Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

 

x

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

 

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2009

 

 

o

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

 

 

For the transition period from         to         

 

Commission file number 000-50095

 


 

AVERION INTERNATIONAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

20-4354185

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

225 Turnpike Road,

 

 

Southborough, Massachusetts

 

01772

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (508) 597-6000

 

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. Yesx   No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company x

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o   No x

 

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, 950,000,000 shares authorized, 639,257,754 issued and outstanding as of May 10, 2009.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008

3

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)

4

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)

5

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

6

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

14

 

 

 

 

Item 4T.

Controls and Procedures

21

 

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

21

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

21

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

21

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

22

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

23

 

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Table of Contents

 

AVERION INTERNATIONAL CORP.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

3,270

 

$

4,492

 

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $325 and $341 for 2009 and 2008, respectively)

 

12,183

 

11,168

 

Unbilled accounts receivable

 

7,815

 

7,816

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

1,553

 

2,048

 

Total Current Assets

 

24,821

 

25,524

 

Property and equipment, net

 

5,526

 

6,229

 

Goodwill

 

25,528

 

25,528

 

Finite life intangibles (net of accumulated amortization of $4,161 and $3,846 for 2009 and 2008, respectively)

 

5,661

 

5,976

 

Deposits

 

614

 

709

 

Other non current assets

 

2,070

 

2,429

 

Total Assets

 

$

64,220

 

$

66,395

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

4,272

 

$

3,964

 

Accrued payroll and employee benefits

 

2,860

 

2,367

 

Current portion of capital lease obligations

 

 

8

 

Current portion of accrued lease obligations

 

609

 

610

 

Customer advances

 

15,968

 

18,424

 

Unearned revenue

 

3,111

 

2,685

 

Deferred rent

 

452

 

463

 

Deferred transaction obligation

 

40

 

560

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

3,210

 

2,839

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

$

30,522

 

$

31,920

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

 

30,689

 

29,635

 

Accrued lease obligations, less current portion

 

2,295

 

2,696

 

Deferred taxes

 

1,636

 

1,847

 

Deferred pension obligation

 

963

 

1,047

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

65

 

Total Liabilities

 

$

66,105

 

$

67,210

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.001 par value, 950,000,000 shares authorized, 639,257,754 and 634,972,039 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

639

 

635

 

Convertible warrants

 

164

 

164

 

Common stock to be issued

 

 

837

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

49,500

 

48,551

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(198

)

25

 

Retained deficit

 

(51,990

)

(51,027

)

Total Stockholders’ equity

 

(1,885

)

(815

)

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ equity

 

$

64,220

 

$

66,395

 

 

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

 

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AVERION INTERNATIONAL CORP.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

For the three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net service revenue

 

$

15,710

 

$

15,745

 

Reimbursement revenue

 

1,680

 

2,000

 

Total revenue

 

17,390

 

17,745

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct expenses

 

9,401

 

9,646

 

Reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses

 

1,680

 

2,000

 

Sales, general and administrative expenses

 

4,866

 

5,642

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

786

 

1,017

 

Total operating expenses

 

16,733

 

18,305

 

Net operating income (loss)

 

657

 

(560

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

1

 

33

 

Interest expense

 

(804

)

(457

)

Foreign currency exchange gain (loss)

 

199

 

(778

)

Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs

 

(1,135

)

(1,156

)

Other

 

124

 

20

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(1,615

)

(2,338

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

 

(958

)

(2,898

)

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

(4

)

129

 

Net loss

 

$

(962

)

$

(2,769

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share - basic and fully-diluted

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(0.00

)

$

(0.00

)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

639,210

 

625,632

 

 

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

 

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AVERION INTERNATIONAL CORP.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Mar 31, 2009

 

Mar 31, 2008

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(962

)

$

(2,769

)

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

473

 

446

 

Amortization of finite life intangibles

 

315

 

571

 

Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs

 

1,135

 

973

 

Amortization of deferred rent

 

(11

)

(12

)

Bad debt expense

 

(6

)

84

 

Stock based compensation

 

116

 

74

 

Effect of exchange rate on foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities

 

(429

)

373

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

(1,221

)

3,325

 

Unbilled accounts receivable

 

75

 

(3,143

)

Prepaid and other current assets

 

495

 

(281

)

Accounts payable

 

308

 

231

 

Accrued payroll and employee benefits

 

493

 

(387

)

Deferred revenue

 

(698

)

421

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

(514

)

(501

)

Net cash used by operating activities

 

(431

)

(595

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(152

)

(43

)

Other

 

93

 

(6

)

Net cash used by investing activities

 

(59

)

(49

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Payment on Cerep note

 

 

(3,038

)

Payments on capital lease obligation

 

(409

)

(7

)

Payments on notes payable

 

 

(479

)

Net cash used by financing activities

 

(409

)

(3,524

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

(323

)

275

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(1,222

)

(3,893

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

4,492

 

7,384

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

3,270

 

$

3,491

 

 

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

 

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AVERION INTERNATIONAL CORP.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.                                      DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

NATURE OF BUSINESS

 

Averion International Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to throughout this report as “Averion,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company.”

 

We are an international clinical research organization (“CRO”) focused on providing our clients with global clinical research services and solutions throughout the drug development lifecycle.  We serve a variety of clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries.

 

Our core competencies are in product agency registration support, trial design, site selection, project management, medical and site monitoring, data management, biostatistical analysis and reporting, pharmacovigilance, medical writing, and full clinical trial management and consulting services throughout the clinical trials lifecycle. We have the resources to directly implement or manage Phase I through Phase IV clinical trials and have clinical trial experience and expertise across a wide variety of therapeutic areas, including the following core focus areas: Oncology, Cardiovascular Diseases and Medical Devices.

 

Averion International Corp. was originally organized under the name Clinical Trials Assistance Corporation. We acquired IT&E International Corporation, a provider of staffing services to the life sciences industry, and changed the corporate name from Clinical Trials to IT&E International Group.  On July 31, 2006, we acquired Averion Inc., a CRO that provided clinical research services for Phase I through Phase IV clinical trials, with a focus in medical devices, oncology, dermatology, nephrology and other complex medical conditions.  On September 21, 2006, we changed our name to Averion International Corp.  On October 3, 2007, we sold our former staffing services operating segment to members of management of that operating segment.  On October 31, 2007, we acquired Hesperion AG (“Hesperion”), an international CRO based in Switzerland.

 

2.                                     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying unaudited financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, should be read in conjunction with the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 30, 2009.  These financial statements are unaudited but reflect all adjustments that, in our opinion, are necessary to fairly present our financial position and results of operations.  All adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature unless otherwise noted.  These financial statements, including the notes, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and in accordance with the applicable rules of the SEC, but do not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  The operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2009 may not necessarily be indicative of the results that may be expected for other quarters or for the year ending December 31, 2009.

 

Certain amounts in the December 31, 2008 balance sheet and the March 31, 2008 unaudited Statement of Operations and unaudited Statement of Cash Flows have been reclassified to conform to the presentation of the March 31, 2009 financial statements.

 

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Averion International Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

 

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

 

 On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Statement No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations (“FAS 141R”) and is applying such provisions prospectively to business combinations that have an acquisition date on or after January 1, 2009. FAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer in a business combination (i) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, (ii) recognizes and measures goodwill acquired in a business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase, and (iii) determines what information to disclose to enable users of financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. In addition, FAS 141R requires that changes in the amount of acquired tax attributes be included in the

 

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Company’s results of operations. While FAS 141R applies only to business combinations with an acquisition date after its effective date, the amendments to FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“FAS 109”), with respect to deferred tax valuation allowances and liabilities for income tax uncertainties have been applied to all deferred tax valuation allowances and liabilities for income tax uncertainties recognized in prior business combinations. The adoption of the provisions of FAS 141R did not affect the Company’s historical consolidated financial statements.

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

 

Assets and liabilities of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates. Income statement accounts are translated at average exchange rates for the applicable periods. These translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in Other Income (Expenses).

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

We consider all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Our cash accounts are with banks and other financial institutions. The balances in these accounts may exceed the maximum U.S. federally insured amount and our deposits held at institutions outside of the United States may not be insured against loss.  We have not experienced any losses in such accounts and do not believe that our cash and cash equivalents expose us to any significant credit risk.

 

REVENUE RECOGNITION

 

Revenues are primarily recognized on a time-and-materials or proportional performance basis. Before revenues are recognized, the following four criteria must be met: (a) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (b) delivery has occurred or services rendered; (c) the fee is fixed and determinable; and (d) collectability is reasonably assured. We determine if the fee is fixed and determinable and collectability is reasonably assured based upon our judgment regarding the nature of the fee charged for services rendered and products delivered and the collectability of those fees. Arrangements range in length from less than one year to several years.

 

Revenues from time-and-materials arrangements are generally recognized based upon contracted hourly billing rates as the work progresses. Revenues from unit based and fixed price arrangements are generally recognized on a proportional performance basis. Revenues recognized on unit based and fixed price contracts are subject to revisions as the contract progresses to completion. As the work progresses, original estimates may be adjusted due to revisions in the scope of work or other factors and a contract modification may be negotiated with the customer to cover additional costs. Our accounting policy for recognizing revenue for changes in scope is to recognize revenue when the Company has reached a written agreement with the client, the services pursuant to the change in scope have been performed, the price has been set forth in the change of scope document and collectability is reasonably assured based on our course of dealings with the client. We bear the risk of cost overruns on work performed absent a signed contract modification. Because of the inherent uncertainties in estimating costs, it is reasonably possible that the estimated contract costs will change in the near term and may have a material adverse impact on our financial performance. Revisions in our contract estimates are reflected in the period in which the determination is made and the facts and circumstances dictate a change of estimate. Provisions for estimated losses on individual contracts are made in the period in which the loss first becomes known.

 

We may have to commit unanticipated resources to complete projects resulting in lower margins on those projects. If we do not accurately estimate the resources required or the scope of the work to be performed, do not complete our projects within the planned periods of time, or do not satisfy our obligations under the contracts, then our operating results may be significantly and adversely affected or losses may need to be recognized. Should our estimated costs on fixed price contracts prove to be low in comparison to actual costs, future margins could be reduced, absent our ability to negotiate a contract modification.

 

 We comply with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Emerging Issues Task Force Rule No. 00-21 (“EITF 00-21”), “Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables,” which addresses how to account for arrangements that involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services, and/or rights to use assets.  Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are divided into separate units of accounting if the deliverables in the arrangement meet the following criteria: (1) the delivered item has value to the client on a stand-alone basis; (2) there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of undelivered items; and (3) delivery of any undelivered item is probable.  Arrangement consideration is allocated among the separate units of accounting based on their relative fair values, with the amount allocated to the delivered item being limited to the amount that is not contingent on the delivery of additional items or meeting other specified performance conditions.

 

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In general, amounts become billable to the customer pursuant to contractual terms in accordance with predetermined payment schedules. Unbilled accounts receivable represents revenue recognized to date that is currently not billable to the client pursuant to contractual terms or was not billed as of the balance sheet date. As of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, unbilled accounts receivable included in current assets totaled $7.9 million and $7.8 million, respectively. The majority of these amounts were billed in the subsequent month.

 

Deferred revenue represents amounts billed to customers for which revenue has not been recognized at the balance sheet date. As of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, deferred revenue was approximately $3.1 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

 

The majority of contracts contain provisions permitting the customer to terminate for a variety of reasons. The contracts generally provide for recovery of costs incurred, including the costs to wind down the study, and payment of fees earned to date. In some cases, the customer may be required to remit a portion of the fees due or profits that would have been earned under the contract had the contract not been terminated prematurely.

 

Our operations have experienced, and may continue to experience, period-to-period fluctuations in net service revenue and results from operations. Because we generate a large proportion of our revenues from services performed at hourly rates, our revenue in any period is directly related to the number of employees and the number of hours worked by those employees during that period. Our results of operations in any one period can fluctuate depending upon, among other things, the number of weeks in the period, the number and related contract value of ongoing client engagements, the commencement, postponement and termination of engagements in the period, the mix of revenue, the extent of cost overruns, employee hiring, employee utilization, vacation patterns, exchange rate fluctuations and other factors.

 

REIMBURSABLE OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES

 

On behalf of our clients, we pay fees and other out-of-pocket costs for which we are reimbursed at cost. Out-of-pocket costs are included in operating expenses, while the reimbursements received are reported separately as reimbursement revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in accordance with FASB Emerging Issues Task Force Rule No. 01-14 (“EITF 01-14”), “Income Statement Characterization of Reimbursements Received for ‘Out-of-Pocket’ Expenses Incurred.”

 

We act as an agent on behalf of company sponsors with regard to certain investigator payments. Accordingly, we exclude certain fees paid to investigators and the associated reimbursement from revenue and reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in accordance with the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force Rule No. 99-19 (“EITF 99-19”), “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent.” The amount of investigator fees paid were $4.1 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

 

Financial instruments that subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and unbilled accounts receivable. Our clients consist primarily of a small number of companies within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. These industries may be affected by general business and economic factors, which may impact accounts receivable and unbilled accounts receivable.  As of March 31, 2009, the total of accounts receivable and unbilled accounts receivable was $20.3 million. Of this amount, approximately 26%, and 11% was due from two customers, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, the total of accounts receivable and unbilled accounts receivable was $19.3 million. Of this amount, approximately 27% was due from one customer.

 

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of clients to make required payments. This allowance is based on current accounts receivable, historical collection experience, current economic trends, and changes in client payment patterns. Management reviews the outstanding receivables on a monthly basis to determine collectibility and to determine if proper reserves are established for uncollectible accounts. Receivables that are deemed to not be collectible are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, unbilled accounts receivable, accounts payable, deferred revenue and certain other liabilities approximate their estimated fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of long-term notes payable approximates quoted market prices for the same or similar debt instruments. Senior Secured Notes payable associated with the Hesperion acquisition were issued in combination with equity and consequently the carrying value of these notes on the Company’s balance sheet reflects a discount to their stated maturity values.

 

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PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are provided on a straight-line basis in amounts sufficient to relate the cost of depreciable assets to operations over their estimated service lives, which range from three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the respective leases or the service life of the improvements, whichever is shorter.

 

Upon sale or retirement of property and equipment, the costs and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated and any gain or loss on such disposition is reflected in our consolidated financial statements.

 

Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred.

 

FINITE LIFE INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

The Company accounts for finite life intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, (“SFAS No. 142”). Accordingly, finite life intangibles are amortized over their estimated useful lifes which range between 1 and 10 years. The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Such circumstances would include a significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset, a significant adverse change to the manner in which the asset is being used or its physical condition, or a history of operating or cash flow losses associated with the use of the asset. In addition, changes to the expected useful lives of these long-lived assets may also be an indicator of impairment. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets and the resulting losses are included in the statement of operations. A valuation of the company was performed using a discounted cashflow analysis and a market-based approach giving appropriate weighting to both. Using these guidelines it was determined that the carrying value of certain finite-life intangible assets at December 31, 2008 was impaired. The impairment loss of $5.3 million is included in operating income in our consolidated results of operations for fiscal 2008. For the period ended March 31, 2009, the Company had no further impairment in the carrying value of its finite life intangibles.

 

GOODWILL

 

The Company accounts for goodwill as an indefinite life intangible asset in accordance with SFAS No. 142.  As such, the standard requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at least annually. As required by SFAS No. 142, the Company reviews goodwill for impairment on an annual basis in conjunction with our year end reporting date of December 31. The Company operates as one reporting unit and goodwill is evaluated based on this approach. A valuation of the Company was performed using a discounted cashflow analysis and a market-based approach giving appropriate weighting to both. Using these guidelines it was determined that the carrying value of goodwill at December 31, 2008 was significantly impaired. The impairment loss of $26.1 million is included in operating income in our consolidated results of operations for fiscal 2008. For the period ended March 31, 2009, the Company had no further impairment in the carrying value of its goodwill.

 

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

We recognize and record stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), using the Modified Prospective Approach.

 

Stock-based compensation expense recognized during a period is based on the value of the portion of stock-based awards that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. The Company uses historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures.

 

The grant date fair value of each stock option is based on the underlying price on the date of grant and is determined using an option pricing model. The option pricing model requires the use of estimates and assumptions as to (a) the expected volatility of the price of the stock underlying the stock option (b) the expected life of the option (c) the risk free rate for the expected life of the option and (d) forfeiture rates. The Company is currently using the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the grant date fair value of each stock option.

 

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Expected volatility is calculated based on a blended weighted average of historical information of the Company’s stock and the weighted average of historical information of similar public entities for which historical information is available. The Company will continue to use a weighted average approach using its own historical volatility and other similar public entity volatility information until historical volatility of the Company is relevant to measure expected volatility for future option grants. The expected term assumption is based on the simplified or “safe-haven” method outlined in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin, (“SAB”), No. 107 as amended by SAB No. 110. The risk free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury bond rate commensurate with the expected life of the option. Forfeiture rates are estimated based upon past voluntary termination behavior and past option forfeitures.

 

INCOME TAXES

 

Deferred income taxes are provided under the liability method. The liability method requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using the tax rate expected to be in effect when the taxes will actually be paid or refunds received. In estimating future tax consequences, we generally consider all expected future events other than the enactment of changes in tax law or rates. If it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded.

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

The Company calculates net income (loss) per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share (“SFAS No. 128”).  Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding.  Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed giving effect to all potentially dilutive common stock, including options and all convertible securities to the extent they are dilutive. Since the effect of the stock options and warrants which are included in the calculation of fully diluted shares outstanding is anti-dilutive, the fully diluted number of shares is not calculated and only basic earnings per share will be presented for the periods ending March 31, 2009 and 2008.

 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) represents the change in equity of a business enterprise from non-stockholder transactions affecting stockholders’ equity that are not included in net income (loss) on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Other comprehensive income (loss) includes any adjustments resulting from the translation process of the financial statements of our foreign entities functional currency to U.S. dollars using the current rate method and actuarial gains or losses on our defined pension benefit plans.

 

DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLANS

 

The Company maintains a statutory defined benefit pension plan for its employees in Switzerland for which current service costs are charged to operations as they accrue based on services rendered by employees during the year. Pension benefit obligations are determined by independent actuaries using management’s best estimate assumptions, with accrued benefits prorated on service. Obligations are recorded under the corridor method in accordance with SFAS No. 158, “Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans” (“SFAS 158”).

 

USE OF ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“SFAS No. 162”).  SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. SFAS No. 162 is effective 60 days following the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. We do not expect SFAS No. 162 to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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In April 2009, the FASB staff issued FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (“FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1”). This FSP amends FASB Statement No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments , to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim financial statements as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also amends Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28 , Interim Financial Reporting , to require these disclosures in all interim financial statements. The provisions of FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 became effective for Averion International Corporation on April 1, 2009, will be applied prospectively beginning in the second quarter of 2009 and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2009, the FASB staff issued FSP No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary-Impairments (“FSP No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2”). This FSP incorporates impairment guidance for debt securities from various sources of authoritative literature and clarifies the interaction of the factors that should be considered when determining whether a debt security is other than temporarily impaired. The provisions of FSP No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 became effective for Averion International Corporation on April 1, 2009, will be applied prospectively beginning in the second quarter of 2009 and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2009, the FASB staff issued FSP No. FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly (“FSP No. FAS 157-4”). This FSP provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with FAS 157 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. This FSP also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly (i.e., a forced liquidation or distressed sale). The provisions of FSP No. FAS 157-4 became effective for Averion International Corporation on April 1, 2009, are being applied prospectively beginning in the second quarter of 2009 and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

3.               GOODWILL

 

At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, goodwill was $25.6 million.

 

As required by SFAS No. 142, the Company reviews goodwill for impairment on an annual basis in conjunction with our year end reporting date of December 31. The Company operates as one reporting unit and goodwill was evaluated based on this approach. A valuation of the Company was performed using a discounted cashflow analysis and a market-based approach giving appropriate weighting to both. Using these guidelines it was determined that the carrying value of goodwill at December 31, 2008 was significantly impaired. The impairment loss of $26.1 million was included in operating income in our consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.  For the period ended March 31, 2009, the Company had no further impairment or any other activity related to the carrying value of its goodwill.

 

4.             NOTES PAYABLE AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

 

In July 2006, we purchased all of the outstanding capital stock of Averion Inc. In connection with that purchase we issued two year promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $0.7 million and five year promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $5.7 million, each bearing interest at the prime rate of interest as set forth at the beginning of the calendar year (8.25% and 7.25% as of January 1, 2007 and January 1, 2008, respectively).  At March 31, 2009, $5.7 million in principal payments remained on these notes, all of which are scheduled to be repaid by July 31, 2011.

 

We issued stock and Senior Secured Notes in connection with the Hesperion financing transaction during October and November of 2007.  The Senior Secured Notes have a principal amount at maturity of $26.0 million and interest is due and payable quarterly in arrears in the amount of 3% for the first year, 10% for the second year and 15% for the third year. The entire unpaid principal balance plus all accrued and unpaid interest is due and payable by October 31, 2010. The principle amounts of these notes have been discounted to fair value for balance sheet presentation. The accretion of the original issue discount will cause an increase in indebtedness from March 31, 2009 to October 31, 2010 of $5.9 million.

 

We issued Cerep a promissory note (the “Cerep Note”) in connection with the Hesperion acquisition in the principal amount of 2.5 million Euros with interest accruing at a rate of 6% per annum due and payable quarterly in arrears.  The entire unpaid principal balance, plus all accrued and unpaid interest, is due and payable by October 31, 2010.  The principal amount of the Cerep Note has been discounted to fair value for balance sheet presentation.  The accretion of the original issue discount will cause an increase in indebtedness from March 31, 2009 to October 31, 2010 of $0.3 million.

 

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We issued stock and New Senior Secured Notes in connection with a financing transaction during June of 2008.  The New Senior Secured Notes have a principal amount at maturity of $2.0 million and interest is due and payable quarterly in arrears in the amount of 3% for the first four months, 10% for the next twelve months and 15% for the final twelve months. The entire unpaid principal balance plus all accrued and unpaid interest is due and payable by October 31, 2010. The principle amounts of these notes have been discounted to fair value for balance sheet presentation. The accretion of the original issue discount will cause an increase in indebtedness from March 31, 2009 to October 31, 2010 of $0.3 million.

 

On March 13, 2009, we entered into an agreement with certain holders of our Senior Secured Notes which amended the 2% transaction fee due and payable to the holders of those notes and allowed them to receive either an immediate payout of the fee due, or new senior secured notes in the principal amount equal to 3% of the purchase price of the holders prior note and on the same terms and conditions as the original Senior Secured Notes. In accordance with this new agreement we issued notes to a certain holder of our Senior Secured Notes in an aggregate amount equal to $0.3 million, and paid the remaining Senior Secured Note holders an aggregate cash payment equal to $0.3 million for the transaction fee amounts. The principle amounts of these notes have been discounted to fair value for balance sheet presentation. The accretion of the original issue discount will cause an increase in indebtedness from March 31, 2009 to October 31, 2010 of $0.1 million.

 

Aggregate maturities of notes payable as of March 31, 2009 are as follows (in thousands):

 

2009

 

$

 

2010

 

31,632

 

2011

 

5,700

 

Total

 

$

37,332

 

Less: unamortized original issue discount

 

(6,643

)

Total notes payable

 

30,689

 

 

5.             CONCENTRATION OF REVENUE AND ASSETS

 

Total revenues are attributed to geographic areas based on location of the customer. Assets are assigned based on physical location.

 

Geographic information is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Total revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

8,598

 

$

7,916

 

Europe

 

8,792

 

9,829

 

Total revenue

 

$

17,390

 

$

17,745

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation:

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

1,421

 

$

1,500

 

Europe

 

4,105

 

4,729

 

Total long-lived assets, net

 

$

5,526

 

$

6,229

 

 

6.             COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

We are involved in various legal actions arising in the normal course of our business. We believe that the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operation.

 

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7.             INCOME TAXES

 

The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of SFAS No. 109 (“FIN 48”), on January 1, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return that is required to be met before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  There have been no changes to the unrecognized tax benefit balance during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and no significant changes in the unrecognized tax benefit balance are expected in the next twelve months.

 

The Company’s effective tax rate was 0.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2009, which differs from the statutory rate as a result of state taxes (net of the federal benefit), the international rate differential, the increase in the valuation allowance and other permanent differences.

 

8.             COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

A reconciliation of comprehensive loss in accordance with SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income” is as follows for the three month period ended March 31 (in thousands):

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net Loss

 

$

(962

)

$

(2,769

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(223

)

(498

)

Comprehensive Loss

 

$

(1,185

$

(3,267

)

 

9.                                      POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

 

The Company has a contributory defined benefit plan (the “Benefit Plan”) covering its employees in Switzerland as mandated by the Swiss government. Benefits are based on the employee’s years of service and compensation. Benefits are paid directly by the Company when they become due, in conformity with the funding requirements of applicable government regulations.

 

The effect on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations of the Benefit Plan is as follows for the three month period ended March 31 (in thousands):

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Service cost

 

$

175

 

$

159

 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

 

58

 

63

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(54

)

(60

)

Recognized net actuarial loss

 

59

 

 

Net periodic pension expense

 

$

238

 

$

162

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company contributed $0.1 million and $0.6 million respectively to the Benefit Plan. The Company expects to contribute an additional $0.5 million to the Benefit Plan for the year ending December 31, 2009.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The information discussed below is derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, and should be read in conjunction therewith. Our results of operations for a particular quarter may not be indicative of results expected during subsequent quarters or for the entire year.

 

Company Overview

 

We are an international clinical research organization (“CRO”) focused on providing our clients with global clinical research services and solutions throughout the drug development lifecycle. We serve a variety of clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries.

 

Our core competencies are in product agency registration support, trial design, site selection, project management, medical and site monitoring, data management, biostatistical analysis and reporting, pharmacovigilance, medical writing, and full clinical trial management and consulting services throughout the clinical trials lifecycle. We have the resources to directly implement or manage Phase I through Phase IV clinical trials and have clinical trial experience and expertise across a wide variety of therapeutic areas, including the following core focus areas: Oncology, Cardiovascular Diseases and Medical Devices.

 

We have pursued a strategy of seeking other complimentary businesses to acquire so that we can expand our geographic presence and CRO capabilities. We believe the expansion of our business through the acquisition of established CROs enables us to provide a multitude of services sooner and more effectively than if we were to build such services organically.

 

Averion International Corp. was originally organized under the name Clinical Trials Assistance Corporation (“Clinical Trials”) by the filing of Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada on April 22, 2002. On June 14, 2004, Clinical Trials acquired IT&E International Corporation, which was engaged in the life sciences staffing services business, and amended its Articles of Incorporation to change the corporate name from Clinical Trials to IT&E International Group.

 

In November 2005, we acquired substantially all the assets of Millennix, Inc. (“Millennix”), a CRO based in the State of New York that provided comprehensive clinical research services for Phase I through Phase IV clinical trials in oncology. On March 2, 2006, with the written consent of holders of the majority of our shares of common stock, we reincorporated into Delaware and filed a Certificate of Incorporation to change our corporate name to IT&E International Group, Inc.

 

On July 31, 2006, we expanded our CRO operation through the acquisition of Averion Inc. (formerly, Boston Biostatistics, Inc), a CRO located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which provided comprehensive clinical research services for Phase I through Phase IV clinical trials, with a focus on oncology, dermatology, nephrology, critical care and medical devices. The acquisition of Averion Inc. enabled us to diversify our portfolio of clinical trial support services and expertise and deepen our relationship with existing clients. In August of 2006, we expanded our CRO business into Europe with the formation of Averion Europe GmBH, which allowed us to assist our clients that wish to run clinical trials and gain access to patients internationally. On September 21, 2006, we filed an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to change our corporate name to Averion International Corp. Our common stock symbol was changed from “ITER.OB” to “AVRO.OB” in conjunction with the name change.

 

On October 3, 2007, we sold our former staffing services operating segment to members of management of that operating segment. The divestiture of our staffing services business segment enables us to focus on our core CRO business.

 

On October 31, 2007, we acquired Hesperion AG (“Hesperion”), an international CRO based in Switzerland. The acquisition of Hesperion significantly strengthened our presence in Europe and significantly improved our capabilities to manage complex larger global clinical trials for our clients.

 

Our industry continues to be dependent on the research and development efforts of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies as major clients, and we believe this dependence will continue. Our client list includes several large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. With the strategic acquisition of Hesperion Ltd., we have expanded our customer base, which has diluted some of the financial impact of having a significant portion of our revenues concentrated solely in a few key clients. For the three month period ended March 31, 2009, approximately 35% of our total net service revenues were from two clients, representing 24%, and 11% of total net services revenues, respectively. For the three month period ended March 31, 2008, 22% of our total net service revenues were from two clients, representing 11% and 11% of total net service revenues, respectively. Although the expansion of our client base through the acquisitions of Averion Inc. and Hesperion Ltd. has increased our revenues, the loss of business from any of our major clients could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

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Our revenue growth has and will continue to be highly dependent on our ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain skilled professionals. We closely monitor our overall attrition rates and patterns to ensure our personnel management strategy aligns with our growth objectives. There is intense competition for professionals with the skills necessary to provide the type of services we offer. If our attrition rate increases and was to be sustained at higher levels, our growth may slow and our cost of attracting and retaining clinical professionals could increase.

 

Backlog

 

Our clinical research backlog consists of anticipated net service revenue from uncompleted projects which have been authorized by the client, through a written contract or letter of intent.  Many of our studies and projects are performed over an extended period of time, which may be several years.  Amounts included in backlog have not yet been recognized as net service revenue in our consolidated statement of operations.  Once contracted work begins, net service revenue is recognized over the life of the contract on a fee for service or proportional performance basis.  The recognition of net service revenue reduces our backlog while the awarding of new business increases our backlog.  Our backlog for clinical research services was approximately $55.8 million at March 31, 2009, representing an increase of approximately $0.1 million from backlog of $55.7 million at December 31, 2008.

 

We believe that our backlog as of any date may not necessarily be a meaningful predictor of future results because backlog can be affected by a number of factors including the size and duration of contracts, many of which are performed over several years. Additionally, contracts may be delayed or cancelled during the course of a study. For these reasons, we might not be able to fully realize our entire backlog as net service revenue.

 

Application of Critical Accounting Estimates

 

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. Preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of revenue and expenses, assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We consider an accounting estimate to be critical to the preparation of our financial statements when both of the following are present:

 

·

the estimate is complex in nature or requires a high degree of judgment; and

 

 

·

the use of different estimates and assumptions could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

We have discussed the development and selection of our critical accounting estimates and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. Those estimates critical to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are listed below.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Our services are performed under both time-and-material and fixed-price arrangements. All revenue is recognized pursuant to accounting principles generally recognized in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  Revenue is recognized as work is performed and amounts are earned in accordance with the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 101, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements,” as amended by SAB No. 104, “Revenue Recognition.”  We consider amounts to be earned once evidence of an arrangement has been obtained, services are delivered, fees are fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. For contracts with fees billed on a time-and-materials basis, we generally recognize revenue over the period of performance.

 

We comply with FASB Emerging Issues Task Force Rule No. 00-21 (“EITF 00-21”), “Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables,” which addresses how to account for arrangements that involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services, and/or rights to use assets. Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are divided into separate units of accounting if the deliverables in the arrangement meet the following criteria: (1) the delivered item has value to the client on a stand-alone basis; (2) there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of undelivered items; and (3) delivery of any undelivered item is probable. Arrangement consideration is allocated among the separate units of accounting based on their relative fair values, with the amount allocated to the delivered item being limited to the amount that is not contingent on the delivery of additional items or meeting other specified performance conditions.

 

Fixed-price contracts are accounted for under the proportional performance method based on assumptions regarding the estimated completion of the project. Under the proportional performance method, we estimate the percentage-of-completion by comparing the actual number of work hours performed or units delivered to date to the estimated total number of hours or units required to complete each engagement. The use of the proportional performance method requires significant judgment relative to

 

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estimating total contract revenue and costs to completion, including assumptions and estimates relative to the length of time to complete the project, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed and anticipated changes in other contract-related costs. Estimates of total contract revenue and costs to completion are continually monitored during the term of the contract and are subject to revision as the contract progresses. Unforeseen circumstances may arise during an engagement requiring us to revise our original estimates and may cause the estimated profitability to decrease. When revisions in estimated contract revenue and efforts are determined, such adjustments are recorded in the period in which they are first identified. Provisions for estimated losses on individual contracts are made in the period in which the loss first becomes known. Depending on the specific contractual provisions and nature of the deliverable, revenue may be recognized as interim deliverables are achieved or when final deliverables have been accepted.

 

Our accounting policy for recognizing revenue for terminated projects requires us to perform a reconciliation of study activities versus the activities set forth in the contract. We negotiate with the client, pursuant to the terms of the existing contract, regarding the wind up of existing study activities in order to clarify which services the client wants us to perform. Once we and the client agree on the reconciliation of study activities and the agreed upon services have been performed by us, we would record the additional revenue provided collectability is reasonably assured.

 

Our operations have experienced, and may continue to experience, period-to-period fluctuations in net service revenue and results from operations. Because we generate a large proportion of our revenue from services performed at hourly rates, our revenue in any period is directly related to the number of employees and the number of hours worked by those employees during that period. Our results of operations in any one quarter can fluctuate depending upon, among other things, the number of weeks in a quarter, the number and related contract value of ongoing client engagements, the commencement, postponement and termination of engagements in the quarter, the mix of revenue, the extent of cost overruns, employee hiring, vacation patterns, exchange rate fluctuations and other factors.

 

Goodwill

 

We account for goodwill as an indefinite life intangible asset in accordance with SFAS No. 142.  As such, the standard requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at least annually. As required by SFAS No. 142, we review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis in conjunction with our year end reporting date of December 31. Averion operates as one reporting unit and goodwill is evaluated based on this approach.

 

Long-lived assets

 

Our long-lived assets include finite-life intangible assets and property and equipment. We evaluate the recoverability of our long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Such circumstances would include a significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset, a significant adverse change to the manner in which the asset is being used or its physical condition, or a history of operating or cash flow losses associated with the use of the asset. In addition, changes to the expected useful lives of these long-lived assets may also be an indicator of impairment. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets and the resulting losses are included in the statement of operations.

 

Share-Based Compensation

 

We recognize and record stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”) using the Modified Prospective Approach.

 

The grant date fair value of each stock option is based on the underlying price on the date of grant and is determined using an option pricing model. The option pricing model requires the use of estimates and assumptions as to (a) the expected volatility of the price of the stock underlying the stock option, (b) the expected life of the option, (c) the risk free rate for the expected life of the option and (d) forfeiture rates. The Company is currently using the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the grant date fair value of each stock option.

 

Share-based compensation expense recognized during a period is based on the value of the portion of share-based awards that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. The Company uses historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures.

 

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Expected volatility is calculated based on a blended weighted average of historical information of the Company’s stock and the weighted average of historical information of similar public entities for which historical information is available. The Company will continue to use a weighted average approach using its own historical volatility and other similar public entity volatility information until historical volatility of the Company is relevant to measure expected volatility for future option grants. The expected life of the option assumption is based on the simplified or “safe-haven” method outlined in Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 107, “Share-Based Payment” as amended by SAB No. 110.  The risk free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury bond rate commensurate with the expected life of the option. Forfeiture rates are estimated based upon past voluntary termination behavior and past option forfeitures.

 

We believe there is a high degree of subjectivity involved when using option-pricing models to estimate share-based compensation under SFAS No. 123R. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions, are fully transferable and do not cause dilution. Because our share-based payments have characteristics different from those of freely traded options and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect our estimates of fair values (such as attrition), in our opinion, existing valuation models, including Black-Scholes, may not provide reliable measures of the fair values of our share-based compensation. Consequently, there is a risk that our estimates of the fair values of our share-based compensation awards on the grant dates may bear little resemblance to the actual values realized upon the exercise, expiration, early termination, or forfeiture of those share-based payments in the future. Certain share-based payments, such as employee stock options, may expire worthless or otherwise result in zero intrinsic value as compared to the fair values originally estimated on the grant date and reported in our financial statements. Alternatively, value may be realized from these instruments that is significantly in excess of the fair values originally estimated on the grant date and reported in our financial statements. There is currently no market-based mechanism or other practical application to verify the reliability and accuracy of the estimates stemming from these valuation models, nor is there a means to compare and adjust the estimates to actual values. Although the fair value of employee share-based awards is determined in accordance with SFAS No. 123R using an option-pricing model, that value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a market transaction between a willing buyer and willing seller. If factors change and we employ different assumptions in the application of SFAS No. 123R in future periods than those currently applied under SFAS No. 123R and those previously applied under SFAS No. 123 in determining our pro forma amounts, the compensation expense that we record in the future under SFAS No. 123R may differ significantly from what we have reported during the periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

 

The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in multiple jurisdictions. We record liabilities for estimated tax obligations in the United States and other tax jurisdictions. Determining the consolidated provision for income tax expense, tax reserves, deferred tax assets and liabilities and related valuation allowance, if any, involves judgment. We calculate and provide for income taxes in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Israel, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, the Netherlands, and several eastern European countries. It is our policy to file tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which we operate. We are currently not under examination by any federal, state or local taxing jurisdiction. The 2002 to 2008 tax years for which we have filed tax returns with federal, state and local taxing jurisdictions remain subject to examination. In the normal course of business, we conduct operations in various state and local taxing jurisdictions. We may have exposure for examination or tax assessment by a state or local taxing jurisdiction where we have not historically filed tax returns. We believe any such potential tax assessment would not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. Our overall effective tax rate fluctuates due to a variety of factors, including changes in the geographic mix or estimated level of annual pretax income, the ability to utilize our accumulated net operating loss carryforwards and newly enacted tax legislation in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate.

 

Applicable transfer pricing regulations require that transactions between and among our subsidiaries be conducted at an arm’s-length price. On an ongoing basis we estimate an appropriate arm’s-length price and use such estimate for our intercompany transactions.

 

On an ongoing basis, we evaluate whether a valuation allowance is needed to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. This evaluation considers the weight of all available evidence, including both future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. In the event that we determine that we will not be able to realize a recognized deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be made resulting in a decrease in income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should we determine that we will be able to realize all or part of an unrecognized deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be made resulting in an increase to income (or equity in the case of excess stock option tax benefits). Deferred income taxes are provided under the liability method. The liability method requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using the tax rate expected to be in effect when the taxes will actually be paid or refunds received. In estimating future tax consequences, we generally consider all expected future events other than the enactment of changes

 

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in tax law or rates. If it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded.

 

Recent Accounting Standards

 

See Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a discussion of accounting standards adopted during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and recent accounting standards not yet adopted.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008

 

The following table presents an overview of our results of continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.

 

 

 

March 31, 2009

 

March 31, 2008

 

(in thousands)

 

$

 

% of revenue

 

$

 

% of revenue

 

Net service revenue

 

$

15,710

 

100

%

$

15,745

 

100

%

Direct expenses

 

9,401

 

60

%

9,646

 

61

%

SG&A expense

 

4,866

 

31

%

5,642

 

36

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

786

 

5

%

1,017

 

6

%

Net operating income (loss)

 

657

 

4

%

(560

)

(4

)%

Other income (expense)

 

(1,615

)

(10

)%

(2,338

)

(15

)%

Loss before income tax expense

 

(958

)

(6

)%

(2,898

)

(18

)%

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

(4

)

1

%

129

 

1

%

Net loss

 

$

(962

)

(6

)%

$

(2,769

)

(18

)%

 

Net service revenue for the three months ending March 31, 2009 remained flat as compared to the three months ending March 31, 2008.  The lack of growth is attributable to an absence of contract signings during the prior year which would have contributed to first quarter revenue as those engagements developed during the current year period. We have been able to offset the reduction of prior year backlog with new business project signings and a quick progression of those projects to revenue producing engagements during the first quarter of 2009. Newly signed contracts during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 were $28.1 million as compared to $14.5 million during the same quarter in 2008.

 

Direct expenses consist primarily of compensation, related payroll taxes and fringe benefits for our project-related staff and contracted personnel, and other expenses directly related to specific contracts. Direct expenses decreased by $0.2 million to $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 from $9.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. As a percentage of net service revenues, direct expenses decreased to 60% during the three months ended March 31, 2009 from 61% during the comparative period in 2008. The improvement in direct expenses as a percentage of net service revenues was principally the result of an increase in staff utilization on clinical study activities.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses include the salaries, wages, and benefits of all administrative, financial and business development personnel and all support and overhead expenses not directly related to specific contracts. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 were $4.9 million or 31% of net service revenue, as compared to $5.6 million or 36% of net service revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2008. The decrease in expenses of $0.7 million was primarily due to certain staff reductions and cost efficiencies during the current period as compared with the prior year as we worked to align the two companies, post-merger. In addition, we undertook a complete review of all SG&A departments and expenses during the fourth quarter of 2008 continuing into the first quarter of 2009 and reduced expenses where we could. Reductions in professional fees, travel, recruiting costs, sales and marketing expenses, and computer hardware and software costs all contributed to our savings in this area.

 

Depreciation expense remained flat at $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Amortization expense decreased to $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 from $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to the reduction in carrying values assigned to finite life intangibles due to the impairment and associated write-down of those assets during the quarter ended December 31, 2008.

 

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Other income and expense is comprised primarily of interest charges on our outstanding notes, the amortization of the original issue discount on the Senior Secured Notes issued in conjunction with the Hesperion acquisition, and foreign exchange gains and losses. Net interest expense increased to $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $0.4 million for the same period in 2008, due to the increase in the principal amount outstanding as a result of notes issued during June of 2008. In addition, we incurred approximately $1.1 million of non-cash expense for the amortization of the original issue discount on debt issued in connection with the Hesperion acquisition.  During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we experienced foreign currency exchange gains of approximately $0.2 million as compared to foreign currency exchange losses of $0.8 million during the prior year. This current year gain was primarily due to the net effects of a stronger U.S. dollar against the Swiss franc and the Euro. We carry a Euro denominated note on our U.S. books as a result of the acquisition of Hesperion. This note is in the amount of EUR 2.5 million and is due during the latter half of 2010. In addition, we have receivable and payable balances on the books of our Swiss subsidiary that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of that subsidiary, the Swiss franc. As foreign exchange rates change from period to period these receivables and payables are revalued resulting in an offsetting gain or loss in the income statement.

 

Our net loss from for the three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased to $1.0 million, as compared to a net loss of $2.8 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2008.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We have financed our growth and operations from the issuances of debt and equity, and cash flows from operations. The CRO industry is generally not capital intensive. Our principal source of cash for operations is from contracts with clients. If we are unable to generate new contracts with existing and new clients and/or if the level of contract cancellations increases, revenues and cash flow will be materially and adversely affected. Absent a material adverse change in the level of our new business bookings or contract cancellations, we believe that our existing capital resources together with cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our operating cash needs for the next twelve months. However, if we engage in further business expansion through acquisitions and/or continue to incur a loss from operations, we may need to raise additional funds through the sale of debt or equity securities.

 

At March 31, 2009 we had cash and cash equivalents of $3.3 million as compared to $3.5 million at March 31, 2008, a decrease of $0.2 million. Approximately $2.9 million in cash was located outside of the United States at March 31, 2009.

 

Our primary operating cash needs are for the payment of salaries and fringe benefits, hiring and recruiting expenses, business development costs, capital expenditures, and facilities-related expenses.

 

Net cash used by operating activities was $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The amount of noncash charges included in net loss from continuing operations during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 was $1.6 million as compared to $2.5 million during the same quarter in 2008. Operating activities contributing to our use of cash included increases in our accounts receivable and unbilled accounts receivable balances of $1.3 million and decreases of deferred revenue and customer advances of approximately $1.1 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2008. These cash use increases were partially offset by an increase in accrued payroll of $0.9 and a decrease in prepaid expenses of $0.8 million. Other accrued liabilities and accounts payable increased $0.1 million each as compared to the same period in the prior year.

 

Net cash used by investing activities was comprised primarily of small outlays for the purchase of capital equipment and was minimal for both periods presented. In addition, we were able to reduce balances on outstanding lease deposits which partially offset our cash use from these outlays.

 

Net cash used by financing activities was $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared with net cash used by financing activities of $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The decrease was directly attributable to the payment of approximately $3.0 million to Cerep in January 2008, which represented a deferred portion of the purchase price related to the October 2007 acquisition of Hesperion.

 

We issued Senior Secured Notes in connection with the Hesperion financing transaction during October and November of 2007.  The Senior Secured Notes have a principal amount at maturity of $26.0 million and interest is due and payable quarterly in arrears in the amount of 3% for the first year, 10% for the second year and 15% for the third year. The entire unpaid principal balance plus all accrued and unpaid interest is due and payable by October 31, 2010.

 

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In addition, we issued additional Senior Secured Notes in connection with a financing transaction during June of 2008.  The additional Senior Secured Notes have a principal amount at maturity of $2.0 million and interest is due and payable quarterly in arrears in the amount of 3% for the first four months, 10% for the next twelve months and 15% for the final twelve months. The entire unpaid principal balance plus all accrued and unpaid interest is due and payable by October 31, 2010.

 

We currently do not have the funds necessary to enable us to repay the Senior Secured Notes and we do not anticipate generating such funds through our operations.  If we are unable to refinance our Senior Secured Notes or enter into another strategic transaction prior to the date on which the Senior Secured Notes become due, then the holders of such Senior Secured Notes may be able to foreclose on our assets or otherwise force the liquidation of our Company, which could result in the total loss of your investment.

 

Off Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements

 

As of March 31, 2009, we did not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements or any equity ownership interests in any variable interest entity or other minority owned ventures.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements.”  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this Form 10-Q which address activities, events or developments which we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such things as future capital raising or expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), finding suitable merger or acquisition candidates, expansion and growth of our business and operations, and other such matters are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances.

 

However, whether actual results or developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, general economic market and business conditions; the business opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by us; changes in laws or regulation; and other factors, most of which are beyond our control.

 

Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of predictive, future-tense or forward-looking terminology, such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” or similar terms. These statements appear in a number of places in this Form 10-Q and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, our directors or our officers with respect to, among other things: (i) trends affecting our financial condition or results of operations for our limited history; and (ii) our business and growth strategies. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve significant risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Factors that could adversely affect actual results and performance include, among others, our limited operating history, the burden of repaying interest and principal on our Senior Secured Notes, potential fluctuations in quarterly operating results and expenses, government regulation, technological change and competition.  We refer you to the cautionary statements and risk factors set forth in the documents we file from time to time with the SEC, particularly our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed on March 30, 2009.

 

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequence to or effects on us or our business or operations. We assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

 

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ITEM 4T. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. We believe that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

 

Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

 

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report 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 in various other legal actions arising in the normal course of our business. We believe that the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operation.

 

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

On January 1, 2009, we issued 4,285,714 shares of our common stock to Dr. Gene Resnick.

 

The offers and sales of these securities were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act, in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering. The recipients of the securities in each such transaction represented their intention to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof and appropriate legends were affixed to share certificates issued in such transactions. All recipients had adequate access to information about us.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

The Company was technically in default with respect to the repayment of interest on the Senor Secured Notes in the aggregate amount of $0.6 million, which was due to the holders of the Senior Secured Notes on January 31, 2009.  At the time of the default, we were actively negotiating a resolution to the matter.  On March 13, 2009, the Company and the requisite holders of the Senior Secured Notes amended the terms of the Senior Secured Notes to reflect that the Quarterly Interest Payments (as such term is defined in the Senior Secured Notes) for the calendar quarters commencing on October 1, 2008 and January 1, 2009 shall become due and payable by the Company to each holder of Senior Secured Notes on June 30, 2009, as disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2009.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

(a)  Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Title of Document

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Averion International Corp.

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

Dated: May 12, 2009

 

By:

/s/ Dr. Markus H. Weissbach

 

 

Dr. Markus H. Weissbach

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: May 12, 2009

 

By:

/s/ Lawrence R. Hoffman

 

 

Lawrence R. Hoffman

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

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