UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

OR

¨

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 000-52228

 

SORRENTO THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

33-0344842

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

6042 Cornerstone Ct. West,

Suite B

San Diego, California 92121

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(858) 210-3700

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨.

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

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

 

Large accelerated filer

 

¨

  

Accelerated filer

 

¨

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  

Smaller reporting company

 

x

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

The number of shares of the issuer’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding as of October 29, 2014 was 28,932,850.

 

 

 

 

 


Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Part I

 

Financial Information

 

1

Item 1.

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

  

1

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2013 (Audited)

  

1

 

 

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

  

2

 

 

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

  

3

 

 

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

  

4

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

  

5

Item 2.

 

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

  

17

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

  

23

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

  

23

 

 

 

Part II

 

Other Information

 

25

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

  

25

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

  

25

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

  

25

Signatures

  

26

 

 

 


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Consolidated Financial Statements.

SORRENTO THERAPEUTICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except for share amounts)

 

 

September 30,

2014

 

 

December 31,

2013

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

(Audited)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

44,269

 

 

$

31,667

 

Grants and accounts receivables, net

 

986

 

 

 

394

 

Prepaid expenses and other, net

 

586

 

 

 

571

 

Total current assets

 

45,841

 

 

 

32,632

 

Property and equipment, net

 

2,360

 

 

 

2,440

 

Intangibles, net

 

31,563

 

 

 

33,321

 

Goodwill

 

24,041

 

 

 

24,041

 

Other, net

 

324

 

 

 

148

 

Total assets

$

104,129

 

 

$

92,582

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

1,489

 

 

$

2,154

 

Accrued payroll and related

 

1,157

 

 

 

1,663

 

Current portion of deferred compensation

 

975

 

 

 

904

 

Accrued expenses

 

1,428

 

 

 

385

 

Current portion of debt

 

3,655

 

 

 

374

 

Total current liabilities

 

8,704

 

 

 

5,480

 

Long-term debt

 

8,446

 

 

 

4,431

 

Deferred compensation

 

1,639

 

 

 

1,497

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

14,248

 

 

 

14,248

 

Deferred rent and other

 

102

 

 

 

117

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized and no shares

   issued or outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 750,000,000 shares authorized and

    28,532,850 and 23,028,100 shares issued and outstanding at September

   30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

 

3

 

 

 

2

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

130,000

 

 

 

99,668

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(59,013

)

 

 

(32,861

)

Total stockholders' equity

 

70,990

 

 

 

66,809

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

104,129

 

 

$

92,582

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

 

 

1


SORRENTO THERAPEUTICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grant

$

147

 

 

$

83

 

 

$

329

 

 

$

359

 

Sales and services

 

1,129

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,698

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

1,276

 

 

 

83

 

 

 

3,027

 

 

 

359

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of revenues

 

527

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,600

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

5,440

 

 

 

2,082

 

 

 

16,856

 

 

 

5,622

 

Acquired in-process research and development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

209

 

 

 

1,210

 

General and administrative

 

1,854

 

 

 

1,114

 

 

 

7,600

 

 

 

3,752

 

Intangible amortization

 

586

 

 

 

194

 

 

 

1,758

 

 

 

313

 

Total costs and operating expenses

 

8,407

 

 

 

3,390

 

 

 

28,023

 

 

 

10,897

 

Loss from operations

 

(7,131

)

 

 

(3,307

)

 

 

(24,996

)

 

 

(10,538

)

Interest expense

 

(476

)

 

 

(51

)

 

 

(1,167

)

 

 

(83

)

Interest income

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

6

 

Net loss

$

(7,605

)

 

$

(3,356

)

 

$

(26,152

)

 

$

(10,615

)

Net loss per share - basic and diluted

$

(0.27

)

 

$

(0.24

)

 

$

(1.02

)

 

$

(0.80

)

Weighted average number of shares during the period - basic and diluted

 

28,533

 

 

 

14,135

 

 

 

25,682

 

 

 

13,304

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

 

 

2


SORRENTO THERAPEUTICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except for share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-in

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Total

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

 

 

23,028,100

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

99,668

 

 

$

(32,861

)

 

$

66,809

 

Issuance of common stock for research agreement

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

209

 

 

 

 

 

 

209

 

Issuance of common stock warrants in connection with amended

   loan and security agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

322

 

 

 

 

 

 

322

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,159

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,159

 

Issuance of common stock for cash at $5.25 per share, net of

  issuance costs of $2,126

 

 

5,479,750

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

26,642

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,643

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(26,152

)

 

 

(26,152

)

Balance, September 30, 2014

 

 

28,532,850

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

130,000

 

 

$

(59,013

)

 

$

70,990

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

 

 

3


SORRENTO THERAPEUTICS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$

(26,152

)

 

$

(10,615

)

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,372

 

 

 

638

 

Non-cash interest expense

 

331

 

 

 

35

 

Stock-based compensation and issuance of warrants

 

3,159

 

 

 

622

 

Acquired in-process research and development

 

209

 

 

 

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

9

 

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grants and other receivables

 

(601

)

 

 

43

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

(254

)

 

 

(348

)

Accounts payable

 

(703

)

 

 

824

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

522

 

 

 

(477

)

Net cash used for operating activities

 

(21,108

)

 

 

(9,278

)

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(433

)

 

 

(359

)

Purchase of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

(511

)

Cash received in connection with Mergers

 

 

 

 

126

 

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

 

(433

)

 

 

(744

)

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs

 

26,643

 

 

 

6,354

 

Net borrowings under debt agreements

 

7,500

 

 

 

5,000

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

 

 

7

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

34,143

 

 

 

11,361

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

12,602

 

 

 

1,339

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

31,667

 

 

 

5,091

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

44,269

 

 

$

6,430

 

Supplemental disclosures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

$

6

 

 

$

1

 

Interest paid

$

636

 

 

$

48

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

 

 

4


SORRENTO THERAPEUTICS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

(In thousands, except for share amounts)

 

1. Nature of Operations, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Business Activities

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SRNE), together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, acquisition, development and commercialization of proprietary drug therapeutics for addressing significant unmet medical needs in the U.S., Europe and additional international markets. The Company’s primary therapeutic focus is oncology, including the treatment of chronic cancer pain, but is also developing therapeutic products for other indications, including immunology and infectious diseases. The Company’s pipeline consists of its lead oncology product candidate Cynviloq™, a micellar paclitaxel formulation, resiniferatoxin (or RTX), a non-opiate, ultra potent and selective agonist of the TRPV-1 receptor for intractable pain in end-stage disease, as well as fully human therapeutic antibodies derived from its proprietary G-MAB® library platform and antibody drug conjugates, or ADCs. In addition, the Company generates revenues from the sale of customized reagents and providing contract development services.

As of September 30, 2014, the Company had devoted substantially all of its efforts to product development, raising capital and building infrastructure, and had not realized revenues from its planned principal operations.  

The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not necessarily include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair statement of its financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries; IgDraSol, Inc., or IgDraSol; Sherrington Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Sherrington; Concortis Biosystems, Corp., or Concortis; Ark Animal Health, Inc., or Ark; and Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. Hong Kong Limited, or Sorrento Hong Kong, which was registered effective December 4, 2012. Sherrington and Sorrento Hong Kong had no operating activity through September 2014. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The balance sheet at December 31, 2013 is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date which are not presented herein.

In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the interim periods presented reflects all adjustments, which are only normal and recurring, necessary for a fair statement of financial position, results of operations and cash flows. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. Operating results for interim periods are not expected to be indicative of operating results for the Company’s 2014 fiscal year.

Liquidity

The Company anticipates that it will continue to incur net losses into the foreseeable future as it: (i) completes its bioequivalence, or BE, registration trial related to Cynviloq and prepares for its New Drug Application filing anticipated in 2015, (ii) advances RTX into clinical trials and potentially pursues other human indications, (iii) funds Ark activities in anticipation of Ark securing stand-alone financing, (iv) continues to identify a number of potential mAb and ADC drug candidates and further advances various preclinical development activities, (v) continues development of, and seeks regulatory approvals for, its product candidates, and begin to commercialize any approved products, and (vi) expands corporate infrastructure, including the costs associated with being a NASDAQ listed public company.

In May 2014, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 4,765,000 shares of common stock, at $5.25 per share, and in June 2014, closed the full exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the representative of the underwriters to purchase an additional 714,750 shares of its common stock, with total gross proceeds of $28.8 million, before underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by the Company.

In March 2014, the Company entered into an amended and restated loan and security agreement, increasing the September 2013 facility to $12,500 from $5,000, with the same two banks, which was funded at closing. The interest rate on the amended and restated loan is 7.95% per annum. The Company will make interest only payments on the outstanding amount of the loan on a monthly basis until October 1, 2014, after which equal monthly payments of principal and interest are due until the Term Loan maturity date of September 30, 2017. Management believes the Company has the ability to meet all obligations due over the course of the next twelve months.

5


The Company plans to continue to fund its operating losses and capital funding needs through public or private equity or debt financings, strategic collaborations, licensing arrangements, asset sales, government grants or other arrangements. The Company filed a universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which was declared effective by the SEC in July 2013. The Shelf Registration Statement provides the Company the ability to offer up to $100 million of securities, including equity and other securities as described in the registration statement. After the May 2014 underwritten offering (see Note 6), the Company has the ability to offer up to $36.6 million of additional securities. Pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may offer such securities from time to time and through one or more methods of distribution, subject to market conditions and the Company’s capital needs. Specific terms and prices will be determined at the time of each offering under a separate prospectus supplement, which will be filed with the SEC at the time of any offering. However, the Company cannot be sure that such additional funds will be available on reasonable terms, or at all. If the Company is unable to secure adequate additional funding, the Company may be forced to make reductions in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, and/or suspend or curtail planned programs. In addition, if the Company does not meet its payment obligations to third parties as they come due, it may be subject to litigation claims. Even if the Company is successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management. Any of these actions could materially harm the Company’s business, results of operations, and future prospects.

If the Company raises additional funds by issuing equity securities, substantial dilution to existing stockholders would result. If the Company raises additional funds by incurring debt financing, the terms of the debt may involve significant cash payment obligations as well as covenants and specific financial ratios that may restrict the Company’s ability to operate its business.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Management believes that these estimates are reasonable; however, actual results may differ from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company minimizes its credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents by periodically evaluating the credit quality of its primary financial institution. The balance at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses on such accounts.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, grants and accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses. Fair value estimates of these instruments are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information. These estimates may be subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, grants and accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are generally considered to be representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of those instruments.

Grants and Accounts Receivable

Grants receivable at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 represent amounts due under several federal contracts with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, or NIAID, a division of the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, collectively, the NIH Grants. The Company considers the grants receivable to be fully collectible; accordingly, no allowance for doubtful amounts has been established. If amounts become uncollectible, they are charged to operations.

Accounts receivable at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consists of trade receivables from sales and services provided to certain customers, which are generally unsecured and due within 30 days. Estimated credit losses related to trade accounts receivable are recorded as general and administrative expenses and as an allowance for doubtful accounts within grants and accounts receivable, net. The Company reviews reserves and makes adjustments based on historical experience and known collectability issues and disputes. When internal collection efforts on accounts have been exhausted, the accounts are written off by reducing the allowance for doubtful accounts. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $9 and $0, respectively.

6


Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are generally three to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the life of the lease or the life of the asset. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.

Acquisitions and Intangibles

The Company has engaged in business combination activity. The accounting for business combinations requires management to make judgments and estimates of the fair value of assets acquired, including the identification and valuation of intangible assets, as well as liabilities assumed. Such judgments and estimates directly impact the amount of goodwill recognized in connection with each acquisition, as goodwill presents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the fair value of its net tangible and identifiable intangible assets.

Patent rights are stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, determined to be approximately nineteen years from the date of transfer of the rights to the Company in April 2013. Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $1 each. Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $4 and $3, respectively, all such costs have been included in intangibles amortization.

License rights are stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, determined to be approximately fifteen years from the date of acquisition of the rights in September 2013. Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $475 and $111, respectively. Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $1,425 and $111, respectively, which has been included in intangibles amortization.  

Acquired technology is stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, determined to be approximately nineteen years from the date of acquisition of the technology in December 2013. Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $44 and $132, respectively, which has been included in intangibles amortization.

Customer relationships are stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, determined to be approximately five years from the date of acquisition in December 2013. Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $66 and $198, respectively, which has been included in intangibles amortization.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates its long-lived assets with definite lives, such as property and equipment, acquired technology, customer relationships, patent and license rights, for impairment by considering competition by products prescribed for the same indication, the likelihood and estimated future entry of non-generic and generic competition with the same or similar indication and other related factors. The factors that drive the estimate of the life are often uncertain and are reviewed on a periodic basis or when events occur that warrant review. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the assets’ book value to future net undiscounted cash flows that the assets are expected to generate. There have not been any impairment losses of long-lived assets through September 30, 2014.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination accounted for by the acquisition method of accounting and is not amortized, but subject to impairment testing at least annually or when a triggering event is identified that could indicate a potential impairment. We test our goodwill annually, or quarterly when events or changes in circumstances warrant, for impairment in the fourth quarter of each year. We are organized as a single reporting unit and perform impairment testing by comparing the carrying value of the reporting unit to the market value of the Company. No impairment to the carrying value of this goodwill has been identified from the acquisition date through September 30, 2014.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s grant revenues are generated primarily from three NIH and two U.S. Department of Treasury (or U.S. Treasury) grant awards and a feasibility study agreement, or the Collaboration Agreement entered into with a third party in July 2010, and from revenues generated from sales and services from the sale of customized reagents and providing contract development services. The revenue from the NIH and U.S. Treasury grant awards are based upon subcontractor and internal costs incurred that are specifically covered by the grant, and where applicable, a facilities and administrative rate that provides funding for overhead expenses. These revenues are recognized when expenses have been incurred by subcontractors or when the Company incurs internal expenses that are related to the grant.

7


Revenues from sales and services are generated from the sale of customized reagents and providing contract development services. Reagents are used for preparing ADCs, these reagents include industrial standard cytotoxins, linkers, and linker-toxins. The contract development services include providing synthetic expertise to customer’s synthesis by delivering them proprietary cytotoxins, linkers and linker-toxins and ADC service using industry standard toxin and antibodies provided by customers. Revenue is recognized when, (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) the product has been shipped or the services have been rendered, (iii) the price is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.

The Company is obligated to accept from customers the return of products sold that are damaged or don’t meet certain specifications. The Company may authorize the return of products sold in accordance with the terms of its sales contracts, and estimates allowances for such amounts at the time of sale. The Company has not experienced any sales returns.

Acquired In-Process Research and Development Expense

The Company has acquired and may continue to acquire the rights to develop and commercialize new drug candidates. The up-front payments to acquire a new drug compound, as well as future milestone payments, are immediately expensed as acquired in-process research and development provided that the drug has not achieved regulatory approval for marketing and, absent obtaining such approval, have no alternative future use.

Research and Development Costs and Collaborations

All research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. Such costs primarily consist of lab supplies, contract services, stock-based compensation expense, salaries and related benefits.

Income Taxes

The provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740-10, Uncertainty in Income Taxes, address the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under ASC 740-10, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company has determined that it has no uncertain tax positions.

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method to compute the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the related financial amounts, using currently enacted tax rates.

The Company has deferred tax assets, which are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. The Company evaluates the recoverability of the deferred tax assets annually. As of September 30, 2014, the Company maintained a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, which establishes accounting for equity instruments exchanged for employee services. Under such provisions, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense, under the straight-line method, over the employee’s requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant).

The Company accounts for equity instruments, including restricted stock or stock options, issued to non-employees in accordance with authoritative guidance for equity based payments to non-employees. Stock options issued to non-employees are accounted for at their estimated fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of options granted to non-employees is re-measured as they vest, and the resulting increase in value, if any, is recognized as expense during the period the related services are rendered. Restricted stock issued to non-employees is accounted for at their estimated fair value as they vest.

Net Loss per Share

Net loss per share is presented as both basic and diluted net loss per share. Basic net loss per share excludes any dilutive effects of options, shares subject to repurchase and warrants. Diluted net loss per share includes the impact of potentially dilutive securities. No dilutive effect was calculated for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 as the Company reported a net loss for each respective period and the effect would have been anti-dilutive. The Company had outstanding common share equivalents of 2,091,826 and 551,850 at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

8


Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. The Company is required to record all components of comprehensive loss in the consolidated financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Net income (loss) and other comprehensive loss, including foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on investments, are reported, net of their related tax effect, to arrive at comprehensive loss. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the comprehensive loss was equal to the net loss.

New Accounting Standards

In May 2014, Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606). The guidance of this Update effects any entities that either issues contracts with customers or transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of non-financial assets. The core principal of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in the amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. To achieve those core principals, the ASU specifies steps that the entity should apply for revenue recognition. The guidance also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill the contract with customer and disclosure requirements to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. ASU No. 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact that adoption may have on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-10 “Development Stage Entities” (Topic 915). The objective of the ASU is to improve financial reporting by reducing the cost and complexity associated with the incremental reporting requirements for development stage entities. The ASU removes all incremental financial reporting requirements from U.S. GAAP for development stage entities, including the inception-to-date information and certain other disclosures. The ASU also eliminates an exception provided to development stage entities in Topic 810 “Consolidation” for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity on the basis of amount of investment equity at risk. For public business entities, those amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods therein. Earlier adoption is permitted for any annual or interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company has adopted Topic 915 effective with the filing of its Form 10-Q as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15 "Disclosures of Uncertainties About an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern". The new standard provides guidance which requires management to evaluate whether conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and, if so, to provide related footnote disclosures. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

2. Significant Agreements and Contracts

License Agreement with The Scripps Research Institute

In January 2010, the Company entered into a license agreement, or the TSRI License, with The Scripps Research Institute, or TSRI. Under the TSRI License, TSRI granted the Company an exclusive, worldwide license to certain TSRI patent rights and materials based on quorum sensing for the prevention and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus (“Staph”) infections, including Methicillin-resistant Staph. In consideration for the license, the Company: (i) issued TSRI a warrant for the purchase of common stock, (ii) agreed to pay TSRI a certain annual royalty commencing in the first year after certain patent filing milestones are achieved, (iii) agreed to pay a royalty on any sales of licensed products by the Company or its affiliates and a royalty for any revenues generated by the Company through its sublicense of patent rights and materials licensed from TSRI under the TSRI License. The TSRI License requires the Company to indemnify TSRI for certain breaches of the agreement and other matters customary for license agreements. The parties may terminate the TSRI License at any time by mutual agreement. In addition, the Company may terminate the TSRI License by giving 60 days’ notice to TSRI and TSRI may terminate the TSRI License immediately in the event of certain breaches of the agreement by the Company or upon the Company’s failure to undertake certain activities in furtherance of commercial development goals. Unless terminated earlier by either or both parties, the term of the TSRI License will continue until the final expiration of all claims covered by the patent rights licensed under the agreement. For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded $41 and $13 in patent prosecution and maintenance costs associated with the TSRI License, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded $97 and $20 in patent prosecution and maintenance costs associated with the TSRI License, respectively. All such costs have been included in general and administrative expenses.

9


The fair value of the warrants to purchase Company common stock, issued in connection with the TSRI License, of $18 was determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following weighted-average assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 2.48%, no dividend yield, expected term of 10 years, and volatility of 102%. Such fair value has been included in general and administrative expenses for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014.

NIH Grants

In July 2011, the NIAID awarded the Company a second Advanced Technology Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) grant to support the Company’s program to generate and develop antibody therapeutics and vaccines to combat C. difficile infections, or the C. difficile Grant award. The project period for the Phase I C. difficile Grant award covered a two-year period which commenced in June 2011 and ended in June 2013, with the total grant award of $600. During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded no revenue associated with the C. difficile Grant award. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded $0 and $144 of revenue associated with the C. difficile Grant award, respectively.

In June 2012, the NIAID awarded the Company a third Advanced Technology STTR grant to support the Company’s program to generate and develop novel human antibody therapeutics to combat Staph infections, including Methicillin-resistant Staph, or the Staph Grant II award. The project period for the Phase I grant covers a two-year period which commenced in June 2012, with a total grant award of $600. During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded $0 and $84 of revenue associated with the Staph Grant II award, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 the Company recorded $150 and $216 of revenue associated with the Staph Grant II award, respectively.

In June 2014, the NIAID awarded the Company a Phase II STTR grant to support the advanced preclinical development of human bispecific antibody therapeutics to prevent and treat Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus or Staph) infections, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), or the Staph Grant III award. The project period for this Phase II grant covers a two-year period which commenced in June 2014, with total funds available of approximately $1 million per year for up to 2 years. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $115 and $147 of revenue, respectively, associated with the Staph Grant III award.

In June 2014, the NIAID awarded the Company a Phase I STTR grant entitled “Anti-Pseudomonas Immunotherapy and Targeted Drug Delivery”. This grant will support the preclinical development of novel anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa mAb immunotherapy or an antibody-mediated targeted antibiotic delivery vehicle. Each modality may be an effective and safe stand-alone therapy and/or a component of a “cocktail” therapeutic option for prevention and treatment of P. aeruginosa infections. The project period for this Phase I grant covers a two-year period which commenced in July 2014, with total funds available of approximately $300 per year for up to 2 years. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $11 of revenue associated with the Phase I STTR grant award.

In July 2014, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a division of the NIH, awarded the Company a Phase I STTR grant, entitled “Targeting of Myc-Max Dimerization for the Treatment of Cancer”. This grant will support the preclinical development of the Myc inhibitor, which interferes with the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between Myc and its obligatory dimerization partner, Max, preventing sequence-specific binding to DNA and subsequent initiation of oncogenic transformation. The project period for this Phase I grant covers a one-year period which commenced in August 2014, with total funds available of approximately $225. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $19 of revenue associated with the Phase I Myc grant award.

In August 2014, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHBLI), a division of the NIH awarded the Company a Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR) grant entitled “Human Anti-WISP-1 Antibodies for Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fbrosis”. This grant will advance the Company’s immunotherapy targeting WNT-1 Inducible Signaling Protein-1(WISP1) for the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). WISP1 is a protein that has been shown to be upregulated in IPF, linked to key growth factors, cellular proliferation, hyperplasia and is correlated with late stage cancers. IPF is a fatal disease which results in progressive loss of lung function due to fibrosis of the lungs. The project period for this Phase I grant covers a one-year period which commenced in August 2014, with total funds available of approximately $225.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $2 of revenue associated with the Phase I WISP1 grant award.

 

3. Mergers and Acquisitions

On March 7, 2013, the Company entered into various agreements with IgDraSol, a private company focused on the development of Cynviloq, an oncologic agent for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, or MBC, non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC, and other cancers, as follows: (i) an exclusive option agreement, (ii) an asset purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase all documentation, equipment, information and other know-how related to micellar nanoparticle technology encompassing Tocosol® and related technologies, and (iii) an initial services agreement, pursuant to which, IgDraSol is to provide certain product development and technology services related to the Company’s antibody platform.

10


On September 9, 2013, the Company exercised its option to acquire IgDraSol whereby IgDraSol became a wholly-owned subsidiary and the Company acquired all rights to Cynviloq. Pursuant to the merger agreement, the Company issued 3,006,641 shares of common stock to IgDraSol stockholders and paid $382 in cash. Upon the later achievement of a specified regulatory milestone, the Company will issue an additional 1,306,272 shares of common stock to former IgDraSol stockholders. The Company’s lead compound is Cynviloq, a micellar paclitaxel formulation drug product. Cynviloq is currently approved and marketed in several countries, including South Korea for MBC and NSCLC under the trade name Genexol-PM®. The Company licensed exclusive distribution rights for Cynviloq in North America, the 27 countries of the European Union, and Australia, from Samyang Biopharmaceuticals Corporation, a South Korean corporation.

On October 9, 2013, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization and acquired privately-held Sherrington in exchange for 200,000 shares of its common stock, for an aggregate purchase price of $1,698 which was recognized as acquired in-process research and development expense. Sherrington is focused on the development of a treatment for intractable pain in end-stage disease. RTX is a novel, non-opiate, small molecule that permanently eliminates pain experienced by end-stage cancer patients when directly interacting with the nerve cells. RTX is currently being tested in an investigator-sponsored Phase I/II clinical trial under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. To date, 10 patients with terminal cancer pain have been treated at the NIH. The Company intends to launch additional trials to rapidly advance clinical development of the drug in patients with terminal cancer pain.

On December 19, 2013, the Company acquired and merged with privately-held Concortis, whereby Concortis became a wholly-owned subsidiary. Upon closing, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,331,978 shares of its common stock to the Concortis shareholders. Certain Concortis employees and consultants received $1,000 in compensation for the year ending December 31, 2013, and are to receive annual deferred compensation payments totaling $1,000 on December 31 for each of the years ending 2014, 2015, and 2016. The net present value of the deferred compensation payments was calculated using the effective interest method, and is included in the purchase price. The total transaction is valued at $14.7 million. Concortis has proprietary cytotoxic payloads as well as C-lock® and K-lock® conjugation technologies that allow for site-specific toxin conjugation to the antibody. These next generation technologies may improve the overall stability and potency of the ADCs. First-generation conjugation technologies lead to inconsistent drug-antibody ratios, which result in a heterogeneous mixture of ADCs. This variability has been a constraining factor in unlocking the full therapeutic potential for current-generation ADCs. The ADC technology complements the Company’s existing development programs, particularly its G-MAB® antibody library and related monoclonal antibodies. Concortis uses its proprietary technologies to provide various customized reagents as well as drug conjugation services to customers in the pharmaceutical industry.

The IgDraSol, Sherrington and Concortis acquisitions have been accounted for in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting under FASB ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations” (“Topic 805”). Topic 805 requires, among other things, that identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their fair values which are based in part on third party appraisals as of the Acquisition Date. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the purchase consideration was allocated to the assets acquired, including tangible assets and other identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair market values on the date of acquisition. Any excess purchase price after the initial allocation to identifiable net tangible and identifiable intangible assets was assigned to goodwill. These completed acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases and the results of operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since their respective dates of acquisition.

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information summarizes the combined results of operations for the Company as though the IgDraSol, Sherrington and Concortis acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2013. The unaudited pro forma financial information for all periods presented also includes the business combination accounting effects resulting from these acquisitions including amortization charges from acquired intangible assets. The unaudited pro forma financial information as presented below is for informational purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the results of operations for future periods or the results what actually would have been realized had the entities been a single entity during these periods. The unaudited pro forma combined results are presented in thousands, except share and per share information.

 

 

Three Months

 

 

Nine Months

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

As Reported

 

 

Pro Forma

 

 

As Reported

 

 

Pro Forma

 

Total Revenues

$

1,276

 

 

$

1,246

 

 

$

3,027

 

 

$

2,807

 

Loss from operations

$

(7,131

)

 

$

(5,299

)

 

$

(24,996

)

 

$

(18,280

)

Net loss

$

(7,605

)

 

$

(5,476

)

 

$

(26,152

)

 

$

(18,655

)

Net loss per share-basic and diluted

$

(0.27

)

 

$

(0.29

)

 

$

(1.02

)

 

$

(1.05

)

 

4. Goodwill

In connection with the acquisitions of IgDraSol, Sherrington and Concortis, the Company generated goodwill of $24,041.

11


 

5. Loan and Security Agreement

In September 2013, the Company entered into a $5,000 loan and security agreement with two banks pursuant to which: (i) the lenders provided the Company a term loan which was funded at closing, (ii) the Company repaid its then outstanding equipment loan balance of $762, and (iii) the lenders received a warrant to purchase an aggregate 31,250 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $8.00 per share exercisable for seven years from the date of issuance. The value of the warrants, totaling $215, was recorded as debt discount and additional paid-in capital.

 

In March 2014, the Company entered into an amended and restated loan and security agreement, increasing the September 2013 facility to $12,500 from $5,000, with the same two banks. Such loan was funded at closing and is secured by a lien covering substantially all of the Company’s assets, excluding intellectual property, which is subject to a negative pledge. The Company will make interest only payments on the outstanding amount of the loan on a monthly basis until October 1, 2014, after which equal monthly payments of principal and interest are due until the loan maturity date of September 30, 2017. The amended and restated loan: (i) interest rate is 7.95% per annum, and (ii) provided the Lenders additional warrants to purchase an aggregate of 34,642 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $12.99 per share, exercisable for seven years from the date of issuance. The value of the warrants, totaling $322, was recorded as debt discount and additional paid-in capital.

 

At the Company’s option, it may prepay all of the outstanding principal balance, subject to certain pre-payment fees ranging from 1% to 3% of the prepayment amount. In the event of a final payment of the loans under the loan agreement, either in the event of repayment of the loan at maturity or upon any prepayment, the Company is obligated to pay the amortized portion of the final fee of $781.

The Company is also subject to certain affirmative and negative covenants under the loan agreement, including limitations on its ability to: undergo certain change of control events; convey, sell, lease, license, transfer or otherwise dispose of any equipment financed by loans under the loan agreement; create, incur, assume, guarantee or be liable with respect to indebtedness, subject to certain exceptions; grant liens on any equipment financed under the loan agreement; and make or permit any payment on specified subordinated debt. In addition, under the loan agreement, subject to certain exceptions, the Company is required to maintain with the lender its primary operating, other deposit and securities accounts.

Long-term debt and unamortized discount balances are as follows (in thousands):

 

Face value of amended and restated loan

$

12,500

 

Fair value of all warrants

 

(536

)

Accretion of debt discount

 

137

 

Balance at September 30, 2014

$

12,101

 

 

 

Future minimum payments under the amended and restated loan and security agreement are as follows:

 

Year Ending December 31,

 

 

 

2014

$

1,174

 

2015

 

4,697

 

2016

 

4,697

 

2017

 

4,304

 

Total future minimum payments

 

14,872

 

Unamortized interest

 

(2,372

)

Debt discount

 

(399

)

Total minimum payment

 

12,101

 

Current portion

 

(3,655

)

Long-term debt

$

8,446

 

 

 

6. Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

In January 2014, the Company entered into a research agreement and issued 25,000 shares of common stock valued at $209.

12


 

In May 2014, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 4,765,000 shares of common stock, at $5.25 per share, and in June 2014, closed the full exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the representative of the underwriters to purchase an additional 714,750 shares of its common stock, with total gross proceeds of $28.8 million, before underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses of $2.1 million payable by the Company.

Purchase Warrants

Concurrent with the October 30, 2013 offering, the Company agreed to issue and sell to the underwriters a warrant (“Underwriters Warrant”) for the purchase of an aggregate of 182,600 shares of common stock, for a nominal amount. The Underwriters Warrant agreement is exercisable, in whole or in part, commencing on a date which is one (1) year after the effective date of the Registration Statement and expiring on the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the Registration Statement at an initial exercise price per share of common stock of $9.0625, which is equal to 125% of the initial public offering price of $7.25 per share.

Convertible Promissory Notes

In October 2013, the Company issued an aggregate $1,850 principal amount of Notes that bear interest at 7% per annum. Concurrently with the closing of the public offering, such Notes and related accrued interest totaling $7 automatically converted into 256,119 shares of common stock.

Stock Incentive Plans

2009 Equity Incentive Plan

In February 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, or the EIP, under which 400,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance to employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company. In March 2009, the Company issued 296,154 restricted common stock awards to certain consultants for aggregate gross proceeds of less than $1, of which the Company repurchased 44,166 unvested shares of restricted common stock for a nominal amount in January 2011. The restricted shares vest monthly over four years and all remaining shares were fully vested as of September 30, 2014. No further shares are available for grant under the EIP.

2009 Non-Employee Director Grants

In September 2009, prior to the adoption of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the reservation and issuance of 8,000 nonstatutory stock options to the Company’s non-employee directors. The outstanding options vested on the one year anniversary of the vesting commencement date in October 2010, and are exercisable for up to 10 years from the grant date. No further shares may be granted under this plan and, as of September 30, 2014, 3,200 options were outstanding.

2009 Stock Incentive Plan

In October 2009, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. In June 2014, the Company’s stockholders approved, among other items, the amendment and restatement of the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan, or the Stock Plan, to increase the number of common stock authorized to be issued pursuant to the Stock Plan to 3,760,000. Such shares of the Company’s common stock are reserved for issuance to employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company. The Stock Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and performance awards to eligible recipients. Recipients of stock options shall be eligible to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to no less than the estimated fair market value of such stock on the date of grant. The maximum term of options granted under the Stock Plan is ten years. Employee option grants will generally vest 25% on the first anniversary of the original vesting commencement date, with the balance vesting monthly over the remaining three years. The vesting schedules for grants to non-employee directors and consultants will be determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee. Stock options are generally not exercisable prior to the applicable vesting date, unless otherwise accelerated under the terms of the applicable stock plan agreement. Unvested shares of the Company’s common stock issued in connection with an early exercise however, may be repurchased by the Company upon termination of the optionee’s service with the Company.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors awarded 1,088,500 and 110,200 options to certain employees, directors and consultants, respectively. As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, 1,905,366 and 833,400 shares were available for grant under the Stock Plan, respectively. See Note 8.

13


The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model to calculate the fair value of stock options. Stock based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period using the straight-line method. The fair value of employee stock options was estimated at the grant date using the following assumptions:

 

 

Nine months ended

September 30,

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Dividend yield

 

 

 

 

 

Volatility

 

78

%

 

 

109

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

1.95

%

 

 

1.19

%

Expected life of options

6.1 years

 

 

6.1 years

 

The weighted average grant date fair value per share of employee stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $8.05 and $4.78, respectively.

The assumed dividend yield was based on the Company’s expectation of not paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Due to the Company’s limited historical data, the estimated volatility incorporates the historical and implied volatility of comparable companies whose share prices are publicly available. The risk-free interest rate assumption was based on the United States Treasury’s rates for U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds with maturities similar to those of the expected term of the award being valued. The weighted average expected life of options was estimated using the average of the contractual term and the weighted average vesting term of the options.

The total employee stock-based compensation recorded as operating expenses was $490, and $158 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The total employee stock-based compensation recorded as operating expenses was $2,619 and $454 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

As of September 30, 2014, unrecognized compensation cost related to the options was $5,260 which will be recognized over 3.0 years.

The Company records equity instruments issued to non-employees as expense at their fair value over the related service period as determined in accordance with the applicable authoritative guidance and periodically revalues the equity instruments as they vest. Stock-based compensation expense related to non-employee consultants recorded as operating expenses was $136 and $34 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense related to non-employee consultants recorded as operating expenses was $540 and $167 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

7. Income Taxes

The Company maintains deferred tax assets that reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. These deferred tax assets include net operating loss carryforwards, research credits and capitalized research and development. The net deferred tax asset has been fully offset by a valuation allowance because of the Company’s history of losses. Utilization of operating losses and credits may be subject to substantial annual limitation due to ownership change provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and similar state provisions. The annual limitation may result in the expiration of net operating losses and credits before utilization.

 

8. Related Party Agreements and Other – Ark

License and Development Agreement

On June 18, 2014, the Company and Ark entered into a License and Development Agreement (LDA) whereby the Company granted Ark a license to develop and commercialize RTX for animal use only, in exchange for the issuance to the Company of 10,000,000 shares of Ark common stock valued at $13,100, representing 100% of the outstanding shares of Ark common stock. Such intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Transition Services Agreement

On June 18, 2014, the Company entered into a Transition Services Agreement (TSA) with Ark which became effective retroactively to April 1, 2014. Under the TSA, the Company has provided and/or has made available to Ark various administrative, financial, legal, insurance, facility, information technology, laboratory, real estate and other services to be provided by, or on behalf of, the Company, together with such other services as reasonably requested by Ark. In consideration for such services, Ark will pay fees to the Company for the services provided, and those fees will generally be in amounts intended to allow the Company to recover

14


all of its direct and indirect costs incurred in providing such services. The personnel performing services under the TSA are employees and/or independent contractors of the Company and are not under the direction or control of Ark. These personnel costs are based upon the actual percentages of time spent by Company personnel performing services for Ark under the TSA. In addition, Ark will reimburse the Company for direct out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Company for third party services provided to Ark. Through September 30, 2014, the Company has recorded $757 of costs associated with activities contemplated under the TSA.

In order for the Company to be reimbursed by Ark for activities provided under the TSA, Ark must be successful in raising financing on a stand-alone basis. There can be no assurance that Ark will be successful in securing third party financing.

Loan and Security Agreement

On June 18, 2014, the Company and Ark entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (Loan Agreement) pursuant to which the Company agreed to lend Ark, as amended in August 2014, up to $1,000 for working capital purposes. Advances under the Loan Agreement bear interest at six percent (6%) per annum. Outstanding advances mature on the earlier of: (i) following the consummation of any public or private offering of securities in which Ark receives gross proceeds of at least $5,000, (ii) an event of default under the Loan Agreement, or (iii) June 18, 2015. In connection with the Loan Agreement, the Company has a security interest in all of Ark’s assets, including Ark’s intellectual property, until the loan is repaid in full. During the period from Ark’s inception in February 2014 through September 30, 2014, the Company paid for certain general, administrative and research and development expenses totaling $757. The intercompany balances associated with these transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

2014 Stock Option Plan

In May 2014, Ark adopted the Ark 2014 Stock Option Plan and reserved and awarded 600,000 options to certain directors and consultants under such plan. Stock options granted under such plan typically vest after four years of continuous service from the grant date and will have a contractual term of ten years. No further shares may be granted under this plan and, as of September 30, 2014, 600,000 options were outstanding.

 

The total employee and consultant stock-based compensation recorded as operating expenses for the three and six months ended September 30, 2014 was $89 and $378, respectively. Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock option grants for both directors and consultants as of September 30, 2014 was $30, and the weighted-average period over which these grants are expected to vest is approximately eight months.

 

The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model used to determine the fair value of stock option grants were as follows: expected dividend yield – 0%, risk-free interest rate – 1.94% to 2.53%, expected volatility – 75% to 78%, and expected term of 6.08 to 10 years.

2014 Equity Incentive Plan

In May 2014, Ark adopted the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan. Under this plan Ark may grant equity awards which include stock options, restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights. Ark has reserved for future issuance 1,000,000 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to this plan. The plan’s share reserve, as defined, will automatically increase each year commencing on January 1, 2015, in an amount equal to 3.0% of the total number of shares outstanding on the last day of the preceding calendar year. No equity awards have been issued under the plan as of September 30, 2014.

Related Party Transactions

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company purchased products totaling $439 from Levena Biopharma Co., LTD (Levena), a Chinese Corporation.  The Company’s Chief Technology Officer is also one of the owners of Levena.

 

9. Subsequent Events

On October 3, 2014, the Company entered into an exclusive license and development agreement (the “License Agreement”) with China Oncology Focus Limited, an affiliate of Lee’s Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited (“Lee’s Pharma”) pursuant to which Lee’s Pharma has licensed the Company’s fully human, immune-oncology anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) STI-A1014 (“STI-A1014”). Under the terms of the License Agreement, Lee’s Pharma received exclusive rights to develop and commercialize STI-A1014 for the greater Chinese market, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. In turn, the Company will receive an up-front payment of $1.0 million, potential future milestone payments and royalties which range from 5% to 10% on future net sales. In total, the Company has the potential to receive more than $46 million upon the successful attainment of key milestones, excluding royalties, and retains all the rights to use data generated by Lee’s Pharma for territories outside of the greater Chinese

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market. Additionally, Lee’s Pharma purchased 400,000 common shares of the Company at a price of $9.00 per share, for gross proceeds of $3.6 million.

On October 30, 2014, the Company entered into a second amendment to its amended and restated loan and security agreement which extended the interest only period from October 1, 2014 to May 1, 2015, after which equal monthly payments of principal and interest are due until the loan maturity date of September 30, 2017.  See Note 5.

 

 

 

 

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Item 2.

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

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” about our expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding our potential product offerings, business, financial condition, results of operations, strategies or prospects. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. Rather, forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results as of the date they are made and are often identified by the use of words such as “assumes,” “plans,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” or “will,” and similar expressions or variations. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause our actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward-looking statements. These factors include those described under the caption “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Furthermore, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.

Overview

We are a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, acquisition, development and commercialization of proprietary drug therapeutics for addressing significant unmet medical needs in the U.S., Europe and additional international markets. Our primary therapeutic focus is oncology, including the treatment of chronic cancer pain, but we are also developing therapeutic products for other indications, including immunology and infectious diseases. We currently have two clinical development programs underway: (i) our lead oncology drug product candidate Cynviloq, is a micellar diblock copolymeric paclitaxel formulation, and (ii) RTX, a non-opiate, ultra potent and selective agonist of the TRPV-1 receptor for intractable pain in end-stage disease.

Our pipeline also includes preclinical fully human therapeutic antibodies, including our fully human anti-PD-L1 and anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies, or Abs, derived from our proprietary G-MAB® library platform, antibody drug conjugates, or ADCs. Our objective is to develop two classes of antibody drug products, therapeutic antibodies and ADCs: (i) First in Class, and/or (ii) Best in Class, which may offer greater efficacy and/or fewer adverse events or side effects as compared to existing drugs.

Through September 30, 2014, we have identified and further developed a number of potential drug product candidates across various therapeutic areas, and intend to select several lead product candidates to further advance into preclinical development activities in 2014 and 2015. It is too early to assess which of these candidates, if any, will merit further evaluation in clinical trials. Our libraries were designed to facilitate the rapid identification and isolation of highly specific, antibody therapeutic product candidates that are fully-human and that bind to disease targets appropriate for antibody therapy. We built our initial antibody expression and production capabilities to enable us to make sufficient product material to conduct preclinical safety and efficacy testing in animal models.

Although we intend to retain ownership and control of some product candidates by advancing the development, we will also consider partnerships with pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical companies in order to balance the risks associated with drug discovery and development and maximize our stockholders’ returns. Our partnering objectives include generating revenue through license fees, milestone-related development fees and royalties by licensing rights to our product candidates.

Recent Developments

Underwritten Public Offering. In May 2014, we closed an underwritten public offering of 4,765,000 shares of common stock, at $5.25 per share, and in June 2014, closed the full exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the representative of the underwriters to purchase an additional 714,750 shares of our common stock, with total gross proceeds of $28.8 million, before underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by us.

Related Party Agreements with Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Ark Animal Health, Inc.

License and Development Agreement. On June 18, 2014, we entered into a License and Development Agreement (LDA) with our wholly-owned subsidiary Ark Animal Health, Inc. (Ark) whereby we granted Ark a license to develop and commercialize RTX for animal use only, in exchange for the issuance to us 10,000,000 shares of Ark common stock valued at $13,100, representing 100% of the outstanding shares of Ark common stock. Such intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

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Transition Services Agreement. On June 18, 2014, we entered into a Transition Services Agreement (TSA) with Ark which became effective retroactively to April 1, 2014. Under the TSA, we have provided and/or have made available to Ark various administrative, financial, legal, insurance, facility, information technology, laboratory, real estate and other services to be provided by, or on our behalf, together with such other services as reasonably requested by Ark. In consideration for such services, Ark will pay fees to us for the services provided, and those fees will generally be in amounts intended to allow us to recover all of our direct and indirect costs incurred in providing such services. The personnel performing services under the TSA are employees and/or independent contractors of ours and are not under the direction or control of Ark. These personnel costs are based upon the actual percentages of time spent by our personnel performing services for Ark under the TSA. In addition, Ark will reimburse us for direct out-of-pocket costs incurred by us for third party services provided to Ark. As of September 30, 2014, we have recorded $757 of costs associated with activities contemplated under the TSA. Such intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In order for us to be reimbursed by Ark for activities provided under the TSA, Ark must be successful in raising financing on a stand-alone basis. There can be no assurance that Ark will be successful in securing third party financing.

Loan and Security Agreement. On June 18, 2014, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (Loan Agreement) with Ark pursuant to which we agreed to lend Ark, as amended in August 2014, up to $1,000 for working capital purposes. Advances under the Loan Agreement bear interest at six percent (6%) per annum. Outstanding advances mature on the earlier of: (i) following the consummation of any public or private offering of securities in which Ark receives gross proceeds of at least $5,000, (ii) an event of default under the Loan Agreement, or (iii) June 18, 2015. In connection with the Loan Agreement, we have a security interest in all of Ark’s assets, including Ark’s intellectual property, until the loan is repaid in full. During the period from Ark’s inception in February 2014 through September 30, 2014, we paid for certain general, administrative and research and development expenses totaling $757. The intercompany balances associated with these transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Bank Loan and Security Agreement. In March 2014, we entered into an amended and restated loan and security agreement, increasing the September 2013 facility to $12,500 from $5,000, with the same two banks. The amended and restated loan was funded in March 2014, is secured by a lien covering substantially all of our assets, excluding intellectual property, which is subject to a negative pledge, and bears interest at 7.95% per annum. We will make interest only payments on the outstanding amount of the loan on a monthly basis until October 1, 2014, after which equal monthly payments of principal and interest are due until the loan maturity date of September 30, 2017. In the event we raise $30 million of net equity or proceeds from a collaboration, if any, the interest only period will be extended by six months. The amended and restated loan provided the Lenders additional warrants to purchase an aggregate of 34,642 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $12.99 per share, exercisable for seven years from the date of issuance. The value of the warrants, totaling $322, was recorded as debt discount and additional paid-in capital.

Agreement and Plan of Merger with IgDraSol. On March 7, 2013, we entered into various agreements with IgDraSol, a private company focused on the development of Cynviloq, as follows: (i) an exclusive option agreement, (ii) an asset purchase agreement pursuant to which we agreed to purchase all documentation, equipment, information and other know-how related to micellar nanoparticle technology encompassing Tocosol® and related technologies, and (iii) an initial services agreement, pursuant to which, IgDraSol provided certain product development and technology services related to our antibody platform. On September 9, 2013, we exercised our option to acquire IgDraSol and IgDraSol became a wholly-owned subsidiary.

On July 29, 2013, we received official meeting minutes from an End-of-Phase II meeting held on July 23, 2013 for Cynviloq (or IG-001) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA. Cynviloq is initially under development for the treatment of MBC and NSCLC, in the U.S. The FDA Division of Oncology Products 1 agreed that the data available from: (i) the postmarketing surveillance studies conducted in ex-U.S. territories for MBC and NSCLC, (ii) Phase I-III studies for MBC, and (iii) Phase I-II studies in NSCLC, Ovarian, Bladder, and Pancreatic cancers are sufficient to support pursuing the 505(b)(2) Bioequivalence (BE) regulatory submission pathway approach using Abraxane® and Taxol® as the Reference Listed Drugs in a single bioequivalence study. Abraxane is an albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) product approved for MBC, NSCLC and pancreatic cancer indications. Taxol is a cremophor-based paclitaxel product approved for these indications as well as other cancer indications. We filed our BE protocol in 2013 and commenced the BE study in March 2014.

Agreement and Plan of Merger with Sherrington. On October 9, 2013, we acquired Sherrington for an aggregate of 200,000 shares of our common stock. Sherrington’s sole asset was the license rights to resiniferatoxin. Upon acquisition, Sherrington became a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Underwritten Public Offering and Nasdaq Uplisting. In October 2013, we closed an underwritten public offering of 4,150,000 shares, at $7.25 per share, and closed the full exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the representative of the underwriters to purchase an additional 622,500 shares of its common stock, with total gross proceeds of $34.6 million, before underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by us. The common stock began trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market on October 25, 2013 under the symbol “SRNE”.

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Agreement and Plan of Merger with Concortis. On December 19, 2013, we merged with Concortis, which providing us with a comprehensive technology platform to create a new generation of homogenous ADC’s with site-specific toxin conjugation and consistent drug-antibody ratios. We issued 1,331,978 shares of our common stock to Concortis shareholders which were valued at $8.48 per share, the closing price per share of our common stock as of December 18, 2013.

Agreement with Esai / Morphotek. On June 25, 2014, we entered into a collaboration agreement to generate ADCs based on a Morphotek antibody linked to chemotherapeutic agents using proprietary ADC Technology. Under the terms of the agreement, we will receive research fees, an up-front payment, milestone payments and royalties on future net sales. Additionally, we have the potential to receive up to $50 million upon successful attainment of key milestones. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded $231 of revenue associated with this agreement.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements which are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We continually evaluate our estimates and judgments, the most critical of which are those related to income taxes and stock-based compensation. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Materially different results can occur as circumstances change and additional information becomes known.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, there were no significant changes to the items that we disclosed as our critical accounting policies and estimates in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 contained in our 2013 Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC.

Results of Operations

The following describes certain line items set forth in our consolidated statements of operations.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

Revenues. Revenues were $1,276 for the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $83 for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The net increase of $1,193 is primarily due to sales and service revenues of $1,129 generated from the sale of customized reagents and providing contract development services from the Concortis operation that was acquired in December 2013. Activities under our active grants for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were higher than in the corresponding period of 2013 due primarily to more active grants in the quarter ending September 30, 2014 as compared to the quarter ending September 30, 2013.

In June 2012, we were awarded a third Advanced Technology Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) grant to support our program to generate and develop novel human antibody therapeutics to combat Staph infections, including Methicillin-resistant Staph, or the Staph Grant II award. The project period for the phase I grant covers a two-year period which commenced in June 2012, with a total grant award of $600. The Staph Grant II award revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, were $0 and $84, respectively.

In June 2014, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, or NIAID, a division of the National Institutes of Health, or NIH awarded us a Phase II STTR grant to support the advanced preclinical development of human bispecific antibody therapeutics to prevent and treat Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus or Staph) infections, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), or the Staph Grant III award. The project period for this Phase II grant covers a two-year period which commenced in June 2014, with total funds available of approximately $1 million per year for up to 2 years. During the three months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded $115 of revenue associated with the Staph Grant III award.

In June 2014, we were awarded a Phase I STTR grant entitled “Anti-Pseudomonas Immunotherapy and Targeted Drug Delivery” from the NIAID. This grant will support the preclinical development of novel anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa mAb immunotherapy or an antibody-mediated targeted antibiotic delivery vehicle. Each modality may be an effective and safe stand-alone therapy and/or a component of a “cocktail” therapeutic option for prevention and treatment of P. aeruginosa infections. The project period for this Phase I grant covers a two-year period which commenced in July 2014, with total funds available of approximately $300 per year for up to 2 years.  During the three months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded $11 of revenue associated with the Phase I STTR grant award.

In July 2014, we were awarded a Phase I STTR grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a division of the NIH, entitled “Targeting of Myc-Max Dimerization for the Treatment of Cancer”. This grant will support the preclinical development of the Myc

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inhibitor, which interferes with the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between Myc and its obligatory dimerization partner, Max, preventing sequence-specific binding to DNA and subsequent initiation of oncogenic transformation. The project period for this Phase I grant covers a one-year period which commenced in August 2014, with total funds available of approximately $225.  During the three months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded $19 of revenue associated with the Phase I Myc grant award.

In August 2014, we were awarded a Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR) grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHBLI), a division of the NIH, entitled “Human Anti-WISP-1 Antibodies for Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fbrosis”. This grant will advance the Company’s immunotherapy targeting WNT-1 Inducible Signaling Protein-1(WISP1) for the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). WISP1 is a protein that has been shown to be upregulated in IPF, linked to key growth factors, cellular proliferation, hyperplasia and is correlated with late stage cancers. IPF is a fatal disease which results in progressive loss of lung function due to fibrosis of the lungs. The project period for this Phase I grant covers a one-year period which commenced in August 2014, with total funds available of approximately $225.  During the three months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded $2 of revenue associated with the Phase I WISP1 grant award.

We had no other revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 as we have not yet developed any product candidates for commercialization or earned any licensing or royalty payments.

We expect that any revenue we generate will fluctuate from quarter to quarter as a result of the unpredictability of the demand for products and services offered as well as the timing and amount of grant awards, research and development reimbursements and other payments received under any strategic collaborations, if any.

Cost of revenues. Cost of revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $527 and relate to the sale of customized reagents and providing contract development services. The costs generally include employee-related expenses including salary and benefits, direct materials and overhead costs including rent, depreciation, utilities, facility maintenance and insurance.

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $5,440 and $2,082, respectively. Research and development expenses include the costs to conduct our BE registration trial related to Cynviloq and prepare for our New Drug Application filing anticipated in 2015, costs to advance our RTX program activities towards entering into future clinical trials, costs to identify, isolate and advance human antibody drug candidates derived from our libraries as well as advancing our ADC preclinical drug candidates, preclinical testing expenses and the expenses associated with fulfilling our development obligations related to the NIH grant awards, collectively the NIH Grants. Such expenses consist primarily of salaries and personnel related expenses, stock-based compensation expense, clinical development expenses, preclinical testing, lab supplies, consulting costs, depreciation and other expenses. The increase of $3,358 is primarily attributable to salaries and compensation related expense, preclinical testing, depreciation, consulting and lab supply costs incurred in connection with our expanded research and development activities and our BE registration trial and activities to advance RTX into clinical trials and potentially pursue other human indications, and to fund Ark activities in advance of Ark securing stand-alone financing. We expect research and development expenses to increase in absolute dollars as we: (i) advance our Cynviloq BE registration trial and pursue other potential indications, including expenses incurred under agreements with CROs and investigative sites that conduct our clinical trials, the cost of acquiring, developing and manufacturing clinical trial materials, and other regulatory operating activities, (ii) incur incremental expenses associated with our efforts to further advance a number of potential drug candidates into preclinical development activities, (iii) continue to identify and advance a number of fully human therapeutic antibody and ADC preclinical drug candidates, and (iv) incur higher salary, lab supply and infrastructure costs incurred in connection with supporting all of our programs.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $1,854 and $1,114, respectively. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and personnel related expenses for executive, finance and administrative personnel, stock-based compensation expense, professional fees, infrastructure expenses, legal and accounting expenses and other general corporate expenses. The increase of $740 is primarily attributable to higher salaries and related compensation expenses, stock-based compensation, legal costs related to general corporate and IP matters, consulting and business development expenses and higher compliance costs associated with our public reporting obligations, and to fund Ark activities in anticipation of Ark securing stand-alone financing. We expect general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollars as we: (i) incur incremental expenses associated with expanded operations and development efforts and compliance with our public reporting obligations, and (ii) assume all of the ongoing operating costs associated with the mergers of IgDraSol, Sherrington and Concortis, and integrate their operations.

Intangible Amortization. Intangible amortization for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $586 and $194, respectively. The increase resulted primarily from the acquisition and amortization of intangible license rights from IgDraSol and from acquired technology and customer relationships from Concortis, all acquired in the latter part of 2013.

Interest Expense. Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $476 and $51, respectively. The increase in interest expense resulted primarily from higher average borrowings under the amended loan and security agreement.

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Interest Income. Interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $2 each. We expect that continued low interest rates will significantly limit our interest income in the near term.

Net Loss. Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $7,605 and $3,356, respectively. The increase in net loss is mainly attributable to the expanded research and development, intangible amortization and general and administrative activities.

Nine months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to the Nine months Ended September 30, 2013

Revenues. Revenues were $3,027 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $359 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The net increase of $2,668 is primarily due to sales and service revenues of $2,698 generated from the sale of customized reagents and providing contract development services from the Concortis operations that was acquired in December 2013. Activities under our active grants for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were higher than in the corresponding period of 2013 due primarily to an increase in active grants in the nine months ending September 30, 2014 as compared to the active grants in the same period of 2013.

In June 2014, the NIAID awarded us a Phase II STTR grant to support the advanced preclinical development of human bispecific antibody therapeutics to prevent and treat Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus or Staph) infections, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), or the Staph Grant III award. The project period for this Phase II grant covers a two-year period which commenced in June 2014, with total funds available of approximately $1 million per year for up to 2 years. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded $147 of revenue associated with the Staph Grant III award.

In June 2014, we were awarded a Phase I STTR grant entitled “Anti-Pseudomonas Immunotherapy and Targeted Drug Delivery” from the NIAID. This grant will support the preclinical development of novel anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa mAb immunotherapy or an antibody-mediated targeted antibiotic delivery vehicle. Each modality may be an effective and safe stand-alone therapy and/or a component of a “cocktail” therapeutic option for prevention and treatment of P. aeruginosa infections. The project period for this Phase I grant covers a two-year period which commenced in July 2014, with total funds available of approximately $300 per year for up to 2 years.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded $11 of revenue associated with the Phase I STTR grant award.

In July 2014, we were awarded a Phase I STTR grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a division of the NIH, entitled “Targeting of Myc-Max Dimerization for the Treatment of Cancer”. This grant will support the preclinical development of the Myc inhibitor, which interferes with the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between Myc and its obligatory dimerization partner, Max, preventing sequence-specific binding to DNA and subsequent initiation of oncogenic transformation. The project period for this Phase I grant covers a one-year period which commenced in August 2014, with total funds available of approximately $225.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded $19 of revenue associated with the Phase I Myc grant award.

Cost of revenues. Cost of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $1,600 and relate to the sale of customized reagents and providing contract development services. The costs generally include employee-related expenses including salary and benefits, direct materials and overhead costs including rent, depreciation, utilities, facility maintenance and insurance

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $16,856 and $5,622, respectively. Research and development expenses include the costs to conduct our BE registration trial related to Cynviloq and prepare for our New Drug Application filing anticipated in 2015, costs to advance our RTX program activities towards entering into future clinical trials, costs to identify, isolate and advance human antibody drug candidates derived from our libraries as well as advancing our ADC preclinical drug candidates, preclinical testing expenses and the expenses associated with fulfilling our development obligations related to the NIH grant awards, collectively the NIH Grants. Such expenses consist primarily of salaries and personnel related expenses, stock-based compensation expense, clinical development expenses, preclinical testing, lab supplies, consulting costs, depreciation and other expenses. The increase of $11,234 is primarily attributable to salaries and compensation related expense, preclinical testing, depreciation, consulting and lab supply costs incurred in connection with our expanded research and development activities and our BE registration trial and activities to advance RTX into clinical trials and potentially pursue other human indications, and to fund Ark activities in advance of Ark securing stand-alone financing. We expect research and development expenses to increase in absolute dollars as we: (i) advance our Cynviloq BE registration trial and pursue other potential indications, including expenses incurred under agreements with CROs and investigative sites that conduct our clinical trials, the cost of acquiring, developing and manufacturing clinical trial materials, and other regulatory operating activities, (ii) incur incremental expenses associated with our efforts to further advance a number of potential drug candidates into preclinical development activities, (iii) continue to identify and advance a number of fully human therapeutic antibody and ADC preclinical drug candidates, and (iv) incur higher salary, lab supply and infrastructure costs incurred in connection with supporting all of our programs.

Acquired In-process Research and Development Expenses. Acquired in-process research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $209 and $1,210, respectively. Acquired in-process research and development

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expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 include the costs associated with a research agreement. Acquired in-process research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 include the costs of acquiring the Tocosol® and related technologies.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $7,600 and $3,752, respectively. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and personnel related expenses for executive, finance and administrative personnel, stock-based compensation expense, professional fees, infrastructure expenses, legal and accounting expenses and other general corporate expenses. The increase of $3,848 is primarily attributable to higher salaries and related compensation expenses, stock-based compensation, legal costs related to general corporate and IP matters, consulting and business development expenses and higher compliance costs associated with our public reporting obligations, and to fund Ark activities in anticipation of Ark securing stand-alone financing. We expect general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollars as we: (i) incur incremental expenses associated with expanded operations and development efforts, compliance with our public reporting obligations, and (ii) assume all of the ongoing operating costs associated with the mergers of IgDraSol, Sherrington and Concortis, and integrate their operations.

Intangible Amortization. Intangible amortization for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $1,758 and $313, respectively. The increase resulted primarily from the acquisition and amortization of intangible license rights from IgDraSol and from acquired technology and customer relationships from Concortis, all acquired in the latter part of 2013.

Interest Expense. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $1,167 and $83, respectively. The increase in interest expense resulted primarily from higher average borrowings under the amended loan and security agreement entered into in March 2014.

Interest Income. Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $11 and $6, respectively. The increase in interest income resulted from higher average cash balances in 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013. We expect that continued low interest rates will significantly limit our interest income in the near term.

Net Loss. Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $26,152 and $10,615, respectively. The increase in net loss is mainly attributable to the expanded research and development, intangible amortization and general and administrative activities.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2014, we had $44,269 in cash and cash equivalents primarily attributable to: (i) the closing of our underwritten public offerings in October 2013 and May 2014 for aggregate net proceeds of $57,990, (ii) the issuance of $1,850 of convertible promissory notes, which automatically converted into 256,119 shares of our common stock upon the closing of the October 2013 underwritten public offering, and (iii) net borrowings under our $12,500 amended and restated loan and security agreement.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities. Net cash used for operating activities was $21,108 for 2014 and is primarily attributable to our net loss of $26,152 and our net reduction in working capital balances of $1,036, which were offset by $6,080 in non-cash activities relating to stock-based compensation, acquired in-process research and development, depreciation and amortization expense and other non-cash activities. Net cash used for operating activities was $9,278 for 2013 and primarily reflects a net loss of $10,615, which was partially offset by $1,295 in non-cash activities relating primarily to stock-based compensation and depreciation expense.

We expect to continue to incur substantial and increasing losses and have negative net cash flows from operating activities as we seek to expand and support our clinical and preclinical development and research activities.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities. Net cash used for investing activities was $433 for 2014 as compared to $744 for 2013. The net cash used related primarily to equipment acquired for research and development activities and the purchase of intangibles.

We expect to increase our investment in equipment as we seek to expand and progress our research and development capabilities.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities for 2014 and 2013 was $34,143 and $11,361, respectively, which were primarily derived from the closing of our underwritten public offerings, cash provided by increases in net borrowings under our amended and restated loan and security agreement.

Future Liquidity Needs. From inception through September 30, 2014, we have principally financed our operations through underwritten public offerings and private equity financings with aggregate net proceeds of $79,796, as we have not generated any product related revenue from our planned principal operations to date, and do not expect to generate significant revenue for several

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years, if ever. We will need to raise additional capital before we exhaust our current cash resources in order to continue to fund our research and development, including our plans for clinical and preclinical trials and new product development, as well as to fund operations generally. As and if necessary, we will seek to raise additional funds through various potential sources, such as equity and debt financings, or through corporate collaboration and license agreements. We can give no assurances that we will be able to secure such additional sources of funds to support our operations, or, if such funds are available to us, that such additional financing will be sufficient to meet our needs.

In March 2014, we entered into an amended and restated loan and security agreement, increasing the September 2013 facility from $5,000 to $12,500, with two banks. The amended and restated loan was funded in March 2014, and bears interest at 7.95% per annum. We will make interest only payments on the outstanding amount of the loan on a monthly basis until October 1, 2014, after which equal monthly payments of principal and interest are due until the loan maturity date of September 30, 2017.

We anticipate that we will continue to incur net losses into the foreseeable future as we: (i) complete our BE registration trial related to Cynviloq and prepare for our New Drug Application filing anticipated in 2015, (ii) advance RTX into clinical trials and potentially pursue other human indications, (iii) fund Ark activities in anticipation of Ark securing stand-alone financing, (iv) continue to identify and advance a number of potential mAb and ADC drug candidates into preclinical and clinical development activities, (v) continue our development of, and seek regulatory approvals for, our product candidates, and begin to commercialize any approved products, and (vi) expand our corporate infrastructure, including the costs associated with being a NASDAQ listed public company. We believe we have the ability to meet all obligations due over the course of the next twelve months.

We plan to continue to fund our losses from operations and capital funding needs through public or private equity or debt financings, strategic collaborations, licensing arrangements, asset sales, government grants or other arrangements. We filed a universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which was declared effective by the SEC in July 2013. The Shelf Registration Statement provides us with the ability to offer up to $100 million of securities, including equity and other securities as described in the registration statement. After the May 2014 underwritten offering, we now have the ability to offer up to $36.6 million of additional securities. Pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, we may offer such securities from time to time and through one or more methods of distribution, subject to market conditions and our capital needs. Specific terms and prices will be determined at the time of each offering under a separate prospectus supplement, which will be filed with the SEC at the time of any offering. However, we cannot be sure that such additional funds will be available on reasonable terms, or at all. If we are unable to secure adequate additional funding, we may be forced to make reductions in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, liquidate assets where possible, and/or suspend or curtail planned programs. In addition, if we do not meet our payment obligations to third parties as they come due, we may be subject to litigation claims. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management. Any of these actions could materially harm our business, results of operations, and future prospects.

If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, substantial dilution to existing stockholders would result. If we raise additional funds by incurring debt financing, the terms of the debt may involve significant cash payment obligations as well as covenants and specific financial ratios that may restrict our ability to operate our business.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Since our inception through September 30, 2014, we have not engaged in any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 1, “Nature of Operations, Summary of Significant Accounting Polices and Business Activities,” in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. 

 As a smaller reporting company, as defined by Section 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K, we are not required to provide the information set forth in this Item.

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures.

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s regulations, rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. As required by Rule 13a-15(b) promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on the foregoing, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings.

To the best of our knowledge, we are not a party to any legal proceedings that, individually or in the aggregate, are deemed to be material to our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, Part I –Item 1A, Risk Factors, describes important risk factors that could cause our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects to differ materially from those indicated or suggested by forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q or presented elsewhere by management from time to time. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business.

There have been no material changes in our risk factors since the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

Item 6.

Exhibits.

The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and such Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

 

 

Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Date: November 4, 2014

 

By:  

 

/s/ Henry Ji, PH.D. 

 

 

 

 

Henry Ji, Ph.D.

 

 

 

 

Director, Chief Executive Officer & President

 

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

Date: November 4, 2014

 

By:  

 

/s/ Richard G. Vincent 

 

 

 

 

Richard G. Vincent

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.2*

 

Exclusive License and Development Agreement between Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. and China Oncology Focus Limited dated October 2, 2014.

 

10.3

 

Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement between Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc., Oxford Finance LLC and Silicon Valley Bank dated October 30, 2014.

 

 

 

31.1

  

Certification of Henry Ji, Ph.D., Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.

 

 

 

31.2

  

Certification of Richard G. Vincent, Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.

 

 

 

32.1

  

Certification of Henry Ji, Ph.D., Principal Executive Officer, and Richard G. Vincent, Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.

 

 

 

101.INS

  

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

101.SCH

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

 

101.CAL

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.DEF

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.LAB

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.PRE

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

*Portions of this exhibit were omitted and filed separately with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.

 

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