10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

or

 

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 001-36152

 

 

Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   20-3109565

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

135 US Highway 206, Suite 15

Bedminster, New Jersey 07921

(908) 470-4320

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code and 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:  x    No:  ¨

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:  x    No:  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   x  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    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:  ¨    No:  x

As of November 5, 2014, there were 23,984,485 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001, outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS      ii  
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION      1   

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     1   
 

Balance Sheets

     1  
 

Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

     2  
 

Statements of Cash Flows

     3  
 

Notes to the Financial Statements

     4  

Item 2.

 

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

     12  

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     20  

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

     20  

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

     20  

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

     20  

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

     20  

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     22  

Item 3.

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     22  

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

     22  

Item 5.

 

Other Information

     22  

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

     22  


Table of Contents

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “focused,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “would,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “exploring,” “pursuing” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places throughout this report and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things:

 

    the success, timing and cost of our ongoing and anticipated preclinical studies and clinical trials for our current product candidates, including statements regarding the timing of initiation and completion of the studies and trials;

 

    our expectations regarding the clinical effectiveness of our product candidates and results of our clinical trials;

 

    the timing of and our ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory authority approval of, or other action with respect to, our product candidates;

 

    our expectations related to the use of proceeds from our initial public offering (“IPO”) in October 2013 and the issuance and sale of our senior secured convertible notes in September 2014;

 

    our estimates regarding anticipated capital requirements and our needs for additional financing;

 

    the commercial launch and potential future sales of our current or any other future product candidates;

 

    our commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy;

 

    third-party payor reimbursement for our product candidates;

 

    the glaucoma patient market size and the rate and degree of market adoption of our product candidates by eye-care professionals and patients;

 

    the timing, cost or other aspects of the commercial launch of our product candidates;

 

    our plans to pursue development of our product candidates for additional indications and other therapeutic opportunities;

 

    the potential advantages of our product candidates;

 

    our ability to protect our proprietary technology and enforce our intellectual property rights; and

 

    our expectations regarding licensing, acquisitions and strategic activities.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events, competitive dynamics and industry change, and depend on regulatory approvals and economic and other environmental circumstances that may or may not occur in the future or may occur on longer or shorter timelines than anticipated. We discuss many of these risks in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item IA of this report and in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 26, 2014. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events.

Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this report, we caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this report. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and events in the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this report, they may not be predictive of results or developments in future periods.

Any forward-looking statements that we make in this report are as of the date of this report. Except as required by law, we are under no duty to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this report.

 

ii


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

AERIE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     SEPTEMBER 30,
2014
    DECEMBER 31,
2013
 

Assets

    

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 148,884     $ 69,649  

Short-term investments

     22,177       —    

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     656       618  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     171,717       70,267  

Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net

     228       132  

Other assets

     1,338       59  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 173,283     $ 70,458  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities

    

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

   $ 6,999     $ 3,482  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     6,999       3,482  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Convertible notes, net of discounts

     124,125       —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     131,124       3,482  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013; None issued and outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013; 23,967,696 and 23,285,549 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

     24       23  

Additional paid-in capital

     168,844       162,021  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (9 )     —    

Deficit accumulated during the development stage

     (126,700 )     (95,068
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     42,159       66,976  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 173,283     $ 70,458  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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Table of Contents

AERIE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
    NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
    PERIOD
FROM
INCEPTION
(JUNE 22,

2005) TO
SEPTEMBER 30,
2014
 
     2014     2013     2014     2013    

Operating expenses

          

General and administrative

   $ (4,944 )   $ (3,287 )   $ (13,723 )   $ (6,693 )   $ (43,907 )

Research and development

     (8,230 )     (2,399 )     (20,276 )     (8,727 )     (75,308 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (13,174 )     (5,686 )     (33,999 )     (15,420 )     (119,215 )

Other income (expense), net

     27       (5,062 )     2,367       (5,446 )     (7,353 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (13,147 )   $ (10,748 )   $ (31,632 )   $ (20,866 )   $ (126,568 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted

   $ (13,147 )   $ (10,887 )   $ (31,632 )   $ (21,279 )  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted

   $ (0.54 )   $ (10.81 )   $ (1.32 )   $ (21.61 )  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—basic and diluted

     24,325,166       1,006,893       23,980,963       984,727    

Net loss

   $ (13,147 )   $ (10,748 )   $ (31,632 )   $ (20,866 )   $ (126,568 )

Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments

     4       —         (9 )     —         (9 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

   $ (13,143 )   $ (10,748 )   $ (31,641 )   $ (20,866 )   $ (126,577 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

2


Table of Contents

AERIE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     NINE MONTHS
ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30,
   

PERIOD

FROM
INCEPTION
(JUNE 22,
2005) TO
SEPTEMBER 30,

 
     2014     2013     2014  

Cash flows from operating activities

      

Net loss

   $ (31,632 )   $ (20,866 )   $ (126,568

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

      

Depreciation

     50       47       1,000  

Amortization and accretion costs related to notes payable—related parties

     —         2,377       4,604  

Loss (gain) on conversion of notes payable

     —         —         1,916  

Stock-based compensation

     6,696       1,531       10,584  

Interest payable—related parties

     —         488       1,725  

Change in fair value measurements

     —         3,850       3,718  

Amortization of discount on available-for-sale investments

     247       —         247  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

      

Prepaid, current and other assets

     (20 )     (18 )     (697

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

     2,267       1,025       5,768  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (22,392 )     (11,566 )     (97,703
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Purchase of available-for-sale investments

     (34,593 )     —         (34,593

Maturity of available-for-sale investments

     10,660       —         10,660  

Sale of available-for-sale investments

     1,500        —          1,500   

Purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment

     (146 )     (28 )     (1,228
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (22,579 )     (28 )     (23,661
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes, net of discounts

     124,375       —         124,375  

Payments of debt issuance costs

     (297 )     —         (412

Proceeds from issuance of common stock in initial public offering, net of underwriting discounts

     —         —         71,870  

Payments of initial public offering costs

     —         (1,713 )     (3,644

Proceeds from sale of preferred stock

     —         —         45,000  

Payments of stock issuance costs

     —         —         (1,216

Proceeds from notes payable to related parties

     —         15,000       34,778  

Dividends paid

     —         —         (130

Proceeds from sale of common stock

     —         —         3  

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     9       1       25  

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

     —         —         8  

Proceeds from exercise of stock purchase rights

     119       —         119  

Payments of long-term debt

     —         —         (528
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     124,206       13,288       270,248  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     79,235       1,694       148,884  

Beginning of period

     69,649       2,925       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 148,884     $ 4,619     $ 148,884  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures

      

Noncash financing activities

      

Conversion of preferred stock to common stock

   $ —       $ —       $ 61,348  

Conversion of convertible notes payable and accrued interest to common stock

     —         —         18,604  

Issuance of common stock upon net exercise of warrants

     —         —         4,888  

Reclassification of warrants from liabilities to equity

     —         —         6,560  

Conversion of long-term debt into preferred stock

     —         —         17,364  

Debt discount attributable to warrants

     —         5,275       7,725  

Accretion from conversion of note payable to related parties

     —         220       775  

Accretion of stock issuance costs

     —         193       739  

Deferred offering costs

     —         617       —    

Deferred costs from issuance of convertible notes

     250        —          250   

Deferred financing costs

     1,000       —         1,000  

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

 

3


Table of Contents

AERIE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(A Development Stage Company)

Notes to the Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1. The Company

Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) is a development stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of topical, small molecule products to treat patients with glaucoma and other diseases of the eye. Incorporated in the State of Delaware on June 22, 2005, the Company maintains its corporate headquarters in Bedminster, New Jersey, conducts research in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and also has an office in Newport Beach, California.

To date, the Company is in the development stage and has not yet commenced primary operations or generated product revenue. The Company’s activities since inception primarily consisted of developing product candidates, raising capital and performing research and development activities. The Company has no current source of revenue to sustain its present activities, and it does not expect to generate revenue until and unless it receives regulatory approval of and successfully commercializes its product candidates. The Company has incurred losses and experienced negative operating cash flows since inception, and has cumulative net cash flows used in operating activities of $97.7 million and cumulative net losses of $126.6 million for the period from inception (June 22, 2005) to September 30, 2014.

The Company has funded its operations primarily through the sale of equity securities and issuance of convertible notes. In October 2013, the Company completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) and issued 7,728,000 shares of its common stock at an IPO price of $10.00 per share, including 1,008,000 shares of common stock issued upon the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares to cover over-allotments. The Company received net proceeds from the IPO of approximately $68.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $5.4 million and expenses of $3.6 million. On September 30, 2014, the Company issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured convertible notes (the “Convertible Notes”). The Company received net proceeds from the issuance of the Convertible Notes of approximately $124.1 million, after deducting discounts and certain expenses of $875,000. Refer to Note 7 for further information regarding the Convertible Notes.

If the Company does not successfully commercialize any of its product candidates, it may be unable to generate product revenue or achieve profitability. Accordingly, the Company may be required to obtain further funding through other public or private offerings, debt financing, collaboration and licensing arrangements or other sources. Adequate additional funding may not be available to the Company on acceptable terms, or at all. If the Company is unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, it would be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate its research and development programs or commercialization efforts. The Company estimates that it has sufficient funding to sustain operations through product commercialization of RhopressaTM and RoclatanTM, pending successful outcome of their trials and FDA approval.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s interim financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). In the opinion of management, the Company has made all necessary adjustments, which include normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. Certain information and disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year, any other interim periods or any future year or period.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP 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 reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the valuation of stock options and operating expense accruals. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

4


Table of Contents

Investments

The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments in debt and equity securities at the time of purchase. The Company’s investments are comprised of certificates of deposit and corporate notes that are classified as available-for-sale in accordance with ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities. The Company classifies investments available to fund current operations as current assets on its balance sheet. Investments are classified as long-term assets on the balance sheet if (i) the Company has the intent and ability to hold the investments for a period of at least one year and (ii) the contractual maturity date of the investments is greater than one year.

Available-for-sale investments are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss) on the Company’s balance sheets. Realized gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method and are included as a component of Other income (expense), net (Note 3). There were no realized gains or losses recognized for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 or 2013 or for the period from inception (June 22, 2005) to September 30, 2014.

The Company reviews investments for other-than-temporary impairment whenever the fair value of an investment is less than the amortized cost and evidence indicates that an investment’s carrying amount is not recoverable within a reasonable period of time. To determine whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, the Company considers its intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the investment before recovery of the investment’s amortized cost basis. Evidence considered in this assessment includes reasons for the impairment, the severity and the duration of the impairment and changes in value subsequent to period end. As of September 30, 2014, there were no investments with a fair value that was significantly lower than the amortized cost basis or any investments that had been in an unrealized loss position for a significant period.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs consist of financing costs incurred by the Company in connection with the closing of the Company’s Convertible Notes and are included in Other assets. The Company amortizes deferred financing costs through the earlier of maturity or the conversion of the Convertible Notes using the effective interest method. Refer to Note 7 for further information regarding the Convertible Notes.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their respective carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The estimated fair value of the Company’s Convertible Notes also approximates carrying value as of September 30, 2014, the date of the Convertible Note transaction. Refer to Note 7 for further information regarding the Convertible Notes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2014-15, which provides guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The new standard is effective for the Company for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016 and for annual and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on the Company’s financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-10, which eliminates the concept of a development stage entity in its entirety from current accounting guidance. The new standard is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. Upon adoption of ASU 2014-10, the Company will no longer disclose inception-to-date information in its Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss, Cash Flows and Stockholders’ Deficit and the related notes thereto.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, which is an amendment to the accounting guidance on income taxes. This guidance provides clarification on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amendment is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of the provisions of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02 Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which requires that public and non-public companies present information about reclassification adjustments for accumulated other comprehensive income in their annual financial statements in a note or on the face of the financial statements. Public companies are also required to provide this information in interim financial statements. The new disclosure requirements are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of the provisions of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position.

 

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Table of Contents

Net Loss per Share Attributable to Common Stock

Basic net loss per share attributable to common stock (“Basic EPS”) is calculated by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period, without consideration for potentially dilutive securities with the exception of warrants for common stock with a $0.05 exercise price, which are exercisable for nominal consideration and are therefore included in the calculation of the weighted-average number of shares of common stock as common stock equivalents. Net loss attributable to common stockholders is calculated by adjusting the Company’s net loss for accretion on convertible preferred stock, if any. Diluted net loss per share attributable to common stock (“Diluted EPS”) gives effect to all dilutive potential shares of common stock outstanding during this period. For Diluted EPS, net loss attributable to common stockholders used in calculating Basic EPS is adjusted for certain items related to the dilutive securities.

For all periods presented, the Company’s potential common stock equivalents have been excluded from the computation of Diluted EPS as their inclusion would have the effect of reducing the net loss per share of common stock. Therefore, the denominator used to calculate Basic EPS and Diluted EPS is the same in all periods presented.

The Company’s potential common stock equivalents that have been excluded from the computation of Diluted EPS for all periods presented consist of the following:

 

     THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
     NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
     2014      2013      2014      2013  

Convertible Notes(1)

     5,040,323        —           5,040,323        —     

Convertible preferred stock(2)

     —           12,120,531         —           12,120,531   

Outstanding stock options

     3,792,152        3,189,660        3,792,152        3,189,660  

Notes and interest payable to related parties(2)

   $ —        $ 18,504,000      $ —        $ 18,504,000  

Stock purchase warrants

     309,506        1,277,686        309,506        1,277,686  

Unvested restricted common stock awards

     138,815        317,900        138,815        317,900  

 

(1)  Conversion is limited to a 9.985% ownership cap in shares of common stock by the holder. Additionally, the Convertible Notes provide for an increase in the conversion rate if conversion is elected in connection with a significant corporate transaction. Refer to Note 7 for further information regarding the Convertible Notes.
(2)  In connection with the completion of the Company’s IPO, the outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock and outstanding convertible notes to related parties and accrued interest thereon were converted into 12,120,531 and 1,860,363 shares of common stock, respectively.

3. Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net consists of the following:

 

    THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
    NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
    PERIOD FROM
INCEPTION
(JUNE 22, 2005) TO
SEPTEMBER 30,
2014
 
(in thousands)   2014     2013     2014     2013    

Interest expense

  $     —        $ (1,477 )   $ —        $ (2,865 )   $ (6,329 )

Loss on conversion of notes payable to related parties

    —          —          —          —          (1,916 )

Sale of New Jersey state tax benefit

    —          —          2,288       1,268       3,556  

Expense due to change in fair value measurements

    —          (3,585 )     —          (3,850 )     (3,718 )

Investment and other income, net

    27       —          79       1       1,054  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 27     $ (5,062 )   $ 2,367     $ (5,446 )   $ (7,353
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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4. Investments

Cash, cash equivalents and investments as of September 30, 2014 included the following:

 

(in thousands)   AMORTIZED
COST
    GROSS
UNREALIZED
GAINS
    GROSS
UNREALIZED
LOSSES
    FAIR
VALUE
 

Cash and cash equivalents:

       

Cash and money market accounts

  $ 148,884     $ —        $ —        $ 148,884  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

  $ 148,884     $ —        $ —        $ 148,884  

Investments:

       

Certificates of deposit (due within 1 year)

  $ 9,869     $ —        $ (6 )   $ 9,863  

Corporate bonds (due within 1 year)

    12,317       1       (4 )     12,314  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

  $ 22,186     $ 1     $ (10 )   $ 22,177  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments

  $ 171,070     $ 1     $ (10 )   $ 171,061   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company only held cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2013 and did not hold any investments.

5. Fair Value Measurements

The Company records certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 820 on fair value measurements. As defined in the guidance, fair value, defined as an exit price, represents the amount that would be received to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As a result, fair value is a market-based approach that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. As a basis for considering these assumptions, the guidance defines a three-tier value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value.

 

    Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active, accessible markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

    Level 2—Other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.

 

    Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity.

The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

The following tables summarize the fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value and the classification by level of input within the fair value hierarchy:

 

     FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AS OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
 
(in thousands)    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Cash and cash equivalents:

           

Cash and money market accounts

   $ 148,884      $ —         $     —         $ 148,884  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

   $ 148,884      $ —         $ —         $ 148,884  

Investments:

           

Certificates of deposit

   $ —         $ 9,863      $ —         $ 9,863  

Corporate bonds

     —         $ 12,314        —         $ 12,314  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ —         $ 22,177      $ —         $ 22,177  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments

   $ 148,884      $ 22,177      $ —         $ 171,061  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AS OF
DECEMBER 31, 2013
 
(in thousands)    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Cash and cash equivalents:

           

Cash and money market accounts

   $   69,649      $      —         $ —         $   69,649  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

   $ 69,649      $ —         $ —         $ 69,649  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2014, the date of the Convertible Note transaction, the estimated fair value of the Company’s Convertible Notes approximates carrying value.

The Company had no long-term debt as of December 31, 2013.

 

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6. Accounts Payable & Other Current Liabilities

Accounts payable and other current liabilities consist of the following:

 

(in thousands)    SEPTEMBER 30,
2014
     DECEMBER 31,
2013
 

Accounts payable

   $ 3,039      $ 1,442  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities:

     

Employee benefits and compensation related accruals(1)

     1,170        966  

General and administrative related accruals

     757        411  

Research and development related accruals

     2,033        663  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 6,999      $ 3,482   

 

(1) Comprised of accrued bonus, accrued vacation, accrued severance liabilities, and liabilities under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan.

7. Convertible Notes

On September 30, 2014, the Company issued the Convertible Notes to Deerfield Partners, L.P., Deerfield International Master Fund, L.P., Deerfield Private Design Fund III, L.P., Deerfield Special Situations Fund, L.P. and Deerfield Special Situations International Master Fund, L.P. (collectively, “Deerfield”).

The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 1.75% per annum payable quarterly in arrears on the first business day of each January, April, July and October, commencing on January 1, 2015. The Convertible Notes mature on the seventh anniversary from the date of issuance, unless earlier converted.

The Convertible Notes constitute a senior secured obligation of the Company, collateralized by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company. The Convertible Notes provide that, upon the request of the Company, Deerfield will release all of the liens on the collateral if both of the following occur: (i) beginning one month after U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of either RhopressaTM or RoclatanTM, shares of the Company’s common stock have traded at a price above $30 per share (subject to adjustment for any subdivision or combination of outstanding common stock) for 30 consecutive trading days, and (ii) the Company is prepared to close a financing that will be secured by a lien on the Company’s assets, subject only to the release of the lien on the Company’s assets by Deerfield.

At closing, the Company paid Deerfield a one-time transaction fee of $625,000. In addition, the Company reimbursed Deerfield in the amount of $250,000 for certain expenses incurred by Deerfield in connection with the transaction. The Company also incurred $1.3 million of legal and advisory fees in connection with the transaction.

The Convertible Notes are convertible at any time at the option of Deerfield, in whole or in part, into shares of common stock, including upon the repayment of the Convertible Notes at maturity (the “Conversion Option”). However, upon conversion, Deerfield (together with their affiliates) is limited to a 9.985% ownership cap in shares of common stock (the “9.985% Cap”). The 9.985% Cap would remain in place upon any assignment of the Convertible Notes by Deerfield.

The initial conversion price is $24.80 per share of common stock (equivalent to an initial conversion rate of 40.32 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes), representing a 30% premium over the closing price of the common stock on September 8, 2014. The conversion rate and the corresponding conversion price are subject to adjustment for stock dividends (other than a dividend for which Deerfield would be entitled to participate on an as-converted basis), stock splits, reverse stock splits and reclassifications. In addition, in connection with certain significant corporate transactions, Deerfield, at its option, may (i) require the Company to prepay all or a portion of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, or (ii) convert all or a portion of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes into, depending upon the type of transaction, shares of common stock or the right to receive upon consummation of the transaction the consideration Deerfield would have received had Deerfield converted the Convertible Notes immediately prior to the consummation of the transaction. The Convertible Notes provide for an increase in the conversion rate if Deerfield elects to convert their Convertible Notes in connection with a significant corporate transaction. The maximum increase to the initial conversion rate, in connection with a significant corporate transaction, is 12.07 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Conversion Notes, which decreases over time and is determined by reference to the price of the common stock prior to the consummation of the significant corporate transaction or the value of the significant corporate transaction.

The agreement governing the Convertible Notes contains various representations and warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants, customary for financings of this type, including restrictions on the incurrence of additional debt and liens on the Company’s assets. The agreement governing the Convertible Notes also provides for certain events of default, including the failure to pay principal and interest when due; inaccuracies in the Company’s representations and warranties to Deerfield; failure to comply with any of the covenants; the Company’s insolvency or the occurrence of certain bankruptcy-related events; certain judgments against the Company; the suspension, cancellation or revocation of

 

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governmental authorizations that are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business; the acceleration of a specified amount of indebtedness; and the failure to deliver shares of common stock upon conversion of the Convertible Notes. If any event of default were to occur, and continue beyond any applicable cure period, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Convertible Notes would be permitted to declare the principal and accrued and unpaid interest to be immediately due and payable.

The Company recorded the Convertible Notes as long-term debt at face value less debt discounts relating to fees and certain expenses paid to Deerfield in connection with the transaction. The Conversion Option is a derivative that qualifies for an exemption from bifurcation and liability accounting as provided for in ASC Topic 815 “Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity” (“ASC 815”). Since the Conversion Option is not bifurcated as a derivative pursuant to ASC 815, the Company further evaluated the Conversion Option to determine whether it is considered a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”). The Company determined that the initial accounting conversion price was greater than the fair value of the common stock at the close of trading on the date of issuance, therefore no BCF existed at inception. However, if Deerfield elects to convert their Convertible Notes in connection with a significant corporate transaction, the increase to the initial conversion rate may cause a contingent BCF to exist at the time of conversion. The contingent BCF, if any, will be recognized in earnings when the contingency is resolved and will be measured using the fair value of the common stock at the close of trading on the date of issuance and the accounting conversion price as adjusted for such an increase to the initial conversion rate.

As of September 30, 2014, the Company recognized unamortized debt discounts of $875,000. Debt discounts are amortized using the effective interest method through the earlier of maturity or the conversion of the Convertible Notes.

The table below summarizes the carrying value of the Convertible Notes as of September 30, 2014:

 

(in thousands)    SEPTEMBER 30, 2014  

Gross proceeds

   $ 125,000  

Initial value of issuance costs recorded as debt discount

     (875

Amortization of debt discount

     —    
  

 

 

 

Carrying value

   $ 124,125  
  

 

 

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, interest expense related to the Convertible Notes was $0.

8. Stock Purchase Warrants

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the following equity classified warrants were outstanding:

 

NUMBER OF
UNDERLYING
SHARES
     EXERCISE
PRICE PER
SHARE
    

WARRANT

EXPIRATION

DATE

  

TYPE OF EQUITY

SECURITY

  2,006       $ 5.00      March 2016    Common Stock
  75,000       $ 5.00      February 2019    Common Stock
  75,000       $ 5.00      November 2019    Common Stock
  157,500       $ 5.00      August 2020    Common Stock
  408,295       $ 0.05      December 2019    Common Stock

The warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are all currently exercisable with weighted-average remaining lives of 5.24 and 5.99 years, respectively.

 

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9. Stock-based Compensation

The Company maintains two equity compensation plans, the 2005 Aerie Pharmaceutical Stock Plan (the “2005 Plan”) and the 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2013 Equity Plan”). The 2005 Plan and the 2013 Equity Plan are referred to collectively as the “Plans.”

On October 30, 2013, the effective date of the 2013 Equity Plan, the 2005 Plan was frozen and no additional awards will be made under the 2005 Plan. Any shares remaining available for future grant under the 2005 Plan were allocated to the 2013 Equity Plan. The 2013 Equity Plan provides for the granting of up to 3,229,068 equity awards for common stock of the Company. The Company granted stock options to employees to purchase 1,211,700 and 2,009,551 shares of common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The following table summarizes the stock option activity under the Plans:

 

     NUMBER OF
SHARES
    WEIGHTED AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICE
     AGGREGATE
INTRINSIC
VALUE
 
                  (000’s)  

Options outstanding at December 31, 2013

     3,189,660     $ 2.1634      $ 50,386  

Granted

     1,211,700       20.1937        —     

Exercised

     (574,951 )     0.3593        —     

Cancelled

     (34,257 )     14.3228        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2014

     3,792,152     $ 8.0882      $ 47,788  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options exercisable at September 30, 2014

     1,185,834     $ 2.0615      $ 22,090   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The estimated fair value of options granted is determined on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Options granted to non-employees are re-measured at each financial reporting period until required service is performed.

Stock-based compensation expense for options granted, restricted stock and stock purchase rights are reflected in the statement of operations as follows:

 

     THREE MONTHS
ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
     NINE MONTHS
ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
    

PERIOD

FROM
INCEPTION
(JUNE 22,

2005) TO
SEPTEMBER 30,

 
(in thousands)    2014      2013      2014      2013      2014  

Research and development

   $ 220      $ 62      $ 1,072      $ 105      $ 1,472  

General and administrative

     2,172        1,068        5,624        1,426        9,112  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,392      $ 1,130      $ 6,696      $ 1,531      $ 10,584  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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As of September 30, 2014, the Company had $24.5 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to options granted under the Plans. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.8 years as of September 30, 2014. The weighted average remaining contractual life on all outstanding options as of September 30, 2014 was 8.6 years.

Restricted Common Stock

On March 21, 2013, concurrent with the cancellation of 345,000 stock options, the Company issued 371,034 shares of restricted stock to an employee. The vesting of these awards is time-based with terms of two to four years. These restricted stock awards are subject to repurchase, such that the Company has the right, but not the obligation, to repurchase unvested shares upon the employee’s termination. As of September 30, 2014, 138,815 shares of restricted stock awards were unvested and subject to repurchase.

Compensation expense related to these restricted stock awards is based on the market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and is expensed on a straight-line basis (net of estimated forfeitures) over the vesting period. The weighted average remaining contractual term for restricted stock awards as of September 30, 2014 was 1.47 years. Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $97,000 and $292,000, respectively and was included in general and administrative expense.

As of September 30, 2014, the Company had $340,000 of unrecognized compensation expense, related to unvested restricted stock awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.47 years as of September 30, 2014.

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

The Company is not party to any known litigation, is not aware of any unasserted claims and does not have contingency reserves established for any litigation liabilities.

Contract Service Providers

In the course of the Company’s normal business operations, it has agreements with contract service providers to assist in the performance of its research and development, clinical research and manufacturing. Substantially all of these contracts are on an as-needed basis.

11. Related-Party Transactions

In connection with the completion of the Company’s IPO in October 2013, the outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock and outstanding convertible notes to related parties and accrued interest thereon were converted into 12,120,531 and 1,860,363 shares of common stock, respectively. Prior to their conversion into common stock in connection with the IPO, the Company’s convertible notes to related parties were due to holders of the Company’s convertible preferred stock. Interest expense on those obligations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $266,000 and $488,000, respectively.

On September 6, 2013, the Company terminated its agreement to exclusively license its intellectual property for non-ophthalmic indications to Novaer Holding, Inc. Since September 6, 2013, the Company owns all of the worldwide rights to its current product candidates for all indications, both ophthalmic and non-ophthalmic.

 

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

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited financial statements and related notes that appear elsewhere in this report and with our audited financial statements and related notes and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the SEC on March 26, 2014. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please see “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for additional factors relating to such statements, and see “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item IA of this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 for a discussion of certain risk factors applicable to our business, financial condition and results of operations. Past operating results are not necessarily indicative of operating results in any future periods.

Overview

We are a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of first-in-class therapies for the treatment of patients with glaucoma and other diseases of the eye. Our lead product candidate, once-daily, triple-action Rhopressa™, successfully completed a Phase 2b clinical trial in patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension in May 2013. The first patients enrolled in our Phase 3 registration trials of Rhopressa™ were dosed in early July 2014. Two trials are being conducted in the United States and one safety-only study is being conducted in Canada. Our second product candidate, once-daily, quadruple-action Roclatan™, which is a fixed-dose combination of Rhopressa™ and latanoprost, the most commonly prescribed drug for the treatment of patients with glaucoma, successfully completed a Phase 2b clinical trial in patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension in June 2014. We expect Phase 3 registration trials to commence in mid-2015. Preparatory steps for these trials have already commenced.

We are developing Rhopressa™ as the first of a new class of compounds that is designed to lower intraocular pressure, or IOP, through novel biochemical targets. By inhibiting these targets, we believe Rhopressa™ reduces IOP via three separate mechanisms of action, or MOAs: (i) it increases fluid outflow through the trabecular meshwork, the diseased tissue of the eye, (ii) it reduces episcleral venous pressure, which represents the pressure of the blood in the episcleral veins of the eye where eye fluid drains into the bloodstream, and (iii) it reduces the production of eye fluid. Roclatan™ is a combination of Rhopressa™ and latanoprost and is designed to lower IOP through the same three MOAs as Rhopressa™ and, with a fourth MOA, through the ability of latanoprost to increase fluid outflow through the uveoscleral pathway, the eye’s secondary drain.

We are focused on becoming a major ophthalmic pharmaceutical company. In addition to our primary product candidates, Rhopressa and Roclatan, we are in the preclinical development stage with AR-13533. We are also exploring the longer-term impact of Rhopressa and Roclatan on the diseased trabecular meshwork and evaluating possible uses of our existing proprietary portfolio of Rho Kinase inhibitors beyond glaucoma. We may license, acquire or develop additional product candidates to broaden our presence in ophthalmology. However, we have no present plans, agreements or commitments with respect to any potential acquisition, investment or license.

We have incurred net losses since our inception in June 2005. Our operations to date have been limited to research and development and raising capital. As of September 30, 2014, we had a deficit accumulated during the development stage of $126.7 million. We recorded net losses of $13.1 million and $31.6 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and net losses of $10.7 million and $20.9 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. We anticipate that a substantial portion of our capital resources and efforts in the foreseeable future will be focused on completing development activities, obtaining regulatory approval, preparing for potential commercialization of our product candidates and potentially pursuing strategic opportunities.

Prior to our initial public offering (“IPO”), we raised net cash proceeds of $78.6 million from the private placement of $43.8 million of convertible preferred stock and $34.8 million of convertible notes. Subsequent to the issuance of the convertible notes, we made $0.5 million in cash payments, $16.2 million of the convertible notes were converted into shares of convertible preferred stock, which were subsequently converted into shares of common stock in connection with our IPO, and $18.0 million of the convertible notes were converted into shares of common stock in connection with our IPO. In connection with our IPO, all outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock were converted into shares of common stock.

On October 30, 2013, we completed our IPO and issued 7,728,000 shares of our common stock at an IPO price of $10.00 per share, including 1,008,000 shares of common stock issued upon the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares to cover over-allotments. Our shares began trading on the NASDAQ Global Market on October 25, 2013. We received net proceeds from the IPO of approximately $68.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $5.4 million and expenses of $3.6 million.

On September 30, 2014, we issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured convertible notes (the “Convertible Notes”). We received net proceeds from the issuance of the Convertible Notes of approximately $124.1 million, after deducting discounts and certain expenses of $875,000.

We expect our research and development expenses to increase as we initiate and conduct clinical trials for our Rhopressa™ and Roclatan™ product candidates and pursue regulatory approval. As we prepare for commercialization, we will likely incur significant commercial, sales, marketing and outsourced manufacturing expenses. Since our IPO in October 2013, we are also incurring

 

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additional expenses associated with operating as a public company. As a result, we expect to continue to incur significant and increasing operating losses at least for the next several years. To date, we have not generated product revenue and we do not expect to generate product revenue unless and until we successfully complete development and obtain regulatory approval for one or more of our product candidates. If we do not successfully commercialize any of our product candidates, we may be unable to generate product revenue or achieve profitability.

Accordingly, we may be required to obtain further funding through public or private offerings, debt financing, collaboration and licensing arrangements or other sources. Adequate additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on acceptable terms, we would be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or commercialization efforts.

Proceeds from the Convertible Notes financing in September 2014, together with proceeds from our IPO in October 2013, are expected to provide sufficient resources to complete all currently known non-clinical and clinical requirements for our development programs advancing RhopressaTM and RoclatanTM, and approval by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (“FDA”) and product commercialization, pending successful outcome of the trials. We also intend to use the proceeds in part for general corporate purposes and potentially for strategic growth opportunities.

Financial Overview

Revenue

We have not generated any revenue from the sale of any products, and we do not expect to generate any revenue unless or until we obtain regulatory approval and commercialize our products.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation for all officers and employees in general management, finance and administration. Other significant expenses include facilities expenses and professional fees for accounting, legal and other services.

We expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase with the continued advancement of our product candidates and with our increased management, legal, compliance, accounting and investor relations expenses as we continue to grow. We expect these increases will likely include increased expenses for insurance, expenses related to the hiring of additional personnel and payments to outside service providers, lawyers and accountants.

Research and Development Expenses

Since our inception, we have focused on our development programs. Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred for the research and development of our preclinical and clinical candidates, which include:

 

    employee-related expenses, including salaries, benefits, travel and stock-based compensation expense for research and development personnel;

 

    expenses incurred under agreements with contract research organizations (“CROs”), contract manufacturing organizations and service providers that assist in conducting clinical trials and preclinical studies;

 

    costs associated with preclinical activities and development activities;

 

    costs associated with regulatory operations; and

 

    depreciation expense for assets used in research and development activities.

We expense research and development costs to operations as incurred. The costs for certain development activities, such as clinical trials, are recognized based on the terms of underlying agreements as well as an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks using data such as patient enrollment, clinical site activations along with additional information provided to us by our vendors.

Expenses relating to activities, such as manufacturing and stability and toxicology studies, that are supportive of the product candidate itself, are classified as direct non-clinical. Expenses relating to clinical trials and similar activities, including costs associated with CROs, are classified as direct clinical. Expenses relating to activities that support more than one development program or activity such as personnel costs, stock-based compensation and depreciation are not allocated to direct clinical or non-clinical expenses and are separately classified as “unallocated.”

 

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The following table shows our research and development expenses by product candidate and type of activity for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:

 

     THREE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
     NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
 
     2014      2013      2014      2013  
     (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Rhopressa™

           

Direct non-clinical

   $ 2,298       $ 1,139       $ 6,826       $ 2,040   

Direct clinical

     3,762         32         5,980         1,333   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 6,060       $ 1,171       $ 12,806       $ 3,373   

Roclatan™

           

Direct non-clinical

   $ 301       $ 209       $ 455       $ 209   

Direct clinical

     18         —          1,868         —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 319       $ 209       $ 2,323       $ 209   

Discontinued product candidates

           

Direct non-clinical

   $ 22       $ 72       $ 75       $ 537   

Direct clinical

     —           395         1         2,969   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 22       $ 467       $ 76       $ 3,506   

Unallocated

     1,829         552         5,071         1,639   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total research and development expense

   $ 8,230       $ 2,399       $ 20,276       $ 8,727   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

From inception through September 30, 2014, we did not incur any direct non-clinical or direct clinical costs for AR-13533, exploring the longer-term impact of Rhopressa™ and Roclatan™ on the diseased trabecular meshwork or evaluating possible uses of our existing proprietary portfolio of Rho Kinase inhibitors beyond glaucoma. Costs for these activities were primarily comprised of internal personnel costs and were included in unallocated costs. Discontinued product candidates relate to previously developed AR-12286 and related compounds, which did not meet their primary endpoints in clinical trials. We may continue to incur immaterial costs for these discontinued product candidates related to the enforcement of patent protection and general record maintenance.

From inception through September 30, 2014, we have incurred approximately $75.3 million in research and development expenses.

Research and development activities associated with the discovery and development of new drugs and products for the treatment of diseases of the eye are central to our business model. Product candidates in later stages of clinical development generally have higher development costs than those in earlier stages of clinical development, primarily due to the increased size and duration of later-stage clinical trials. We expect our research and development expenses to increase as we continue to conduct clinical trials for our product candidates, or if the FDA requires us to conduct additional trials for approval.

Our research and development expenditures are subject to numerous uncertainties in timing and cost to completion. Development timelines, the probability of success and development expenses can differ materially from expectations. The cost of clinical trials may vary significantly over the life of a project as a result of differences arising during clinical development, including, among others, the following:

 

    number of trials required for approval;

 

    number of sites included in the trials;

 

    length of time required to enroll suitable patients;

 

    number of patients that participate in the trials;

 

    drop-out or discontinuation rates of patients;

 

    duration of patient follow-up;

 

    costs related to compliance with regulatory requirements;

 

    number and complexity of analyses and tests performed during the trial;

 

    phase of development of the product candidate; and

 

    efficacy and safety profile of the product candidate.

 

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Our expenses related to clinical trials are based on estimates of patient enrollment and related expenses at clinical investigator sites as well as estimates for the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with research institutions, consultants and CROs that assist in conducting and managing our clinical trials. We generally accrue expenses related to clinical trials based on contracted amounts applied to the level of patient enrollment and activity according to the protocol. If future timelines or contracts are modified based upon changes in the clinical trial protocol or scope of work to be performed, we modify our estimates of accrued expenses accordingly on a prospective basis. Historically, such modifications have not been material.

As a result of the uncertainties discussed above, we are unable to determine with certainty the duration and completion costs of our development programs or precisely when and to what extent we will receive revenue from the commercialization of our products. We may never succeed in achieving regulatory approval for one or more of our product candidates. The duration, costs and timing of clinical trials and development of our product candidates will depend on a variety of factors, including the uncertainties of future preclinical studies and clinical trials, uncertainties in the clinical trial enrollment rate and changing government regulation. In addition, the probability of success for each product candidate will depend on numerous factors, including efficacy and tolerability profiles, manufacturing capability, competition, and commercial viability.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income consists of interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents and investments as well as the net proceeds from the sale of our net operating loss tax benefits for the state of New Jersey. Interest income is not considered significant to our historical financial statements and consists of interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents. Refer to Note 3 to our unaudited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report for further information.

Other expense consists of interest expense under our prior convertible notes, amortization of debt discounts and non-cash expense related to changes in the fair value of our warrants liability arising from stock purchase warrants. Upon closing of the IPO in October 2013, the principal and accrued interest outstanding under our prior convertible notes to related parties were converted into 1,860,363 shares of common stock at a conversion price equal to the IPO price of $10.00 per share. Prior to the IPO, we recognized all of our outstanding warrants as liabilities on our balance sheet as they were subject to price protection provisions. The liability was revalued at each reporting period and changes in the fair value of the warrant liability were included as a component of Other income (expense), net. Upon closing of the IPO, the remaining outstanding warrants to purchase convertible preferred stock were automatically converted into warrants to purchase common stock and all price protection provisions associated with the warrants were removed, at which time the liabilities were revalued and reclassified to equity.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of financial statements also requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, costs and expenses and related disclosures. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. Significant estimates include assumptions used in the determination of the fair value measurement of stock purchase warrants, stock-based compensation and certain research and development expenses. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to our unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in this report and Note 2 to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

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Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

The following table summarizes the results of our operations for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:

 

     THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
    INCREASE     

%

INCREASE

 
     2014     2013     (DECREASE)      (DECREASE)  
     (unaudited)               
     (in thousands)  

Expenses

         

General and administrative

   $ (4,944   $ (3,287   $ 1,657         50

Research and development

     (8,230     (2,399     5,831         243

Other income (expense), net

     27        (5,062     5,089         N/A   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Net loss

   $ (13,147   $ (10,748     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013. This increase was primarily associated with the expansion of our employee base to support the growth of our operations. Personnel costs increased by $1.4 million, including employee stock based compensation expense of $1.1 million and new salaried employees and related expenses of $0.3 million. This increase in personnel costs was partially offset by a decrease in severance expense of $0.4 million related to a former employee. As a result of increased board expenses and other business related activities in connection with operating as a public company, outside professional fees increased by $0.5 million and travel expenses increased by $0.2 million.

Research and development expenses

During the three months ended September 30, 2014, our research and development activity was primarily associated with Phase 3 registration trials for RhopressaTM and preparatory activities for our Phase 3 clinical trials for RoclatanTM. Research and development expenses increased by $5.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013. Costs for RhopressaTM increased by $4.8 million as direct clinical costs and direct non-clinical costs increased $3.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Costs for RoclatanTM increased $0.1 million as direct non-clinical costs increased $0.1 million. Additionally, unallocated expenses including employee salary, consulting costs and related expenses increased by $1.3 million. Research and development expenses for product candidates for which further advancement was discontinued during the third quarter of 2013 decreased by $0.4 million.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net increased by $5.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013. The increase was mainly due to a decrease of $3.6 million in non-cash expense related to the change in the fair value of warrant liabilities and a decrease of $1.5 million in non-cash interest expense relating to the amortization of debt discounts and accrued interest. Upon closing of the IPO in October 2013, the principal and accrued interest outstanding under our prior convertible notes to related parties were converted into 1,860,363 shares of common stock and the remaining outstanding warrants to purchase convertible preferred stock were automatically converted into warrants to purchase common stock at which time the liabilities were revalued and reclassified to equity.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

The following table summarizes the results of our operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:

 

     NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
    INCREASE     

%

INCREASE

 
     2014     2013     (DECREASE)      (DECREASE)  
     (unaudited)               
     (in thousands)  

Expenses

         

General and administrative

   $ (13,723   $ (6,693   $ 7,030         105

Research and development

     (20,276     (8,727     11,549         132

Other income (expense), net

     2,367        (5,446     7,813         N/A   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Net loss

   $ (31,632   $ (20,866     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by $7.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013. This increase was primarily associated with the expansion of our employee base to support the growth of our operations. Personnel costs increased by $5.2 million, including employee stock based compensation expense of $4.2 million and new salaried employees and related expenses of $1.0 million. This increase in personnel costs was partially offset by a decrease in severance expense of $0.4 million related to a former employee. As a result of increased audit fees, legal fees, board expenses and other business related activities in connection with operating as a public company, outside professional fees increased by $1.9 million and travel expenses increased by $0.4 million.

 

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Research and development expenses

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, our research and development activity was primarily associated with the preparation and initiation of Phase 3 registration trials for RhopressaTM and the initiation and completion of the Phase 2b clinical trial for RoclatanTM. Research and development expenses increased by $11.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Costs for RhopressaTM increased by $9.4 million as direct non-clinical costs and direct clinical costs increased $4.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively. Costs for RoclatanTM increased $2.1 million as direct clinical and direct non-clinical costs increased $1.9 million and $0.2 million. Additionally, unallocated expenses including employee salary, consulting costs and related expenses increased by $3.4 million. Research and development expenses for product candidates for which further advancement was discontinued during the third quarter of 2013 decreased by $3.4 million.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net increased by $7.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase was mainly due to a $1.0 million increase in income generated as a result of our participation in the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s sponsored Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program. Additionally, there was a decrease of $3.9 million in non-cash expense related to the change in the fair value of warrant liabilities and a decrease of $2.9 million in non-cash interest expense relating to the amortization of debt discounts and accrued interest. Upon closing of the IPO in October 2013, the principal and accrued interest outstanding under our prior convertible notes to related parties were converted into 1,860,363 shares of common stock and the remaining outstanding warrants to purchase convertible preferred stock were automatically converted into warrants to purchase common stock at which time the liabilities were revalued and reclassified to equity.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since our inception, we have funded operations primarily through the sale of equity securities, including our IPO, and the issuance of convertible notes. We have incurred losses and experienced negative operating cash flows since our inception and anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for at least the next several years. For the period from inception (June 22, 2005) to September 30, 2014, we have cumulative net cash used in operating activities of $97.7 million and cumulative net losses of $126.6 million.

Prior to our IPO, we raised net cash proceeds of $78.6 million from the private placement of $43.8 million of convertible preferred stock and $34.8 million of convertible notes. Subsequent to their issuance, we paid $0.5 million in cash payments on the convertible notes, $16.2 million of the convertible notes were converted into shares of convertible preferred stock, which were subsequently converted into shares of common stock in connection with our IPO, and $18.0 million of the convertible notes to related parties were converted into shares of common stock in connection with our IPO. In connection with our IPO, all outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock were converted into shares of common stock.

On October 30, 2013, we completed our IPO and issued 7,728,000 shares of our common stock at an IPO price of $10.00 per share, including 1,008,000 shares of common stock issued upon the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares to cover over- allotments. We received net proceeds from the IPO of approximately $68.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $5.4 million and expenses of $3.6 million.

On September 30, 2014, we issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes. We received net proceeds from the issuance of the Convertible Notes of approximately $124.1 million, after deducting discounts and certain expenses of $875,000.

As of September 30, 2014, our principal sources of liquidity were our cash and cash equivalents and investments, which totaled approximately $171.1 million.

We believe that our cash and cash equivalents and investments as of September 30, 2014 will provide sufficient resources to complete all currently known non-clinical and clinical requirements for our development programs advancing RhopressaTM and RoclatanTM, and approval by the FDA and product commercialization, pending successful outcome of the trials. Our ability to continue as a going concern will depend, in large part, on our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates and generate positive cash flow from operations, neither of which is certain.

 


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The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash:

 

     NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
     2014     2013  
     (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Net cash (used in) provided by:

    

Operating activities

   $ (22,392   $ (11,566 )

Investing activities

     (22,579     (28 )

Financing activities

     124,206        13,288   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 79,235      $ 1,694   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, our operating activities used net cash of $22.4 million and $11.6 million, respectively. The use of net cash in each of these periods primarily resulted from our net losses. The increase in net loss from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was due to increases in general and administrative and research and development expenses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we received $2.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively, of cash proceeds from the sale of deferred state tax benefits to an unrelated third party, which decreased net loss for the respective periods.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, our investing activities used net cash of $22.6 million primarily related to purchases of available-for-sale investments of $34.6 million, which was partially offset by maturities and sales of available-for-sale investments of $10.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our investing activities primarily related to purchases of office furnishings and equipment to accommodate our business growth.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, our financing activities provided net cash of $124.2 million and $13.3 million, respectively. The net cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was primarily related to net proceeds of $124.4 from the aforementioned issuance of Convertible Notes, partially offset by payments of debt issuance costs of $0.3 million. The net cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was related to proceeds of $15.0 million from the sale of our prior convertible notes, partially offset by $1.7 million in payments made in preparation for our IPO.

Operating Capital Requirements

We expect to incur increasing operating losses for at least the next several years as we continue to conduct Phase 3 clinical trials for Rhopressa™ and initiate and complete for Phase 3 clinical trials for Roclatan™. We expect that our existing cash and cash equivalents and investments will provide sufficient resources to complete all currently known non-clinical and clinical requirements for our development programs advancing RhopressaTM and RoclatanTM, and approval by the FDA and product commercialization, pending successful outcome of the trials.

We will also continue to incur increasing costs associated with the growth of our operations, including but not limited to, increased costs and expenses for directors fees, increased personnel costs, increased directors and officers insurance premiums, audit and legal fees, investor relations fees, expenses for compliance with reporting requirements under the Exchange Act and rules implemented by the SEC and NASDAQ and various other costs.

Due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products, we are unable to estimate the exact amount of our operating capital requirements. We based our projections on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect or unreliable or may change due to circumstances beyond our control, and as a result we may consume our available capital resources earlier than we originally projected. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to the following:

 

    timing and costs of our future preclinical studies and clinical trials for our product candidates;

 

    costs of any follow-on development or products;

 

    timing and cost of the ongoing supportive preclinical studies and activities for our product candidates;

 

    outcome, timing and costs of seeking regulatory approval;

 

    costs of commercialization activities for our product candidates, if we receive regulatory approval, including the costs and timing of establishing product sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution capabilities;

 

    costs of operating as a public company, including legal, compliance, accounting and investor relations expenses;

 

    terms and timing of any future collaborations, licensing, consulting or other arrangements that we may establish; and

 

    filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and protecting our intellectual property rights and defending against intellectual property related claims.

We may need to obtain additional financing to fund our future operations, including supporting sales and marketing activities, as well as funding the ongoing development of any additional product candidates we might acquire or develop internally. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of common stock, convertible securities or other equity securities, the ownership interests of our existing stockholders may be materially diluted and the terms of these securities could include liquidation or other preferences that could adversely affect the rights of our existing stockholders.

 

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If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on acceptable terms, we could be forced to delay, reduce or discontinue our research and development programs or commercialization efforts.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at September 30, 2014:

 

     TOTAL      LESS THAN
1 YEAR
     1 TO 3 YEARS      3 TO 5 YEARS      MORE THAN
5 YEARS
 
     (in thousands)  

Operating lease obligations(1)

   $ 2,241       $ 510       $ 656       $ 708       $ 367   

Convertible Notes(2)

     125,000         —           —           —           125,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     127,241         510         656         708         125,367   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Our operating lease obligations are related to our corporate headquarters in New Jersey, research facility in North Carolina and office in Newport Beach, California.
(2) On September 30, 2014, we issued the Convertible Notes to Deerfield Partners, L.P., Deerfield International Master Fund, L.P., Deerfield Private Design Fund III, L.P., Deerfield Special Situations Fund, L.P. and Deerfield Special Situations International Master Fund, L.P. The Convertible Notes mature on the seventh anniversary from the date of issuance, unless earlier converted. Refer to Note 7 to our unaudited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report for further information.

 

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We have no other contractual obligations or commitments that are not subject to our existing financial statement accrual processes.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined under SEC rules.

Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This allows an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Our primary exposure to market risk is interest income sensitivity, which is affected by changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates. Our cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2014, totaled $148.9 million and consisted primarily of cash and money market funds with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase. Our investments totaled $22.2 million as of September 30, 2014 and consisted of certificates of deposit and corporate notes. We had cash and cash equivalents on hand of $69.6 million as of December 31, 2013. Given the short-term nature of our cash equivalents and investments, a sudden change in market interest rates would not be expected to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. We do not engage in any hedging activities against changes in interest rates. We do not have any foreign currency or other derivative financial instruments.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e)), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon the evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2014, the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file and submit under the Exchange Act, is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter 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 not currently a party to any legal proceedings.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

You should consider carefully the risks described below and set forth under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed with the SEC on March 26, 2014.

Our substantial leverage and related obligations could adversely affect our financial condition and restrict our operating flexibility.

We have substantial debt and related obligations. As of September 30, 2014 our total indebtedness consisted of our $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes issued in September 2014. Our substantial level of debt and related obligations, including interest payments, covenants and restrictions, could have important consequences, including the following:

 

    impairing our ability to successfully complete the development of our product candidates which would prevent us from generating a source of revenue and becoming profitable;

 

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    making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, which could result in an event of default under the agreement governing the Convertible Notes;

 

    limiting our ability to obtain additional financing on satisfactory terms to fund our working capital requirements, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt obligations and other general corporate requirements;

 

    increasing our vulnerability to general economic downturns, competition and industry conditions, which could place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that are less leveraged and therefore we may be unable to take advantage of opportunities that our leverage prevents us from exploiting; and

 

    imposing additional restrictions on the manner in which we conduct our business, including restrictions on our ability to pay dividends, incur additional debt and sell assets.

The occurrence of any one of these events could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows and ability to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness.

Although the agreement governing the Convertible Notes contains restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of significant qualifications and exceptions, and any indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. In addition, the agreement governing the Convertible Notes allows us to incur a significant amount of indebtedness in connection with acquisitions and a significant amount of purchase money debt. If new debt is added to current debt levels, the related risks that we and noteholders face would be increased.

The terms of the agreement governing the Convertible Notes may restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to changes in our business or to take certain actions.

The agreement governing the Convertible Notes contains, and the terms of any future indebtedness of ours would likely contain, a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating restrictions, including restrictions on our ability to engage in acts that may be in our best long-term interests. The agreement governing the Convertible Notes includes covenants that, among other things, restrict or otherwise limit our ability to:

 

    incur additional indebtedness and create liens;

 

    pay dividends on capital stock and make other restricted payments;

 

    enter into any merger, partnership, joint venture, syndicate, pool, profit-sharing or royalty agreement, or engage in any transactions with our affiliates;

 

    sell or transfer assets;

 

    merge; and

 

    issue equity securities senior to our common stock or convertible or exercisable for equity securities senior to our common stock.

A breach of any of these provisions could result in a default under the agreement governing the Convertible Notes that would allow noteholders to declare the outstanding debt immediately due and payable. In addition, the Convertible Notes are secured by substantially all of our existing and hereafter created or acquired assets, including our intellectual property, accounts receivable, equipment, general intangibles, inventory and investment property, and all of the proceeds and products of the foregoing. If we are unable to pay those amounts because we do not have sufficient cash on hand or are unable to obtain alternative financing on acceptable terms, the noteholders could initiate a bankruptcy proceeding or proceed against any assets that serve as collateral to secure the Convertible Notes. These restrictions could limit our ability to obtain future financings, make needed capital expenditures, withstand future downturns in the economy or otherwise conduct necessary corporate activities. We may also be prevented from taking advantage of business opportunities that arise because of limitations imposed on us by the restrictive covenants under the Convertible Notes.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

On September 30, 2014, we issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.75% senior secured convertible notes (“the Convertible Notes”) to Deerfield Partners, L.P., Deerfield International Master Fund, L.P., Deerfield Private Design Fund III, L.P., Deerfield Special Situations Fund, L.P. and Deerfield Special Situations International Master Fund, L.P. The Convertible Notes were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

The Convertible Notes are convertible at any time at the option of Deerfield, in whole or in part, into shares of common stock, including upon the repayment of the Convertible Notes at maturity (the “Conversion Option”). However, upon conversion, Deerfield (together with their affiliates) is limited to a 9.985% ownership cap in shares of common stock (the “9.985% Cap”). The 9.985% Cap would remain in place upon any assignment of the Convertible Notes by Deerfield.

The initial conversion price is $24.80 per share of common stock (equivalent to an initial conversion rate of 40.32 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes), representing a 30% premium over the closing price of the common stock on September 8, 2014. The conversion rate and the corresponding conversion price are subject to adjustment for stock dividends (other than a dividend for which Deerfield would be entitled to participate on an as-converted basis), stock splits, reverse stock splits and reclassifications. In addition, in connection with certain significant corporate transactions, Deerfield, at its option, may (i) require the Company to prepay all or a portion of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, or (ii) convert all or a portion of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes into, depending upon the type of transaction, shares of common stock or the right to receive upon consummation of the transaction the consideration Deerfield would have received had Deerfield converted the Convertible Notes immediately prior to the consummation of the transaction. The Convertible Notes provide for an increase in the conversion rate if Deerfield elects to convert their Convertible Notes in connection with a significant corporate transaction. The maximum increase to the initial conversion rate, in connection with a significant corporate transaction, is 12.07 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Conversion Notes, which decreases over time and is determined by reference to the price of the common stock prior to the consummation of the significant corporate transaction or the value of the significant corporate transaction.

We received net proceeds from the issuance of the Convertible Notes of approximately $124.1 million, after deducting discounts and certain expenses of $875,000. Proceeds from the Convertible Notes are expected to provide sufficient resources to complete all currently known non-clinical and clinical requirements for our development programs advancing RhopressaTM and RoclatanTM, and FDA approval and product commercialization, pending successful outcome of the trials. We also intend to use the proceeds in part for general corporate purposes and potentially for strategic growth opportunities.

Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities

On October 30, 2013, we completed our IPO and issued 7,728,000 shares of our common stock at an IPO price of $10.00 per share, including 1,008,000 shares of common stock issued upon the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares to cover over-allotments. The shares were registered under the Securities Act on a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-191219). The SEC declared the registration statement effective on October 24, 2013. Shares of our common stock began trading on the NASDAQ Global Market on October 25, 2013.

We received net proceeds from the IPO of $68.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $5.4 million and expenses of $3.6 million. None of the expenses associated with the IPO were paid to directors, officers, persons owning 10% or more of any class of equity securities, or their respective associates, or to our affiliates.

As of September 30, 2014, we have used a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these securities to fund the direct clinical and non-clinical costs associated with the development of our lead product candidates and for working capital and general corporate purposes. We have invested the balance of the net proceeds from the IPO in a variety of capital preservation investments, including short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments and U.S. government securities. There has been no material change in our planned use of the net proceeds from our IPO as described in our final prospectus filed with the SEC on October 28, 2013 pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item  5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

The exhibits filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are set forth on the Exhibit Index, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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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.

 

    AERIE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Date: November 12, 2014    

/s/    RICHARD J. RUBINO        

    Richard J. Rubino
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT
NO.

 

EXHIBIT

    4.1*†   Note Purchase Agreement between Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Deerfield Partners, L.P., Deerfield International Master Fund, L.P., Deerfield Private Design Fund III, L.P., Deerfield Special Situations Fund, L.P. and Deerfield Special Situations International Master Fund, L.P., dated as of September 8, 2014.
    4.2*   Form of Note (included in Exhibit 4.1).
    4.3*   Security Agreement among Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Deerfield Partners, L.P., Deerfield International Master Fund, L.P., Deerfield Private Design Fund III, L.P., Deerfield Special Situations Fund, L.P. and Deerfield Special Situations International Master Fund, L.P., as Purchasers, and Deerfield Management Company, L.P., as Agent for the Purchasers, dated September 8, 2014.
  31.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
  31.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
  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.
101.INS**   XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101. CAL**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LAB**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Database.
101.PRE**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

 

The Registrant has requested confidential treatment for certain portions of this Exhibit pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
* Filed herewith.
** Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language):

(i) Balance Sheets at September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013, (ii) Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and the period from inception (June 22, 2005) to September 30, 2014 (unaudited), (iii) Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and for the period from inception (June 22, 2005) to September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and (iv) Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited).

In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 

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