also noted while Herceptin exhibited no activity on Her-2/neu negative cells, INGN
241 did induce cell death in these cells.
Pre-clinical studies indicate the mda-7 protein released from cells treated with INGN 241 can
kill nearby, untreated breast cancer cells resulting in additional therapeutic effect. This
bystander effect occurs when the therapeutic protein binds to certain receptors on nearby cancer
cells. We believe this bystander effect is significant because it could indicate the number of
cancer cells INGN 241 can kill is greater than the number of cells that take up this novel
investigational cancer therapy.
We have completed enrollment of a Phase 1/early Phase 2 clinical trial using INGN 241 to
evaluate safety, mechanism of action and efficacy in approximately 25 patients with solid tumors.
This trial has indicated that in patients with solid tumors, INGN 241 was well tolerated, was
biologically active and displayed minimal toxicity associated with its use. We have initiated later
stage clinical trials using INGN 241 in patients with metastatic melanoma and head and neck cancer.
Data from our Phase 1 trial of INGN 241 in patients with solid tumors demonstrate that direct
injection of INGN 241 induced programmed cell death in 100% of the tumors treated, even in patients
who had failed prior therapy with other anti-cancer drugs. Clinical responses were observed in 44%
of the treated lesions, including complete and partial responses (greater than or equal to 50%
reduction in tumor size) in two patients with melanoma. Patients treated with INGN 241 had
increases in a subset of T-cells that help to destroy cancer cells, which is consistent with the
role of the mda-7 protein as a member of the interleukin family of immune stimulating proteins.
Findings and results arising from our development of INGN 241 have been published in the
Journal of Leukocyte Biology, Cancer Gene Therapy, Cancer Research, Molecular Therapy, Oncogene,
Surgery, and International Immunopharmacolgy. Data from this work have also been presented at the
annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
We have an exclusive license to the mda-7 tumor suppressor for our therapeutic applications
originally from Corixa Corporation (Corixa), which was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline. Pre-clinical
studies regarding the active component of INGN 241 have included research at The University of
Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Columbia University.
INGN 225 (p53 molecular immunotherapy)
We are developing INGN 225 using the p53 tumor suppressor in a different manner to create a
molecular immunotherapy for cancer that stimulates a particular type of immune system cell known as
a dendritic cell. Research published in Current Opinion in Drug Discovery & Development concluded
that the p53 tumor suppressor can be used with a patients isolated dendritic cells as an antigen
delivery and immune enhancing therapeutic strategy. Pre-clinical testing has shown that the immune
system can recognize and kill tumors after treatment with dendritic cells stimulated by the p53
tumor suppressor, which suggests a molecular immunotherapy consisting of dendritic cells stimulated
by p53 could have broad utility as a treatment for progression of solid tumors.
We are conducting a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in collaboration with the Moffitt Cancer Center
at the University of South Florida in patients with small cell lung cancer. We are also conducting
a Phase 1/2 trial in patients with breast cancer in collaboration with the University of Nebraska.
In both trials, INGN 225 is administered after the patients have been treated with standard
chemotherapy.
Interim results from the Phase 1/2 trial in patients with extensive small cell lung cancer who
were previously treated with chemotherapy indicate that greater than 60% of the evaluable patients
in the study treated with INGN 225 had objective responses to subsequent chemotherapy.
Historically, the expected objective response rate in similar patients to further chemotherapy is
between approximately 5% and 30%. Similar patients with this type of lung cancer have a grave
prognosis with a median survival of
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approximately six months, but treated patients in this study who developed an immune response
to p53 had a median survival of approximately twelve months. These findings were published in
Clinical Cancer Research.
We believe the data indicate INGN 225 may sensitize tumors to the effects of platinum and
taxane chemotherapies. Of particular interest, patients with highly aggressive disease (termed
platinum resistant) showed improved response rates and increased survival compared to historical
controls. These findings are consistent with the results observed in lung and breast cancer
patients treated with ADVEXIN therapy that increased the expected effects of cisplatin, taxane and
doxorubicin chemotherapies. As platinum, taxanes and doxorubicin are among the most common types of
cancer chemotherapies, these findings may have important implications for improving the efficacy of
these widely utilized cancer treatments.
INGN 234 (p53 topical)
We are developing INGN 234 for the prevention of oral cancers and the treatment of oral
leukoplakia. We are conducting a Phase 1/early Phase 2 clinical trial in which p53 is being
administered in an oral mouthwash formulation to prevent precancerous oral lesions from developing
into cancerous lesions. We are conducting pre-clinical work on other topical administrations of
tumor suppressors to control or prevent oral or dermal cancers. We are investigating multiple
delivery platforms, including both viral and non-viral approaches. We are also investigating
combining delivery of our therapies with rinses, patches, ointments and enhancing polymers. We
believe the opportunity exists to develop non-toxic treatments for pre-malignant and malignant
cells that can be easily exposed to natural biological tumor suppressor and DNA repairing
molecules.
We have entered into an alliance agreement with Colgate-Palmolive to develop and potentially
market oral healthcare products. See Part I, Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations Business and Collaborative Arrangements
Alliance with Colgate-Palmolive Company below for further discussion of this alliance agreement.
INGN 401 (FUS-1)
INGN 401 uses a nanoparticle vector system to deliver the tumor suppressor FUS-1, which we
exclusively license from M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Pre-clinical studies have shown that FUS-1,
delivered using an adenoviral or a non-viral delivery system through either intravenous (systemic)
administration or direct intratumoral injection, significantly inhibits the growth of tumors and
greatly reduces the metastatic spread of lung cancer in animals.
Pre-clinical data suggest that INGN 401 may have utility as a monotherapy in lung cancer. We
have observed significant inhibition of tumor growth in lung cancer animal models following INGN
401 monotherapy treatment when compared with untreated animals.
INGN 401 has demonstrated synergistic activity with Gefitinib, a novel class of anti-cancer
agents that decrease tumor growth by inhibiting growth factor receptors that promote tumor
proliferation. While Gefitinib can produce dramatic responses in a small subset of lung cancer
patients, most lung cancers are refractory to its effects. The data indicate nanoparticle delivery
of INGN 401 can synergize with Gefitinib in killing lung tumor cells resistant to Gefitinib alone.
Furthermore, in Gefitinib-sensitive tumors, INGN 401 delivery significantly enhanced anti-cancer
activity.
A Phase 1/early Phase 2 clinical trial is ongoing at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center testing INGN
401 in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who have previously been treated with
chemotherapy. Data and findings from our work to develop INGN 401 have been published in Cancer
Gene Therapy and Cancer Research.
INGN 402 and INGN 403 (nanoparticle formulations of p53 and mda-7, respectively)
We are developing two nanoparticle formulations for systemic delivery. INGN 402 contains the
p53 tumor suppressor and INGN 403 contains the mda-7 tumor suppressor, also known as interleukin 24
(IL-24). Early studies with these new nanoparticle drug candidates have demonstrated a good safety
profile and promising anti-cancer activity in murine lung tumor models. Data from the mda-7
nanoparticle studies was published in DNA and Cell Biology.
INGN 007 (replication-competent viral therapy)
We are developing INGN 007, a replication-competent viral therapy in which viruses bind
directly to cancer cells, replicate in those cells, and cause those cancer cells to die.
Pre-clinical testing in animal models indicates INGN 007 over-expresses a molecule that allows the
vector to saturate the entire tumor. This testing has demonstrated that INGN 007 has a favorable
safety profile and
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significantly inhibits tumor growth. Findings from this work to develop INGN 007 have been
published in Cancer Research and were presented at a meeting of the American Society of Clinical
Oncology. We are developing this replication-competent viral therapy through our strategic
collaboration with VirRx.
Other Research and Development Programs
We are conducting a number of pre-clinical and research programs involving a variety of
targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer. These programs involve molecules that act through
diverse mechanisms to inhibit the growth of or kill cancer cells.
We licensed from M. D. Anderson Cancer Center a group of molecules known as the 3p21.3 family.
Pre-clinical research performed on these molecules by collaborators at The University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center and M. D. Anderson Cancer Center suggests that the 3p21.3 family plays
a critical role in the suppression of tumor growth in lung and other cancers. This family of
molecules includes the FUS-1 tumor suppressor we are testing as INGN 401. We are working with M. D.
Anderson Cancer Center to further evaluate other 3p21.3 family molecules as clinically relevant
therapeutics.
We are evaluating additional molecules, including BAK, which hold promise as therapeutic
candidates. BAK is a pro-apoptotic molecule that kills cancer cells. We are working with our
collaborators at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to identify and develop both viral and non-viral
vectors containing this therapeutic molecule. We had exclusive rights to use the BAK molecule under
a license with LXR Biotechnology, Inc. (LXR), the rights of which were subsequently sold to Tanox,
Inc (Tanox).
We are evaluating the development of mebendazole, our first small molecule candidate, which we
refer to as INGN 601, for treatment of cancer and other hyperproliferative diseases. The use of the
mebendazole compound is approved by the FDA for the oral treatment of parasitic diseases.
Pre-clinical work suggests that mebendazole may also be an effective treatment for cancer. The
results of pre-clinical investigations involving mebendazole and lung cancer were published in
Clinical Cancer Research and Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.
We believe our research and development expertise gained from our molecular therapies for
cancer is also applicable to other diseases that, like cancer, result from cellular dysfunction and
uncontrolled cell growth. As a result, we are conducting research in collaboration with medical
institutions to understand the safety and effectiveness of our molecular therapy product candidates
in the treatment of other diseases.
Introgen Enabling Technologies
We have a portfolio of technologies, referred to as enabling technologies, for administering
targeted molecular products to patients and for enhancing the effects of these products, which we
plan to exploit to develop additional products to treat cancer and other diseases which, like
cancer, result from cellular dysfunction and uncontrolled cell growth.
Nanoscale Viral Delivery Systems
We have demonstrated that ADVEXIN therapy and INGN 241, which use our adenoviral vector
system, enter tumor cells and express their proteins despite the bodys natural immune response to
the adenoviral vector. While the adenoviral vector system used appears to be appropriate for the
treatment of cancer by local administration, we have developed a number of additional systems that
utilize modified adenoviral vectors for delivery. These systems also may be applicable to
indications where activity of the therapeutic molecule for disease treatment is required for longer
periods of time or where systemic administration may be necessary.
Nanoparticle Systemic Delivery Platform
We have in-licensed and are developing a non-viral, nanoparticle delivery platform as a
complementary delivery technology for certain types of cancers, or clinical indications,
particularly those that require systemic administration. We are currently using this technology in
INGN 401, INGN 402 and INGN 403.
Data published in DNA and Cell Biology highlight the potential utility of combining our
nanoparticle delivery system with the mda-7 tumor suppressor for the treatment of lung cancer. The
data reported in this publication demonstrate that combining this innovative delivery system with
the mda-7 tumor suppressor results in potent anti-cancer effects and systemic tumor growth
inhibition in an animal model of lung cancer. We believe combining potent anti-cancer tumor
suppressors, such as mda-7 or p53, with our nanoparticle delivery system could allow development of
clinical strategies to attack metastatic cancers.
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Replication-Competent Viral Delivery Systems
Through our strategic collaboration with VirRx, we are developing replication-competent viral
therapies in which viruses bind directly to cancer cells, replicate in those cells, and cause those
cancer cells to die. This technology forms the basis for our INGN 007 product development. We
anticipate pursuing clinical confirmation as to whether this self-amplifying delivery system can
complement our existing adenoviral delivery system, which is replication disabled, in selected
therapeutic scenarios, in applications beyond INGN 007.
Additional Enabling Technologies
Our research and licensing activities include a number of additional technologies that expand
our capabilities. These activities include the following:
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Multi-Molecule Vector System. This technology is designed to combine multiple
therapeutic molecules with a vector. This approach has the potential for use with both viral
and non-viral delivery systems to allow the activity of more than one molecular therapy at a
time for disease treatment. |
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Pro-Apoptotic Molecule Delivery System. This technology is designed to allow the
activity of pro-apoptotic, or apoptosis-inducing, molecules during treatment only, while
temporarily suppressing the ability of the apoptotic molecule to kill producer cells during
production. This system could facilitate higher volume production of pro-apoptotic agents. |
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Tissue-Specific Targeting Systems. This technology is designed to promote the activity
of the therapeutic molecule in only those cells which have been affected by the disease
being targeted. It is intended to be applied to both viral and non-viral vectors. |
Manufacturing and Process Development
Commercialization of a targeted molecular therapy product requires process methodologies,
formulations and quality release assays in order to produce high quality materials at a large
scale. We believe the expertise we have developed in the areas of manufacturing and process
development represents a competitive advantage. We have developed scale-up methodologies for both
upstream and downstream production processes, formulations that are safe and stable, and product
release assays that support product quality control.
We own and operate state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, including a commercial-scale,
validated manufacturing facility designed to comply with the FDAs Current Good Manufacturing
Practice requirements, commonly known as CGMP requirements. We have produced numerous batches of
ADVEXIN therapy clinical material for use in our Phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials. The design and
processes of the facility used for ADVEXIN therapy production have been reviewed with the FDA. We
plan to use our facilities for the market launch of ADVEXIN therapy. We also use our facilities to
produce INGN 241 and other investigative materials for use in clinical trials of those product
candidates. From time to time, as requirements for our own products allow, we also manufacture
pre-clinical and clinical materials for outside parties for a fee under contract services
arrangements.
Business and Collaborative Arrangements
Alliance with Colgate-Palmolive Company
In November 2005, we entered into an alliance agreement with Colgate-Palmolive to develop and
potentially market oral healthcare products. In connection with the alliance agreement and pursuant
to a common stock purchase agreement, Colgate-Palmolive purchased 3,610,760 shares of our common
stock at a purchase price of $5.539 per share for a total of approximately $20.0 million. These
shares are subject to trading and transfer restrictions for one year from the date of purchase.
Under the common stock purchase agreement, Colgate-Palmolive also agreed to vote these shares and
any other shares of our capital stock owned by it in favor of corporate actions approved by our
Board of Directors. This voting agreement is subject to suspension or termination upon certain
events specified in the common stock purchase agreement.
Pursuant to the alliance agreement, we will conduct research and development activities
involving specialized formulations of our molecular therapies (such as p53, mda-7 and FUS-1)
targeted at precancerous conditions of the oral cavity and at oral cancer. The
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objective is to market these formulations as oral healthcare products. Excluded from the
alliance agreement is our current portfolio of cancer product candidates, including ADVEXIN
therapy, INGN 241, INGN 225 and INGN 401.
Under the alliance agreement, Colgate-Palmolive has a first right to negotiate development,
manufacturing, marketing and distribution rights with us for specifically designed oral healthcare
products for use in the human oral cavity that may result from these research and development
activities. In addition, we agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop one or more
specialized oral formulations through completion of Phase 2 clinical trials within the seven-year
term of the alliance agreement. We can terminate our development efforts earlier under certain
circumstances, including if the prospects for these products do not warrant further investment, or
if we expend $15.0 million in this effort. In calculating the amount of our expenditures on these
efforts, we may include grant funding received by us or our collaborators for work performed by
third parties (e.g., universities and other institutions) that is directly related to program
activities, as specified in the alliance agreement. The term of the alliance agreement continues to
November 2012, unless earlier terminated by the parties as provided in the alliance agreement.
VirRx, Inc.
We are working with VirRx to investigate other vector technologies, specifically
replication-competent viral therapies, for delivering products into targeted cells. These
technologies form the basis for our INGN 007 product candidate.
We have an agreement with VirRx, which began in 2002, to purchase shares of VirRxs Series A
Preferred Stock. From inception of this agreement through March 31, 2006, we have purchased
$2,475,000 of this stock for cash, of which we purchased $150,000 in the three month period ended
March 31, 2006 and the three month period ended March 31, 2005. These purchases are recorded as
research and development expense. We are no longer required to make periodic purchases of their
Series A Preferred Stock under this agreement but may be required to make additional stock
purchases in the event VirRx reaches certain specified milestones as described below.
VirRx is required to use the proceeds from these stock sales in accordance with the terms of a
collaboration and license agreement between VirRx and us for the development of VirRxs
technologies. We may unilaterally terminate this collaboration and license agreement upon 90 days
prior written notice.
Provided the collaboration and license agreement remains in place, we are required to make
milestone stock purchases, either for cash or through the issuance of our common stock, upon the
completion of Phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials involving technologies licensed under this
agreement. We are required to make a $5.0 million cash milestone payment to VirRx, for which we
receive no VirRx stock, upon approval by the FDA of a BLA for the first collaboration product based
on these technologies. To the extent we have already made cash milestone payments, we may receive a
credit of 50% of the Phase 2 clinical trial milestone payments and 25% of the Phase 3 clinical
trial milestone payments against this $5.0 million cash milestone payment. The milestone stock
purchases and cash payment are not anticipated to be required in the near future. We have an option
to purchase all outstanding shares of VirRx at any time until March 2007.
SR Pharma plc
In July 2005, we purchased approximately 8.3% of the issued share capital of SR Pharma for
approximately $3.0 million. As of March 31, 2006, the shares we purchased had a fair market value
of $2.8 million. SR Pharma is a European biotechnology company publicly traded on the Alternative
Investment Market of the LSE that is developing oncology and other products.
Academic and Other Collaborations
Academic collaboration agreements have been a cost-effective way of expanding our intellectual
property portfolio, generating data necessary for regulatory submissions, accessing industry
expertise and finding new technology in-license candidates, all without building a large internal
scientific and administrative infrastructure.
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Many of our core technologies were developed by scientists at The University of Texas M. D.
Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, one of the largest academic cancer centers in the world.
We sponsor research conducted at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to further the development of
technologies that have potential commercial viability. Through these sponsored research agreements,
we have access to M. D. Anderson Cancer Centers resources and expertise for the development of our
technology. In
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addition, we have the right to include certain patentable inventions arising from these
sponsored research agreements under our exclusive license with M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
We entered into a license agreement with The Board of Regents of the University of Texas
System and M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in 1994. The license agreement terminates on July 20, 2009
(if no patent rights are applicable) or upon the last to expire of the relevant patents. The
agreement is also terminable upon our insolvency, either partys breach or upon our notice on a
patent-by-patent basis. The technologies we have licensed from M. D. Anderson Cancer Center under
the exclusive license agreement relate to multiple technologies. Under the agreement, we have
agreed to pay M. D. Anderson Cancer Center royalties on sales of products utilizing these
technologies. We are obligated to reimburse any of M. D. Anderson Cancer Centers costs that may be
incurred in connection with obtaining patents related to the licensed technologies. Our strategy
for product development is designed to take advantage of the significant multidisciplinary
resources available at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. These efforts have resulted in our becoming a
significant corporate sponsor of activities at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in recent years and
have yielded to us exclusive patent and licensing rights to numerous technologies.
National Cancer Institute
We have a cooperative research and development agreement, or CRADA, with the National Cancer
Institute (NCI). The CRADA has a flexible duration, but is terminable upon the mutual consent of
the parties or upon 30 days notice of either party. Under the CRADA, the NCI agreed to sponsor and
conduct pre-clinical and human clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness and potential
superiority to other treatments of ADVEXIN therapy against a range of designated cancers, including
breast cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer and brain cancer. To date, the NCI has conducted or
is conducting numerous Phase 1 clinical trials for ADVEXIN therapy. The NCI provided most of the
funding for these activities. We supplied the NCI with ADVEXIN therapy product to be administered
in these trials. We have exclusive rights to all pre-clinical and clinical data accumulated under
the CRADA.
Research and License Agreement for the mda-7 Tumor Suppressor
We have a research and license agreement with Corixa, pursuant to which we acquired an
exclusive, worldwide license to the mda-7 tumor suppressor for the therapeutic applications we are
pursuing. This agreement was originally with Corixa, which subsequently was acquired by
GlaxoSmithKline. The agreement is effective until the last to expire of the subject patents. It is
terminable upon the breach or insolvency of either party, or upon our notice on a patent-by-patent
or product-by-product basis. Under the agreement, we paid Corixa an initial license fee and have
agreed to make additional payments upon the achievement of development milestones, as well as
royalty payments on product sales. We also made research payments to Corixa in connection with
research it performed involving the mda-7 tumor suppressor. Corixa originally licensed the mda-7
tumor suppressor from Columbia University.
The University of South Florida and the Moffitt Cancer Center
We are collaborating with the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute to advance
our INGN 225 molecular cancer immunotherapy program. Moffitt Cancer Center has conducted
pre-clinical research with us, and they are currently treating patients in the ongoing INGN 225
clinical study. We are designing additional studies in collaboration with Moffitt Cancer Center
personnel to continue clinical research in the dendritic cell molecular immunotherapy field.
Marketing and Sales
We are focusing our current product development and commercialization efforts on the oncology
market. This market is characterized by its concentration of specialists in relatively few major
cancer centers, which we believe can be effectively addressed by a small, focused sales force. As
regulatory approval of one or more of our product candidates for commercial sale approaches, we
will address the methods of sales and marketing available to us. We will continue to evaluate the
merits of building our own direct sales force, pursuing marketing and distribution arrangements
with corporate partners or some combination of both.
Patents and Intellectual Property
Our Portfolio
Our success will depend in part on our ability to develop and maintain proprietary aspects of
our technology. To this end, we have an intellectual property program directed at developing
proprietary rights in technology that we believe may be important to our success. We also rely on a
licensing program to ensure continued strong technology development and technology transfer from
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companies and research institutions with whom we work. We have entered into a number of
exclusive license agreements or options with companies and institutions, including M. D. Anderson
Cancer Center, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Corixa, which was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline, Aventis
Pharmaceutical Products, Inc. (Aventis), which is now Sanofi-Aventis, Columbia University, VirRx
and LXR, with the LXR rights being subsequently sold to Tanox. In addition to patents, we rely on
trade secrets and proprietary know-how, which we seek to protect, in part, through confidentiality
and proprietary information agreements.
We currently own or have an exclusive license to a large number of issued and pending United
States and foreign patents and patent applications. If we do not seek a patent term extension, the
currently issued United States patents that we own or have exclusively licensed will expire between
the years 2010 and 2017. The exclusive licenses that give us rights on the patents, and
applications that such licenses cover, will expire no earlier than the life of any patent covered
under the license.
Adenoviral p53 Compositions and Therapies
In developing our patent portfolio, we have focused our efforts in part on seeking protection
for our potential products and how they will be used in the clinical trials. Arising out of our
work with M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, we currently have an exclusive license to a number of
United States and corresponding international patents and patent applications directed to
adenoviruses that contain p53, referred to as adenoviral p53, adenoviral p53 DNA, adenoviral p53
pharmaceutical compositions, the production of adenoviral p53 compositions and the use of such
compositions in various cancer therapies and protocols. We have also exclusively licensed from
Aventis patent applications directed to adenoviral p53 and its clinical applications. We also have
an exclusive license to a United States patent application and corresponding international
applications directed to the use of the p53 tumor suppressor in the treatment of cancer patients
whose tumors express a normal p53 protein.
Combination Therapy with the p53 Tumor Suppressor
Our portfolio development includes seeking protection for clinical therapeutic strategies that
combine the use of the p53 tumor suppressor with traditional cancer therapies. In this regard, also
arising out of our work with M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, we have an exclusive license to two
issued United States patents with corresponding international applications directed to cancer
therapy using the p53 tumor suppressor in combination with DNA-damaging agents such as conventional
chemotherapy or radiotherapy. This patent and corresponding international applications concern the
therapeutic application of the p53 tumor suppressor before, during or after chemotherapy or
radiotherapy. We have also exclusively licensed from Aventis a United States patent and
corresponding international applications directed to therapy using the p53 tumor suppressor
together with taxanes such as Taxol® or Taxotere®. Furthermore, we have
exclusively licensed a United States patent application and corresponding international
applications directed to the use of the p53 tumor suppressor in combination with surgical
intervention in cancer therapy.
Adenovirus Production, Purification and Formulation
Another focus of our research has involved the development of procedures for the
commercial-scale production of our potential adenoviral-based products, including that of ADVEXIN
therapy. In this regard, we own three issued United States patents as well as a number of pending
United States applications and corresponding international applications directed to highly purified
adenoviral compositions, commercial-scale processes for producing adenoviral-based compositions
having a high level of purity, as well as to storage-stable formulations. These patents and patent
applications include procedures for preparing commercial quantities of recombinant adenovirus
products and include procedures applicable to the p53 tumor suppressor, as well as any of our other
potential products. We have also licensed from Aventis in the p53 field a United States patent and
corresponding international applications directed to processes for the production of purified
adenoviruses, which are useful for our product applications. With respect to storage-stable
formulations, we were issued a United States patent directed to compositions and methods concerning
improved, storage-stable adenovirus formulations. This patent is not limited to our ADVEXIN product
candidate and may eventually replace formulations currently in use.
Other Tumor Suppressors
We either own or have exclusively licensed rights in a number of other patents and
applications directed to the clinical application of various tumor suppressors other than p53,
including the mda-7, BAK, the 3p21.3 family (FUS-1) and anti-sense K-ras. We have exclusively
licensed or optioned rights in a number of issued United States patents covering the use of the
mda-7 and BAK tumor suppressors.
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Other Therapeutic, Composition and Process Technologies
We own or have exclusively licensed a number of United States and international patent
applications on a range of additional technologies. These include various applications and patents
relating to p53, combination therapy with 2-methoxyestradiol, anti-proliferative factor
technologies, retroviral delivery systems, stimulation of anti-p53, screening and product assurance
technologies, as well as second-generation p53 molecules. We have exclusively licensed a number of
United States and international applications directed to various improved vector applications
employing more than one molecular therapy for disease treatment, as well as applications directed
to the delivery of molecular therapies for disease treatment without the use of a vector, or
non-viral therapy. For example, a United States patent, exclusively licensed to us, was recently
issued that is directed to adenoviruses that exhibit tissue specific replication. We also have
exclusive rights in an issued United States patent and corresponding international applications
directed to a low toxicity analogue of IL-2, also called F42K.
Benzimidazole Small Molecule Cancer Therapy Program
We also have exclusively licensed a United States and a corresponding international patent
application directed to the use of a family of known anti-helminthic benzimidazole molecules, most
notably mebendazole, in the treatment of cancer. These applications are directed generally to the
use of small molecules of the benzimidazole family to induce apoptosis in cancers, as well as to
treat cancer patients, particularly those having p53-related cancers. Both of these therapeutic
actions are based on the discovery by our scientists and their collaborators that members of the
benzimidazole family will actively induce apoptosis in cancer cells, particularly in conjunction
with the action of an endogenous or exogenously added p53 tumor suppressor.
Trade Secrets
We rely on trade secrets law to protect technology where we believe patent protection is not
appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. In addition, we
generally require employees, academic collaborators and consultants to enter into confidentiality
agreements. Despite these measures, we may not be able to adequately protect our trade secrets or
other proprietary information. We are a party to various license agreements that give us rights to
use specified technologies in our research and development processes. If we are not able to
continue to license this technology on commercially reasonable terms, our product development and
research may be delayed. In addition, in the case of technologies that we have licensed, we do not
have the ability to make the final decisions on how the patent application process is managed, and
accordingly are unable to exercise the same degree of control over this intellectual property as we
exercise over our internally developed technology. Our research collaborators and scientific
advisors have rights to publish data and information in which we have rights. If we cannot maintain
the confidentiality of our technology and other confidential information in connection with our
collaborations, then our ability to receive patent protection or protect our proprietary
information will be diminished.
Financial Overview
Since our inception in 1993, we have used our resources primarily to conduct research and
development activities for ADVEXIN therapy and, to a lesser extent, for other product candidates.
At March 31, 2006, we had an accumulated deficit of $151.7 million. We anticipate we will incur
losses in the future that may be greater than losses incurred in prior periods. At March 31, 2006,
we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $27.4 million. During the three months
ended March 31, 2006, we used $5.6 million of cash and cash equivalents for operating activities.
In addition, we used $36,000 for purchases of property and equipment and $224,000 for principal
payments on notes payable to support those activities. These uses of cash were offset by the
receipt of $97,000 under notes payable primarily to finance equipment acquisitions and $29,000 from
sales of common stock resulting from stock option exercises. We expect to incur substantial
additional operating expense and losses over the next several years as our research, development,
pre-clinical testing and clinical trial activities continue and as we evolve our operations and
systems to support commercialization of our product candidates. These losses, among other things,
have caused and may cause our total assets, stockholders equity and working capital to decrease.
During the three months ended March 31, 2006, we earned revenue or income from federal research
grants, contract services and process development activities, the lease of a portion of our
facilities to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and interest income on cash placed in short-term,
investment grade securities. There is no assurance we will continue to earn revenue from these
sources in the future. In order to fund our operating losses, we will need to raise additional
funds through public or private equity offerings, debt financings or additional corporate
collaboration and licensing arrangements. We do not know whether such additional financing will be
available when needed or on terms favorable to us or our stockholders.
In November 2005, we sold approximately 3.6 million shares of our common stock in a direct
equity sale to Colgate-Palmolive pursuant to a shelf registration statement for an aggregate
purchase price of approximately $20.0 million. Our net proceeds from this transaction, after
related fees and expense, were approximately $19.6 million. See Part I, Item 2. Managements
Discussion and
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Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Business and Collaborative
Arrangements Alliance with Colgate-Palmolive Company above for further discussion of our
agreement with Colgate-Palmolive.
Conversion of Preferred Stock to Common Stock
In June 2005, the 100,000 issued and outstanding shares of our Series A Non-Voting Convertible
Preferred Stock held by Aventis were converted into 2,343,721 shares of our common stock. Following
the conversion, these shares of preferred stock were cancelled and are no longer issuable. We
received no cash or other consideration in connection with this conversion.
Under a voting agreement related to these shares, Aventis must vote these shares in the same
manner as the shares voted by a majority of the other stockholders on any corporate action put to a
vote of our stockholders. This voting requirement terminates at the earliest of June 2011 or the
sale of these shares pursuant to an effective registration statement, on the open market or to an
Aventis non-affiliate, as defined in the voting agreement. Pursuant to a demand registration made
by Aventis in accordance with the terms of a registration rights agreement related to these shares,
in November 2005 we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-129687) ) to
facilitate the public resale of up to 4,322,369 shares of our common stock held by Aventis, which
includes the converted shares. This registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC
and Aventis may resell these shares from time to time in the open market pursuant to the
registration statement. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares held by
Aventis. As of March 31, 2006, Aventis held approximately 4.2 million shares of our common stock
subject to the voting agreement.
After this conversion, we have 5.0 million shares of authorized and unissued preferred shares,
of which 100,000 shares have been cancelled and 4.9 million shares are undesignated and issuable.
Investment in SR Pharma plc
In July 2005, we purchased approximately 8.3% of the issued share capital of SR Pharma for
approximately $3.0 million. As of March 31, 2006, the shares we purchased had a fair market value
of $2.8 million. SR Pharma is a European biotechnology company publicly traded on the Alternative
Investment Market of the LSE that is developing oncology and other products.
Research Grants
We have received further funding under a grant from the NCI to support our Phase 2 clinical
trial of INGN 241 in patients with metastatic melanoma. We received grant funding and earned grant
revenue under this grant of zero and $118,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and
March 31, 2005, respectively.
Magnum, our wholly-owned subsidiary, received funding under a grant from the NIH for the
development of complementary adenoviral vectors for the treatment of cancer. Grant funding received
and grant revenue earned under this grant was $163,000 and $264,000 during the three months ended
March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005, respectively. The amounts earned and received during the three
months ended March 31, 2006, were the final amounts available under this grant.
The amount of grant funding, if any, available to us to perform research and development is
dependent upon many factors, including the availability of grants from government agencies, our
performing the work and incurring the costs contemplated by the grants we currently have, our
success in obtaining additional grants in the future and our compliance with statutes and
regulations governing such grants.
Critical Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue
and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments. Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments include investments in short-term, investment grade securities, which currently consist
primarily of United States federal government obligations. These investments are classified as
held-to-maturity and are carried at amortized cost. At any point in time, amortized costs may be
greater or less than fair value. If investments are sold prior to maturity, we could incur a
realized gain or loss based on the fair market value of
21
the investments at the date of sale. We could incur future losses on investments if the
investment issuer becomes impaired or the investment is downgraded.
Marketable Securities. Our marketable securities consist of issued share capital of other
public companies and are classified as available-for-sale. Unrealized gains and losses are computed
using the published share price of the applicable stock exchange at the close of business on the
last day of the reporting period and are reported as a separate component of accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders equity until realized.
Intangible Assets. Grant rights acquired, which are presented as an intangible asset on our
balance sheet, resulted from our asset acquisition related to the purchase of Magnum in October
2004. We amortize that asset to expense on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining life
of that asset. We review purchased intangible assets for impairment whenever changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Such
evaluations compare the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected
to be generated by the asset over its expected useful life. If the asset is considered to be
impaired, we record an impairment charge equal to the amount by which the carrying value of the
asset exceeds its fair value determined by utilizing a discounted cash flow technique.
Revenue Recognition. Contract services revenue is recognized when the related services are
completed and delivered to the customer. Deferred revenue is recorded for cash received for which
the related expense had not been incurred. Grant revenue is recognized as research expense relating
to a grant is incurred and the work contemplated under the grant has been performed. Rental income
from the sublease of laboratory space to third parties under leases that have variable monthly rent
amounts over the term of the lease is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the
lease. Any cash payments received in excess of rental income recognized is recorded as deferred
revenue. Rental income is included in other income in the accompanying condensed consolidated
statement of operations.
Research and Development Costs. In conducting our clinical trials of ADVEXIN therapy and
other product candidates, we procure services from numerous third-party vendors. The cost of these
services constitutes a significant portion of the cost of these trials and of our research and
development expense in general. These vendors do not necessarily provide us billings for their
services on a regular basis and, accordingly, are often not a timely source of information to
determine the costs we have incurred relative to their services for any given accounting period. As
a result, we make significant accounting estimates as to the amount of costs we have incurred
relative to these vendors in each accounting period. These estimates are based on numerous factors,
including, among others, costs set forth in our contracts with these vendors, the period of time
over which the vendor will render the services and the rate of enrollment of patients in our
clinical trials. Using these estimates, we record expense and accrued liabilities in each
accounting period that we believe fairly represent our obligations to these vendors. Actual results
could differ from these estimates, resulting in increases or decreases in the amount of expense
recorded and the related accrual. We have consistently applied these estimation procedures in the
past and plan to continue applying such procedures in the same manner during the foreseeable
future. Our experience has been that our estimates have reasonably reflected the expense we
actually incur.
Share-Based Compensation. Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123R, Accounting
For Share-Based Compensation. From that date forward, we record share-based compensation expense
for all stock options issued to all persons to the extent that such options vest on January 1, 2006
or later. That expense is determined under the fair value method using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model. We recognize that expense ratably over the period the stock options vest.
Prior to January 1, 2006, we applied APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees
and related interpretations for determining compensation expense related to our stock option
grants. Under that principle, we measured compensation expense for stock options issued to our
directors and employees using the intrinsic value of the stock option at date of grant, which
generally resulted in us recording no compensation expense since the intrinsic value of those stock
options was typically zero at the date of grant due to the exercise price of those stock options
being equal to the fair value of our shares on the date of grant. Compensation expense for stock
options issued to all other persons was measured using the fair value of the stock option at the
date of grant determined under the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which generally resulted in
us recording a compensation expense.
The Black-Scholes option pricing model we use to compute share-based compensation expense
requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimates. Items requiring estimation
include the expected term option holders will retain their vested stock options before exercising
them, the estimated volatility of our common stock price over the expected term of a stock option,
and the number of stock options that will be forfeited prior to the completion of their vesting
requirements. Application of alternative assumptions could result in significantly different
share-based compensation amounts being recorded in our financial statements.
22
We implemented SFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective transition method. Under this
method, prior periods are not restated.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Part I, Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of OperationsCritical Accounting PoliciesShareBased Compensation above for discussion of a
recently effective accounting pronouncement significant to us.
Results of Operations
Our operations consist primarily of the research and development of our product candidates and
technologies described above in Part I, Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Product Development Overview. Our research and development
expense includes, but is not limited to, expense related to personnel, facilities and equipment,
pre-clinical research, clinical trials, manufacturing of materials for use in clinical trials,
conducting data analysis and conducting regulatory documentation submissions to the FDA. Our
research and development expense can be divided between programs in the pre-clinical stage and
programs in the clinical stage, and general research and development expense attributable to all
programs. We manage our business by tracking research and development expense in these categories
in lieu of tracking research and development expense on a project-by-project basis. Tables setting
forth the amount of research and development expense we have incurred in each of these categories
are presented below under Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005.
To commercialize our product candidates, we must obtain certain regulatory approvals.
Satisfaction of regulatory requirements typically takes many years and involves compliance with
requirements covering pre-clinical research, clinical trials, manufacturing, quality control,
labeling and promotion of drugs for human use. To obtain regulatory approvals, we must, among other
requirements, complete clinical trials and other work demonstrating our product candidates are safe
and effective for a particular cancer type or other disease. The FDA and other similar agencies
throughout the world have substantial discretion over the work we must perform to obtain regulatory
approval.
The likelihood that a product candidate will be commercially successful may be affected by a
variety of factors, including, among others, the quality of the product candidate, the validity of
the target and disease indication, early clinical data, competition, manufacturing capability and
commercial viability. Because of the discretion of the FDA and similar agencies throughout the
world, as well as the foregoing factors, we cannot predict with reasonable accuracy (1) the future
expense we will incur developing these product candidates, (2) when we will complete our work in
developing these product candidates or (3) when, if ever, we will earn significant revenue from
approved products that might result from these product development programs.
For a discussion of the risks and uncertainties associated with developing our products, as
well as the risks and uncertainties associated with potential commercialization of our product
candidates, see Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors, particularly the risk factors entitled:
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|
|
If we are unable to commercialize ADVEXIN® therapy in various markets for
multiple indications, particularly for the treatment of head and neck cancer, our business
will be harmed; |
|
|
|
|
If we fail to comply with FDA requirements or encounter delays or difficulties in
clinical trials for our product candidates, we may not obtain regulatory approval of some or
all of our product candidates on a timely basis, if at all; |
|
|
|
|
Even if our products are approved by regulatory authorities, if we fail to comply with
ongoing regulatory requirements, or if we experience unanticipated problems with our
products, these products could be subject to restrictions or withdrawal from the market; |
|
|
|
|
Failure to comply with foreign regulatory requirements governing human clinical trials
and marketing approval for drugs could prevent us from selling our products in foreign
markets, which may adversely affect our operating results and financial conditions; |
23
|
|
|
If we continue to incur operating losses for a period longer than we anticipate and fail
to obtain the capital necessary to fund our operations, we will be unable to advance our
development program and complete our clinical trials; |
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|
|
|
If we cannot maintain our existing corporate and academic arrangements and enter into
new arrangements, we may be unable to develop products effectively, or at all; |
|
|
|
|
If we are not able to create effective collaborative marketing relationships, we may be
unable to market ADVEXIN therapy successfully or in a cost-effective manner; and |
|
|
|
|
Even if we receive regulatory approval to market our ADVEXIN therapy, INGN 241, INGN 225
or other product candidates, we may not be able to commercialize them profitably. |
Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005
In the following comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2006, and March 31, 2005,
references to the 2006 period refer to the three months ended March 31, 2006, and references to the
2005 period refer to the three months ended March 31, 2005.
Revenue
Contract Services, Grant and Other Revenue. For the 2006 and 2005 periods, we earned revenue
primarily from (1) research grants from U.S. Government agencies and (2) third parties under
agreements to provide contract manufacturing process development and product production services
for them. Total contract services, grant and other revenue was $225,000 for the 2006 period
compared to $509,000 for the 2005 period, a decrease of 56%. This decrease was due to (1) decreased
contract services revenue as a result of a larger portion of this work still being in progress and
not yet subject to recognition as revenue in the 2006 period compared to the 2005 period, even
though the general level of our contract services business activity was comparable between the
periods, and (2) decreased revenue earned from research grants from U.S. Government agencies
primarily as result of the completion in 2006 of funding under the grant received by Magnum.
Costs and Expense
Research and Development. Research and development expense consisted of the following (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Pre-clinical stage programs expense |
|
$ |
501 |
|
|
$ |
482 |
|
Clinical stage programs expense |
|
|
3,934 |
|
|
|
3,724 |
|
General research and development expense |
|
|
804 |
|
|
|
840 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total research and development expense |
|
$ |
5,239 |
|
|
$ |
5,046 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development expense included share-based payments expense of $217,000 in the 2006
period and zero in the 2005 period.
The 4% decrease in research and development expense in the 2006 period compared to the 2005
period was a result of (1) lower costs in the 2006 period compared to the 2005 period related to
clinical trial activities due to variations in the timing of the enrollment and treatment of
patients in our clinical trials and the analysis of the related data and (2) decreased expense
related to the amortization of grant rights acquired in the purchase of Magnum as a result of the
completion of funding under that grant in 2006. These decreases were offset by increased
share-based compensation expense resulting from the implementation of SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based
Payments. This implementation resulted in us recording share-based compensation expense for stock
option grants to officers and employees in the 2006 period for which there was no comparable
expense recorded in the 2005 period as allowed by generally accepted accounting principals in
effect during the 2005 period.
General and Administrative. General and administrative expense was $3.8 million for the 2006
period compared to $1.8 million for the 2005 period. This expense included share-based compensation
expense of $2.0 million in the 2006 period and $88,000 in the 2005 period. This 111% increase in
general and administrative expense was primarily due to higher share-based compensation expense
resulting from the implementation of SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payments. This implementation
resulted in us
24
recording share-based compensation expense for stock option grants to officers and employees
in the 2006 period for which there was no comparable expense recorded in the 2005 period as allowed
by generally accepted accounting principals in effect during the 2005 period.
Share-Based Compensation Expense. Share-based compensation expense was $2.2 million for the
2006 period compared to $88,000 for the 2005 period. The 2400% increase in this expense was due to
the implementation of SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payments, discussed above under Part I, Item 2.
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCritical
Accounting PoliciesShare-Based Compensation.
Interest Income, Interest Expense and Other Income
Interest income was $299,000 for the 2006 period compared to $184,000 for the 2005 period, an
increase of 62%. This increase was primarily due to (1) a higher average balance of cash, cash
equivalents and short-term investments in the 2006 period compared to the 2005 period and (2)
higher interest rates earned on our invested funds during the 2006 period compared to the 2005
period.
Interest expense was $156,000 for the 2006 period compared to $150,000 for the 2005 period, an
increase of 4%. This increase was primarily due to (1) additional borrowings subsequent to the 2005
period to finance equipment acquisitions and (2) higher interest rates charged on borrowings
originating subsequent to the 2005 period.
Other income was $255,000 for the 2006 period and $275,000 for the 2005 period, a decrease of
7%. This income is earned primarily from our sublease of space to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and
other miscellaneous activities. This decrease was a result of normal fluctuations in various
miscellaneous activities not significant to our overall operations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
In the following discussion of liquidity and capital resources, references to the 2006 period
refer to the three months ended March 31, 2006 and references to the 2005 period refer to the three
months ended March 31, 2005.
We have incurred annual operating losses since our inception. At March 31, 2006, we had an
accumulated deficit of $151.7 million. From inception through March 31, 2006, we have financed our
operations primarily from the following sources:
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$49.7 million of collaborative research and development payments from Aventis; |
|
|
|
|
$41.4 million of equity sales in December 2003 and December 2004 through registered
direct offerings under a shelf registration filed with the Commission; |
|
|
|
|
$39.4 million of private equity sales to Aventis; |
|
|
|
|
$32.2 million of net proceeds from our initial public offering in October 2000; |
|
|
|
|
$29.4 million of private equity sales, net of offering costs, to others (including $10.8
million from the private sale of our common stock in June 2003); |
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|
|
|
$19.6 million of equity sales, net of offering costs, to Colgate-Palmolive pursuant to an
alliance agreement entered into in November 2005; |
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|
|
|
$19.9 million from contract services, grants, interest and other income; |
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|
|
|
$9.9 million in mortgage financing from banks for our facilities; |
|
|
|
|
$7.5 million of sales of ADVEXIN therapy product to Aventis for use in later-stage clinical trials; and |
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|
$5.8 million in leases and notes payable from commercial lessors and lenders to acquire
equipment pledged as collateral for those leases and notes. |
25
At March 31, 2006, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $27.4 million,
compared to $33.1 million at December 31, 2005. Cash and cash equivalents constituted $6.5 million
and $28.1 million of these amounts at March 31, 2006, and December 31, 2005, respectively. This
decrease in cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2006, as compared to December 31, 2005 was due
to activity during the three months ended March 31, 2006, that included (1) $5.6 million used in
operating activities, (2) $15.8 million used in investing activities and (3) $98,000 used in
financing activities.
We expect to continue focusing our activities primarily on conducting Phase 3 and other
clinical trials, conducting data analysis related to those trials, preparing regulatory
documentation submissions to the FDA, producing ADVEXIN therapy and other clinical materials for
use in our clinical trials and conducting pre-marketing activities for ADVEXIN therapy. We expect
to continue our research and development of various other targeted molecular therapy technologies.
If ADVEXIN therapy or any of our other product candidates are approved for commercial sale by the
FDA, we expect to conduct activities supporting the marketing, sales, production and distribution
of those products, either ourselves or in collaboration with other parties.
The majority of our expenditures for the foreseeable future will most likely be for our
activities as they relate to ADVEXIN therapy. These activities may increase the rate at which we
use cash in the future as compared to the cash we used for operating activities during the three
months ended March 31, 2006. We believe our existing working capital can fund our operations for
the next 15 to 21 months, although we may have to make adjustments to the scope of operations to
achieve that objective. Unforeseen events could shorten that time period.
Our existing resources may not be sufficient to support the commercial introduction of any of
our product candidates. In order to fund our operating losses, we will need to raise additional
funds through public or private equity offerings, debt financings or additional corporate
collaboration and licensing arrangements. We do not know whether such additional financing will be
available when needed or on terms favorable to us or our stockholders.
Net cash used in operating activities was $5.6 million for the 2006 period compared to $5.9
million for the 2005 period. This decrease was primarily due to:
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|
A smaller net loss, exclusive of share-based compensation, in the 2006 period compared to
the 2005 period. The $8.2 million net loss in the 2006 period compares to a net loss of $6.2
million in the 2005 period. These losses include share-based compensation expense, which
does not use cash, of $2.2 million in the 2006 period and $88,000 in the 2005 period.
Accordingly, the net loss before share-based compensation expense was $6.0 million in the
2006 period compared to $6.1 million in the 2005 period, a decrease of $100,000. |
|
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|
A smaller aggregate decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the 2006
period compared to the 2005 period. Changes in these accounts arise primarily from
variations in the timing of payments to vendors that is a function of the nature of vendors
to whom we have obligations and variations in the terms of payment to them. |
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|
|
A decrease in deferred revenue during the 2006 period compared to an increase in that
amount during the 2005 period. Our deferred revenue and cash increase when we receive
payments for contract manufacturing process development and product production services work
in advance of completing the work to which the payments relate. Our deferred revenue
decreases, with no effect on cash, as we complete that work and recognize the related
revenue. The changes in deferred revenue vary based upon the timing of when we receive
prepayments for this work and when we complete the work to support recognizing revenue. The
general level of our business activity related to contract manufacturing process development
and product production services work was comparable between the 2006 period and the 2005
period. |
Net cash used in investing activities was $15.8 million for the 2006 period compared to $8.2
million for the 2005 period. This increase was primarily due to a higher level of net activity in
purchases of short-term investments in the 2006 period compared to the 2005 period due to normal
variations in the amount and timing of purchases and sales of short-term investments based on our
operating needs for cash and cash equivalents and the availability of cash from sales of our common
stock.
We have no obligations at this time to purchase significant amounts of additional property or
equipment, but our needs may change. It may be necessary for us to purchase larger amounts of
property and equipment to support our clinical programs and other research, development and
manufacturing activities. We may need to obtain debt or lease financing to facilitate such
purchases. If that financing is not available, we may need to use our existing resources to fund
those purchases, which could result in a reduction in the cash and cash equivalents available to
fund operating activities.
26
Net cash used by financing activities was $98,000 during the 2006 period compared to net cash
provided by financing activities of $440,000 during the 2005 period. This change was due to:
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|
|
A decrease in proceeds from sales of common stock due to a lower level of stock option
exercises in the 2006 period compared to the 2005 period; |
|
|
|
|
A decrease in proceeds from notes payable in the 2006 period compared to the 2005 period
due to a decrease in purchases of property and equipment resulting in a reduced need for
related financing; and |
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|
|
|
An increase in principal payments under notes payable in the 2006 period compared to the
2005 period due to additional borrowings during the 2005 period to finance equipment
purchased during that period. |
We have an agreement with VirRx, which began in 2002, to purchase shares of VirRxs Series A
Preferred Stock. Key activity and provisions under this agreement include the following:
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|
|
We have purchased VirRxs Series A Preferred Stock for cash in the amount of $2,475,000
during the period from inception of this agreement through March 31, 2006, and in the amount
of $150,000 in the 2006 period and the 2005 period. These purchases are recorded as research
and development expense. We have no plans at this time to purchase additional shares of this
stock and are no longer required to make periodic purchases of Series A Preferred Stock
under this agreement but may be required to make additional stock purchases in the event
VirRx reaches certain specified milestones as described below. |
|
|
|
|
VirRx is required to use the proceeds from these stock sales in accordance with the terms
of a collaboration and license agreement between VirRx and us for the development of VirRxs
technologies. We may unilaterally terminate this collaboration and license agreement upon 90
days prior written notice. |
|
|
|
|
Provided the collaboration and license agreement remains in place, we are required to
make milestone stock purchases, either for cash or through the issuance of our common stock,
upon the completion of Phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials involving technologies licensed
under this agreement. We are required to make a $5.0 million cash milestone payment to
VirRx, for which we receive no VirRx stock, upon approval by the FDA of a BLA for the first
collaboration product based on these technologies. To the extent we have already made cash
milestone payments, we may receive a credit of 50% of the Phase 2 clinical trial milestone
payments and 25% of the Phase 3 clinical trial milestone payments against this $5.0 million
cash milestone payment. The milestone stock purchases and cash payment are not anticipated
to be required in the near future. We have an option to purchase all outstanding shares of
VirRx at any time until March 2007. |
We have fixed debt service obligations under notes payable for which the liability is
reflected on our balance sheet. We used the proceeds from these notes payable to finance facilities
and equipment. Aggregate payments due under these obligations are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Total debt service payments for April 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 |
|
$ |
1,012 |
|
Total debt service payments due during the year ending December 31: |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
1,205 |
|
2008 |
|
|
879 |
|
2009 |
|
|
740 |
|
2010 |
|
|
735 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
10,409 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total debt service payments |
|
|
14,980 |
|
Less portion representing interest |
|
|
(6,567 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Total principal balance at March 31, 2006 |
|
$ |
8,413 |
|
|
|
|
|
Principal balance presented on the March 31, 2006 balance sheet as liabilities in these categories: |
|
|
|
|
Current portion of notes payable |
|
$ |
730 |
|
Notes payable, net of current portion |
|
|
7,683 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total principal balance at March 31, 2006 |
|
$ |
8,413 |
|
|
|
|
|
27
We have a fixed rent obligation under a ground lease for the land on which we built our
facilities. Since this is an operating lease, there is no liability reflected on our balance sheet
for this item, which is in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. We make total
annual rent payments of $156,000 under this lease which will continue until the expiration of the
initial term of this lease in September 2026. Such payments are subject to adjustment in the future
for inflation. Future minimum annual rental payments due under all operating leases are as follows
(in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
April 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 |
|
$ |
338 |
|
Year ending December 31, |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
387 |
|
2008 |
|
|
369 |
|
2009 |
|
|
250 |
|
2010 |
|
|
156 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
2,459 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total minimum lease payments under operating leases |
|
$ |
3,959 |
|
|
|
|
|
In the normal course of business, we enter into various long-term agreements with vendors to
provide services to us. Some of these agreements require up-front payment prior to services being
rendered, some require periodic monthly payments and some provide for the vendor to bill us for
their services as they are rendered. In substantially all cases, we may cancel these agreements at
any time with minimal or no penalty and pay the vendor only for services actually rendered.
Regardless of the timing of the payments under these agreements, we record the expense incurred in
the periods in which the services are rendered.
Pursuant to a consulting agreement, we pay consulting fees of approximately $175,000 per annum
to EJ Financial, a company owned by the Chairman of our Board of Directors. EJ Financial provides
us guidance on strategic product development, business development and marketing activities. We are
obligated to continue paying this fee until we terminate the services of that company at our
option.
We have a consulting agreement with Jack A. Roth, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Thoracic
Surgery and Director of the Keck Center for Gene Therapy at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson
Cancer Center where he holds the Bud Johnson Clinical Distinguished Chair. Dr. Roth is the primary
inventor of the technology upon which our ADVEXIN therapy is based and numerous other technologies
we utilize. We licensed Dr. Roths inventions from M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Roth is our
Chief Medical Advisor and chairman of our scientific advisory board. His duties involve the regular
interaction and consultation with our scientists and others on our behalf. As compensation for his
services and responsibilities, this consulting agreement provides for payments to Dr. Roth of
$205,000 per annum, with that amount subject to adjustment for inflation in the future. These
payments continue through the end of the consulting agreement term on September 30, 2009. We may
terminate this agreement at our option upon one years advance notice. If we had terminated this
agreement as of March 31, 2006, we would have been obligated to make final payments totaling
$205,000. Dr. Roth is one of our stockholders.
We have a consulting agreement with the placement agent and investment advisor who assisted us
with the sale of our common stock in December 2004. We intend to pay them a fee of $25,000 per
month on a month-to-month basis in consideration for their ongoing assistance with business
development and financial matters.
We sublease a portion of our facilities to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. They are obligated to
pay us rent and facilities operating expense reimbursements of approximately $28,000 per month
during the non-cancelable term of this lease, which expires in 2009.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our fixed rate
long-term debt and short-term investments in investment grade securities, which consist primarily
of federal government obligations. Investments are classified as held-to-maturity and are carried
at amortized cost. We do not hedge interest rate exposure or invest in derivative securities. A
hypothetical 100-basis point decrease in the interest rates of our investments at the investment
balances as of March 31, 2006 would decrease our interest income by approximately $274,000 per year
and approximately $68,500 per quarter.
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At March 31, 2006, the fair value of our fixed-rate debt approximated its carrying value based
upon discounted future cash flows using current market prices.
Equity Price Risk and Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
From time to time, we may invest in marketable securities of public companies, typically in
the form of equity instruments, for business and strategic purposes. We own British
Pound-denominated shares in SR Pharma, a publicly traded company listed on the Alternative
Investment Market of the LSE. These marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale.
Unrealized gains and losses in these marketable securities and the related foreign currency
translation adjustments are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss) in stockholders equity until realized. We are exposed to market risk for changes in
equity prices and foreign currency translation adjustments as a result of our investments in
marketable securities.
These marketable securities are subject to significant fluctuation in fair value due to the
volatility of the industry in which SR Pharma participates and changes in the relative foreign
currency values. We do not hedge our equity price risk or foreign currency translation exposure or
invest in derivative securities. A hypothetical 10% decrease in the stock price of our marketable
securities as of March 31, 2006 would decrease the value of those marketable securities by
approximately $276,000. A hypothetical 10% decrease in the value of the British Pound as of March
31, 2006 would decrease the fair value of our marketable securities by approximately $276,000. A
hypothetical 10% decrease in the stock price of our marketable securities and a hypothetical 10%
decrease in the value of the British Pound, in each case as of March 31, 2006, would decrease the
fair value of our marketable securities by approximately $525,000.
Our purchase price for these SR Pharma marketable securities was approximately $3.0 million. At
March 31, 2006, the fair value of these marketable securities was approximately $2.8 million, which
is approximately $200,000 less than our cost. The impact of the foreign currency translation
adjustment in the relative values of the Pound and the U.S. dollar was not material during this
period.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management evaluated, with the
participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of
our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer
have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information
we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There was no change in our internal
control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our
internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are involved from time to time in legal proceedings relating to claims arising out of our
operation in the ordinary course of business, including actions relating to intellectual property
rights.
We do not believe that the outcome of any present, or all litigation in the aggregate, will
have a material effect on our business. You can read the discussion of our opposition of the
patents under Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
If we
are unable to commercialize ADVEXIN® therapy in various markets for multiple
indications, particularly for the treatment of head and neck cancer, our business will be harmed.
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Our ability to achieve and sustain operating profitability depends on our ability to
successfully commercialize ADVEXIN therapy in various markets for multiple indications, which
depends in large part on our ability to commence, execute and complete clinical programs and obtain
regulatory approvals for ADVEXIN therapy and other drug candidates. In particular, our ability to
achieve and sustain profitability will depend in large part on our ability to commercialize ADVEXIN
therapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer in the United States. We cannot assure you we
will receive approval for ADVEXIN therapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer or other types
of cancer or indications in the United States or in other countries or if approved that we will
achieve significant level of sales. If we are unable to do so, our business will be harmed.
If we fail to comply with FDA requirements or encounter delays or difficulties in clinical trials
for our product candidates, we may not obtain regulatory approval of some or all of our product
candidates on a timely basis, if at all.
In order to commercialize our product candidates, we must obtain certain regulatory approvals.
Satisfaction of regulatory requirements typically takes many years, and involves compliance with
requirements covering research and development, testing, manufacturing, quality control, labeling
and promotion of drugs for human use. To obtain regulatory approvals, we must, among other
requirements, complete clinical trials demonstrating our product candidates are safe and effective
for a particular cancer type or other disease. Regulatory approval of a new drug is never
guaranteed. The FDA has substantial discretion in the approval process. Despite the time and
experience exerted, failure can occur at any stage, and we could encounter problems causing us to
abandon clinical trials.
We have completed three Phase 2 clinical trials and are conducting two Phase 3 clinical trials
of our lead product candidate, ADVEXIN therapy, for the treatment of head and neck cancer. In
addition, we have completed a Phase 2 clinical trial of ADVEXIN therapy for the treatment of
non-small cell lung cancer and are conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial of ADVEXIN therapy for the
treatment of breast cancer. We also are conducting or have conducted several Phase 1 and Phase 2
clinical trials of ADVEXIN therapy for other types of cancer. Current or future clinical trials may
demonstrate ADVEXIN therapy is neither safe nor effective.
While we have completed enrollment of patients in a Phase 1/early Phase 2 clinical trial of
INGN 241, a product candidate based on the mda-7 tumor suppressor, and have initiated a follow-on
Phase 2 clinical trial of INGN 241 for patients with metastatic melanoma, our most significant
clinical trial activity and experience has been with ADVEXIN therapy. We will need to continue
conducting significant research and animal testing, referred to as pre-clinical testing, to support
performing clinical trials for our other product candidates. It will take us many years to complete
pre-clinical testing and clinical trials, and failure could occur at any stage of testing. Current
or future clinical trials may demonstrate INGN 241 or our other product candidates are neither safe
nor effective.
Any delays or difficulties we encounter in our pre-clinical research and clinical trials, in
particular the Phase 3 clinical trials of ADVEXIN therapy for the treatment of head and neck
cancer, may delay or preclude regulatory approval. Our product development costs will increase if
we experience delays in testing or regulatory approvals or if we need to perform more or larger
clinical trials than planned. Any delay or preclusion could also delay or preclude the
commercialization of ADVEXIN therapy or any other product candidates. In addition, we or the FDA
might delay or halt any of our clinical trials of a product candidate at any time for various
reasons, including:
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the product candidate is less effective and/or more toxic than current therapies; |
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the presence of unforeseen adverse side effects of a product candidate, including its delivery system; |
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a longer than expected time required to determine whether or not a product candidate is effective; |
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the death of patients during a clinical trial, even if the product candidate did not cause those deaths; |
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the failure to enroll a sufficient number of patients in our clinical trials; |
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the inability to produce sufficient quantities of a product candidate to complete the trials; or |
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the inability to commit the necessary resources to fund the clinical trials. |
We cannot be certain the results we observed in our pre-clinical testing will be confirmed in
clinical trials or the results of any of our clinical trials will support FDA approval.
Pre-clinical and clinical data can be interpreted in many different ways, and FDA officials could
interpret differently data we consider promising, which could halt or delay our clinical trials or
prevent regulatory approval.
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Despite the FDAs designation of ADVEXIN therapy as a Fast Track product, we may encounter
delays in the regulatory approval process due to additional information requirements from the FDA,
unintentional omissions in our BLA for ADVEXIN therapy, or other delays in the FDAs review
process. We may encounter delays or rejections in the regulatory approval process because of
additional government regulation from future legislation or administrative action or changes in FDA
policy during the period of product development, clinical trials and FDA regulatory review.
Despite the initiation of the BLA process for ADVEXIN therapy under the FDAs accelerated
approval regulations, the FDA could determine that accelerated approval is not warranted and that a
traditional BLA filing must be made. Such a determination could delay regulatory approval.
Additionally, accelerated approval of an application could be subject to Phase 4 or post-approval
studies to validate the surrogate endpoint or confirm the effect on the clinical endpoint. Failure
to validate a surrogate endpoint or confirm a clinical benefit during post-marketing studies could
cause the product to be withdrawn from the market by the FDA on an expedited basis.
Even if our products are approved by regulatory authorities, if we fail to comply with ongoing
regulatory requirements, or if we experience unanticipated problems with our products, these
products could be subject to restrictions or withdrawal from the market.
Any product for which we obtain marketing approval, along with the manufacturing processes,
post-approval clinical data and promotional activities for such product, will be subject to
continual review and periodic inspections by the FDA and other regulatory bodies. Even if
regulatory approval of a product is granted, the approval may be subject to limitations on the
indicated uses for which the product may be marketed or certain requirements for costly
post-marketing testing and surveillance to monitor the safety or efficacy of the product. Later
discovery of previously unknown problems with our products, including unanticipated adverse events
of unanticipated severity or frequency, manufacturer or manufacturing processes or failure to
comply with regulatory requirements, may result in restrictions on such products or manufacturing
processes, withdrawal of the products from the market, voluntary or mandatory recall, fines,
suspension of regulatory approvals, product seizures or detention, injunctions or the imposition of
civil or criminal penalties.
Failure to comply with foreign regulatory requirements governing human clinical trials and
marketing approval for drugs could prevent us from selling our products in foreign markets, which
may adversely affect our operating results and financial conditions.
For marketing drugs and biologics outside the United States, the requirements governing the
conduct of clinical trials, product licensing, pricing and reimbursement vary greatly from country
to country and may require additional testing. The time required to obtain approvals outside the
United States may differ from that required to obtain FDA approval. We may not obtain foreign
regulatory approval on a timely basis, if at all. Approval by the FDA does not ensure approval by
regulatory authorities in other countries, and approval by one foreign regulatory authority does
not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or by the FDA. Failure to comply
with these regulatory requirements or to obtain required approvals could impair our ability to
develop these markets and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and
financial condition.
We have a history of operating losses, expect to incur significant additional operating losses and
may never become profitable.
We have generated operating losses since we began operations in June 1993. As of March 31,
2006, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $151.7 million. We expect to incur substantial
additional operating expense and losses over the next several years as our research, development,
pre-clinical testing and clinical trial activities increase. As we expand our operations and
develop systems to support commercialization of our product candidates, these losses, among other
things, have had, and are expected to continue to have, an adverse impact on our total assets,
stockholders equity and working capital.
We have no products that have generated any commercial revenue. Presently, we earn minimal
revenue from contract services activities, grants, interest income and rent from the lease of a
portion of our facilities to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. We do not expect to generate revenue
from the commercial sale of products in the near future, and we may never generate revenue from the
commercial sale of products.
If we continue to incur operating losses for a period longer than we anticipate and fail to obtain
the capital necessary to fund our operations, we will be unable to advance our development program
and complete our clinical trials.
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Developing a new drug and conducting clinical trials is expensive. Our product development
efforts may not lead to commercial products, either because our product candidates fail to be found
safe or effective in clinical trials or because we lack the necessary financial or other resources
or relationships to pursue our programs through commercialization. Our capital and future revenue
may not be sufficient to support the expense of our operations, the development of commercial
infrastructure and the conduct of our clinical trials and pre-clinical research.
We expect we will fund our operations over approximately the next 15 to 21 months with our current
working capital, which we accumulated primarily from sale of equity securities, income from
contract services and research grants, debt financing of equipment acquisitions, the lease of a
portion of our facilities to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and interest on invested funds. We may
need to raise additional capital sooner, however, under various circumstances, including if we
experience:
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an acceleration of the number, size or complexity of our clinical trials; |
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slower than expected progress in developing ADVEXIN therapy, INGN 241 or other product candidates; |
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higher than expected costs to obtain regulatory approvals; |
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higher than expected costs to pursue our intellectual property strategy; |
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higher than expected costs to further develop and scale up our manufacturing capability; |
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higher than expected costs to develop our sales and marketing capability; |
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faster than expected rate of progress and cost of our research and development and clinical trial activities; |
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a decrease in the amount and timing of milestone payments we receive from collaborators; |
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higher than expected costs of preparing an application for FDA approval of ADVEXIN therapy; |
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higher than expected costs of developing the processes and systems to support FDA approval of ADVEXIN therapy; |
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an increase in our timetable and costs for the development of marketing operations and
other activities related to the commercialization of ADVEXIN therapy and our other product
candidates; |
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a change in the degree of success in our Phase 3 clinical trial of ADVEXIN therapy and in
the clinical trials of our other products; |
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the emergence of competing technologies and other adverse market developments; or |
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changes in or terminations of our existing collaboration and licensing arrangements. |
We do not know whether additional financing will be available when needed or on terms
favorable to us or our stockholders. We may need to raise any necessary funds through public or
private equity offerings, debt financings or additional corporate collaboration and licensing
arrangements. To the extent we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our
stockholders will experience dilution. If we raise funds through debt financings, we may become
subject to restrictive covenants. To the extent we raise additional funds through collaboration and
licensing arrangements, we may be required to relinquish some rights to our technologies or product
candidates, or grant licenses on terms not favorable to us. If we are not able to raise additional
funds, we may have to delay, reduce or eliminate our clinical trials and our development programs.
If we cannot maintain our existing corporate and academic arrangements and enter into new
arrangements, we may be unable to develop products effectively, or at all.
Our strategy for the research, development and commercialization of our product candidates may
result in our entering into contractual arrangements with corporate collaborators, academic
institutions and others. We have entered into sponsored research, license and/or collaborative
arrangements with several entities, including M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, the NCI, Chiba
University in Japan, VirRx and Corixa, which was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline, as well as numerous
other institutions that conduct clinical
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trials work or perform pre-clinical research for us. Our success depends upon our
collaborative partners performing their responsibilities under these arrangements and complying
with the regulations and requirements governing clinical trials. We cannot control the amount and
timing of resources our collaborative partners devote to our research and testing programs or
product candidates, or their compliance with regulatory requirements which can vary because of
factors unrelated to such programs or product candidates. These relationships may in some cases be
terminated at the discretion of our collaborative partners with only limited notice to us. We may
not be able to maintain our existing arrangements, enter into new arrangements or negotiate current
or new arrangements on acceptable terms, if at all. Some of our collaborative partners may also be
researching competing technologies independently from us to treat the diseases targeted by our
collaborative programs.
If we do not continue to receive grant funding from federal agencies and others, we may be unable
to continue our research and development programs for certain of our product candidates at current
levels or in the manner we have planned for the future.
We rely on grants from third parties, generally federal agencies, to provide the funding
necessary to conduct our research and development programs for some of our technologies and product
candidates. Funding of these grants is typically subject to government appropriations. These grants
often contain provisions that allow for termination at the convenience of the government. Further,
these grants are subject to complex federal guidelines and regulations. If federal agencies or
regulatory authorities determine that we, or the programs for which we desire to receive or have
received grant funding, do not qualify for funding, our scientific or product development programs
could be slowed or stopped and we may suffer financial losses and be unable to successfully
commercialize our products.
If we are not able to create effective collaborative marketing relationships, we may be unable to
market ADVEXIN therapy successfully or in a cost-effective manner.
To effectively market our products, we will need to develop sales, marketing and distribution
capabilities. In order to develop or otherwise obtain these capabilities, we may have to enter into
marketing, distribution or other similar arrangements with third parties in order to sell, market
and distribute our products successfully. To the extent we enter into any such arrangements with
third parties, our product revenue are likely to be lower than if we directly marketed and sold our
products, and any revenue we receive will depend upon the efforts of such third parties. We have no
experience in marketing or selling pharmaceutical products and we currently have no sales,
marketing or distribution capability. We may be unable to develop sufficient sales, marketing and
distribution capabilities to commercialize our products successfully.
Serious and unexpected side effects attributable to molecular therapies may result in governmental
authorities imposing additional regulatory requirements or a negative public perception of our
products.
ADVEXIN therapy and most of our other product candidates under development could be broadly
described as targeted molecular therapies or recombinant DNA therapies. A number of clinical trials
are being conducted by other pharmaceutical companies involving related therapies, including
compounds similar to, or competitive with, our product candidates. The announcement of adverse
results from these clinical trials, such as serious unwanted and unexpected side effects
attributable to treatment, or any response by the FDA to such clinical trials, may impede the
timing of our clinical trials, delay or prevent us from obtaining regulatory approval or negatively
influence public perception of our product candidates, which could harm our business and results of
operations and depress the value of our stock.
The United States Senate has held hearings concerning the adequacy of regulatory oversight of
recombinant DNA therapy clinical trials, as well as the adequacy of research subject education and
protection in clinical research in general, and to determine whether additional legislation is
required to protect volunteers and patients who participate in such clinical trials. The
Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee, which acts as an advisory body to the NIH, has expanded its
public role in evaluating important public and ethical issues in recombinant DNA therapy clinical
trials. Implementation of any additional review and reporting procedures or other additional
regulatory measures could increase the costs of or prolong our product development efforts or
clinical trials.
We report to the FDA and other regulatory agencies serious adverse events, including those we
believe may be reasonably related to the treatments administered in our clinical trials. Such
serious adverse events, whether treatment-related or not, could result in negative public
perception of our treatments and require additional regulatory review or measures, which could
increase the cost of or prolong our clinical trials.
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The FDA has not approved any recombinant DNA therapy products of the types being developed by
us for sale in the United States. The commercial success of our products will depend in part on
public acceptance of the use of these types of recombinant DNA products, which are a new type of
disease treatment for the prevention or treatment of human diseases. Public attitudes may be
influenced by claims that these types of recombinant DNA products are unsafe, and these treatment
methodologies may not gain the acceptance of the public or the medical community. Negative public
reaction to these types of recombinant DNA products could also result in greater government
regulation and stricter clinical trial oversight.
Patient enrollment may be slow and patients may discontinue their participation in clinical
studies, which may negatively impact the results of these studies, and extend the timeline for
completion of our and our collaborators development programs for our product candidates.
The time required to complete clinical trails is dependent upon, among other factors, the rate
of patient enrollment. Patient enrollment is a function of many factors, including:
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the nature of the clinical protocol requirements; |
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the diversion of patients to other trials or marketed therapies; |
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the ability to recruit and manage clinical centers and associated trials; |
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the proximity of patients to clinical sites; and |
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We are subject to the risk that patients enrolled in our and our collaborators clinical
studies for our product candidates may discontinue their participation at any time during the study
as a result of a number of factors, including, withdrawing their consent or experiencing adverse
clinical events which may or may not be related to our product candidates under evaluation. We are
subject to the risk that if a large number of patients in any one of our studies discontinue their
participation in the study, the results from that study may not be positive or may not support an
NDA for regulatory approval of our product candidates.
We cannot predict the safety profile of the use of ADVEXIN therapy when used in combination with
other therapies.
Many of our trials involve the use of ADVEXIN therapy in combination with other drugs or
therapies. While the data we have evaluated to date suggest ADVEXIN therapy does not increase the
adverse effects of other therapies, we cannot predict if this outcome will continue to be true or
whether possible adverse side effects not directly attributable to the other drugs will compromise
the safety profile of ADVEXIN therapy when used in certain combination therapies.
If we fail to adequately protect our intellectual property rights, our competitors may be able to
take advantage of our research and development efforts to develop competing drugs.
Our commercial success will depend in part on obtaining patent protection for our products and
other technologies and successfully defending these patents against third-party challenges. Our
patent position, like that of other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, is highly
uncertain. One uncertainty is the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or PTO, or the courts,
may deny or significantly narrow claims made under patents issued to us or patent applications we
file. This is particularly true for patent applications or patents that concern biotechnology and
pharmaceutical technologies, such as ours, since the PTO and the courts often consider these
technologies to involve unpredictable sciences. Another uncertainty is any patents that may be
issued or licensed to us may not provide any competitive advantage to us because they may not
effectively preclude others from developing and marketing products like ours. Also, our patents may
be successfully challenged, invalidated or circumvented in the future. In addition, our
competitors, many of which have substantial resources and have made significant investments in
competing technologies, may seek to apply for and obtain patents that will prevent, limit or
interfere with our ability to make, use and sell our potential products either in the United States
or in international markets.
Our ability to develop and protect a competitive position based on our biotechnological
innovations, innovations involving molecular therapies, recombinant DNA therapeutic agents, viruses
for delivering targeted molecular therapies to cells, formulations,
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delivery systems not involving viruses, and the like, is particularly uncertain. Due to the
unpredictability of the biotechnological sciences, the PTO, as well as patent offices in other
jurisdictions, has often required patent applications concerning biotechnology-related inventions
to be limited or narrowed substantially to cover only the specific innovations exemplified in the
patent application, thereby limiting their scope of protection against competitive challenges.
Similarly, courts have invalidated or significantly narrowed many key patents in the biotechnology
industry. Thus, even if we are able to obtain patents covering commercially significant
innovations, our patents may not be upheld or our patents may be substantially narrowed.
Through our exclusive license from The University of Texas System for technology developed at
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, we have obtained and are currently seeking further patent protection
for adenoviral p53, including ADVEXIN therapy, and its use in cancer therapy. Further, the PTO
issued us a United States patent for our adenovirus production technology as well as a related
patent for purified adenoviral compositions. We also control, through licensing arrangements, five
issued United States patents for combination therapy involving the p53 tumor suppressor and
conventional chemotherapy or radiation, two issued United States patents covering the use of
adenoviral p53 in cancer therapy, one issued United States patent covering adenoviral p53 as a
product, one issued United States patent covering the core DNA of adenoviral p53, one issued patent
covering pharmaceutical compositions of adenoviral p53 and clinical applications of such
pharmaceutical compositions, as well as three patents covering our mda-7 technology. Our
competitors may challenge the validity of one or more of our patents in the courts or through an
administrative procedure known as an interference, in which the PTO determines the priority of
invention where two or more parties are claiming the same invention. The courts or the PTO may not
uphold the validity of our patents, we may not prevail in such interference proceedings regarding
our patents and none of our patents may give us a competitive advantage. In this regard, we have
been notified by the PTO that an unidentified third party is attempting to provoke an interference
with one of our patents directed to adenoviral p53 therapy. We do not at present know the identity
of this party and cannot assess the likelihood of an interference actually being declared. Should
that party prevail in an interference proceeding, a patent may issue to that party that is
infringed by, and therefore potentially preclude our commercialization of, products like ADVEXIN
therapy that are used for adenoviral p53 therapy.
Schering-Plough filed with the European Patent Office, or EPO, an opposition against our
European patent directed to combination therapy with p53 and conventional chemotherapy and/or
radiation. An opposition is an administrative proceeding instituted by a third party and conducted
by the EPO to determine whether a patent should be maintained or revoked, in part or in whole,
based on evidence brought forth by the party opposing the patent. In February 2006, the Technical
Board of Appeals of the EPO held a final oral proceeding concerning Schering-Ploughs opposition
and determined our patent should be maintained as amended. No further appeal by Schering-Plough is
possible.
We rely on trade secrets law to protect technology where we believe patent protection is not
appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. In addition, we
generally require employees, academic collaborators and consultants to enter into confidentiality
agreements. Despite these measures, we may not be able to adequately protect our trade secrets or
other proprietary information. We are a party to various license agreements that give us rights to
use specified technologies in our research and development processes. If we are not able to
continue to license this technology on commercially reasonable terms, our product development and
research may be delayed. In addition, in the case of technologies that we have licensed, we do not
have the ability to make the final decisions on how the patent application process is managed, and
accordingly are unable to exercise the same degree of control over this intellectual property as we
exercise over our internally developed technology. Our research collaborators and scientific
advisors have rights to publish data and information in which we have rights. If we cannot maintain
the confidentiality of our technology and other confidential information in connection with our
collaborations, then our ability to receive patent protection or protect our proprietary
information will be diminished.
Third-party claims of infringement of intellectual property could require us to spend time and
money to address the claims and could limit our intellectual property rights.
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry has been characterized by extensive litigation
regarding patents and other intellectual property rights, and companies have employed intellectual
property litigation to gain a competitive advantage. We are aware of a number of issued patents and
patent applications related to recombinant DNA therapy, the treatment of cancer and the use of the
p53 and other tumor suppressors. Schering-Plough, including its subsidiary Canji, controls various
United States applications and a European patent and applications, some of which are directed to
therapy using p53, and others to adenoviruses containing p53, or adenoviral p53, and to methods for
carrying out therapy using adenoviral p53. Adenoviral p53 technology underlies our ADVEXIN therapy
product candidate. Furthermore, we are aware of a United States patent directed to
replication-deficient recombinant adenoviral vectors apparently controlled by Transgene SA. While
we believe the claims of the Transgene adenoviral vector patent are invalid or not infringed by our
products, Transgene could assert a claim against us.
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One of the foregoing patent applications directed to p53 therapy, which we understand is owned
by The Johns Hopkins University and controlled by Schering-Plough, was involved in a PTO
interference proceeding with a patent owned by Canji. This Johns Hopkins application was the United
States counterpart to the European patent recently revoked in its entirety by the EPO (see below).
Priority of invention in that interference was awarded by the PTO to the Johns Hopkins inventors,
leading to the issuance of a United States patent, and the Canji patent has been found
unpatentable. While it is our belief that the claims of the Johns Hopkins patent are invalid and
not infringed by our ADVEXIN therapy, Schering-Plough or Johns Hopkins may assert that our ADVEXIN
therapy, which uses p53 therapy, infringes the claims of such patent. While we believe we would
have both an invalidity and non-infringement defense against such an assertion, in the United
States an issued patent enjoys a presumption of validity, which can be overcome only through clear
and convincing evidence. We cannot assure such a defense would prevail.
We may also become subject to infringement claims or litigation arising out of other patents
and pending applications of our competitors, if they issue, or additional interference proceedings
declared by the PTO to determine the priority of inventions. The defense and prosecution of
intellectual property suits, PTO interference proceedings and related legal and administrative
proceedings are costly and time-consuming to pursue, and their outcome is uncertain. Litigation may
be necessary to enforce our issued patents, to protect our trade secrets and know-how or to
determine the enforceability, scope and validity of the proprietary rights of others. An adverse
determination in litigation or interference proceedings to which we may become a party could
subject us to significant liabilities, require us to obtain licenses from third parties, or
restrict or prevent us from selling our products in certain markets. Although patent and
intellectual property disputes are often settled through licensing or similar arrangements, costs
associated with such arrangements may be substantial and could include ongoing royalties.
Furthermore, the necessary licenses may not be available to us on satisfactory terms, if at all. In
particular, if we were found to infringe a valid claim of the Transgene adenoviral vector United
States patent, the Johns Hopkins patent or a patent that may issue from a currently pending
application, our business could be materially harmed.
We have recently been involved in patent opposition proceedings before the EPO, in which we
have sought to have the EPO revoke three different European patents owned or controlled by
Canji/Schering-Plough. These European patents relate to the use of p53, or the use of tumor
suppressors, in the preparation of therapeutic products. In one opposition involving a Canji
European patent directed to the use of a recombinant tumor suppressor, the EPO revoked the European
patent in its entirety in a final, non-appealable decision. In the second opposition, involving a
patent that is directed to therapeutic and other applications of the p53 and that is owned by Johns
Hopkins and, we understand, controlled by Schering-Plough, the EPO recently revoked the patent in
its entirety. The patent owner appealed this decision and the final hearing before the EPO
Technical Board of Appeals was held in June 2005, at which time the Technical Board of Appeals
confirmed the final revocation of all claims of this patent relevant to clinical therapeutic
applications of p53. In a third case involving the use of p53, the European patent at issue was
initially upheld, but finally revoked in a hearing held in late April 2004.
We may be subject to litigation and infringement claims that may be costly, divert managements
attention, and materially harm our business.
Extensive litigation regarding patents and other intellectual property rights has been common
in the biopharmaceutical industry. Litigation may be necessary to assert infringement claims,
enforce patent rights, protect trade secrets or know-how and determine the enforceability, scope
and validity of certain proprietary rights. The defense and prosecution of intellectual property
lawsuits, PTO interference proceedings, and related legal and administrative proceedings in the
United States and internationally involve complex legal and factual questions. As a result, such
proceedings are costly and time-consuming to pursue and their outcome is uncertain.
Regardless of merit or outcome, our involvement in any litigation, interference or other
administrative proceedings could cause us to incur substantial expense and could significantly
divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel. An adverse determination may subject
us to the loss of our proprietary position or to significant liabilities, or require us to seek
licenses that may include substantial cost and ongoing royalties. Licenses may not be available
from third parties, or may not be obtainable on satisfactory terms. An adverse determination or a
failure to obtain necessary licenses may restrict or prevent us from manufacturing and selling our
products, if any. These outcomes could materially harm our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
If we fail to meet our obligations under license agreements, we may lose our rights to key
technologies on which our business depends.
Our business depends in part on patents licensed from third parties. Those third-party license
agreements impose obligations on us, such as payment obligations and obligations to diligently
pursue development of commercial products under the licensed patents. If a licensor believes we
have failed to meet our obligations under a license agreement, the licensor could seek to limit or
terminate our
36
license rights, which could lead to costly and time-consuming litigation and, potentially, a
loss of the licensed rights. During the period of any such litigation, our ability to carry out the
development and commercialization of product candidates could be significantly and negatively
affected. If our license rights were restricted or ultimately lost, our ability to continue our
business based on the affected technology platform would be severely adversely affected.
Competition and technological change may make our product candidates and technologies less
attractive or obsolete.
We compete with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including Canji and Genvec, which
are pursuing forms of treatment similar to ours for the diseases ADVEXIN therapy and our other
product candidates target. We are aware Canji, with its parent Schering-Plough, has in the past
been involved in research and/or development of adenoviral p53 products and has numerous patents
and patent applications relating to adenoviral p53 therapy. We understand Schering-Plough has
stopped its adenoviral p53 clinical trials, and it is unknown whether these parties are continuing
their adenoviral p53 research and/or development efforts. We are also aware that a Chinese
pharmaceutical company, SiBiono GeneTech, has recently announced it has received regulatory
approval from the Chinese drug regulatory agency to market an adenoviral p53 product only in China.
We control an issued Chinese patent covering adenoviral p53, and a number of pending Chinese
applications directed to p53 therapy and adenoviral production. We understand enforcement of
patents in China is unpredictable and we do not know if monetary damages could be recovered from
SiBiono GeneTech if its product infringes our patent or patent applications. Patent enforcement and
respect of international patent standards, rules and laws have not historically been a key
characteristic of the Chinese government and patent system. Further, geopolitical developments,
including trade and tariff disputes between the government of China and the United States
Department of Commerce could add additional uncertainty to any effort to enforce patents, recover
damages, if any, or engage in the sales and marketing of patented or non-patented products in
China. We are aware that ImClone and Bristol Myers Squibb have obtained marketing approval for a
monoclonal antibody product (Erbitux) for the treatment of certain kinds of head and neck cancer.
We also may face competition from companies that may develop internally or acquire competing
technology from universities and other research institutions. As these companies develop or acquire
their technologies, they may develop competitive positions that may prevent or limit our product
commercialization efforts.
Some of our competitors are established companies with greater financial and other resources
than ours. Other companies may succeed in developing products earlier than we do, obtaining FDA
approval for products before we do or developing products that are more effective than our product
candidates. While we will seek to expand our technological capabilities to remain competitive,
research and development by others may render our technology or product candidates obsolete or
non-competitive or result in treatments or cures superior to any therapy developed by us.
Even if we receive regulatory approval to market our ADVEXIN therapy, INGN 241, INGN 225 or other
product candidates, we may not be able to commercialize them profitably.
Our profitability will depend on the markets acceptance of ADVEXIN therapy, INGN 241, INGN
225, if approved, and our other product candidates. The commercial success of our product
candidates will depend on whether:
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they are more effective than alternative treatments; |
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their side effects are acceptable to patients and doctors; |
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insurers and other third-party healthcare payers will provide adequate reimbursement for them; |
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we produce and sell them at a profit; and |
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we market ADVEXIN therapy, INGN 241, INGN 225 and other product candidates effectively. |
We must achieve significant market share and obtain high per-patient prices for our products to
achieve profitability.
ADVEXIN therapy, our lead product candidate will, if approved, initially be targeted for the
treatment of recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck, a disease with an annual
incidence of approximately 40,000 patients in the United States. As a result, our per-patient
prices must be sufficiently high in order to recover our development costs and achieve
profitability. Until additional disease targets with larger potential markets are approved, we
believe we will need to market worldwide to achieve significant market penetration. If we are
unable to obtain sufficient market share for our drug products at a high enough price, or obtain
expanded approvals for larger markets, we may not achieve profitability or be able to independently
continue our product development efforts.
37
If we are unable to manufacture our products in sufficient quantities or obtain regulatory
approvals for our manufacturing facilities, or if our manufacturing process is found to infringe a
valid patented process or processes of another company, then we may be unable to meet demand for
our products and lose potential revenue.
To complete our clinical trials and commercialize our product candidates, if approved, we will
need access to, or development of, facilities to manufacture a sufficient supply of our product
candidates. We have used manufacturing facilities we constructed in Houston, Texas to manufacture
ADVEXIN therapy, INGN 241 and other product candidates for currently planned clinical trials. We
anticipate our facilities are suitable for the initial commercial launch of ADVEXIN therapy. We
have no experience manufacturing ADVEXIN therapy, INGN 241 or any other product candidates in the
volumes necessary to support commercial sales. If we are unable to manufacture our product
candidates in clinical or, when necessary, commercial quantities, then we will need to rely on
third-party manufacturers to produce our products for clinical and commercial purposes. These
third-party manufacturers must receive FDA approval before they can produce clinical material or
commercial product. Our products may be in competition with other products for access to these
facilities and may be subject to delays in manufacture if third parties give other products greater
priority than ours. In addition, we may not be able to enter into any necessary third-party
manufacturing arrangements on acceptable terms. There are a limited number of contract
manufacturers who currently have the capability to produce ADVEXIN therapy, INGN 241 or our other
product candidates, and the inability of any of these contract manufacturers to deliver our
required quantities of product candidates timely and at commercially reasonable prices would
negatively affect our operations.
Before we can begin commercially manufacturing ADVEXIN therapy, INGN 241 or any other product
candidate, we must obtain regulatory approval of our manufacturing facilities and process.
Manufacturing of our product candidates for clinical and commercial purposes must comply with the
FDAs CGMP requirements, and foreign regulatory requirements. The CGMP requirements govern quality
control and documentation policies and procedures. In complying with CGMP and foreign regulatory
requirements, we will be obligated to expend time, money and effort in production, record keeping
and quality control to assure the product meets applicable specifications and other requirements.
We must also pass a FDA inspection prior to FDA approval.
Our current manufacturing facilities have not yet been subject to a Pre-Approval Inspection by
the FDA or other global regulatory authorities. Failure to pass Pre-Approval Inspections may
significantly delay approval of our products. If we fail to comply with these requirements, we
would be subject to possible regulatory action and may be limited in the jurisdictions in which we
are permitted to sell our products. Further, the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities have the
authority to perform unannounced periodic inspections of our manufacturing facilities to ensure
compliance with CGMP and foreign regulatory requirements. Our facilities in Houston, Texas are our
only manufacturing facilities. If these facilities were to incur significant damage or destruction,
then our ability to manufacture ADVEXIN therapy, INGN 241 or any other product candidates would be
significantly hampered, and our pre-clinical testing, clinical trials and commercialization efforts
would be delayed.
In order to produce our products in the quantities we believe will be required to meet
anticipated market demand, if our products are approved, we will need to increase, or scale-up,
our production process. If we are unable to do so, or if the cost of this scale-up is not
economically viable to us, we may not be able to produce our products in a sufficient quantity to
meet the requirements of future demand.
Canji controls a United States patent and the corresponding international applications,
including a European counterpart, relating to the purification of viral or adenoviral compositions.
While we believe our manufacturing process does not infringe this patent, Canji could still assert
a claim against us. We may also become subject to infringement claims or litigation if our
manufacturing process infringes upon other patents. The defense and prosecution of intellectual
property suits and related legal and administrative proceedings are costly and time-consuming to
pursue, and their outcome is uncertain.
We rely on a limited number of suppliers for some of our manufacturing materials. Any problems
experienced by such suppliers could negatively affect our operations.
We rely on third-party suppliers for most of the equipment, materials and supplies used in the
manufacturing of ADVEXIN therapy, INGN 241 and our other product candidates. Some items critical to
the manufacture of these product candidates are available from only a limited number of suppliers
or vendors. We do not have supply agreements with these key suppliers. To mitigate the related
supply risk, we maintain inventories of these items. Any significant problem experienced by one or
more of this limited number of suppliers could result in a delay or interruption in the supply of
materials to us until the supplier cures the problem or until we locate an alternative source of
supply. Such problems would likely lead to a delay or interruption in our manufacturing operations
38
or could require a significant modification to our manufacturing process, which could impair
our ability to manufacture our product candidates in a timely manner and negatively affect our
operations.
If product liability lawsuits are successfully brought against us, we may incur substantial damages
and demand for our product candidates may be reduced.
The testing and marketing of medical products is subject to an inherent risk of product
liability claims. Regardless of their merit or eventual outcome, product liability claims may
result in:
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decreased demand for our product candidates; |
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injury to our reputation and significant media attention; |
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withdrawal of clinical trial volunteers; |
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substantial delay in FDA approval; |
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costs of litigation; and |
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substantial monetary awards to plaintiffs. |
We currently maintain product liability insurance with coverage of $5.0 million per occurrence
with a $10.0 million annual aggregate limit. This coverage may not be sufficient to protect us
fully against product liability claims. We intend to expand our product liability insurance
coverage beyond clinical trials to include the sale of commercial products if we obtain marketing
approval for any of our product candidates. Our inability to obtain sufficient product liability
insurance at an acceptable cost to protect against product liability claims could prevent or limit
the commercialization of our products.
We use hazardous materials in our business, and any claims relating to improper handling, storage
or disposal of these materials could harm our business.
Our business involves the use of a broad range of hazardous chemicals and materials.
Environmental laws impose stringent civil and criminal penalties for improper handling, disposal
and storage of these materials. In addition, in the event of an improper or unauthorized release
of, or exposure of individuals to, hazardous materials, we could be subject to civil damages due to
personal injury or property damage caused by the release or exposure. A failure to comply with
environmental laws could result in fines and the revocation of environmental permits, which could
prevent us from conducting our business.
Our stock price may fluctuate substantially.
The market price for our common stock will be affected by a number of factors, including:
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progress and results of our pre-clinical and clinical trials; |
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announcement of technological innovations by us or our competitors; |
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developments concerning proprietary rights, including patent and litigation matters; |
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publicity regarding actual or potential results with respect to products under development by us or by our competitors; |
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regulatory developments; |
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the announcement of new products by us or our competitors; |
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quarterly variations in our or our competitors results of operations; |
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failure to achieve operating results projected by securities analysts; |
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changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts; |
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developments in our industry; and |
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general market conditions and other factors. |
In addition, stock prices for many companies in the technology and emerging growth sectors
have experienced wide fluctuations that have often been unrelated to the operating performance of
such companies.
If we do not progress in our programs as anticipated, our stock price could decrease.
For planning purposes, we estimate the timing of a variety of clinical, regulatory and other
milestones, such as when a certain product candidate will enter clinical development, when a
clinical trial will be completed or when an application for regulatory approval will be filed. Some
of our estimates are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2005, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2006. Our estimates are based on present facts and a variety
of assumptions. Many of the underlying assumptions are outside of our control. If milestones are
not achieved when we expect them to be, investors could be disappointed, and our stock price may
decrease.
Any acquisition we might make may be costly and difficult to integrate, may divert management
resources or dilute stockholder value.
As part of our business strategy, we may acquire assets or businesses principally relating to
or complementary to our current operations, and we have in the past evaluated and discussed such
opportunities with interested parties. Any acquisitions we undertake will be accompanied by the
risks commonly encountered in business acquisitions. These risks include, among other things:
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potential exposure to unknown liabilities of acquired companies; |
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the difficulty and expense of assimilating the operations and personnel of acquired businesses; |
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diversion of management time and attention and other resources; |
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loss of key employees and customers as a result of changes in management; |
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the incurrence of amortization expense; and |
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possible dilution to our stockholders. |
In addition, geographic distances may make the integration of businesses more difficult. We
may not be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection
with any acquisitions.
If we lose key personnel or are unable to attract and retain additional, highly skilled personnel
required to develop our products or obtain new collaborations, our business will suffer.
We depend, to a significant extent, on the efforts of our key employees, including senior
management and senior scientific, clinical, regulatory, manufacturing and other personnel. The
development of new therapeutic products requires expertise from a number of different disciplines,
some of which is not widely available. We depend upon our scientific staff to discover new product
candidates and to develop and conduct pre-clinical studies of those new potential products. Our
clinical and regulatory staff is responsible for the design and execution of clinical trials in
accordance with FDA requirements and for the advancement of our product candidates toward FDA
approval. Our manufacturing staff is responsible for designing and conducting our manufacturing
processes in accordance with the FDAs CGMP requirements. The quality and reputation of our
scientific, clinical, regulatory and manufacturing staff, especially the senior staff, and their
success in performing their responsibilities, are a basis on which we attract potential funding
sources and collaborators. In addition, our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers
are involved in a broad range of critical activities, including providing strategic and operational
guidance. The loss of these individuals, or our inability to retain or recruit other key management
and scientific, clinical, regulatory, manufacturing and other personnel, may delay or prevent us
from achieving our business objectives. We face intense competition for personnel from other
companies, universities, public and private research institutions, government entities and other
organizations.
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Future changes in financial accounting standards or practices or existing taxation rules or
practices may cause adverse unexpected financial reporting fluctuations and affect our reported
results of operations.
A change in accounting standards or practices or a change in existing taxation rules or
practices can have a significant effect on our reported results and may even affect our reporting
of transactions completed before the change is effective. New accounting pronouncements and
taxation rules and varying interpretations of accounting pronouncements and taxation practice have
occurred and may occur in the future. Changes to existing rules or the questioning of current
practices may adversely affect our reported financial results or the way we conduct our business.
For example, SFAS 123R, Share-Based Payment, became effective for us on January 1, 2006. This
statement requires that employee share-based compensation be measured based on its fair value on
the grant date and treated as an expense that is reflected in the financial statements over the
related service period. SFAS 123R has had a significant impact on our results of operations for the
three months ended March 31, 2006. Using the Black-Scholes option pricing model to compute
share-based compensation expense as we do requires extensive use of accounting judgment and
financial estimates. Items requiring estimation include the expected term optionholders will retain
their vested stock options before exercising them, the estimated volatility of our common stock
price over the expected term of a stock option and the number of stock options that will be
forfeited prior to the completion of their vesting requirements. Application of alternative
assumptions could result in significantly different share-based compensation amounts being recorded
in our financial statements. We anticipate that SFAS No. 123R will continue to have a significant
impact on our results of operations for the remainder of 2006 and subsequent periods.
Our corporate governance structure, including provisions in our certificate of incorporation and
by-laws, and Delaware law, may prevent a change in control or management that stockholders may
consider desirable.
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and our certificate of incorporation and
by-laws contain provisions that might enable our management to resist a takeover of our company or
discourage a third party from attempting to take over our company. These provisions include the
inability of stockholders to act by written consent or to call special meetings, the ability of our
board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preferred stock without
stockholder approval and the fact that our board of directors is divided into three classes serving
staggered thee-year terms.
These provisions could have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in
control of us or a change in our management that stockholders may consider favorable or beneficial.
These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for stockholders
to elect directors and take other corporate actions. These provisions could also limit the price
that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock or our other
securities.
Some of our insiders are parties to transactions with us that may cause conflicting obligations.
Dr. John N. Kapoor, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, is also associated with EJ
Financial Enterprises, Inc. (EJ Financial), a healthcare investment firm that is wholly owned by
him, and therefore may have conflicts of interest in allocating his time among us and his other
business activities, and he may have legal obligations to multiple entities. We have entered into a
consulting agreement with EJ Financial. The consulting agreement provides we will pay EJ Financial
$175,000 per year for certain management consulting services, which is based on anticipated time
spent by EJ Financial personnel on our affairs. EJ Financial is also involved in the management of
healthcare companies in various fields, and Dr. Kapoor is involved in various capacities with the
management and operation of these companies. In addition, EJ Financial is involved with other
companies in the cancer field. Although these companies are pursuing different therapeutic
approaches for the treatment of cancer, discoveries made by one or more of these companies could
render our products less competitive or obsolete.
David Parker, Ph.D., J.D., our Vice President, Intellectual Property, is a partner with the
law firm Fulbright & Jaworski LLP, which provides legal services to us as our primary outside
counsel for intellectual property matters.
In October 2004, we acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Magnum, a company owned
at the time of this acquisition by one of our executive officers. We paid approximately $1.75
million for the Magnum stock by (1) issuing approximately 252,000 shares of our common stock valued
at approximately $1.48 million at the acquisition date and (2) assuming liabilities of
approximately $272,000. With respect to the common stock we issued for the acquisition, 50% of the
shares were held by an independent escrow agent for a period of approximately one year subsequent
to the acquisition date to satisfy the indemnification obligations of the selling shareholder under
terms of the purchase agreement. Such shares have since been released from escrow. Magnums primary
asset is the funding it receives under a research grant from the NIH, which supplements our ongoing
research and development programs. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, we earned $163,000
of revenue under this grant, which
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completed the funding available to us under this grant. In the event certain of Magnums
technologies result in commercial products, we may be obligated to pay royalties related to the
sales of those products to certain third parties.
We have relationships with Jack A. Roth, M.D., and M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, both of whom
are affiliated with The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System, one of our
stockholders. For more information concerning these relationships, see our Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements beginning on page F-7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2005, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2006.
We believe the foregoing transactions with insiders were and are in our best interests and the best
interests of our stockholders. However, the transactions may cause conflicts of interest with
respect to those insiders.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
Item 5. Other Information
Pursuant to Section 10A(i)(2) of the Exchange Act, as added by Section 202 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we are responsible for disclosing the non-audit services approved by
the Audit Committee to be performed by Ernst & Young LLP, our independent auditors. Non-audit
services are defined as services other than those provided in connection with an audit or a review
of our financial statements. The services approved by the Audit Committee are each considered by
the Audit Committee to be audit-related services closely related to the financial audit process.
Each of the services was pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee has also pre-approved additional engagements of Ernst & Young LLP for the
non-audit services of preparation of state and federal tax returns.
Item 6. Exhibits
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description of Document |
31.1
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the
Exchange Act |
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32.1
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18
U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 the
Registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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INTROGEN THERAPEUTICS, INC.
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May 10, 2006 |
By: |
/s/ James W. Albrecht, Jr.
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James W. Albrecht, Jr. |
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On behalf of the Registrant and as Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description of Document |
31.1
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant
to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act |
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32.1
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002 |