BIOCRYST PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
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Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
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Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
For the transition period from to .
Commission File Number 000-23186
BIOCRYST PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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DELAWARE
(State of other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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62-1413174
(I.R.S. employer identification no.) |
2190 Parkway Lake Drive; Birmingham, Alabama 35244
(Address of principal executive offices)
(205) 444-4600
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
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Name of each exchange on which registered
The NASDAQ Stock Global Market LLC |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of each class
None
Indicate by a check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405
of the Securities Act.
Yes o No þ.
Indicate by a check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13
or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o No þ.
Indicate by a 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.
Yesþ
No o.
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K
(Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference
in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
þ.
Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). (Check One):
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer þ Non-accelerated filer o
Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule
12b-2).
Yes o No þ.
The Registrant estimates that the aggregate market value of the Common Stock on June 30, 2006
(based upon the closing price shown on the NASDAQ Global MarketSM on June 30, 2006) held
by non-affiliates was approximately $298,330,997. For this computation, the Registrant has
excluded the market value of all shares of its Common Stock reported as beneficially owned by
officers, directors and certain significant stockholders of the Registrant. Such exclusion shall
not be deemed to constitute an admission that any such stockholder is an affiliate of the
Registrant.
The number of shares of Common Stock, par value $.01, of the Registrant outstanding as of March 7,
2007 was 29,342,854 shares.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrants definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the
solicitation of proxies for its 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference
into Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 under Part III hereof.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors
This report includes forward-looking statements. In particular, statements about our
expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives or assumptions of future events or performance are
contained or incorporated by reference in this report. We have based these forward-looking
statements on our current expectations about future events. While we believe these expectations are
reasonable, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of
which are beyond our control. Our actual results may differ materially from those suggested by
these forward-looking statements for various reasons, including those discussed in this report
under the heading Risk Factors beginning at page 17. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements
included in this report are made only as of the date hereof. We do not undertake and specifically
decline any obligation to update any of these statements or to publicly announce the results of any
revisions to any forward looking statements to reflect future events or developments. When used in
the report, unless otherwise indicated, we, our and us refers to BioCryst Pharmaceuticals,
Inc.
Overview
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company that designs, optimizes and develops
novel drugs that block key enzymes involved in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune
diseases, and viral infections. BioCryst integrates the necessary disciplines of biology,
crystallography, medicinal chemistry and computer modeling to effectively use structure-based drug
design to discover and develop small molecule pharmaceuticals.
Our lead product candidate, Fodosine, is a transition-state analog inhibitor of the target
enzyme purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP). The compound is currently in a Phase IIb trial,
which is planned to be a pivotal trial, for patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
(T-ALL). The trial is being conducted under a special protocol assessment (SPA) negotiated with
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, Fodosine is currently being studied
in a Phase I/II trial with an oral formulation in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and we are in
active discussions with the FDA to determine what would be required to initiate a pivotal trial in
CTCL during 2007. Fodosine has been granted Orphan Drug status by the FDA for three indications:
T-cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma, including CTCL; chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and related
leukemias including T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, adult T-cell leukemia, and hairy cell leukemia;
and for treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Additionally the FDA has
granted fast track status to the development of Fodosine for the treatment of relapsed or
refractory T-cell leukemia. In February 2006, we announced an exclusive licensing agreement with
Mundipharma International Holdings Limited (Mundipharma) to develop and commercialize Fodosine
in markets across Europe, Asia and Australasia for use in oncology.
Our second most advanced drug candidate is peramivir, an inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase.
We re-initiated clinical development of peramivir during 2006 with a focus on intravenous and
intramuscular delivery. During 2006, we tested peramivir in multiple Phase I trials in healthy
volunteers and early in 2007 we initiated a Phase II trial with the intramuscular formulation. In
January 2007, we announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) had awarded the
Company a $102.6 million, four-year contract for the advanced development of peramivir. Funding
from the contract will support manufacturing of clinical lots, process validation, clinical studies and other
product approval requirements.
In November 2005, the Company announced it had entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing
agreement with F.Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. (Roche) to develop and
commercialize BCX-4208, our second generation PNP inhibitor for the prevention of acute rejection
in transplantation and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
BioCryst is a Delaware corporation originally founded in 1986. Our principal office is
located at 2190 Parkway Lake Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35244, and our telephone number is (205)
444-4600. For more information about BioCryst, please visit our website at www.biocryst.com. The
information on our website is not incorporated into this Form 10-K.
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Our Business Strategy
Our business strategy is to use structure-based drug design technologies to develop
innovative, small-molecule pharmaceuticals to treat a variety of diseases and disorders. We focus
our drug discovery efforts on building potent, selective inhibitors of enzymes associated with
targeted diseases. Enzymes are proteins that cause or enable biological reactions necessary for the
progression of the disease or disorder. The specific enzymes on which we focus are called enzyme
targets. We aim to design compounds that will inhibit an enzyme target by fitting the active site
of a particular enzyme. Inhibition means interfering with the functioning of an enzyme target,
thereby stopping or slowing the progression of the disease or disorder. The principal elements of
our strategy are:
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Select and License Promising Enzyme Targets for the Discovery of Small-Molecule Pharmaceuticals. We use our
technical expertise and network of academic and industry contacts to evaluate and select promising enzyme targets to
license for the discovery of small-molecule pharmaceuticals. We choose enzyme targets that meet as many of the following
criteria as possible: |
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serve important functions in disease pathways; |
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have known animal or cell-based models that would be indicative of results in humans; |
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address large potential markets or niche areas with significant unmet medical need; and |
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have multiple potential clinical applications. |
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Focus on High Value-Added Structure-Based Drug Design Technologies. We focus our drug discovery activities and
expenditures on applications of structure-based drug design technologies to design and develop drug candidates.
Structure-based drug design is a process by which we design a drug candidate through detailed analysis of the enzyme
target, which the drug candidate must inhibit in order to stop the progression of the disease or disorder. We believe
that structure-based drug design is a powerful tool for efficient development of small-molecule drug candidates that
have the potential to be safe, effective and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Our structure-based drug design
technologies typically allow us to design and synthesize multiple drug candidates that inhibit the same enzyme target.
We believe this strategy can lead to broad patent protection and enhance the competitive advantages of our compounds. |
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Develop or License Inhibitors that are Promising Candidates for Commercialization. We test multiple compounds to
identify those that are most promising for clinical development. We base our selection of promising development
candidates on desirable product characteristics, such as initial indications of safety and efficacy. We believe that
this focused strategy allows us to eliminate unpromising candidates from consideration sooner without incurring
substantial clinical costs. In addition, we select drug candidates on the basis of their potential for relatively
efficient Phase I and Phase II clinical trials that require fewer patients to initially indicate safety and efficacy. We
will consider, however, more complex candidates with longer development cycles if we believe that they offer promising
commercial opportunities. |
An important element of our business strategy is to control fixed costs and overhead through
contracting and entering into license agreements with other parties. We maintain a streamlined
corporate infrastructure that focuses on our strongest areas of expertise. By contracting with
other specialty organizations, we believe that we can control costs, enable our drug candidates to
reach the market more quickly and reduce our business risk. Key elements of our contracting
strategy include:
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Entering Into Relationships with Academic Institutions and Biotechnology Companies. Many
academic institutions and biotechnology companies perform extensive research on the molecular
and structural biology of potential drug development targets. By entering into relationships
with these institutions, we believe we can leverage this respective research to significantly
reduce the time, cost and risks involved in drug development. Our collaborative relationships
with such organizations may lead to the licensing of one or more drug targets or compounds.
Upon licensing a drug target or promising compound from one of these institutions, the
scientists from |
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the institution typically become working partners as members of our structure-based drug design
teams. We believe this makes us a more attractive development partner to these scientists since
they can continue to have some involvement in the continuing development of the program. In
addition, we collaborate with outside experts in a number of areas, including crystallography,
molecular modeling, combinatorial chemistry, biology, pharmacology, oncology, cardiology,
immunology and infectious diseases. These collaborations enable us to complement our internal
capabilities without adding costly overhead. We believe this strategy allows us to save valuable
time and expense, and further diversify and strengthen our portfolio of drug candidates. An
example of such a collaborative relationship is the arrangement that we have with Albert Einstein
College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (AECOM) and Industrial Research Limited (IRL) who
are the licensors of our PNP inhibitor programs. |
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Developing Drug Candidates or Licensing Them to Other Parties. We
generally plan to advance drug candidates through initial and/or
early-stage drug development. For larger disease indications requiring
complex clinical trials, our strategy is to license drug candidates to
pharmaceutical or biotechnology partners for final development and
global marketing. We believe partnerships are a good source of
development payments, license fees, future event payments and
royalties. They also reduce the costs and risks, and increase the
effectiveness, of late-stage product development, regulatory approval,
manufacturing and marketing. We believe that focusing on discovery and
early-stage drug development while benefiting from our partners
proven development and commercialization expertise will reduce our
internal expenses and allow us to have a larger number of drug
candidates progress to later stages of drug development. However,
after establishing a lead product candidate, we are willing to license
that candidate during any stage of the development process we
determine to be beneficial to the company and to the ultimate
development and commercialization of that drug candidate. For some
smaller niche disease indications markets, we may choose to develop,
manufacture, and where appropriate market and distribute any approved
drugs ourselves, such as
Fodosinetm for
certain T-cell and B-cell cancers in the U.S. |
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Entering into relationships with Contract Research Organizations
(CROs). We outsource a significant portion of our R&D to third
parties in order to avoid fixed overhead and remain focused on our
core competencies. For example, we rely heavily on others to
manufacture our products and on CROs for our clinical and regulatory
operations. Using these vendors, we are able to capitalize on their
strengths and expertise without having to build such infrastructure
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Products in Development
The following table summarizes BioCrysts most advanced projects as of February 28, 2007:
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Program and Candidate Disease |
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Category/Indication |
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Development Stage |
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Worldwide Rights |
PNP Inhibitor (Fodosine) |
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T-ALL |
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i.v./oral |
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Phase IIb |
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BioCryst/Mundipharma |
CLL |
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oral |
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Phase II |
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B-ALL |
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i.v. |
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Phase I/II |
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CTCL |
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oral |
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Phase I/II |
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Neuraminidase Inhibitor
(peramivir) |
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i.v. |
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Phase I |
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BioCryst |
Viral |
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i.m. |
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Phase II |
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Roche/BioCryst has |
PNP Inhibitor (BCX-4208) |
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co-promotion rights |
Autoimmune diseases |
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in the U.S. in |
Transplantation rejection |
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oral |
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Phase I |
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limited indications |
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Hepatitis C Polymerase Inhibitors |
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oral |
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Preclinical |
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BioCryst |
Viral |
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Additional Products
In addition to the programs shown above, we also retain exclusive rights to potent inhibitors
of parainfluenza neuraminidase and additional PNP inhibitors. We will continue to evaluate and test
each of these compounds to determine which should be taken into clinical testing.
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PNP Inhibitors
T-cell Related Diseases
Overview. The human immune system employs specialized cells, including T-cells, to control
infection by recognizing and attacking disease-causing viruses, bacteria and parasites. T-cells are
an essential part of the bodys immune system that serve a dual purpose to both orchestrate and
participate in the bodys immune response. For the most part, this system works flawlessly to
protect the body. However, when T-cells multiply uncontrollably, T-cell proliferative diseases,
such as T-cell cancers, can occur.
The link between T-cell proliferation and the purine nucleoside phosphorylase, or PNP, enzyme
was first discovered approximately twenty-five years ago when a patient, who was genetically
deficient in PNP, exhibited limited T-cell activity, but reasonably normal activity of other immune
functions. In other patients lacking PNP activity, the T-cell population was selectively depleted;
however, B-cell function tended to be normal. Based on these findings and the results of cell
culture studies, inhibiting PNP appears to produce selective suppression of T-cells without
significantly impairing the function of other cells.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The most common form of leukemia in children is acute
lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). According to the American Cancer Society, 5,200 new cases (adult
and children combined) will be diagnosed in the United States in 2007 (T-cell and B-cell). ALL
results from an acquired injury to the DNA of a single cell in the bone marrow.
T-cell Lymphoma. Lymphoma is a general term for a group of cancers that originate in the
lymphatic system. About 63,190 Americans will be diagnosed with a non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2007
and approximately 15% of these will be considered T-cell lymphomas. T-cell lymphoma results when a
T-lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell) undergoes a malignant change and begins to multiply,
eventually crowding out healthy cells and creating tumors, which enlarge the lymph nodes and invade
other sites in the body. CTCL is a primary skin neoplasm and accounts for nearly 50% of all T-cell
malignancies.
T-cell Mediated Autoimmune Diseases. There are more than 80 clinically distinct autoimmune
diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and Crohns disease, which
appear to have activated T-cells as a major part of their pathogenesis. These diseases occur when
the immune system attacks the bodys own cells rather than invading microorganisms. Therefore,
inhibition and/or elimination of activated T-cells could have a beneficial effect on these
diseases.
Transplant Rejection. The greatest threat to transplant patients is rejection of the
transplanted organ by the bodys own immune system. For this reason, transplant recipients must
take drugs to suppress the immune response and prevent rejection usually for the rest of their
lives. A regimen combining several drugs is usually given and this treatment has to be continued
indefinitely. For kidney transplant recipients, rejection of the new kidney by the patients immune
system can lead to loss of the transplanted organ and a return to dialysis. For heart, lung and
liver transplant patients, loss of the transplanted organ presents an immediate threat to life.
B-cell Related Cancers
Overview. There are two types of lymphocytes in the broadest sense T-cells and B-cells.
Although PNP inhibitors were developed specifically to block the T-cells, recent work indicates
that the same biochemical event the intracellular accumulation of deoxyguanosine triphosphate
(dGTP) also occurs in malignant B-cells. Furthermore, work of Dr. Varsha Gandhi at MD Anderson
Cancer Center has shown that PNP inhibitors, when acting in vitro on B-cells from patients with CLL
induce accumulation of dGTP with resultant apoptosis (cell death).
These studies open the possibility of treating CLL, B-ALL and B-cell non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
(NHL) with Fodosine. Importantly, B-cell malignancies are considerably more prevalent than are the
T-cell leukemias and lymphomas.
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Our PNP Inhibitor(s)
PNP Inhibition. PNP is an enzyme that plays an important role in T-cell proliferation, because
it is necessary to maintain normal DNA synthesis in human T-cells. Selective inhibition of PNP
causes certain nucleosides, including deoxyguanosine, to accumulate. As the concentration of
deoxyguanosine increases within T-cells, it is converted by specific enzymes to dGTP. A high
concentration of dGTP in T-cells causes an imbalance in the intra-cellular trinucleotide pool and
thus causes cell death.
In June 2000, we licensed a series of potent PNP inhibitors from AECOM and IRL. The lead drug
candidate from this collaboration, Fodosine, is a more potent inhibitor of human lymphocyte
proliferation than other previously known PNP inhibitors. Clinical data in our past and ongoing
clinical trials, plus extensive preclinical studies indicate that Fodosine can modulate T-cell
activities. Fodosine is an investigational PNP inhibitor for the potential treatment of T-cell
leukemias and lymphomas. In February 2006, we licensed Fodosine to Mundipharma to develop and
commercialize in markets across Europe, Asia and Australasia for use in oncology.
During 2002, we exercised the option to add a new compound, BCX-4208, to the series of
inhibitors of PNP licensed from AECOM and IRL. Preclinical results indicated that BCX-4208 was a
more potent inhibitor than Fodosine. We completed a Phase I single ascending dose clinical trial
and a Phase Ib multi-dose clinical trial, both in healthy volunteers. In November 2005, we licensed
BCX-4208 to Roche for the world wide development and commercialization in autoimmune diseases and
transplant rejection.
PNP Inhibitor (Fodosine)
Overview
The first clinical trial with an intravenous formulation of Fodosine, which began in 2002,
was a Phase I clinical trial that enrolled T-ALL patients at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in
Houston, Texas. Simultaneously, there were preclinical studies being conducted at the M.D. Anderson
Cancer Center which indicated that Fodosine induces the same biochemical changes in various other
types of leukemia cells that are responsible for the inhibition of T-leukemia cells. The results of
these preclinical studies led us to expand beyond the single starting trial in T-ALL by initiating
additional clinical trials for refractory patients with B-ALL, CTCL, and hematologic malignancies.
Based on the encouraging results of these initial studies, we are working with our partner,
Mundipharma, to develop a strategy for the simultaneous development of Fodosine in multiple
indications using intravenous, oral and combination dosing regimens.
Current Development Strategy (T-ALL, CTCL, B-ALL, and CLL)
Fodosine Clinical Development for Aggressive T-cell Malignancies. During 2004, we initiated a
Phase IIa trial to enroll patients with aggressive T-cell malignancies. Despite encouraging results
observed with other T-cell specific agents, the prognosis for patients with relapsed or refractory
leukemia or lymphoma is poor and treatment options remain limited. The goal of the Phase IIa
clinical trial was to determine the therapeutic effect produced by Fodosine as it relates to the
proposed mechanism of action in the inhibition of proliferating T-lymphocytes in patients with
T-ALL.
Based on the results of the Phase IIa trial, we have negotiated a SPA agreement with the FDA
for the design of a multicenter, open-label, non-randomized repeat-dose registration study to
evaluate an intravenous treatment of Fodosine followed by an oral treatment of Fodosine in
patients with relapsed or refractory T-ALL. This study is designed to determine the rate of
complete remission achieved with Fodosine and will be a multinational trial which will include
sites in the United States, Eastern and Western Europe and South America. We announced the start of
this trial in January 2007.
We have obtained orphan drug status for Fodosine in multiple indications in both the U.S. and
Europe and the FDA has granted fast track status to the development of Fodosine for the
treatment of relapsed or refractory T-cell leukemia. Our current intent is to maintain significant
rights in this program and for BioCryst itself to potentially market and distribute Fodosine in
the United States for treatment of T-cell cancers.
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In 2004, we initiated a Phase I/II trial with an oral formulation of Fodosine for treatment
of patients with CTCL. Based on the encouraging results of this trial, we are in active discussions
with the FDA to determine what would be required to initiate a pivotal trial in CTCL during 2007.
In February 2006, we and Mundipharma entered into an exclusive license agreement to develop
and commercialize Fodosine, in markets across Europe, Asia and Australasia for use in oncology.
The agreement covers a number of markets in Asia and Australasia including Japan, Australia, New
Zealand, China and India. This collaboration should help maximize the global development,
commercialization, and market potential of Fodosine in a variety of serious medical conditions
potentially including T-cell leukemia, CTCL, CLL, T-cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma and B-cell
non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Based on preclinical studies conducted at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
which indicated that Fodosine induces the same biochemical changes in various other types of
leukemia cells that are responsible for the inhibition of T-leukemia cells, we initiated two small
clinical studies late in 2005 in B-cell leukemias, which are more prevalent than T-cell leukemias.
First, we initiated a Phase II trial with oral Fodosine in patients with CLL in an advanced stage
and refractory to fludarabine, the current standard of therapy. Next, we initiated a Phase I/II
clinical trial of Fodosine to determine the safety of repeat doses of an intravenous (IV)
formulation of the drug in patients with B-ALL. We are completing the evaluation of patients from
these trials and are reviewing the results with Mundipharma to determine the best clinical strategy
going forward.
PNP Inhibitor (BCX-4208)
Overview
During the fourth quarter of 2004, we began clinical development of BCX-4208, a
second-generation PNP inhibitor, as a drug candidate for the treatment of T-cell mediated
autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis, and transplant rejection. Although BCX-4208 and Fodosine
are both investigational PNP inhibitors, BCX-4208 differs from Fodosine in significant ways. For
example, BCX-4208 is more potent, and has the ability to suppress PNP for longer periods of time.
Thus, BCX-4208 has potential advantages over Fodosine for the treatment of diseases requiring
long-term, chronic administration of a PNP inhibitor.
Current Development Strategy
We completed our initial Phase I study, a single dose pharmacokinetic trial in healthy
volunteers, early in 2005 and during the third quarter of 2005, we initiated a Phase Ib multi dose
trial in healthy volunteers to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of multiple
oral doses of BCX-4208. In November 2005, we and Roche announced an exclusive license agreement for
the worldwide development and commercialization of BCX-4208 for the prevention of acute rejection
in transplantation and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. This collaboration provided
substantial strategic and economic benefit to us and also all the essential elements for the rapid,
comprehensive and competitive development of BCX-4208. The two companies have established a joint
committee to set the clinical development strategy and the future development program for BCX-4208.
We completed the dosing of subjects in the Phase Ib trial during 2006 and we are currently
working with Roche to plan the further development of BCX-4208 and anticipate that a Phase II trial
will be initiated during 2007.
Neuraminidase Inhibitor
Influenza
Seasonal Influenza. Seasonal influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection
characterized by symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, headache, and/or chills.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 5% to 20% of
the American population suffers from influenza annually, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized
from flu complications, and approximately 36,000 people die. Influenza is particularly dangerous to
the elderly, young children and people with certain health conditions. Outbreaks of seasonal flu
tend to follow predictable patterns usually occurring in the winter. New vaccines are developed
annually based on known flu strains and are usually available for the annual flu season. There are
also antiviral treatments available for the treatment of people infected with influenza.
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Avian Influenza. According to information from the CDC, avian influenza, or bird flu is an
infection caused by viruses which occur naturally among birds. This form of flu is very contagious
among birds and can lead to serious illness and sometimes death. There are two main forms of
disease that infect domestic poultry, one a low pathogenic form and the other a highly pathogenic
form. The latter form can cause disease that affects multiple internal organs and with a mortality
rate between 90-100% in these birds within 2 days.
While there are many different subtypes of the influenza A virus, only three subtypes are
known to be currently circulating among humans. Avian influenza A viruses are found chiefly in
birds, but there have been confirmed cases of infection in humans, generally as a result of contact
with infected birds. These infections have led to symptoms ranging from those of normal flu to more
severe and life threatening conditions. Influenza A (H5N1) is a subtype of an influenza virus
that is highly contagious among birds and can be very deadly to them. Of the avian influenza
viruses that have crossed the species barrier to infect humans, the H5N1 virus has caused the
largest number of detected cases of severe disease and death in humans. Thus far, this virus does
not spread easily from one person to another, but as influenza A viruses constantly change, they
could mutate over time to have the ability to spread rapidly among humans.
Pandemic Influenza. Pandemic influenza is a global disease outbreak that occurs when a new
influenza virus emerges so that people have had no previous exposure. This situation occurs very
rarely and only occurred three times in the 20th century.
Influenza Prevention and Treatment. The development of effective therapeutics has challenged
medical researchers due to the seasonal variation in viral strains and the highly infectious nature
of influenza. Patients, therefore, have limited treatment options. Amantadine and rimantadine are
used for treatment of influenza A but are ineffective against influenza B. In addition, these drugs
cause some adverse side effects, and the virus tends to develop resistance to these drugs. The CDC
has recommended against the use of amantadine and rimantadine for the treatment or prophylaxis of
influenza in the United States until susceptibility to these antiviral medications has been
re-established among circulating influenza A viruses.
Vaccines are available against the disease but have limitations: people require advance
vaccination; vaccines are limited by their specificity to particular strains of the virus; and
vaccines offer little protection if the vaccine is inaccurate. In addition, many people decline the
required injections because of fear and/or discomfort. The ability of the virus to change its
structure to avoid the bodys natural defenses is a serious obstacle to developing an effective
vaccine against influenza. Different strains can arise when surface antigens on the virus (the
portion of the virus that causes an immune reaction in humans) undergo minor genetic mutations each
year as the virus replicates. Because of this mutability, the immunity acquired in response to
infection by a particular strain of the virus does not provide adequate protection against viruses
that subsequently arise. The production of a new vaccine each year is not only complex and
expensive, but also an inefficient method of global disease control.
Inhibiting Influenza Neuraminidase. Research during the past two decades has seen dramatic
advances in understanding the molecular structure and function of the influenza virus. Considerable
attention has been focused on the enzyme neuraminidase, which is located on the surface of the
virus. Neuraminidase assists in the release and spread of the flu virus by breaking the chemical
strands that hold the new viruses to the cell surface, allowing the replicated virus to spread and
infect other cells. This process progresses until the hosts immune response can produce enough
antibodies to bring the infection under control. Inhibiting the neuraminidase enzyme keeps new
viruses attached to the cell surface, thereby preventing the spread of the virus and the further
infection of other cells. The subsequent quantities of virus in the bloodstream are not enough to
cause disease but are sufficient to induce the body to mount an immune response.
In addition to our neuraminidase inhibitor drug candidate, both Roche, in collaboration with
Gilead Sciences, and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have neuraminidase inhibitors. Roches neuraminidase
inhibitor is a twice-a-day, orally active neuraminidase inhibitor, while GSKs neuraminidase
inhibitor is administered by dry powder inhaler twice a day. Both drugs are approved for marketing
in the United States and other countries for treatment of influenza. Roches neuraminidase
inhibitor is also approved for prophylaxis use for prevention of influenza. In addition to these
companies with neuraminidase inhibitors, there are other companies working to develop additional
antiviral drugs to be used against various strains of influenza.
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Some studies in laboratories suggest that some of these neuraminidase inhibitor drugs should
work in treating avian influenza infections in humans, but additional studies are needed to
demonstrate the effectiveness of these drugs.
Neuraminidase Inhibitor (peramivir)
Overview
Background. In 1987, scientists at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), in
collaboration with our scientists, began determining the molecular structure of the influenza
neuraminidase enzyme from several different strains of influenza, using X-ray crystallography.
Subsequently, our scientists and UAB scientists developed numerous new inhibitors of these enzymes
using structure-based drug design. We licensed the influenza neuraminidase program from UAB in 1994
and proceeded to complete the studies of the enzymes molecular structure needed to advance the
development of neuraminidase inhibitors. The structure of the active site of influenza
neuraminidase is similar among different viral strains. Because of this similarity, we believe that
our neuraminidase inhibitors may be effective in the treatment and prevention of influenza,
regardless of changes in the virus.
Current status of peramivir. Due to the recent international concern about a potential
influenza pandemic that could be initiated by avian strains of the virus, peramivir has received
considerable attention, since it is positioned to be one of very few advanced antiviral
alternatives behind oseltamivir, or Tamiflu, for addressing a potential pandemic. As a result, we
re-initiated the clinical development of peramivir during 2006.
Current Development Strategy
Preclinical studies comparing peramivir with other anti-influenza drugs have demonstrated that
peramivir has outstanding broad-spectrum potency against multiple strains of influenza, including
the avian strain H5N1. In addition, peramivir retains activity against nearly all Tamiflu-resistant
strains of influenza that have been identified to date. We are currently focusing on injectable
formulations of peramivir that may achieve high blood levels that should be effective against most
strains of influenza, including strains that may be resistant to Tamiflu. Our investigational new
drug application (IND) for i.v. peramivir became effective in December 2005 and for i.m. in
November 2006. We received fast track designation from the FDA in January 2006 and initiated a
Phase I clinical trial with i.v. peramivir in March 2006. During 2006, we conducted multiple Phase
I clinical trials in healthy volunteers in preparation for the Phase II trials to be initiated
during the 2006-2007 influenza season, which began with the initiation of a Phase II study with the
i.m. formulation in January 2007.
Our plan is to develop two injectable formulations, including intravenous peramivir for
treating acutely ill patients, and an intramuscular injectable formulation for treatment of
earlier-stage infected patients. We expect the clinical development for these injectable
formulations to follow a classical development pathway. Initial testing in patients infected with
seasonal flu began with the initiation of the Phase II study with the i.m. formulation in January
2007. Preclinical studies have indicated that a single injection of peramivir is effective at
preventing death in mice from infections with virulent strains of influenza. If this finding can be
confirmed in clinical trials, we believe the i.m. formulation will have considerable potential for
treating patients with seasonal influenza infections, in addition to providing an effective
mechanism for treating large numbers of patients rapidly in the event of a flu pandemic.
Congress approved an appropriation of $3.8 billion for 2006 to support the development of
various countermeasures for a flu pandemic. The appropriation included funding for the development
of new antiviral agents. In January 2007, we announced that HHS had awarded the Company a $102.6
million, four-year contract for the advanced development of peramivir for U.S. licensure. Funding
from the contract will support manufacturing of clinical lots, process validation, clinical studies and other
product approval requirements needed for U.S. licensure.
Hepatitis C Polymerase Inhibitors
Overview
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been described in the New England Journal of Medicine
as the nations most common chronic blood-borne infection. According to the World Health
Organization, 3% of the worlds population are infected with HCV and are at risk of developing
liver cirrhosis and/or liver cancer. The CDC estimates there are an estimated 4.1 million Americans
(approximately 1.6% of the population) that have been infected with HCV,
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of whom 3.2 million are chronically infected. According to the CDC, as many as 55-85% of those
infected with HCV will have chronic infection and 70% of those will develop chronic liver disease.
While there are several approved treatments for chronic HCV using a combination therapy of
interferon and ribavirin, there are some potentially severe side effects to these treatments.
Background. In June 2000, we licensed intellectual property from Emory University (Emory)
related to the hepatitis C polymerase target associated with hepatitis C viral infections. Under
the original terms of the agreement, the research investigators from Emory provided us with
materials and technical insight into the target.
Current Development Strategy
We are targeting HCV polymerase through collaborative and in-house efforts. Specifically, we
are focused on development of orally active inhibitors against the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
Competition for this target is less intense than for the HCV protease target and history suggests
the likelihood of designing a useful inhibitor against this target may be better than designing
inhibitors against the protease.
We have designed, synthesized and screened potential compounds against HCV polymerase.
Specifically, our scientists have measured the potency and ability of potential drug candidates to
block the replication of HCV polymerase in vitro, or in test tubes. These experiments measure the
potency of each selected compounds ability to block replication. Advanced screening was also used
to measure the fit of promising compounds in the HCV polymerase active site using X-ray
crystallography and computer molecular modeling. The goal has been to identify a series of
compounds that are potent in vitro inhibitors of the active site of the HCV polymerase for further
testing and lead optimization.
During 2005, we identified a lead compound, BCX-4678, for which we have made progress in the
preclinical development, plus major improvements in the large-scale synthesis. In addition, we have
identified a number of other preclinical candidates for this therapeutic area and we are currently
evaluating and prioritizing which candidate(s) to bring into clinical development.
Structure-Based Drug Design
Structure-based drug design is a drug discovery approach by which we design synthetic
compounds from detailed structural knowledge of the active sites of enzyme targets associated with
particular diseases. Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts for many vital biological
reactions. Our goal generally is to design a compound that will fit in the active site of an enzyme
(the active site of an enzyme is the area into which a chemical or biological molecule fits to
initiate a biochemical reaction) and thereby interfere with the progression of disease.
Our structure-based drug design involves the application of both traditional biology and
medicinal chemistry and an array of advanced technologies. We use X-ray crystallography, computer
modeling of molecular structures and advanced chemistry techniques to focus on the
three-dimensional molecular structure and active site characteristics of the enzymes that control
cellular biology.
We believe that structure-based drug design technologies are superior to drug screening
techniques. By identifying the target enzyme in advance and by discovering the chemical and
molecular structure of the enzyme, we believe it is possible to design a better drug to interact
with the enzyme. In addition, the structural data obtained by X-ray crystallographic analysis allow
additional analysis and compound modification at each stage of the biological evaluation. This
capability makes structure-based drug design a powerful tool for efficient development of drugs
that are highly specific for particular enzyme target sites.
Research and Development
We initiated our research and development program in 1986, with drug synthesis beginning in
1987. We have assembled a scientific research staff with expertise in a broad base of advanced
research technologies including protein biochemistry, X-ray crystallography, chemistry and
pharmacology. Our research facilities include protein biochemistry and organic synthesis
laboratories, testing facilities, X-ray crystallography, computer and graphics equipment and
facilities to make drug candidates on a small scale for early stage clinical trials. Beginning in
June 2006, we began
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building an internal clinical development and regulatory team, based in Cary, North Carolina
to manage the development strategy for our products.
During the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, we spent $47.1, $23.6 and $18.9
million, respectively, on research and development. Approximately $13.4, $9.1 and $8.0 million of
those respective amounts were spent on in-house research and development, and $33.7, $14.5 and
$10.9 million, respectively were spent on contract research and development.
Collaboration and In-License Relationships
We seek to enter into collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
when we feel it is advantageous to leverage these companies resources to develop and commercialize
our drug candidates on a global basis. This allows us to remain focused on our strength of early
stage discovery and development of drug candidates. To date, we have two major collaborations for
the development and commercialization of our lead PNP inhibitors and two collaborations for the
development and commercialization of peramivir in certain countries outside the U.S. In addition,
in January 2007, we announced that HHS had awarded the Company a $102.6 million, four-year contract
for the advanced development of peramivir for U.S. licensure.
Another important component of our strategy is to augment our internal discovery programs
through the selective in-licensing of potential drug development targets or early stage compounds
for these specific targets.
Corporate Alliances
Roche. In November 2005, we entered into an exclusive license with Roche for the development
and commercialization of our second generation PNP inhibitor, BCX-4208, for the prevention of acute
rejection in transplantation and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Under the terms of the
agreement, Roche obtained worldwide rights to BCX-4208 in exchange for an up-front payment of $30
million, which included a payment as reimbursement for a limited supply of material during the
first 24 months of the collaboration. There could also be future event payments for achieving
specified development, regulatory and commercial milestones (including sales level milestones
following a products launch) for certain indications. In addition, we will receive royalties based
on a percentage of net product sales, which varies depending upon when certain indications receive
NDA approval in a major market country and can vary by country depending on the patent coverage or
sales of generic compounds in a particular country. We licensed this compound and other PNP
inhibitors from AECOM and IRL and will owe sublicense payments to these third parties on the
upfront payment, future event payments and royalties received by us for the sublicense of these
inhibitors.
Roche has a right of first negotiation, under certain conditions, on existing backup PNP
inhibitors we develop through Phase IIb in transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases, but any
new PNP inhibitors are exempt from this agreement and we retain all rights to such compounds. We
retain the right to co-promote BCX-4208 in the U.S. for several indications. Roche has certain
obligations under the terms of the agreement to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop,
manufacture and commercialize the licensed product. The agreement may be terminated by either party
following an uncured material breach by the other party or may be either fully or partially
terminated by Roche without cause under certain conditions and all rights, data, materials,
products and other information would be transferred to us at no cost.
Mundipharma. In February 2006, we entered into an exclusive, royalty bearing right and license
in the specified territory (primarily Europe, Asia and Australasia) with Mundipharma for the
development and commercialization of our lead PNP inhibitor, Fodosine, for use in oncology. Under
the terms of the agreement, Mundipharma obtained oncology rights to Fodosine in the specified
territory in exchange for a $10 million up-front payment. Mundipharma will share 50% of the
documented out of pocket development costs incurred by us in respect of our current and planned
trials as of the effective date of the agreement provided that Mundipharmas maximum contribution
to these trials shall be $10 million. In addition, Mundipharma will conduct additional clinical
trials at their own cost up to a maximum of $15 million. The license provides for future event
payments for achieving specified development, regulatory and commercial events (including certain
sales level amounts following a products launch) for certain indications. In addition, we will
receive royalties based on a percentage of net product sales, which varies depending upon when
certain indications receive NDA approval in a major market country and can vary by country
depending on the patent
10
coverage or sales of generic compounds in a particular country. Generally, all payments under
the agreement are nonrefundable and non-creditable, but they are subject to audit. We licensed this
compound and other PNP inhibitors from AECOM and IRL and will owe sublicense payments to these
third parties on the upfront payment, future event payments and royalties received by us for the
sublicense of these inhibitors.
Within five years of the effective date of the agreement, Mundipharma will has a right of
first negotiation on existing backup PNP inhibitors we develop through Phase IIb in oncology, but
any new PNP inhibitors are exempt from this agreement and we retain all rights to such compounds.
We retain the rights to Fodosine in the United States (U.S.) and Mundipharma is obligated by the
terms of the agreement to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop the licensed product in
the territory specified by the agreement. The agreement will continue for the commercial life of
the licensed products, but may be terminated by either party following an uncured material breach
by the other party or in the event the pre-existing third party license with AECOM and IRL expires.
It may be terminated by Mundipharma upon 60 days written notice without cause or under certain
other conditions as specified in the agreement and all rights, data, materials, products and other
information would be transferred to us at no cost. In the event we terminate the agreement for
material default or insolvency, we could have to pay Mundipharma 50% of the costs of any
independent data owned by Mundipharma in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Shionogi & Co., Ltd. In March 2007, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement
with Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Shionogi) to develop and commercialize the Companys lead influenza
neuraminidase inhibitor, peramivir, in Japan for the treatment of seasonal and potentially
life-threatening human influenza. Under the terms of the agreement, Shionogi obtained rights to
injectable formulations of peramivir in Japan in exchange for a $14 million up-front payment. The
license provides for future event payments for achieving specified development, regulatory and
commercial events (including certain sales level amounts following a products launch) for certain
indications. In addition, the Company will receive royalties based on a percentage of net product
sales. Generally, all payments under the agreement are nonrefundable and non-creditable, but they
are subject to audit. The Company developed peramivir under a license from UAB and will owe
sublicense payments to them on the upfront payment and any future event payments and/or royalties
received by the Company from Shionogi. The Company retains all rights to commercialize peramivir
in North America, Europe, and other countries outside of Korea and Japan.
Green Cross Corporation (Green Cross). In June 2006, the Company entered into an agreement
with Green Cross to develop and commercialize peramivir in Korea. Under the terms of the
agreement, Green Cross will be responsible for all development, regulatory, and commercialization
costs in Korea. The Company received a one-time license fee and may also receive future event
payments as well as royalties on product sales of peramivir. In addition, the Company will share
in any profits resulting from the sale of peramivir to the Korean government for stockpiling
purposes. Furthermore, Green Cross will pay the Company a premium over its cost to supply
peramivir for development and any future marketing of peramivir products in Korea.
Academic Alliances
Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Industrial Research, Ltd, New
Zealand. In June 2000, we licensed a series of potent inhibitors of PNP from AECOM and IRL. The
lead drug candidates from this collaboration are Fodosine and BCX-4208. We have obtained worldwide
exclusive rights to develop and ultimately distribute these compounds or any other drug candidates
that might arise from research on these inhibitors. We have agreed to pay certain milestone
payments for future development of these inhibitors, certain royalties on sales of any resulting
product, and to share in future payments received from other third-party partners, if any. In
addition, we have agreed to pay an annual license fee that is non-refundable, but is creditable
against actual royalties and other payments due to AECOM and IRL. This agreement may be terminated
by us at any time by giving 60 days advance notice or in the event of material uncured breach by
AECOM and/or IRL.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham. We have had a close relationship with UAB since our
formation. Our Chairman, Dr. Charles E. Bugg, was the previous Director of the UAB Center for
Macromolecular Crystallography, and our President and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. J. Claude
Bennett, was the former President of UAB, the former Chairman of the Department of Medicine at UAB
and a former Chairman of the Department of Microbiology at UAB. Several of our early programs
originated at UAB.
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We currently have agreements with UAB for influenza neuraminidase and complement inhibitors.
Under the terms of these agreements, UAB performed specific research for us in return for research
payments and license fees. UAB has granted us certain rights to any discoveries in these areas
resulting from research developed by UAB or jointly developed with us. We have agreed to pay
royalties on sales of any resulting product and to share in future payments received from other
third-party partners. We have completed the research under both the complement and influenza
agreements. These two agreements have initial 25-year terms, are automatically renewable for
five-year terms throughout the life of the last patent and are terminable by us upon three months
notice and by UAB under certain circumstances. There is currently no activity between us and UAB
on these agreements, but when the Company licenses this technology, such as in the case of the
Shionogi and Green Cross agreements, or commercialize products related to these programs, we will
owe sublicense fees or royalties on amounts we receive.
Emory. In June 2000, we licensed intellectual property from Emory related to the HCV
polymerase target associated with hepatitis C viral infections. Under the original terms of the
agreement, the research investigators from Emory provided us with materials and technical insight
into the target. We have agreed to pay Emory royalties on sales of any resulting product and to
share in future payments received from other third party partners, if any. We can terminate this
agreement at any time by giving 90 days advance notice.
Government Contracts
In January 2007, we announced that HHS had awarded the Company a $102.6 million, four-year
contract for the advanced development of peramivir for U.S. licensure. Funding from the contract
will support manufacturing of clinical lots, process validation, clinical studies and other product approval
requirements needed for U.S. licensure. HHS has indicated that antiviral drugs are an important
element of their pandemic influenza preparedness efforts and that their strategy includes not only
stockpiling of existing antiviral drugs but also seeking out new antiviral medications to further
broaden their capabilities to treat and prevent all forms of influenza. Peramivir is in the same
class of neuraminidase inhibitors as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), all of which
are antiviral drugs, but the method of delivery for peramivir will be parenteral (i.m. and i.v.) as
compared to the oral Tamiflu or inhaled Relenza. We are committed to working with HHS for the
development of these parenteral formulations of peramivir which could be especially useful in
hospital settings or pandemic situations due to the ability to achieve high levels of the drug
rapidly throughout the body.
This contract is a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, which is milestone-driven. HHS will make
periodic assessments of progress and the continuation of the contract is based on our performance,
timeliness and quality of deliverables, and other factors. The government has rights under certain
contract clauses to terminate this contract.
Patents and Proprietary Information
Our success will depend in part on our ability to obtain and enforce patent protection for our
products, methods, processes and other proprietary technologies, preserve our trade secrets, and
operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of other parties, both in the United States
and in other countries. We own or have rights to certain proprietary information, proprietary
technology, issued and allowed patents and patent applications which relate to compounds we are
developing. We actively seek, when appropriate, protection for our products, proprietary technology
and proprietary information by means of U.S. and foreign patents, trademarks and contractual
arrangements. In addition, we rely upon trade secrets and contractual arrangements to protect
certain of our proprietary information, proprietary technology and products.
The patent positions of companies like ours are generally uncertain and involve complex legal
and factual questions. Our ability to maintain and solidify our proprietary position for our
technology will depend on our success in obtaining effective patent claims and enforcing those
claims once granted. We do not know whether any of our patent applications or those patent
applications that we license will result in the issuance of any patents. Our issued patents and
those that may issue in the future, or those licensed to us, may be challenged, invalidated,
rendered unenforceable or circumvented, which could limit our ability to stop competitors from
marketing related products or the length of term of patent protection that we may have for our
products. In addition, the rights granted under any issued patents may not provide us with
competitive advantages against competitors with similar compounds or technology. Furthermore, our
competitors may independently develop similar technologies or duplicate any technology developed by
us in a manner that does not infringe our patents or other intellectual property. Because of the
extensive time required for development, testing and regulatory review of a potential product, it
is possible that, before any of our drug candidates or those
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developed by our partners can be commercialized, any related patent may expire or remain in
force for only a short period following commercialization, thereby reducing any advantage of the
patent.
As of February 20, 2007, we have been issued 28 U.S. patents that expire between 2009 and 2023
and that relate to our PNP, serine protease and neuraminidase inhibitor compounds. We have licensed
six additional composition of matter patents and two pending composition of matter patents from
AECOM and IRL for our PNP inhibitors, plus additional manufacturing patents related to these PNP
inhibitors and one patent from Emory related to hepatitis C. Additionally, we have 16 U.S. patent
applications pending related to PNP, neuraminidase, RNA viral polymerase, paramyxovirus
neuraminidase, and serine protease inhibitors. Our pending applications may not result in issued
patents, and our patents may not provide us with sufficient protection against competitive products
or otherwise be commercially viable.
Our success is also dependent upon the skills, knowledge and experience of our scientific and
technical personnel, none of which is patentable. To help protect our rights, we require all
employees, consultants, advisors and partners to enter into confidentiality agreements, which
prohibit the disclosure of confidential information to anyone outside of our company and, where
possible, requires disclosure and assignment to us of their ideas, developments, discoveries and
inventions. These agreements may not provide adequate protection for our trade secrets, know-how or
other proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized use or disclosure or the lawful
development by others of such information.
Marketing and Sales
We currently plan to market, distribute and sell Fodosine in the U.S. for use in treatment of
T-cell and B-cell cancers. Although our general strategy is to rely on major marketing companies
for worldwide commercialization of most products we may develop, we believe that we can manage the
highly specialized oncology market for Fodosine within the U.S. Most patients with advanced T-cell
malignancies in the U.S. are treated at major referral cancer centers, and many of these centers
have been participating in our Fodosine clinical trials and will thus be familiar with Fodosine
if it reaches the market. However, we lack experience in marketing, distributing and selling
pharmaceutical products. Our general strategy is to rely on partners, licensees or arrangements
with others to provide for the marketing, distribution and sales of products we may develop. We may
not be able to establish and maintain acceptable commercial arrangements with partners, licensees
or others to perform such activities.
Competition
The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are intensely competitive. Many companies,
including biotechnology, chemical and pharmaceutical companies, are actively engaged in activities
similar to ours, including research and development of drugs for the treatment of cancer,
infectious, autoimmune, inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases and disorders. Many of these
companies have substantially greater financial and other resources, larger research and development
staffs, and more extensive marketing and manufacturing organizations than we do. In addition, some
of them have considerable experience in preclinical testing, clinical trials and other regulatory
approval procedures. For example, in October 2005, the FDA announced the approval of Arranon
(nelarabine) for the treatment of adults and children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
This drug was approved under the FDAs orphan drug and accelerated approval (fast track) programs
and is being distributed and marketed by GSK. We are currently testing Fodosine in T-cell ALL and
have also received both orphan drug and fast track designation from the FDA. There are also
academic institutions, governmental agencies and other research organizations that are conducting
research in areas in which we are working. They may also market commercial products, either on
their own or through collaborative efforts.
We expect to encounter significant competition for any of the pharmaceutical products we plan
to develop. Companies that complete clinical trials, obtain required regulatory approvals and
commence commercial sales of their products before their competitors may achieve a significant
competitive advantage. Such is the case with GSKs Arranon for T-cell ALL and the current
neuraminidase inhibitors marketed by GSK and Roche for influenza. In addition, several
pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, including major pharmaceutical companies and specialized
structure-based drug design companies, have announced efforts in the field of structure-based drug
design and in the fields of PNP, HCV, influenza, and other therapeutic areas where we are focusing
our drug discovery efforts.
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In order to compete successfully, we must develop proprietary positions in patented drugs for
therapeutic markets that have not been satisfactorily addressed by conventional research strategies
and, in the process, expand our expertise in structure-based drug design. Our products, even if
successfully tested and developed, may not be adopted by physicians over other products and may not
offer economically feasible alternatives to other therapies.
Government Regulation
The FDA regulates the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in the U.S., and our drug
candidates are subject to extensive and rigorous domestic government regulations prior to
commercialization. The FDA regulates, among other things, the development, testing, manufacture,
safety, efficacy, record-keeping, labeling, storage, approval, advertising, promotion, sale and
distribution of pharmaceutical products. In foreign countries, our products are also subject to
extensive regulation by foreign governments. These government regulations will be a significant
factor in the production and marketing of any pharmaceutical products that we develop. Failure to
comply with applicable FDA and other regulatory requirements at any stage during the regulatory
process may subject us to sanctions, including:
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warning letters; |
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fines; |
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product recalls or seizures; |
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injunctions; |
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penalties; |
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refusal of the FDA to review pending market approval applications or supplements to approval
applications; |
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total or partial suspension of production; |
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civil penalties; |
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withdrawals of previously approved marketing applications; and |
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criminal prosecutions. |
The regulatory review and approval process is lengthy, expensive and uncertain. Before
obtaining regulatory approvals for the commercial sale of any products, we or our partners must
demonstrate that our product candidates are safe and effective for use in humans. The approval
process takes many years, substantial expenses may be incurred and significant time may be devoted
to clinical development.
Before testing potential candidates in humans, we carry out laboratory and animal studies to
determine safety and biological activity. After completing preclinical trials, we must file an IND,
including a proposal to begin clinical trials, with the FDA. We have filed thirteen INDs to date
and plan to file, or rely on future partners to file, additional INDs in the future as our
potential drug candidates advance to that stage of development. Thirty days after filing an IND, a
Phase I human clinical trial can start, unless the FDA places a hold on the study.
Our Phase I trials are designed to determine safety in a small group of patients or healthy
volunteers. We also assess tolerances and the metabolic and pharmacologic actions of our drug
candidates at different doses. After we complete the initial trials, we conduct Phase II trials to
assess safety and efficacy and establish the optimal dose in patients. If Phase II trials are
successful, we or our partners conduct Phase III trials to verify the results in a larger patient
population. Phase III trials are required for FDA approval to market a drug. A Phase III trial may
require hundreds or even thousands of patients and is the most expensive to conduct. The goal in
Phase III is to collect enough safety and efficacy data to obtain FDA approval of a drug for
treatment of a particular disease. For some clinical indications that are
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especially serious and for which there are no effective treatments, such as refractory
cancers, conditional approval can be obtained following Phase II trials.
Initiation and completion of the clinical trial phases are dependent on several factors
including things that are beyond our control. For example, the clinical trials cannot begin at a
particular site until that site receives approval from its Institutional Review Board (IRB),
which reviews the protocol and related documents. This process can take from several weeks to
several months. In addition, clinical trials are dependent on patient enrollment, but the rate at
which patients enroll in the study depends on:
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willingness of investigators to participate in a study; |
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the availability of patients; |
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the patients meeting the eligibility criteria. |
Delays in planned patient enrollment may result in increased expense and longer development
timelines.
After completion of the clinical trials of a product, we or our partners must submit a NDA to
the FDA for marketing approval before commercialization of the product. The FDA may not grant
approval on a timely basis, if at all. The FDA, as a result of the Food and Drug Administration
Modernization Act of 1997, has six months to review and act upon license applications for priority
therapeutics that are for life-threatening or unmet medical needs. Standard reviews can take
between one and two years, and can even take longer if significant questions arise during the
review process. The FDA may withdraw any required approvals, once obtained.
In addition to clinical development regulations, we and our contract manufacturers and
partners must comply with the applicable FDA current good manufacturing practice (GMP)
regulations. GMP regulations include requirements relating to quality control and quality assurance
as well as the corresponding maintenance of records and documentation. Manufacturing facilities are
subject to inspection by the FDA. Such facilities must be approved before we can use them in
commercial manufacturing of our potential products. We or our contract manufacturers may not be
able to comply with the applicable GMP requirements and other FDA regulatory requirements. If we or
our contract manufacturers fail to comply, our business, financial condition and results of
operations will be materially adversely affected.
Human Resources
As of February 28, 2007, we had 85 employees, of whom 61 were engaged in research and
development and 24 were in general and administrative functions. Our scientific staff, 28 of whom
hold Ph.D. or M.D. degrees, has diversified experience in biochemistry, pharmacology, X-ray
crystallography, synthetic organic chemistry, computational chemistry, and medicinal chemistry. We
consider our relations with our employees to be satisfactory.
Scientific Advisory Board and Consultants
Our scientific advisory board (SAB) is comprised of five scientific advisors who are leaders
in certain of our core disciplines or who otherwise have specific expertise in our therapeutic
focus areas. The SAB meets as a group at scheduled meetings and consists of the following
individuals:
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Albert F. LoBuglio, M.D. (Chairman)
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Director Emeritus and Distinguished Professor,
Comprehensive Cancer Center , University Of Alabama at
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Gordon N. Gill, M.D.
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Professor of Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Medicine;
Dean of Translational Medicine, University of California,
San Diego School of Medicine. |
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Lorraine J. Gudas, Ph.D.
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Professor and Chairman, Department of Pharmacology
Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Revlon
Pharmaceutical Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology. |
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Herbert A. Hauptman, Ph.D.
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President of the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research
Institute, Inc. (formerly the Medical Foundation (Buffalo),
Inc.), and Research Professor in Biophysical Sciences and
Distinguished Professor in Structural Biology at
the State University of New York (Buffalo). Recipient
of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1985). |
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Hamilton O. Smith, M.D.
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Professor, Molecular Biology and Genetics Department
at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
retired, and Scientific Director of the Synthetic Biology
and Biological Energy Groups at the J. Craig Venter
Institute in Rockville, Maryland. Recipient of the Nobel
Prize in Medicine (1978). |
The SAB members are reimbursed for their expenses and receive periodic options to purchase
shares of common stock. We also have consulting agreements with a number of other scientists with
expertise in our core disciplines or who are specialists in diseases or treatments on which we
focus. The SAB members and other consultants are all employed by or have consulting agreements with
entities other than us, some of which may compete with us in the future. They are expected to
devote only a small portion of their time to our business, although no specific time commitment has
been established. They are not expected to participate actively in our affairs or in the
development of our technology. Several of the institutions with which the SAB members and the
consultants are affiliated may adopt new regulations or policies that limit their ability to
consult with us. The loss of the services of the SAB members and the consultants could adversely
affect us to the extent that we are pursuing research or development in areas relevant to their
expertise. To the extent members of our SAB members or the consultants have consulting arrangements
with or become employed by any of our competitors, we could be materially adversely affected.
Any inventions or processes independently discovered by the SAB members or the consultants may
not become our property and will probably remain the property of such persons or of such persons
employers. In addition, the institutions with which they are affiliated may make available the
research services of their personnel, including the SAB members and the consultants, to our
competitors pursuant to sponsored research agreements. We require the SAB members and the
consultants to enter into confidentiality agreements which prohibit the disclosure of confidential
information to anyone outside of our company and require disclosure and assignment to us of their
ideas, developments, discoveries or inventions. However, our competitors may gain access to trade
secrets and other proprietary information developed by us and disclosed to the SAB members and the
consultants.
Available Information
We have available a website on the Internet. Our address is www.biocryst.com. We make
available at our website our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current
Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such
material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. We also make available at our website copies of our
audit committee charter, compensation committee charter, corporate governance and nominating
committee charter and our code of business conduct, which applies to all employees of BioCryst as
well as the members of our Board of Directors.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
An investment in our stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the
following risks, along with all of the other information included in our other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, before deciding to buy our common stock. Additional risks and
uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also impair
our business operations. If we are unable to prevent events that have a negative effect from
occurring, then our business may suffer. Negative events are likely to decrease our revenue,
increase our costs, make our financial results poorer and/or decrease our financial strength, and
may cause our stock price to decline. In that case, you may lose all or a part of your investment
in our common stock.
Risks Relating to Our Business
We have incurred substantial losses since our inception in 1986, expect to continue to incur such
losses, and may never be profitable.
Since our inception in 1986, we have not been profitable. We expect to incur additional losses
for the foreseeable future, and our losses could increase as our research and development efforts
progress. As of December 31, 2006, our accumulated deficit was approximately $195.5 million. To
become profitable, we must successfully develop drug product candidates, enter into profitable
agreements with other parties and our product candidates must receive regulatory approval. We or
these other parties must then successfully manufacture and market our product candidates. It could
be several years, if ever, before we receive royalties from any current or future license
agreements or revenues directly from product sales.
Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with developing our product
candidates and their potential for commercialization, we are unable to predict the extent of any
future losses or when we will become profitable, if at all. Even if we do achieve profitability, we
may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. If we are
unable to achieve and sustain profitability, the market value of our common stock will likely
decline.
Our success depends upon our ability to advance our products through the various stages of
development, especially through the clinical trial process.
To receive the regulatory approvals necessary for the sale of our product candidates, we or
our partners must demonstrate through preclinical studies and clinical trials that each product
candidate is safe and effective. The clinical trial process is complex and uncertain. Because of
the cost and duration of clinical trials, we may decide to discontinue development of product
candidates that are unlikely to show good results in the trials, unlikely to help advance a product
to the point of a meaningful collaboration, or unlikely to have a reasonable commercial potential.
We may suffer significant setbacks in pivotal clinical trials, even after earlier clinical trials
show promising results. Any of our product candidates may produce undesirable side effects in
humans. These side effects could cause us or regulatory authorities to interrupt, delay or halt
clinical trials of a product candidate. These side effects could also result in the FDA or foreign
regulatory authorities refusing to approve the product candidate for any targeted indications. We,
our partners, the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities may suspend or terminate clinical trials at
any time if we or they believe the trial participants face unacceptable health risks. Clinical
trials may fail to demonstrate that our product candidates are safe or effective.
Our ability to successfully complete clinical trials is dependent upon many factors beyond our
control, including:
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our ability to find suitable clinical sites and investigators to enroll patients; |
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the availability of and willingness of patients to participate in our clinical trials; |
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difficulty in maintaining contact with patients to provide complete data after treatment; |
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our product candidates may not prove to be either safe or effective; |
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manufacturing or quality problems could affect the supply of drug product for our trials; |
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delays or changes in requirements by governmental agencies. |
Clinical trials are lengthy and expensive. We or our partners incur substantial expense for,
and devote significant time to, preclinical testing and clinical trials, yet cannot be certain that
the tests and trials will ever result in the commercial sale of a product. For example, clinical
trials require adequate supplies of drug and sufficient patient enrollment. Delays in patient
enrollment can result in increased costs and longer development times. Even if we or our partners
successfully complete clinical trials for our product candidates, we or our partners might not file
the required regulatory submissions in a timely manner and may not receive regulatory approval for
the product candidate.
If we fail to obtain additional financing, we may be unable to complete the development and
commercialization of our product candidates or continue our research and development programs.
To date, we have financed our operations primarily from sale of our equity securities and cash
from collaborative and other research and development agreements, and, to a lesser extent,
interest. For the year, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance has decreased
from $60.0 million as of December 31, 2005 to $46.2 million as of December 31, 2006, primarily due
to the monthly cash burn from operations less the cash received from collaborations, which totaled
to approximately $31.8 million net of sublicense fees.
With the award of the HHS contract to fund the development of peramivir and the current and
planned trials for Fodosine, we expect an increase in our operating expenses for 2007. However,
with the expected reimbursement from the HHS contract and our other partners, we are projecting our net cash burn rate to average approximately $3.0 million per month in 2007. We caution that both
our expenses and our cash flows will vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to the nature
of the trials in influenza and the reimbursement from HHS.
As our clinical programs continue to grow and patient enrollment increases, our costs will
increase. Our current and planned clinical trials plus the related manufacturing, personnel
resources and testing required for supporting the development of our drug candidates will consume
significant capital resources and will increase our expenses. Our expenses, revenues and burn rate
could vary significantly depending on many factors, including our ability to raise additional
capital, the development progress of our collaborative agreements for our drug candidates, the
amount of funding we receive from HHS for peramivir, the amount of funding or assistance, if any,
we receive from other governmental agencies or other new partnerships with third parties for the
development of our drug candidates, the progress and results of our current and proposed clinical
trials for our most advanced drug products, the progress made in the manufacturing of our lead
products and the progression of our other programs.
As of December 31, 2006, we had $46.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable
securities. With our currently available funds and amounts to be received from HHS, Shionogi (and
our other collaborators), we believe these resources will be sufficient to fund our operations for
at least the next twelve months. However, this is a forward looking statement, and there may be
changes that would consume available resources significantly before such time. Our long-term
capital requirements and the adequacy of our available funds will depend upon many factors,
including:
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our ability to perform under the contract with HHS and receive reimbursement; |
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the progress and magnitude of our research, drug discovery and development programs; |
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changes in existing collaborative relationships or government contracts; |
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our ability to establish additional collaborative relationships with academic
institutions, biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies and governmental agencies or other
third parties; |
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the extent to which our partners, including governmental agencies will share in the
costs associated with the development of our programs or run the development programs
themselves; |
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our ability to negotiate favorable development and marketing strategic alliances for our drug candidates; |
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the scope and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials to identify and evaluate drug candidates; |
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our ability to enroll sites and patients in our clinical trials; |
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the scope of manufacturing of our drug candidates to support our preclinical research and clinical trials; |
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increases in personnel and related costs to support the development of our drug candidates; |
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the scope of validation for the manufacturing of our drug substance and drug products
required for future NDA filings; |
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competitive and technological advances; |
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the time and costs involved in obtaining regulatory approvals; |
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the costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining and enforcing patent claims; |
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our dependence on others for development and commercialization of our product candidates; and |
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successful commercialization of our products consistent with our licensing strategy. |
We expect that we will be required to raise additional capital to complete the development and
commercialization of our current product candidates. Additional funding, whether through additional
sales of securities or collaborative or other arrangements with corporate partners or from other
sources, including governmental agencies, in general and from the HHS contract specifically, may
not be available when needed or on terms acceptable to us. The issuance of preferred or common
stock or convertible securities, with terms and prices significantly more favorable than those of
the currently outstanding common stock, could have the effect of diluting or adversely affecting
the holdings or rights of our existing stockholders. In addition, collaborative arrangements may
require us to transfer certain material rights to such corporate partners. Insufficient funds may
require us to delay, scale-back or eliminate certain of our research and development programs.
If HHS were to eliminate or
reduce funding from our contract, this would have a significant
negative impact on our anticipated revenues and cash flows and the development of peramivir.
Our projections of revenues and incoming cash flows for 2007 are substantially dependant upon
HHS reimbursement for the costs related to our peramivir program. If HHS were to eliminate or
reduce the funding for this program, we would have to obtain additional funding for development of
this drug candidate or significantly reduce or stop the development effort.
In
contracting with HHS, we are subject to various U.S. government contract requirements,
including general clauses for a cost-reimbursement research and development contract, which
may limit our reimbursement or if we are found to be in violation could result in contract
termination. U.S. government contracts typically contain unfavorable termination provisions
and are subject to audit and modification by the government at its sole discretion. The
U.S. government may terminate its contract with us either for its convenience or if we
default by failing to perform in accordance with the contract schedule and terms, which would
have a significant negative impact on our cash flows and operations.
Our contract with HHS
has special contracting requirements, which create additional risks or
reduction or loss of funding.
We have entered into a contract with HHS for the advanced development of our neuraminidase
inhibitor, peramivir. In contracting with HHS, we are subject to various U.S. government contract
requirements, including general clauses for a cost-reimbursement research and development contract.
U.S. government contracts typically contain unfavorable termination provisions and are subject to
audit and modification by the government at its sole discretion, which subjects us to additional
risks. These risks include the ability of the U.S. government to unilaterally:
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terminate or reduce the scope of our contract; and |
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audit and object to our contract-related costs and fees, including allocated indirect costs. |
The U.S. government may terminate its contract with us either for its convenience or if we
default by failing to perform in accordance with the contract schedule and terms. Termination for
convenience provisions generally enable
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us to recover only our costs incurred or committed, and settlement expenses and profit on the
work completed prior to termination. Termination for default provisions do not permit these
recoveries.
As a U.S. government contractor, we are required to comply with applicable laws, regulations
and standards relating to our accounting practices and are subject to periodic audits and reviews.
As part of any such audit or review, the U.S. government may review the adequacy of, and our
compliance with, our internal control systems and policies, including those relating to our
purchasing, property, estimating, compensation and management information systems. Based on the
results of its audits, the U.S. government may adjust our contract-related costs and fees,
including allocated indirect costs. In addition, if an audit or review uncovers any improper or
illegal activity, we may be subject to civil and criminal penalties and administrative sanctions,
including termination of our contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and
suspension or prohibition from doing business with the U.S. government. We could also suffer
serious harm to our reputation if allegations of impropriety were made against us. In addition,
under U.S. government purchasing regulations, some of our costs may not be reimbursable or allowed
under our contracts. Further, as a U.S. government contractor, we are subject to an increased risk
of investigations, criminal prosecution, civil fraud, whistleblower lawsuits and other legal
actions and liabilities as compared to private sector commercial companies.
If we fail to establish collaborative relationships to commercialize certain of our drug product
candidates or if any partner terminates or fails to perform its obligations under agreements with
us, the commercialization of our product candidates could be delayed or terminated.
A key aspect of our business strategy is to enter into successful collaborative arrangements
with pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, the United States government and universities
for the preclinical development, clinical development, regulatory approval, marketing, domestic and
international sales and distribution of our drug product candidates. Our general strategy is to
rely upon other parties for all of these steps so that we can focus exclusively on the key areas of
our expertise. For some smaller niche markets, we may perform these steps ourselves and outsource
those functions where we do not have the internal expertise.
Currently, we have established collaborative relationships with four pharmaceutical companies,
Roche, Mundipharma, Shionogi and Green Cross for development and commercialization of BCX-4208,
Fodosine and peramivir, respectively. The process of establishing and implementing collaborative
relationships is difficult, time-consuming and involves significant uncertainty. Heavy reliance
upon collaborative relationships with these third parties for these critical functions presents
several risks, including:
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our partners may seek to renegotiate or terminate their relationships with us due to
unsatisfactory clinical results, a change in business strategy, a change of control or
other reasons; |
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our contracts for collaborative arrangements may expire; |
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our partners may choose to pursue alternative technologies, including those of our competitors; |
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we may have disputes with a partner that could lead to litigation or arbitration; |
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we do not have day to day control over the activities of our partners and have limited
control over their decisions; |
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our ability to generate future event payments and royalties from our partners depends
upon their abilities to establish the safety and efficacy of our drug candidates, obtain
regulatory approvals and achieve market acceptance of products developed from our drug
candidates; |
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our partners may not properly maintain or defend our intellectual property rights,
where applicable, or they may utilize our proprietary information in such a way as to
invite litigation that could jeopardize or potentially invalidate our proprietary
information or expose us to potential liability; |
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our partners may not devote sufficient capital or resources towards our product candidates; and |
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our partners may not comply with applicable government regulatory requirements. |
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If any partner fails to fulfill its responsibilities in a timely manner, or at all, our
commercialization efforts related to that collaboration could be delayed or terminated, or it may
be necessary for us to assume responsibility for activities that would otherwise have been the
responsibility of our partner. If we are unable to establish and maintain collaborative
relationships on acceptable terms, we may have to delay or discontinue further development of one
or more of our product candidates, undertake commercialization activities at our own expense or
find alternative sources of funding. Any delay in the development or commercialization of our
compounds would severely affect our business, because if our compounds do not progress through the
development process or reach the market in a timely manner, or at all, we may not receive
additional future event payments and may never receive product or royalty payments.
If our contract research organizations do not successfully carry out their duties or if we lose our
relationships with contract research organizations, our drug development efforts could be delayed.
We depend on contract research organizations, third-party vendors and investigators for
preclinical testing and clinical trials related to our drug discovery and development efforts,
including the HHS contract. We intend to depend on them to assist in our future discovery and
development efforts. These parties are not our employees and we cannot control the amount or
timing of resources that they devote to our programs. If they fail to devote sufficient time and
resources to our drug development programs or if their performance is substandard, it will delay
the approval of our products. The parties with which we contract for execution of our clinical
trials play a significant role in the conduct of the trials and the subsequent collection and
analysis of data. Their failure to meet their obligations could adversely affect clinical
development of our products. Moreover, these parties may also have relationships with other
commercial entities, some of which may compete with us. If they assist our competitors it could
harm our competitive position.
If we lose our relationship with any one or more of these parties, we could experience a
significant delay in both identifying another comparable provider and then contracting for its
services. We may be unable to retain an alternative provider on reasonable terms, if at all. Even
if we locate an alternative provider, it is likely that this provider may need additional time to
respond to our needs and may not provide the same type or level of service as the original
provider. In addition, any provider that we retain will be subject to current Good Laboratory
Practices (cGLP), current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), or current Good Clinical
Practices (cGCP), and similar foreign standards and we do not have control over compliance with
these regulations by these providers. Consequently, if these practices and standards are not
adhered to by these providers, the development and commercialization of our product candidates
could be delayed.
We have not commercialized any products or technologies and our future revenue generation is
uncertain.
We have not yet commercialized any products or technologies, and we may never be able to do
so. Our revenue from collaborative agreements is dependent upon the status of our preclinical and
clinical programs. If we fail to advance these programs to the point of being able to enter into
successful collaborations, we will not receive any future event or other collaborative payments.
Any future revenue directly from product sales would depend on our ability to successfully
complete clinical studies, obtain regulatory approvals, manufacture, market and commercialize any
approved drugs.
If our development collaborations with other parties fail, the development of our drug product
candidates will be delayed or stopped.
We rely heavily upon other parties for many important stages of our drug development programs,
including:
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discovery of proteins that cause or enable biological reactions necessary for the
progression of the disease or disorder, called enzyme targets; |
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licensing or design of enzyme inhibitors for development as drug product candidates; |
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execution of some preclinical studies and late-stage development for our compounds and
product candidates; |
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management of our clinical trials, including medical monitoring and data management; |
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execution of additional toxicology studies that may be required to obtain approval for our
product candidates; |
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manufacturing the starting materials and drug substance required to formulate our drug
products and the drug products to be used in both our clinical trials and toxicology
studies; |
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management of our regulatory function; and |
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manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution of our product candidates. |
Our failure to engage in successful collaborations at any one of these stages would greatly
impact our business. If we do not license enzyme targets or inhibitors from academic institutions
or from other biotechnology companies on acceptable terms, our product development efforts would
suffer. Similarly, if the contract research organizations that conduct our initial or late-stage
clinical trials, conduct our toxicology studies, manufacture our starting materials, drug substance
and drug products or manage our regulatory function breached their obligations to us, this would
delay or prevent the development of our product candidates.
Our development of both intravenous and intramuscular dosing of peramivir for avian flu is subject
to all disclosed drug development and potential commercialization risks and numerous additional
risks. Any potential revenue benefits to us are highly speculative.
Further development and potential commercialization of peramivir is subject to all the risks
and uncertainties disclosed in our other risk factors relating to drug development and
commercialization. In addition, potential commercialization of peramivir is subject to further
risks, including the following:
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the injectable versions of peramivir are at an early stage of development and have been
tested in a limited number of humans, primarily healthy volunteers, and may not be safe or
effective; |
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necessary government or other third party funding and clinical testing for further
development of peramivir may not be available timely, at all, or in sufficient amounts; |
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the avian flu prevention or treatment concerns may not materialize at all, or in the near future; |
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advances in flu vaccines could substantially replace potential demand for an antiviral such as peramivir; |
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any substantial demand for avian flu treatments may occur before peramivir can be
adequately developed and tested in clinical trials; |
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numerous large and well-established pharmaceutical and biotech companies will be
competing to meet the market demand for avian flu drugs and vaccines; |
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regulatory authorities may not make needed accommodations to accelerate the drug
testing and approval process for peramivir; and |
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in the next few years, it is expected that a limited number of governmental entities
will be the primary potential customers for peramivir and if we are not successful at
marketing peramivir to these entities for any reason, we will not receive substantial
revenues. |
If any or all of these and other risk factors occur, we will not attain significant revenues
or gross margins from peramivir and our stock price will be adversely affected.
Because we have limited manufacturing experience, we depend on third-party manufacturers to
manufacture our drug product candidates and the materials for our product candidates. If we cannot
rely on third-party manufacturers, we will be required to incur significant costs and potential
delays in finding new third-party manufacturers.
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We have limited manufacturing experience and only a small scale manufacturing facility. We
currently rely upon third-party manufacturers to manufacture the materials required for our drug
product candidates and most of the preclinical and clinical quantities of our product candidates.
We depend on these third-party manufacturers to perform their obligations in a timely manner and in
accordance with applicable governmental regulations. Our third-party manufacturers may encounter
difficulties with meeting our requirements, including problems involving:
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inconsistent production yields; |
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difficulties in scaling production to commercial and validation sizes; |
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interruption of the delivery of materials required for the manufacturing process; |
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scheduling of plant time with other vendors or unexpected equipment failure; |
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potential catastrophes that could strike their facilities; |
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poor quality control and assurance or inadequate process controls; and |
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lack of compliance with regulations and specifications set forth by the FDA or other
foreign regulatory agencies. |
These contract manufacturers may not be able to manufacture the materials required or our drug
product candidates at a cost or in quantities necessary to make them commercially viable. We also
have no control over whether third-party manufacturers breach their agreements with us or whether
they may terminate or decline to renew agreements with us. To date, our third party manufacturers
have met our manufacturing requirements, but they may not continue to do so. Furthermore, changes
in the manufacturing process or procedure, including a change in the location where the drug is
manufactured or a change of a third-party manufacturer, may require prior review and approval in
accordance with the FDAs cGMPs, and comparable foreign requirements. This review may be costly and
time-consuming and could delay or prevent the launch of a product. The FDA or similar foreign
regulatory agencies at any time may also implement new standards, or change their interpretation
and enforcement of existing standards for manufacture, packaging or testing of products. If we or
our contract manufacturers are unable to comply, we or they may be subject to regulatory action,
civil actions or penalties.
If we are unable to enter into agreements with additional manufacturers on commercially
reasonable terms, or if there is poor manufacturing performance on the part of our third party
manufacturers, we may not be able to complete development of, or market, our product candidates.
Our raw materials, drug substances, and drug products are manufactured by a limited group of
suppliers and some at a single facility. If any of these suppliers were unable to produce these
items, this could significantly impact our supply of drugs for further preclinical testing and
clinical trials.
If the clinical trials of our drug product candidates fail, our product candidates will not be
marketed, and we will not realize product related revenue.
To receive the regulatory approvals necessary for the sale of our product candidates, we or
our partners must demonstrate through preclinical studies and clinical trials that each product
candidate is safe and effective. If we or other third party partners are unable to demonstrate that
our product candidates are safe and effective, our product candidates will not receive regulatory
approval and will not be marketed, and we will not realize product related
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revenue. The clinical trial process is complex and uncertain. Because of the cost and duration
of clinical trials, we may decide to discontinue development of product candidates that are
unlikely to show good results in the trials, unlikely to help advance a product to the point of a
meaningful collaboration, or unlikely to have a reasonable commercial potential. Positive results
from preclinical studies and early clinical trials do not ensure positive results in clinical
trials designed to permit application for regulatory approval, called pivotal clinical trials. We
may suffer significant setbacks in pivotal clinical trials, even after earlier clinical trials show
promising results. Any of our product candidates may produce undesirable side effects in humans.
These side effects could cause us or regulatory authorities to interrupt, delay or halt clinical
trials of a product candidate. These side effects could also result in the FDA or foreign
regulatory authorities refusing to approve the product candidate for any targeted indications. We,
our partners, the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities may suspend or terminate clinical trials at
any time if we or they believe the trial participants face unacceptable health risks. Clinical
trials may fail to demonstrate that our product candidates are safe or effective.
We negotiated a special protocol assessment, or SPA, with the FDA for the recently initiated
pivotal clinical trial of our lead anti-cancer compound, Fodosine. An SPA is an agreement between
an applicant and the FDA on the design and the size of clinical trials that is intended to form the
basis of a New Drug Application (NDA). Once the FDA and an applicant reach an agreement on an
SPA, the SPA cannot be changed after the clinical trial begins, except in limited circumstances
such as a change in the science or clinical knowledge about the conditions being studied. Any
significant change to the protocols for a clinical trial subject to an SPA would require prior FDA
approval, which could delay implementation of such a change and continuation and completion of the
related clinical trial. Receipt of the SPA does not ensure that Fodosine will receive FDA
approval or that the process will be accelerated.
Clinical trials are lengthy and expensive. We or our partners incur substantial expense for,
and devote significant time to, preclinical testing and clinical trials, yet cannot be certain that
the tests and trials will ever result in the commercial sale of a product. For example, clinical
trials require adequate supplies of drug and sufficient patient enrollment. Delays in patient
enrollment can result in increased costs and longer development times. Even if we or our partners
successfully complete clinical trials for our product candidates, we or our partners might not file
the required regulatory submissions in a timely manner and may not receive regulatory approval for
the product candidate.
If we or our partners do not obtain and maintain governmental approvals for our products under
development, we or our partners will not be able to sell these potential products, which would
significantly harm our business because we will receive no revenue.
We or our partners must obtain regulatory approval before marketing or selling our future drug
products. If we or our partners are unable to receive regulatory approval and do not market or sell
our future drug products, we will never receive any revenue from such product sales. In the United
States, we or our partners must obtain FDA approval for each drug that we intend to commercialize.
The FDA approval process is typically lengthy and expensive, and approval is never certain.
Products distributed abroad are also subject to foreign government regulation. Neither the FDA nor
foreign regulatory agencies have approved any of our drug product candidates. We have several drug
products in various stages of preclinical and clinical development; however, we are unable to
determine when, if ever, any of these products will be commercially available. Because of the risks
and uncertainties in biopharmaceutical development, our product candidates could take a
significantly longer time to gain regulatory approval than we expect or may never gain approval. If
the FDA delays regulatory approval of our product candidates, our managements credibility, our
companys value and our operating results may suffer. Even if the FDA or foreign regulatory
agencies approve a product candidate, the approval may limit the indicated uses for a product
candidate and/or may require post-marketing studies.
The FDA regulates, among other things, the record keeping and storage of data pertaining to
potential pharmaceutical products. We currently store most of our preclinical research data, our
clinical data and our manufacturing data at our facility. While we do store duplicate copies of
most of our clinical data offsite and a significant portion of our data is included in regular
backups of our systems, we could lose important data if our facility incurs damage. If we get
approval to market our potential products, whether in the United States or internationally, we will
continue to be subject to extensive regulatory requirements. These requirements are wide ranging
and govern, among other things:
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adverse drug experience reporting regulations; |
24
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product promotion; |
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product manufacturing, including good manufacturing practice requirements; and |
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product changes or modifications. |
Our failure to comply with existing or future regulatory requirements, or our loss of, or
changes to, previously obtained approvals, could have a material adverse effect on our business
because we will not receive product or royalty revenues if we or our partners do not receive
approval of our products for marketing.
In June 1995, we notified the FDA that we submitted incorrect data for our Phase II studies of
BCX-34 applied to the skin for CTCL and psoriasis. In November 1995, the FDA issued a List of
Inspectional Observations, Form FDA 483, which cited our failure to follow good clinical practices.
The FDA also inspected us in June 1996. The focus was on the two 1995 Phase II dose-ranging studies
of topical BCX-34 for the treatment of CTCL and psoriasis. As a result of the investigation, the
FDA issued us a Form FDA 483, which cited our failure to follow good clinical practices. We are no
longer developing BCX-34; however, as a consequence of these two investigations, our ongoing and
future clinical studies may receive increased scrutiny, which may delay the regulatory review
process.
If our drug product candidates do not achieve broad market acceptance, our business may never
become profitable.
Our drug product candidates may not gain the market acceptance required for us to be
profitable even if they successfully complete initial and final clinical trials and receive
approval for sale by the FDA or foreign regulatory agencies. The degree of market acceptance of any
product candidates that we or our partners develop will depend on a number of factors, including:
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our clinical evidence of safety and efficacy; |
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cost-effectiveness, convenience and ease of use of our product candidates; |
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their safety, availability and effectiveness relative to alternative treatments; |
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the actual and potential side effects or other reactions; |
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reimbursement policies of government and third-party payers; and |
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the effectiveness of marketing and distribution support for our product candidates. |
Physicians, patients, payers or the medical community in general may not accept or use our
product candidates even after the FDA or foreign regulatory agencies approve the drug candidates.
If our product candidates do not achieve significant market acceptance, we will not have enough
revenues to become profitable.
We face intense competition, and if we are unable to compete effectively, the demand for our
products, if any, may be reduced.
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are highly competitive and subject to rapid
and substantial technological change. We face, and will continue to face, competition in the
licensing of desirable disease targets, licensing of desirable drug product candidates, and
development and marketing of our product candidates from academic institutions, government
agencies, research institutions and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Competition may
also arise from, among other things:
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other drug development technologies; |
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methods of preventing or reducing the incidence of disease, including vaccines; and |
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new small molecule or other classes of therapeutic agents. |
25
Developments by others may render our product candidates or technologies obsolete or
noncompetitive.
We and our partners are performing research on or developing products for the treatment of
several disorders including T-cell mediated disorders (T-cell cancers, psoriasis, transplant
rejection, and rheumatoid arthritis), oncology, influenza, hepatitis C and cardiovascular
disorders. We expect to encounter significant competition for any of the pharmaceutical products we
plan to develop. Companies that complete clinical trials, obtain required regulatory approvals and
commence commercial sales of their products before their competitors may achieve a significant
competitive advantage. Such is the case with GSKs Arranon for T-cell ALL and the current
neuraminidase inhibitors marketed by GSK and Roche for influenza. In addition, several
pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, including major pharmaceutical companies and specialized
structure-based drug design companies, have announced efforts in the field of structure-based drug
design and in the fields of PNP, influenza, hepatitis C, and in other therapeutic areas where we
have discovery efforts ongoing. If one or more of our competitors products or programs are
successful, the market for our products may be reduced or eliminated.
Compared to us, many of our competitors and potential competitors have substantially greater:
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capital resources; |
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research and development resources, including personnel and technology; |
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regulatory experience; |
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preclinical study and clinical testing experience; |
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manufacturing and marketing experience; and |
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production facilities. |
Any of these competitive factors could reduce demand for our products.
If we fail to adequately protect or enforce our intellectual property rights or secure rights to
patents of others, the value of those rights would diminish.
Our success will depend in part on our ability and the abilities of our partners to obtain
patent protection for our products, methods, processes and other technologies we may license or
develop, to preserve our trade secrets, and to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of
third parties both domestically and abroad. The patent position of biotechnology and pharmaceutical
companies is generally highly uncertain, involves complex legal and factual questions and has
recently been the subject of much litigation. Neither the United States Patent and Trademark Office
(USPTO) nor the courts have a consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed or the
degree of protection afforded under many biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents. The validity,
enforceability and commercial value of these rights, therefore, is highly uncertain.
Our success depends in part on avoiding the infringement of other parties patents and
proprietary rights as well as avoiding the breach of any licenses relating to our technologies and
products. In the U.S., patent applications filed in recent years are confidential for 18 months,
while older applications are not published until the patent issues. As a result, avoiding patent
infringement may be difficult and we may inadvertently infringe third-party patents or proprietary
rights. These third parties could bring claims against us, our partners or our licensors that even
if resolved in our favor, could cause us to incur substantial expenses and, if resolved against us,
could additionally cause us to pay substantial damages. Further, if a patent infringement suit were
brought against us, our partners or our licensors, we or they could be forced to stop or delay
research, development, manufacturing or sales of any infringing product in the country or countries
covered by the patent we infringe, unless we can obtain a license from the patent holder. Such a
license may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all, particularly if the third party is
developing or marketing a product competitive with the infringing product. Even if we, our partners
or our licensors were able to obtain a license, the rights may be nonexclusive, which would give
our competitors access to the same intellectual property.
26
If we or our partners are unable to adequately protect or enforce our intellectual property
rights for our products, methods, processes and other technologies, the value of the drug product
candidates that we license to derive revenue would diminish. Additionally, if our products,
methods, processes and other technologies infringe the proprietary rights of other parties, we
could incur substantial costs. The USPTO has issued to us a number of U.S. patents for our various
inventions and we have in-licensed several patents from various institutions. We have filed
additional patent applications and provisional patent applications with the USPTO. We have filed a
number of corresponding foreign patent applications and intend to file additional foreign and U.S.
patent applications, as appropriate. We cannot assure you as to:
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the degree and range of protection any patents will afford against competitors with similar products; |
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if and when patents will issue; or |
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whether or not others will obtain patents claiming aspects similar to those covered by our
patent applications. |
If the USPTO upholds patents issued to others or if the USPTO grants patent applications filed
by others, we may have to:
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obtain licenses or redesign our products or processes to avoid infringement; |
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stop using the subject matter claimed in those patents; or |
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pay damages. |
We may initiate, or others may bring against us, litigation or administrative proceedings
related to intellectual property rights, including proceedings before the USPTO. Any judgment
adverse to us in any litigation or other proceeding arising in connection with a patent or patent
application could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations. In addition, the costs of any such proceeding may be substantial whether or not we are
successful.
Our success is also dependent upon the skills, knowledge and experience, none of which is
patentable, of our scientific and technical personnel. To help protect our rights, we require all
employees, consultants, advisors and partners to enter into confidentiality agreements that
prohibit the disclosure of confidential information to anyone outside of our company and require
disclosure and assignment to us of their ideas, developments, discoveries and inventions. These
agreements may not provide adequate protection for our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary
information in the event of any unauthorized use or disclosure or the lawful development by others
of such information, and if any of our proprietary information is disclosed, our business will
suffer because our revenues depend upon our ability to license our technology and any such events
would significantly impair the value of such a license.
If we fail to retain our existing key personnel or fail to attract and retain additional key
personnel, the development of our drug product candidates and the expansion of our business will be
delayed or stopped.
We are highly dependent upon our senior management and scientific team, the loss of whose
services might impede the achievement of our development and commercial objectives. Competition for
key personnel with the experience that we require is intense and is expected to continue to
increase. Our inability to attract and retain the required number of skilled and experienced
management, operational and scientific personnel, will harm our business because we rely upon these
personnel for many critical functions of our business. In addition, we rely on members of our
scientific advisory board and consultants to assist us in formulating our research and development
strategy. All of the members of the scientific advisory board and all of our consultants are
otherwise employed and each such member or consultant may have commitments to other entities that
may limit their availability to us.
We may be unable to establish sales, marketing and distribution capabilities necessary to
successfully commercialize products we may develop.
We currently have no marketing capability and no direct or third-party sales or distribution
capabilities. If we successfully develop a drug product candidate and decide to commercialize it
ourselves rather than relying on third parties, as we are considering doing in the United States
for Fodosine, we may be unable to establish marketing, sales and distribution capabilities
necessary to commercialize and gain market acceptance for that product.
If users of our drug products are not reimbursed for use, future sales of our drug products will
decline.
The lack of reimbursement for the use of our product candidates by hospitals, clinics,
patients or doctors will harm our business. Medicare, Medicaid, health maintenance organizations
and other third-party payers may not authorize or otherwise budget for the reimbursement of our
products. Governmental and third-party payers are increasingly
27
challenging the prices charged for medical products and services. We cannot be sure that
third-party payers would view our product candidates as cost-effective, that reimbursement will be
available to consumers or that reimbursement will be sufficient to allow our product candidates to
be marketed on a competitive basis. Changes in reimbursement policies, or attempts to contain costs
in the health care industry could limit or restrict reimbursement for our product candidates and
would materially and adversely affect our business, because future product sales would decline and
we would receive less product or royalty revenue.
The Medicare prescription drug coverage legislation and future legislative or regulatory reform of
the healthcare system may affect our ability to sell our products profitably.
In the United States, there have been a number of legislative and regulatory proposals, at
both the federal and state government levels, to change the healthcare system in ways that could
affect our ability to sell our products profitably, if approved. For example, the Medicare
Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA), went into effect in 2006 and has changed
the types of drugs covered by Medicare, and the methodology used to determine the price for such
drugs. Further federal and state proposals and healthcare reforms are likely. Our business could be
harmed by the MMA, by the possible effect of this legislation on amounts that private payors will
pay and by other healthcare reforms that may be enacted or adopted in the future.
There is a substantial risk of product liability claims in our business. If we are unable to obtain
sufficient insurance, a product liability claim against us could adversely affect our business.
We face an inherent risk of product liability exposure related to the testing of our product
candidates in human clinical trials and will face even greater risks upon any commercialization by
us of our product candidates. We have product liability insurance covering our clinical trials in
the amount of $10 million. Clinical trial and product liability insurance is becoming increasingly
expensive. As a result, we may be unable to obtain sufficient insurance or increase our existing
coverage at a reasonable cost to protect us against losses that could have a material adverse
effect on our business. An individual may bring a product liability claim against us if one of our
products or product candidates causes, or is claimed to have caused, an injury or is found to be
unsuitable for consumer use. Any product liability claim brought against us, with or without merit,
could result in:
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liabilities that substantially exceed our product liability insurance, which we would
then be required to pay from other sources, if available; |
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an increase of our product liability insurance rates or the inability to maintain
insurance coverage in the future on acceptable terms, or at all; |
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withdrawal of clinical trial volunteers or patients; |
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damage to our reputation and the reputation of our products, resulting in lower sales; |
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regulatory investigations that could require costly recalls or product modifications; |
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litigation costs; and |
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the diversion of managements attention from managing our business. |
If our computer systems fail or our facility incurs damage, our business will suffer.
Our drug development activities depend on the security, integrity and performance of the
computer systems supporting them, and the failure of our computer systems could delay our drug
development efforts. We currently store most of our preclinical and clinical data at our facility.
Duplicate copies of most critical data are stored off-site in a bank vault. Any significant
degradation or failure of our computer systems could cause us to inaccurately calculate or lose our
data. Loss of data could result in significant delays in our drug development process and any
system failure could harm our business and operations.
28
In addition, we store numerous clinical and stability samples at our facility that could be
damaged if our facility incurred physical damage or in the event of an extended power failure. We
have backup power systems in addition to backup generators to maintain power to all critical
functions, but any loss of these samples could result in significant delays in our drug development
process.
If, because of our use of hazardous materials, we violate any environmental controls or regulations
that apply to such materials, we may incur substantial costs and expenses in our remediation
efforts.
Our research and development involves the controlled use of hazardous materials, chemicals and
various radioactive compounds. We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations
governing the use, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and some waste products.
Accidental contamination or injury from these materials could occur. In the event of an accident,
we could be liable for any damages that result and any liabilities could exceed our resources.
Compliance with environmental laws and regulations could require us to incur substantial unexpected
costs, which would materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
Our stock price is likely to be highly volatile and the value of your investment could decline
significantly.
The market prices for securities of biotechnology companies in general have been highly
volatile and may continue to be highly volatile in the future. Moreover, our stock price has
fluctuated frequently, and these fluctuations are often not related to our financial results. For
the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, the 52-week range of the market price of our stock was
from $8.20 to $23.00 per share. The following factors, in addition to other risk factors described
in this section, may have a significant impact on the market price of our common stock:
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announcements of technological innovations or new products by us or our competitors; |
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developments or disputes concerning patents or proprietary rights; |
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status of new or existing licensing or collaborative agreements and government contracts; |
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we or our partners achieving or failing to achieve development milestones; |
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publicity regarding actual or potential medical results relating to products under
development by us or our competitors; |
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publicity regarding certain public health concerns for which we are or may be developing treatments; |
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regulatory developments in both the United States and foreign countries; |
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public concern as to the safety of pharmaceutical products; |
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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results; |
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changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts; |
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changes in the structure of healthcare payment systems, including developments in price
control legislation; |
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announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic
partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; |
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additions or departures of key personnel or members of our board of directors; |
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sales of substantial amounts of our stock by existing stockholders, including officers or directors; |
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economic and other external factors or other disasters or crises; and |
29
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period-to-period fluctuations in our financial results. |
Because stock ownership is concentrated, you and other investors will have limited influence on
stockholder decisions.
As of December 31, 2006, our directors, executive officers and some principal stockholders and
their affiliates beneficially owned approximately 31.7% of our outstanding common stock and common
stock equivalents. As a result, these holders, if acting together, are able to significantly
influence matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors. This
concentration of ownership may delay, defer or prevent a change in our control.
We have anti-takeover provisions in our corporate charter documents that may result in outcomes
with which you do not agree.
Our board of directors has the authority to issue up to 4,955,000 shares of undesignated
preferred stock and to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of those
shares without further vote or action by our stockholders. The rights of the holders of any
preferred stock that may be issued in the future may adversely affect the rights of the holders of
common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could make it more difficult for third parties to
acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides for staggered terms for the members of
the board of directors and supermajority approval of the removal of any member of the board of
directors and prevents our stockholders from acting by written consent. Our certificate also
requires supermajority approval of any amendment of these provisions. These provisions and other
provisions of our by-laws and of Delaware law applicable to us could delay or make more difficult a
merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving us.
In June 2002, our board of directors adopted a stockholder rights plan and, pursuant thereto,
issued preferred stock purchase rights (Rights) to the holders of our common stock. The Rights
have certain anti-takeover effects. If triggered, the Rights would cause substantial dilution to a
person or group of persons who acquires more than 15% (19.9% for William W. Featheringill, a
Director who owned approximately 9.58% as of December 31, 2006, but owned more than 15% at the time
the Rights were put in place) of our common stock on terms not approved by the board of directors.
We have never paid dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable
future.
We have never paid cash dividends on our stock. We currently intend to retain all future
earnings, if any, for use in the operation of our business. Accordingly, we do not anticipate
paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This discussion contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and
uncertainties. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words
such as may, will, intends, plans, believes, anticipates, expects, estimates,
predicts, potential, hope, the negative of these words or similar expressions. Statements
that describe our future plans, strategies, intentions, expectations, objectives, goals or
prospects are also forward-looking statements. Discussions containing these forward-looking
statements are principally contained in Business and Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as well as any amendments we make to those sections
in filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
statements about:
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the initiation, timing, progress and results of our preclinical and clinical trials,
research and development programs; |
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the further preclinical or clinical development and commercialization of our product
candidates; |
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the implementation of our business model, strategic plans for our business, product
candidates and technology; |
30
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our ability to establish and maintain collaborations with biotechnology or
pharmaceutical companies and governmental agencies or other third parties; |
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the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property
rights covering our product candidates and technology; |
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our ability to operate our business without infringing the intellectual property rights of others; |
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estimates of our expenses, future revenues, capital requirements and our needs for additional financing; |
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the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals; |
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our negotiations with the FDA for a special protocol assessment; |
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our financial performance; and |
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competitive companies, technologies and our industry. |
These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on
assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause our actual results, performance
or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, you should not
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We discuss many of these risks in greater
detail in Risk Factors. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and
assumptions only as of the date of this document.
You should read this discussion completely and with the understanding that our actual future
results may be materially different from what we expect. We may not update these forward-looking
statements, even though our situation may change in the future. We qualify all of our
forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our administrative offices and principal research facilities are located in 50,150 square feet
of leased space in Riverchase Industrial/Research Park in Birmingham, Alabama. The lease runs
through June 30, 2010 with an option to renew the lease for an additional five years at current
market rates. In addition, we currently lease 5,375 square feet of office space in Cary, NC through
February 2010 for our clinical and regulatory operation. We believe that our facilities are
adequate for our current operations.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
31
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global MarketSM under the symbol BCRX. The
following table sets forth the low and high sales prices of our common stock as reported by NASDAQ
Global MarketSM for each quarter in 2006 and 2005:
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2006 |
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2005 |
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Low |
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High |
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Low |
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High |
First quarter |
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$ |
15.80 |
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$ |
23.00 |
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$ |
4.32 |
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$ |
6.91 |
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Second quarter |
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10.89 |
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18.11 |
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3.68 |
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5.25 |
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Third quarter |
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8.20 |
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14.94 |
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4.90 |
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10.44 |
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Fourth quarter |
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10.80 |
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12.89 |
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9.70 |
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18.64 |
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The last
sale price of the common stock on March 7, 2007 as reported by NASDAQ Global
MarketSM was $9.64 per share.
Holders
As of March 7, 2007, there were approximately 263 holders of record of our common stock.
Dividends
We have never paid cash dividends and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable
future.
Stock Performance Graph
32
This performance graph is not soliciting material, is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to
be incorporated by reference in any filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
Securities Act), or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and
irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing. The stock price performance
shown on the graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH FOR BIOCRYST
Indexed Comparison Since 2001
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Beginning |
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Investment |
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Investment |
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Investment |
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Investment |
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Investment |
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Investment |
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12/31/01 |
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at 12/31/02 |
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at 12/31/03 |
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at 12/31/04 |
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at 12/31/05 |
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at 12/31/06 |
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BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
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$ |
100.00 |
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$ |
24.24 |
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$ |
172.98 |
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$ |
145.96 |
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$ |
422.98 |
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$ |
291.92 |
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The NASDAQ Stock Market |
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100.00 |
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|
69.13 |
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|
103.36 |
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112.49 |
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114.88 |
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126.22 |
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NASDAQ Pharmaceutical Stocks |
|
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|
100.00 |
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|
64.62 |
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94.72 |
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100.88 |
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111.09 |
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108.75 |
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The above graph measures the change in a $100 investment in the Companys common stock based on its
closing price of $3.96 on December 31, 2001 and its year-end closing price thereafter. The
Companys relative performance is then compared with the CRSP Total Return Indexes for the NASDAQ
Stock Market (US) and NASDAQ Pharmaceutical Stocks.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
We did not repurchase any of our equity securities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
33
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
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Years Ended December 31, |
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(In thousands, except per share data) |
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Statement of Operations Data: |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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2004 |
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2003 |
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2002 |
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Total revenues |
|
$ |
6,212 |
|
|
$ |
152 |
|
|
$ |
337 |
|
|
$ |
653 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Research and development expenses |
|
|
47,083 |
|
|
|
23,642 |
|
|
|
18,868 |
|
|
|
11,522 |
|
|
|
15,473 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
(43,618 |
) |
|
|
(26,099 |
) |
|
|
(21,104 |
) |
|
|
(12,700 |
) |
|
|
(16,929 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts per common share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
$ |
(1.50 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.00 |
) |
|
$ |
(.72 |
) |
|
$ |
(.96 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding |
|
|
29,147 |
|
|
|
25,721 |
|
|
|
21,165 |
|
|
|
17,703 |
|
|
|
17,643 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
(In thousands) |
Balance Sheet Data: |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
2003 |
|
2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents and securities |
|
$ |
46,236 |
|
|
$ |
59,988 |
|
|
$ |
28,704 |
|
|
$ |
25,732 |
|
|
$ |
36,163 |
|
Total assets |
|
|
68,485 |
|
|
|
99,248 |
|
|
|
32,469 |
|
|
|
30,096 |
|
|
|
41,300 |
|
Long-term deferred revenue |
|
|
36,596 |
|
|
|
29,426 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(195,481 |
) |
|
|
(151,863 |
) |
|
|
(125,764 |
) |
|
|
(104,660 |
) |
|
|
(91,960 |
) |
Total stockholders equity |
|
|
21,155 |
|
|
|
58,440 |
|
|
|
29,334 |
|
|
|
28,447 |
|
|
|
40,128 |
|
34
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain statements of a forward-looking nature
relating to future events or the future financial performance of BioCryst. Such statements are only
predictions and the actual events or results may differ materially from the results discussed in
the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include
those discussed below as well as those discussed in other filings made by BioCryst with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
This discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together
with Item 1, Business and the financial statements, including the notes thereto, contained in Item
8 of this Form 10-K.
Overview
Since our inception in 1986, we have been engaged in research and development activities and
organizational efforts, including:
|
|
|
identifying and licensing enzyme targets; |
|
|
|
|
drug discovery; |
|
|
|
|
structure-based design of drug candidates; |
|
|
|
|
small-scale synthesis of compounds; |
|
|
|
|
conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials; |
|
|
|
|
establishing collaborative relationships with third parties for contract research
related to the development of our drug candidates to support manufacturing, clinical
development and regulatory compliance; |
|
|
|
|
establishing collaborative relationships with biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies
and governmental agencies or other third parties for the further development and potential
commercialization of our compounds; |
|
|
|
|
recruiting our scientific and management personnel; |
|
|
|
|
establishing laboratory facilities; and |
|
|
|
|
raising capital. |
Our revenues have generally been limited to license fees, event payments, research and
development fees, and interest income. Revenue is recognized in accordance with Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition (SAB No. 104) and Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 00-21,
Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables (EITF Issue 00-21). License fees, future event
payments, and research and development fees are recognized as revenue when the earnings process is
complete and we have no further continuing performance obligations or we have completed the
performance obligations under the terms of the agreement. Fees received under licensing agreements
that are related to future performance are deferred and recognized as earned over an estimated
period determined by management based on the terms of the agreement and the products licensed. For
example, in the Roche and Mundipharma licenses agreements, we deferred the upfront payments over
the remaining life of the patents which are through 2023 and 2017, respectively. We are currently
evaluating the period of deferral for the upfront payment related to the Shionogi agreement. In the
event a license agreement contains multiple deliverables, we evaluate whether the deliverables are
separate or combined units of accounting in accordance with EITF Issue 00-21. Revisions to revenue
or profit estimates as a result of changes in the estimated revenue period are recognized
prospectively.
Future event payments are recognized as revenue upon the achievement of specified events if
(1) the event is substantive in nature and the achievement of the event was not reasonably assured
at the inception of the agreement and
35
(2) the fees are non-refundable and non-creditable. Any event payments received prior to
satisfying these criteria are recorded as deferred revenue.
Under the guidance of EITF Issue 99-19 and EITF Issue 01-14, reimbursements received for
direct out-of-pocket expenses related to research and development costs are recorded as revenue in
the income statement rather than as a reduction in expenses. For example, the amounts received from
our collaboration with Mundipharma for the reimbursement of clinical trial costs and the costs
received from HHS for reimbursement will be recorded as revenue in the period the related costs
were recorded. Significant direct costs incurred upon entering into a licensing arrangement, such
as our sublicense fees to AECOM and IRL, are deferred and charged to expense in proportion to the
revenue recognized.
Royalty revenue is recognized based on estimates of royalties earned during the applicable
period and adjusted for differences between the estimated and actual royalties in the following
period. If royalties can not be reasonably estimated, revenue is recognized upon receipt of
royalty statements from the licensee. We have not received any royalties from the sale of licensed
pharmaceutical products.
It could be several years, if ever, before we will recognize significant revenue from
royalties received pursuant to our license agreements or revenue directly from product sales.
Future revenues, if any, are likely to fluctuate substantially from quarter to quarter.
We have incurred operating losses since our inception. Our accumulated deficit at December 31,
2006 was $195.5 million. We expect to incur substantial expenditures relating to the development of
our current and future drug candidates. During the three years ended December 31, 2006, we spent
66.0% of our research and development expenses on contract research and development, including:
|
|
|
payments to consultants; |
|
|
|
|
funding of research at academic institutions; |
|
|
|
|
toxicology studies on existing and potential drugs; |
|
|
|
|
manufacturing of our raw materials, drug substance and drug products; |
|
|
|
|
large scale synthesis and formulation of compounds; |
|
|
|
|
preclinical studies; |
|
|
|
|
payments of amounts to academic institutions and others as a result of our recent collaborations; |
|
|
|
|
engaging investigators to conduct clinical trials; |
|
|
|
|
hiring contract research organizations for regulatory and clinical functions; and |
|
|
|
|
using statisticians to evaluate the results of clinical trials. |
The above expenditures for contract research and development for our current and future drug
candidates will vary from quarter-to-quarter depending on the status of our research and
development projects. For example, during the third quarter of 2006, we incurred significant costs
related to the Phase I trials with peramivir and the ongoing validation manufacturing for peramivir
drug substance. Results from these Phase I trials have enabled us to design the Phase II trials
beginning in the 2006-2007 flu season. In addition, we initiated a Phase II pivotal trial with
Fodosine in January 2007. As these trials progress and additional trials are started in other
indications, our costs for clinical studies will increase significantly. In addition, the costs
associated with the manufacturing of Fodosine and peramivir will increase as we continue scaling
up to the larger production runs required for clinical development, manufacturing validation and
additional toxicology studies for these programs.
36
Changes in our existing and future research and development and collaborative relationships
also will impact the status of our research and development projects. For example, in January 2007,
we announced a $102.6 million contract with HHS for the full funding of the development,
manufacturing and clinical trials required for licensure of peramivir with both the i.v. and i.m.
formulations. In March 2007, we announced a license agreement with Shionogi for the development and
commercialization of peramivir in Japan for an upfront payment of $14 million. In November 2005 we
entered into a license agreement with Roche for the worldwide development and commercialization for
our second PNP inhibitor, BCX-4208. In addition to an upfront payment plus an advance payment for
manufacturing we performed, Roche has taken over the development and is paying all costs associated
with this program. In February 2006, we licensed Fodosine to Mundipharma for the development and
commercialization of this drug in Europe, Asia and Australasia. In addition to the upfront payment
of $10 million, Mundipharma is paying 50% of the clinical development costs we incur for Fodosine
on existing and planned clinical trials, but their portion shall not exceed $10 million.
For the Roche and Mundipharma collaborations, we will owe sublicense payments to AECOM and IRL
on all upfront, future event payments and royalties. For the Shionogi and Green Cross
collaborations, we will owe sublicense payments to UAB. For 2006, we paid approximately $8.2
million related to the Roche and Mundipharma agreements. The revenue from these agreements has been
recorded as deferred revenue on our balance sheet and will be recognized over the remaining patent
life of the related drug candidate. The payments to AECOM and IRL have been recorded as deferred
assets on our balance sheet and will be recognized over the period of the related revenue
recognition. Due to the nature of the potential milestones in our collaborations, it is difficult
to predict if and when particular milestones will be achieved by us or our partners.
The contract with HHS is a standard cost-plus-fixed-fee contract which provides for the
reimbursement of allowable costs plus an element of overhead and profit. This is expected to have a
significant positive revenue impact on our financial statements. As the costs of our peramivir
program increase for the clinical trials, manufacturing and other expenses we will submit invoices
to HHS for reimbursement of expenses allowable under the contract. The expenses are recorded as R&D
expenses and reimbursements are recorded as revenue. In the same way, as we incur R&D costs for our
Fodosine program that are reimbursable under the Mundipharma contract or R&D expenses for
peramivir that are related to the Shionogi contract, we will invoice the respective company for
those costs. The amounts reimbursable will be recorded as revenue in the same period the costs are
incurred. During January 2007, we initiated a pivotal clinical trial with Fodosine in T-ALL, which
triggered a $5 million milestone payment from Mundipharma. The revenues expected from the
Mundipharma agreement in 2007 will consist of continuing reimbursement of R&D expenses in
accordance with the contract and the amortization of the upfront and milestone payments. The
primary revenue expected from the Roche agreement for 2007 is the continuing amortization of the
upfront payment received.
Although we may, in some cases, be able to control the timing of development expenses, in part
by accelerating or decelerating certain costs, many of these costs will be incurred irrespective of
whether we are able to discover drug candidates or obtain collaborative partners for
commercialization. In addition, the achievement of milestones in our collaboration agreements is
uncertain and unpredictable and would most likely have a significant impact on our operating
results in the periods they are achieved. As a result, we believe that quarter-to-quarter
comparisons of our financial results are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon
as an indication of future performance. If we fail to meet the research, clinical and financial
expectations of securities analysts and investors, it could have a material adverse effect on the
price of our common stock.
Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2005
Collaborative and other research and development revenue was $6,212,000 for the year compared
to $152,000 for 2005. The increase for 2006 was primarily due to amounts earned pursuant to our
collaboration agreements with Mundipharma and Roche, plus the continuing amortization of the
upfront payments from those agreements.
Research and development expenses for 2006 were $47,083,000, a 99.1% increase from 2005
expenses of $23,642,000, primarily attributable to the clinical and manufacturing costs of our
expanded peramivir and Fodosine programs, a $1,549,000 non-cash share-based compensation charge
related to adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R) (SFAS 123R) in
January 2006, increases in personnel and related costs to support the clinical development of our
pipeline, and increases in consulting and toxicology. As of December 31, 2006, the Company had
incurred approximately $2.3 million of pre-contract costs directly related to the Phase 2 trials
for both the
37
intravenous and intramuscular peramivir products. These costs were incurred in anticipation
of a contract award from HHS and were required to meet the delivery schedule of the proposed
contract. In accordance with the provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation 31.205-32, the costs
were included in the Companys request for proposal and are eligible for reimbursement from HHS.
The $2.3 million of costs incurred prior to the contract award date were deferred and are included
in other current assets on the Companys balance sheet at December 31, 2006. In the first quarter
of 2007, the $2.3 million in costs will be billed and expensed. Concurrently, revenue will be
recognized for these costs plus the applicable fixed fee.
General and administrative expenses for 2006 were $6,108,000, an increase of 65.7% over the
2005 expense of $3,686,000, primarily due to the $1,790,000 non-cash share-based compensation
charge related to SFAS 123R, an increase in professional fees, and an increase in personnel related
expenses. These increases were partially offset by an increase in costs allocated to research and
development.
Interest income for 2006 was $3,362,000, a 211.9% increase compared to $1,078,000 in 2005.
This increase was due to a higher average cash balance during 2006 and a more favorable interest
rate environment as compared to 2005.
The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $43,618,000, or $1.50 per share,
compared to a net loss of $26,099,000, or $1.01 per share in 2005.
Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2004
Collaborative and other research and development revenue was $152,000 for the year compared to
$337,000 for 2004 due to completion of work performed under the NIH grant for hepatitis C during
2005. Also, there was an NIH grant during 2004 for our TF/FVIIa program that totaled approximately
$100,000, which was completed in 2004.
Research and development expenses for 2005 were $23,642,000, a 25.3% increase from 2004
expenses of $18,868,000, which is directly related to the additional contract research, clinical
trial and toxicology expenses required for the further development of our lead drug candidates
during 2005 and an increase in personnel costs.
General and administrative expenses for 2005 were $3,686,000, an increase of 14.4% over the
2004 expense of $3,221,000, primarily due to an increase in legal fees related to the Mundipharma
and Roche collaborations and an increase in personnel related expenses.
Interest income for 2005 was $1,078,000, a 66.4% increase compared to $648,000 in 2004.
This increase was due to a higher average cash balance during 2005 and a more favorable interest
rate environment as compared to 2004.
The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $26,099,000, or $1.01 per share,
compared to a net loss of $21,104,000, or $1.00 per share in 2004.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash expenditures have exceeded revenues since our inception. Our operations have principally
been funded through public offerings and private placements of equity and debt securities and cash
from collaborative and other research and development agreements and to a lesser extent interest.
For example, during December 2005, we raised $30.0 million (approximately $29.9 million net of
expenses) through a sale of 2,228,829 shares of our common stock. During 2006, we received cash
from collaborative and other research and development agreements (primarily Roche and Mundipharma)
of approximately $31.8 million net of sublicense fees. Based on anticipated cash receipts from the
HHS contract and the collaborations with Shionogi, Mundipharma and Roche we expect such cash
receipts to increase significantly. Other sources of funding have included the following:
|
|
|
other collaborative and other research and development agreements; |
|
|
|
|
government grants and contracts; |
|
|
|
|
equipment lease financing; |
38
|
|
|
facility leases; |
|
|
|
|
research grants; and |
|
|
|
|
interest income. |
In addition, we have attempted to contain costs and reduce cash flow requirements by renting
scientific equipment and facilities, contracting with other parties to conduct certain research and
development and using consultants. We expect to incur additional expenses, potentially resulting in
significant losses, as we continue to pursue our research and development activities, undertake
additional preclinical studies and clinical trials of compounds which have been or may be
discovered and as we increase the manufacturing of our compounds for clinical trials and for the
continuation of the validation process. We also expect to incur substantial expenses related to the
filing, prosecution, maintenance, defense and enforcement of patent and other intellectual property
claims and additional regulatory costs as our clinical products advance through later stages of
development.
We invest our excess cash principally in U.S. marketable securities from a diversified
portfolio of institutions with strong credit ratings and in U.S. government and agency bills and
notes, and by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure at any one institution. These investments
are generally not collateralized and mature within two years. We have not realized any losses from
such investments.
We have financed some of our equipment purchases with lease lines of credit. Our lease for our
current Birmingham facilities expires on June 30, 2010. We have an option to renew the lease for an
additional five years at the current market rate in effect on June 30, 2010 and a one-time option
to terminate the lease on June 30, 2008 for a termination fee of approximately $124,000. The lease
requires us to pay monthly rent currently at $37,963 per month in December 2006 and escalating
annually to a minimum of $41,481 per month in the final year, plus our pro rata share of operating
expenses and real estate taxes in excess of base year amounts.
In August 2006, we opened an office in Cary, North Carolina for the establishment of our
clinical and regulatory operation. We currently have 5,375 square feet under lease through February
2010. This lease requires us to pay $7,391 per month and escalates annually to $7,841 per month in
the final year.
We have not incurred any significant charges related to building renovations since 2001. Our
capital costs during 2006 were approximately $1.4 million and we anticipate capital costs of
approximately $2.0 million in 2007.
At December 31, 2006, we had long-term operating lease obligations, which provide for
aggregate minimum payments of $549,758 in 2007, $565,257 in 2008 and $538,351 in 2009. These
obligations include the future rental of our operating facilities.
We plan to finance our needs principally from the following:
|
|
|
payments under our contract with HHS; |
|
|
|
|
our existing capital resources and interest earned on that capital; |
|
|
|
|
payments under collaborative and licensing agreements with corporate partners; and |
|
|
|
|
lease or loan financing and future public or private financing. |
For the year, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance has decreased from
$60 million as of December 31, 2005 to $46.2 million as of December 31, 2006, primarily due to the
monthly cash burn from operations less the cash received from collaborations, which totaled to
approximately $31.8 million net of sublicense fees.
The collaboration with Roche for the worldwide development and commercialization of BCX-4208
provided an upfront payment of $30 million, which was received in 2006. Roche has taken over the
development and is paying all costs associated with this program. The agreement also provides for
future event payments and royalties to be made by Roche upon the achievement of certain clinical,
regulatory and sales events.
39
In February 2006, we licensed Fodosine to Mundipharma for the development and
commercialization of this drug in Europe, Asia and Australasia. In addition to the upfront payment
of $10 million, which was received in February 2006, Mundipharma is paying 50% of the clinical
development costs we are incurring for Fodosine on existing and planned clinical trials, but their
portion shall not exceed $10 million. In addition, Mundipharma will conduct additional clinical
trials at their own cost up to a maximum of $15 million. The agreement also provides for future
event payments and royalties to be made by Mundipharma upon the achievement of certain clinical,
regulatory and sales events. In January 2007, we initiated our pivotal study with Fodosine in
T-cell leukemia patients, which triggered a $5 million event payment from Mundipharma.
In January 2007, we announced that HHS had awarded the Company a $102.6 million, four-year
contract for the advanced development of peramivir. Funding from the contract will support
manufacturing, process validation, clinical studies and other product approval requirements for
peramivir. The contract is a standard cost plus fixed fee contract, which will have a significant
positive impact on our financial position and cash flow. We will bill our incurred costs to HHS on
a monthly basis. Any significant delays in payment or cancellation of this contract by HHS would
have a significant negative effect on our financial position.
In January 2007, we announced the initiation of a pivotal Phase IIb clinical trial with
Fodosine in patients with T-ALL. This trial is being conducted under a SPA negotiated with the
FDA. In addition, we are in active discussions with the FDA to determine what would be required to
initiate a pivotal clinical trial with Fodosine in CTCL patients later in 2007. With the
initiation of the pivotal Phase IIb clinical trial, we achieved one milestone related to our
collaboration with Mundipharma, which triggered a $5.0 million payment. In addition, Mundipharma
will reimburse us for our clinical development costs of Fodosine up to the $10 million defined in
our agreement. In March 2007, we announced a collaborative agreement with Shionogi for rights to
peramivir in Japan. This agreement requires an upfront payment of $14 million that will be received
in 2007.
With the award of the HHS contract to fund the development of peramivir and the current and
planned trials for Fodosine, we expect an increase in our research and development expenses for
2007. However, with the expected reimbursement from the HHS contract and our other partners, we are
projecting our net cash burn rate to average approximately $3.0 million per month in 2007. We
caution that both our expenses and our cash flows will vary significantly from quarter to quarter
due to the nature of the trials in influenza and the reimbursement from HHS.
As our clinical programs continue to grow and patient enrollment increases, our costs will
increase. Our current and planned clinical trials plus the related manufacturing, personnel
resources and testing required to support the development of our drug candidates will consume
significant capital resources and will increase our expenses. Our expenses, revenues and burn rate
could vary significantly depending on many factors, including our ability to raise additional
capital, the development progress of our collaborative agreements for our drug candidates, the
amount of funding we receive from HHS for peramivir, the amount of funding or assistance, if any,
we receive from other governmental agencies or other new partnerships with third parties for the
development of our drug candidates, the progress and results of our current and proposed clinical
trials for our most advanced drug products, the progress made in the manufacturing of our lead
products and the progression of our other programs.
As of December 31, 2006, we had $46.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable
securities. With our currently available funds and amounts to be received from HHS, Shionogi (and
our other collaborators), we believe these resources will be sufficient to fund our operations for
at least the next twelve months. However, this is a forward looking statement, and there may be
changes that would consume available resources significantly before such time. Our long-term
capital requirements and the adequacy of our available funds will depend upon many factors,
including:
|
|
|
our ability to perform under the contract with HHS and receive reimbursement; |
|
|
|
|
the progress and magnitude of our research, drug discovery and development programs; |
|
|
|
|
changes in existing collaborative relationships or government contracts; |
|
|
|
|
our ability to establish additional collaborative relationships with academic
institutions, biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies and governmental agencies or other
third parties; |
40
|
|
|
the extent to which our partners, including governmental agencies will share in the
costs associated with the development of our programs or run the development programs
themselves; |
|
|
|
|
our ability to negotiate favorable development and marketing strategic alliances for our drug candidates; |
|
|
|
|
the scope and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials to identify and evaluate drug candidates; |
|
|
|
|
our ability to enroll sites and patients in our clinical trials; |
|
|
|
|
the scope of manufacturing of our drug candidates to support our preclinical research and clinical trials; |
|
|
|
|
increases in personnel and related costs to support the development of our drug candidates; |
|
|
|
|
the scope of validation for the manufacturing of our drug substance and drug products
required for future NDA filings; |
|
|
|
|
competitive and technological advances; |
|
|
|
|
the time and costs involved in obtaining regulatory approvals; |
|
|
|
|
the costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining and enforcing patent claims; |
|
|
|
|
our dependence on others for development and commercialization of our product candidates; and |
|
|
|
|
successful commercialization of our products consistent with our licensing strategy. |
We expect that we will be required to raise additional capital to complete the development and
commercialization of our current product candidates. Additional funding, whether through additional
sales of securities or collaborative or other arrangements with corporate partners or from other
sources, including governmental agencies in general and from the HHS contract specifically, may not
be available when needed or on terms acceptable to us. The issuance of preferred or common stock or
convertible securities, with terms and prices significantly more favorable than those of the
currently outstanding common stock, could have the effect of diluting or adversely affecting the
holdings or rights of our existing stockholders. In addition, collaborative arrangements may
require us to transfer certain material rights to such corporate partners. Insufficient funds may
require us to delay, scale-back or eliminate certain of our research and development programs.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As part of our ongoing business, we do not participate in transactions that generate
relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often
referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities (SPEs), which would have been
established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually
narrow or limited purposes. As of December 31, 2006, we are not involved in any material
unconsolidated SPE or off-balance sheet arrangements.
Contractual Obligations
In the table below, we set forth our enforceable and legally binding obligations and future
commitments and obligations related to all contracts that we are likely to continue regardless of
the fact that they are cancelable as of December 31, 2006. Some of the amounts we include in this
table are based on managements estimates and assumptions about these obligations, including their
duration, the possibility of renewal, anticipated actions by third parties, and other factors.
Because these estimates and assumptions are necessarily subjective, the obligations we will
actually pay in future periods may vary from those reflected in the table.
41
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Payments due by period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More than |
|
Contractual Obligations |
|
Total |
|
|
1 year |
|
|
1-3 years |
|
|
3-5 years |
|
|
5 years |
|
Operating Lease Obligations |
|
$ |
1,909,209 |
|
|
$ |
549,758 |
|
|
$ |
1,103,608 |
|
|
$ |
255,843 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Purchase Obligations (1) |
|
|
16,174,050 |
|
|
|
14,894,050 |
|
|
|
460,000 |
|
|
|
460,000 |
|
|
|
360,000 |
|
Other Long-Term
Liabilities Reflected on
BioCrysts Balance Sheet
Under GAAP |
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
18,383,259 |
|
|
$ |
15,443,808 |
|
|
$ |
1,563,608 |
|
|
$ |
715,843 |
|
|
$ |
660,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Purchase obligations include commitments related to clinical development, manufacturing and
research operations and other significant purchase commitments. |
In addition to the above, we have committed to make potential future sublicense payments to
third-parties as part of in-licensing and development programs. Payments under these agreements
generally become due and payable only upon achievement of certain developmental, regulatory and/or
commercial milestones. Because the achievement of these milestones is neither probable nor
reasonably estimable, such contingencies have not been recorded on our balance sheet.
Critical Accounting Policies
We have established various accounting policies that govern the application of accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States, which were utilized in the preparation of our
financial statements. Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions by
management that have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities.
Management considers such accounting policies to be critical accounting policies. The judgments and
assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and other factors, which are
believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Because of the nature of the judgments and
assumptions made by management, actual results could differ from these judgments and estimates,
which could have a material impact on the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the results
of operations.
While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our financial
statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, we
believe that the following accounting policies are the most critical to aid you in fully
understanding and evaluating our reported financial results and affect the more significant
judgments and estimates that we use in the preparation of our financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Our revenues have generally been limited to license fees, event payments, research and
development fees, and interest income. Revenue is recognized in accordance with SAB No. 104 and
EITF Issue 00-21. License fees, future event payments, and research and development fees are
recognized as revenue when the earnings process is complete and we have no further continuing
performance obligations, or we have completed the performance obligations under the terms of the
agreement. Fees received under licensing agreements that are related to future performance are
deferred and recognized as earned over an estimated period determined by management based on the
terms of the agreement and the products licensed. For example, in the Roche and Mundipharma
licenses agreements, we deferred the upfront payments over the remaining life of the patents which
are 2023 and 2017, respectively. We are currently evaluating the deferral period for recognizing
the upfront payment from Shionogi. In the event a license agreement contains multiple deliverables,
we evaluate whether the deliverables are separate or combined units of accounting in accordance
with EITF Issue 00-21. Revisions to revenue or profit estimates as a result of changes in the
estimated revenue period are recognized prospectively.
Future event payments are recognized as revenue upon the achievement of specified events if
(1) the event is substantive in nature and the achievement of the event was not reasonably assured
at the inception of the agreement and
42
(2) the fees are non-refundable and non-creditable. Any event payments received prior to
satisfying these criteria are recorded as deferred revenue.
Under the guidance of EITF Issue 99-19 and EITF Issue 01-14, reimbursements received for
direct out-of-pocket expenses related to research and development costs are recorded as revenue in
the income statement rather than as a reduction in expenses. For example, the amounts received from
our collaboration with Mundipharma for the reimbursement of clinical trial costs and the costs
received from HHS for reimbursement will be recorded as revenue in the period the related costs
were recorded. Significant direct costs incurred upon entering into a licensing arrangement, such
as our sublicense fees to AECOM and IRL, are deferred and charged to expense in proportion to the
revenue recognized.
Royalty revenue is recognized based on estimates of royalties earned during the applicable
period and adjusted for differences between the estimated and actual royalties in the following
period. If royalties can not be reasonably estimated, revenue is recognized upon receipt of
royalty statements from the licensee. We have not received any royalties from the sale of licensed
pharmaceutical products.
Research and Development Expenses
Major components of R&D expenses consist of personnel costs, including salaries and benefits,
manufacturing costs, clinical, regulatory, and toxicology services performed by contract research
organizations (CROs), materials and supplies, and overhead allocations consisting of various
administrative and facilities related costs. We charge these costs to expense when incurred,
consistent with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 2, Accounting for Research and
Development Costs. These costs are a significant component of R&D expenses. Most of our
manufacturing and our clinical and preclinical studies are performed by third-party CROs. We
accrue costs for studies performed by CROs over the service periods specified in the contracts and
adjust our estimates, if required, based upon our on-going review of the level of services actually
performed. We expense both our internal and external research and development costs as incurred.
Additionally, we have license agreements with third parties, such as AECOM and IRL that
require maintenance fees or fees related to sublicense agreements. These fees are generally
expensed as incurred unless they are related to revenues that have been deferred in which case the
expenses will be deferred and recognized over the related revenue recognition period.
We group our R&D expenses into two major categories: direct external expenses and all other
R&D expenses. Direct external expenses consist of costs of outside parties to conduct laboratory
studies, to develop manufacturing processes and manufacture the product candidate, to conduct and
manage clinical trials and similar costs related to our clinical and preclinical studies. These
costs are accumulated and tracked by program. All other R&D expenses consist of costs to compensate
personnel, to purchase lab supplies and services, to maintain our facility, equipment and overhead
and similar costs of our research and development efforts. These costs apply to work on our
clinical and preclinical candidates as well as our discovery research efforts. These costs have not
been charged directly to each program historically because the number of product candidates and
projects in research and development may vary from period to period and because we utilize internal
resources across multiple projects at the same time.
The following table summarizes our R&D expenses for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Direct external R&D expenses by program: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PNP Inhibitor (Fodosine) |
|
$ |
17,667,599 |
|
|
$ |
9,256,417 |
|
|
$ |
8,031,922 |
|
PNP Inhibitor (BCX-4208) |
|
|
643,605 |
|
|
|
3,563,966 |
|
|
|
2,815,773 |
|
Neuraminidase Inhibitor (peramivir) |
|
|
11,352,737 |
|
|
|
1,454,738 |
|
|
|
27,059 |
|
Hepatitis C Polymerase Inhibitor |
|
|
1,673,480 |
|
|
|
446,828 |
|
|
|
205,741 |
|
Tissue Factor/Factor VIIa Inhibitor |
|
|
153,326 |
|
|
|
25,072 |
|
|
|
472,633 |
|
Other |
|
|
52,850 |
|
|
|
21,167 |
|
|
|
19,451 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All other R&D expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and fringe benefits |
|
|
6,870,194 |
|
|
|
3,813,281 |
|
|
|
3,115,231 |
|
43
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Supplies and services |
|
|
3,366,683 |
|
|
|
572,056 |
|
|
|
88,515 |
|
Maintenance, depreciation, and
amortization |
|
|
975,790 |
|
|
|
984,680 |
|
|
|
1,227,117 |
|
Overhead allocation and other |
|
|
4,327,108 |
|
|
|
3,504,172 |
|
|
|
2,864,670 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total R&D expenses |
|
$ |
47,083,372 |
|
|
$ |
23,642,377 |
|
|
$ |
18,868,112 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At this time, due to the risks inherent in the clinical trial process and given the stages of
our various product development programs, we are unable to estimate with any certainty the costs we
will incur in the continued development of our drug candidates for potential commercialization.
While we are currently focused on advancing each of our development programs, our future R&D
expenses will depend on the determinations we make as to the scientific and clinical success of
each drug candidate, as well as ongoing assessments as to each drug candidates commercial
potential. As such, we are unable to predict how we will allocate available resources among our
product development programs in the future. In addition, we cannot forecast with any degree of
certainty the development progress of our existing partnerships for our drug candidates, which drug
candidates will be subject to future collaborations, when such arrangements will be secured, if at
all, and to what degree such arrangements would affect our development plans and capital
requirements.
The successful development of our drug candidates is uncertain and subject to a number of
risks. We cannot be certain that any of our drug candidates will prove to be safe and effective or
will meet all of the applicable regulatory requirements needed to receive and maintain marketing
approval. Data from preclinical studies and clinical trials are susceptible to varying
interpretations that could delay, limit or prevent regulatory clearance. We, the FDA or other
regulatory authorities may suspend clinical trials at any time if we or they believe that the
subjects participating in such trials are being exposed to unacceptable risks or if such regulatory
agencies find deficiencies in the conduct of the trials or other problems with our products under
development. Delays or rejections may be encountered based on additional governmental regulation,
legislation, administrative action or changes in FDA or other regulatory policy during development
or the review process. Other risks associated with our product development programs are described
in Risk Factors in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated from time to time
in our subsequent periodic reports and current reports filed with the SEC. Due to these
uncertainties, accurate and meaningful estimates of the ultimate cost to bring a product to market,
the timing of completion of any of our product development programs and the period in which
material net cash inflows from any of our product development programs will commence are
unavailable.
Accrued Expenses
As part of the process of preparing financial statements, we are required to estimate accrued
expenses. This process involves reviewing open contracts and purchase orders, communicating with
our applicable personnel to identify services that have been performed on our behalf and estimating
the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when we have not
yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of actual cost. The majority of our service providers
invoice us monthly in arrears for services performed. We make estimates of our accrued expenses as
of each balance sheet date in our financial statements based on facts and circumstances known to
us. We periodically confirm the accuracy of our estimates with the service providers and make
adjustments if necessary. Examples of estimated accrued expenses include:
|
|
|
fees paid to contract research organizations in connection with preclinical and
toxicology studies and clinical trials; |
|
|
|
|
fees paid to investigative sites in connection with clinical trials; |
|
|
|
|
fees paid to contract manufacturers in connection with the production of our raw
materials, drug substance and drug products; and |
|
|
|
|
professional service fees. |
We base our expenses related to clinical trials on our estimates of the services received
and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with multiple research institutions and clinical
research organizations that conduct and manage clinical trials on our behalf. The financial terms
of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to
44
contract and may result in uneven payment flows. Payments under some of these contracts depend
on factors such as the successful enrollment of patients and the completion of clinical trial
milestones. In accruing service fees, we estimate the time period over which services will be
performed and the level of effort to be expended in each period. If the actual timing of the
performance of services or the level of effort varies from our estimate, we will adjust the accrual
accordingly. If we do not identify costs that we have begun to incur or if we underestimate or
overestimate the level of services performed or the costs of these services, our actual expenses
could differ from our estimates.
Stock-Based Compensation
At December 31, 2006, we have two stock-based employee compensation plans, the Stock Incentive
Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Prior to January 1, 2006, we accounted for these plans
under the recognition and measurement provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and other related Interpretations, as permitted by
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
(Statement No. 123). No stock-based compensation cost related to our employees was recognized in
the Statements of Operations for any period ending prior to January 1, 2006, as all options granted
to our employees had exercise prices equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on
the date of grant. Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (Statement
No. 123R), using the modified prospective transition method. Compensation cost recognized during
2006 included: (a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet
vested as of December 31, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the
original provisions of Statement No. 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments
granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance
with the provisions of Statement No. 123R. Results for prior periods have not been restated.
Under the fair value recognition provisions of Statement No. 123R, stock-based compensation
cost is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as
expense over the requisite service period of the award. Consistent with the valuation method we
used for disclosure-only purposes under the provisions of Statement No. 123, we use the
Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate fair value under Statement No. 123R. Determining
the appropriate fair value model and the related assumptions for the model requires judgment,
including estimating the life of an award, the stock price volatility, and the expected term.
Compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.
7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES
ABOUT MARKET RISK.
The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while maximizing
the income we receive from our investments without significantly increasing our risk. We invest
excess cash principally in U.S. marketable securities from a diversified portfolio of institutions
with strong credit ratings and in U.S. government and agency bills and notes, and by policy, limit
the amount of credit exposure at any one institution. Some of the securities we invest in may have
market risk. This means that a change in prevailing interest rates may cause the principal amount
of the investment to fluctuate. To minimize this risk, we schedule our investments to have
maturities that coincide with our expected cash flow needs, thus avoiding the need to redeem an
investment prior to its maturity date. Accordingly, we believe we have no material exposure to
interest rate risk arising from our investments. Therefore, no quantitative tabular disclosure is
provided.
45
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
4,417,528 |
|
|
$ |
29,156,827 |
|
Marketable securities |
|
|
33,040,038 |
|
|
|
21,103,572 |
|
Receivables from collaborations |
|
|
4,556,145 |
|
|
|
30,000,000 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
3,775,975 |
|
|
|
839,662 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
45,789,686 |
|
|
|
81,100,061 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable securities |
|
|
8,778,020 |
|
|
|
9,727,501 |
|
Furniture and equipment, net |
|
|
3,029,271 |
|
|
|
2,407,954 |
|
Patents and licenses, net of accumulated amortization
of $32,094 in 2006 and $13,076 in 2005 |
|
|
290,694 |
|
|
|
187,635 |
|
Deferred collaboration expense |
|
|
10,597,750 |
|
|
|
5,825,243 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
68,485,421 |
|
|
$ |
99,248,394 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
5,886,967 |
|
|
$ |
8,812,985 |
|
Accrued expenses |
|
|
1,506,712 |
|
|
|
1,252,018 |
|
Accrued vacation |
|
|
641,474 |
|
|
|
442,977 |
|
Deferred revenue |
|
|
2,699,463 |
|
|
|
873,786 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
10,734,616 |
|
|
|
11,381,766 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred revenue |
|
|
36,595,796 |
|
|
|
29,426,214 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock: shares authorized - 5,000,000
Series B Junior Participating Preferred stock,
$.001 par value; shares authorized - 45,000;
shares issued and outstanding none |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $.01 par value; shares authorized -
45,000,000; shares issued and outstanding -
29,248,849 2006; 28,813,533 2005 |
|
|
292,488 |
|
|
|
288,135 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
216,310,578 |
|
|
|
210,014,946 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
32,463 |
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(195,480,520 |
) |
|
|
(151,862,667 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity |
|
|
21,155,009 |
|
|
|
58,440,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
|
$ |
68,485,421 |
|
|
$ |
99,248,394 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
46
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Collaborative and other research and
development |
|
$ |
6,211,936 |
|
|
$ |
151,867 |
|
|
$ |
336,901 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
|
47,083,372 |
|
|
|
23,642,377 |
|
|
|
18,868,112 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
6,108,373 |
|
|
|
3,686,323 |
|
|
|
3,220,655 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses |
|
|
53,191,745 |
|
|
|
27,328,700 |
|
|
|
22,088,767 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations |
|
|
(46,979,809 |
) |
|
|
(27,176,833 |
) |
|
|
(21,751,866 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other income |
|
|
3,361,956 |
|
|
|
1,078,065 |
|
|
|
647,745 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(43,617,853 |
) |
|
$ |
(26,098,768 |
) |
|
$ |
(21,104,121 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per common share |
|
$ |
(1.50 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.00 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding |
|
|
29,147,397 |
|
|
|
25,721,031 |
|
|
|
21,165,311 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
47
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
|
Paid-in |
|
|
Comprehensive |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
holders |
|
|
Comprehensive |
|
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Capital |
|
|
Income |
|
|
Deficit |
|
|
Equity |
|
|
Income |
|
Balance at December 31, 2003 |
|
$ |
178,713 |
|
|
$ |
132,928,208 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(104,659,778 |
) |
|
$ |
28,447,143 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21,104,121 |
) |
|
|
(21,104,121 |
) |
|
$ |
(21,104,121 |
) |
Unrealized gain on marketable
securities available-for-sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(21,104,121 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of common stock, 3,571,667
shares |
|
|
35,717 |
|
|
|
20,244,133 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,279,850 |
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of stock options,
283,636 shares |
|
|
2,836 |
|
|
|
1,077,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,080,336 |
|
|
|
|
|
Employee stock purchase plan
sales, 31,695 shares |
|
|
317 |
|
|
|
118,260 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
118,577 |
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
512,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
512,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2004 |
|
|
217,583 |
|
|
|
154,880,528 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(125,763,899 |
) |
|
|
29,334,212 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(26,098,768 |
) |
|
|
(26,098,768 |
) |
|
$ |
(26,098,768 |
) |
Unrealized gain on marketable
securities available-for-sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(26,098,768 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of common stock, 6,578,829
shares |
|
|
65,788 |
|
|
|
52,498,067 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,563,855 |
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of stock options,
450,717 shares |
|
|
4,507 |
|
|
|
2,473,395 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,477,902 |
|
|
|
|
|
Employee stock purchase plan
sales, 25,700 shares |
|
|
257 |
|
|
|
136,564 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
136,821 |
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,392 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,392 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2005 |
|
|
288,135 |
|
|
|
210,014,946 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(151,862,667 |
) |
|
|
58,440,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(43,617,853 |
) |
|
|
(43,617,853 |
) |
|
$ |
(43,617,853 |
) |
Unrealized gain on marketable
securities available-for-sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,463 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,463 |
|
|
|
32,463 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(43,585,390 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of stock options,
409,328 shares, net |
|
|
4,093 |
|
|
|
2,765,801 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,769,894 |
|
|
|
|
|
Employee stock purchase plan
sales, 25,988 shares |
|
|
260 |
|
|
|
191,070 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
191,330 |
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,338,761 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,338,761 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2006 |
|
$ |
292,488 |
|
|
$ |
216,310,578 |
|
|
$ |
32,463 |
|
|
$ |
(195,480,520 |
) |
|
$ |
21,155,009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
48
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(43,617,853 |
) |
|
$ |
(26,098,768 |
) |
|
$ |
(21,104,121 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization of furniture
and equipment |
|
|
802,177 |
|
|
|
854,269 |
|
|
|
955,548 |
|
Gain on disposal of furniture and equipment |
|
|
(25,180 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment of furniture and equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,215 |
|
|
|
10,922 |
|
Amortization of patents and licenses |
|
|
19,018 |
|
|
|
10,298 |
|
|
|
2,979 |
|
Impairment of patents and licenses |
|
|
14,295 |
|
|
|
101,437 |
|
|
|
8,339 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
3,338,761 |
|
|
|
26,392 |
|
|
|
512,427 |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables from collaborations |
|
|
25,443,855 |
|
|
|
(30,000,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
(2,936,313 |
) |
|
|
(140,378 |
) |
|
|
(23,377 |
) |
Deferred collaboration expense |
|
|
(4,772,507 |
) |
|
|
(5,825,243 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
|
(2,926,018 |
) |
|
|
6,842,542 |
|
|
|
1,330,094 |
|
Accrued expenses |
|
|
254,694 |
|
|
|
688,057 |
|
|
|
96,271 |
|
Accrued vacation |
|
|
198,497 |
|
|
|
143,022 |
|
|
|
59,583 |
|
Deferred revenue |
|
|
8,995,259 |
|
|
|
30,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
|
(15,211,315 |
) |
|
|
(23,346,157 |
) |
|
|
(18,151,335 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions of furniture and equipment |
|
|
(1,398,314 |
) |
|
|
(497,284 |
) |
|
|
(275,919 |
) |
Purchases of patents and licenses |
|
|
(136,372 |
) |
|
|
(50,784 |
) |
|
|
(80,443 |
) |
Purchases of marketable securities |
|
|
(42,870,522 |
) |
|
|
(29,695,358 |
) |
|
|
(18,879,234 |
) |
Maturities of marketable securities |
|
|
31,916,000 |
|
|
|
18,729,368 |
|
|
|
16,398,629 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(12,489,208 |
) |
|
|
(11,514,058 |
) |
|
|
(2,836,967 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of common stock, net of issuance costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,563,855 |
|
|
|
20,279,850 |
|
Exercise of stock options |
|
|
2,769,894 |
|
|
|
2,477,902 |
|
|
|
1,080,336 |
|
Employee stock purchase plan sales |
|
|
191,330 |
|
|
|
136,821 |
|
|
|
118,577 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
2,961,224 |
|
|
|
55,178,578 |
|
|
|
21,478,763 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(24,739,299 |
) |
|
|
20,318,363 |
|
|
|
490,461 |
|
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year |
|
|
29,156,827 |
|
|
|
8,838,464 |
|
|
|
8,348,003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
|
$ |
4,417,528 |
|
|
$ |
29,156,827 |
|
|
$ |
8,838,464 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
49
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 Significant Accounting Policies
The Company
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the Company), a Delaware corporation, is a biotechnology
company that designs, optimizes, and develops novel drugs that block key enzymes involved in
cancer, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections. The Company integrates
the necessary disciplines of biology, crystallography, medicinal chemistry, and computer modeling
to effectively use structure-based drug design to discover and develop small molecule
pharmaceuticals. The Company has multiple research projects in different stages of development
from early discovery to a pivotal Phase II trial of the Companys most advanced drug candidate,
Fodosine. While the prospects for a project may increase as the project advances to the next stage
of development, a project can be terminated at any stage of development. Until the Company
generates revenues from either a research project or an approved product, the Companys ability to
continue research projects is dependent upon its ability to raise funds through the sale of equity
securities or through collaborative arrangements with government agencies or third-party partners.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company generally considers cash equivalents to be all cash held in money market accounts
or investments in debt instruments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase
in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows
(Statement No. 95).
Marketable Securities
The Company is required to classify securities as trading, available-for-sale, or
held-to-maturity. The appropriateness of each classification is assessed at the time of purchase
and at each reporting date. At December 31, 2006, the Company had $41,818,058 marketable securities
of which $15,276,235 is classified as available-for-sale and $26,541,823 is classified as
held-to-maturity. Securities available-for-sale consisted of U.S. Agency securities carried at
estimated fair values. The estimated fair value of these securities was based on independent quoted
market prices. At December 31, 2006, the amortized cost of securities available-for-sale was
$15,243,772. Unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale are recognized in other
comprehensive income. Securities held-to-maturity consisted primarily of U.S. Agency securities
carried at amortized cost. The estimated fair value of securities held-to-maturity at December 31,
2006 was $26,459,243 based on independent quoted market prices. While this represents an unrealized
loss position, the loss does not represent an other-than-temporary impairment, as the Company has
the ability and intent to hold the securities until maturity, at which time the cost of the
investments will be recovered. At December 31, 2006, all of the non-current portions of marketable
securities mature in 2008.
Included in held-to-maturity securities, is a U.S. Treasury security in the amount of
$132,000. This security is held in escrow for the payment of rent and performance of other
obligations specified in the Companys lease on the facilities in Birmingham, Alabama. The amount
deposited in escrow decreases $65,000 annually throughout the term of the lease.
Receivables from Collaborations
The Company records amounts due from partners for amounts related to up-front payments, event
payments, and research and development fees. These receivables are evaluated to determine if any
reserve or allowance should be established at each reporting date. To date, the Company has not
established a reserve and has never had any default of amounts from partners.
Furniture and Equipment
Furniture
and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line
method with estimated useful lives of five and seven years. Laboratory equipment, office equipment,
leased equipment, and software are depreciated over a life of five years. Furniture and fixtures
are depreciated over a life of seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over their
estimated useful lives or the remaining lease term, whichever is less. In accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (Statement No. 144), the Company periodically
reviews its furniture and equipment for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such
assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of
undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. In
the event that such cash flows are not expected to be sufficient to recover the carrying amount of
the assets, the assets are written down to their estimated fair
values. Furniture and equipment to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying
amount or fair value less cost to sell.
50
Patents and Licenses
Patents and licenses are recorded at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over their
estimated useful lives or 20 years, whichever is less. The Company periodically reviews its patents
and licenses for impairment in accordance with Statement No. 144 to determine any impairment that
needs to be recognized. During each of the last three preceding years, the Company identified
certain patents and licenses that no longer met its strategic objectives, which were determined to
be unrecoverable, and for which the Company had no alternative future uses. Accordingly, the
Company recorded impairment losses for such patents and licenses totaling $14,295, $101,437, and
$8,339 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. These impairment
losses are included in general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations.
Accrued Expenses
The Company records all expenses in the period incurred. In addition to recording expenses for
invoices received, the Company estimates the cost of services provided by third parties or
materials purchased for which no invoices have been received as of each balance sheet date. Accrued
expenses as of December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 consisted primarily of development and clinical
trial expenses payable to contract research organizations in connection with the Companys research
and development programs.
Income Taxes
The liability method is used in accounting for income taxes in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (Statement No. 109). Under
this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between
financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax
rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
Comprehensive Income
Accumulated other comprehensive income is comprised of unrealized gains and losses on
securities available-for-sale and is disclosed as a separate component of stockholders equity. The
Company had $32,463 of unrealized gains on its securities that are included in accumulated other
comprehensive income at December 31, 2006.
Revenue Recognition
The Companys revenues have generally been limited to license fees, event payments, research
and development fees, and interest income. Revenue is recognized in accordance with Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition (SAB No. 104) and Emerging Issues Task Force
Issue 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables (EITF Issue 00-21). License fees,
future event payments, and research and development fees are recognized as revenue when the
earnings process is complete and the Company has no further continuing performance obligations, or
the Company has completed the performance obligations under the terms of the agreement. Fees
received under licensing agreements that are related to future performance are deferred and
recognized over an estimated period determined by management based on the terms of the agreements
and the products licensed. In the event a license agreement contains multiple deliverables, the
Company evaluates whether the deliverables are separate or combined units of accounting in
accordance with EITF Issue 00-21. Revisions to revenue or profit estimates as a result of changes
in the estimated revenue period are recognized prospectively.
Future event payments are recognized as revenue upon the achievement of specified events if
(1) the event is substantive in nature and the achievement of the event was not reasonably assured
at the inception of the agreement and (2) the fees are non-refundable and non-creditable. Any
event payments received prior to satisfying these criteria are recorded as deferred revenue.
51
Significant direct costs incurred upon entering into a licensing arrangement are deferred and
charged to expense in proportion to the revenue recognized. Under the guidance of Emerging Issues
Task Force Issue 99-19, Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal Versus Net as an Agent (EITF Issue
99-19), and Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 01-14, Income Statement Characterization of
Reimbursements Received for Out-of-Pocket Expenses (EITF Issue 01-14), reimbursements received
for direct out-of-pocket expenses related to research and development costs are recorded as revenue
in the income statement rather than as a reduction in expenses.
Royalty revenue is recognized based on estimates of royalties earned during the applicable
period and adjusted for differences between the estimated and actual royalties in the following
period. If royalties can not be reasonably estimated, revenue is recognized upon receipt of
royalty statements from the licensee. The Company has not received any royalties from the sale of
licensed pharmaceutical products.
Research and Development Expenses
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 2, Accounting for Research
and Development Costs, the Company expenses research and development costs as incurred. Research
and development expenses include, among other items, personnel costs, including salaries and
benefits, manufacturing costs, clinical, regulatory, and toxicology services performed by contract
research organizations (CROs), materials and supplies, and overhead allocations consisting of
various administrative and facilities related costs. Most of the Companys manufacturing and
clinical and preclinical studies are performed by third-party CROs. Costs for studies performed by
CROs are accrued by the Company over the service periods specified in the contracts and estimates
are adjusted, if required, based upon the Companys on-going review of the level of services
actually performed.
Additionally, the Company has license agreements with third parties, such as Albert Einstein
College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (AECOM) and Industrial Research, Ltd. (IRL) that
require maintenance fees or fees related to sublicense agreements. These fees are generally
expensed as incurred unless they are related to revenues that have been deferred, in which case the
expenses are deferred and recognized over the related revenue recognition period.
Stock-Based Compensation
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (Statement No. 123R),
which revises Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation (Statement No. 123), supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (APB No. 25), and amends Statement No. 95. Generally,
the approach in Statement No. 123R is similar to the approach described in Statement No. 123.
However, Statement No. 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of
stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma
disclosure, allowed by Statement No. 123, is no longer an alternative.
In March 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin
No. 107, Share-Based Payment, which provided further clarification on the implementation of
Statement No. 123R. Statement No. 123R originally required adoption no later than July 1, 2005.
In April 2005, the SEC issued a release that delayed the effective date for Statement No. 123R
until January 1, 2006.
Statement No. 123R permits companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods, a
modified prospective transition method or a modified retrospective transition method. Both
methods are similar, except that the modified retrospective transition method permits entities to
restate, based on the amounts previously recognized under Statement No. 123 for purposes of pro
forma disclosures, either (a) all prior periods presented or (b) prior interim periods of the year
of adoption.
At December 31, 2006, the Company had two stock-based employee compensation plans, the Stock
Incentive Plan (Plan), which amended and restated the Companys 1991 Stock Option Plan (1991
Plan), and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). These stock-based compensation plans are
described in more detail below and in Note 7. Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for
those plans under the recognition and measurement provisions of APB No. 25 and other related
Interpretations, as permitted by Statement No. 123. No stock-based compensation cost related to
the Companys employees was recognized in the Statements of Operations for any period ending prior
to
52
January 1, 2006, as all options granted by the Company had exercise prices equal to the market
value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. For the year ended December 31, 2005,
stock-based compensation cost of $26,392 was recognized by the Company for options granted to
non-employee consultants. For the year ended December 31, 2004, stock-based compensation cost of
$512,427 was recognized by the Company for options granted to non-employee consultants and due to a
modification of options outstanding to outside Directors. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company
adopted the fair value recognition provisions of Statement No. 123R, using the modified prospective
transition method. Under that transition method, total compensation cost of $3,338,761 ($3,243,751
of expense related to the Plan and $95,010 of expense related to the ESPP) was recognized during
2006 and includes: (a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not
yet vested as of December 31, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with
the original provisions of Statement No. 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based
payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in
accordance with the provisions of Statement No. 123R. In accordance with the modified prospective
transition method adopted, results for prior periods have not been restated. The following table
illustrates the pro forma effect on net loss and net loss per share had the Company applied the
fair value recognition provisions of Statement No. 123R for the years ended December 31, 2005 and
2004. For purposes of the pro forma disclosure, the value of the options was estimated using a
Black-Scholes option pricing model and amortized to expense over the vesting periods of the options
using a straight-line expense attribution method.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Net loss as reported |
|
$ |
(26,098,768 |
) |
|
$ |
(21,104,121 |
) |
Add stock-based compensation expense for
consultants included in reported net loss |
|
|
26,392 |
|
|
|
512,427 |
|
Deduct total stock-based compensation
expense for employees and consultants as
determined under Statement No. 123 |
|
|
(1,779,991 |
) |
|
|
(2,260,551 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net loss |
|
$ |
(27,852,367 |
) |
|
$ |
(22,852,245 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts per common share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share, as reported |
|
$ |
(1.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.00 |
) |
Pro forma net loss per share |
|
$ |
(1.08 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.08 |
) |
As of December 31, 2006, there was approximately $9,386,233 of total unrecognized compensation
cost related to non-vested employee stock option awards granted under the Plan and the ESPP. That
cost is expected to be recognized as follows: $3,562,441 in 2007, $2,716,561 in 2008, $2,194,977
in 2009, and $912,254 in 2010.
Statement 123R also requires that the benefits from tax deductions in excess of recognized
compensation cost should be reported as a financing cash flow rather than as an operating cash
flow. The Company has never recognized any benefits from such tax deductions, as the Company has
always maintained a loss position.
Net Loss Per Share
The Company computes net loss per share in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share. Net loss per share is based upon the weighted average number
of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is equivalent to basic net
loss per share for all periods presented herein because common equivalent shares from unexercised
stock options and common shares expected to be issued under the Companys employee stock purchase
plan were anti-dilutive.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
amounts reported in the financial statements. Examples include accrued clinical and preclinical
expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Note 2 Furniture and Equipment
Furniture and equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
53
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Furniture and fixtures |
|
$ |
406,869 |
|
|
$ |
339,635 |
|
Office equipment |
|
|
685,204 |
|
|
|
589,702 |
|
Software |
|
|
516,281 |
|
|
|
485,554 |
|
Laboratory equipment |
|
|
4,802,481 |
|
|
|
4,013,708 |
|
Leased equipment |
|
|
62,712 |
|
|
|
62,712 |
|
Leasehold improvements |
|
|
4,731,401 |
|
|
|
4,624,324 |
|
Construction-in-progress |
|
|
309,001 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,513,949 |
|
|
|
10,115,635 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
|
|
(8,484,678 |
) |
|
|
(7,707,681 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Furniture and equipment, net |
|
$ |
3,029,271 |
|
|
$ |
2,407,954 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 3 Concentration of Credit and Market Risk
The Company invests its excess cash principally in U.S. marketable securities from a
diversified portfolio of institutions with strong credit ratings and in U.S. government and agency
bills and notes and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure at any one institution. These
investments are generally not collateralized and mature within less than three years. The Company
has not realized any losses from such investments. At December 31, 2006, $2,445,758 was invested in
the Merrill Lynch Premier Institutional Fund, a money market mutual fund that invests in near cash
securities with weighted average maturities of less than 90 days. The Merrill Lynch Premier
Institutional Fund is not insured.
The Companys raw materials, drug substances, and drug products are manufactured by a limited
group of suppliers and some at a single facility. If any of these suppliers were unable to produce
these items, this could significantly impact the Companys supply of drugs for further preclinical
testing and clinical trials.
Note 4 Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses were comprised of the following at December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Accrued clinical trials |
|
$ |
1,155,847 |
|
|
$ |
877,882 |
|
Accrued professional fees |
|
|
177,951 |
|
|
|
256,051 |
|
Stock purchase plan withholdings |
|
|
106,670 |
|
|
|
81,460 |
|
Other |
|
|
66,244 |
|
|
|
36,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses |
|
$ |
1,506,712 |
|
|
$ |
1,252,018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 5 Lease Obligations and Other Contingencies
The Company has the following lease obligations at December 31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating |
|
|
|
Leases |
|
2007 |
|
$ |
549,758 |
|
2008 |
|
|
565,257 |
|
2009 |
|
|
538,351 |
|
2010 |
|
|
255,843 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total minimum payments |
|
$ |
1,909,209 |
|
|
|
|
|
54
Rent expense for operating leases was $566,524, $560,322, and $583,969 in 2006, 2005, and
2004, respectively. The commitment for operating leases is primarily related to building leases in
Birmingham, Alabama and Cary, North Carolina. The lease for the building in Birmingham, Alabama
expires in June 2010. This lease, as amended effective December 1, 2005 for a reduction in occupied
space, currently requires monthly rents of $37,963 in December 2006 and escalates annually to a
minimum of $41,481 per month in the final year. The Company has an option to renew the Birmingham,
Alabama lease for an additional five years at the current market rate on the date of termination
and a one-time option to terminate the lease on June 30, 2008, subject to a reasonable termination
fee. The lease for the building in Cary, North Carolina expires in July 2009. This lease, as
amended effective October 1, 2006 for an increase in occupied space, requires monthly rents of
$4,500 beginning in October 2006 and escalates annually to a minimum of $4,774 per month in the
final year. The lease was subsequently amended in February 2007 for an additional 2,000 square
feet requiring monthly rents of $7,391 beginning in March 2007 and ending in February 2010. The
Company has an option to twice renew the Cary, North Carolina lease for an additional three years
at the current market rate prior to lease termination.
On August 5, 2002, at the request of the compensation committee, the Companys Board of
Directors approved a reduction in salary of 25% for Dr. Charles E. Bugg, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer and Dr. J. Claude Bennett, President, Chief Operating Officer and Medical
Director, effective August 1, 2002. In the event of any change of control of the Company, any
cumulative salary reductions up to the date of the change of control would become due and payable.
The monthly amount of the reduction was $14,677 combined. On December 8, 2003, the Board of
Directors approved the recommendation of the compensation committee to restore their salaries to
their previous amounts effective January 1, 2004, leaving the cumulative reduction of $249,509
outstanding in the event of a change in control.
As of December 31, 2006, the Company has an unused letter of credit of $1.8 million. This
letter of credit was originally obtained for a customs bond that was required in order to import
certain compound into the country that was manufactured abroad. The Company does not anticipate
drawing any funds against this letter of credit in the future, but it could remain in force for up
to one year or until customs closes the file on the particular receipt of goods for which the bond
was required.
Note 6 Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes differs from the amounts computed by applying the statutory
federal income tax rate to income before income taxes. The sources and tax effects of the
differences are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Federal tax benefit at statutory rate on
income before income taxes |
|
$ |
(15,266,249 |
) |
|
$ |
(9,134,569 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,386,442 |
) |
State tax benefit, net of federal income
tax benefit |
|
|
(1,931,360 |
) |
|
|
(1,120,784 |
) |
|
|
(917,879 |
) |
Increase in valuation allowance |
|
|
21,011,952 |
|
|
|
12,706,721 |
|
|
|
9,786,925 |
|
Permanent items (federal effect) |
|
|
2,338,857 |
|
|
|
1,488,588 |
|
|
|
882,830 |
|
R&D credit |
|
|
(6,561,953 |
) |
|
|
(4,237,250 |
) |
|
|
(2,514,344 |
) |
Other-net |
|
|
408,753 |
|
|
|
297,294 |
|
|
|
148,910 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total tax expense |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company has not had taxable income since incorporation and, therefore, has not paid any
income taxes. Significant components of the Companys deferred tax assets and liabilities are as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Deferred tax assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating losses |
|
$ |
66,146,993 |
|
|
$ |
51,727,869 |
|
General business credits |
|
|
23,098,886 |
|
|
|
16,536,933 |
|
Fixed assets |
|
|
696,822 |
|
|
|
594,432 |
|
Accrued expenses |
|
|
252,327 |
|
|
|
168,386 |
|
Reserve for doubtful accounts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Deferred revenue |
|
|
113,400 |
|
|
|
113,400 |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax assets |
|
|
90,308,428 |
|
|
|
69,141,020 |
|
Total deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax asset |
|
|
90,308,428 |
|
|
|
69,141,020 |
|
Valuation allowance |
|
|
(90,308,428 |
) |
|
|
(69,141,020 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax assets |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Because the majority of the deferred tax assets relate to net operating loss (NOL)
carryforwards that can only be realized if the Company is profitable in future periods and because
the Company has never been profitable in the past, it is uncertain whether the Company will realize
any tax benefit related to the NOL carryforwards. Accordingly, the Company has provided a
valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets due to uncertainties as to their ultimate
realization. The valuation allowance will remain at the full amount of the deferred tax asset until
it is more likely than not that the related tax benefits will be realized.
As of December 31, 2006, the Company had net operating loss and research and development
credit carryforwards of approximately $171,096,000 and $23,099,000, respectively, which expire at
various dates from 2007 through 2025.
Use of the carryforward tax benefits will be subject to a substantial annual limitation due to
the change of ownership provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. The annual limitation is expected
to result in the expiration of a portion of the carryforward tax benefits before utilization. The
ownership change which occurred in 1996 has been considered by the Company in its computations
under Statement No. 109. Due to recent stock issuances, it is possible that additional limitations
could currently apply. The Company has not performed a detailed analysis to determine if an
additional ownership change has occurred under the tax code or to determine its impact on its
ability to use these net operating loss and research credit carryforwards. However, it is not
anticipated that any such analysis would have a material impact on the balance sheet as a result of
offsetting changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance.
Note 7 Stockholders Equity
On December 14, 2005, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement with Kleiner Perkins
Caufield & Byers Holdings, LLC, KPTV, LLC and TPG Biotechnology Partners, L.P. in connection with a
registered direct offering of 2,228,829 shares of its common stock at an offering price of $13.46
per share. The common stock was issued pursuant to prospectus supplements filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
Securities Act), in connection with a shelf takedown from the Companys registration statement on
Form S-3 (333-111226), which was filed on December 16, 2003 and which became effective on January
5, 2004, and the Companys registration statement on Form S-3 (333-128087), which was filed on
September 2, 2005 and which became effective on September 20, 2005. On December 16, 2005, the
Company issued the total 2,228,829 shares of common stock to the aforementioned investors and
received total proceeds of approximately $30 million (approximately $29.9 million net of expenses).
On February 9, 2005, the Company entered into a Placement Agency Agreement with Leerink Swann
& Company in connection with a registered direct offering of 4,350,000 shares of its common stock
at an offering price of $5.50 per share. The common stock was issued pursuant to a prospectus
supplement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) of the
Securities Act in connection with a shelf takedown from the Companys registration statement on
Form S-3 (333-111226), filed on December 16, 2003 and which became effective on January 5, 2004.
On February 17, 2005, the Company entered into stock purchase agreements with a number of
institutional investors for an aggregate of 4,350,000 shares of common stock at a gross purchase
price of $5.50 per share or approximately $23.9 million (approximately $22.7 million net of
expenses). One of these agreements was with Baker Brothers Investments, L.P., Baker Brothers
Investments II, L.P., Baker Biotech Fund I, L.P., Baker Biotech Fund II, L.P., Baker Biotech Fund
II (Z), L.P., Baker Biotech Fund III, L.P., Baker Biotech Fund III (Z), L.P., Baker/Tisch
Investments, L.P., and 14159, L.P., or the Baker investors, for a total of 1,454,545 shares.
56
On February 4, 2004, the Company entered into a Placement Agency Agreement with Leerink Swann
& Company in connection with a registered direct offering of 3,571,667 shares of its common stock
at an offering price of $6.00 per share. The common stock was issued pursuant to a prospectus
supplement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) of the
Securities Act in connection with a shelf takedown from the Companys registration statement on
Form S-3 (333-111226), filed on December 16, 2003 and which became effective on January 5, 2004.
On February 17, 2004, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Caduceus
Private Investments II, LP, Caduceus Private Investments II (QP), LP and UBS Juniper Crossover
Fund, L.L.C. As part of this agreement, the Company granted these investors the right to appoint a
member to its board of directors effective as of the closing of the offering. On February 18,
2004, the Company completed a $21.4 million registered direct offering of 3,571,667 shares of its
common stock to a group of institutional investors.
In June 2002, the Board of Directors adopted a stockholder rights plan and, pursuant thereto,
issued preferred stock purchase rights (Rights) to the holders of the Companys common stock.
The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. If triggered, the Rights would cause substantial
dilution to a person or group of persons who acquires more than 15% (19.9% for William W.
Featheringill, a Director who owned approximately 9.58% at December 31, 2006, but owned more than
15% at the time the Rights were put in place) of the Companys common stock on terms not approved
by the Board of Directors. The rights are not exercisable until the distribution date, as defined
in the Rights Agreement by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as
Rights Agent. The Rights will expire at the close of business on June 24, 2012, unless that final
expiration date is extended or unless the rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company.
Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a
share of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock (Series B), par value $0.001 per share, at
a purchase price of $26.00, subject to adjustment. Shares of Series B purchasable upon exercise of
the Rights will not be redeemable. Each share of Series B will be entitled to a dividend of 1,000
times the dividend declared per share of common stock. In the event of liquidation, each share of
Series B will be entitled to a payment of 1,000 times the payment made per share of common stock.
Each share of Series B will have 1,000 votes, voting together with the common stock. Finally, in
the event of any merger, consolidation, or other transaction in which shares of common stock are
exchanged, each share of Series B will be entitled to receive 1,000 times the amount received per
share of common stock. Effective in December 2005, we increased the authorized shares available
under these rights to 45,000 to match the authorized common shares of 45,000,000. In addition, our
Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 4,955,000 shares of undesignated preferred
stock and to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of those shares without
further vote or action by our stockholders.
In November 1991, the Board of Directors adopted the 1991 Stock Option Plan (1991 Plan) for
key employees and consultants of the Company and reserved 500,000 shares of common stock for
issuance. The 1991 Plan was approved by the stockholders in December 1991. The original term for
options granted under the 1991 Plan was for ten years and included provisions for issuance of both
incentive stock options and non-statutory options. The exercise price of the options granted under
the 1991 Plan is not to be less than the fair market value of common stock on the grant date.
Options granted under the 1991 Plan generally vest 25% after one year and monthly thereafter on a
pro rata basis over the next three years until fully vested after four years and expire ten years
after the grant date. Options are generally granted to all full-time employees. The vesting and
exercise provisions of options granted under the Plan are subject to acceleration in the event of
certain stockholder-approved transactions, or upon the occurrence of a Change in Control as defined
by the Plan.
The 1991 Plan was amended and restated in February 1993 to effect the following changes: (i)
divide the 1991 Plan into two separate incentive programs: the Discretionary Option Grant Program
and the Automatic Option Grant Program (for outside Directors), (ii) increase the number of shares
of the Companys common stock available for issuance by 500,000 shares and (iii) expand the level
of benefits available. The Board amended the 1991 Plan in December 1993 to increase the number of
shares issuable by 500,000 shares and subsequently amended and restated the 1991 Plan in its
entirety in February 1994. In March 1995, the Board authorized another 500,000 shares for issuance
under the 1991 Plan. The 1991 Plan was subsequently amended and restated in March 1997, which
increased the number of shares issuable by 1,000,000 shares. The 1991 Plan (as so amended and
restated) was further amended in March 1999 to increase the share reserve by 400,000 shares. The
Board amended and restated the 1991 Plan in its
57
entirety in March 2000, increasing the reserved shares by 1,200,000 and extending the term of
the 1991 Plan for ten years from the date of the amendment. This restatement was approved by the
Companys stockholders in May 2000. The 1991 Plan was amended in March 2004 to increase the number
of shares reserved for issuance by 1,000,000 and to amend the automatic option grant program
related to initial grants, vesting, and option terms. The automatic option grant program grants
options to purchase 10,000 shares to new non-employee Board members, prorated from their initial
appointment to the next Annual Meeting, and an additional 10,000 shares annually over such period
of continued service (all of which vest one-twelfth per month). Directors receiving options under
the automatic option grant program will have the full term of the original option to exercise all
options vested at the time of their cessation from service. This amendment was approved by the
Companys stockholders in May 2004.
Most recently, the 1991 Plan was amended and restated by the Companys Stock Incentive Plan
(Plan), which increased the number of shares reserved for issuance by 1,500,000 shares; increased
the amounts of the initial automatic option grants to non-employee Board members from 10,000 shares
to 20,000 shares; increased the amounts of the annual automatic option grants to non-employee Board
members from 10,000 shares to 15,000 shares; and allow the Company to make discretionary stock
issuances. The Plan was subsequently approved by the Companys stockholders in May 2006.
For option awards granted under the Plan during 2006, 2005, and 2004, the fair value of the
award was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and the
assumptions noted in the table below. The weighted average grant date fair value of the options
granted under the Plan during 2006, 2005, and 2004 was $8.64, $3.48, and $6.83, respectively. The
fair value expense of options granted is amortized to expense over the vesting periods of the
options using a straight-line expense attribution method.
Weighted Average Assumptions for Options Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
Expected Life |
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
Expected Volatility |
|
|
82.6 |
% |
|
|
96.6 |
% |
|
|
103.1 |
% |
Expected Dividend Yield |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
Risk-Free Interest Rate |
|
|
5.0 |
% |
|
|
3.9 |
% |
|
|
4.0 |
% |
The following explanations describe the assumptions used by the Company to value the options
granted during 2006. The expected life is based on the average of the assumption that all
outstanding options will be exercised at full vesting and the assumption that all outstanding
options will be exercised at the midpoint of the valuation date and the full contractual term. The
expected volatility represents an average of the implied volatility on the Companys publicly
traded options, the volatility over the most recent period corresponding with the expected life,
and the Companys long-term reversion volatility. The Company has assumed no expected dividend
yield, as dividends have never been paid to stock or option holders and will not be for the
foreseeable future. The weighted average risk-free interest rate is the implied yield currently
available on zero-coupon government issues with a remaining term equal to the expected term.
Related stock option activity under the Plan is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
Options |
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
Available |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Exercise Price |
|
Balance December 31, 2003 |
|
|
500,819 |
|
|
|
2,917,932 |
|
|
$ |
7.29 |
|
Options plan amended |
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options granted |
|
|
(499,197 |
) |
|
|
499,197 |
|
|
|
8.76 |
|
Options exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(283,636 |
) |
|
|
3.81 |
|
Options canceled |
|
|
34,149 |
|
|
|
(34,149 |
) |
|
|
4.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance December 31, 2004 |
|
|
1,035,771 |
|
|
|
3,099,344 |
|
|
|
7.88 |
|
Options granted |
|
|
(653,801 |
) |
|
|
653,801 |
|
|
|
4.66 |
|
Options exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(450,717 |
) |
|
|
5.50 |
|
Options canceled |
|
|
61,077 |
|
|
|
(61,077 |
) |
|
|
5.96 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance December 31, 2005 |
|
|
443,047 |
|
|
|
3,241,351 |
|
|
|
7.60 |
|
Options plan amended |
|
|
1,500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options granted |
|
|
(1,222,154 |
) |
|
|
1,222,154 |
|
|
|
12.35 |
|
Options exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(411,076 |
) |
|
|
6.82 |
|
Options canceled |
|
|
99,861 |
|
|
|
(99,861 |
) |
|
|
15.91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance December 31, 2006 |
|
|
820,754 |
|
|
|
3,952,568 |
|
|
|
8.94 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58
The total intrinsic value of options exercised under the Plan during 2006 was $4,697,366. The
intrinsic value represents the total proceeds (fair market value at the date of exercise, less the
exercise price, times the number of options exercised) received by all individuals who exercised
options during the period.
The following table summarizes, at December 31, 2006, by price range: (1) for options
outstanding under the Plan, the number of options outstanding, their weighted average remaining
life and their weighted average exercise price; and (2) for options exercisable under the Plan, the
number of options exercisable and their weighted average exercise price:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding |
|
Exercisable |
Range |
|
Number |
|
Life |
|
Price |
|
Number |
|
Price |
$0 to 3
|
|
|
466,953 |
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
|
|
449,625 |
|
|
$ |
1.16 |
|
3 to 6
|
|
|
707,140 |
|
|
|
7.6 |
|
|
|
4.18 |
|
|
|
408,930 |
|
|
|
4.05 |
|
6 to 9
|
|
|
1,143,949 |
|
|
|
4.9 |
|
|
|
7.79 |
|
|
|
949,094 |
|
|
|
7.71 |
|
9 to 12
|
|
|
226,953 |
|
|
|
9.6 |
|
|
|
10.90 |
|
|
|
9,953 |
|
|
|
9.88 |
|
12 to 15
|
|
|
1,170,966 |
|
|
|
8.0 |
|
|
|
12.85 |
|
|
|
259,479 |
|
|
|
13.53 |
|
15 to 18
|
|
|
6,667 |
|
|
|
9.1 |
|
|
|
15.92 |
|
|
|
4,167 |
|
|
|
15.45 |
|
18 to 21
|
|
|
6,200 |
|
|
|
9.2 |
|
|
|
19.34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21 to 24
|
|
|
204,120 |
|
|
|
2.9 |
|
|
|
22.84 |
|
|
|
204,120 |
|
|
|
22.84 |
|
24 to 27
|
|
|
13,620 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
|
|
|
25.75 |
|
|
|
13,620 |
|
|
|
25.75 |
|
27 to 30
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
3.4 |
|
|
|
29.29 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
29.29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$0 to 30
|
|
|
3,952,568 |
|
|
|
6.6 |
|
|
|
8.94 |
|
|
|
2,304,988 |
|
|
|
7.96 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The weighted average remaining contractual life of options exercisable under the Plan at
December 31, 2006 is 4.9 years. There were 2,199,129 and 2,220,583 options exercisable at December
31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The weighted-average exercise price for options exercisable was
$8.81 and $8.94 at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding under the Plan at December 31, 2006 is
$14,557,736. The aggregate intrinsic value of options currently exercisable under the Plan at
December 31, 2006 is $11,417,547. The aggregate intrinsic value represents the value (the periods
closing market price, less the exercise price, times the number of in-the-money options) that would
have been received by all option holders under the Plan had they exercised their options at the end
of the period.
The following table summarizes, at December 31, 2006 the number of non-vested options under the
Plan and their weighted average grant date fair value:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Grant |
|
|
Number |
|
Date Fair Value |
Balance December 31, 2005 |
|
|
1,042,181 |
|
|
$ |
3.82 |
|
Options granted |
|
|
1,222,154 |
|
|
|
8.64 |
|
Options canceled |
|
|
(2,526 |
) |
|
|
8.59 |
|
Options vested |
|
|
(614,229 |
) |
|
|
4.03 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance December 31, 2006 |
|
|
1,647,580 |
|
|
|
7.31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The total fair value of the options vested under the Plan during 2006 was $2,473,986.
As of December 31, 2006, the number of options vested and expected to vest under the Plan is
3,703,671. The weighted average exercise price of these options is $8.94 and their weighted
average remaining contractual life is 6.5 years.
59
Note 8 Employee Benefit Plans
In January 1991, the Company adopted an employee retirement plan (401(k) Plan) under Section
401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code covering all employees. Employee contributions may be made to
the 401(k) Plan up to limits established by the Internal Revenue Service. Company matching
contributions may be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Company made matching
contributions of $252,735, $205,524, and $171,601 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
In May 1995, the stockholders approved the ESPP effective February 1995. In May 2002, the
stockholders approved an amendment to the ESPP to reserve an additional 200,000 shares and
eliminate the January 2005 termination date. The Company has reserved a total of 400,000 shares of
common stock under the ESPP, of which 99,613 shares remain available for purchase at December 31,
2006. Eligible employees may authorize up to 15% of their salary to purchase common stock at the
lower of 85% of the beginning or 85% of the ending price during the six-month purchase intervals.
No more than 3,000 shares may be purchased by any one employee at the six-month purchase dates and
no employee may purchase stock having a fair market value at the commencement date of $25,000 or
more in any one calendar year.
There were 25,988, 25,700, and 31,695 shares of common stock purchased under the ESPP in 2006,
2005, and 2004, respectively, at a weighted average price per share of $7.36, $5.06, and $3.82,
respectively. Expense of $95,010 related to the ESPP was recognized during 2006, while expense of
$73,381 and $60,759 related to the ESPP would have been recognized during 2005 and 2004,
respectively, had the Company not followed the guidance of APB No. 25. For all periods, expense
was determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted average grant date fair
values of options granted under the ESPP during 2006, 2005, and 2004 were $4.57, $2.55, and $2.37,
respectively.
Note 9 Collaborative and Other Research and Development Contracts
Green Cross Corporation (Green Cross). In June 2006, the Company entered into an agreement
with Green Cross to develop and commercialize peramivir in Korea. Under the terms of the
agreement, Green Cross will be responsible for all development, regulatory, and commercialization
costs in Korea. The Company received a one-time license fee and may also receive future event
payments as well as royalties on product sales of peramivir. In addition, the Company will share
in any profits resulting from the sale of peramivir to the Korean government for stockpiling
purposes. Furthermore, Green Cross will pay the Company a premium over its cost to supply
peramivir for development and any future marketing of peramivir products in Korea.
Mundipharma International Holdings Limited (Mundipharma). In February 2006, the Company
entered into an exclusive, royalty bearing right and license agreement with Mundipharma for the
development and commercialization of the Companys lead PNP inhibitor, Fodosine, for use in
oncology. Under the terms of the agreement, Mundipharma obtained rights to Fodosine in markets
across Europe, Asia, and Australasia in exchange for a $10 million up-front payment. Mundipharma
will share 50% of the documented out of pocket development costs incurred by the Company in respect
of the current and planned trials as of the effective date of the agreement provided that
Mundipharmas maximum contribution to these trials shall be $10 million. In addition, Mundipharma
will conduct additional clinical trials at their own cost up to a maximum of $15 million. The
license provides for future event payments for achieving specified development, regulatory and
commercial events (including certain sales level amounts following a products launch) for certain
indications. In addition, the Company will receive royalties based on a percentage of net product
sales, which varies depending upon when certain indications receive NDA approval in a major market
country and can vary by country depending on the patent coverage or sales of generic compounds in a
particular country. Generally, all payments under the agreement are nonrefundable and
non-creditable, but they are subject to audit. The Company licensed Fodosine and other PNP
inhibitors from AECOM and IRL and will owe sublicense payments to these third parties on the
upfront payment, future event payments, and royalties received by the Company from Mundipharma.
For five years, Mundipharma will have a right of first negotiation on existing backup PNP
inhibitors the Company develops through Phase IIb in oncology, but any new PNP inhibitors will be
exempt from this agreement and the
Company will retain all rights to such compounds. The Company retained the rights to Fodosine
in the U.S. and Mundipharma is obligated by the terms of the agreement to use commercially
reasonable efforts to develop the licensed product in the territory specified by the agreement. The
agreement will continue for the commercial life of the licensed products, but may be terminated by
either party following an uncured material breach by the other party or in the event
60
the
pre-existing third party license with AECOM and IRL expires. It may be terminated by Mundipharma
upon 60 days written notice without cause or under certain other conditions as specified in the
agreement and all rights, data, materials, products and other information would be transferred back
to the Company at no cost. In the event the Company terminates the agreement for material default
or insolvency, the Company could have to pay Mundipharma 50% of the costs of any independent data
owned by Mundipharma in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
In accordance with SAB No. 104 and EITF Issue 00-21, the Company deferred the $10 million
up-front payment that was received from Mundipharma in February 2006. This deferred revenue began
to be amortized to revenue February 2006 and will end in October 2017, which is the date of
expiration for the last-to-expire patent covered by the agreement. In accordance with EITF Issue
99-19 and EITF Issue 01-14, the costs reimbursed by Mundipharma for the current and planned trials
of Fodosine are recorded as revenue when the expense is incurred up to the $10 million limit
stipulated in the agreement.
Roche. In November 2005, the Company entered into an exclusive license with Roche for the
development and commercialization of the Companys second generation PNP inhibitor, BCX-4208, for
the prevention of acute rejection in transplantation and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Under the terms of the agreement, Roche obtained worldwide rights to BCX-4208 in exchange for a $25
million up-front payment and a $5 million payment as reimbursement for a limited supply of material
during the first 24 months of the collaboration. According to the terms of the license, there could
also be future event payments for achieving specified development, regulatory and commercial
milestones (including sales level milestones following a products launch) for certain indications.
In addition, the Company will receive royalties based on a percentage of net product sales, which
varies depending upon when certain indications receive NDA approval in a major market country and
can vary by country depending on the patent coverage or sales of generic compounds in a particular
country. The Company licensed this compound and other PNP inhibitors from AECOM and IRL and will
owe sublicense payments to these third parties on the upfront payment, future event payments, and
royalties received by the Company for the sublicense of these inhibitors.
Roche will have a right of first negotiation, under certain conditions, on existing backup PNP
inhibitors the Company develops through Phase IIb in transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases,
but any new PNP inhibitors will be exempt from this agreement and the Company will retain all
rights to such compounds. The Company retains the right to co-promote BCX-4208 in the U.S. for
several indications. Roche has certain obligations under the terms of the agreement to use
commercially reasonable efforts to develop, manufacture and commercialize the licensed product. The
agreement may be terminated by either party following an uncured material breach by the other party
or may be either fully or partially terminated by Roche without cause under certain conditions and
all rights, data, materials, products and other information would be transferred to the Company at
no cost.
At December 31, 2005, the Company recorded a receivable of $30 million due from Roche for the
$25 million up-front payment and the $5 million payment as reimbursement for supply. These amounts
were received from Roche in January 2006. In accordance with SAB No. 104 and EITF Issue 00-21, the
Company also recorded deferred revenue of $30 million related to the Roche collaboration at
December 31, 2005. This deferred revenue began to be amortized to revenue in October 2006, when
the IND was transferred to Roche, and will end in August 2023, which is the date of expiration for
the last-to-expire patent covered by the agreement.
In June 2006, the Company further agreed to perform specific research and clinical activities
on behalf of Roche aside from the license agreement described above. Based on EITF Issues 99-19 and
01-14, the Company has recorded revenues for the reimbursements received and expected to be
received from Roche related to the direct out-of-pocket expenses incurred for these research and
clinical activities.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Industrial Research, Ltd. In
June 2000, the Company licensed a series of potent inhibitors of PNP from AECOM and IRL. The lead
drug candidates from this collaboration are Fodosine and BCX-4208. The Company has obtained
worldwide exclusive rights to develop and ultimately distribute these, or any other, drug
candidates that might arise from research on these inhibitors. The Company has agreed to pay
certain milestone payments for future development of these inhibitors, certain royalties on sales
of any
resulting product, and to share in future payments received from other third-party partners,
if any. In addition, the Company agreed to pay an annual license fee that is non-refundable, but
is creditable against actual royalties and other payments due to AECOM and IRL. This agreement may
be terminated by the Company at any time by giving 60 days advance notice or in the event of
material uncured breach by AECOM and IRL.
61
Upon completion of the collaborations with Mundipharma for BCX-1777 and Roche for BCX-4208,
the Company was obligated to pay AECOM/IRL approximately $8.4 million. These payments were
capitalized as a deferred expense and will be amortized into expense in proportion to the revenue
recognized from the respective agreements.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The Company currently has agreements with UAB
for influenza neuraminidase and complement inhibitors. Under the terms of these agreements, UAB
performed specific research for the Company in return for research payments and license fees. UAB
has granted the Company certain rights to any discoveries in these areas resulting from research
developed by UAB or jointly developed with the Company. The Company has agreed to pay royalties on
sales of any resulting product and to share in future payments received from other third-party
partners. The Company has completed the research under the UAB agreements. These two agreements
have initial 25-year terms, are automatically renewable for five-year terms throughout the life of
the last patent and are terminable by the Company upon three months notice and by UAB under certain
circumstances. There is currently no activity between the Company and UAB on these agreements, but
when the Company licenses this technology, such as in the case of the Shionogi and Green Cross
agreements, or commercialize products related to these programs, we will owe sublicense fees or
royalties on amounts we receive.
Emory University (Emory). In June 2000, the Company licensed intellectual property from
Emory related to the hepatitis C polymerase target associated with hepatitis C viral infections.
Under the original terms of the agreement, the research investigators from Emory provided the
Company with materials and technical insight into the target. The Company has agreed to pay Emory
royalties on sales of any resulting product and to share in future payments received from other
third party partners, if any. The Company can terminate this agreement at any time by giving 90
days advance notice.
3-Dimensional Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (3DP). In December 2003, the Company transferred to 3DP,
a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, certain rights related to complement system
inhibitors discovered during the Companys collaborative research agreement with 3DP, which was
terminated by the Company on October 18, 2003. BioCryst received an initial payment from 3DP, and
will receive royalties on any future sales of complement inhibitors covered under the assignment.
Novartis Corporation (Novartis). The Company granted Novartis, formerly Ciba-Geigy
Corporation, an option in 1990 to acquire exclusive licenses to a class of inhibitors arising from
research performed by the Company by February 1991. The option was exercised and a $500,000 fee was
paid to the Company in 1993. Milestone payments are due upon approval of a new drug application.
The Company will also receive royalties based upon a percentage of sales of any resultant products.
Up to $300,000 of the initial fee received is refundable if sales of any resultant products are
below specified levels and has been recorded as deferred revenue. This agreement has been inactive
for several years.
Note 10 Subsequent Events
In January 2007, the Company announced that it had been awarded a four-year contract from the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop its influenza neuraminidase
inhibitor, peramivir, for the treatment of seasonal and life-threatening influenza, including avian
flu. The contract commits $102.6 million to support the full development of both intravenous and
intramuscular formulations of peramivir. In addition, the contract also funds the validation of
U.S. based manufacturing facilities.
The contract with HHS is defined as a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. That is, the Company is
entitled to receive reimbursement for all costs incurred in accordance with the contract provisions
that are related to the development of peramivir plus a fixed fee, or profit. The contract is
effective January 3, 2007. As of December 31, 2006, the Company had incurred approximately $2.3
million of pre-contract costs directly related to the Phase 2 trials for both the intravenous and
intramuscular peramivir products. These costs were incurred in anticipation of a contract award
from HHS and were required to meet the delivery schedule of the proposed contract. In accordance
with the provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation 31.205-32, the costs were included in the
Companys request for proposal and are
eligible for reimbursement from HHS. The $2.3 million of costs incurred prior to the contract
award date were deferred and are included in other current assets on the Companys balance sheet at
December 31, 2006. In the first quarter of 2007, the $2.3 million in costs will be billed and
expensed. Concurrently, revenue will be recognized for these costs plus the applicable fixed fee.
62
In March 2007, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with Shionogi & Co.,
Ltd. (Shionogi) to develop and commercialize the Companys lead influenza neuraminidase
inhibitor, peramivir, in Japan for the treatment of seasonal and potentially life-threatening human
influenza. Under the terms of the agreement, Shionogi obtained rights to injectable formulations of
peramivir in Japan in exchange for a $14 million up-front payment. The license provides for future
event payments for achieving specified development, regulatory and commercial events (including
certain sales level amounts following a products launch) for certain indications. In addition, the
Company will receive royalties based on a percentage of net product sales. Generally, all payments
under the agreement are nonrefundable and non-creditable, but they are subject to audit. The
Company developed peramivir under a license from UAB and will owe sublicense payments to them on
the upfront payment and any future event payments and/or royalties received by the Company from
Shionogi. The Company retains all rights to commercialize peramivir in North America, Europe, and
other countries outside of Korea and Japan.
Note 11 Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair
Value Measurements (Statement No. 157). The standard provides enhanced guidance for using fair
value to measure assets and liabilities and also responds to investors requests for expanded
information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the
information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings.
While the standard applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be
measured at fair value, it does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances.
Statement No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Management of the Company is
evaluating the impact of this standard, but does not anticipate that it will have a significant
impact on its financial statements.
In July 2006, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting
for Income Taxes (FIN No. 48). This interpretation creates a single model to address uncertainty
in tax positions. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing the minimum
recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial
statements. The interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement,
classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.
FIN 48 is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2006. Management of the Company is
evaluating the impact of this pronouncement, but does not anticipate that it will have a
significant impact on its financial statements.
Note 12 Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First |
|
Second |
|
Third |
|
Fourth |
2006 Quarters |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
771 |
|
|
$ |
1,558 |
|
|
$ |
1,790 |
|
|
$ |
2,092 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
(7,882 |
) |
|
|
(10,083 |
) |
|
|
(15,603 |
) |
|
|
(10,050 |
) |
Net loss per share |
|
|
(.27 |
) |
|
|
(.35 |
) |
|
|
(.53 |
) |
|
|
(.34 |
) |
2005 Quarters |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
41 |
|
|
$ |
58 |
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
|
$ |
21 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
(5,645 |
) |
|
|
(5,648 |
) |
|
|
(7,645 |
) |
|
|
(7,161 |
) |
Net loss per share |
|
|
(.24 |
) |
|
|
(.22 |
) |
|
|
(.29 |
) |
|
|
(.27 |
) |
Net loss and net loss per share each year may differ from the total of the individual quarters due
to rounding.
63
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as of
December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at December 31, 2006 and 2005,
and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, in 2006, the Company changed its method of
accounting for stock-based compensation upon adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.s internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal
ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission and our report dated March 12, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Birmingham, Alabama
March 12, 2007
64
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON INTERNAL CONTROL
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
We have audited managements assessment, included in the accompanying Managements Report on
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. maintained effective
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in
Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.s management is
responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on managements assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the
companys internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was
maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal
control over financial reporting, evaluating managements assessment, testing and evaluating the
design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we
considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and
procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately
and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and
expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and
directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have
a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent
or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are
subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that
the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, managements assessment that BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. maintained
effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in
all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also, in our opinion, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2006, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), the 2006 financial statements of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
and our report dated March 12, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Birmingham, Alabama
March 12, 2007
65
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain a set of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that
information relating to BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. required to be disclosed in our periodic
filings under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a
timely manner under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We carried out an evaluation, under the
supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure
controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2006, our disclosure controls and procedures
are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by BioCryst in the reports filed
or submitted by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by BioCryst in such reports is accumulated and communicated to our
management, including the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of
BioCryst, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Managements Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the Company) is responsible for establishing
and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for the assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. As defined by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under
the supervision of our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our
Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Our internal control over financial reporting is supported by written policies and procedures
that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the consolidated financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and
expenditures of BioCryst are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management
and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the
consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent
or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are
subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that
the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In connection with the preparation of our annual financial statements, management has
undertaken an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO
Framework). Managements assessment included an evaluation of the design of our internal control
over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of those controls.
Based on this assessment, management has concluded that as of December 31, 2006, our internal
control over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
66
principles.
Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our
financial statements included in this report, have issued an attestation report on managements
assessment of internal control over financial reporting, a copy of which appears on page 65 of this
annual report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred
during the quarter ended December 31, 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely
to materially affect, BioCrysts internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The directors and executive officers of BioCryst are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position(s) with the Company |
Jon P. Stonehouse
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
J. Claude Bennett, M.D.
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
President, Chief Operating Officer, and Director |
W. James Alexander
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
Senior Vice President, Clinical and Regulatory
Operations and Chief Medical Officer |
Michael A. Darwin
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, and Treasurer |
Jonathan M. P. Nugent
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
Vice President, Corporate Communications |
Randall B. Riggs
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
Senior Vice President, Business Development |
Charles E. Bugg, Ph.D.
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
Chairman and Director |
Stephen R. Biggar, M.D., Ph.D. (1)
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
Director |
William W. Featheringill (1)
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
Director |
Carl L. Gordon, CFA, Ph.D. (2)
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
Director |
John L. Higgins (2)
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
Director |
Zola P. Horovitz, Ph.D.
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
Director |
Beth C. Seidenberg, M.D. (1)
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
Director |
Joseph H. Sherrill, Jr. (2)
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
Director |
William M. Spencer, III
|
|
|
86 |
|
|
Director |
Randolph C. Steer, M.D., Ph.D. (2)
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Member of the Compensation Committee (Compensation Committee). |
|
(2) |
|
Member of the Audit Committee (Audit Committee). |
Jon P. Stonehouse joined BioCryst in January 2007 as Chief Executive Officer and he was also
appointed to the Board in January 2007. Prior to joining the Company, he served as Senior Vice
President of Corporate Development for Merck KGaA since July 2002. His responsibilities included
corporate mergers & acquisitions, global licensing and business development, corporate strategy and
alliance management. In March of 2002, Mr. Stonehouse was appointed Vice President of Global
Licensing and Business Development and Integration where he was responsible for the
67
worldwide licensing and business development activities for the Ethical Pharmaceutical
Division of Merck KGaA. Mr. Stonehouse joined EMD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the US Ethical Pharma
division for Merck KGaA) in December 1999 as Vice President, Licensing and Business Development
Strategy & Integration and IT. Prior to joining Merck KGaA, he held a variety of roles at Astra
Merck/AstraZeneca including: Customer Unit Director, Director, Marketing & Sales IT, National
Sales Manager, National Sales Director Managed Healthcare, and Product Director Omeprazole
(the worlds most widely prescribed prescription drug-at that time). Mr. Stonehouse started his
career in the pharmaceutical industry as a Sales Representative, National Sales Trainer and
District Sales Manager for Merck & Co., Inc. Mr. Stonehouse earned his BS in Microbiology at the
University of Minnesota.
J. Claude Bennett, M.D. was named President and Chief Operating Officer in December 1996 and
elected a Director in January 1997. Dr. Bennett also served as the Medical Director from 2001 to
2006. Prior to joining us, Dr. Bennett was President of The University of Alabama at Birmingham
(UAB) from October 1993 to December 1996 and Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine
of UAB from January 1982 to October 1993. Dr. Bennett served on our Scientific Advisory Board from
1989-96. He is a former co-editor of the Cecil Textbook of Medicine and former President of the
Association of American Physicians. He is a past chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the
Massachusetts General Hospital, a post-member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Zycogen, LLC, and
continues to hold the position of Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at UAB, a position he
has held since January 1997.
W. James Alexander, M.D., M.P.H joined BioCryst in June 2006 as Senior Vice President,
Clinical and Regulatory Operations and Chief Medical Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Dr.
Alexander was Senior Vice President, Product Development at POZEN from November 2003 to June 2006.
Dr. Alexander was Chief Medical Officer of Inveresk Research Group from July 2003 to October 2003.
From 1998 to 2003, Dr. Alexander was Chief Medical/Regulatory Officer at PharmaResearch
Corporation, with global responsibilities for medical and regulatory operations and he also served
as President from 1998-1999, Chief Executive Officer from 1999-2000 and was Chairman of the Board
of PharmaReseach Corporation from 2000 to 2003. From 1996 to 1998, he served as Vice President and
Director, Worldwide Product Safety and Pharmacovigilance at GlaxoWellcome, Inc. Dr. Alexander
received a B.S. from Mississippi State University, his M.D. from the University of Mississippi and
his M.P.H. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is board certified in internal medicine
and infectious diseases.
Michael A. Darwin joined BioCryst in June 2000 as Controller. Effective November 1, 2002, Mr.
Darwin was appointed Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer. Prior to joining BioCryst,
from June 1990 to June 2000, Mr. Darwin was Chief Financial Officer of a privately held company in
the food services industry. He began his career at Ernst & Young and spent six years in public
accounting practice.
Jonathan M. P. Nugent joined BioCryst in May 2005 as Vice President, Corporate Communications.
Mr. Nugent served as Senior Vice President at Burns McClellan, Inc., Investor Relations Division,
since April 1999, except for a period from August 2003 to December 2003 when he served as Director
of Investor Relations for Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and from January 2004 to March 2004 when he
was performing volunteer services. He also served as Account Supervisor from April 1996 to April
1999, Account Manager from April 1994 to April 1996, and Senior Account Executive from April 1993
to April 1994 at Burns McClellan.
Randall B. Riggs joined BioCryst in February 2005 as Vice President, Business Development and
was promoted to Senior Vice President, Business Development effective January 2006. Mr. Riggs
served as Vice President, Business Development at TransMolecular, Inc. an emerging oncology company
from September 2004 to February 2005. Before joining TransMolecular, he served as a Corporate
Licensing and Business Development consultant for TRUBION Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from March 2004 to
August 2004. Mr. Riggs was previously Senior Vice President, Corporate Licensing and Business
Development at Lexicon Genetics Incorporated from February 2000 to March 2004 and served as Vice
President, Business Development from December 1998 to February 2000. Prior to joining Lexicon
Genetics, Mr. Riggs was Director of Business Development for the Infectious Disease Unit of
GeneMedicine, Inc. Mr. Riggs began his pharmaceutical and biotechnology business development career
with Eli Lilly and Company; starting as a District Sales Manager and advancing to Manager,
Corporate Business Development.
Charles E. Bugg, Ph.D. was named Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director
in November 1993 and President in January 1995. He relinquished the position of President in
December 1996 when Dr. J. Claude Bennett joined us in that position and resigned as Chief Executive
Officer in January 2007. Prior to joining us, Dr. Bugg had been a member of the faculty of the
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) since 1968, having served as
68
Professor of Biochemistry, Director of the Center for Macromolecular Crystallography, and
Associate Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center. He was a founder of BioCryst and served as
our first Chief Executive Officer from 1987-1988 while on a sabbatical from UAB. Dr. Bugg also
served as Chairman of our Scientific Advisory Board from January 1986 to November 1993. He
continues to hold the position of Professor Emeritus in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at UAB,
a position he has held since January 1994.
Stephen R. Biggar, M.D., Ph.D. was appointed to the Board in October 2005. Dr. Biggar has
served as a Partner at Baker Brothers Investments, a family of long-term investment funds for major
university endowments and foundations, which is focused on publicly traded life sciences companies,
since October 2006, served as Principal from April 2002 to October 2006 and served as an Associate
from April 2000 to April 2002. Prior to joining Baker Brothers, Dr. Biggar received an M.D. and a
Ph.D. in Immunology from Stanford University. He attended the University of Rochester where he
achieved a B.S. degree in Genetics. Dr. Biggar serves as a director of one private biotechnology
company.
William W. Featheringill was elected a Director in May 1995. Mr. Featheringill is President,
Chief Executive Officer and director, since 1973, of Private Capital Corporation, a venture capital
company. He currently serves as Chairman of Electronic Healthcare Systems, Inc., a system
solutions provider to the ambulatory care industry, since June 1995, and Momentum Business
Solutions, Inc., a telecom and VoIP company, since May 2001. Mr. Featheringill is a Director of
Altec Industries, Inc., Southern Research Institute and the Birmingham Museum of Art, and serves as
a Trustee of Vanderbilt University. Mr. Featheringill received a BE in Mechanical Engineering from
Vanderbilt University and a J.D. degree from the Columbia University School of Law and a M.B.A.
from the Columbia University Graduate School of Business.
Carl L. Gordon, CFA, Ph.D. was elected a Director in March 2004. Dr. Gordon is a founding
General Partner of OrbiMed Advisors LLC, an asset management firm focused on the global healthcare
industry, and has served in such capacity since 1998. Dr. Gordon was previously a senior
biotechnology analyst at Mehta and Isaly, the predecessor firm to OrbiMed, from 1995-1997. Dr.
Gordon received a Bachelors degree from Harvard College, a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and was a Fellow at the Rockefeller University.
John L. Higgins was elected a Director in May 2004. Mr. Higgins is President and Chief
Executive Officer of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc., a publicly traded biotech company, since January
2007 and has served as a director since February 2007. He was most recently Chief Financial Officer
at Connetics, since 1997, and also served as Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration
and Corporate Development since January 2002 until its acquisition by Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. in
December 2006. Before joining Connetics, he was a member of the executive management team at
BioCryst. Before joining BioCryst in 1994, Mr. Higgins was a member of the healthcare banking team
of Dillon, Read & Co. Inc., an investment banking firm. He received his A.B. from Colgate
University.
Zola P. Horovitz, Ph.D. was elected a Director in August 1994. Dr. Horovitz was Vice President
of Business Development and Planning at Bristol-Myers Squibb from 1991 until his retirement in
April 1994 and previously was Vice President of Licensing at the same company from 1990 to 1991.
Prior to that he spent over 30 years with The Squibb Institute for Medical Research, most recently
as Vice President Research, Planning, & Scientific Liaison. He has been an independent consultant
in pharmaceutical sciences and business development since his retirement from Bristol-Myers Squibb
in April 1994. He serves as non executive Chairman on the Board of Directors of Avigen, Inc. and
GenVec, Inc., and also serves on the Boards of Directors of Genaera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Palatin
Technologies, Inc., DOV Pharmaceuticals, NitroMed, Inc. and Immunicon Corporation.
Beth C. Seidenberg, M.D. was appointed to the Board in December 2005. Dr. Seidenberg has
served as Partner of Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers (KPCB) since May 2005. Prior to joining
KPCB, Dr. Seidenberg served as Amgens Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Global
Development from January 2002 to December 2004, at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company as Senior Vice
President, Global Development from September 2001 to January 2002, Senior Vice President, Clinical
Development & Life Cycle Management from May 2000 to September 2001 and Vice President, Clinical
Immunology/Pulmonary/Dermatology from April 2000 to May 2000 and at Merck/Merck Research
Laboratories as Vice President, Pulmonary-Immunology from July 1998 to March 2000, Executive
Director from March 1996 to June 1998, Senior Director from September 1993 to February 1996 and
also served as both Director and Associate Director of Clinical Pharmacology from September 1991 to
August 1993 and from June 1989 to August 1991, respectively. She received her M.D. from
University of Miami; completed post-doctoral training at Johns Hopkins Medical Center and specialty
training in immunology and infectious diseases at the National Institutes of
69
Health. Dr. Seidenberg also has a B.S. degree in Biology and Anthropology from Barnard
College. Dr. Seidenberg was appointed to the Board as a designee of KPCB under a Nomination and
Observer Agreement with the Company dated December 16, 2005.
Joseph H. Sherrill, Jr. was elected a Director in May 1995. Mr. Sherrill served as Chief
Executive Officer and President of R. J. Reynolds (RJR) Asia Pacific, based in Hong Kong, where
he oversaw RJR operations across Asia, including licensing, joint ventures and a full line of
operating companies from August 1989 to his retirement in October 1994. Prior management positions
with RJR include Senior Vice President of Marketing for R.J. Reynolds International, President and
Chief Executive Officer of R.J. Reynolds Tabacos do Brazil, and President and General Manager of
R.J. Reynolds Puerto Rico. Mr. Sherrill received his M.B.A. from Columbia University.
William M. Spencer, III has been a Director of BioCryst since our inception. Mr. Spencer, who
is retired, is also a private investor in Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Spencer is a Founder of
BioCryst, and served as our Chairman of the Board from our founding in 1986 until April 1992. He
co-founded and operated Motion Industries from 1946 through its merger into Genuine Parts Company
in 1976. He has founded several businesses and has served on the Board of Directors of numerous
public and private corporations.
Randolph C. Steer, M.D., Ph.D. was elected a Director in February 1993. He is currently
President and Chief Operating Officer of OrthoLogic Corp., an Arizona-based biotechnology firm,
since April 2006. Dr. Steer has been an independent pharmaceutical and biotechnology consultant
since 1989, and has a broad background in business development, medical marketing and regulatory
affairs. He was formerly Chairman, President and CEO of Advanced Therapeutics Communications
International, a leading drug regulatory group, and served as associate director of medical affairs
at Marion Laboratories, and medical director at Ciba Consumer Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Steer serves on
the Board of Directors of Techne Corporation and several privately held companies and is trained as
a clinical and chemical pathologist.
In accordance with the terms of our Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors has
been divided into three classes with members of each class holding office for staggered three-year
terms. In accordance with our By-Laws, a director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for
the unexpired term of his predecessor in office, and a director chosen to fill a position resulting
from an increase in the number of directors shall hold office until the annual meeting of
stockholders of the Corporation at which term of the class of directors for which he has been
chosen expires. Dr. Buggs, Dr. Gordons, Mr. Higginss, and Dr. Seidenbergs terms expire at the
2007 annual meeting. Mr. Featheringills, Mr. Sherrills, Mr. Spencers and Mr. Stonehouses terms
expire at the 2008 annual meeting. Dr. Bennetts, Dr. Biggars, Dr. Horovitzs and Dr. Steers
terms expire at the 2009 annual meeting (in all cases, subject to the election and qualification of
their successors or to their earlier death, resignation or removal). At each annual stockholder
meeting, the successors to the directors whose terms expire are elected to serve from the time of
their election and qualification until the third annual meeting of stockholders following their
election and until a successor has been duly elected and qualified. The provisions of our
Certificate of Incorporation governing the staggered director election procedure can be amended
only by a shareholders vote of at least 75% of the eligible voting securities. There are no family
relationships among any of our directors and executive officers. The Board has by resolution
established the number of directors of BioCryst at twelve (12) commencing January 5, 2007.
Currently, the Board has determined that nine of our directors (Biggar, Featheringill, Gordon,
Higgins, Horovitz, Seidenberg, Sherrill, Spencer and Steer) are independent as defined by the
current NASDAQSM rules.
We have an Audit Committee, consisting of Directors Gordon, Higgins, Sherrill, and Steer,
which is responsible for the review of internal accounting controls, financial reporting and
related matters. The Audit Committee also recommends to the Board the independent accountants
selected to be our auditors and reviews the audit plan, financial statements and audit results. The
Board has adopted an Amended and Restated Audit Committee Charter that meets all the applicable
rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (NASDAQSM) and the SEC. The Audit Committee
Charter can be found on our website at www.biocryst.com. The Audit Committee members are
independent directors as defined by NASDAQSM listing standards in effect as of the
date hereof and meet NASDAQSMs financial literacy requirements for audit committee
members. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Higgins qualifies as the audit committee
financial expert.
We also have a Compensation Committee consisting of Directors Biggar, Featheringill, and
Seidenberg. The
70
Compensation Committee is responsible for the annual review of officer compensation and other
incentive programs and is authorized to award options under our Stock Option Plan. The Board has
adopted a Compensation Committee Charter that meets all the applicable rules of the
NASDAQSM and the SEC. The Charter can be found on our website at www.biocryst.com. The
Compensation Committee members are independent directors as defined by the NASDAQSM
listing standards in effect as of the date hereof.
We have a Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee comprised of all independent directors
with terms not expiring in the current year. The current members of the committee are Directors
Biggar, Featheringill, Horovitz, Sherrill, Spencer and Steer. The Committee nominates persons for
election or re-election as directors. The Board has adopted a Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee Charter that meets all the applicable rules of NASDAQSM and the Securities and
Exchange Commission and is available on our website at www.biocryst.com. The Committee has
established procedures/qualifications for selecting nominees and will consider nominees recommended
in writing, including biographical information and personal references, by stockholders. All
submissions by shareholders should be sent directly to the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Bugg at the
corporate address.
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct (the Code) applicable to all employees, including
executive officers, and all Board members. The Code is publicly available on our website at
www.biocryst.com. Any waivers of the Code will be disclosed through a Form 8-K filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with
the solicitation of proxies for our 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with
the solicitation of proxies for our 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with
the solicitation of proxies for our 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with
the solicitation of proxies for our 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with
the solicitation of proxies for our 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
71
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Financial Statements
|
|
|
|
|
Page in |
|
|
Form 10-K |
|
The following financial statements appear in Item 8 of this Form 10-K: |
|
|
Balance Sheets at December 31, 2006 and 2005 |
|
46 |
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 |
|
47 |
Statements of Stockholders Equity for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005
and 2004 |
|
48 |
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 |
|
49 |
Notes to Financial Statements |
|
50 to 63 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Financial Statements |
|
64 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control |
|
65 |
No financial statement schedules are included because the information is either provided in the
financial statements or is not required under the related instructions or is inapplicable and such
schedules therefore have been omitted.
(b) Exhibits
|
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
|
3.1
|
|
Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant. Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Form 8-K filed December
22, 2006. |
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
Bylaws of Registrant as amended December 15, 2005. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Form 8-K filed December 16,
2005. |
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
Rights Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2002, by and between the Company
and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent, which
includes the Certificate of Designation for the Series B Junior
Participating Preferred Stock as Exhibit A and the form of Rights
Certificate as Exhibit B. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
the Companys Form 8-A dated June 17, 2002. |
|
|
|
10.1&
|
|
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, (formerly the 1991
Stock Option Plan), as amended and restated effective March 7, 2006.
Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Companys definitive
proxy statement filed April 10, 2006. |
|
|
|
10.2#
|
|
License Agreement dated April 15, 1993 between Ciba-Geigy Corporation
(now merged into Novartis) and the Registrant. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Companys Form S-1 Registration
Statement (Registration No. 33-73868). |
|
|
|
10.3&
|
|
Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1
to the Companys Form S-8 Registration Statement dated June 14, 2002
(Registration No. 333-90582). |
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
Warehouse Lease dated July 12, 2000 between RBP, LLC an Alabama Limited
Liability Company and the Registrant for office/warehouse space.
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.8 to the Companys Form 10-Q for the second quarter ending
June 30, 2000 dated August 8, 2000. |
|
|
|
10.5&
|
|
Employment Agreement dated March 17, 2004 between the Registrant and
Charles E. Bugg, Ph.D. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the
Companys Form 10-Q for the first quarter ending March 31, 2004 dated
May 11, 2004. |
|
|
|
10.6&
|
|
Employment Letter Agreement dated February 1, 2005 between the
Registrant and Randall B. Riggs. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to the Companys Form 8-K dated February 7, 2005. |
|
|
|
10.7&
|
|
Employment Letter Agreement dated May 4, 2005 between the Registrant
and Jonathan M. Nugent. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
the Companys Form 8-K dated May 10, 2005. |
|
|
|
10.8#
|
|
License Agreement dated as of June 27, 2000, by and among Albert
Einstein College of Medicine, Industrial Research, Ltd. and BioCryst
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as amended by the First Amendment Agreement
dated as of July 26, 2002 and the Second Amendment Agreement dated as
of April 15, 2005. (Portions omitted pursuant to request for
confidential treatment.) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
the Companys Form 8-K dated November 30, 2005. |
|
|
|
10.9#
|
|
Development and License Agreement dated as of November 29, 2005, by and
between BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and F.Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and
Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. (Portions omitted pursuant to request for
confidential treatment.) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to
the Companys Form 8-K/A dated November 30, 2005. |
72
|
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
|
10.10
|
|
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2005, by and among
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Texas
Pacific Group Ventures and KPTV, LLC. Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Form 8-K dated December 16, 2005. |
|
|
|
10.11
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|
Nomination and Observer Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2005, by
and between BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Kleiner Perkins Caufield
& Byers. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Companys Form
8-K dated December 16, 2005. |
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10.12&
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Amended and restated Employment Letter Agreement dated February 14,
2007 between Registrant and Jon P. Stonehouse. |
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23
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Consent of Ernst & Young, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
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31.1
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Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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31.2
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Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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32.1
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Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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32.2
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Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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# |
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Confidential treatment granted. |
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& |
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Management contracts. |
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* |
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Confidential treatment requested. |
73
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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 on this 14th day of March, 2007.
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BIOCRYST PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. |
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By:
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/s/Jon P. Stonehouse |
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Jon P. Stonehouse
Chief Executive Officer |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 this report has been
signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on
March 14, 2007:
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Signature |
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Title(s) |
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/s/Jon P. Stonehouse
(Jon P. Stonehouse)
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Chief Executive Officer and Director |
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/s/J. Claude Bennett
(J. Claude Bennett, M.D.)
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President, Chief Operating Officer, and Director |
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/s/Michael A. Darwin
(Michael A. Darwin)
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Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer), Secretary, and
Treasurer |
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/s/Charles E. Bugg
(Charles E. Bugg, Ph.D.)
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Chairman and Director |
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/s/Stephen R. Biggar
(Stephen R. Biggar, M.D., Ph.D.)
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Director |
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/s/William W. Featheringill
(William W. Featheringill)
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Director |
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/s/Carl L. Gordon
(Carl L. Gordon, CFA, Ph.D.)
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Director |
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/s/John L. Higgins
(John L. Higgins)
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Director |
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/s/Zola P. Horovitz
(Zola P. Horovitz, Ph.D.)
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Director |
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/s/Beth C. Seidenberg
(Beth C. Seidenberg, M.D.)
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Director |
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/s/Joseph H. Sherrill, Jr.
(Joseph H. Sherrill, Jr.)
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Director |
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/s/William M. Spencer
(William M. Spencer, III)
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Director |
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/s/Randolph C. Steer
(Randolph C. Steer, M.D., Ph.D.)
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Director |
74
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
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Sequentially |
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Numbered |
Number |
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Description |
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Page |
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3.1
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Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant. Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Form 8-K filed December
22, 2006. |
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3.2
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Bylaws of Registrant as amended December 15, 2005. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Form 8-K filed December 16,
2005. |
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4.1
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Rights Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2002, by and between the Company
and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent, which
includes the Certificate of Designation for the Series B Junior
Participating Preferred Stock as Exhibit A and the form of Rights
Certificate as Exhibit B. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
the Companys Form 8-A dated June 17, 2002. |
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10.1&
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BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, (formerly the 1991
Stock Option Plan), as amended and restated effective March 7, 2006.
Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Companys definitive
proxy statement filed April 10, 2006. |
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10.2#
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License Agreement dated April 15, 1993 between Ciba-Geigy Corporation
(now merged into Novartis) and the Registrant. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Companys Form S-1 Registration
Statement (Registration No. 33-73868). |
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10.3&
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Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1
to the Companys Form S-8 Registration Statement dated June 14, 2002
(Registration No. 333-90582). |
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10.4
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Warehouse Lease dated July 12, 2000 between RBP, LLC an Alabama Limited
Liability Company and the Registrant for office/warehouse space.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Companys Form 10-Q
for the second quarter ending June 30, 2000 dated August 8, 2000 |
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10.5&
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Employment Agreement dated March 17, 2004 between the Registrant and
Charles E. Bugg, Ph.D. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the
Companys Form 10-Q for the first quarter ending March 31, 2004 dated
May 11, 2004. |
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10.6&
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Employment Letter Agreement dated February 1, 2005 between the
Registrant and Randall B. Riggs. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to the Companys Form 8-K dated February 7, 2005. |
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10.7&
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Employment Letter Agreement dated May 4, 2005 between the Registrant
and Jonathan M. Nugent. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
the Companys Form 8-K dated May 10, 2005. |
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10.8#
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License Agreement dated as of June 27, 2000, by and among Albert
Einstein College of Medicine, Industrial Research, Ltd. and BioCryst
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as amended by the First Amendment Agreement
dated as of July 26, 2002 and the Second Amendment Agreement dated as
of April 15, 2005. (Portions omitted pursuant to request for
confidential treatment.) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
the Companys Form 8-K dated November 30, 2005. |
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10.9#
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|
Development and License Agreement dated as of November 29, 2005, by and
between BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and F.Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and
Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. (Portions omitted pursuant to request for
confidential treatment.) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to
the Companys Form 8-K/A dated November 30, 2005. |
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10.10
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|
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2005, by and among
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Texas
Pacific Group Ventures and KPTV, LLC. Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Form 8-K dated December 16, 2005. |
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75
|
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|
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Sequentially |
|
|
|
|
Numbered |
Number |
|
Description |
|
Page |
|
10.11
|
|
Nomination and Observer Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2005, by
and between BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Kleiner Perkins Caufield
& Byers. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Companys Form
8-K dated December 16, 2005. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.12&
|
|
Amended and restated Employment Letter Agreement dated February 14,
2007 between Registrant and Jon P. Stonehouse. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
Consent of Ernst & Young, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
|
|
|
83 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32.1
|
|
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
|
86 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32.2
|
|
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
|
87 |
|
|
|
|
# |
|
Confidential treatment granted. |
|
& |
|
Management contracts. |
|
* |
|
Confidential treatment requested. |
76