ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
We are an innovative drug delivery company engaged in the research, development and commercialization of technologies and products intended to address safe use of medications. We have discovered or are developing three proprietary platform technologies which can be used to develop multiple products. Our LIMITx™ Technology is being developed to minimize the risks associated with drug overdose, our Aversion® Technology is intended to address methods of abuse associated with opioid analgesics while our Impede® Technology is directed at minimizing the extraction and conversion of pseudoephedrine, or PSE, into methamphetamine.
Our LIMITx Technology is development stage technology designed to retard the release of active drug ingredients when too many tablets are accidentally or purposefully ingested by neutralizing stomach acid with buffer ingredients but deliver efficacious amounts of drug when taken as a single tablet with a nominal buffer dose. This is accomplished by binding the active ingredient in an acid soluble micro-particle and combining the micro-particles with a buffering (antacid) agent into a tablet. As more tablets are introduced into the GI tract, the stomach pH is increased and the dissolution of the micro-particles is compromised. FDA draft guidance on opioids specifically highlights the benefits of the risk mitigation of opioid overdose which we believe our LIMITx technology addresses. We have completed four clinical studies of various product formulations utilizing the LIMITx Technology which have demonstrated proof-of-concept for the LIMITx Technology and will allow us to advance a product to development for a New Drug Application, or NDA. Study AP-LTX-400, or Study 400, and Study AP-LTX-401, or Study 401, both utilizing our LTX-04 hydromorphone formulation demonstrated the mean maximum drug concentration in blood, or Cmax, was reduced in healthy adult fasted subjects by 50% to 65% when excessive buffer levels were ingested or a situation consistent with over-ingestion of tablets. Study AP-LTX-301, or Study 301 demonstrated drug Cmax from LTX-03, a LIMITx hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen combination product, in healthy adult fasted subjects trended toward bioequivalence in test formulations A through E and showed an increasing reduction in Cmax for formulations F through H; in which formulations A though H had increasing incremental amounts of buffer starting with no buffer in formulation A. We believe the results of Study 301 demonstrated that LTX-03 is a formulation that optimizes the balance between effective blood levels of drug for pain relief at a single tablet dose while retarding bioavailability of drug when multiple tablets are ingested. The FDA designated the development program for LTX-04 as Fast Track, which is designed to facilitate the development, and expedite the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. We intend to advance LTX-03, which combines the hydrocodone micro-particles, acetaminophen and buffer ingredients into a single tablet, as our lead LIMITx product candidate due to its larger market size and its known prevalence of oral excessive tablet abuse, and we voluntarily placed the Investigational New Drug Application, or IND, for LTX-04 on inactive status. We submitted an IND for LTX-03 to the FDA in the first quarter of 2018 in order to advance to NDA development, which became effective in April 2018.
On June 28, 2019, we entered into License, Development and Commercialization Agreement with Abuse Deterrent Pharma, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company (“AD Pharma”), a special purpose company representing a consortium of investors that will finance Acura’s operations and completion of development of LTX-03. The Agreement grants AD Pharma exclusive commercialization rights in the United States to LTX-03.
All opioids are labeled for respiratory depression/death risk of overdose. According to the CDC, suicide deaths in the US increased 25% to 45,000 from 1999 to 2016 with over half having no prior mental health symptoms. Approximately 15% of suicides are due to poisoning, which includes opioid overdosing. The prevalence of chronic pain in suicide decedents topped 10% in 2014. Forensic data for hydrocodone deaths indicates the median blood level at the time of death is 16 fold the maximum blood level (Cmax) for a 10mg hydrocodone dose. The physiology of opioid induced respiratory depression has been described in animal models. The correlation between Cmax and respiratory depression and death has not been documented although Acura has completed a small animal study demonstrating an association between opioid Cmax and onset of acute respiratory depression which increases the probability of death.
Oxaydo Tablets (oxycodone HCl, CII), which utilizes our Aversion Technology, is the first FDA approved immediate-release oxycodone product in the United States with abuse deterrent labeling. On January 7, 2015, we entered into a Collaboration and License Agreement with Egalet US, Inc. and Egalet Ltd., each a subsidiary of Egalet Corporation (now known as Zyla Life Sciences), or collectively Zyla, pursuant to which we exclusively licensed to Zyla worldwide rights to manufacture and commercialize Oxaydo. Oxaydo is currently approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, for marketing in the United States in 5mg and 7.5mg strengths. Zyla launched Oxaydo in the United States late in the third quarter of 2015 and we are receiving royalties on net sales. We are not actively developing product candidates utilizing our Aversion Technology.
According to the 2017 CDC Drug Surveillance Report, opioid analgesics are one of the largest prescription drug markets in the United States with 214 million prescriptions dispensed in 2016. Prescription opioids are also the most widely abused drugs with 12 million people abusing or misusing these products annually. According to IMS Health, in 2016, sales in the immediate-release opioid product segment, where our products are expected to compete, were approximately 194 million prescriptions, of which approximately 95% was attributable to generic products with no known safety features.
Nexafed, our first Impede Technology product, was launched into the United States market in December 2012 and Nexafed Sinus Pressure + Pain product was introduced in February 2015. On March 16, 2017, we and MainPointe Pharmaceuticals, LLC, or MainPointe, entered into a License, Commercialization and Option Agreement, or the MainPointe Agreement, pursuant to which we granted MainPointe an exclusive license to our Impede Technology in the U.S. and Canada to commercialize our Nexafed products. The MainPointe Agreement also grants MainPointe the option to expand the licensed territory to the European Union, Japan and South Korea and to add additional pseudoephedrine-containing products utilizing our Impede Technology. MainPointe is controlled by John Schutte (Mr. Schutte), who became our largest shareholder pursuant to a private placement completed in July 2017. On January 1, 2020, MainPointe assigned to AD Pharma, all of its right, title and interest in the Agreement between MainPointe and Acura dated March 16, 2017. We understand MainPointe continues to market the Nexafed products for AD Pharma. We are not actively developing product candidates utilizing our Impede Technology.
In 2014, the United States retail market for over-the-counter market, or OTC, cold and allergy products containing the pseudoephedrine oral nasal decongestant was approximately $0.7 billion. In 2014, the DEA reported 9,339 laboratory incidents involving the illegal use of OTC pseudoephedrine products to manufacture the highly addictive drug methamphetamine, or meth. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, users of methamphetamine surged in 20167 to 774,000 people up from 440,000 people in 2012.
We conduct research, development, laboratory, non-commercial manufacturing, and warehousing activities at our operations facility in Culver, Indiana and lease an administrative office in Palatine, Illinois. In addition to internal capabilities and activities, we engage numerous clinical research organizations, or CROs, with expertise in regulatory affairs, clinical trial design and monitoring, clinical data management, biostatistics, medical writing, laboratory testing and related services. Our Supply Agreements with two third-party pharmaceutical product manufacturers and packagers to supply our commercial requirements for our Nexafed and Nexafed Sinus Pressure + Pain products were assigned to MainPointe in accordance with the MainPointe Agreement.
Our Strategy
Our goal is to become a leading specialty pharmaceutical company focused on addressing the safe use of pharmaceuticals by developing a broad portfolio of technologies and products with enhanced safety features and benefits. Specifically, we intend to:
·Capitalize on our experience and expertise in the research and development of innovative drug delivery technologies that address medication safety. We have one FDA approved product containing our Aversion Technology commercially launched in the United States by our licensee, and two products commercially launched containing our Impede Technology. We are currently devoting our efforts to product candidates utilizing our LIMITx Technology, which we believe will offer a significant measure of safety to those who would intentionally or otherwise ingest excessive number of tablets.
·Leverage our technologies by developing a full line of pharmaceutical products which utilize our proprietary technologies. Medication abuse and misuse is not limited to single drugs but often pervades entire drug categories. We intend to develop or collaborate with strategically focused pharmaceutical companies to develop multiple products with our technologies, and are seeking licensing partners for products in development utilizing our LIMITx Technology.
·Commercialize our products by licensing to strategically focused companies in the United States and other geographic territories. We have licensed our Oxaydo product to Zyla for commercialization, have licensed our Aversion Technology to KemPharm for use in certain of its prodrug products, have licensed our Nexafed products utilizing our Impede Technology to MainPointe/AD Pharma for commercialization (and granted MainPointe and AD Pharma options to other Impede products), and we entered into an agreement with AD Pharma that will finance Acura’s operations, provide for the completion of development of LTX-03 and grants them exclusive commercialization rights in the United States to LTX-03. Additionally, we are seeking other licensing partners for other product candidates utilizing our LIMITx, Aversion and Impede technologies.
·Maintain an efficient internal cost structure. Our internal cost structure is focused on discovering new technologies and developing product formulations using those technologies. We outsource many high cost elements of development and commercialization, such as clinical trials and commercial manufacturing that minimize required fixed overhead and capital investment and thereby reduces our business risk.
Misuse or Abuse of Prescription Opioid Products and Development of Risk Mitigation Formulations
Prescription opioids drugs, such as morphine and oxycodone, have a long history of use for the management of pain. Because they are highly effective, they are one of the largest prescribed drug categories in the U.S. However, a side effect of high doses of opioids is euphoria, or “a high”. For these reasons, opioids are the most misused or abused prescription drugs in the U.S. Opioids are offered in a variety of dosages including immediate-release tablets (or capsules), extended-release tablets (or capsules), patches and other formats. Those who misuse or abuse drugs will often do so in one of the following manners:
·Oral Excessive Tablet Abuse (ETA). Generally recognized as the most prevalent route of administration by abusers, the abuser simply orally ingests more tablets (or capsules) than is recommended for pain relief.
·Oral Manipulated Tablet Abuse (MTA). Extended-release tablets or patches are sometimes crushed, chewed or otherwise physically or chemically manipulated to defeat the extended-release mechanism and provide an immediate-release of the opioid for oral ingestion.
·Nasal snorting. Crushed tablets are insufflated for absorption of the drug through the nasal tissues.
·Injection. The opioid is physically or chemically removed from the dosage and injected into the vein using a syringe.
·Poly-pharmacy. Opioids are sometimes used in conjunction with alcohol, methamphetamine, or other drugs to accentuate the high.
·Overdose. Drug abusers may accidentally introduce excessive quantities of drugs in their systems or combine drugs that may heighten the chance of adverse effects of drugs, Some patients may over ingest drugs accidentally or with the express intent of suicide.
Safe use technology formulations incorporate physical and/or chemical barriers or functionality in the products to prevent or discourage a user from inappropriately administering the product. The extent and manner in which any of the features of these formulations may be described in the FDA approved label for our pipeline products will be dependent on the results of and the acceptance by the FDA of our and our licensees’ studies for each product.
Development of safe use products typically require one or more studies. These studies may include in vitro laboratory studies (which may include but not be limited to: syringeability of the formulation, extractability of the active ingredient, and particle size of the crushed product) animal studies (which may include but not be limited to: respiratory depression), and human clinical studies (which may include but not be limited to: human abuse liability, respiratory depression studies) comparing the benefits of our product candidates to currently marketed products. Because our products use known active ingredients in approved dosage strengths, the safety and efficacy of the opioid will need to be established by a series of pharmacokinetic studies demonstrating: (a) bioequivalence to an approved reference drug, (b) food effect of our formulations, (c) dose proportionality of our formulation, and (d) other external impacts to our unique formulations. A product candidate that does not achieve satisfactory pharmacokinetic results may require a phase III clinical efficacy study.
Further development will likely also entail additional safety and/or efficacy assessment as may be identified by the FDA for each specific formulation during the Investigational New Drug application, or IND, or NDA phase of development. In accordance with the FDA’s 2015 Guidance, we will likely have a post-approval requirement for each of our opioid products, if approved, to perform an epidemiology study to assess the in-market impact on abuse of our formulation and most approved opioid products are subject to an FDA approved risk evaluation and mitigations strategy (REMS).
Overdose Risk Mitigation - Products and Development
Any drug may initiate severe unwanted side effects when overdosed. For example, a known and FDA labelled side effect of the overdose of opioids is respiratory depression. High doses of opioids can affect the respiratory center of the brain resulting in a slowing and/or shallowing of the breathing which increases carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood stream. Opioids also impact ancillary CO2 monitoring of the blood preventing the body from taking corrective action. The increased CO2 and resulting decrease in oxygen in the blood systematically shuts down body systems and may result in death.
Abusers as well as legitimate pain patients are at risk of overdose. In some cases, overdose is accidental but anecdotal reports indicate suicide rates among pain patient are increasing presumably due to their inability to access the pain medications they need to manage their condition.
In June 2019, FDA issued a draft for public comment guidance on a Benefit-Risk Assessment Framework for Opioid Analgesic Drugs. The guidance indicates FDA will “consider the public health risks of the [opioid] drug related to misuse, abuse, opioid use disorder, accidental exposure, and overdose in both patients and nonpatients, as well as any properties of the drug that may mitigate such risks. We intend to develop our LIMITx Technology products consistent with this pending guidance and perform studies to demonstrate our drug candidates have properties to mitigate the risk of overdose. Further development will likely also entail additional safety and/or efficacy assessment as may be identified by the FDA for each specific formulation during the Investigational New Drug application, or IND, or NDA phase of development.
LIMITx™ Technology
LIMITx Technology is intended to address the accidental or intentional consumption of multiple tablets and provide a margin of safety against respiratory depression. We believe these benefits for opioids are consistent with FDA’s proposed direction to require all newly approved opioid products to have features of benefits that provide safety or efficacy benefits over existing available opioid therapies.
LIMITx Technology Products in Development
We have the following products in development utilizing our LIMITx Technology:
LIMITx Technology Products Status
Immediate-release hydrocodone bitartrate with acetaminophen (LTX-03)
Initial buffer dose ranging study completed October 2017
Follow on dose ranging study completed in January 2018
Manufacturing scale-up initiated. Formulation and manufacturing process optimized for commercial scale. Certain ancillary manufacturing equipment is on order.
Immediate-release oxycodone HCl (LTX-01) & (LTX-02) Formulation development in process
Immediate-release non-opioid drug (LTX-09) Formulation development in process
Immediate-release hydromorphone HCI (LTX-04) Two Phase I exploratory pharmacokinetic studies completed. IND no longer active.
Study 400
Study 400 was a two cohort, open label, crossover design pharmacokinetic study of LTX-04 in healthy adult subjects. Study 400 measured the rate and extent of absorption of the active drug ingredient into the bloodstream with the maximum concentration, or Cmax, typically associated with an increase in drug abuse. Cohort 1 enrolled 30 subjects who were randomized into three subgroups of 10 taking either 1, 2 or 3 tablets. Each subgroup subject orally swallowed the planned number of tablets in a randomized manner taking single doses of two different test formulations of LTX-04 (designated as LTX-04P and LTX-04S and distinguished by their respective acid neutralizing capacity) and Purdue Pharma’s marketed drug Dilaudid® as a comparator. The 1, 2 and 3 tablets subgroups in Cohort 1 completed 8, 10 and 8 subjects, respectively.
Cohort 2 enrolled 30 subjects who were randomized into three subgroups of 10 taking either 4, 6 or 8 tablets. Each subgroup subject orally swallowed the planned number of tablets in a randomized manner taking single doses of LTX-04P and the marketed drug Dilaudid as a comparator. The 4, 6 and 8 tablets subgroups in Cohort 2 completed 8, 9 and 8 subjects, respectively.
All tablets contained 2mg of hydromorphone hydrochloride. All subjects received doses of naltrexone and there was a one week washout between doses. Blood samples were taken at pre-designated time-points after dosing and were subsequently analyzed for the concentration of hydromorphone contained in the sample. All subjects in Cohort 1 had continuous pH (a measure of acid concentration) monitoring of their gastric fluid. The objective of Cohort 1 was to determine if adequate active drug entered the blood stream when one or two LIMITx tablets were swallowed and to begin assessing the ability of the LIMITx Technology to start retarding the release of active ingredients when three tablets are ingested. The objective of Cohort 2 was to further explore the extent the release of the hydromorphone active ingredient from LTX-04P tablets is retarded as the dose level increases to abusive levels.
The topline results from Study 400 demonstrated that a single tablet dose delivered a Cmax of 45% and 50% lower than the reference drug for LTX-04S and LTX-04P, respectively. For an 8 tablet dose, the Cmax for LTX-04P was 59% lower than the reference drug. Doses between 1 and 8 tablets had similar reduction in Cmax compared to the reference. The extent of drug absorption, measure by area under the curve (AUC) was consistent between the LIMITx products and the reference.
On December 14, 2016, we announced that we had received advice from the FDA on the continued development of LTX-04 following the FDA’s review of summary data from Study 400. The FDA confirmed our intention to reformulate LTX-04 to provide increased drug levels following an intended 1 or 2 tablet dose, noting that a scientific bridge of bioequivalence to the reference product will support a finding of safety and efficacy. The FDA also recommended that we identify studies to measure the clinical impact on abuser behavior and overdose outcome (such as drug liking and respiratory depression) associated with the reduction in Cmax when three or more LTX-04 tablets were ingested. The FDA’s advice also identified longer term studies necessary for submitting a NDA for LTX-04, including in vitro extraction studies, drug interaction studies, additional pharmacokinetic studies assessing the impact of food and beverages, and a category 3 abuse liability study.
Study 401
Study 401, completed in June 2017, also was a two cohort, open label, crossover design pharmacokinetic study in fasted, health adult subjects. Study 401 utilized a modified LTX-04 formulation containing micro-particles intended to improve drug delivery with one and two tablet dosing (LTX-04P3). Study 401 measured the rate and extent of absorption of the active drug ingredient into the blood stream with the Cmax typically associated with an increase in drug abuse. 27 subjects completed Cohort 1 swallowing a single dose tablet of LTX-04 compared to a generic hydromorphone tablet. 13 subjects completed Cohort 2 swallowing 7 LTX-04 and generic tablets doses. 15 subjects followed an undisclosed, exploratory protocol.
All tablets contained 2 mg of hydromorphone hydrochloride. All subjects received dosages of naltrexone and/or naloxone and there was a one week washout between dosages. Blood samples were taken at pre-designated time-points after dosing and were subsequently analyzed for the concentration of hydromorphone contained in the sample. The objective of Cohort 1 was to determine if adequate active drug entered the bloodstream when one LIMITx tablet was swallowed. The objective of Cohort 2 was to explore the extent to which the release of the hydromorphone active ingredient from LTX-04 tablets is retarded at a seven tablet dose (oral excess abuse levels). A safety assessment of LIMITx hydromorphone would be made from both study cohorts.
The topline results from Study 401 demonstrated that Cmax for a one tablet LTX-04P3 dose was approximately 50% less than the active comparator. The Cmax for the 7 tablet LTX-04P3 dose was 65% below the comparator. Study 401 also included a 7 tablet dose of LTX-04P3 taken simultaneously with an agent known to increase gastric emptying time (i.e. increase retention time of the ingredients in the stomach) which demonstrated an increase in Tmax (time of Cmax) of over 1 hour compared to LTX-04P3 taken without this agent. Since the micro-particles used in Study 401 release drug much faster than the micro-particles used in Study 400, we have concluded that the buffer levels used in both studies were excessive and is retarding the release of drug even with a single dose. Also, given that manipulating the duration of stomach acidity with a gastric emptying agent produced a significant increase in Tmax which is indicative of a delayed release of drug from LTX-04P3, we concluded the LIMITx micro-particles are working as designed in that when we neutralize the stomach acid we are slowing the release of drug and subsequent absorption of drug into the blood stream.
We believe the results from Study 400 and 401 indicate the micro-particle are working as designed but that we used too much buffer for even a single tablet and did not achieve full release of the drug at a 1 tablet dose.
Study
Study 301 was an open-label, parallel design pharmacokinetic study testing our LIMITx formulation LTX-03 in 72 fasted healthy adult subjects randomized into 9 groups (8 subjects per group). One group swallowed a single Norco® 10/325mg tablet, the marketed comparator or reference drug. The remaining 8 groups swallowed a single LTX-03 tablet with increasing buffering amounts starting with no buffer, LTX-03 formulations A through H, respectively. All 72 subjects completed the study and the doses were generally well tolerated with no serious adverse events. One subject in the Formulation E group was not analyzed due to emesis. LTX-03 is a combination of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen.
In Study 301 bioequivalence (BE) was examined to generate information for future registration studies. Results demonstrated a trend toward BE for both active ingredients in LTX-03 formulations A through E. Formulation E had BE ratios (log transformed) for hydrocodone of 0.89 and 0.97 for Cmax and Area Under the Curve (AUC), respectively. In this small sample size study both hydrocodone BE confidence intervals were below the acceptable lower BE range of 0.80 at 0.74 and 0.79 for Cmax and AUC, respectively. For acetaminophen, Formulation E’s BE Ratios were 1.15 and 1.03 for Cmax and AUC, respectively. While the acetaminophen AUC’s met the BE standards, the Cmax upper confidence interval of 1.61 was above the acceptable upper BE range of 1.25. We believe that bioequivalence of this formulation may be achieved by reducing data variability that can be achieved through an adequately powered crossover study design with sufficient numbers of subjects in the study. For LTX-03 Formulations F though H, the higher buffer level tablets, Study 301 demonstrated a progressively increasing reduction in hydrocodone Cmax culminating in a 34% Cmax reduction associated with Formulation H, the highest level evaluated. The Cmax for acetaminophen did not decline in Formulations F through H in Study 301.
We believe that Study 301 identified a formulation that optimizes the balance between providing therapeutic blood levels of drug for pain relief at a single tablet dose while retarding the bioavailability of drug when higher buffer levels are ingested.
Non-clinical Study APT-RDR-300
Study APT-RDR-300 was a non-clinical study of respiratory depression in which five groups of 11 Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered doses of hydrocodone ranging from 100mg of drug per kg of body weight (mg/kg) up to 300 mg/kg. 8 subjects in each group were measured for opioid induced respiratory depression (OIRD) assessing peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) of the blood over a 4 hour observation period. 36 subjects were analyzed as successfully completing the dosing. The additional 3 subjects in each group provided blood samples analyzed for hydrocodone at .5, 1, 2 and 4 hours post-dosing.
In Study APT-RDR-300 all doses above 100 mg/kg demonstrated with statistical significance (p<.05) SpO2 measured OIRD at all time points post-dosing. The 100 mg/kg dose was not statistically significant for OIRD at any time point post-dosing. The mortality rate was correlated with higher doses. In all animals exhibiting OIRD, OIRD was acutely evident within 30 minutes of dosing which was consistent with the Cmax of the hydrocodone dose. Increased Cmax was generally associated with an increased prevalence of acute OIRD (SpO2 ≤70%). Approximately 50% of animals reaching this acute OIRD level resulted in death. Due to a high variability in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics observed in the study, no further associations were possible. Acura believes the results of this study generally support the development of opioid products with a reduction in Cmax in overdose situations.
We intend to advance LTX-03 to clinical development for a New Drug Application (NDA). Therefore, we submitted an Investigational New Drug Application, or IND with respect to LTX-03, to the FDA in the first quarter of 2018, which became effective in April 2018. We have completed a manufacturing formulation and manufacturing process optimization study for LTX-03. We are currently conducting the scale-up of the commercial manufacturing process as to-be-marketed formulations are required for all NDA development work. We are currently awaiting delivery of certain ancillary equipment for use in manufacturing the drug micro-particles before scale-up work can commence. Among other things, we believe we will have to demonstrate a scientific link between Cmax reductions and a reduction in the risk of respiratory depression.
AD Pharma Agreement covering LTX-03
On June 28, 2019 we announced a License, Development and Commercialization Agreement (the "Agreement") with Abuse Deterrent Pharma, LLC (“AD Pharma”), a special purpose company representing a consortium of investors that will finance Acura’s operations and completion of development of LTX-03 (hydrocodone bitartrate with acetaminophen) immediate-release tablets utilizing Acura’s patented LIMITx™ technology which addresses the consequences of excess oral administration of opioid tablets, the most prevalent route of opioid overdose and abuse. AD Pharma retains commercialization rights from which Acura will be entitled to receive royalties and potential sales related milestones.
The Agreement grants AD Pharma exclusive commercialization rights in the United States to LTX-03. Financial arrangements include monthly license payments by AD Pharma of $350,000 up to the earlier of November 30, 2020 or FDA’s acceptance of a New Drug Application (“NDA”) for LTX-03 and reimbursement by AD Pharma of Acura’s LTX-03 outside development expenses. Upon commercialization of LTX-03, Acura receives stepped royalties on sales and is eligible for certain sales related milestones.
AD Pharma may terminate the Agreement at any time. Additionally, if the NDA for LTX-03 is not accepted by the FDA by November 30, 2020, AD Pharma has the option to terminate the Agreement and take ownership of the LIMITx intellectual property. Should AD Pharma choose not to exercise this option to terminate and the NDA for LTX-03 is subsequently accepted by the FDA, such option expires.
We also granted authority to MainPointe Pharmaceuticals, LLC (MainPointe) to assign to AD Pharma the option and the right to add, as an Option Product to the Nexafed® Agreement, a Nexafed® 12-hour dosage (an extended-release pseudoephedrine hydrochloride product utilizing the IMPEDE® Technology in 120mg dosage strength). In March 2017, we granted MainPointe an exclusive license to our IMPEDE ® Technology to commercialize our Nexafed® and Nexafed® Sinus Pressure + Pain Products in the United States and Canada. On January 1, 2020, MainPointe assigned to AD Pharma, with Acura’s consent, all of its right, title and interest in the MainPointe Agreement between MainPointe and Acura dated March 16, 2017. We understand that MainPointe continues to market the Nexafed products.
Mr. Schutte is our largest shareholder and directly owns approximately 47.5% of our common stock (after giving effect to the exercise of warrants he holds). Mr. Schutte also controls MainPointe and is an investor in AD Pharma.
Aversion Technology
Aversion Technology incorporates gelling ingredients and irritants into tablets to discourage abuse by snorting and provide barriers to abuse by injection. Our Aversion Technology and related opioid products, like Oxaydo, are covered by claims in six issued U.S. patents, which expire between November 2023 and March 2025. Our Aversion Technology products are intended to provide the same therapeutic benefits of the active drug ingredient as currently marketed products containing the same active pharmaceutical ingredient.
Oxaydo Tablets
Oxaydo (oxycodone HCI tablets) is a Schedule II narcotic indicated for the management of acute and chronic moderate to severe pain where the use of an opioid analgesic is appropriate. On January 7, 2015, we entered into a Collaboration and License Agreement with Zyla pursuant to which we exclusively licensed to Zyla worldwide rights to manufacture and commercialize Oxaydo. Oxaydo is approved in 5mg and 7.5mg strengths. Zyla commenced shipping Oxaydo in the United States in October 2015.
The 2017 market for immediate-release oxycodone products was approximately 30 million dispensed prescriptions or 1.7 billion tablets. The current market is predominately serviced by generic formulations that contain no abuse deterrent features and sell for approximately $0.10 to $0.40 per tablet, depending on strength. Immediate-release opioids are prescribed by a broad cross-section of healthcare providers including primary care physicians, surgeons and pain specialists. We believe Oxaydo, given its differentiated label compared to generic products, can offer an alternative for opioid prescribing physicians concerned with the abuse or diversion for abuse of their prescriptions even at premium pricing to generics
The safety and efficacy of Oxaydo 5mg and 7.5mg tablets was established by demonstrating bioequivalence to commercially available oxycodone immediate-release tablets in the fasted state. Oxaydo differs from oxycodone tablets when taken with a high fat meal though these differences are not considered clinically relevant, and Oxaydo can be taken without regard to food. The FDA-approved label for Oxaydo describes elements unique to our Aversion Technology, which differs from current commercially available oxycodone immediate-release tablets. The label for Oxaydo includes the results from a clinical study that evaluated the effects of nasally snorting crushed Oxaydo and commercially available oxycodone tablets, and limitations on exposing Oxaydo tablets to water and other solvents and administration through feeding tubes. The clinical study evaluated 40 non-dependent recreational opioid users, who self-administered the equivalent of 15mg of oxycodone. After accounting for a first sequence effect, the study demonstrated:
·30% of subjects exposed to Oxaydo responded that they would not take the drug again compared to 5% of subjects exposed to immediate-release oxycodone;
·subjects taking Oxaydo reported a higher incidence of nasopharyngeal and facial adverse events compared to immediate-release oxycodone;
·a decreased ability to completely insufflate two crushed Oxaydo tablets within a fixed time period (21 of 40 subjects), while all subjects were able to completely insufflate the entire dose of immediate-release oxycodone; and
·small numeric differences in the median and mean drug liking scores, which were lower in response to Oxaydo than immediate-release oxycodone.
Although we believe these abuse deterrent characteristics differentiate Oxaydo from immediate-release oxycodone products currently on the market, consistent with FDA guidance which requires epidemiology studies to support a claim of abuse deterrence, the clinical significance of the difference in drug liking and difference in response to taking the drug again in this study has not been established. There is no evidence that Oxaydo has a reduced abuse liability compared to immediate release oxycodone. We and Zyla have a post-approval commitment with the FDA to perform an epidemiology study to assess the actual impact on abuse of Oxaydo tablets.
Further, the Oxaydo product label guides patients not to crush and dissolve the tablets or pre-soak, lick or otherwise wet the tablets prior to administration. Similarly, caregivers are advised not to crush and dissolve the tablets or otherwise use Oxaydo for administration via nasogastric, gastric or other feeding tubes as it may cause an obstruction.
Zyla Agreement Covering Oxaydo
On January 7, 2015, we and Egalet US, Inc. and Egalet Ltd., each a subsidiary of Egalet Corporation, now known as Zyla Life Sciences or Zyla, entered into a Collaboration and License Agreement, or the Zyla Agreement, to commercialize Oxaydo tablets containing our Aversion® Technology. Oxaydo is approved by the FDA for marketing in the United States in 5 mg and 7.5 mg strengths. Under the terms of the Zyla Agreement, we transferred the approved NDA for Oxaydo to Zyla and Zyla is granted an exclusive license under our intellectual property rights for development and commercialization of Oxaydo worldwide, or the Territory, in all strengths, subject to our right to co-promote Oxaydo in the United States.
In accordance with the Zyla Agreement, we and Zyla formed a joint steering committee to oversee commercialization strategies and the development of product line extensions. Zyla pays a significant portion of the expenses relating to (i) annual NDA PDUFA program fees, (ii) expenses of the FDA required post-marketing study for Oxaydo and (iii) expenses of clinical studies for product line extensions (additional strengths) of Oxaydo for the United States and pays all of the expenses of development and regulatory approval of Oxaydo for sale outside the United States. Zyla is responsible for all manufacturing and commercialization activities in the Territory for Oxaydo. Subject to certain exceptions, Zyla has final decision making authority with respect to all development and commercialization activities for Oxaydo, including pricing, subject to our co-promotion right. Zyla may develop Oxaydo for other countries and in additional strengths, in its discretion.
Zyla paid us an upfront payment of $5.0 million upon signing of the Zyla Agreement and a $2.5 million milestone in October 2015 in connection with the launch of Oxaydo. In addition, we will be entitled to a one-time $12.5 million milestone payment when worldwide Oxaydo net sales reach $150.0 million in a calendar year. In addition, we are entitled to receive from Zyla a stepped royalty at percentage rates ranging from mid-single digits to double-digits on net sales during a calendar year based on Oxaydo net sales during such year (excluding net sales resulting from our co-promotion efforts). In any calendar year in which net sales exceed a specified threshold, we will receive a double digit royalty on all Oxaydo net sales in that year (excluding net sales resulting from our co-promotion efforts). If we exercise our co-promotion rights, we will receive a share of the gross margin attributable to incremental Oxaydo net sales from our co-promotion activities. Zyla’s royalty payment obligations commenced on the first commercial sale of Oxaydo and expire, on a country-by-country basis, upon the expiration of the last to expire valid patent claim covering Oxaydo in such country (or if there are no patent claims in such country, then upon the expiration of the last valid claim in the United States or the date when no valid and enforceable listable patent in the FDA’s Orange Book remains with respect to the Product). Royalties will be reduced upon the entry of generic equivalents, as well as for payments required to be made by Zyla to acquire intellectual property rights to commercialize Oxaydo, with an aggregate minimum floor.
The Zyla Agreement expires upon the expiration of Zyla’s royalty payment obligations in all countries. Either party may terminate the Zyla Agreement in its entirety if the other party breaches a payment obligation, or otherwise materially breaches the Zyla Agreement, subject to applicable cure periods, or in the event the other party makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, files a petition in bankruptcy or otherwise seeks relief under applicable bankruptcy laws. We also may terminate the Zyla Agreement with respect to the U.S. and other countries if Zyla materially breaches its commercialization obligations. Zyla may terminate the Zyla Agreement for convenience on 120 days prior written notice, which termination may not occur prior to the second anniversary of Zyla’s launch of Oxaydo. Termination does not affect a party’s rights accrued prior thereto, but there are no stated payments in connection with termination other than payments of obligations previously accrued. For all terminations (but not expiration), the Zyla Agreement provides for the transition of development and marketing of Oxaydo from Zyla to us, including the conveyance by Zyla to us of the trademarks and all regulatory filings and approvals relating to Oxaydo, and for Zyla’s supply of Oxaydo for a transition period.
KemPharm Agreement Covering Opioid Prodrugs
On October 13, 2016, we and KemPharm Inc., or KemPharm, entered into a worldwide License Agreement, or the KemPharm Agreement, pursuant to which we licensed our Aversion® Technology to KemPharm for its use in the development and commercialization of three products using 2 of KemPharm’s prodrug candidates. KemPharm has also been granted an option to extend the KemPharm Agreement to cover two additional prodrug candidates. KemPharm is responsible for all development, manufacturing and commercialization activities, although we may provide initial technical assistance.
Upon execution of the KemPharm Agreement, KemPharm paid us an upfront payment of $3.5 million. If KemPharm exercises its option to use our Aversion Technology with more than the 2 prodrugs licensed, then KemPharm will pay us up to $1.0 million for each additional prodrug license. In addition, we will receive from KemPharm a low single digit royalty on commercial sales by KemPharm of products developed using our Aversion Technology under the KemPharm Agreement. KemPharm’s royalty payment obligations commence on the first commercial sale of a product using our Aversion Technology and expire, on a country-by-country basis, upon the expiration of the last to expire patent claim of the Aversion Technology covering a product in such country, at which time the license for the particular product and country becomes fully paid and royalty free. As of December 31, 2019 we are unaware of KemPharm’s use of our Aversion technology under the KemPharm Agreement.
The KemPharm Agreement expires upon the expiration of KemPharm’s royalty payment obligations in all countries. Either party may terminate the KemPharm Agreement in its entirety if the other party materially breaches the KemPharm Agreement, subject to applicable cure periods. Acura or KemPharm may terminate the KemPharm Agreement with respect to the U.S. and other countries if the other party challenges the patents covering the licensed products. KemPharm may terminate the KemPharm Agreement for convenience on ninety (90) days prior written notice. Termination does not affect a party’s rights accrued prior thereto, but there are no stated payments in connection with termination other than payments of obligations previously accrued. For all terminations (but not expiration), the KemPharm Agreement provides for termination of our license grant to KemPharm.
Aversion Technology Development Opioid Products
We have suspended further development of our Aversion hydrocodone/APAP product candidate, in order to focus our time and available resources on the development of our LIMITx Technology product candidates. We currently have 6 additional opioids at various stages of formulation development using the Aversion Technology which are not being actively developed.
Abuse of Pseudoephedrine Products
The chemical structure of pseudoephedrine, or PSE, is very similar to methamphetamine, facilitating a straight-forward chemical conversion to methamphetamine. OTC PSE products are sometimes purchased and used for this conversion. There are multiple known processes to convert PSE to methamphetamine, all of which are not complex and do not require specialized equipment; however, many do require readily available but uncommon ingredients. Two of the three most popular processes follow two general processing steps: (1) dissolving the PSE tablets in a solvent to isolate, by filtration, purified PSE and (2) a chemical reduction of the PSE into methamphetamine for drying into crystals. The third method, or the “one-pot” method, involves the direct chemical reduction of the PSE to methamphetamine in the presence of the tablet’s inactive ingredients. All the solvents used are ultimately dried off or otherwise removed, so a wide range of solvents are amenable to the process.
Impede Technology Products
Our initial Impede 1.0 Technology being used in Nexafed Sinus Pressure + Pain contains a proprietary mixture of inactive ingredients, prevents the extraction of PSE from tablets using known extraction methods and disrupts the direct conversion of PSE from tablets into methamphetamine.
We have developed a next generation Impede 2.0 Technology with additional inactive ingredients to improve the meth-resistance of our technology which is currently used in Nexafed Tablets. One-pot, direct conversion meth testing performed by our CRO on the following commercially available products resulted in:
Total methamphetamine HCl recovered from the equivalent of 100 PSE 30mg tablets divided by the maximum theoretical yield of 2.7 grams.
Total methamphetamine HCl recovered from the equivalent of 100 PSE 30mg tablets divided by the total weight of powder recovered.
We have previously demonstrated in a pilot clinical study the bioequivalence of a formulation of our Nexafed extended release tablets utilizing our Impede 2.0 Technology to Sudafed® 12-hour Tablets.
Nexafed Products and the MainPointe Agreement
Nexafed and Nexafed Sinus Pressure + Pain, consist of immediate release tablets. Nexafed is a 30mg pseudoephedrine tablet which until the third quarter of 2017 incorporated our patented Impede 1.0 Technology and commencing in such quarter incorporated our Impede 2.0 Technology. Nexafed Sinus Pressure + Pain is a 30/325mg pseudoephedrine and acetaminophen tablet which incorporates our Nexafed 1.0 Technology. PSE is a widely-used nasal decongestant available in many non-prescription and prescription cold, sinus and allergy products. While the 30mg PSE tablet is not the largest selling PSE product on the market, we believe it is the most often used product to make meth due to: (a) its relatively low selling price and (b) its simpler formulation provides better meth yields.
We have demonstrated that our Nexafed 30mg tablets are bioequivalent to Johnson & Johnson’s Sudafed 30mg Tablets when a single 2 tablet dose is administered. Commencing in 2006, the CMEA, required all non-prescription PSE products to be held securely behind the pharmacy counter, has set monthly consumer purchase volume limits, and has necessitated consumer interaction with pharmacy personnel to purchase PSE-containing products.
On March 16, 2017, we and MainPointe entered into a License, Commercialization and Option Agreement, or the MainPointe Agreement, pursuant to which we granted MainPointe an exclusive license to our Impede Technology to commercialize our Nexafed products in the U.S. and Canada. We also conveyed to MainPointe our existing inventory and equipment relating to our Nexafed products. MainPointe is responsible for all development, manufacturing and commercialization activities with respect to products covered by the Agreement and controls the marketing and sale of our Nexafed products.
On signing the MainPointe Agreement, MainPointe paid us an upfront licensing fee of $2.5 million plus approximately $425 thousand for inventory and equipment being transferred. The MainPointe Agreement also provides for our receipt of a 7.5% royalty on net sales of licensed products. The royalty payment for each product will expire on a country-by-country basis when the Impede® patent rights for such country have expired or are no longer valid; provided that if no Impede patent right exists in a country, then the royalty term for that country will be the same as the royalty term for the United States. After the expiration of a royalty term for a country, MainPointe retains a royalty free license to our Impede® Technology for products covered by the Agreement in such country.
MainPointe has the option to expand the licensed territory beyond the United States and Canada to the European Union (and the United Kingdom), Japan and South Korea for payments of $1.0 million, $500 thousand and $250 thousand, respectively. In addition, MainPointe has the option to add to the MainPointe Agreement certain additional products, or Option Products, containing PSE and utilizing the Impede Technology for a fee of $500 thousand per product (for all product strengths), including the product candidate Loratadine with pseudoephedrine. MainPointe has assigned and transferred its option rights to a Nexafed 12-hour formulation to AD Pharma. If the territory has been expanded prior to the exercise of a product option, the option fee will be increased to $750 thousand per product. If the territory is expanded after the payment of the $500 thousand product option fee, a one-time $250 thousand fee will be due for each product. If a third party is interested in developing or licensing rights to an Option Product, MainPointe must exercise its option for that product or its option rights for such product will terminate. On June 28, 2019, we granted authority to MainPointe to assign to AD Pharma the option and the right to add, as an Option Product to the Nexafed® Agreement, a Nexafed® 12-hour dosage (an extended-release pseudoephedrine hydrochloride product utilizing the IMPEDE® Technology in 120mg dosage strength) and waived the $500 thousand option fee.
The MainPointe Agreement may be terminated by either party for a material breach of the other party, or by Acura if MainPointe challenges certain of its patents. Upon early termination of the MainPointe Agreement, MainPointe’s licenses to the Impede Technology and all products will terminate. Upon termination, at Acura’s request the parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to transition the Nexafed® and Nexafed® Sinus Pressure + Pain products back to Acura.
On January 1, 2020, MainPointe assigned to AD Pharma, with Acura’s consent, all of its right, title and interest in the MainPointe Agreement between MainPointe and Acura dated March 16, 2017.
Other Impede Technology Products
Given the fragmented nature of the PSE market with products containing multiple active ingredients, we have developed additional products for our Nexafed franchise:
Impede Technology Products Status
Extended-release formulation utilizing Impede 2.0 Technology
Pilot pharmacokinetic testing demonstrated bioequivalence to Sudafed® 12-hour Tablets.
Pre-IND meeting held with the FDA
No imminent development planned
Extended-release combination products No imminent development planned
Loratadine with pseudoephedrine No imminent development planned
In July 2015, we had a pre-IND meeting with the FDA to discuss the results from our pharmacokinetic and meth-resistance testing studies to determine the development path for our extended-release development product. The FDA acknowledged the potential value of the development of risk-mitigating strategies for new formulations of pseudoephedrine products while also recognizing an approved “meth-deterrent” extended release pseudoephedrine product would be novel in the over-the-counter (OTC) setting. The FDA did not make a formal determination whether “meth-resistant” claims would be appropriate but is open to consider such an appropriately worded, evidence-based claim directed to the consumer and/or retailer. As recommended by the FDA, we have submitted additional “meth-resistant” testing information to the FDA for review prior to submitting an IND. In October 2016, we received FDA recommendations on our meth-resistant testing protocols for our Nexafed extended release tablets. We can now scale-up our manufacture batch size at a contract manufacturer which allows us to submit an IND to the FDA for our Nexafed extended release tablets, however, we have not yet committed to that level of development.
In March 2017, we completed a pilot pharmacokinetic study for the PSE and loratadine combination product using our Impede 1.0 Technology. The study in 24 healthy adult subjects demonstrated sufficient, but not bioequivalent blood levels of PSE to the comparator while the second active ingredient achieved bioequivalence. Based on the product profile, we believe this formulation can be moved into final development for a 505(b)(2) NDA submission. The Company has upgraded a portion of this formulation with its Impede 2.0 Technology.
U.S. Market Opportunity for Impede PSE Products
PSE is a widely-used nasal decongestant available in many non-prescription and prescription cold, sinus and allergy products. PSE is sold in products as the only active ingredient in both immediate and extended-release products. In addition, PSE is combined with other cold, sinus and allergy ingredients such as pain relievers, cough suppressants and antihistamines. PSE also competes against phenylephrine, an alternate nasal decongestant available in non-prescription products. In 2014, a data service reported approximately $0.7 billion in retail sales of non-prescription products containing PSE. The top retail selling PSE OTC cold/allergy products in 2014 were:
Branded product only. Does not include store brand sales.
Extended release PSE formulations
The 2014 market for 30mg PSE tablets, including store brands was approximately 470 million tablets or 19 million boxes of 24 tablets. MainPointe controls the price of Nexafed and Nexafed Sinus under the terms of the MainPointe Agreement. The market for cold, sinus and allergy products is highly competitive and many products have strong consumer brand recognition and, in some cases, prescription drug heritage. Category leading brands are often supported by national mass marketing and promotional efforts. Consumers often have a choice to purchase a less expensive store brand. Store brands contain the same active ingredients as the more popular national brands but are not supported by large marketing campaigns and are offered at a lower price. Non-prescription products are typically distributed through retail outlets including drug store chains, food store chains, independent pharmacies and mass merchandisers. The distribution outlets for PSE products are highly consolidated. According to Chain Drug Review, the top 50 drug, food and mass merchandising chains operate approximately 40,000 pharmacies in the U.S., of which 58% are operated by the four largest chains. Stocking decisions and pharmacists recommendations for these chain pharmacies are often centralized at the corporate headquarters.
Product Labeling for Impede Technology Products
Nexafed and Nexafed Sinus Pressure + Pain products are marketed pursuant to the FDA’s OTC Monograph regulations, which require that our products have labeling as specified in the regulations. Marketing for the Nexafed products includes advertising the extraction characteristics and methamphetamine-resistant benefits of these products which is supported by our published research studies.
We expect that any of our other Impede Technology products that are marketed pursuant to an NDA or ANDA will be subject to a label approved by the FDA. We expect that such a label will require submission of our scientifically derived abuse liability data and we intend to seek descriptions of our abuse liability studies in the FDA approved product label, although there can be no assurance that this will be the case.
U.S. Market Opportunity for Opioid Analgesic Products
The misuse and abuse of opioid analgesics continues to constitute a dynamic and challenging threat to the United States and is the nation’s fastest growing drug problem. During 2017, the US Government declared opioid abuse as an epidemic and national health emergency. According to the 2017 Centers on Disease Control Drug Surveillance Report, 11.8 million Americans aged 12 and over abused or misused prescription opioids in 2016. Further, this Report calculates that, on average, 115 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. The majority of drug overdose deaths (66%) involve an opioid. Immediate release, or IR, opioid products comprise the vast majority of this abuse compared with extended release, or ER, opioid products.
It is estimated that more than 75 million people in the United States suffer from pain and the FDA estimates more than 61 million people receive a prescription for the opioid hydrocodone annually. For many pain sufferers, opioid analgesics provide their only pain relief. As a result, opioid analgesics are among the largest prescription drug classes in the United States with over 214 million tablet and capsule prescriptions dispensed in 2016 of which approximately 194 million were for IR opioid products and 204 million were for ER opioid products. However, physicians and other health care providers at times are reluctant to prescribe opioid analgesics for fear of misuse, abuse, and diversion of legitimate prescriptions for illicit use.
We expect our Aversion and LIMITx Technology opioid products, to compete primarily in the IR opioid product segment of the United States opioid analgesic market. Because IR opioid products are used for both acute and chronic pain, a prescription, on average, contains 66 tablets or capsules. According to IMS Health, in 2016, sales in the IR opioid product segment were approximately $2.7 billion, of which ~98% was attributable to generic products. Due to fewer identified competitors and the significantly larger market for dispensed prescriptions for IR opioid products compared to ER opioid products, we have initially focused on developing IR opioid products utilizing our Aversion and LIMITx Technologies. A summary of the IR opioid product prescription data for 2016 is provided below:
Includes all salts and esters of the opioid and opioids in combination
with other active ingredients such as acetaminophen.
IMS Health, 2016
Despite considerable publicity regarding the abuse of OxyContin® extended-release tablets and other ER opioid products, U.S. government statistics suggest that far more people have used IR opioid products non-medically than ER opioid products. These statistics estimate that nearly four times as many people have misused the IR opioid products Vicodin®, Lortab® and Lorcet® (hydrocodone bitartrate/acetaminophen brands and generics) than OxyContin®.
Product Labeling for Products Using Our Technologies
We or our licensee may seek to include descriptions of studies that characterize the safety features of our technologies in the label for our products in development. Zyla has committed to undertake FDA required epidemiological studies to assess the actual consequences of abuse of Oxaydo in the market for which we share a minority portion of appropriate fees and expenses. The extent to which a description of the results of epidemiological or other studies will be added to or included in the FDA approved product label for our products in development will be the subject of our discussions with the FDA as part of the NDA review process. Further, because the FDA closely regulates promotional materials, even if FDA initially approves labeling that includes a description of the properties of the product, the FDA’s Office of Prescription Drug Promotion, or OPDP, will continue to review the acceptability of promotional labeling claims and product advertising campaigns for our marketed products.
In April 2015, the FDA published guidance for industry on the evaluation and labeling of abuse-deterrent opioids and in June 2019, FDA issued a draft for public comment guidance on a Benefit-Risk Assessment Framework for Opioid Analgesic Drugs which may be beneficial to use in the development and labeling of our product candidates.
Patents and Patent Applications
We have the following issued patents covering, among other things, our LIMITx Technology:
We have the following issued patents covering, among other things, Oxaydo and our Aversion Technology:
We have the following additional issued patents relating to our Aversion Technology:
We have the following issued patents covering, among other things, our Nexafed product line and Impede 1.0 and 2.0 technologies:
In addition to our issued patents listed above and additional unlisted issued patents, we have filed multiple U.S. patent applications and international patent applications relating to compositions containing abusable active pharmaceutical ingredients as well as applications covering our Impede 1.0 and 2.0 Technologies and filed U.S. patent applications for our LIMITx Technology. Except for the rights granted in the Zyla Agreement, the KemPharm Agreement, the MainPointe Agreement, and the AD Pharma Agreement and in the patent infringement settlement agreements described below, we have retained all intellectual property rights to our Aversion Technology, Impede Technology, LIMITx Technology and related product candidates.
Between October, 2013 and May, 2014 we settled on an individual basis, patent infringement suits we brought against generic manufacturers Par Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Impax Laboratories, Inc. Sandoz Inc. and Ranbaxy Inc. initiated by their seeking to market generic versions of Oxaydo. Principally, the settlements grant to Par a royalty bearing license to use our Aversion Technology patents in an immediate-release oxycodone product starting in January 2022, or sooner depending on other generic competition. None of such settlements impacted the validity or enforceability of our Patents. Reference is made to the Risk Factors contained in this report under Item 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our future operating results may vary substantially from anticipated results due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. The following discussion highlights some of these factors and the possible impact of these factors on future results of operations. If any of the following factors actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially harmed. In that case, the value of our common stock could decline substantially and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
We have a history of operating losses and may not be able to generate a positive return on shareholders’ investment; there is substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
We had a net loss of $3.8 million, $3.8 million, and $5.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of March 30, 2020 we had approximately $1.2 million of cash. The Agreement with AD Pharma provides us monthly license payments of $350,000 from July 2019 through November 2020 as well as reimbursement for all outside development costs for LTX-03. However, AD Pharma has the right to terminate the Agreement at any time for convenience and such action would substantially and adversely affect our ability to fund continuing operations. Our future viability will depend on several factors, including:
·the receipt of monthly license payments from AD Pharma for the entire18 month period ending November 30, 2020; and
·our receipt of royalties relating to Zyla’s sale of Oxaydo, of which no assurance can be given; and
·MainPointe’s successful marketing and sale of our Nexafed products and other products utilizing our Impede Technology, and market acceptance, increased demand for and sales of our Nexafed products, of which no assurance can be given; and
·our receipt of milestone payments and royalties relating to our LIMITx Technology products in development from future licensees, of which no assurance can be given; and
·the receipt of FDA approval and the successful commercialization by future licensees, yet to be identified and obtained, of products utilizing our LIMITx Technology and our ability to commercialize our Impede Technology without infringing the patents and other intellectual property rights of third parties, of which no assurance can be given.
We are currently focused primarily on the development of our lead LIMITx product candidate, LTX-03, as well as our other LIMITx programs, which we believe will result in our continued incurrence of significant research, development and other expenses related to those programs. If preclinical studies or the clinical trials for any of our LIMITx drug candidates fail or produce unsuccessful results and those drug candidates do not gain regulatory approval, or if any of our LIMITx drug candidates, if approved, fail to achieve market acceptance, we may never become self-supporting resulting in significant doubt as to our ability to sustain operations.
We cannot assure you that Oxaydo or our Nexafed products will be successfully commercialized or our LIMITx Technology or Impede Technology products in development will be successfully developed or be approved for commercialization by the FDA.
Even if Zyla succeeds in commercializing Oxaydo, if MainPointe is successful in commercializing our Nexafed products, or if we and AD Pharma succeed in developing and commercializing one or more of our pipeline LIMITx or Impede Technology products, we expect to continue using cash reserves for the foreseeable future. Our expenses may increase in the foreseeable future as a result of continued research and development of these and other product candidates, maintaining and expanding the scope of our intellectual property, and hiring of additional research and development staff.
We will need to generate revenues from royalties on sales to achieve and maintain liquidity. If Zyla does not successfully commercialize Oxaydo, if MainPointe does not successfully commercialize the Nexafed products, or if we or AD Pharma cannot successfully develop, obtain regulatory approval and commercialize our LIMITx product candidates in development, specifically LTX-03, we will not be able to generate such royalty revenues or achieve future profitability. Our failure to achieve or maintain profitability would have a material adverse impact on our operations, financial condition and on the market price of our common stock.
We will be required to raise additional funds to finance our operations and remain a going concern; we may not be able to do so when necessary, and/or the terms of any financings may not be advantageous to us; if we fail to raise additional funding we will cease operations and/or seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws.
Our operations to date have consumed substantial amounts of cash. Negative cash flows from our operations currently are expected to continue over at least the next several years. Our cash utilization amount is highly dependent on the progress of our product development programs, particularly, the results of our preclinical and clinical studies of our LIMITx product candidates and the cost, timing and outcomes of regulatory approval for our LIMITx product candidates. In addition, the further development of our ongoing clinical trials will depend on upcoming analysis and results of those studies and our financial resources at that time. As of March 30, 2020 our cash balance was approximately $1.2 million. Additionally, the Agreement with AD Pharma calls for monthly license payments of $350,000 from July 2019 through November 2020 and as well as their payment of all outside development costs for LTX-03. To fund further operations, we must raise additional financing or enter into license or collaboration agreements with third parties relating to our technologies.
We will require future additional capital infusions including public or private financing, strategic partnerships or other arrangements with organizations that have capabilities and/or products that are complementary to our own capabilities and/or products, in order to continue the development of our product candidates. However, there can be no assurances that we will complete any financings, strategic alliances or collaborative development agreements, and the terms of such arrangements may not be advantageous to us. Any additional equity financing will be dilutive to our current stockholders and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants or have other provisions, including possibly security interests in our assets that could be onerous. If we raise funds through collaborative or licensing arrangements, we may be required to relinquish, on terms that are not favorable to us, rights to some of our technologies or product candidates that we would otherwise seek to develop or commercialize. Our failure to raise capital when needed would materially harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. In the absence of the receipt of additional financing or payments under third-party license or collaborative agreements, we will be required to scale back or terminate operations and/or seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws. This could result in a complete loss of shareholder value of the Company. Even assuming we are successful in securing additional sources of financing to fund continued operations, there can be no assurance that the proceeds of such financing will be sufficient to fund operations until such time, if at all, that we generate sufficient revenue from our products and product candidate to sustain and grow our operations.
Our ongoing capital requirements will depend on numerous factors, which likely will require that we continue to obtain capital infusions in the future. Our capital requirements, which cannot be predicted with certainty, include: the progress and results of preclinical testing and clinical trials of our LIMITx product candidates under development; the costs of complying with the FDA and other domestic regulatory agency requirements, the progress of our research and development programs and those of our partners; the time and costs expended and required to obtain any necessary or desired regulatory approvals; our ability to enter into licensing arrangements, including any unanticipated licensing arrangements that may be necessary to enable us to continue our development and clinical trial programs; the costs and expenses of filing, prosecuting and, if necessary, enforcing our patent claims, or defending against possible claims of infringement by third-party patent or other technology rights; the cost of commercialization activities and arrangements that we undertake; and the demand for our products, which demand depends in turn on circumstances and uncertainties that cannot be fully known, understood or quantified unless and until the time of approval, including the FDA approved label for any product.
Our business could be adversely affected by the effects of health epidemics, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic, in regions where third parties for which we rely, as in CROs or CMOs, have significant research, development or manufacturing facilities, concentrations of clinical trial sites or other business operations, causing disruption in supplies and services.
Our business could be adversely affected by health epidemics in regions where third parties for which we rely, as in CROs or CMOs, have concentrations of clinical trial sites or other business operations, and could cause significant disruption in the operations of third-party manufacturers and CROs upon whom we rely. On January 30, 202 0, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of novel coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China (the “COVID-19 outbreak”) and the risks to the international community as the virus spread globally beyond its point of origin. In March 2020, the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the world. The spread of this pandemic has caused significant volatility and uncertainty in U.S. and international markets. This could result in an economic downturn and may disrupt our business and delay our clinical programs and timelines.
Quarantines, shelter-in-place and similar government orders, or the perception that such orders, shutdowns or other restrictions on the conduct of business operations could occur, related to COVID-19 or other infectious diseases could impact personnel at third-party manufacturing facilities in the United States and other countries, or the availability or cost of materials, which would disrupt our supply chain. Any manufacturing supply interruption of materials could adversely affect our ability to conduct ongoing and future research and manufacturing activities of LTX-03.
In addition, our clinical trials may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical site initiation and patient enrollment may be delayed due to prioritization of hospital resources toward the COVID-19 pandemic. Some patients may not be able to comply with clinical trial protocols if quarantines impede patient movement or interrupt healthcare services. Similarly, the ability to recruit and retain patients and principal investigators and site staff who, as healthcare providers, may have heightened exposure to COVID-19 and adversely impact our clinical trial operations.
The spread of COVID-19, which has caused a broad impact globally, may materially affect us economically. While the potential economic impact brought by, and the duration of, COVID-19 may be difficult to assess or predict, a widespread pandemic could result in significant disruption of global financial markets, reducing our ability to access capital, which could in the future negatively affect our liquidity. In addition, a recession or market correction resulting from the spread of COVID-19 could materially affect our business and the value of our common stock.
The global pandemic of COVID-19 continues to rapidly evolve. The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or a similar health epidemic is highly uncertain and subject to change. We do not yet know the full extent of potential delays or impacts on our business, our clinical trials, healthcare systems or the global economy as a whole. However, these effects could have a material impact on our operations, and we will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely.
If we fail to comply with the covenants and other obligations under our loan with AD Pharma, LLC they may accelerate amounts owed and may foreclose upon the security interest in all of our assets securing our obligation.
At June 28, 2019, we (including our wholly-owned subsidiary Acura Pharmaceutical Technologies, Inc. (“APT”)), entered into a Promissory Note and Security Agreement with John Schutte (Mr. Schutte) that consolidated existing promissory notes into a single Note for $6.0 million (after including accrued interest). To secure our performance of our obligations under the Note, we granted Mr. Schutte a security interest in all of our assets. Our failure to comply with the terms of the loan agreement, if we file bankruptcy, failure to pay interest and principal when due on July 1, 2023, or upon failure to meet certain timelines as defined in the License, Development and Commercialization Agreement could result in the acceleration of payment of our loan, foreclosure on our assets, and other adverse results. With our consent, Mr. Schutte assigned and transferred to Abuse Deterrent Pharma, LLC (“AD Pharma”) (an entity controlled by him, all of his right, title and interest in this Note and associated Security Agreement effective June 28, 2019. Any declaration of an event of default by AD Pharma could result in the transfer of our business to AD Pharma without additional consideration and the loss by our shareholders of their entire interest.
We are largely dependent on our successful development of our LIMITx product candidates.
Our ability to generate revenues and become profitable will depend in large part on our successful development of our LTX-03 as licensed to AD Pharma and potentially other LIMITx product candidates and on the commercial success of our only FDA approved product, Oxaydo, of which no assurance can be given We expect that a substantial portion of our efforts and expenditures over the next few years, if we obtain additional funding, will be devoted to our lead LIMITx product candidate, LTX-03, and other LIMITx product candidates in development. We completed our first two Phase I clinical studies for LTX-04, an opioid hydromorphone HCI, in mid-2016. We have changed our primary development focus from immediate-release hydromorphone products (i.e., LTX-04, described above) to immediate-release hydrocodone products (i.e., LTX-03) because hydrocodone bitartrate is more likely to be abused in oral excessive tablet abuse, or ETA, and completed two pharmokinetic studies for LTX-03 during 2017 and the first week of 2018. We are also engaged in formulation development or early preclinical development for other LIMITx product candidates. Accordingly, our business is currently substantially dependent on the successful development, clinical testing, regulatory approval and commercialization of our LIMITx product candidates, which may never occur. If our clinical studies for LTX-03 are not successful we may determine that further clinical development of LTX-03 or other LIMITx product candidates should be discontinued. Also, the failure of clinical studies for LTX-03 may cause AD Pharma to terminate the Agreement. We expect that any revenues from our LIMITx product candidates, specifically LTX-03 will be derived from upfront payments, milestone payments and royalties under license agreements with AD Pharma, of which no assurance can be given.
If MainPointe/AD Pharma is not successful in commercializing our Nexafed Products, our revenues and business will suffer.
Our Nexafed products compete in the highly competitive market for cold, sinus and allergy products generally available to the consumer without a prescription. Many of our competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources and are able to expend more funds and effort than MainPointe in marketing their competing products. Category leading brands are often supported by regional and national advertising and promotional efforts. Our Nexafed products compete with national brands as well as pharmacy store brands that are offered at a lower price. There can be no assurance that MainPointe will succeed in commercializing our Nexafed products, or that the pricing of our Nexafed products will allow us to generate significant royalty revenues. Regulations have been enacted in several state or local jurisdictions requiring a doctor’s prescription to obtain pseudoephedrine products. An expansion of such restrictions to other jurisdictions or even nationally will adversely impact MainPointe’s ability to market our Nexafed products as over-the-counter, or OTC, products and negatively impact royalty payments to us from Nexafed products sales. There can be no assurance that MainPointe will devote sufficient resources to marketing and commercialization of our Nexafed products. MainPointe’s failure to successfully commercialize our Nexafed® products may have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
If Zyla is not successful in commercializing Oxaydo, our revenues and our business will suffer.
Pursuant to our Collaboration and License Agreement with Zyla, or the Zyla Agreement, Zyla is responsible for manufacturing, marketing, pricing, promotion, selling and distribution of Oxaydo. If the Zyla Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, including due to a party’s failure to perform its obligations or responsibilities under the Agreement, then we would need to commercialize Oxaydo ourselves, for which we currently have no infrastructure, or alternatively enter into a new agreement with another pharmaceutical company, of which no assurance can be given. If we are unable to build the necessary infrastructure to commercialize Oxaydo ourselves, which would substantially increase our expenses and capital requirements, which we are currently unable to fund, or are unable to find a suitable replacement commercialization partner, we would be unable to generate any revenue from Oxaydo. Even if we are successful at replacing the commercialization capabilities of Zyla, our revenues and/or royalties from Oxaydo could be adversely impacted.
Zyla’s third party manufacturing facility currently is the sole commercial source of supply of Oxaydo. If Zyla’s manufacturing facility fails to obtain sufficient DEA quotas for oxycodone, fails to source adequate quantities of active and inactive ingredients, fails to comply with regulatory requirements, or otherwise experiences disruptions in commercial supply of Oxaydo, product revenue and our royalties could be adversely impacted.
Zyla has various products in development and also markets other products, for which Oxaydo will vie for such licensee’s development, promotional, marketing, and selling resources. If Zyla fails to commit sufficient promotional, marketing and selling resources to Oxaydo, our expected royalties could be adversely impacted. Additionally, there can be no assurance that Zyla will commit the resources required for the successful commercialization of Oxaydo.
The market for our opioid product candidates is highly competitive with many marketed non-abuse deterrent brand and generic products and other abuse deterrent product candidates in development. If Zyla prices Oxaydo inappropriately, fails to position Oxaydo properly, targets inappropriate physician specialties, or otherwise does not provide sufficient promotional support, product revenue and our royalties could be materially adversely impacted.
Zyla’s promotional, marketing and sales activities in connection with Oxaydo are subject to various federal and state fraud and abuse laws, including, without limitation, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and the federal False Claims Act. The federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits persons from knowingly and willfully soliciting, receiving, offering or paying remuneration, directly or indirectly, to induce, or in return for, the purchase or recommendation of an item or service reimbursable under a federal healthcare program. The federal False Claims Act imposes liability on any person who, among other things, knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment by a federal healthcare program. If Zyla’s activities are found to be in violation of these laws or any other federal and state fraud and abuse laws, Zyla may be subject to penalties, including civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines and the curtailment or restructuring of its activities with regard to the commercialization of Oxaydo, which could harm the commercial success of Oxaydo and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our failure to meet the development timelines in the License Agreement with AD Pharma, including FDA acceptance of NDA submission for LTX-03 by November 30, 2020, will allow AD Pharma the option to terminate the Agreement and take ownership of the LIMITx intellectual property which will adversely impact our ability to develop, market and sell our LIMITx Technology products and our revenues and business will be materially adversely affected.
We are engaged in the development of product candidates utilizing our LIMITx Technology, including planning studies for LTX-03, our hydrocodone/acetaminophen lead product candidate which has been licensed to AD Pharma. This License requires that the IND application for LTX-03 be accepted by the FDA within 18 months from June 28, 2019. Failure to do so gives AD Pharma the option to terminate this Agreement and take ownership of the LIMITx intellectual property. AD Pharma’s seizure of the LIMITx IP would have a material adverse impact our financial condition and results of operations.
Our and our licensees’ ability to market and promote Oxaydo and LIMITx Technology products by describing the abuse deterrent or other beneficial features of such products will be determined by the FDA approved label for such products.
The commercial success of Oxaydo and our LIMITx Technology products in development will depend upon our and our licensees’ ability to obtain FDA approved labeling describing such products’ abuse deterrent features or other benefits. Our or our licensees’ failure to achieve FDA approval of product labeling containing such information will prevent or substantially limit our and our licensees’ advertising and promotion of such beneficial features in order to differentiate our products from other immediate release opioid products containing the same active ingredients, and would have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations. In April 2015, the FDA published guidance for industry on the evaluation and labeling of abuse-deterrent opioids. While the 2015 FDA Guidance is non-binding on the FDA, it outlines FDA’s current thinking on the development and labeling of abuse-deterrent products. The 2015 FDA Guidance provides for three distinct levels of pre-marketing studies that are potentially eligible for inclusion in the labeling: (1) laboratory-based in vitro manipulation and extraction studies, (2) pharmacokinetic studies, and (3) clinical abuse potential studies. The 2015 FDA Guidance further prescribes additional post-approval or epidemiology studies to determine whether the marketing of a product with abuse-deterrent properties results in meaningful reductions in abuse, misuse, and related adverse clinical outcomes, including addiction, overdose, and death in the post-approval setting, which can also be included in the labeling. FDA notes “the science of abuse deterrence is relatively new. Both the technologies involved and the analytical, clinical, and statistical methods for evaluating those technologies are rapidly evolving. For these reasons, FDA will take a flexible, adaptive approach to the evaluation and labeling of potentially abuse-deterrent opioid products”.
We or our licensee may seek to include descriptions of studies that characterize the abuse-deterrent properties or safety features in the label for our Aversion and LIMITx Technology products in development. We have committed to the FDA to undertake epidemiological studies to assess the actual consequences of abuse of Oxaydo in the market. However, the extent to which a description of the abuse deterrent properties or results of epidemiological or other studies will be added to or included in the FDA approved product label for our products in development will be the subject of our and our licensees’ discussions with, and agreement by, the FDA as part of the new drug application, or NDA, review process for each of our product candidates. The outcome of those discussions with the FDA will determine whether we or our licensees will be able to market our products with labeling that sufficiently differentiates them from other products that have comparable therapeutic profiles. While the FDA approved label for Oxaydo includes the results from a clinical study which evaluated the effects of nasally snorting crushed Oxaydo and commercially available oxycodone tablets and limitations on wetting or dissolving Oxaydo, it does not, however, include the results of our laboratory studies intended to evaluate Oxaydo’s potential to limit extraction of oxycodone HCl from dissolved Oxaydo Tablets and resist conversion into an injectable, or IV solution. According to filings made by Zyla, a supplemental new drug application (“sNDA”) was submitted by Zyla in December 2016 for Oxaydo to support an abuse-deterrent label claim for the intravenous route of abuse, and in February 2017, Zyla filed a prior approval supplement (“PAS”) with data on new dosage strengths of 10 mg and 15 mg of Oxaydo. Zyla reported they received a complete response letter from the FDA in June of 2017 where the FDA requested more information regarding the effect of food on Oxaydo 15 mg and the intranasal abuse deterrent properties of Oxaydo 10 and 15 mg. Zyla reported that based on discussions with the FDA regarding the sNDA, Zyla believed a contemporary intranasal human abuse potential study would be needed to complete the sNDA, and given that the issues involved in the sNDA and PAS are intertwined, Zyla disclosed that they are evaluating their options and the costs associated to proceed on the abuse deterrent label and/or the additional dosage strengths. The absence of the results of these extraction and syringe studies in the FDA approved label for Oxaydo may substantially limit our licensee’s ability to differentiate Oxaydo from other immediate release oxycodone products, which would have a material adverse effect on market acceptance of Oxaydo and on our business and results of operations.
Notwithstanding the FDA approved labeling for Oxaydo, there can be no assurance that our LIMITx Technology products in development will receive FDA approved labeling that describes the beneficial safety features of such products. If the FDA does not approve labeling containing such information, we or our licensees will not be able to promote such products based on their safety features, may not be able to differentiate such products from other immediate release opioid products containing the same active ingredients, and may not be able to charge a premium above the price of such other products, which could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Further, because the FDA closely regulates promotional materials and other promotional activities, even if the FDA initially approves product labeling that includes a description of the abuse deterrent characteristics of our product, as in the case of Oxaydo, the FDA’s Office of Prescription Drug Promotion, or OPDP, will continue to review the acceptability of promotional claims and product advertising campaigns for our marketed products. This could lead to the issuance of warning letters or untitled letters, suspension or withdrawal of Oxaydo from the market, recalls, fines, disgorgement of money, operating restrictions, injunctions or criminal prosecution, which could harm the commercial success of our product and materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our product candidates are unproven and may not be approved by the FDA.
We are committing a majority of our resources to the development of product candidates utilizing our LIMITx and Impede Technologies. Notwithstanding the receipt of FDA approval of Oxaydo and our marketing of our Nexafed products, there can be no assurance that any product candidate utilizing our Impede or LIMITx Technologies will meet FDA’s standards for commercial distribution. Further, there can be no assurance that other product candidates that may be developed using LIMITx, Impede or Aversion Technologies will achieve the targeted end points in the required clinical studies, demonstration of acceptable manufacturing, quality and product expiration standards, or perform as intended in other pre-clinical and clinical studies or lead to an NDA submission or filing acceptance. Our failure to successfully develop and achieve final FDA approval of our product candidates in development will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
If the FDA disagrees with our determination that certain of our products meet the over-the-counter, or OTC, Monograph requirements, once those products are commercialized, they may be removed from the market; the FDA or the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, may object to our advertisement and promotion of the extraction characteristics and benefits of our Nexafed products.
Drugs that have been deemed safe and effective by the FDA for use by the general public without a prescription are classified as OTC drug products. Certain OTC drug products may be commercialized without premarket review by the FDA if the standards set forth in the applicable regulatory monograph are met. An OTC monograph provides the marketing conditions for the applicable OTC drug product, including active ingredients, labeling, and other general requirements, such as compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices, or cGMP and establishment registration. Any product which fails to conform to each of the general conditions in a monograph is subject to regulatory action. Further, although the FDA regulates OTC drug product labeling, the FTC regulates the advertising and marketing of OTC drug products. We believe that our Nexafed products licensed to MainPointe are classified for OTC sale under an FDA OTC monograph, which will allow for their commercialization without submitting an NDA or abbreviated new drug application, or ANDA to the FDA. We have also determined that, provided MainPointe adheres to the FDA’s requirements for OTC monograph products, including product labeling, we can advertise and promote the extraction characteristics and benefits of our Nexafed products which are supported by our research studies. No assurance can be given, however, that the FDA will agree that our Nexafed products may be sold under the FDA’s OTC monograph product regulations or that the FDA or FTC will not object to MainPointe’s advertisement and promotion of our Nexafed products’ extraction characteristics and benefits. If the FDA determines that our Nexafed products do not conform to the OTC monograph or if MainPointe fails to meet the general conditions, once commercialized, the products may be removed from the market and we and MainPointe may face various actions including, but not limited to, restrictions on the marketing or distribution of such products, warning letters, fines, product seizure, or injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties. Any of these actions may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operations. Additionally, the FDA has announced that it is considering material changes to how it regulates OTC drug products and held a hearing in late March 2014 for public comment. Changes to the existing OTC regulations could result in a requirement that an NDA or ANDA be filed for our Nexafed products or other Impede Technology products in order to commercialize such products. If the FDA requires the submission of a NDA or ANDA to obtain marketing approval for our Nexafed® products or other Impede Technology products, this would result in substantial additional costs, suspend the commercialization of our Nexafed products and require FDA approval prior to sale, of which no assurance can be provided. In such case, the label for our Nexafed products or other Impede Technology products would be subject to FDA review and approval and there can be no assurance that we or our licensees will be able to market Nexafed or other Impede Technology products with labeling sufficient to differentiate it from products that have comparable therapeutic profiles. If we or our licensees are unable to advertise and promote the extraction characteristics of Nexafed or other Impede Technology products, we or our licensees may be unable to compete with national brands and pharmacy chain store brands.
Our LIMITx, Impede and Aversion Technology products may not be successful in limiting or impeding abuse or misuse or provide additional safety upon commercialization.
We are committing a majority of our resources to the development of products utilizing our LIMITx and Impede Technologies. Notwithstanding the receipt of FDA approval of Oxaydo and the results of our numerous clinical and laboratory studies for Oxaydo, our Nexafed products, and our LIMITx and Impede Technology products in development, there can be no assurance that Oxaydo, our Nexafed products or any other product utilizing our LIMITx, Impede or Aversion Technologies will perform as tested and limit or impede the actual abuse or misuse of such products or provide other benefits in commercial settings. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the post-approval epidemiological study required by the FDA as a condition of approval of Oxaydo will show a reduction in the consequences of abuse and misuse by patients for whom Oxaydo is prescribed. To date, Zyla has not achieved sufficient market share for Oxaydo to support a full epidemiological study. The failure of Oxaydo, our Nexafed products or other products utilizing our LIMITx and Impede Technologies to limit or impede actual abuse or misuse or provide other safety benefits in practice will have a material adverse impact on market acceptance for such products and on our financial condition and results of operations.
Relying on third party contract research organizations, or CROs may result in delays in our pre-clinical, clinical or laboratory testing. If pre-clinical, clinical or laboratory testing for our product candidates are unsuccessful or delayed, we will be unable to meet our anticipated development and commercialization timelines.
To obtain FDA approval to commercially sell and distribute in the United States any of our prescription product candidates, we or our licensees must submit to the FDA a NDA demonstrating, among other things, that the product candidate is safe and effective for its intended use. As we do not possess the resources or employ all the personnel necessary to conduct such testing, we rely on CROs for the majority of this testing with our product candidates. As a result, we have less control over our development program than if we performed the testing entirely on our own. Third parties may not perform their responsibilities on our anticipated schedule. Delays in our development programs could significantly increase our product development costs and delay product commercialization.
The commencement of clinical trials with our product candidates may be delayed for several reasons, including, but not limited to, delays in demonstrating sufficient pre-clinical safety required to obtain regulatory approval to commence a clinical trial, reaching agreements on acceptable terms with prospective CROs, clinical trial sites and licensees, manufacturing and quality assurance release of a sufficient supply of a product candidate for use in our clinical trials and/or obtaining institutional review board approval to conduct a clinical trial at a prospective clinical site. Once a clinical trial has begun, it may be delayed, suspended or terminated by us or regulatory authorities due to several factors, including ongoing discussions with regulatory authorities regarding the scope or design of our clinical trials, a determination by us or regulatory authorities that continuing a trial presents an unreasonable health risk to participants, failure to conduct clinical trials in accordance with regulatory requirements, lower than anticipated recruitment or retention rate of patients in clinical trials, inspection of the clinical trial operations or trial sites by regulatory authorities, the imposition of a clinical hold by FDA, lack of adequate funding to continue clinical trials, and/or negative or unanticipated results of clinical trials.
Clinical trials required by the FDA for commercial approval may not demonstrate safety or efficacy of our product candidates. Success in pre-clinical testing and early clinical trials does not assure that later clinical trials will be successful. Results of later clinical trials may not replicate the results of prior clinical trials and pre-clinical testing. Even if the results of our or our licensee’s pivotal phase III clinical trials are positive, we and our licensees may have to commit substantial time and additional resources to conduct further pre-clinical and clinical studies before we or our licensees can submit NDAs or obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates.
Clinical trials are expensive and at times, difficult to design and implement, in part because they are subject to rigorous regulatory requirements. Further, if participating subjects or patients in clinical studies suffer drug-related adverse reactions during the course of such trials, or if we, our licensees or the FDA believes that participating patients are being exposed to unacceptable health risks, we or our licensees may suspend the clinical trials. Failure can occur at any stage of the trials, and we or our licensees could encounter problems causing the abandonment of clinical trials or the need to conduct additional clinical studies, relating to a product candidate.
Even if our clinical trials and laboratory testing are completed as planned, their results may not support commercially viable product label claims. The clinical trial process may fail to demonstrate that our product candidates are safe and effective for their intended use. Such failure may cause us or our licensees to abandon a product candidate and may delay the development of other product candidates.
We have no commercial manufacturing capacity and rely on third-party contract manufacturers to produce commercial quantities of our products.
We do not have the facilities, equipment or personnel to manufacture commercial quantities of our products and therefore must rely on our licensees or other qualified third-party contract manufactures with appropriate facilities and equipment to contract manufacture commercial quantities of products utilizing our LIMITx and Impede Technologies. These licensees and third- party contract manufacturers are also subject to cGMP regulations, which impose extensive procedural and documentation requirements. Any performance failure on the part of our licensees or contract manufacturers could delay commercialization of any approved products, depriving us of potential product revenue.
Our drug products, including our licensed Nexafed products, require precise, high quality manufacturing. Failure by our contract manufacturers to achieve and maintain high manufacturing standards could result in patient injury or death, product recalls or withdrawals, delays or failures in testing or delivery, cost overruns, or other problems that could materially adversely affect our business. Contract manufacturers may encounter difficulties involving production yields, quality control, and quality assurance. These manufacturers are subject to ongoing periodic unannounced inspection by the FDA and corresponding state and foreign agencies to ensure strict compliance with cGMP and other applicable government regulations; however, beyond contractual remedies that may be available to us, we do not have control over third-party manufacturers’ compliance with these regulations and standards.
If for some reason our contract manufacturers cannot perform as agreed, or if we are unable to reach agreement with our contract manufacturers on the terms of continued supply of our products, we may be required to replace them. Although we believe there are a number of potential replacements, we will incur added costs and delays in identifying and qualifying any such replacements. In addition, a new manufacturer would have to be educated in, or develop substantially equivalent processes for, production of our products or drug candidates, which could adversely impact the continued supply of our products or drug candidates.
We or our licensees may not obtain required FDA approval; the FDA approval process is time-consuming and expensive.
The development, testing, manufacturing, marketing and sale of pharmaceutical products are subject to extensive federal, state and local regulation in the United States and other countries. Satisfaction of all regulatory requirements typically takes years, is dependent upon the type, complexity and novelty of the product candidate, and requires the expenditure of substantial resources for research, development and testing. Substantially all of our operations are subject to compliance with FDA regulations. Failure to adhere to applicable FDA regulations by us or our licensees would have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition. In addition, in the event we are successful in developing product candidates for distribution and sale in other countries, we would become subject to regulation in such countries. Such foreign regulations and product approval requirements are expected to be time consuming and expensive. In addition, we cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative or executive action, either in the United States or abroad. For example, certain policies of the Trump administration may impact our business and industry. Namely, the Trump administration has taken several executive actions, including the issuance of a number of Executive Orders, that could impose significant burdens on, or otherwise materially delay, the FDA’s ability to engage in routine regulatory and oversight activities such as implementing statutes through rulemaking, issuance of guidance and review and approval of marketing applications. If these executive actions impose constraints on the FDA’s ability to engage in oversight and implementation activities in the normal course, our business may be negatively impacted.
We or our licensees may encounter delays or rejections during any stage of the regulatory review and approval process based upon the failure of clinical or laboratory data to demonstrate compliance with, or upon the failure of the product candidates to meet, the FDA’s requirements for safety, efficacy and quality; and those requirements may become more stringent due to changes in regulatory agency policy or the adoption of new regulations. After submission of a NDA, the FDA may refuse to file the application, deny approval of the application, require additional testing or data and/or require post-marketing testing and surveillance to monitor the safety or efficacy of a product. For instance, the FDA’s approval of Oxaydo is conditioned on us or Zyla conducting a post-approval epidemiological study to assess the actual abuse levels and consequences of Oxaydo in the market. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or PDUFA, sets time standards for the FDA’s review of NDAs. The FDA's timelines described in the PDUFA guidance are flexible and subject to change based on workload and other potential review issues and may delay the FDA’s review of an NDA. Further, the terms of approval of any NDA, including the product labeling, may be more restrictive than we or our licensees desire and could affect the marketability of our products.
Even if we comply with all the FDA regulatory requirements, we or our licensees may not obtain regulatory approval for any of our product candidates in development. For example, we previously submitted a NDA to the FDA for an Aversion Technology product containing niacin, intended to provide impediments to over-ingesting the product. Such niacin containing product was not approved by the FDA. If we or our licensees fail to obtain regulatory approval for any of our product candidates in development, we will have fewer commercialized products and correspondingly lower revenues.
Even if regulatory approval of our products in development is received, such approval may involve limitations on the indicated uses or promotional claims we or our licensees may make for our products, or otherwise not permit labeling that sufficiently differentiates our product candidates from competitive products with comparable therapeutic profiles but without abuse deterrent features (see risk factor above entitled “Our and our licensees ability to market and promote Oxaydo and LIMITx Technology products by describing the abuse deterrent features of such products will be determined by the FDA approved label for such products”). Such events would have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition. We may market certain of our products without the prior application to and approval by the FDA. The FDA may subsequently require us to withdraw such products and submit NDA’s for approval prior to re-marketing.
The FDA also has the authority to revoke or suspend approvals of previously approved products for cause, to debar companies and individuals from participating in the drug-approval process, to request recalls of allegedly violative products, to seize allegedly violative products, to obtain injunctions to close manufacturing plants allegedly not operating in conformity with current cGMP and to stop shipments of allegedly violative products. In the event the FDA takes any such action relating to our products, such actions would have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
We must maintain FDA approval to manufacture clinical supplies of our product candidates at our facility; failure to maintain compliance with FDA requirements may prevent or delay the manufacture of our product candidates and costs of manufacture may be higher than expected.
We have installed the equipment necessary to manufacture clinical trial supplies of our LIMITx and Impede Technology product candidates in tablet formulations at our Culver, Indiana facility. To be used in clinical trials, all of our product candidates must be manufactured in conformity with cGMP regulations. All such product candidates must be manufactured, packaged, and labeled and stored in accordance with cGMPs. Modifications, enhancements or changes in manufacturing sites of marketed products are, in many circumstances, subject to FDA approval, which may be subject to a lengthy application process or which we may be unable to obtain. Our Culver, Indiana facility, and those of any third-party manufacturers that we or our licensees may use, are periodically subject to inspection by the FDA and other governmental agencies, and operations at these facilities could be interrupted or halted if the FDA deems such inspections are unsatisfactory. Failure to comply with FDA or other governmental regulations can result in fines, unanticipated compliance expenditures, recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, suspension of FDA review of our product candidates, termination of ongoing research, disqualification of data for submission to regulatory authorities, enforcement actions, injunctions and criminal prosecution.
We develop our products, and manufacture clinical supplies, at a single location. Any disruption at this facility could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We rely on our Culver, Indiana facility for developing our product candidates and the manufacture of clinical supplies of our product candidates. If the Culver, Indiana facility were damaged or destroyed, or otherwise subject to disruption, it would require substantial lead-time to repair or replace. If our Culver facility were affected by a disaster, we would be forced to rely entirely on CROs and third-party contract manufacturers for an indefinite period of time. Although we believe we possess adequate insurance for damage to our property and for the disruption of our business from casualties, such insurance may not be sufficient to cover all of our potential losses and may not continue to be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. Moreover, any disruptions or delays at our Culver, Indiana facility could impair our ability to develop our product candidates utilizing the Impede or LIMITx Technologies, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our operations are subject to environmental, health and safety, and other laws and regulations, with which compliance is costly and which exposes us to penalties for non-compliance.
Our business, properties and product candidates are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, natural resources and worker health and safety and the use, management, storage and disposal of hazardous substances, waste and other regulated materials. Because we own and operate real property, various environmental laws also may impose liability on us for the costs of cleaning up and responding to hazardous substances that may have been released on our property, including releases unknown to us. These environmental laws and regulations also could require us to pay for environmental remediation and response costs at third-party locations where we dispose of or recycle hazardous substances. The costs of complying with these various environmental requirements, as they now exist or may be altered in the future, could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our failure to successfully establish new license agreements with pharmaceutical companies for the development and commercialization of our other products in development may adversely impair our ability to develop, market and sell such products.
The AD Pharma Agreement grants AD Pharma an exclusive license to develop and commercialize LTX-03 in the US. The Zyla Agreement grants Zyla an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize Oxaydo. Our license agreement with KemPharm Inc., or the KemPharm Agreement, grants exclusive worldwide rights to KemPharm to utilize our Aversion technology in certain of KemPharm’s prodrug products. Our license agreement with MainPointe grants exclusive rights in the U.S. and Canada (with option rights to expand the licensed territory) to our Nexafed products with option rights to certain other pseudoephedrine-containing products utilizing our Impede technology. We believe that opportunities exist to enter into license agreements similar to the AD Pharma Agreement, Zyla Agreement, the KemPharm Agreement and the MainPointe Agreement with other pharmaceutical company partners for the development and commercialization of our LIMITx, Impede and Aversion Technologies in the United States and worldwide. However, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in entering into such license agreements in the future. If we are unable to enter into such agreements, our ability to develop and commercialize our product candidates, and our financial condition and results of operations, would be materially adversely affected.
If our licensees do not satisfy their obligations, we will be unable to develop our licensed product candidates.
As part of the AD Pharma Agreement, the Zyla Agreement, the KemPharm Agreement, the MainPointe Agreement, or any license agreement we may enter into relating to any of our LIMITx or Impede Technology products in development or our Aversion Technology, we do not have day-to-day control over the activities of our licensees with respect to any product candidate. If a licensee fails to fulfill its obligations under an agreement with us, we may be unable to assume the development and/or commercialization of the product covered by that agreement or to enter into alternative arrangements with another third party. In addition, we may encounter delays in the commercialization of the products that are the subject of a license agreement. Accordingly, our ability to receive any revenue from the products covered by such agreements will be dependent on the efforts of our licensees. We could be involved in disputes with a licensee, which could lead to delays in or termination of, our development and/or commercialization programs and result in time consuming and expensive litigation or arbitration. In addition, any such dispute could diminish our licensee’s commitment to us and reduce the resources they devote to developing and/or commercializing our products. If any licensee terminates or breaches its agreement, or otherwise fails to complete its obligations in a timely manner, our chances of successfully developing and/or commercializing our product candidates would be materially adversely effected. Additionally, due to the nature of the market for Oxaydo and our LIMITx and Impede product candidates, it may be necessary for us to license a significant portion of our product candidates to a single company, thereby eliminating our opportunity to commercialize other product candidates with other licensees.
If we fail to maintain our license agreement with Zyla, we may have to commercialize Oxaydo on our own and if we fail to maintain the license agreement with AD Pharma we may have to commercialize Nexafed Products on our own.
Our plan for manufacturing and commercializing Oxaydo currently requires us to maintain our license agreement with Zyla. In addition to other customary termination provisions, the Zyla Agreement provides that Zyla may terminate the Zyla Agreement upon certain notice periods. If Zyla elects to terminate the Zyla Agreement, or if we are otherwise unable to maintain our existing relationship with Zyla, we would have to commercialize Oxaydo ourselves for which we currently have no infrastructure, or alternatively enter into a new agreement with another pharmaceutical company, of which no assurance can be given. Our ability to commercialize Oxaydo on our own may require additional financing, which may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. While, there is no provision for MainPointe to elect to terminate its license agreement without cause, if it should fail to perform thereunder and we terminated the agreement, then we would have to commercialize the Nexafed Products on our own. Although prior to entering into the MainPointe agreement we had been commercializing certain Nexafed Products on our own, we would have to reestablish our capabilities, which will require additional financing which may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.
The market may not be receptive to products incorporating our Aversion, Impede or LIMITx Technologies.
The commercial success of our products will depend on acceptance by health care providers and others that such products are clinically useful, cost-effective and safe. There can be no assurance given that our products utilizing the Aversion, Impede or LIMITx Technologies will be accepted by health care providers and others. Factors that may materially affect market acceptance of our product candidates include but are not limited to:
·the relative advantages and disadvantages of our products compared to competitive products;
·the relative timing to commercial launch of our products compared to competitive products;
·the relative safety and efficacy of our products compared to competitive products;
·the product labeling approved by the FDA for our products;
·the perception of health care providers of their role in helping to prevent abuse and their willingness to prescribe abuse-deterrent products to do so;
·the willingness of third party payers to reimburse for our prescription products;
·the willingness of pharmacy chains to stock our products;
·the willingness of pharmacists to recommend our Nexafed products to their customers; and
·the willingness of consumers to pay for our products.
Oxaydo and our Nexafed Products compete, and our other product candidates, such as LTX-03, if successfully developed and commercially launched will compete, with both currently marketed and new products launched in the future by other companies. Physicians and other prescribers may not be inclined to prescribe our prescription products unless our products demonstrate commercially viable advantages over other products currently marketed for the same indications. Pharmacy chains may not be willing to stock any of our products and pharmacists may not recommend Nexafed products to consumers. Further, consumers may not be willing to purchase our products. If our products do not achieve market acceptance, we may not be able to generate significant revenues or become profitable.
If we, our licensees or others identify serious adverse events or deaths relating to any of our products once on the market, we may be required to withdraw our products from the market, which would hinder or preclude our ability to generate revenues.
We or our licensees are required to report to relevant regulatory authorities all serious adverse events or deaths involving our product candidates or approved products. If we, our licensees, or others identify such events, regulatory authorities may withdraw their approvals of such products; we or our licensees may be required to reformulate our products; we or our licensees may have to recall the affected products from the market and may not be able to reintroduce them onto the market; our reputation in the marketplace may suffer; and we may become the target of lawsuits, including class actions suits. Any of these events could harm or prevent sales of the affected products and could materially adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Our revenues may be adversely affected if we fail to obtain insurance coverage or adequate reimbursement for our products from third-party payers.
The ability of our licensees to successfully commercialize our products may depend in part on the availability of reimbursement for our prescription products from government health administration authorities, private health insurers, and other third-party payers and administrators, including Medicaid and Medicare. We cannot predict the availability of reimbursement for newly-approved products utilizing our Aversion, Impede or LIMITx Technologies. Third-party payers and administrators, including state Medicaid programs and Medicare, are challenging the prices charged for pharmaceutical products. Government and other third-party payers increasingly are limiting both coverage and the level of reimbursement for new drugs. Third-party insurance coverage may not be available to patients for any of our product candidates. The continuing efforts of government and third-party payers to contain or reduce the costs of health care may limit our commercial opportunity. If government and other third-party payers do not provide adequate coverage and reimbursement for any product utilizing our technologies, health care providers may not prescribe them or patients may ask their health care providers to prescribe competing products with more favorable reimbursement. In some foreign markets, pricing and profitability of pharmaceutical products are subject to government control. In the United States, we expect there may be federal and state proposals for similar controls. In addition, we expect that increasing emphasis on managed care in the United States will continue to put pressure on the pricing of pharmaceutical products. Cost control initiatives could decrease the price that we or our licensees charge for any of our products in the future. Further, cost control initiatives could impair our ability or the ability of our licensees to commercialize our products and our ability to earn revenues from commercialization
Federal and foreign legislation may be enacted that may seriously impact the commercial viability and acceptance of the products we have licensed and are developing.
In both the United States and certain foreign jurisdictions, there have been and we expect there will continue to be a number of legislative and regulatory changes to the health care system that could impact our or our licensees’ ability to sell our products profitably. In particular, in 2010, the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, collectively, the Healthcare Reform Law, was enacted. The Healthcare Reform Law substantially changes the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers and significantly affects the pharmaceutical industry. Among the provisions of the Healthcare Reform Law of greatest importance to the pharmaceutical industry are the following:
·An annual, nondeductible fee on any entity that manufactures or imports certain branded prescription drugs and biologic agents;
·An increase in the minimum rebates a manufacturer must pay under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program;
·A new Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program, under which manufacturers must agree to offer 50 percent point-of-sale discounts off negotiated prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicare Part D;
·Extension of a manufacturer’s Medicaid rebate liability to covered drugs dispensed to individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations;
·A new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee, identify priorities in, and conduct comparative clinical effectiveness research;
·A revision to the definition of “average manufacturer price” for reporting purposes; and
·Encouragement for the development of comparative effectiveness research, which may reduce the extent of reimbursement for our products if such research results in any adverse findings.
At this time, it remains uncertain what the full impact of these provisions will be on the pharmaceutical industry generally or our business in particular. The full effects of these provisions will become apparent as these laws are implemented and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other agencies issue applicable regulations or guidance as required by the Healthcare Reform Law. Moreover, in the coming years, additional changes could be made to governmental healthcare programs that could significantly impact the success of our products.
In addition, since its enactment, there have been judicial and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the Healthcare Reform Law, and we expect there will be additional challenges and amendments to the Affordable Care Act in the future. The Trump administration and members of the U.S. Congress have indicated that they may continue to seek to modify, repeal, or otherwise invalidate all, or certain provisions of, the Healthcare Reform Law. Most recently, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts was enacted, which, among other things, removes penalties for not complying with the individual mandate to carry health insurance. It is uncertain the extent to which any such changes may impact our business or financial condition.
Consolidation in the healthcare industry could lead to demands for price concessions or for the exclusion of some suppliers from certain of our markets, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Because healthcare costs have risen significantly, numerous initiatives and reforms by legislatures, regulators and third-party payers to curb these cost increases have resulted in a trend in the healthcare industry to consolidate product suppliers and purchasers. As the healthcare industry consolidates, competition among suppliers to provide products to purchasers has become more intense. This in turn has resulted, and will likely continue to result, in greater pricing pressures and the exclusion of certain suppliers from important market segments as group purchasing organizations, and large single accounts continue to use their market power to influence product pricing and purchasing decisions. We expect that market demand, government regulation, third-party reimbursement policies and societal pressures will continue to influence the worldwide healthcare industry, resulting in further business consolidations, which may exert further downward pressure on the prices of our anticipated products. This downward pricing pressure may adversely impact our business, financial condition or results of operations. Under each of the Zyla Agreement, the KemPharm Agreement, the MainPointe Agreement and AD Pharma Agreement, our licensees control (or will control in the case of AD Pharma for LTLX-03) the price of the licensed products, and we expect that our licensees, if any, of our products in development, will control the price of such products and may provide price discounts and price reductions in its discretion. Such price discounts and reductions will reduce the net sales of our licensed products and, correspondingly, our royalty payments under such license agreements. In addition, if any of our large customers is acquired or merged with another provider of similar products, we may lose that customer’s business
Our success depends on our ability to protect our intellectual property.
Our success depends on our ability to obtain and maintain patent protection for products developed utilizing our technologies, in the United States and in other countries, and to enforce these patents. The patent positions of pharmaceutical firms, including us, are generally uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. Notwithstanding our receipt of U.S. patents covering our Aversion, Impede and LIMITx Technologies, there is no assurance that any of our patent claims in our other pending non-provisional and provisional patent applications relating to our technologies will issue or if issued, that any of our existing and future patent claims will be held valid and enforceable against third-party infringement or that our products will not infringe any third-party patent or intellectual property. Moreover, any patent claims relating to our technologies may not be sufficiently broad to protect our products. In addition, issued patent claims may be challenged, potentially invalidated or potentially circumvented. Our patent claims may not afford us protection against competitors with similar technology or permit the commercialization of our products without infringing third-party patents or other intellectual property rights.
Our success also depends on our not infringing patents issued to others. We may become aware of patents belonging to competitors and others that could require us to obtain licenses to such patents or alter our technologies. Obtaining such licenses or altering our technology could be time consuming and costly. We may not be able to obtain a license to any technology owned by or licensed to a third party that we or our licensees require to manufacture or market one or more of our products. Even if we can obtain a license, the financial and other terms may be disadvantageous.
Our success also depends on maintaining the confidentiality of our trade secrets and know-how. We seek to protect such information by entering into confidentiality agreements with employees, potential licensees, raw material suppliers, contract research organizations, contract manufacturers, consultants and other parties. These agreements may be breached by such parties. We may not be able to obtain an adequate, or perhaps any, remedy to such a breach. In addition, our trade secrets may otherwise become known or be independently developed by our competitors. Our inability to protect our intellectual property or to commercialize our products without infringing third-party patents or other intellectual property rights would have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
We also rely on or intend to rely on our or our licensees’ trademarks, trade names and brand names to distinguish our products from the products of our competitors, and have registered or applied to register many of these trademarks. However, our trademark applications may not be approved. Third parties may also oppose our or our licensees’ trademark applications or otherwise challenge our use of the trademarks. In the event that our or our licensees’ trademarks are successfully challenged, we or our licensees could be forced to rebrand our product, which could result in loss of brand recognition and could require us or our licensees to devote resources to advertising and marketing these new brands. Further, our competitors may infringe our trademarks, or we may not have adequate resources to enforce our trademarks.
We may become involved in patent litigation or other intellectual property proceedings relating to our Aversion, Impede or LIMITx Technologies or product candidates, which could result in liability for damages or delay or stop our development and commercialization efforts.
The pharmaceutical industry has been characterized by significant litigation and other proceedings regarding patents, patent applications and other intellectual property rights. The situations in which we may become parties to such litigation or proceedings may include:
·litigation or other proceedings we or our licensee(s) may initiate against third parties to enforce our patent rights or other intellectual property rights, including the Paragraph IV Proceedings described below in the next risk factor;
·litigation or other proceedings we or our licensee(s) may initiate against third parties seeking to invalidate the patents held by such third parties or to obtain a judgment that our products do not infringe such third parties’ patents;
·litigation or other proceedings third parties may initiate against us or our licensee(s) to seek to invalidate our patents or to obtain a judgment that third party products do not infringe our patents;
·if our competitors file patent applications that claim technology also claimed by us, we may be forced to participate in interference, inter partes or opposition proceedings to determine the priority of invention and whether we are entitled to patent rights on such invention; and
·if third parties initiate litigation claiming that our products infringe their patent or other intellectual property rights, we will need to defend against such proceedings.
The costs of resolving any patent litigation, including the Paragraph IV Proceedings, or other intellectual property proceeding, even if resolved in our favor, could be substantial. Many of our potential competitors will be able to sustain the cost of such litigation and proceedings more effectively than we can because of their substantially greater resources. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other intellectual property proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace. Patent litigation, including the Paragraph IV Proceedings, and other intellectual property proceedings may also consume significant management time.
In the event that a competitor infringes upon our patent or other intellectual property rights, enforcing those rights may be costly, difficult and time consuming. We may not have sufficient resources to enforce our intellectual property rights or to defend our patent or other intellectual property rights against a challenge. If we are unsuccessful in enforcing and protecting our intellectual property rights and protecting our products, it would harm our business. In certain circumstances, we expect that our licensees will have first right to control the enforcement of certain of our patents against third party infringers. Our licensees may not put adequate resources or effort into such enforcement actions or otherwise fail to restrain infringing products. In addition, in an infringement proceeding, including the Paragraph IV Proceedings, a court may decide that a patent of ours is invalid or is unenforceable, or may refuse to stop the other party from using the technology at issue on the grounds that our patents do not cover the technology in question. An adverse result in any litigation, including the Paragraph IV Proceedings, or defense proceedings could put one or more of our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and could put our patent applications at risk of not issuing.
Our technologies or products may be found to infringe claims of patents owned by others. If we determine that we are, or if we are found to be infringing a patent held by another party, we, our suppliers or our licensees might have to seek a license to make, use, and sell the patented technologies and products. In that case, we, our suppliers or our licensees might not be able to obtain such license on acceptable terms, or at all. The failure to obtain a license to any third party technology that we may require would materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. If a legal action is brought against us or our licensees, we could incur substantial defense costs, and any such action might not be resolved in our favor. If such a dispute is resolved against us, we may have to pay the other party large sums of money and use of our technology and the testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale of one or more of our products could be restricted or prohibited. Even prior to resolution of such a dispute, use of our technology and the testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale of one or more of our products could be restricted or prohibited.
We are aware of certain United States and international pending patent applications owned by third parties with claims potentially encompassing Oxaydo and our other products. If such patent applications result in valid and enforceable issued patents, containing claims in their current form or otherwise encompassing our products we or our licensees may be required to obtain a license to such patents, should one be available, or alternatively, alter our products so as to avoid infringing such third-party patents. If we or our licensees are unable to obtain a license on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, we or our licensees could be restricted or prevented from commercializing our products. Additionally, any alterations to our products or our technologies could be time consuming and costly and may not result in technologies or products that are non-infringing or commercially viable.
We are aware of an issued United States patent owned by a third party having claims encompassing the use of one of our Aversion inactive ingredients. We are also aware of an issued United States patent owned by a third party having claims encompassing a pharmaceutical preparation containing viscosity producing ingredients that can be drawn into a syringe when dissolved in 10mL’s or less of aqueous solution. While we believe that our Aversion products do not infringe these patents, or that such patents are otherwise invalid, there can be no assurance that we or our licensees will not be sued for infringing these patents, and if sued, there can be no assurance that we or our licensees will prevail in any such litigation. If we or our licensees are found to infringe either or both of these patents, we or our licensees may seek a license to use the patented technology. If we are unable to obtain such a license, of which no assurance can be given, we or our licensees may be restricted or prevented from commercializing our Aversion products.
We are aware of certain issued United States patents owned by a third party having claims encompassing a process used to manufacture oxycodone HCl of high purity and pharmaceutical products resulting therefrom. As required by the FDA, Oxaydo contains a similar high purity oxycodone HCl manufactured by a supplier that is not the owner or licensee of such patents. The owner of these patents has filed patent infringement actions relating to these patents against companies that have filed abbreviated new drug applications with the FDA for extended-release versions of oxycodone HCl. To our knowledge, the patent owner has not initiated any patent infringement actions against the sellers of immediate-release oxycodone HCl products or their suppliers of oxycodone HCl, however, we cannot be certain that these immediate-release products actually utilize a high purity oxycodone. We cannot provide assurance that our licensee or its oxycodone HCl supplier will not be sued for infringing these patents. In the event of an infringement action, our licensee and their oxycodone HCl supplier would have to either: (a) demonstrate that the manufacture of the oxycodone HCl used in Oxaydo does not infringe the patent claims, (b) demonstrate the patents are invalid or unenforceable, or (c) enter into a license with the patent owner. If our licensee or their oxycodone HCl supplier is unable to demonstrate the foregoing, or obtain a license to these patients, our licensee may be required or choose to withdraw Oxaydo from the market.
We are aware of a certain issued United States patent owned by a third party having claims similar to our second generation Impede Technology directed to ingredient amounts that are generally more than the amounts used in our technology. While we believe our technology does not infringe this patent, we cannot provide assurance that we will not be sued under such patent or if sued, that we will prevail in any such suit.
We cannot assure you that our technologies, products and/or actions in developing our products will not infringe third-party patents. Our failure to avoid infringing third-party patents and intellectual property rights in the development and commercialization of our products would have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
Generic manufacturers are using litigation and regulatory means to seek approval for generic versions of Oxaydo, which could cause Zyla’s sales to suffer and adversely impact our royalty revenue.
Under the Hatch-Waxman Act, the FDA can approve an Abbreviated New Drug Application (“ANDA”) for a generic version of a branded drug and what is referred to as a Section 505(b)(2) NDA, for a branded variation of an existing branded drug, without requiring such applicant to undertake the full clinical testing necessary to obtain approval to market a new drug. In November 2017 the FDA issued guidance for the industry on obtaining approval for generic versions of opioids that reference products whose labeling describes abuse-deterrent properties. An ANDA applicant usually needs to only submit data demonstrating that its product has the same active ingredient(s) and is bioequivalent to the branded product, in addition to any data necessary to establish that any difference in strength, dosage form, inactive ingredients, or delivery mechanism does not result in different safety or efficacy profiles, as compared to the reference drug. Under the 2017 FDA guidance when a potential ANDA applicant develops a generic solid oral opioid drug product, the potential ANDA applicant should evaluate its proposed generic drug to show that it is no less abuse deterrent than the reference drug with respect to all of the potential routes of abuse.
The Hatch-Waxman Act requires an applicant for a drug that references one of our branded drugs to notify us of their application if they assert in their application that the patents we have listed in the Orange Book will not be infringed or otherwise are invalid or unenforceable (a Paragraph IV Certification). Upon receipt of this notice, we or our licensee will have 45 days to bring a patent infringement suit known as a Paragraph IV Proceeding in federal district court against such applicant. If such a suit is commenced, the FDA is generally prohibited from granting approval of the ANDA or Section 505(b)(2) NDA until the earliest of 30 months from the date the FDA accepted the application for filing, the conclusion of litigation in the generic applicant’s favor or expiration of the patent(s). If the litigation is resolved in favor of the applicant or the challenged patent expires during the 30-month stay period, the stay is lifted and the FDA may thereafter approve the application based on the standards for approval of ANDAs and Section 505(b)(2) NDAs. Frequently, the unpredictable nature and significant costs of patent litigation leads the parties to settle to remove this uncertainty. Settlement agreements between branded companies and generic applicants may allow, among other things, a generic product to enter the market prior to the expiration of any or all of the applicable patents covering the branded product, either through the introduction of an authorized generic or by providing a license to the applicant for the patents subject to the litigation.
In 2012 and 2013, we received Paragraph IV Certification Notices under 21 U.S.C. 355(j) (a Paragraph IV Notice) from 5 different generic sponsors of an ANDA for a generic drug listing Oxaydo as the reference listed drug. We initiated patent infringement proceedings against all 5. In 2013 and 2014, Watson Laboratories, Inc. - Florida (Watson) withdrew their Paragraph IV certification and we settled our litigation with Par Pharmaceutical, Inc., Impax Laboratories, Inc. Sandoz Inc., and Ranbaxy, Inc. Par is the first filer of an ANDA for a generic Oxaydo product and is entitled to the 180-day first filer exclusivity under applicable law and FDA regulations.
Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement with Par, Par may launch its generic Oxaydo product in the U.S., through the grant of a non-exclusive, royalty-bearing license from us that would trigger on January 1, 2022.
It is possible that other generic manufacturers may also seek to launch a generic version of Oxaydo and challenge our patents. Any determination in any such infringement actions that our patents covering our Aversion Technology and Oxaydo are invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, or that the products covered by generic sponsors’ ANDAs do not infringe our patents could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
We may be exposed to product liability claims and claims regarding marketing of products and may not be able to obtain or maintain adequate product liability insurance and some claims may not be covered by insurance.
Our business exposes us to potential product liability risks, which are inherent in the testing, manufacturing, marketing and sale of pharmaceutical products, and in particular opioid products. Manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioid medications, are the subject of lawsuits and have received subpoenas and other requests for information from various state and local government agencies regarding the sales and marketing of opioid medications. While we would not expect to be implicated in any such action or investigations, since our business is focused on abuse deterrence, there can be no assurance that we will not be so implicated. Product liability claims or marketing related claims might be made by patients, health care providers or others that sell or consume our products or insurance companies that insure those affected by our products. These claims may be made even with respect to those products that possess regulatory approval for commercial sale. We currently have clinical trial product liability insurance on a claims-made basis for our subject clinical trials and have product liability insurance for the Nexafed and Oxaydo products. This coverage may not be adequate to cover any product liability claims. Product liability coverage and other insurance is expensive. In the future, we may not be able to maintain such product liability insurance or other insurance at a reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect us against losses due to product liability claims or other claims. In addition our insurance may not cover certain marketing related claims and excludes certain products from product liability coverage. See litigation discussed below under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” of this Report. Any claims that are not covered by product liability insurance or other insurance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The pharmaceutical industry is characterized by frequent litigation. Those companies with significant financial resources will be better able to bring and defend any such litigation. No assurance can be given that we would not become involved in future litigation, in addition to the ongoing Reglan/Metoclopramide mass tort litigation and DES (diethylstilbestrol) litigation discussed below under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” of this Report, including litigation relating to products we manufactured or distributed several years and decades ago when we manufactured and sold a broad range of prescription and over the counter products. Such litigation may have material adverse consequences to our financial condition and results of operations.
We face significant competition, which may result in others developing or commercializing products before or more successfully than we do.
Our products and technologies compete to varying degrees against both brand and generic products offering similar therapeutic benefits and being developed and marketed by small and large pharmaceutical (for prescription products) and consumer packaged goods (for OTC products) companies. Many of our competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources and are able to expend more funds and effort than us and our licensees in research, development and commercialization of their competitive technologies and products. Prescription generic products and OTC store brand products will offer cost savings to third party payers and/or consumers that will create pricing pressure on our products. Also, these competitors may have a substantial sales volume advantage over our products, which may result in our licensee’s costs of manufacturing being higher than our competitors’ costs. If our products are unable to capture and maintain market share, we or our licensees may not achieve significant product revenues and our financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected.
We believe potential competitors may be developing opioid abuse deterrent technologies and products. Such potential competitors include, but may not be limited to, Pfizer Inc., Purdue Pharma, Atlantic Pharmaceuticals, KemPharm, Shionogi, Nektar Therapeutics, Signature Therapeutics, QRx Pharma, Tris Pharma, Pisgah Labs, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Inspirion Delivery Sciences, and Collegium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. These companies appear to be focusing their development efforts on ER Opioid Products, except for Atlantic Pharmaceuticals, Pisgah Labs, Inspirion and KemPharm.
Our Impede Technology products containing PSE, including our licensed Nexafed products, will compete in the highly competitive market for cold, sinus and allergy products generally available to the consumer without a prescription. Some of our competitors will have multiple consumer product offerings both within and outside the cold, allergy and sinus category providing them with substantial leverage in dealing with a highly consolidated pharmacy distribution network. The competing products may have well established brand names and may be supported by national or regional advertising. Our Nexafed products compete directly with Johnson & Johnson’s Sudafed® brand as well as generic formulations manufactured by Perrigo Company and others.
We are concentrating a substantial majority of our efforts and resources on developing product candidates utilizing our LIMITx and Impede Technologies. The commercial success of products utilizing such technologies will depend, in large part, on the intensity of competition, FDA approved product labeling for our products compared to competitive products, and the relative timing and sequence for commercial launch of new products by other companies developing, marketing, selling and distributing products that compete with the products utilizing our LIMITx and Impede Technologies. Alternative technologies and non-opioid products are being developed to improve or replace the use of opioid analgesics. In the event that such alternatives to opioid analgesics are widely adopted, then the market for products utilizing our LIMITx and Impede Technologies may be substantially decreased, thus reducing our ability to generate future revenues and adversely affecting our ability to generate a profit
Key personnel are critical to our business and our success depends on our ability to retain them.
We are dependent on our management and scientific team, including Robert Jones, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Peter A. Clemens, our Chief Financial Officer, and Albert W. Brzeczko, Ph.D., our Vice President of Pharmaceutical Sciences. We may not be able to retain the services of key personnel or attract and retain personnel on acceptable terms given the competition for such personnel among biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, universities and non-profit research institutions. While we have employment agreements with our CEO and CFO, all of our other employees are at-will employees who may terminate their employment at any time. We do not have key personnel insurance on any of our officers or employees. The loss of any of our key personnel, or the inability to attract and retain such personnel, may significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our product and technology development and business objectives and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our products are subject to regulation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, and such regulation may affect the development and sale of our products.
The DEA regulates certain finished drug products and active pharmaceutical ingredients, including certain opioid active pharmaceutical ingredients and pseudoephedrine HCl that are contained in our products. Consequently, their manufacture, research, shipment, storage, sale and use are subject to a high degree of regulation. Furthermore, the amount of active ingredients we can obtain for our clinical trials is limited by the DEA and our quota may not be sufficient to complete clinical trials. There is a risk that DEA regulations may interfere with the supply of the products used in our clinical trials.
In addition, we and our licensees and contract manufacturers are subject to ongoing DEA regulatory obligations, including, among other things, annual registration renewal, security, recordkeeping, theft and loss reporting, periodic inspection and annual quota allotments for the raw material for commercial production of our products. The DEA, and some states, conduct periodic inspections of registered establishments that handle controlled substances. Facilities that conduct research, manufacture, store, distribute, import or export controlled substances must be registered to perform these activities and have the security, control and inventory mechanisms required by the DEA to prevent drug loss and diversion. Failure to maintain compliance, particularly non-compliance resulting in loss or diversion, can result in regulatory action that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. The DEA may seek civil penalties, refuse to renew necessary registrations, or initiate proceedings to revoke those registrations. In certain circumstances, violations could lead to criminal proceedings.
Individual states also have controlled substances laws. Though state controlled substances laws often mirror federal law, because the states are separate jurisdictions, they may separately schedule drugs, as well. While some states automatically schedule a drug when the DEA does so, in other states there has to be a rulemaking or a legislative action. State scheduling may delay commercial sale of any controlled substance drug product for which we obtain FDA approval and adverse scheduling could have a material adverse effect on the attractiveness of such product. We or our licensees must also obtain separate state registrations in order to be able to obtain, handle, and distribute controlled substances for clinical trials or commercial sale, and failure to meet applicable regulatory requirements could lead to enforcement and sanctions from the states in addition to those from the DEA or otherwise arising under federal law.
Further, many of our raw ingredients and manufacturing equipment comes from international sources. Trade agreements and/or disagreements or other unforeseen disruptions to international supply chains may have an adverse impact on our business.
Social issues around the abuse of opioids, including law enforcement concerns over diversion of opioid and regulatory efforts to combat abuse, could decrease the potential market for Oxaydo, and, if approved, our LIMITx product candidates.
Media stories regarding prescription drug abuse and the diversion of opioids and other controlled substances are commonplace. Law enforcement and regulatory agencies may apply policies that seek to limit the availability of opioids. Such efforts may inhibit Zyla’s ability to commercialize Oxaydo and, if approved, our LIMITx product candidate. Aggressive enforcement and unfavorable publicity regarding, for example, the use or misuse of oxycodone or other opioid drugs, the limitations of abuse resistant formulations, public inquiries and investigations into prescription drug abuse, litigation or regulatory activity, sales, marketing, distribution or storage of our drug products could harm our reputation. Such negative publicity could reduce the potential size of the market for our product candidates and Oxaydo and decrease the revenues and royalties we are able to generate from their sale. Similarly, to the extent opioid abuse becomes less prevalent or a less urgent public health issue, regulators and third-party payers may not be willing to pay a premium for abuse deterrent formulations of opioids.
In addition, efforts by the FDA and other regulatory bodies to combat abuse of opioids may negatively impact the market for our product candidates. For example, in February 2016, as part of a broader initiative led by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to address opioid-related overdose, death and dependence, the FDA released an action plan to address the opioid abuse epidemic and reassess the FDA’s approach to opioid medications. The plan identifies the FDA’s focus on implementing policies to reverse the opioid abuse epidemic, while maintaining access to effective treatments. The actions set forth in the FDA’s plan include strengthening post marketing study requirements to evaluate the benefit of long-term opioid use, changing the REMS requirements to provide additional funding for physician education courses, releasing a draft guidance setting forth approval standards for generic abuse-deterrent opioid formulations, and seeking input from the FDA’s Scientific Board to broaden the understanding of the public risks of opioid abuse. Many of these changes could require our licensing partner and us to expend additional resources in developing and commercializing Oxaydo and our product candidates to meet additional requirements. In October 2017, the acting director of HHS under the directive of President Trump, declared the opioid crisis a national health emergency and initiated a five point plan including (i) improving access to prevention, treatment, and recovery support services; (ii) targeting the availability and distribution of overdose-reversing drugs; (iii) strengthening public health data reporting and collection; (iv) supporting cutting-edge research on addiction and pain; and (v) advancing the practice of pain management. The impact that this five point plan will have on us and our licensing partners is unclear at this time.
We are increasingly dependent on information technology and our systems and infrastructure face certain risks, including cybersecurity and data storage risks.
Significant disruptions to our information technology systems or breaches of information security could adversely affect our business. In the ordinary course of business, we collect, store and transmit confidential information, and it is critical that we do so in a secure manner in order to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of such confidential information. Our information technology systems are potentially vulnerable to service interruptions and security breaches from inadvertent or intentional actions by our employees, partners, vendors, or from attacks by malicious third parties. Maintaining the secrecy of this confidential, proprietary, and/or trade secret information is important to our competitive business position. While we have taken steps to protect such information and invested in information technology, there can be no assurance that our efforts will prevent service interruptions or security breaches in our systems or the unauthorized or inadvertent wrongful access or disclosure of confidential information that could adversely affect our business operations or result in the loss, dissemination, or misuse of critical or sensitive information. A breach of our security measures or the accidental loss, inadvertent disclosure, unapproved dissemination or misappropriation or misuse of trade secrets, proprietary information, or other confidential information, whether as a result of theft, hacking, or other forms of deception, or for any other cause, could enable others to produce competing products, use our proprietary technology and/or adversely affect our business position. Further, any such interruption, security breach, loss or disclosure of confidential information could result in financial, legal, business, and reputational harm to us and could have a material effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and/or cash flow.
Prior ownership changes may limit our ability to use our tax net operating loss carryforwards as part of an corporate restructure or reorganization.
Significant equity restructuring often results in an Internal Revenue Section 382 ownership change that limits the future use of Net Operating Loss (“NOL”), carryforwards and other tax attributes. In addition, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, NOL usage in any given year will be limited to 80% of taxable income, without regard to the NOL deduction, and losses incurred in 2018 and forward may not be carried back but can be carried forward indefinitely, but losses incurred prior to 2018 can only be carried forward for 20 years. We have determined that we have undergone ownership changes in both 2004 and 2017 (as defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code) and as a result, our use of NOL carryforwards on an annual basis will be very limited. As such, an entity that may seek to acquire the Company would likely be limited in the amount of NOLs they may be able to utilize. Neither the amount of our NOL carryforwards nor the amount of limitation of such carryforwards claimed by us have been audited or otherwise validated by the Internal Revenue Service, which could challenge the amount we have calculated. The recognition and measurement of our tax benefit includes estimates and judgment by our management, which includes subjectivity. Changes in estimates may create volatility in our tax rate in future periods based on new information about particular tax positions that may cause management to change its estimates.
Risks Relating to our Common Stock
Our results of operations will fluctuate, and these fluctuations could cause our stock price to decline.
Our quarterly and annual operating results are likely to fluctuate in the future. These fluctuations could cause our stock price to decline. The nature of our business involves variable factors, such as the timing of any license agreement, the timing of launch and market acceptance of our products, and the timing of the research, development and regulatory submissions of our products in development that could cause our operating results to fluctuate. The forecasting of the timing and amount of sales of our products is difficult due to market uncertainty and the uncertainty inherent in seeking FDA and other necessary approvals for our product candidates. As a result, in some periods, our clinical, financial or operating results may not meet the expectations of securities analysts and investors, which could result in a decline in the price of our stock.
Our stock price has been and may continue to be volatile, and the value of an investment in our common stock may decline.
During 2019, our stock traded as high as $0.63 per share and as low as $0.11 per share. The trading price of our common stock is likely to continue to exhibit wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. These factors could include:
·results from our pre-clinical and clinical development programs, including our LIMITx product candidates;
·FDA actions related to our products in development;
·FDA actions related to any of our potential products;
·announcements regarding the sales of Oxaydo;
·announcements regarding the progress of our preclinical and clinical programs;
·our licensee’s success in the commercialization of our Nexafed products;
·announcements regarding the sales of our Nexafed products;
·announcements regarding the execution of license agreements with third parties for our products or product candidates;
·failure of any of our products in development, if approved, to achieve commercial success;
·quarterly variations in our results of operations or those of our competitors;
·our ability to develop and market new and enhanced products on a timely basis;
·announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, regulatory approvals, clinical milestones, new products, significant contracts, commercial relationships or capital commitments;
·third-party coverage and reimbursement policies;
·additions or departures of key personnel;
·commencement of, or our involvement in, litigation;
·the inability of our contract manufacturers to provide us with adequate commercial supplies of our products;
·changes in governmental regulations or in the status of our regulatory approvals;
·changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts;
·any major change in our board or management;
·general economic conditions and slow or negative growth of our market; and
·political instability, natural disasters, war and/or events of terrorism.
From time to time, we estimate the timing of the accomplishment of various scientific, clinical, regulatory and other product development goals or milestones. These milestones may include the commencement or completion of scientific studies and clinical trials and the submission of regulatory filings. Also, from time to time, we expect that we will publicly announce the anticipated timing of some of these milestones. All of these milestones are based on a variety of assumptions. The actual timing of these milestones can vary dramatically compared to our estimates, in some cases for reasons beyond our control. If we do not meet these milestones as publicly announced, our stock price may decline and the commercialization of our products and potential products may be delayed.
In addition, the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of publicly traded companies. Broad market and industry factors may seriously affect the market price of companies’ stock, including ours, regardless of actual operating performance. These fluctuations may be even more pronounced in the trading market for our stock. In addition, in the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market price of a particular company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against these companies. This litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.
We do not have a history of paying dividends on our common stock.
Historically, we have not declared and paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We intend to retain all of our earnings for the foreseeable future to finance the operation and expansion of our business. As a result, you may only receive a return on your investment in our common stock if the market price of our common stock increases.
Any future sale of a substantial number of shares in a capital raising transaction could depress the trading price of our stock.
In order to raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at prices that may not be the same as the then current trading price of our common stock. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock, or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the then current trading price of our common stock.
As of February 15, 2020, our two largest shareholders own an aggregate of 12,651,582 shares (including 1,782,531 shares underlying warrants) (representing approximately 54.6% of our outstanding shares, including shares issuable upon exercise of these warrants but not including any other warrants, options or convertible debt outstanding to other entities). If some or all of such shares are sold by such stockholders, it may have the effect of depressing the trading price of our common stock. In addition, such sales could make it more difficult for us to raise capital if needed in the future.
Approximately 45.6% of our common stock, after giving effect to exercise of a warrant, is owned by a single individual, who is also a principal of AD Pharma LLC and MainPointe Pharmaceuticals LLC, and that individual is also party to our Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement.
A significant amount of our common stock is owned by a single individual, Mr. Schutte. On July 24, 2017, we completed a $4.0 million private placement with him for the sale of 8,912,655 shares and warrants to purchase 1,782,531 shares at an exercise price of $0.528 and expiring on July 24, 2022. Mr. Schutte is a principal of MainPointe. In March 2017, we granted MainPointe an exclusive license to our Impede Technology to commercialize our Nexafed® and Nexafed® Sinus Pressure + Pain Products in the United States and Canada. MainPointe also has options to expand the territory and products covered for additional sums. Further, as part of the closing of the Transaction, we, Galen Partners III, L.P., and Essex Woodlands Health Ventures V, L.P. (“Essex”) amended and restated the existing Voting Agreement between the parties to provide for Mr. Schutte to join as a party so that he can designate a director (he has not done so). During 2018 and through June 28, 2019, Mr. Schutte had lent us an aggregate of $6.0 million (including accrued interest) on a secured basis with a security interest in all of our assets, including our intellectual property.
At June 28, 2019, we entered into a Promissory Note with Mr. Schutte that consolidated existing promissory notes into a single Note with a principal amount of $6.0 million (after including accrued and unpaid interest through that date). To secure our performance of our obligations under the Note, we granted Mr. Schutte a security interest in all of our assets. Terms of the consolidated Note provide for a July 1, 2023 maturity date rather than the previous maturity date of January 2, 2020, interest at fixed rate of 7.5% per annum with all payments of principal and interest deferred to maturity. The Note is convertible into Acura common stock at $0.16 per share. As additional consideration, Mr. Schutte received a warrant to purchase 10 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $0.01 per share.
With our consent, Mr. Schutte assigned and transferred to Abuse Deterrent Pharma, LLC (“AD Pharma”), effective June 28, 2019, all of his right, title and interest in this Note, its associated Security Agreement and the Warrant to purchase 10 million common shares of our stock. Mr. Schutte is an investor in AD Pharma.
The combination of Mr. Schutte’s direct share ownership, control of one of our key licensing partners, the right to designate a director to oversee the long-term affairs of our company, his ownership interest in AD Pharma LLC and the security interest AD Pharma has in all of our assets gives him considerable influence over our business and affairs. As a result, Mr. Schutte, as a practical matter, is able to control all matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including the approval or rejection of mergers, sales or licenses of all or substantially all of our assets, or other business combination transactions. The interests of Mr. Schutte as a shareholder and creditor may not always coincide with the interests of our other shareholders and as such he may and cause the Company to take action to advance his interests to the detriment of our other shareholders. Accordingly, you may not be able to influence any action we take or consider taking, even if it requires a shareholder vote.
Our common stock is deemed a “penny stock,” which would make it more difficult for our investors to sell their shares.
Our common stock is subject to the “penny stock” rules adopted under the Exchange Act. The penny stock rules generally apply to companies whose common stock is not listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market or other national securities exchange and trades at less than $5.00 per share, other than companies that have had average revenue of at least $6,000,000 for the last three years or that have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,000 ($2,000,000 if the company (such as Acura) has been operating for three or more years). These rules require, among other things, that brokers who trade penny stock to persons other than “established customers” complete certain documentation, make suitability inquiries of investors and provide investors with certain information concerning trading in the security, including a risk disclosure document and quote information under certain circumstances. Many brokers have decided not to trade penny stocks because of the requirements of the penny stock rules and, as a result, the number of broker-dealers willing to act as market makers in such securities is limited. If we remain subject to the penny stock rules for any significant period, it could have an adverse effect on the market, if any, for our securities. If our securities are subject to the penny stock rules, investors will find it more difficult to dispose of our securities.
Our shares of common stock have been thinly traded, so you may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or even at all if you need to sell your shares to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate your shares.
Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB Market. Our common stock experiences periods when it could be considered “thinly-traded.” This situation may be attributable to a number of factors, including the fact that we are a small company which is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk averse and would be reluctant to follow an unproven company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time as we became more seasoned and viable. In addition, certain institutions are prohibited or limited from trading in shares priced at less than specified levels, including the prices at which our shares currently trade. As a consequence, there may be periods of several days, weeks or months when trading activity in our shares is minimal, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. We cannot give you any assurance that a broader or more active public trading market for our common stock will be sustained, or that current trading levels will be sustained or not diminish.
We are a smaller reporting company, and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are currently a “smaller reporting company,” meaning that we are not an investment company, an asset- backed issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent company that is not a smaller reporting company and have a public float of less than $250 million. “Smaller reporting companies” are able to provide simplified executive compensation disclosures in their filings; are exempt from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requiring that independent registered public accounting firms provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and have certain other decreased disclosure obligations in their SEC filings, including, among other things, only being required to provide two years of audited financial statements in annual reports and in certain registration statements. Decreased disclosures in our SEC filings due to our status as a “smaller reporting company” may make it harder for investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
The Company has received no written comments regarding periodic or current reports from the staff of the SEC that were issued 180 days or more preceding the end of its 2019 fiscal year that remain unresolved.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We lease from an unaffiliated Lessor, approximately 1,600 square feet of administrative office space at 616 N. North Court, Suite 120, Palatine, Illinois 60067 on a month-to-month basis. The lease agreement provides for rent, property taxes, common area maintenance, and janitorial services on a monthly basis of approximately $2 thousand per month. We utilize this lease space for our administrative and business development functions.
We conduct research, development, laboratory, development scale and NDA submission batch scale manufacturing and other activities relating to developing product candidates using Aversion, Impede and LIMITx Technologies at the facility we own (through a wholly owned subsidiary) located at 16235 State Road 17, Culver, Indiana. At this location is a 25,000 square foot facility with 7,000 square feet of warehouse, 8,000 square feet of manufacturing space, 4,000 square feet of research and development labs and 6,000 square feet of administrative and storage space. The facility is located on 28 acres of land.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Reglan®/Metoclopramide Litigation
Halsey Drug Company, as predecessor to us, was named along with numerous other companies as a defendant in cases filed in three separate state coordinated litigations pending in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and California, respectively captioned In re: Reglan®/Metoclopramide Mass Tort Litigation, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, January Term, 2010, No. 01997; In re: Reglan Litigation, Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Atlantic County, Case No. 289, Master Docket No. ATL-L-3865-10; and Reglan/Metoclopramide Cases, Superior Court of California, San Francisco County, Judicial Council Coordination Proceeding No. 4631, Superior Court No.: CJC-10-004631. In addition, we were served with a similar complaint by two individual plaintiffs in Nebraska federal court, which plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed in December 2014. In this product liability litigation against numerous pharmaceutical product manufacturers and distributors, including Acura, plaintiffs claim injuries from their use of the Reglan brand of metoclopramide and generic metoclopramide.
None of the plaintiffs in the lawsuits filed to date have confirmed that they ingested any of the generic metoclopramide manufactured by us. We discontinued manufacture and distribution of generic metoclopramide more than 20 years ago. All of these lawsuits have been effectively dismissed with the exception of less than ten pending Philadelphia cases that we expect will be finally dismissed without the need for any action by us. We expect that the Court will finally dismiss the small number of remaining Pennsylvania-based cases against us with prejudice by the end of the first quarter of 2020. Legal fees related to this matter have been covered by our insurance carrier. Based upon the current status and evaluation, we have not accrued for any potential loss related to these matters as of December 31, 2019.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISLCOSURES
Not Applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market and Market Prices of Common Stock
During 2016 fiscal year and through February 22, 2017, our common stock was traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ACUR”. On February 23, 2017, our common stock was delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market due to our failure to comply with Nasdaq’s Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), which requires that we maintain $2.5 million in stockholders’ equity for continued listing (or meet the alternatives of market value of listed securities of $35 million or net income from continuing operations). NASDAQ had granted us a grace period through February 10, 2017, to regain compliance with Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), but we were unable to regain compliance within such period.
Commencing on February 23, 2017, our common stock was quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “ACUR”, however commencing June 4, 2018 and lasting until July 2, 2018 it was quoted on the OTC Markets OTC Pink tier. The downgrade was a result of the late filing of our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K beyond any applicable grace periods. The Company regained compliance with the OTCQB and effective July 3, 2018 it was quoted on the OTCQB. However, commencing May 20, 2019 as a result of late filing of our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K our common stock was again relegated to the OTC Markets OTC Pink tier. The Company regained compliance with the OTCQB in March, 2020 and effective March 23, 2020 it was quoted on the OTCQB.
Set forth below for the period indicated are the high and low sales prices for our common stock in the OTC Market of OTCQB and Pink tier.
Holders
There were approximately 275 holders of record of our common stock as of March 18, 2020 including approximately 80 holders who were nominees for an undetermined number of beneficial owners based upon a review of a securities position listing provided by our transfer agent in September 2017. There were approximately 4,600 beneficial holders of our common stock as of March 16, 2020.
Dividend Policy
The payment of cash dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and is dependent upon many factors, including our earnings, our capital needs and our general financial condition. Historically, we have not paid any cash dividends.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not applicable
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Report. Operating results are not necessarily indicative of results that may occur in the future periods. Certain statements in this Report under this Item 7, Item 1, “Business”, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Report constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. See page 1 of this Report under the caption “Forward-Looking Statements” for a description of the most significant of such factors.
Company’s Present Financial Condition
At December 31, 2019, we had cash of $862 thousand compared to $91 thousand of cash at December 31, 2018. We had an accumulated deficit of approximately $388 million and $384.2 million at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. We had a loss from operations of $725 thousand and a net loss of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to a loss from operations of $3.9 million and a net loss of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
On June 28, 2019, we entered into License, Development and Commercialization Agreement (the "Agreement") with Abuse Deterrent Pharma, LLC. The Agreement grants AD Pharma exclusive commercialization rights in the United States to LTX-03. Financial arrangements include monthly license payments by AD Pharma of $350,000 up to the earlier of November 30, 2020 or FDA’s acceptance of a New Drug Application (“NDA”) for LTX-03 and reimbursement by AD Pharma of Acura’s LTX-03 outside development expenses. Upon commercialization of LTX-03, Acura will be entitled to stepped royalties on sales and is eligible for certain sales related milestones. However, if the NDA application for LTX-03 is not accepted by the FDA by November 30, 2020, AD Pharma has the option of terminating the Agreement and taking ownership of the intellectual property.
Our losses have resulted principally from costs incurred in connection with research and development activities, salaries and other personnel-related costs and sales, marketing and general corporate expenses. Research and development activities include costs of pre-clinical studies, clinical trials, and clinical trial product supplies associated with our product candidates as well as cost sharing expenses of line extension studies and post-marketing studies under the Zyla Agreement. Sales and marketing expenses include costs associated with the Nexafed product line advertising incurred prior to our entering into the MainPointe Agreement on March 16, 2017, salaries and other personnel-related costs include the stock-based compensation associated with stock options and restricted stock units granted to employees and non-employee directors.
The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is highly uncertain and we do not yet know the full extent of potential delays or impacts on our business, our clinical trials, healthcare systems or the global economy as a whole. As such, it is uncertain as to the full magnitude that the pandemic will have on the Company’s financial condition, liquidity, and future results of operations. (See Note 15 to the Financial Statements).
Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Revenues
License Fees
From the period, June 28, 2019 to December 31, 2019, we received license fees under the license and development agreement from AD Pharma totaling $2.1 million for LTX-03. No license fees were received in 2018.
Collaboration Revenue
Collaboration revenue is derived from research and development services we perform under the license and development agreement with AD Pharma for LTX-03. We recognized $185 thousand of collaboration revenue during 2019. We were not providing research and development services under any of our license agreements during 2018.
Royalty Revenue
In connection with our license agreement with Zyla for Oxaydo Tablets, we earn a royalty based on product net sales. We recognized $351 thousand and $386 thousand of royalty revenue from Oxaydo during the years ended 2019 and 2018, respectively.
In connection with our license agreement with MainPointe for our Nexafed product line, we earn a royalty based on product net sales. We recognized $21 thousand and $24 thousand of royalty revenue from Nexafed during 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Operating Expenses
Research and Development
Research and development expense (“R&D”) for 2019 and 2018 was with respect to our LIMITx Technology and Impede Technology development activity and included, among other items, costs of preclinical and non-clinical internal and external activities, clinical study trials, clinical supplies and its related formulation and design costs, salaries and other personnel related expenses of our employees, our facility costs, and a percentage share of selected cost sharing expenses under the license agreement with Zyla. Also included in each of 2019 and 2018 year end results are share-based compensation expenses of approximately $21 thousand and $65 thousand, respectively. Excluding share-based compensation expense, our R&D expenses decreased approximately $0.2 million between reporting periods, resulting primarily from the salary reductions enacted in 2018 and unpaid leave of absences during 2019. During 2018 we completed Study AP-LTX-301 but performed no additional clinical studies. We commenced the scale-up of the commercial manufacturing process on our LIMITx Technology in the second quarter of 2018 as to-be-marketed formulations are required for all NDA development work but was suspended during the fourth quarter of 2018. We resumed the scale-up activities effective with the licensing of LTX-03 to AD Pharma on June 28, 2019.
General and Administrative
Our general and administrative expenses primarily consisted of legal, audit and other professional services, corporate insurance, and payroll. Included in each of the 2019 and 2018 results are share-based compensation expenses of approximately $117 thousand and $165 thousand, respectively. Excluding the share-based compensation expense our general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $0.6 million between reporting periods, resulting primarily from the decrease legal activities, corporate insurance and from salary reductions enacted in 2018 and unpaid leave of absences during 2019.
Non-Operating Expense
Debt Extinguishment
On June 28, 2019, we modified the $5.0 million related party loan with Mr. Schutte and the accounting method used for the changes to the loan resulted in the recognition of a $2.6 million loss on debt extinguishment. In October 2018 we borrowed $1.8 million from Mr. Schutte and used $1.5 million from the loan proceeds to settle and pay-off in full the Oxford Loan for $1.5 million. We recognized a net gain of $296 thousand on the debt settlement.
Interest Expense, net
For 2019 and 2018, we incurred net interest expense of $449 thousand and $223 thousand, respectively, on our term loans.
Income Taxes
Our results for 2019 and 2018 include no federal or state income tax benefit provisions due to 100% allowances placed against our deferred tax assets for the uncertainty of their future utilization. As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the $135 thousand Federal alternative minimum taxes we paid in a prior year is refundable to the Company in prescribed percentages and time periods beginning with our tax year ended December 31, 2018. In July 2019 we received a $67 thousand tax refund.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2019, we had cash of $862 thousand, working capital of $104 thousand and an accumulated deficit of $388 million. We had a loss from operations of $725 thousand and a net loss of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. We have suffered recurring losses from operations and have not generated positive cash flows from operations. We anticipate operating losses to continue for the foreseeable future. As of March 30, 2020 our cash balance was approximately $1.2 million.
Additionally, the License, Development and Commercialization Agreement dated June 28, 2019 (the “Agreement”) requires AD Pharma to pay us monthly license payments of $350,000 from July 2019 through November 2020 and pay all outside development costs for LTX-03. However, the Agreement allows AD Pharma to terminate the Agreement “for convenience”. Should AD Pharma exercise their right to terminate the Agreement, we would need to raise additional financing or enter into license or collaboration agreements with third parties relating to our technologies. No assurance can be given that we will be successful in obtaining any such financing or in securing license or collaboration agreements with third parties on acceptable terms, if at all, or if secured, that such financing or license or collaboration agreements will provide payments to the Company sufficient to fund continued operations. In the absence of such financing or third-party license or collaboration agreements, the Company will be required to scale back or terminate operations and/or seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws. An extended delay or cessation of the Company’s continuing product development efforts will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Our independent auditors have included in their report relating to our 2019 financial statements a “going concern” explanatory paragraph as to substantial doubt of our ability to continue as a going concern.
In view of the matters described above, management has concluded that substantial doubt exists with respect to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued and our independent registered public accounting firm have included in their report relating to our 2019 financial statements a “going concern” explanatory paragraph as to substantial doubt of our ability to continue as a going concern.
In view of the matters described above, recoverability of a major portion of the recorded asset amounts shown in the Company’s accompanying balance sheets is dependent upon continued operations of the Company, which in turn is dependent upon the Company’s ability to meet its financing requirements on a continuous basis, to maintain existing financing and to succeed in its future operations. The Company’s financial statements do not include any adjustment relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue in existence.
Our future sources of revenue, if any, will be derived from licensing fees, milestone payments and royalties under the AD Pharma Agreement, the Zyla Agreement, the KemPharm Agreement, the MainPointe Agreement and similar agreements which we may enter into for our LIMITx products in development with other pharmaceutical company partners, for which there can be no assurance.
The amount and timing of our future cash requirements will depend on regulatory and market acceptance of our product candidates and the resources we devote to the development and commercialization of our product candidates.
Cash Flows
Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and consisted primarily of a net loss of $3.8 million, capitalized debt discount of $13 thousand and a loss on debt extinguishment of $2.6 million. This net loss was partially offset by non-cash items such as $108 thousand in share-based compensation expense, $66 thousand of debt discount and debt issue cost amortization expense, $66 thousand of depreciation expense, and $207 thousand of intangible asset amortization expense with $154 thousand in net cash outflows from changes in operating assets and liabilities. Cash outflows from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $154 thousand were primarily due to $78 thousand increase in collaboration revenue receivable and $379 thousand decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses. These cash outflows were partially offset by a decreases of $55 thousand in royalty receivables, $67 thousand in income tax receivable, $394 thousand in accrued interest and $44 thousand in prepaid expenses and other current assets and increases of $18 thousand in other current liabilities.
Net cash used in operating activities was $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and consisted primarily of a net loss of $3.8 million, capitalized debt discount of $172 thousand and a gain on the debt extinguishment of $296 thousand. This net loss was partially offset by non-cash items such as $218 thousand in share-based compensation expense, $87 thousand of debt discount and debt issue cost amortization expense, $73 thousand of depreciation expense, and $207 thousand of intangible asset amortization expense with $183 thousand in net cash outflows from changes in operating assets and liabilities. Cash outflows from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $896 thousand were primarily due to $66 thousand increase in royalty receivable and $830 thousand decreases in both accrued interest and accrued expenses. These cash outflows were partially offset by a $109 thousand decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets and increase of $604 in accounts payable.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
We had no investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and consisted of the net proceeds from loans provided by Mr. Schutte.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and consisted of the $4.350 million net proceeds from loans provided by Mr. Schutte partially offset by $2.6 million principal repayments and debt retirement on the loan with Oxford Finance.
Related Party Loans from Mr. Schutte
At June 28, 2019, we entered into a Promissory Note (the “Note”) with Mr. Schutte that consolidated existing promissory notes that were due to mature at January 2, 2020 issued to John Schutte into a single note for $6.0 million (after including accrued and unpaid interest). To secure our performance of our obligations under the Note, we granted Mr. Schutte a security interest in all of our assets. Terms of the consolidated Note provide for a July 1, 2023 maturity date, interest at fixed rate of 7.5% per annum with all payments of principle and interest deferred to maturity. The Note is convertible into Acura common stock at $0.16 per share. As additional consideration, Mr. Schutte received a warrant to purchase 10 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $0.01 per share.
With our consent, Mr. Schutte assigned and transferred to Abuse Deterrent Pharma, LLC (“AD Pharma”) all of his right, title and interest in this Note, its associated Security Agreement and the Warrant to purchase 10.0 million common shares of our stock, effective June 28, 2019. Mr. Schutte is an investor in AD Pharma.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not engage in transactions or arrangements with unconsolidated or other special purpose entities.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in our financial statements and accompanying notes. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, including those estimates related to contract agreements, research collaborations and investments. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The following items in our financial statements require significant estimates and judgments:
Going Concern
In connection with the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company conducted an evaluation as to whether there were conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, which raised substantial doubt as to the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date of the issuance, or the date of availability, of the financial statements to be issued, noting that there did appear to be evidence of substantial doubt of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern as further discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s revenues are comprised of amounts earned under its license and collaboration agreements, royalties, and until March 2017 did previously include the Nexafed products’ net product sales. The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606-Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or Topic 606, on January 1, 2018, resulting in a change to its accounting policy for revenue recognition.
Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when, or as, performance obligations under terms of a contract are satisfied, which occurs when control of the promised service is transferred to a customer. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring services to a customer (“transaction price”). The Company will then recognize as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. When determining the transaction price of the contract, an adjustment is made if payment from a customer occurs either significantly before or significantly after performance, resulting in a significant financing component.
The Company may enter into license and collaboration agreements which contain a single performance obligation or may contain multiple performance obligations. Those which contain multiple performance obligations will require an allocation of the transaction price based on the estimated relative standalone selling prices of the promised services underlying each performance obligation. These license and collaboration agreements may contain customer options for the license of additional products and territories. The options in the agreement may need to be evaluated to determine the option’s standalone selling prices. Some of the license and collaboration agreements may contain a license to the technology as well as licenses to tradenames or trademarks. The licenses to the tradenames or trademarks will need to be evaluated in context of the entire contract. The commercial sales-based milestones and sales royalties earned under the license and collaboration agreements are recorded in the period of the related sales by the licensee.
Research and Development
Research and Development (“R&D”) costs include internal R&D activities, external Contract Research Organization (“CRO”) services and their clinical research and investigative sites, and other activities. Internal R&D activity costs can include facility overhead, equipment and facility maintenance and repairs, laboratory supplies, pre-clinical laboratory experiments, formulation work, depreciation, salaries, benefits, insurance and share-based compensation expenses. CRO activity costs can include preclinical laboratory experiments and clinical trial studies. Other activity costs can include regulatory consulting, regulatory legal counsel, cost of acquiring, developing and manufacturing pre-clinical trial materials, costs of manufacturing scale-up, and cost sharing expenses under license agreements. Internal R&D costs and other activity costs are charged to expense as incurred. We make payments to CROs based on agreed upon terms and may include payments in advance of a study starting date. Payments in advance will be reflected in the financial statements as prepaid expenses. We review and charge to expense the amounts for CRO costs and clinical trial study costs based on services performed and rely on estimates of those costs applicable to the stage of completion of a study as provided by the CRO to us. The accrued CRO costs are subject to revisions by us as the study progresses towards completion. Revisions are charged to expense in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known to us.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and income tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted income tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Additionally, net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are reported as deferred income tax assets. The realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon future earnings. A valuation allowance against deferred income tax assets is required if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred income tax assets may not be realized. At December 31, 2018, 100% of the remaining deferred income tax assets are offset by a valuation allowance due to uncertainties with respect to future utilization of net operating loss carryforwards. If in the future it is determined that amounts of our deferred income tax assets would likely be realized, the valuation allowance would be reduced in the period in which such determination is made and a benefit from income taxes in such period would be recognized.
Share-based Compensation Expense
Compensation cost related to stock-based payment transactions is measured based on fair value of the equity or liability instrument issued. For purposes of estimating the fair value of each stock option unit on the date of grant, we utilized the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected volatility factor of the market price of our common stock (as determined by reviewing its historical public market closing prices). Our accounting for stock-based compensation for restricted stock units, or RSUs, is based on the fair-value method. The fair value of the RSUs is the market price of our common stock on the date of grant, less its exercise cost. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09 which provides guidance as to how an entity should apply modified accounting in Topic 718 when changing the terms and conditions of its share-based payment awards. The guidance clarifies that modification accounting will be applied if the value, vesting conditions or classification of the award changes. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017 but early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this new standard on January 1, 2018 which did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Recent Accounting Pronouncements of the Notes to Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K) for further discussion.
Capital Expenditures
We did not have any capital expenditures during 2019 or 2018.
Impact of Inflation
We believe that inflation did not have a material impact on our operations for the periods reported.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Some of the securities that we may invest in may be subject to market risk. Our primary objective in our cash management activities is to preserve principal while at the same time maximizing income we receive from our investments. A change in the prevailing interest rates may cause the principal amount of the investments to fluctuate. As of December 31, 2019, we had no investments in marketable securities or holdings of derivative financial or commodity instruments.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The consolidated financial statements of Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Subsidiary and the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon, to be filed pursuant to Item 8 are included in Item 15.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We have conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including our subsidiary) required to be included in our periodic Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designated by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
·Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and disposition of our assets;
·Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
·Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013 Framework). Based on our assessment, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer both believe that, as of December 31, 2019, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm was not required to and did not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Fourth Quarter 2019 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Not Applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The name, age and position of our directors, executive officers and key employees as of March 30, 2019 are as follows:
Name Age Position
Robert B. Jones President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Peter A. Clemens Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Albert W. Brzeczko, Ph.D. Vice President, Pharmaceutical Sciences
Robert A. Seiser Vice President, Treasurer, and Corporate Controller
James F. Emigh Vice President of Corporate Development
Bruce F. Wesson(1) (2) Director
William G. Skelly(1)(2) Director
Immanuel Thangaraj(2) Director
George K. Ross(1) Director
(1)Member of audit committee.
(2)Member of compensation committee.
Robert B. Jones has been our President and Chief Executive Officer since July 7, 2011. From April 2011 through July 6, 2011, Mr. Jones was our Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Jones was our Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from April 2008 to April 2011. From May, 2003 to March, 2008, Mr. Jones served first as the Vice President, Finance and then as Vice President, Strategy and Business Analysis of Adolor Corporation. From November 2000 to May 2003 he served as Vice President, Finance and then as Chief Operating Officer of Opt-E-Script, Inc., a privately held personalized medicine company, where Mr. Jones was responsible for all commercialization activities. Prior to that, Mr. Jones was Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Purepac Pharmaceutical Company. Mr. Jones received his M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina and a B.S. from Cornell University. Mr. Jones was appointed a director of the Company in July 2011.
Peter A. Clemens has been Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since April 2004. Mr. Clemens was our Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary from February 1998 to March 2004 and a member of our Board of Directors from June, 1998 to August, 2004. Mr. Clemens is Certified Public Accountant (Inactive) and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Masters of Business Administration from Indiana University.
Albert W. Brzeczko, Ph.D., has been Vice President, Pharmaceutical Sciences, of APT since January 2019 and has been Vice President, Technical Affairs of APT from February 2009 through 2018. From 1999 through 2009, Dr. Brzeczko was Vice President, Global Pharma New Product Development and Pharma Technologies for International Specialty Products, Inc., a contract services group specializing in the development of technologies for the bioenhancement of poorly soluble drugs. Prior to 1999, Dr. Brzeczko held various positions of increasing responsibility in pharmaceutical product development with UPM Pharmaceuticals, Banner Pharmacaps, Mylan Laboratories, and DuPont Merck. Dr. Brzeczko received a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Maryland.
Robert A. Seiser has been a Vice President, Treasurer and Corporate Controller since April 2004. Mr. Seiser joined us in March 1998 as our Treasurer and Corporate Controller. Mr. Seiser is a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive) and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Loyola University of Chicago.
James F. Emigh has been Vice President of Corporate Development since October 2011. From April 2004 to October 2011, Mr. Emigh was our Vice President of Marketing and Administration. Prior to such time, Mr. Emigh was our Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Emigh joined us in May, 1998, serving first as Executive Director of Customer Relations and then as Vice President of Operations. Mr. Emigh holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Washington State University and a Masters of Business Administration from George Mason University.
Bruce F. Wesson has been a member of our Board of Directors since March 1998. From January 1991 until June 30, 2011, Mr. Wesson was a Partner of Galen Associates, a health care venture firm, and a General Partner of Galen Partners III, L.P. Prior to January 1991, he was Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Co. Inc., an investment banking firm. From May 2006 until June 2016 he served on the Board of Derma Sciences, Inc. From June 1999 until January 2016 he served as director of the Board of MedAssets, Inc. and for over eight years until January 2016 served as Vice Chairman of MedAssets, Inc. Mr. Wesson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University and a Masters of Business Administration from Columbia University.
William G. Skelly has been a member of our Board of Directors since May 1996 and served as our Chairman from October 1996 through June 2000. Since 1990, Mr. Skelly has served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Central Biomedia, Inc. and its subsidiary SERA, Inc. From 1985 to 1990, Mr. Skelly served as President of Martec Pharmaceutical, Inc. Mr. Skelly earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Immanuel Thangaraj has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 2002. Mr. Thangaraj has been a Managing Director of Essex Woodlands Health Ventures, a venture capital firm specializing in the healthcare industry, since 1997. Prior to joining Essex Woodlands Health Ventures, he helped establish a telecommunication services company, for which he served as its CEO. Mr. Thangaraj holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Chicago.
George K. Ross has been a member of our Board of Directors since January, 2008. Since April 2002, Mr. Ross has been a consultant to early stage businesses and a financial investor. From April 1, 2015 until its sale in March 2017, Mr. Ross was an advisor to GP Shopper LLC, a provider of mobile solutions for retail and brands. From July 2005 through December 2010 he served as Executive Director, Foundations and Partnerships for World Vision U.S. in New York City. His business career has included senior financial officer and board member positions with both public and private companies in diverse industries. Mr. Ross was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and a board member of Tier Technologies Inc. from February 1997 to January 2000, which became a public company during this period. Mr. Ross is a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive) and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and a Masters of Business Administration from Ohio State University.
The term of office of each director will continue until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until such person’s successor has been elected and qualified. Officers are appointed by the Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board, although the employment of Robert B. Jones, our President and Chief Executive Officer and Peter A. Clemens, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer are subject to the provisions of their respective Employment Agreements.
Director Independence
Our shares of common stock were listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market until February 22, 2017 and were quoted on the OTCQB market until June 4, 2018. From June 4, 2018 through July 2, 2018 our stock was quoted on the OTC Markets’ OTC Pink Tier, when we regained compliance with the OTCQB Market and resumed quotation on the OTCQB Market on July 3, 2018. Since May 20, 2019 our stock was been quoted on the OTC Markets’ OTC Pink Tier due to our failure to comply with the filing deadlines for our 2018 Form 10K and 2019 Form 10-Qs. In March, 2020 we regained compliance with the OTCQB Market and resumed quotation on the OTXQB Market on March 20, 2020. In 2016 we were subject to the Nasdaq Stock Market independence standards and we continue to follow those standards in determining whether a director is independent for Board or Committee purposes. Under the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market, which we were subject to until February 22, 2017, independent directors must comprise a majority of our Board of Directors. In addition, the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of the Audit and Compensation Committees of our Board of Directors be independent. Audit Committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Exchange Act. Under the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of our Board of Directors, that person does have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
In order to be considered to be independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3, a member of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors or any other committee of our Board of Directors:
·accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from us or any of our subsidiaries; or
·be an affiliated person of us or any of our subsidiaries.
Our Board of Directors has undertaken a review of its composition, the composition of its committees and the independence of each director. In connection with this review, our Board of Directors determined that each of Messrs. Wesson, Skelly, Thangaraj and Ross, representing four of our five directors, satisfies the independence requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. In making this determination, our Board of Directors considered the relationships that each non-employee director has with us and all other facts and circumstances our Board of Directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our share capital by each non-employee director and their affiliates. In addition, our Board of Directors considered information that was provided by each director concerning his or her background, employment and affiliations, including relationships with our stockholders.
Corporate Governance
Our Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating Committee. Our Audit Committee and our Compensation Committee operate under written charters approved by our Board of Directors, copies of which are available on our website and will be made available in print to any shareholder who requests it. Currently, our entire Board serves as our Nominating Committee. A brief description of these committees is provided below.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is composed of Mr. Ross, Chairman, and Messrs. Wesson and Skelly. The Audit Committee is responsible for selecting the Company’s registered independent public accounting firm, approving the audit fee payable to the auditors, working with independent auditors and other corporate officials, reviewing the scope and results of the audit by, and the recommendations of, our independent auditors, approving the services provided by the auditors, reviewing our financial statements and reporting on the results of the audits to the Board, reviewing our insurance coverage, financial controls and filings with the SEC, including, meeting quarterly prior to the filing of our quarterly and annual reports containing financial statements filed with the SEC, and submitting to the Board its recommendations relating to our financial reporting, accounting practices and policies and financial, accounting and operational controls.
In assessing the independence of the Audit Committee in 2019, our Board reviewed and analyzed the standards for independence provided in NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605 and applicable SEC regulations. Based on this analysis, our Board has determined that each of Messrs. Ross, Wesson and Skelly satisfies such standards for independence. Our Board also determined that Mr. Ross is a “financial expert” as provided in NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(c)(3) and SEC regulations.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is composed of Mr. Skelly, Chairman, and Messrs. Wesson and Thangaraj. This committee is responsible for consulting with and making recommendations to the Board of Directors about executive and director compensation and compensation of employees. In 2019 the Compensation Committee did not retain a compensation consulting firm, to assist in evaluating stock option and other incentives for our directors, executive officers and other employees.
Our Board determined that each of Messrs. Skelly, Wesson and Thangaraj were independent directors under the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. The Board has also determined that each of Messrs. Skelly, Thangaraj and Wesson meet the more stringent independence standards for compensation committees imposed under NASDAQ Rule 5605(d)(2)(A).
Nominating Committee
Currently our entire Board of Directors functions as our nominating committee. As needed, the Board will perform the functions typical of a nominating committee, including the identification, recruitment and selection of nominees for election to our Board. Our Board determined that all members of the Board were independent other than Mr. Jones, our CEO. We believe that a nominating committee separate from the Board is not necessary at this time given our relative size, the size of our Board, and our opinion that an additional committee of the Board would not add to the effectiveness of the evaluation and nomination process. The Board’s process for recruiting and selecting nominees for Board members, if required, would be to identify individuals who are thought to have the business background and experience, industry specific knowledge and general reputation and expertise allowing them to contribute as effective directors to our governance, and who would be willing to serve as directors of a public company. To date, we have not engaged any third party to assist in identifying or evaluating potential nominees. If a possible candidate is identified, the individual will meet with each member of the Board and be sounded out concerning his/her possible interest and willingness to serve, and Board members would discuss amongst themselves the individual’s potential to be an effective Board member. If the discussions and evaluation are positive, the individual would be invited to serve on the Board. To date, no shareholder has presented any candidate for Board membership for consideration, and we do not have a specific policy on shareholder-recommended director candidates. The Board believes its process for evaluation of nominees proposed by shareholders would be no different than the process of evaluating any other candidate, and therefore the Board believes it is appropriate to not have a policy on shareholder-recommended director candidates. The Board of Directors does not have a policy regarding diversity in identifying nominees for director.
The experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led the Board to conclude that the current board members should serve are: (i) their pharmaceutical industry and senior level management experience in the case of Messrs. Jones, Skelly, and Wesson; (ii) financial and senior level management expertise in the case of Mr. Ross, and (iii) their experience in overseeing management as principals of private equity firms in the case of Messrs. Wesson, and Thangaraj. Although our Certificate of Incorporation provides for a maximum of 11 directors, in accordance with the terms of a Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement dated as of July 24, 2017 executed by us, Mr. Schutte (“Schutte”), and Essex Woodlands Health Ventures V, L.P. (“Essex”), (the “Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement”), we have agreed that the Board of Directors shall be comprised of not more than seven members (or such greater number that is required to assure that we have a majority of independent directors after giving effect to the various designation rights described herein), one of whom shall be the designee of Schutte, one of whom shall be the designee of Essex, one of whom is our Chief Executive Officer and three of whom are independent directors. Mr. Thangaraj serves as the designee of Essex. The Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement provides that each of Schutte’s, and Essex’s right to designate one director will terminate when it or its affiliates (determined separately for each of Schutte and Essex) fail to hold at least 600,000 shares of our common stock (or warrants exercisable for such shares). The Board is required to nominate an independent director upon forfeiture of a designation right. Mr. Schutte has not designated a nominee.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
No member of the Compensation Committee was or currently is, an officer or employee of the Company, and no member of the Compensation Committee had any relationship with us requiring disclosure under Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K. None of our executive officers has served on the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee of any other entity that has or had one or more executive officers who served as a member of our Board of Directors.
Separation of Roles of Chairman and CEO
Mr. Jones serves as Chief Executive Officer. Our Chairman of our Board of Directors resigned on March 11, 2013. A replacement Chairman has not been elected to date. We believe the separation of offices is beneficial because a separate chairman (i) can provide the Chief Executive Officer with guidance and feedback on his performance, (ii) provides a more effective channel for the Board to express its views on management, (iii) allows the chairman to focus on shareholder interests and corporate governance while the Chief Executive Officer leads the Company’s strategy development and implementation. It is our intention to seek to add to our Board additional members having significant senior level pharmaceutical experience, and that one of such additional Board members will be entrusted by the Board to serve as Chairman.
Board’s Role in Risk Assessment
The Board as a whole engages in risk oversight as part of its functions. As an emerging pharmaceutical development company we face numerous risks identified in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, many of which are outside of our control. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews our insurance coverage and the Board and Audit Committee regularly monitor our liquidity position and operating expenses and review our capital-funding needs. The Company believes the Board leadership structure effectively enables it to oversee risk management.
Shareholder Communications to the Board
Shareholders who wish to send communications to our Board of Directors may do so by sending them in care of our Secretary at Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 616 N. North Court, Suite 120 Palatine, Illinois 60067. The envelope containing such communication must contain a clear notation indicating that the enclosed letter is a “Shareholder-Board Communication” or “Shareholder-Director Communication” or similar statement that clearly and unmistakably indicates the communication is intended for the Board. All such communications must clearly indicate the author as a shareholder and state whether the intended recipients are all members of the Board or just certain specified directors. Our Secretary will have the discretion to screen and not forward to Directors communications which the Secretary determines in his or her discretion are communications unrelated to our business or our governance, commercial solicitations, or communications that are offensive, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate. The Secretary will, however, compile all shareholder communications which are not forwarded and such communications will be available to any Director.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our Directors and executive officers, and persons who own beneficially more than ten percent (10%) of our common stock, to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership with the SEC. Copies of all filed reports are required to be furnished to us pursuant to Section 16(a). Based solely on the reports received by us and on written representations from reporting persons, we believe that our Directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent (10%) beneficial owners of our common stock complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Code of Ethics
Our Code of Ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and all of our other employees is available on our website, www.acurapharm.com, by clicking on “Corporate Governance” under the “Investors” tab.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table and Discussion of Employment and Incentive Arrangements
The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation paid by us for services rendered in all capacities to us during each of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, to our Chief Executive Officer, and the two most highly compensated executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer who were serving as executive officers at the end of the last completed fiscal year (collectively, the “2019 named executive officers”) whose total annual compensation for 2019 exceeded $100,000:
(1) The RSU Stock Award grant date fair values are computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The 2018 values represent (A) our last sale price of $0.1510 on 12/11/2018 less $.01 par value multiplied by (B) the number of shares underlying RSUs (150,000, 120,000 and 102,000, in the case of Messrs. Jones, Clemens and Brzeczko, respectively). There were no RSU stock awards in 2019.
(2) The Stock Option grant date fair values are computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The 2018 values represent (A) the computed grant date fair value of the option of $0.0950 multiplied by (B) the number of underlying option shares (50,000, 40,000, and 34,000, in the case of Messrs. Jones, Clemens and Brzeczko, respectively). To calculate the 2018 grant date fair value, we considered an assumed risk free interest rate of 2.8% and a historical volatility percentage for our common stock of 76%, with an expected divided yield of 0%, an expected term of 5 years, and the option exercise price of $0.1510. There were no stock option awards in 2019.
(3) Salary of $123,000, $164,000 and $180,000 for Messrs. Jones, Clemens and Brzeczko, respectively, reflects impact of certain voluntary salary reductions enacted in 2018 and unpaid leave of absences during 2019. The current base salary is $150,000, $200,000 and $220,000 for Messrs. Jones, Clemens and Brzeczko, respectively.
Other Compensatory Arrangements
Our executive officers participate in medical, dental, life and disability insurance plans provided to all of our employees.
Bonus/Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Each of Messrs. Jones, Clemens and Brzeczko are eligible for annual bonuses. Each of Mr. Jones’ and Mr. Clemens’ bonuses are weighted at 100% to achievement of organizational goals, while the bonuses for other employees, including for Dr. Brzeczko are weighted 50% to the achievement of organizational goals and 50% to the achievement of individual goals. In 2019 and 2018 our cash position did not allowed us to award bonuses under our non-equity incentive compensation plan or otherwise increase salaries as reflected in the “Non-equity Incentive Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table.
Material organizational goals for 2020 include securing a commercial manufacturer for LTX-03, completing all clinical activities for LTX-03 and submission and acceptance by the FDA of the NDA for LTX-03 by November 30, 2020 and securing a licensing partner for other LIMITx products in development.
Material organizational goals for 2019 included completing a strategic transaction, partnership or financings to maximize value to the Company’s shareholders and debt holder, advance commercial manufacturing scale-up of LTX-03, execute clinical studies for LTX-03, maintain compliance with SOX and successfully manage our intellectual property.
No compensation will be earned with respect to a performance measure unless a performance “floor” for that measure is exceeded; the incentive opportunity with respect to a measure will be earned if the target is achieved; achievement between the floor and the target results in a lower amount of award with respect to that performance measure. An amount larger than the incentive opportunity for each performance measure can be earned, up to and possibly exceeding a specified limit, for exceeding the target for that measure. Depending on market conditions and other circumstances, performance criteria may be modified during the course of the year, and other performance criteria reweighted.
In ascertaining the achieved level of performance against the targets, the effects of certain extraordinary events, as determined by the Compensation Committee, such as (i) major acquisitions and divestitures, (ii) significant one-time charges, and (iii) changes in accounting principles required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, are “compensation neutral” for the year in which they occurred; that is, they are not taken into account in determining the degree to which the targets are met in that year.
The Compensation Committee may, after a review of an executive’s performance, recommend to the Board that a bonus award be made to such executives based upon other non-enumerated performance targets (whether or not they are parties to employment agreements). This could result in the award of salary increases or bonuses above a targeted range amount.
Employment Agreements
Robert B. Jones commenced employment with us on April 7, 2008 pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated March 18, 2008 as our Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. On April 28, 2011, Mr. Jones was appointed our Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. On July 7, 2011, Mr. Jones was named President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Jones’ annual salary is $150,000 (a temporary reduction from his salary under the Employment Agreement of $393,000 because of our need to preserve cash). The term of the Employment Agreement is currently scheduled to expire December 31, 2020, and provides for automatic one year renewals in the absence of written notice to the contrary from us (which would give Mr. Jones the right to terminate his employment for Good Reason) or Mr. Jones at least ninety days prior to the expiration of the initial term or any subsequent renewal period. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement Mr. Jones is eligible for annual bonuses of up to 100% of his base salary on the achievement of such targets, conditions, or parameters as may be set from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. In 2018 and 2019, Mr. Jones did not receive a bonus.
On December 11, 2014, December 10, 2015, December 8, 2016, August 9, 2017 and December 11, 2018, we granted Mr. Jones stock options to purchase 50,400 shares, 70,000 shares, 47,000 shares, 47,000 shares and 50,000 shares of our common stock, respectively, in each case exercisable at the fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant and vesting in equal installments over 24 months, except that the August 9, 2017 grant vested in one installment on August 9, 2018; and the December 11, 2018 grant will vest in one installment on December 11, 2019 (in each case, subject to earlier exercisability as set forth in the table below entitled “Events Affecting Stock Option Vesting and Exercise”). “Fair market value” is the closing price for a share of the common stock on the exchange or quotation system which reports or quotes the closing prices for a share of the common stock (or alternate methodologies if no such quote is available).
On December 11, 2017 and December 11, 2018, we granted Mr. Jones 41,000 and 150,000 Restricted Stock Units exchangeable for shares of the Company’s common stock on a 1-for-1 basis after payment of $.01 par value per share, respectively. The 41,000 Restricted Stock Units vested on December 11, 2018. The 150,000 Restricted Stock Units will vest on December 11, 2019 or earlier if Mr. Jones’ service as an employee is terminated by us without Cause (as defined in the 2017 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan) or due to his death or Disability (as defined in the 2017 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan) or a qualifying change of control occurs. Distributions in respect of such vested Restricted Stock Units will be made in three equal installments, and in the case of the December 11, 2017 grant, will occur on the first business day of each of January 2020, 2021, and 2022, and in the case of the December 11, 2018 grant, will occur on the first business day of each of January 2021, 2022, and 2023, or earlier upon a qualifying change of control which also meets certain criteria of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Employment Agreement contains standard termination provisions, including upon death, disability, for Cause, for Good Reason and without Cause. In the event that we terminate the Employment Agreement without Cause or Mr. Jones terminates the Employment Agreement for Good Reason, we are required to pay Mr. Jones an amount equal to the bonus for such year, calculated on a pro-rata basis assuming full achievement of the bonus criteria for such year (to the extent it has not already been paid), as well as Mr. Jones’ base salary for one year (such salary amount being the “Severance Pay”). Pursuant to an amendment to Mr. Jones’ Employment Agreement entered into in 2012, in case of termination without Cause and for Good Reason or for voluntary termination more than two years after a Change of Control, such Severance Pay and bonus is payable in equal monthly installments over a period of twelve months, with the first six installments payable six months and one day after termination, if mandated by applicable law, which requires certain payments to certain officers of a public company (“specified employees”) to be made commencing six months after termination. However, if such termination is without Cause, for Good Reason or for voluntary termination within two years of a qualifying Change of Control, then the Severance Pay and bonus is payable in a lump sum six months and one day after termination (unless a six month delay is not required by applicable law in which case it is payable 31 days after termination). In addition, upon a termination without Cause or for Good Reason or voluntarily after a Change of Control, any shares remaining unvested under stock options and restricted stock units granted to Mr. Jones will vest in full and Mr. Jones will be entitled to continued coverage under our then-existing benefit plans, including medical and life insurance, for twelve months from the date of termination.
The Employment Agreement restricts Mr. Jones from disclosing, disseminating or using for his personal benefit or for the benefit of others, confidential or proprietary information (as defined in the Employment Agreement) and, provided we have not breached the terms of the Employment Agreement, from competing with us at any time prior to one year after the termination of his employment with us. In addition, Mr. Jones has agreed not to (and not to cause or direct any person to) hire or solicit for employment any of our employees or those of our subsidiaries or affiliates (i) for six months following the termination of his employment by us without Cause or by him for Good Reason, prior to a Change of Control, (ii) for twelve months following the termination of his employment for Cause, prior to a Change of Control, or (iii) twenty-four months following a Change of Control. The table entitled “Events Affecting Stock Option Vesting and Exercise,” below, summarizes the vesting and exercisability of Mr. Jones’ options following a number of termination scenarios or a Change of Control.
Peter A. Clemens is employed pursuant to an Employment Agreement effective as of March 10, 1998, as amended, which provides that Mr. Clemens will serve as our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for a term currently scheduled to expire December 31, 2020, and provides for automatic one year renewals in the absence of written notice to the contrary from the Company or Mr. Clemens at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of any renewal period. Pursuant to a 2008 amendment to the Employment Agreement, our non-renewal of the Employment Agreement is considered as a termination without Cause for all purposes under the Employment Agreement. Mr. Clemens’ annual salary is $200,000 (a temporary reduction from his salary under the Employment Agreement of $286,000 because of our need to preserve cash). His maximum bonus under our bonus plan is 70% of base salary. Mr. Clemens’ bonus is based on the achievement of such targets, conditions, or parameters as may be set from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
On December 11, 2014, December 10, 2015, December 8, 2016 August 9, 2017 and December 11, 2018 we granted Mr. Clemens options to purchase 36,000 shares, 50,000 shares, 34,000 shares, 34,000 shares and 40,000 shares of our common stock, respectively, in each case at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant and vesting in equal installments over 24 months, except that the August 9, 2017 grant vested in one installment on August 9, 2018; and the December 11, 2018 grant will vest in one installment on December 11, 2019 (in each case, subject to earlier exercisability as set forth in the table below entitled “Events Affecting Stock Option Vesting and Exercise”). “Fair market value” is the closing price for a share of the common stock on the exchange or quotation system which reports or quotes the closing prices for a share of the common stock (or alternate methodologies if no such quote is available).
On December 11, 2017 and December 11, 2018, we granted Mr. Clemens 28,000 and 120,000 Restricted Stock Units, respectively, exchangeable for shares of the Company’s common stock on a 1-for-1 basis shares after payment of $.01 par value per share. The 28,000 Restricted Stock Units vested on December 11, 2018. The 120,000 Restricted Stock Units will vest on December 11, 2019 or earlier if Mr. Clemens’ service as an employee is terminated by us without Cause (as defined in the 2017 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan) or due to his death or Disability (as defined in the 2017 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan) or a qualifying change of control occurs. Distributions in respect of such vested Restricted Stock Units will be made in three equal installments, and in the case of the December 11, 2017 grant, will occur on the first business day of each of January 2020, 2021, and 2022, and in the case of the December 11, 2018 grant, will occur on the first business day of each of January 2021, 2022, and 2023, or earlier upon a qualifying change of control which also meets certain criteria of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Employment Agreement contains standard termination provisions, including upon death, disability, for Cause, for Good Reason and without Cause. In the event the Employment Agreement is terminated by us without Cause or by Mr. Clemens for Good Reason, we are required to pay Mr. Clemens an amount equal to twice his then base salary, payable in the case of termination without Cause or for Good Reason six months and one day after termination (unless he is not a specified employee at termination in which case payment is in a lump sum within 30 days following termination) and to continue to provide Mr. Clemens coverage under our then existing benefit plans, including medical and life insurance, for a term of 24 months. The Employment Agreement permits Mr. Clemens to terminate the Employment Agreement in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Employment Agreement), in which case he would receive the same payments on the same schedule as on a termination for Good Reason. In addition, Mr. Clemens’ estate is entitled to six month’s salary upon his death as well as a pro rata bonus for the number of months he worked in the year of his death. The Employment Agreement also restricts Mr. Clemens from disclosing, disseminating or using for his personal benefit or for the benefit of others confidential or proprietary information (as defined in the Employment Agreement) and, provided we have not breached the terms of the Employment Agreement, from competing with us at any time prior to two years after the earlier to occur of the expiration of the term and the termination of his employment. In addition, for a period of two years from and after the effective date of the termination of his employment with us (for any reason whatsoever), (i) induce or attempt to influence any employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to leave its employ, or (ii) aid any person, business, or firm, including a supplier, a competitor, licensor or customer of or our manufacturer for the Corporation, in any attempt to hire any person who shall have been employed by us or any of our subsidiaries or affiliates within the period of one year of the date of any such requested aid. The table entitled “Events Affecting Stock Option Vesting and Exercise,” below, summarizes the vesting and exercisability of Mr. Clemens’ options following a number of termination scenarios or a Change of Control.
For purposes of Mr. Jones and Mr. Clemens severance pay, a Change of Control is generally defined, with certain exceptions, as
·acquisition by a person or group of more than 50% of our outstanding shares
·a merger, reorganization, consolidation of exchange, other than one in which current holders of our voting securities hold more than 50% of our voting securities
·a merger in which we are not the surviving corporation
·a sale or license of substantially all of our assets
·Acura going private (i.e. no longer files reports under the Exchange Act), unless the relevant employee (e.g., Jones, in the case of Jones’ severance and Clemens in the case of Clemens’ severance) “participates” in such transaction
Events Affecting Stock Option Vesting and Exercise (For Messrs. Jones and Clemens)
Dr. Brzeczko is not party to an employment agreement. Dr. Brzeczko was hired pursuant to an offer letter pursuant to which he received a $40,000 signing bonus and commencing 2016 and thereafter, is eligible for annual bonuses of up to 50% of his base salary (increased from 35% in effect during 2015). Dr. Brzeczko’s bonus is based on the achievement of such targets, conditions, or parameters as may be set from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. In 2018 and 2019 he received no bonus.
Upon commencement of his employment on February 9, 2009, Dr. Brzeczko received 4,800 RSUs vesting in equal installments over 24 months, and stock options exercisable for 19,200 shares of common stock vesting in equal installments over 24 months. Dr. Brzeczko’s annual salary is $220,000 (a temporary reduction from his salary of $291,000 because of our need to preserve cash). Dr. Brzeczko is eligible for and over the years of his employment, Dr. Brzeczko has received annual option grants.
On December 8, 2016 August 9, 2017 and December 11, 2018 we granted Dr. Brzeczko options to purchase 35,000 shares, 35,000 shares, 35,000 shares, and 34,000 shares of our common stock, respectively, in each case at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant and vesting in equal installments over 24 months, except that the August 9, 2017 grant vested in one installment on August 9, 2018; and the December 11, 2018 grant will vest in one installment on December 11, 2019 (in each case, subject to earlier exercisability as set forth in the table below entitled “Events Affecting Stock Option Vesting and Exercise”). “Fair market value” is the closing price for a share of the common stock on the exchange or quotation system which reports or quotes the closing prices for a share of the common stock (or alternate methodologies if no such quote is available).
On December 11, 2017 and December 11, 2018, we granted Dr. Brzeczko 28,000 and 102,000 Restricted Stock Units exchangeable for shares of the Company’s common stock on a 1-for-1 basis after payment of $.01 par value per share, respectively. The 28,000 Restricted Stock Units vested on December 11, 2018. The 102,000 Restricted Stock Units will vest on December 11, 2019 or earlier if Dr. Brzeczko’s service as an employee is terminated by us without Cause (as defined in the 2017 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan) or due to his death or Disability (as defined in the 2017 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan) or a qualifying change of control occurs. Distributions in respect of such vested Restricted Stock Units will be made in three equal installments, and in the case of the December 11, 2017 grant, will occur on the first business day of each of January 2020, 2021, and 2022, and in the case of the December 11, 2018 grant, will occur on the first business day of each of January 2021, 2022, and 2023, or earlier upon a qualifying change of control which also meets certain criteria of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
Stock Option Plans
We maintain two stock option plans adopted in 2008 and 2016, respectively. Our option plans are administered by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors selects the employees, directors and consultants to be granted options under the plans and, subject to the provisions of each plan, determines the terms and conditions and number of shares subject to each option. Any of our employees or employees of our subsidiary are eligible to receive incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the Code (“ISOs”). Non-qualified stock options may be granted to employees as well as non-employee directors and consultants under the plans as determined by the Board. Any person who has been granted an option may, if they are otherwise eligible, be granted an additional option or options.
Each grant of an option is evidenced by an option agreement, and each option agreement specifies whether the option is an ISO or a non-qualified stock option and incorporates such other terms and conditions as the Board of Directors acting in its absolute discretion deems consistent with the terms of the plan, including, without limitation, a restriction on the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the option which first become exercisable during any calendar year.
To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of the common stock of the Company underlying a grant of ISOs (determined as of the date such an ISO is granted), which first become exercisable in any calendar year, exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as non-qualified stock options. This $100,000 limitation shall be administered in accordance with the rules under Section 422(d) of the Code.
Upon the grant of an option to an employee, director or consultant the Board will fix the number of shares of common stock that the optionee may purchase upon exercise of the option and the price at which the shares may be purchased. The option exercise price for ISOs shall not be less than the fair market value of the common stock at the time the option is granted, except that the option exercise price shall be at least 110% of the fair market value where the option is granted to an employee who owns more than 10% of the voting power of all of our classes of stock or any parent or subsidiary. The option exercise price for non-qualified stock options granted under the plans may be less than the fair market value of our common stock (“Discounted Options”). “Fair market value” is the closing price for a share of the common stock on the exchange or quotation system which reports or quotes the closing prices for a share of the common stock (or alternate methodologies if no such quote is available).
All options available to be granted under each plan must be granted within ten years after shareholder approval of the applicable plan. The Board will determine the actual term of the options but no option will be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the date of grant. No ISO granted to an employee who owns more than 10% of the combined voting power of all of our outstanding classes of stock may be exercised after five years from the date of grant. Historically, our grants to employees generally vest 1/24th each month, although under the plans any vesting schedule is permissible as determined by the Compensation Committee or the Board. However our option grants to employees dated August 9, 2017 and December 11, 2018 vest 12 months from issuance instead of ratably over 24 months. Our grants to director generally vest in equal quarterly installments over the calendar year. Since 2015 our option agreements include vesting upon a change of control (as defined in the 2016 Stock Option Plan). In addition, the plans provide options may be accelerated by the Board of Directors in their discretion, including, upon a change of control, a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, in the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or a merger of the Company.
All of our option plans allow the participant to elect to exercise options on a net exercise basis by allowing shares subject to the option to be withheld by the Company in satisfaction of the option exercise price, and to satisfy the participant’s withholding tax payment obligations relating to the option exercise.
Options granted to employees, directors or consultants under the plans may be exercised during the optionee’s lifetime only by the optionee during his employment or service with us or for a period not exceeding one year if the optionee ceased employment or service as a director or consultant because of permanent or total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. Options may be exercised by the optionee’s estate, or by any person who acquired the right to exercise such option by bequest or inheritance from the optionee for a period of twelve months from the date of the optionee’s death. If such option shall by its terms expire sooner, such option shall not be extended as a result of the optionee’s death.
The 2008 Stock Option Plan
The Company’s 2008 Stock Option Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on March 14, 2008 and approved by our shareholders on April 30, 2008. The 2008 Stock Option Plan permits the grant of ISO’s and non-qualified stock options to purchase up to 1,200,000 shares of our common stock. On June 25, 2009, the 2008 Stock Option Plan was amended to allow participants to require us to withhold common stock upon exercise of options for payment of exercise price and statutory minimum withholding taxes. In April 2018 the 2008 Stock Option Plan expired and the remaining 196,200 unissued shares allocated to the Plan were terminated. As of December 31, 2019, stock options to purchase 791,893 shares of common stock are outstanding under the 2008 Stock Option Plan and 48,000 options are non-qualified and 743,893 options are ISOs. The weighted average exercise price per share for all outstanding options under the 2008 Stock Option Plan as of December 31, 2019 was $7.28.
The 2016 Stock Option Plan
The Company’s 2016 Stock Option Plan, as amended, was adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by our shareholders in April 2016. The 2016 Stock Option Plan permits the grant of ISO’s and non-qualified stock options to purchase in the aggregate up to 600,000 shares of our common stock. As of December 31, 2019, stock options to purchase 564,356 shares of common stock are outstanding under the 2016 Stock Option Plan and all are ISOs. Up to 60,000 shares underlying options may be granted to any participant in a calendar year under the 2016 Stock Option Plan. The weighted average exercise price per share for all outstanding options under the 2016 Stock Option Plan as of December 31, 2019 was $0.47.
Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan
The 2014 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan
The Company’s 2014 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan (the “2014 RSU Plan”) was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in February 2014 and by our shareholders in May 2014. Under the 2014 RSU Plan, a Restricted Stock Unit (“RSU”) represents the right to receive (upon payment of $0.01 par value per share) a share of the Company’s common stock (or under certain circumstances, cash in lieu thereof (“Cash Settled RSUs”)) at a designated time or upon designated events.
The maximum aggregate number of shares which may be subject to RSUs granted under the 2014 RSU Plan is 400,000 shares of authorized, but unissued or reacquired common stock. Payment of Cash Settled RSUs will reduce such limit. If an RSU should expire or become forfeited for any reason without the underlying shares of common stock or cash subject to such RSU having been distributed, the underlying shares shall, unless the 2014 RSU Plan shall have been terminated, become available for further grant under the 2014 RSU Plan. Unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors, the RSUs may be distributed under the 2014 RSU Plan until April 30, 2024.
As of March 30, 2020 we had granted RSUs under the 2014 RSU Plan providing for our issuance of an aggregate of 400,000 shares of our common stock and there are no remaining shares available for grant. At March 30, 2020, approximately 3,156 RSU awards remain outstanding under our 2014 RSU Plan.
Because there were a limited number of shares available for issuance under the 2014 RSU Plan, our shareholders approved the 2017 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan in November 2017. The description of the 2017 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan, under the captions, “Terms”, “Administration”, “Amendment and Termination”, and “Adjustment upon Capitalization and Merger”, below are similar to the provisions of the 2014 RSU Plan, with the significant differences noted under such captions.
The 2017 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan
The Company’s 2017 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan (the “2017 RSU Plan”) was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on September 8, 2017 and approved by shareholders on November 8, 2017. Under the 2017 RSU Plan, a Restricted Stock Unit (“RSU”) represents the right to receive (upon payment of $0.01 par value per share) a share of the Company’s common stock (or under certain circumstances, cash in lieu thereof (“Cash Settled RSUs”)) at a designated time or upon designated events.
Number of RSUs that may be granted. The maximum aggregate number of shares which may be subject to RSUs granted under the 2017 RSU Plan is 1,500,000 shares of authorized, but unissued, or reacquired common stock. (See “Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization or Merger” below.) If an RSU should expire or become forfeited for any reason without the underlying shares of common stock or cash subject to such RSU having been distributed, the underlying shares shall, unless the 2017 RSU Plan shall have been terminated, become available for further grant under the 2017 RSU Plan. The 2017 RSU Plan has no limit on the number of RSUs that may be granted to an individual employee, consultant or director in any calendar year. Payment of Cash Settled RSUs (as hereinafter defined) will reduce such limit. As of March 30, 2020 we had granted RSUs under the 2017 RSU Plan providing for our issuance of an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of our common stock and there are no remaining shares available for grant. At March 30, 2020, approximately 839,000 awards remain outstanding under our 2017 RSU Plan.
Purpose. The 2017 RSU Plan is intended to assist the Company in securing and retaining employees, consultants and directors by allowing them to participate in the ownership and growth of the Company through the RSUs. The granting of RSUs serves as partial consideration for and gives key employees, directors and consultants an additional inducement to, remain in the service of the Company and will provide them with an increased incentive to work for the Company’s success. Cash Settled RSUs give Non-Employee Directors the ability to pay tax on their other RSUs distributed simultaneously therewith. Employees have a separate right to have stock withheld in payment of withholding taxes.
Administration
The 2017 RSU Plan is administered by the Company’s Board of Directors, or, except with respect to matters involving non-employee Directors (“Non-Employee Directors”), the Compensation Committee, provided it is comprised of not less than two members of the Board, each of whom must be Non-Employee Directors as that term is defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) of the Exchange Act (the “Committee”).
Powers of the Board/Committee. The Board/Committee has the authority, subject to the provisions of the 2017 RSU Plan, to establish, adopt and revise such rules, regulations and forms and agreements and to interpret the 2017 RSU Plan and make all determinations relating to the 2017 RSU Plan as it may deem necessary or advisable. The Board/Committee also has the authority, subject to the provisions of the 2017 RSU Plan, to delegate ministerial, day-to-day administrative details and non-discretionary duties and functions to officers and employees of the Company. In the administration of the 2017 RSU Plan with respect to Non-Employee Directors, the Board has all of the authority and discretion otherwise granted to the Committee with respect to the administration of the 2017 RSU Plan. All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Board/Committee are binding and conclusive on participants in the 2017 RSU Plan and on their legal representatives and beneficiaries.
Director Participation in the RSU Plan. Non-Employee Directors are eligible to receive RSU grants under the 2017 RSU Plan, and it is expected that RSU awards under the 2017 RSU Plan will represent the annual equity compensation component of Non-Employee Directors’ compensation.
RSU Plan Eligibility. RSUs may be granted to any of the Company’s Non-Employee Directors, any of the Company’s employees or consultants, or any employees or consultants of any of the Company’s subsidiary corporations, including officers (collectively, “Eligible Participants”). For purposes of the 2017 RSU Plan employees or consultants of the Company also mean employees or consultants of the Company’s subsidiary. As of March 30, 2020 all of the Company’s 12 full-time employees and four Non-Employee Directors of the Company will be eligible participants (“Participants”) in the 2017 RSU Plan. Any Eligible Participant who has been granted an RSU may be granted additional RSUs. The RSU Plan does not confer any rights upon any Participant with respect to continuation of employment or service as an employee, consultant or a Non-Employee Director.
Terms
RSU Award Agreement. Each RSU granted under the 2017 RSU Plan is evidenced by a written award agreement (“RSU Award Agreement”), which contains the terms and conditions of the specific RSU granted.
Vesting of RSUs. RSUs generally vest as set forth in the RSU Award Agreement. In addition, unless expressly provided otherwise in the RSU Award Agreement, each RSU immediately vests and is nonforfeitable to the Participant upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(1) a Participant’s service as an employee of the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined) or due to the Participant’s death or disability (as defined), or in the case of a Non-Employee Director, upon the Participant’s death or Disability or if the Participant is not renominated as a director (other than for “Cause” or refusal to stand for re-election) or is not elected by the Company’s stockholders, if nominated; or
(2) a qualifying change of control, referred to as a Change in Control-Plan (as defined in the 2017 RSU Plan)
Accelerated vesting does not directly translate into accelerated distribution of shares subject to an RSU Award. For instance if the Company terminates an employee’s employment without Cause, such employee’s RSUs will immediately vest (unless otherwise provided in the RSU Award Agreement) but, absent a qualifying change of control the employee will not commence to receive the shares underlying his RSU award until the scheduled distribution date.
Distribution of Shares Underlying RSUs. Under the 2017 RSU Plan, (unless an award provides otherwise, vesting is accelerated as provided above under “Vesting of RSUs” or a Change of Control-Plan occurs as described below), stock underlying vested RSUs is generally distributed on the first business day of the year after they vest. Hence, if an award to a Non-Employee Director vests as scheduled in full over four quarters during 2019, it will be generally be distributed the first business day of January 2020. However, the Company may set other distribution dates, with respect to awards to Participants, including Non-Employee Directors. Under the 2014 RSU Plan Non-Employee Directors (but not other Participants) could designate the length of the deferrals. This is not the case with the 2017 RSU Plan, where only the Company can set the distribution dates for all Participants. Non-Employee-Directors may elect to take payment in cash instead of stock for up to 40% of the RSUs in an award (rendering such RSUs as “Cash Settled RSUs”). With respect to Participants for whom the Company is required to withhold taxes (generally employees) the Company may mandate such Participants or such Participants may elect that the Company withhold stock otherwise payable on exchange of an RSU to pay withholding taxes (this differs from the 2014 RSU Plan where the Company could not mandate withholding stock to pay withholding taxes). The cash payment election or withholding election may be made at any time before distribution, but any such cash payment or withholding is subject to any limits on redemption under any preferred stock, loan or other financing agreement. The Company has the option of establishing a RSU award that defers distributions to a Participant, including in installments (e.g., 25% of RSUs to be paid in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022). If a Change of Control-Plan which is also a Change in Control-409A occurs, all vested shares of common stock underlying an RSU (after payment or withholding of $0.01 per share par value) will be distributed by the Company to the holder of the RSU at or about the time of the Change in Control-Plan. No dividends accrue on shares of common stock underlying RSUs prior to distribution. Participants need not be employees, consultants or directors of the Company on a distribution date. A Change in Control-409A for distribution purposes is generally the same as a Change in Control-Plan for vesting purposes, except that in order to have a Change in Control-409A for distribution purposes, a change in control qualifying under Section 409A of the Code must occur. In lieu of requiring cash payment of par value, the Company may, in its discretion or shall at the Participant’s request, accept payment of any such par value by withholding from stock payments a number of whole shares of stock whose value is equal to the amount of such par value, provided the same does not cause the Redemption Limit to be exceeded.
Non Transferability of RSUs. RSUs may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and the Committee may, in its discretion, authorize all or a portion of the RSUs to be granted to a Participant to be on terms which permit transfer by such Participant to (i) the spouse, children or grandchildren of the awardee (the “Immediate Family Members”), (ii) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members, or (iii) a partnership in which such Immediate Family Members are the only partners, provided that (x) there may be no consideration for any such transfer, (y) subsequent transfers of transferred RSUs shall be prohibited except those made by will or by the laws of descent or distribution, and (z) such transfer is approved in advance by the Committee (or Board in absence of a Committee). A married Participant may generally designate only a spouse as a beneficiary unless spousal consent is obtained.
Termination of Status as an Employee or Non-Employee Director. See “Vesting of RSUs”, above for a discussion of vesting upon termination of employment or service as a Non-Employee Director.
Dividend and Voting Rights. Unless other provided in an RSU Award Agreement, Participants have no dividend rights and no voting rights with respect to the shares underlying RSUs until the RSUs settle in shares of common stock.
Amendment and Termination of the RSU Plan
The Board may terminate and, without shareholder approval, unless the same is required by the rules of the exchange where the Company’s stock trades, or applicable law, amend the 2017 RSU Plan.
Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization or Merger
Upon or in contemplation of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a stock split in the form of a stock dividend) or reverse stock split; any merger, combination, consolidation or other reorganization; any split-up; spin-off, or similar extraordinary dividend distribution with respect to the common stock (whether in the form of securities or property); any exchange of stock or other securities of the Company, or any similar, unusual or extraordinary corporate transaction with respect to the common stock; or a sale of substantially all the assets of the Company as an entirety; then the Board shall proportionately adjust any or all of (a) the number and type of shares of common stock (or other securities or property) that thereafter may be made the subject of RSUs, (b) the number, amount and type of shares of common stock (or other securities or property) payable with respect to RSUs, and (c) and the number and type of RSUs (both credited and vested) under the 2017 RSU Plan.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2019 Year End
The following table presents information regarding outstanding restricted stock unit and stock option awards at December 31, 2019 for each of the 2019 named executive officers.
Director Compensation
The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation paid by us to our Directors (other than Robert Jones, whose compensation, is reflected in the Summary Compensation Table) for services rendered in all capacities to us during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019:
2019 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
(1)Represents the grant date fair value of restricted stock units, or RSUs with respect to the 83,333 RSUs granted to Messrs. Skelly, Wesson, Thangaraj and Ross under our 2017 RSU Plan based on a closing common stock price of $0.14 on January 2, 2019 less $0.01 par value.
In January 2019, based on a closing common stock price of $0.1147 on December 31, 2018 less $0.01 par value, Messrs. Skelly, Wesson, Thangaraj and Ross each realized approximately $6,980 by exchanging 66,666 RSUs at 0.01 par value per share received from their 2018 grant for 66,666 shares of common stock.
As of December 31, 2019, Messrs. Skelly, Wesson, Thangaraj and Ross each held 83,333 fully vested RSUs and are distributable to them on January 2, 2020.
(2)Each of Messrs. Skelly, Wesson, Thangaraj and Ross held vested options with respect to 12,000 underlying shares as of December 31, 2019.
(3)Director fees for Mr. Thangaraj are remitted to Essex Woodlands.
(4)In order to conserve cash, the directors waived their fees for the first and second quarter 2019 while reducing their fees by fifty percent beginning with the third quarter 2019.
Had the Directors not waived a portion of their cash compensation they would have received the following compensation under the reduced percentage:
·the annual retainer for each non-employee director of $15,000;
·there are no separate Board meeting fees;
·an additional retainer for the Chairman of the Board (unfilled at present) of $10,000;
·Audit Committee members receive a retainer of $3,750 per year (with no separate per meeting fee);
·Audit Committee Chairperson receives an additional annual retainer of $5,000 (in addition to the $3,750 retainer as an Audit Committee member);
·Compensation Committee members receive an annual retainer of $2,500 with no separate per meeting fee;
·Compensation Committee Chairperson receives a $2,500 annual retainer (in addition to the $2,500 retainer for Compensation Committee members); and
In addition, commencing in 2014, directors receive annual equity awards valued at $50,000 in the form of stock options or RSUs. For RSUs this is determined by dividing $50,000 by the greater of (i) the Company’s closing stock price on the date of grant, or (ii) the minimum stock price or floor (if any) imposed by the Board.
·For the 2018 award, the Board decided there would be a minimum stock price of $0.75, and as a result, each director was awarded 66,666 RSUs. The Company’s closing stock price on January 2, 2018 of $0.75 was not used. These awards were distributed to them on January 2, 2019.
·For the 2019 award and beyond, the Board decided the minimum stock price will be $1.00, but in each case, subject to reevaluation by them. For the 2019 award, the Board reevaluated the minimum stock price and it was changed to $0.60 resulting in each director being awarded 83,333 RSUs. The Company’s closing stock price on January 2, 2019 of $0.1395 was not used.
·For the 2020 award, the Board reevaluated the minimum stock price and it was changed to $0.91 resulting in each director being awarded 54,790 RSUs. The Company’s closing stock price on January 2, 2020 of $0.28 was not used.
We also reimburse directors for travel and lodging expenses, if any, incurred in connection with attendance at Board meetings. Directors who are also our employees receive no additional or special remuneration for their services as directors.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of the common stock, as of February 15, 2020, for individuals or entities in the following categories: (i) each of the Company’s Directors; (ii) the Company’s principal executive officer, and the next two highest paid executive officers of the Company whose total annual compensation for 2019 exceeded $100,000 (the “2019 named executive officers”); (iii) all Directors and executive officers as a group; and (iv) each person known by the Company to be a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the common stock. Unless indicated otherwise, each of the shareholders has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned. At February 15, 2020, there were 21,650,294 shares of our common stock outstanding. Shares of common stock issuable pursuant to stock options, warrants and restricted stock units exercisable or exchangeable within 60 days are deemed outstanding and held by the holder of such options warrants or restricted stock units for computing the percentage of the person holding such options, warrants or restricted stock units, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. There were no restricted stock units or common stock options exchangeable within 60 days of February 15, 2020.
* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.
(1)Shows percentage ownership assuming (i) such party converts all of its currently convertible securities or securities convertible within 60 days of February 15, 2020 into the Company’s common stock, and (ii) no other Company security holder converts any of its convertible securities. No shares held by any Director or 2019 named executive officer has been pledged as collateral security.
(2)Includes warrants to purchase 1,782,531 shares held by Mr. Schutte.
(3)Includes both a warrant to purchase 10,000,000 shares at $0.01 per share and 37,500,000 shares issuable upon conversion of $6.0 million Note at $0.16 per share held by AD Pharma.
(4)Mr. Thangaraj is the Board designee of Essex Woodlands Health Ventures Fund V, L.P. (“Essex”). Essex Woodlands Health Ventures V, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company is the general partner of Essex. Martin P. Sutter and Immanuel Thangaraj may be deemed to have shared dispositive power and voting power with respect to the securities held by the Essex. Messrs. Sutter and Thangaraj disclaim beneficial ownership of such securities except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interests therein.
(5)Includes 375,900 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of February 15, 2020. Does not include RSUs.
(6)Includes 9,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of February 15, 2020. Does not include RSUs.
(7)Includes 9,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of February 15, 2020. Does not include RSUs.
(8)Includes 234,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of February 15, 2020. Does not include RSUs.
(9)Includes 9,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of February 15, 2020. Mr. Thangaraj’s holdings do not include securities held by Essex. Mr. Thangaraj disclaims beneficial ownership in securities held by Essex except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Does not include RSUs.
(10)Includes 225,200 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of February 15, 2020. Does not include RSUs.
(11)Includes 9,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of February 15, 2020. Does not include RSUs.
(12)Includes 1,083,734 shares which Directors and executive officers have the right to acquire within 60 days of February 15, 2020 through exercise of outstanding stock options. Does not include RSUs.
Securities Authorized For Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table includes information as of December 31, 2019 relating to our 2008 Stock Option Plan, our 2016 Stock Option Plan, our 2014 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan, and our 2017 Restricted Stock Award Plan, which comprise all of our equity compensation plans. The table provides the number of securities to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options and distributions under outstanding Restricted Stock Unit Awards under such plans, the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options and the number of securities remaining available for future issuance under such equity compensation plans:
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The Company and certain investors are party to a Voting Agreement. As amended in October 2012 (but prior to the 2017 amendment), the Voting Agreement provided our Board of Directors will be comprised of not more than seven (7) members one of whom shall be the CEO, three of whom would be independent under Nasdaq standards, and that Essex had the right to designate one director as a member of our Board of Directors as long as such shareholder held 600,000 shares of our common stock (including warrants to purchase shares), provided that once such shareholder no longer held such securities, the additional forfeited seat would become a seat for an independent director to thereafter be nominated and elected to the Board of Directors from time to time by the then current directors and, as applicable to be elected by the directors to fill the vacancy created by the forfeited seat or submitted to the Company’s shareholders at the next annual meeting. The Voting Agreement provided that if the majority of the Board of Directors were not independent under Nasdaq Marketplace Rules then, the Board would be expanded so that additional independent directors would be added. At the time of the October 2012 amendment, Mr. Thangaraj became the designee of Essex, as one of three remaining successors to GCE Holdings, LLC (an entity controlled by others including Essex). In addition, Essex has the right to designate a member to any committee of our Board of Directors, provided that in the case of the Audit and Compensation committees they are independent under applicable NASDAQ rules.
Mr. Schutte is chief executive officer and owner of MainPointe Pharmaceuticals, LLC. (“MainPointe”), a Kentucky limited liability company. In March 2017, prior to Mr. Schutte becoming a shareholder, we entered into a License, Commercialization and Option Agreement (the “MainPointe Agreement”) with MainPointe to commercialize Nexafed® and Nexafed® Sinus Pressure + Pain in the United States and Canada. Nexafed® and Nexafed® Sinus Pressure + Pain utilize our Impede Technology and were previously marketed by us in the United States. Our Impede Technology is directed at minimizing the extraction and conversion of pseudoephedrine, or PSE, into methamphetamine. Under the terms of the Agreement we transferred existing inventory and equipment relating to such products to MainPointe and licensed our Impede Technology intellectual property rights to MainPointe for such products as well as certain future PSE-containing products. MainPointe is responsible for all development, manufacturing and commercialization activities with respect to products covered by the Agreement.
On signing, MainPointe paid us an upfront licensing fee of $2.5 million plus approximately $425,000 for inventory and equipment being transferred. We will receive a 7.5% royalty on sales of licensed products. The royalty payment for each product will expire on a country-by-country basis when the Impede® patent rights for such country have expired or are no longer valid; provided that if no Impede patent right exists in a country, then the royalty term for that country will be the same as the royalty term for the United States. After the expiration of a royalty term for a country, MainPointe retains a royalty free license to our Impede® Technology for products covered by the Agreement in such country.
MainPointe has the option to expand the territory beyond the United States and Canada to the European Union (and the United Kingdom), Japan and South Korea for payments of $1.0 million, $500,000 and $250,000, respectively. In addition, MainPointe has the option to add to the Agreement certain additional products, or Option Products, containing PSE and utilizing the Impede Technology for a fee of $500,000 per product (for all such product strengths). If the territory has been expanded prior to the exercise of a product option, the option fee will be increased to $750,000 per product. If the territory is expanded after the payment of the $500,000 product option fee, a one-time $250,000 fee will be due for each product. If a third party is interested in developing or licensing rights to an Option Product, MainPointe must exercise its option for that product or its option rights for such product will terminate.
On July 24, 2017 we completed the sale to Mr. Schutte of 8,912,655 shares and warrants to purchase 1,782,531 shares exercisable at $0.528 per share and expiring in July 23, 2022 for $4 million and amended the Voting Agreement described above (as so amended the “Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement”) in connection with that purchase. The Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement provides that our Board of Directors will be comprised of not more than seven (7) members, one of whom shall be the CEO, three of whom would be independent under Nasdaq standards, and that each of Mr. Schutte and Essex had the right to designate one director as a member of our Board of Directors as long as such shareholder continues to hold 600,000 shares of our common stock (including warrants to purchase shares), provided that once such shareholder no longer holds such securities, the additional forfeited seat would become a seat for an independent director to thereafter be nominated to the Board of Directors from time to time by the then current directors and as applicable, to be elected by the directors to fill the vacancy created by the forfeited seat or submitted to the vote of shareholders at the Company’s next annual meeting. The Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement provides that in the event the majority of the Board of Directors were not independent under Nasdaq Marketplace Rules then, the Board would be expanded so that additional independent directors would be added. In addition, each of Essex and Mr. Schutte has the right to designate a member to any committee of our Board of Directors, provided that in the case of the Audit and Compensation committees they are independent under applicable NASDAQ rules.
We borrowed an aggregate $6.0 million (including accrued interest) as of June 28, 2019 from Mr. Schutte, a related-party, and issued various promissory notes (the Schutte Notes). The Schutte Notes bear interest at prime plus 2.0%, and mature on January 2, 2020, at which time all principal and interest is due, and was unsecured until all obligations to Oxford were satisfied at which time we were required to grant a security interest to Mr. Schutte in all of our assets. On October 5, 2018 we borrowed $1.8 million from Mr. Schutte and used $1.5 million of the loan to fully pay-off the debt outstanding under the Oxford Loan Agreement and therefore, all our assets are pledged as collateral under the Schutte Notes, including our intellectual property.
At June 28, 2019, we entered into a Promissory Note with Mr. Schutte that consolidated existing promissory notes into a single Note for $6.0 million (after including accrued and unpaid interest). To secure our performance of our obligations under the Note, we granted Mr. Schutte a security interest in all of our assets. Terms of the consolidated Note provide for a July 1, 2023 maturity date instead of January 2, 2020 in the previous notes, interest at fixed rate of 7.5% per annum with all payments of principle and interest deferred to maturity. The Note is convertible into Acura common stock at $0.16 per share. As additional consideration, Mr. Schutte received a warrant to purchase 10 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $0.01 per shares.
With our consent, Mr. Schutte assigned and transferred to Abuse Deterrent Pharma, LLC (“AD Pharma”) all of his right, title and interest in this Note, its associated Security Agreement and the Warrant to purchase 10.0 million common shares of our stock, effective June 28, 2019. Mr. Schutte is an investor in AD Pharma.
On June 28, 2019, we entered into License, Development and Commercialization Agreement (the "Agreement") with Abuse Deterrent Pharma, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company (“AD Pharma”), a special purpose company representing a consortium of investors that will finance Acura’s operations and completion of development of LTX-03. Mr. Schutte is an investor in AD Pharma.
The Agreement grants AD Pharma exclusive commercialization rights in the United States to LTX-03. Financial arrangements include monthly license payments by AD Pharma of $350,000 up to the earlier of November 30, 2020 or FDA’s acceptance of a New Drug Application (“NDA”) for LTX-03 and reimbursement by AP Pharma of Acura’s LTX-03 outside development expenses. Upon commercialization of LTX-03, Acura is eligible to receive stepped royalties on sales and certain sales related milestones.
AD Pharma may terminate the Agreement at any time. Additionally, if the NDA for LTX-03 is not accepted by the FDA by November 30, 2020, AD Pharma has the option to terminate the Agreement and take ownership of the LIMITx intellectual property. Should AD Pharma choose not to exercise this option to terminate and the NDA for LTX-03 is subsequently accepted by the FDA, such option expires.
Our Board has not adopted formalized written policies and procedures for the review or approval of related party transactions. As a matter of practice, however, our Board has required that all related party transactions, be subject to review and approval by a committee of independent directors established by the Board. The Board’s practice is to evaluate whether a related party (including a director, officer, employee, Essex or other significant shareholder) will have a direct or indirect interest in a transaction in which we may be a party. Where the Board determines that such proposed transaction involves a related party, the Board may establish a committee comprised solely of independent directors to review and evaluate such proposed transaction. Currently, the Board is comprised of 4 independent directors and the CEO and as such, the entire Board, with the exception of the CEO, may perform the function of an Independent Committee. In this capacity, the 4 independent directors are authorized to review any and all information deemed necessary and appropriate to evaluate the fairness of the transaction to us and our shareholders (other than the interested related party to such transaction), including meeting with management, retaining third- party experts (including counsel and financial advisors if determined necessary) and evaluating alternative transactions, if any. They are also empowered to negotiate the terms of such proposed related party transaction on our behalf. The proposed related party transaction may proceed only following the approval and recommendation of the 4 independent directors. Following such approval, the related party transaction is subject to final review and approval of the Board as a whole. As the transactions described above with Abuse Deterrent Pharma LLC and Mr. Schutte involved a related party (Mr. Schutte being a significant shareholder at the time such transactions were entered into), such transactions were reviewed and approved solely by the Board as a whole.
Director Independence
In assessing the independence of our Board members, our Board has reviewed and analyzed the standards for independence required under the NASDAQ Capital Market, including NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605 and applicable SEC regulations. Based on this analysis, our Board has determined that during 2019, each of Messrs. Bruce F. Wesson, Immanuel Thangaraj, William Skelly and George Ross met the standards for independence provided in the listing requirements of the NASDAQ Capital Market and SEC regulations.
Our Board has determined that during 2019 with respect to our Compensation Committee that Messrs. Skelly, Wesson, and Thangaraj meet the standards for independence described above and that Messrs. Skelly, Wesson and Thangaraj meet the additional independence standards of NASDAQ Rule 5605 relating to Compensation Committees.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Our registered independent public accounting firm is BDO USA, LLP. The fees billed by this firm in 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
Audit Fees include professional services rendered in connection with the annual audit of our financial statements, and the review of the financial statements included in our Form 10-Qs for the related periods. Additionally, Audit Fees include other services that only an independent registered public accounting firm can reasonably provide, such as services associated with our SEC registration statements or other documents filed with the SEC or used in connection with financing activities. We had no Audit-Related Fees which would include accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters not classified as Audit Fees. Tax Fees include tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services. These services related to the preparation of various state income tax returns, our federal income tax return, and reviews of IRC Section 382.
Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Consistent with policies of the SEC regarding auditor independence and the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee has the responsibility for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work of the registered independent public accounting firm (the “Firm”). The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the Firm. Pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis. In assessing requests for services by the Firm, the Audit Committee considers whether such services are consistent with the Firm’s independence, whether the Firm is likely to provide the most effective and efficient service based upon their familiarity with the Company, and whether the service could enhance the Company’s ability to manage or control risk or improve audit quality.
All of the tax services provided by BDO USA, LLP in 2019 and 2018 and related fees (as described in the captions above) were approved in advance by the Audit Committee.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1.Financial Statements: See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page.
2.Financial Statement Schedules: None
3.Exhibits: See Exhibits Index on page E-1.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 30, 2020 ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
By: /s/ Robert B. Jones
Robert B. Jones
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title(s)
Date
/s/Robert B. Jones
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
March 30, 2020
Robert B. Jones
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/Peter A. Clemens
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
March 30, 2020
Peter A. Clemens
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ George K. Ross
Director
March 30, 2020
George K. Ross
/s/ William G. Skelly
Director
March 30, 2020
William G. Skelly
/s/ Immanuel Thangaraj
Director
March 30, 2020
Immanuel Thangaraj
/s/ Bruce F Wesson
Director
March 30, 2020
Bruce F. Wesson
ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX
The following exhibits are included as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibit Number
Exhibit Description
1.1
Placement Agency Agreement dated June 30, 2015 between Roth Capital Partners LLC and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to our Form 8-K filed July 1, 2015)
3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on June 25, 2009).
3.2
Certificate of Amendment Reverse Splitting Common Stock and restating but not changing text of part of Article III of Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K filed December 4, 2007).
3.3
Certificate of Amendment Reverse Splitting Common Stock and restating but not changing text of part of Article III of Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K filed August 27, 2015).
3.4
Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2018).
4.1
Form of Common Stock Certificate(incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form S-3 filed on March 9, 2016)
4.2
Amended and Restated Warrant A-1 issued to Oxford Finance LLC on January 7, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to our Form 10-K filed March 2, 2015).
4.3
Amended and Restated Warrant A-2 issued to Oxford Finance LLC on January 7, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to our Form 10-K filed March 2, 2015).
4.4
Amended and Restated Warrant A-3 issued to Oxford Finance LLC on January 7, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to our Form 10-K filed March 2, 2015).
4.5
Form of Common Stock Warrant issued to John Schutte on July 24, 2017 (incorporated by reference Exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-K filed July 28, 2017)
10.1
Manufacturing Services Agreement dated as of July 19, 2011 between the Registrant and Patheon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Form 8-K filed July 27, 2011) (confidential treatment has been granted for portions of this Exhibit).
10.2
Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of August 20, 2007 (“PIPE SPA”) among the Registrant, Vivo Ventures Fund VI, L.P., Vivo Ventures VI Affiliates Fund, L.P., GCE Holdings LLC, and certain other signatories thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed on August 21, 2007).
10.3
Subscription Agreement dated as of July 24, 2017 between the Registrant and John Schutte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Form 8-K filed July 28, 2017)
E-1
Exhibit Number
Exhibit Description
10.4
Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 27, 2013 between Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Acura Pharmaceutical Technologies, Inc., and Oxford Finance LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Form 10-K filed March 3, 2014).
10.5
First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement entered into as of January 7, 2015 between Oxford Finance LLC, the Registrant and Acura Pharmaceutical Technologies, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to our Form 10-K filed March 2, 2015).
10.6
Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement entered into as of October 13, 2016 between Oxford Finance LLC, the Registrant and Acura Pharmaceutical Technologies, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed February 3, 2017, File No. 333-215885)
10.7
Form of Mortgage dated December 27, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Form 10-K filed March 3, 2014).
10.8
Collaboration and License Agreement entered into as of January 7, 2015 between the Registrant, Egalet US, Inc., Egalet Limited and with respect to Section 17.21, Egalet Corporation (certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission and confidential treatment has been granted with respect to the omitted portion) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2014, filed March 2, 2015).
10.9
License and Development Agreement dated as of June 5, 2015 between the Registrant and Bayer HealthCare LLC (certain information has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission and confidential treatment has been granted with respect to the omitted portion) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Form 10-Q/A filed February 16, 2016).
10.10
Amended and Restated Voting Agreement dated as of February 6, 2004 among the Registrant, Care Capital Investments II, LP, Essex Woodlands Health Ventures V, L.P., Galen Partners III, L.P., and others (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Form 8-K filed on February 10, 2004 (the “February 2004 Form 8-K”)).
10.11
Joinder and Amendment to Amended and Restated Voting Agreement dated November 9, 2005 between the Registrant, GCE Holdings, Essex Woodlands Health Ventures V, L.P., Care Capital Investments II, LP, Galen Partners III, L.P. and others (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed November 10, 2005).
10.12
Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Voting Agreement dated as of January 24, 2008 between the Registrant and GCE Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed January 28, 2008).
10.13
Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Voting Agreement dated as of October 1, 2012 between the Registrant, Care Capital Investments II, LP, Essex Woodlands Health Ventures V, L.P., Galen Partners III, L.P., and others (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K filed on October 3, 2012).
10.14
Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement executed July 2017 and dated as of July 24, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the 8-K dated filed August 1, 2017)
E-2
Exhibit Number
Exhibit Description
†10.15
Registrant’s 1998 Stock Option Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Appendix C to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed on May 12, 2009).
†10.16
Registrant’s 2005 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed on April 2, 2008).
†10.17
Registrant’s 2014 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan, (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed on March 12, 2014).
†10.18
Registrant’s 2017 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the 8-K filed on November 14, 2017).
†10.19
Registrant’s 2008 Stock Option Plan, as amended on June 25, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to our Proxy Statement filed on May 12, 2009).
†10.20
Registrant’s 2016 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2016).
†10.21
Employment Agreement dated as of March 10, 1998 between the Registrant and Peter Clemens (“Clemens”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to the Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2007, filed on April 15, 1998).
†10.22
First Amendment to Employment Agreement made as of June 28, 2000 between the Registrant and Clemens (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44A to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on February 21, 2006).
†10.23
Second Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement between Registrant and Clemens, dated as of January 5, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed January 31, 2005).
†10.24
Third Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement dated December 22, 2005 between Registrant and Clemens (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed December 23, 2005).
†10.25
Fourth Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement dated December 16, 2007 between Registrant and Clemens (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2007, filed on March 5, 2008).
†10.26
Fifth Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement executed July 9, 2008 between Registrant and Clemens (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to our Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2008).
†10.27
Sixth Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement executed December 14, 2012 between the Registrant and Clemens (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2012).
†10.28
Seventh Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement executed December 12, 2013 between the Registrant and Clemens (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2013 filed on March 3, 2014).
†10.29
Employment Agreement dated as of March 18, 2008 between the Registrant and Robert B. Jones (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Form 8-K filed on March 24, 2008).
†10.30
Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement dated as of April 28, 2011 between the Registrant and Robert B. Jones (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Form 10-Q filed July 28, 2011).
†10.31
Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement between Registrant and Robert B. Jones made as of July 7, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Form 10-Q filed July 28, 2011).
†10.32
Second Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement between Registrant and Robert B. Jones executed December 14, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Form 8-K filed December 17, 2012).
E-3
Exhibit Number
Exhibit Description
10.33
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement entered into between the Registrant and institutional investors on June 30, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of our Form 8-K filed July 1, 2015).
10.34
Consent and Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement entered into as of May 12, 2017 between Oxford Finance LLC, the Registrant and Acura Pharmaceutical Technologies, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2017).
10.35
License, Commercialization and Option Agreement is made and entered into as of March 16, 2017 by and between MainPointe Pharmaceuticals, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to our Form 10-K filed June 7, 2018).
10.36
Promissory Note dated May 7, 2018 issued to John Schutte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to our Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2018).
10.37
Subordination Agreement dated as of May 7, 2018 between John Schutte and Oxford Finance, LLC, approved by Registrant and Acura Pharmaceutical Technologies, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to our Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2018).
10.38
Fourth Amendment dated as of June 6, 2018 to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 27, 2013, as amended, between the Registrant, Acura Pharmaceutical Technologies, Inc. and Oxford Finance, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to our Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2018).
10.39
Promissory Note dated June 28, 2018 issued to John Schutte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to our Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2018).
10.40
Promissory Note dated August 2, 2018 issued to John Schutte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to our Form 10-Q filed November 27, 2018).
10.41
Promissory Note dated September 13, 2018 issued to John Schutte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to our Form 10-Q filed November 27, 2018).
10.42
Promissory Note dated October 5, 2018 issued to John Schutte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to our Form 10-K filed September 16, 2019).
10.43
Promissory Note dated November 21, 2018 issued to John Schutte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to our Form 10-K filed September 16, 2019).
10.44
Promissory Note dated December 20, 2018 issued to John Schutte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to our Form 10-K filed September 16, 2019).
10.45
Promissory Note dated January 28, 2019 issued to John Schutte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to our Form 10-K filed September 16, 2019).
10.46
Promissory Note dated March 25, 2019 issued to John Schutte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to our Form 10-Q filed October 1, 2019).
10.47
Promissory Note dated May 1, 2019 issued to John Schutte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 to our Form 10-Q filed February 10, 2020).
E-4
Exhibit Number
Exhibit Description
10.48
Promissory Note dated June 12, 2019 issued to John Schutte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to our Form 10-Q filed February 10, 2020).
10.49
Promissory Note dated June 28, 2019 issued to John Schutte (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 to our Form 10-Q filed February 20, 2020).
10.50 *
License, Development and Commercialization Agreement is made and entered into as of June 28, 2019 by the Registrant and between Abuse Deterrent Pharmaceuticals, LLC.
10.51 *
Common Stock Warrant issued June 28, 2019 to John Schutte.
10.52 *
Assignment of Promissory Note, Warrant and Security Agreement issued June 28, 2019 by John Schutte to Abuse Deterrent Pharmaceuticals, LLC.
14.1
Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 of the Form 8-K filed on December 10, 2007).
Subsidiaries of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21 to the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 filed on March 15, 2007).
23.1*
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1*
Certification of Periodic Report by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2*
Certification of Periodic Report by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32*
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS*
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*
XBRL Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.LAB*
XBRL Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE*
XBRL Extension Presentation Linkbase
101.DEF*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
*Filed or furnished herewith.
† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
E-5
ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report Of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and Board of Directors
Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Palatine, Illinois
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern Uncertainty
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations, accumulated deficit, and negative cash flows from operations that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2004.
Chicago, Illinois
March 30, 2020
ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018
(in thousands except par value)
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018
(in thousands except per share amounts)
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018
(in thousands)
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018
(in thousands)
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018
Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities (amounts presented are rounded to the nearest thousand):
Year Ended December 31, 2019
1.The imputed interest on the below market rate element of the $650 related party loans made to the Company through June 27, 2019, amounted to $13, and was recorded in interest income with a corresponding like amount recorded as debt discount against the principal amount of the loan.
2.On June 28, 2019, modifications made to the $5,000 related party loan resulted in a debt extinguishment. A $2,600 loss on debt extinguishment was recorded comprising $1,145 for a common stock purchase warrant issued to the related party lender, the excess fair value premium on the newly issued convertible debt of $1,382, and the write-off of unamortized debt discount of $73.
3.Accrued interest payable of $275 on the related party $5,000 loan was rolled into principal under modifications made to the loan occurring on June 28, 2019.
Year Ended December 31, 2018
1.The imputed interest on the below market rate element of the related party loans aggregating $4,350 made to the Company, amounted to $172, and was recorded in interest income with a corresponding like amount recorded as debt discount against the principal amount of the loan.
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2019 and 2018
NOTE 1 - OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principal Operations
Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a New York corporation, and its subsidiary (the “Company”, “Acura”, “We”, “Us” or “Our”) is an innovative drug delivery company engaged in the research, development and commercialization of technologies and products intended to address safe use of medications. We have discovered and developed three proprietary platform technologies which can be used to develop multiple products. Our Limitx™ Technology is intended to minimize the risks and side effects associated with overdose by retarding the release of active drug ingredients when too many tablets are accidently or purposefully ingested. Our Aversion® Technology is intended to address methods of product tampering associated with opioid abuse by incorporating gelling ingredients and irritants into tablets to discourage abuse by snorting and provide barriers to abuse by injection. Our Impede® Technology is directed at minimizing the extraction and conversion of pseudoephedrine tablets into methamphetamine.
·Our Limitx Technology is in development with immediate-release tablets containing hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen (also known as LTX-03) as the lead product candidate due to its large market size and its known prevalence of oral excessive tablet abuse and overdose. The technology is designed to retard the release of active opioid drug when too many tablets are accidentally or purposefully ingested by neutralizing stomach acid with buffer ingredients but deliver efficacious amounts of drug when taken as a single tablet with a nominal buffer dose. US commercialization rights to LTX-03 are licensed to Abuse Deterrent Pharma, LLC (See Note 3).
·Our Aversion Technology has been licensed to Zyla Life Sciences or Zyla (formerly known as Egalet Corporation) for use in Oxaydo® Tablets (oxycodone HCl, CII), and is the first approved immediate-release oxycodone product in the United States with abuse deterrent labeling. Oxaydo is currently approved by the FDA for marketing in the United States in 5mg and 7.5mg strengths (See Note 3).
·Our Impede Technology is used in Nexafed® Tablets (30mg pseudoephedrine HCl) and Nexafed® Sinus Pressure + Pain Tablets (30/325mg pseudoephedrine HCl and acetaminophen). We have licensed to MainPointe Pharmaceuticals, LLC (MainPointe), our Impede Technology in the United States and Canada to commercialize these Nexafed products (See Note 3).
Basis of Presentation, Liquidity and Substantial Doubt in Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. The going concern basis of presentation assumes that we will continue in operation one year after the date these financial statements are issued and we will be able to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2019, we had cash of $862 thousand, working capital of $104 thousand and an accumulated deficit of $388 million. We had a loss from operations of $725 thousand and a net loss of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. We have suffered recurring losses from operations and have not generated positive cash flows from operations. We anticipate operating losses to continue for the foreseeable future.
On June 28, 2019, we entered into with Abuse Deterrent Pharma, LLC (“AD Pharma”), a License, Development and Commercialization Agreement (the “AD Pharma Agreement”). AD Pharma has the right to terminate the AD Pharma Agreement for “convenience on 30 days prior written notice”. Under the AD Pharma Agreement, the required monthly license payments by AD Pharma will only continue until November 2020 if AD Pharma does not exercise their right to terminate the AD Pharma Agreement. To fund further operations, we must raise additional financing or enter into license or collaboration agreements with third parties relating to our technologies or explore a variety of capital raising and other transactions to provide additional funding. No assurance can be given that we will be successful in obtaining any such financing or in securing license or collaboration agreements with third parties on acceptable terms, if at all, or if secured, that such financing or license or collaboration agreements will provide payments to the Company sufficient to fund continued operations and the Company will be required to scale back or terminate operations and/or seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws. Delay or cessation of the Company’s continuing product development efforts will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Should AD Pharma exercise their right to terminate the AD Pharma Agreement, we would need to raise additional financing or enter into license or collaboration agreements with third parties relating to our technologies. The Company’s ability to raise additional capital may be adversely impacted by potential worsening global economic conditions and the recent disruptions to, and volatility in, financial markets in the United States and worldwide resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. No assurance can be given that we will be successful in obtaining any such financing or in securing license or collaboration agreements with third parties on acceptable terms, if at all, or if secured, that such financing or license or collaboration agreements will provide payments to the Company sufficient to fund continued operations. In the absence of such financing or third-party license or collaboration agreements, the Company will be required to scale back or terminate operations and/or seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws. An extended delay or cessation of the Company’s continuing product development efforts will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
In view of the matters described above, management has concluded that substantial doubt exists with respect to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued. The recoverability of a major portion of the recorded asset amounts shown in the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets is dependent upon continued operations of the Company, which in turn is dependent upon the Company’s ability to meet its funding requirements on a continuous basis, to maintain existing financing and to succeed in its future operations. The Company’s financial statements do not include any adjustment relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue in existence.
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Accounting
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Acura Pharmaceutical Technologies Inc., after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. Amounts presented have been rounded to the nearest thousand, where indicated, except share and per share data.
Use of Estimates
Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions in order to prepare consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Such estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management periodically evaluates estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for continued reasonableness. Appropriate adjustments, if any, to the estimates used are made prospectively based on such periodic evaluations.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, royalty receivables and collaboration revenue receivable. The Company maintains deposits in federally insured financial institutions which are in excess of federally insured limits. However, management believes the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institutions in which those deposits are held.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash, royalties and collaboration receivables, trade accounts payable, and debt. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments, other than our debt, are representative of their respective fair values due to their relatively short maturities. On June 28, 2019, we restructured the $5.0 million related party loan to borrow an additional $725 thousand from Mr. Schutte, bringing the aggregate principal of the loans and accrued interest to $6.0 million, and consolidated the loans into a single promissory note, and reported the debt using fair value for the changes to the loan resulting in the recognizing a $2.6 million loss on debt extinguishment. The fair value of the $6.0 million loan at December 31, 2019 has not materially changed from its valuation of fair value of $7.4 million.
Share-based Compensation Expense
We have several share-based compensation plans covering stock options and RSUs for our employees and directors, which are described more fully in Note 11.
We measure our compensation cost related to share-based payment transactions based on fair value of the equity or liability classified instrument. For purposes of estimating the fair value of each stock option unit on the date of grant, we utilize the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected volatility factor of the market price of our common stock (as determined by reviewing our historical public market closing prices). Our accounting for share-based compensation for RSUs is based on the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant.
Our total share-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s results of operations from non-cash and cash-portioned instruments issued to our employees and directors comprised the following (in thousands):
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. We have no leasehold improvements. Betterments are capitalized and maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. When a depreciable asset is retired from service, the cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the respective accounts.
Depreciation expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The estimated useful lives of the major classification of depreciable assets are:
Intangible and Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets such as the intangible asset and property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of the assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying value of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. We had no impairment charges during the years 2019 or 2018.
License Fee Revenue
On signing the AD Pharma Agreement in June 2019, Acura will receive a monthly license payment of $350 thousand by AD Pharma for 18 months until November 2020. The first license payment was received July 2, 2019. If the NDA filing for LTX-03 is not accepted by the FDA by November 30, 2020, AD Pharma has the option to terminate the AD Pharma Agreement and take ownership of the Limitx intellectual property. Should AD Pharma choose not to exercise this option to terminate and the NDA for LTX-03 is subsequently accepted by the FDA, such option expires. AD Pharma does have the right to terminate the AD Pharma Agreement anytime for “convenience on 30 days prior written notice” and the license fee payments will stop. The license fee payments are non-refundable and non-creditable when made by AD Pharma and we had no further requirements to earn the payment. The license payment amount is recognized as revenue when received (See Note 3). During 2019 we recognized $2.1 million of license fee revenue from AD Pharma.
Collaboration Revenue
Collaboration revenue is derived from reimbursement of development expenses, such as under our agreement with AD Pharma, and are recognized when costs are incurred pursuant to the agreements. The ongoing research and development services being provided under the collaboration are priced at fair value based upon the reimbursement of expenses incurred pursuant to the collaboration agreements. We recognized $185 thousand of collaboration revenue during the year 2019. We did not have collaboration revenue during the year 2018.
Royalty Revenue
We recognize revenue from royalties based on our licensees' sales of our products or products using our technologies. Royalties are sales-based royalties which are recognized as the related sales occur. These royalties were promised in exchange for a license of intellectual property.
In connection with our Collaboration and License Agreement with Zyla to commercialize Oxaydo tablets we will receive a stepped royalty at percentage rates ranging from mid-single digits to double-digits based on Oxaydo net sales during each calendar year over the term of the agreement (excluding net sales resulting from any co-promotion efforts by us). We recognize royalty revenue each calendar quarter based on net sales reported to us by Zyla in accordance with the agreement. Zyla’s first commercial sale of Oxaydo occurred in October 2015 and we have recorded royalties of $351 thousand and $386 thousand on net sales for the years 2019 and 2018, respectively (See Note 3).
In connection with the MainPointe Agreement, which occurred on March 16, 2017, we are receiving a royalty of 7.5% on net sales of the licensed products over the term of the agreement. Such royalty shall be payable for sales made during each calendar quarter and payment will be remitted within forty-five (45) days after the end of the quarter to which it relates. We have recorded royalties of $21 thousand and $24 thousand for the years 2019 and 2018 (See Note 3).
Deferred Debt Issuance Costs and Debt Discount
Deferred debt issuance costs include costs of debt financing undertaken by the Company, including legal fees, placement fees and other direct costs of the financing. Debt discount can be incurred from value attributable to warrants issued in conjunction with the financing and/or attributable to the below market rate element of the loan if we believe the loan’s rate of interest is below current market rates for us, as in the case of the Schutte Loans. Debt issuance costs and debt discount are amortized into interest expense over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method. Deferred debt issuance costs and debt discount are presented on the consolidated balance sheets as a direct reduction against the debt balance at December 31, 2018. On June 28, 2019, we restructured the $5.0 million related party loan and reported the debt using fair value for the changes to the loan and in doing so, the unamortized debt discount was written off as a loss on debt extinguishment. During the years ended 2019 and 2018, we recognized interest expense from the amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount of $66 thousand and $87 thousand, respectively.
Research and Development Activities
Research and Development (“R&D”) costs include internal R&D activities, external Contract Research Organization (“CRO”) services and their clinical research and investigative sites, and other activities. Internal R&D activity costs can include facility overhead, equipment and facility maintenance and repairs, laboratory supplies, pre-clinical laboratory experiments, formulation work, depreciation, salaries, benefits, insurance and share-based compensation expenses. CRO activity costs can include preclinical laboratory experiments and clinical trial studies. Other activity costs can include regulatory consulting, regulatory legal counsel, cost of acquiring, developing and manufacturing pre-clinical trial materials, costs of manufacturing scale-up, and cost sharing expenses under license agreements. Internal R&D costs and other activity costs are charged to expense as incurred. We make payments to the CRO's based on agreed upon terms and may include payments in advance of a study starting date. Payments in advance will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements as prepaid expenses. We review and charge to expense accrued CRO costs and clinical trial study costs based on services performed and rely on estimates of those costs applicable to the stage of completion of a study as provided by the CRO. Our accrued CRO costs are subject to revisions as such studies progress towards completion. Revisions are charged to expense in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. We did not have prepaid CRO costs or prepaid clinical trial study expenses at December 31, 2019 and 2018.
In connection with our development and scale-up of LTX-03 under the AD Pharma Agreement (See Note 3) we entered into obligations under non-cancelable arrangements at December 31, 2019 aggregating $502 thousand.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and the income tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted income tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Additionally, net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are reported as deferred income tax assets. The realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon future earnings. A valuation allowance is required against deferred income tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred income tax assets may not be realized. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, 100% of all remaining net deferred income tax assets were offset by a valuation allowance due to uncertainties with respect to future utilization of net operating loss carryforwards. If in the future it is determined that additional amounts of our deferred income tax assets would likely be realized, the valuation allowance would be reduced in the period in which such determination is made and an additional benefit from income taxes in such period would be recognized.
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share
Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income or loss by the weighted average common shares outstanding during a period, including shares weighted related to both vested Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) which settle in shares (See Note 12) and a stock warrant exercisable for 10.0 million shares having an exercise price of $0.01 per share (See Note 8). Diluted EPS is based on the treasury stock method and computed based on the same number of shares used in the basic share calculation and includes the effect from potential issuance of common stock, such as shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options and stock warrants, assuming the exercise of all in-the-money stock options and warrants. Common stock equivalents are excluded from the computation where their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. As the Company reported a net loss in 2019 and 2018 the effects of common stock equivalents were excluded as the diluted net loss per share calculation would have been antidilutive. The weighted-average common share outstanding diluted computation is not impacted during any period where the exercise price of a stock option, common stock warrant or convertible loan is greater than the average market price of our common stock.
Customer Concentration
Under our agreement with MainPointe, we earn royalties from MainPointe sale of the licensed product line Nexafed, and under our license agreement with Zyla, we earn royalties from Zyla’s sale of the licensed product Oxaydo.
In June 2019 we signed a license, development and commercialization agreement with AD Pharma. Acura will receive a monthly license payment of $350 thousand by AD Pharma for 18 months until November 2020. The first license payment was received July 2, 2019. If the NDA filing for LTX-03 is not accepted by the FDA by November 30, 2020, AD Pharma has the option to terminate the agreement and take ownership of the Limitx intellectual property. Should AD Pharma choose not to exercise this option to terminate and the NDA for LTX-03 is subsequently accepted by the FDA, such option expires. AD Pharma does have the right to terminate the agreement anytime for “convenience on 30 days prior written notice” and the license fee payments will stop. On January 1, 2020, MainPointe assigned to AD Pharma, with Acura’s consent, all of its right, title and interest in the MainPointe Agreement between MainPointe and Acura dated March 16, 2017.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
New accounting standards which have been adopted on or before December 31, 2019
Collaborative Arrangements
In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (ASC 808): Clarifying the Interaction between ASC 808 and ASC 606, which clarifies that certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue under ASC 606 when the collaborative arrangement participant is a customer in the context of a unit of account. In those situations, all the guidance in ASC 606 should be applied, including recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure requirements. This ASU adds unit-of-account guidance in ASC 808 to align with the guidance in ASC 606 (that is, a distinct good or service) when an entity is assessing whether the collaborative arrangement or a part of the arrangement is within the scope of ASC 606, and requires that in a transaction with a collaborative arrangement participant that is not directly related to sales to third parties, presenting the transaction together with revenue recognized under ASC 606 is precluded if the collaborative arrangement participant is not a customer. The Company early adopted ASC 808 which was to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company early adopted ASC 808 during third quarter 2019. The adoption of ASC 808 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842), which establishes a comprehensive new lease accounting model. The new standard will require most leases (with the exception of leases with terms of one year or less) to be recognized on the balance sheet as a lease liability with a corresponding right-of-use asset. Leases will be classified as an operating lease or a financing lease. The classification of the lease will affect the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement such that operating leases are expensed using the straight-line method whereas financing leases will be treated similarly to a capital lease under the current standard. The standard also requires disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, "Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases" (ASU 2018-10), which provides narrow amendments to clarify how to apply certain aspects of the new lease standard, and ASU No. 2018-11, "Leases (Topic 842)-Targeted Improvements" (ASU 2018-11), which addressed implementation issues related to the new lease standard. These and certain other lease-related ASUs have generally been codified in ASC 842. ASC 842 supersedes the lease accounting requirements in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 840, Leases (ASC 840).
The Company adopted ASC 842 using the modified retrospective transition approach during Q1 2019, which allows the Company to not adjust the comparative periods presented. The Company has elected to adopt the package of transition practical expedients and, therefore, has not reassessed whether existing or expired contracts contain a lease or the lease classification for existing or expired. The Company did not elect the practical expedient to use hindsight for leases existing at the adoption date. Upon adoption, operating leases would be reported on the balance sheet as a gross-up of assets and liabilities, however the Company has elected, as an accounting policy, to not recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for all short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements as the Company has no leases with a term of more than 12 months.
New accounting standards which have not yet been adopted on or before December 31, 2019
Fair Value Measurements
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 eliminates certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements for all entities, requires public entities to disclose certain new information and modifies some disclosure requirements. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim reporting periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on the financial statements and related footnote disclosures.
Credit Losses
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU-2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, and any other financial assets that have the contractual right to receive cash. The ASU requires an entity to recognize expected credit losses rather than incurred losses for financial assets. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on the financial statements and related footnote disclosures.
NOTE 3 - LICENSE AND COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS
The Company’s revenues are comprised of amounts earned under its license and collaboration agreements and royalties. Revenue recognition occurs when a customer obtains control of promised services in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those services based on a short-term credit arrangement.
AD Pharma Agreement covering LTX-03
On June 28, 2019 we entered into with Abuse Deterrent Pharma, LLC (“AD Pharma”), a License, Development and Commercialization Agreement (the "AD Pharma Agreement"), for the development and license of LTX-03 (hydrocodone bitartrate with acetaminophen) immediate-release tablets utilizing Acura’s patented LIMITx™. Acura will receive a monthly license payment of $350 thousand by AD Pharma for 18 months until November 2020. The first license payment was received July 2, 2019. AD Pharma will pay for and reimburse Acura for all outside development costs on LTX-03. If the NDA filing for LTX-03 is not accepted by the FDA by November 30, 2020, AD Pharma has the option to terminate the AD Pharma Agreement and take ownership of the Limitx intellectual property. Should AD Pharma choose not to exercise this option to terminate and the NDA for LTX-03 is subsequently accepted by the FDA, such option expires. AD Pharma does have the right to terminate the AD Pharma Agreement anytime for “convenience on 30 days prior written notice”. AD Pharma retains commercialization rights from which Acura will receive stepped royalties on sales and potential sales related milestones.
We also granted authority to MainPointe Pharmaceuticals, LLC (MainPointe) to assign to AD Pharma the option and the right to add, as an Option Product to the Nexafed® Agreement, a Nexafed® 12-hour dosage (an extended-release pseudoephedrine hydrochloride product utilizing the IMPEDE® Technology in 120mg dosage strength. The Option Product exercise price of $500 thousand is waived if the exercise of the option occurs by June 28, 2024 (five years from the effective date of the AD Pharma Agreement).
On June 28, 2019 Mr. John Schutte assigned and transferred to AD Pharma his $6.0 million promissory note, the common stock purchase warrant for 10.0 million common shares, and the security agreement granting a security interest in all of the Company’s assets. (See Note 8). Mr. Schutte is our largest shareholder and directly owns approximately 47.5% of our common stock (after giving effect to the exercise of remaining common stock purchase warrants he holds). Mr. Schutte controls MainPointe and is the principal investor in AD Pharma.
Zyla Agreement covering Oxaydo
In April 2014, we terminated an agreement with Pfizer which resulted in the return to us of Aversion Oxycodone (formerly known as Oxecta®) and all Aversion product rights in exchange for a one-time termination payment of $2.0 million. Our termination payment of $2.0 million has been recorded in our financial statements as an intangible asset and is being amortized over the remaining useful life of the patent covering Aversion Oxycodone, which was 9.7 years as of the date the Pfizer agreement was terminated. The recoverability of the Aversion intangible asset is contingent upon future Zyla royalty revenues to us. We have recorded amortization expense of $207 thousand in each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Annual amortization of the patent for its remaining life is expected to approximate $207 thousand per year.
In January 2015, we and Egalet US, Inc. and Egalet Ltd., each a subsidiary of Egalet Corporation (now known as Zyla Life Sciences), or collectively Zyla, entered into a Collaboration and License Agreement (the “Zyla Agreement”) to commercialize Aversion Oxycodone under our tradename Oxaydo. Oxaydo is approved by the FDA for marketing in the United States in 5 mg and 7.5 mg strengths. Under the terms of the Zyla Agreement, we transferred the approved New Drug Application, or NDA, for Oxaydo to Zyla and Zyla is granted an exclusive license under our intellectual property rights for development and commercialization of Oxaydo worldwide (the “Territory”) in all strengths, subject to our right to co-promote Oxaydo in the United States. Eaglet launched Oxaydo in the United States late in the third quarter of 2015.
In accordance with the Zyla Agreement Zyla is responsible for the fees and expenses relating to the product line extensions of Oxaydo, provided that Zyla will pay a substantial majority of the fees and expenses and we will pay for the remaining fees and expense relating to (i) annual NDA PDUFA product fees, (ii) expenses of the FDA required post-marketing study for Oxaydo and (iii) expenses of clinical studies for product line extensions (additional strengths) of Oxaydo for the United States. Zyla will bear all of the expenses of development and regulatory approval of Oxaydo for sale outside the United States. Zyla is responsible for all manufacturing and commercialization activities in the Territory for Oxaydo. Subject to certain exceptions, Zyla will have final decision making authority with respect to all development and commercialization activities for Oxaydo, including pricing, subject to our co-promotion right. Zyla may develop Oxaydo for other countries and in additional strengths, in its discretion.
Zyla paid us a $5.0 million license fee upon signing of the Zyla Agreement and on October 9, 2015, paid us a $2.5 million milestone in connection with the first commercial sale of Oxaydo. We will be entitled to a one-time $12.5 million sales-based milestone payment when worldwide Oxaydo net sales reach $150 million in a calendar year. We are entitled to receive from Zyla a stepped royalty at percentage rates ranging from mid-single digits to double-digits based on Oxaydo net sales during each calendar year (excluding net sales resulting from our co-promotion efforts). In any calendar year of the agreement in which net sales exceed a specified threshold, we will receive a double digit royalty on all Oxaydo net sales in that year (excluding net sales resulting from our co-promotion efforts). If we exercise our co-promotion rights, we will receive a share of the gross margin attributable to incremental Oxaydo net sales from our co-promotion activities. Zyla’s royalty payment obligations commenced on the first commercial sale of Oxaydo and expire, on a country-by-country basis, upon the expiration of the last to expire valid patent claim covering Oxaydo in such country (or if there are no patent claims in such country, then upon the expiration of the last valid claim in the United States or the date when no valid and enforceable listable patent in the FDA’s Orange Book remains with respect to Oxaydo). Royalties will be reduced upon the entry of generic equivalents, as well as for payments required to be made by Zyla to acquire intellectual property rights to commercialize Oxaydo, with an aggregate minimum floor.
The Zyla Agreement expires upon the expiration of Zyla’s royalty payment obligations in all countries. Either party may terminate the Zyla Agreement in its entirety if the other party breaches a payment obligation, or otherwise materially breaches the Zyla Agreement, subject to applicable cure periods, or in the event the other party makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, files a petition in bankruptcy or otherwise seeks relief under applicable bankruptcy laws. We also may terminate the Zyla Agreement with respect to the U.S. and other countries if Zyla materially breaches its commercialization obligations. Zyla may terminate the Zyla Agreement for convenience on 120 days prior written notice, which termination may not occur prior to the second anniversary of Zyla’s launch of Oxaydo. Termination does not affect a party’s rights accrued prior thereto, but there are no stated payments in connection with termination other than payments of obligations previously accrued. For all terminations (but not expiration), the Zyla Agreement provides for the transition of development and marketing of Oxaydo from Zyla to us, including the conveyance by Zyla to us of the trademarks and all regulatory filings and approvals relating to Oxaydo, and for Zyla’s supply of Oxaydo for a transition period.
MainPointe Agreement covering Nexafed Products and assignment thereof to AD Pharma
In March 2017, we and MainPointe entered into the MainPointe Agreement, pursuant to which we granted MainPointe an exclusive license to our Impede Technology to commercialize both of our Nexafed and Nexafed Sinus Pressure + Pain product (“Nexafed products”) in the U.S. and Canada. We also conveyed to MainPointe our existing inventory and equipment relating to our Nexafed products. MainPointe is responsible for all development, manufacturing and commercialization activities with respect to products covered by the Agreement.
On signing the MainPointe Agreement, MainPointe paid us an upfront licensing fee of $2.5 million. The MainPointe Agreement also provides for our receipt of a 7.5% royalty on net sales of the licensed products. The royalty payment for each product will expire on a country-by-country basis when the Impede® patent rights for such country have expired or are no longer valid; provided that if no Impede patent right exists in a country, then the royalty term for that country will be the same as the royalty term for the United States. After the expiration of a royalty term for a country, MainPointe retains a royalty free license to our Impede® Technology for products covered by the Agreement in such country.
MainPointe has the option to expand the licensed territory beyond the United States and Canada to the European Union (and the United Kingdom), Japan and South Korea for payments of $1.0 million, $500 thousand and $250 thousand, respectively. In addition, MainPointe has the option to add to the MainPointe Agreement certain additional products, or Option Products, containing PSE and utilizing the Impede Technology for a fee of $500 thousand per product (for all product strengths). Such Option Products include the product candidate Loratadine with pseudoephedrine. If the territory has been expanded prior to the exercise of a product option, the option fee will be increased to $750 thousand per product. If the territory is expanded after the payment of the $500 thousand product option fee, a one-time $250 thousand fee will be due for each product. If a third party is interested in developing or licensing rights to an Option Product, MainPointe must exercise its option for that product or its option rights for such product will terminate.
On June 28, 2019, we granted authority to MainPointe to assign to AD Pharma the option and the right to add, as an Option Product to the Nexafed® Agreement, a Nexafed® 12-hour dosage (an extended-release pseudoephedrine hydrochloride product utilizing the IMPEDE® Technology in 120mg dosage strength. The Option Product exercise price of $500 thousand is waived if the exercise of the option occurs by June 28, 2024 (five years from the effective date of the AD Pharma Agreement).
The MainPointe Agreement may be terminated by either party for a material breach of the other party, or by Acura if MainPointe challenges certain of its patents. Upon early termination of the MainPointe Agreement, MainPointe’s licenses to the Impede Technology and all products will terminate. Upon termination, at Acura’s request the parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to transition the Nexafed® and Nexafed® Sinus Pressure + Pain products back to Acura.
On January 1, 2020, MainPointe assigned to AD Pharma, with Acura’s consent, all of its right, title and interest in the MainPointe Agreement between MainPointe and Acura dated March 16, 2017.
KemPharm Agreement Covering Certain Opioid Prodrugs
In October 2016, we and KemPharm Inc. (”KemPharm”) entered into a worldwide License Agreement (the “KemPharm Agreement”) pursuant to which we licensed our Aversion® Technology to KemPharm for its use in the development and commercialization of three products using 2 of KemPharm’s prodrug candidates. KemPharm has also been granted an option to extend the KemPharm Agreement to cover two additional prodrug candidates. KemPharm is responsible for all development, manufacturing and commercialization activities.
Upon execution of the KemPharm Agreement, KemPharm paid us an upfront payment of $3.5 million. If KemPharm exercises its option to use our Aversion Technology with more than the two licensed prodrugs, then KemPharm will pay us up to $1.0 million for each additional prodrug license. In addition, we will receive from KemPharm a low single digit royalty on commercial sales by KemPharm of products developed using our Aversion Technology under the KemPharm Agreement. KemPharm’s royalty payment obligations commence on the first commercial sale of a product using our Aversion Technology and expire, on a country-by-country basis, upon the expiration of the last to expire patent claim of the Aversion Technology covering a product in such country, at which time the license for the particular product and country becomes fully paid and royalty free.
The KemPharm Agreement expires upon the expiration of KemPharm’s royalty payment obligations in all countries. Either party may terminate the KemPharm Agreement in its entirety if the other party materially breaches the KemPharm Agreement, subject to applicable cure periods. Acura or KemPharm may terminate the KemPharm Agreement with respect to the U.S. and other countries if the other party challenges the patents covering the licensed products. KemPharm may terminate the KemPharm Agreement for convenience on ninety (90) days prior written notice. Termination does not affect a party’s rights accrued prior thereto, but there are no stated payments in connection with termination other than payments of obligations previously accrued. For all terminations (but not expiration), the KemPharm Agreement provides for termination of our license grant to KemPharm.
NOTE 4 - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
Revenue is recognized when, or as, performance obligations under terms of a contract are satisfied, which occurs when control of the promised service is transferred to a customer. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring services to a customer (“transaction price”). The Company will then recognize as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. When determining the transaction price of the contract, an adjustment is made if payment from a customer occurs either significantly before or significantly after performance, resulting in a significant financing component. None of the Company’s licenses and collaboration agreements contained a significant financing component at either December 31, 2019 or 2018.
The Company’s existing license and collaboration agreements may contain a single performance obligation or may contain multiple performance obligations. Those which contain multiple performance obligations will require an allocation of the transaction price based on the estimated relative standalone selling prices of the promised services underlying each performance obligation.
The Company’s existing license and collaboration agreements contain customer options for the license of additional products and territories. We determined the option’s standalone selling prices based on the option product’s potential market size in the option territory as compared to the currently licensed product and U.S. territory. Some of our existing license and collaboration agreements contain a license to the technology as well as licenses to tradenames or trademarks. The Company determined that the licenses to the tradenames or trademarks were immaterial in context of the contract.
Sales-based Milestones and Royalty Revenues
The commercial sales-based milestones and sales royalties earned under the license and collaboration for Oxaydo and sales royalties earned under the license for the Nexafed products, are recorded in the period of the related sales by Zyla and MainPointe. Payments of sales-based milestones are generally due within 30 days after the end of a calendar year. Payments of royalties are generally due within 45 days after the end of a calendar quarter.
License and Collaboration Agreement Revenues
The achievement of milestones under the Company’s license and collaboration agreements will be recorded as revenue during the period the milestone’s achievement becomes probable, which may result in earlier recognition as compared to the previous accounting standards. The license fee of an option product or option territory under the Company’s license and collaboration agreements will be recorded as revenue when the option is exercised and any obligations on behalf of the Company, such as to transfer know-how, has been fulfilled. The monthly license fee under the Company’s LTX-03 license and collaboration agreement will be recorded as revenue upon the fulfillment of the monthly development activities. The out-of-pocket development expenses under the license and collaboration agreements will be recorded as revenue upon the performance of the service or delivery of the material during the month.
On June 28, 2019 we entered into an agreement with AD Pharma for the development and license of LTX-03 (hydrocodone bitartrate with acetaminophen) immediate-release tablets utilizing Acura’s patented LIMITx™ having a monthly license payment of $350 thousand from AD Pharma to us for a period of up to 18 months until November 2020. AD Pharma will pay directly for or reimburse Acura to the extent Acura pay’s for, all out-of-pocket development expenses. The first license payment was received July 2, 2019.
Disaggregation of Total Revenues
The Company has two license agreements for currently marketed products containing its technologies; the Oxaydo product containing the Aversion Technology has been licensed to Zyla and the Nexafed products containing the Impede Technology which have been licensed to MainPointe. On January 1, 2020, MainPointe assigned to AD Pharma, with Acura’s consent, all of its right, title and interest in the MainPointe Agreement between MainPointe and Acura. All of the Company’s royalty revenues are earned from these two license agreements by the licensee’s sale of products in the United States.
Royalty revenues by licensee are summarized below:	
Contract Balance and Performance Obligations
The Company had no contract assets and contract liability balances under the license and collaboration agreements at either December 31, 2019 or 2018. Contract assets may be reported in future periods under prepaid expenses or other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Contract liabilities may be reported in future periods consisting of deferred revenue as presented on the consolidated balance sheet.
NOTE 5 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment is summarized as follows (in thousands):
We do not have leasehold improvements nor do we have capitalized leases. Costs of betterments are capitalized while maintenance costs and repair costs are charged to operations as incurred. When a depreciable asset is retired from service, the cost and accumulated depreciation will be removed from the respective accounts.
Depreciation expense was $66 thousand and $73 thousand for each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
NOTE 6 - ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses are summarized as follows (in thousands):
NOTE 7 - DEBT
Fully Paid Loan
In December 2013, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Oxford Loan Agreement”) with Oxford Finance LLC (“Oxford” or the “Lender”), for a term loan to the Company in the principal amount of $10.0 million (the “Term Loan”). The Oxford Term Loan accrued interest at a fixed rate of 8.35% per annum (with a default rate of 13.35% per annum). The Company was required to make monthly interest−only payments until April 1, 2015 (“Amortization Date”) and beginning on the Amortization Date, the Company began to make payments of principal and accrued interest in equal monthly installments of $260 thousand, sufficient to amortize the Term Loan through the maturity date of December 1, 2018. All unpaid principal and accrued and unpaid interest with respect to the Term Loan was due and payable in full on December 1, 2018. As security for its obligations under the initial Oxford Loan Agreement (prior to the Third Amendment), the Company granted the Lender a security interest in substantially all of its existing and after−acquired assets, exclusive of its intellectual property assets. Upon the execution of the Oxford Loan Agreement, we issued to the Lender warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 60 thousand shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to $7.98 per share (after adjustment for our one-for-five reverse stock split) (the “Warrants”). We recorded $400 thousand as debt discount associated with the relative fair value of the Warrants and amortized it to interest expense over the term of the loan using the loan’s effective interest rate. The Warrants were immediately exercisable for cash or by net exercise and will expire December 27, 2020.
In January 2015, we and Oxford amended the Oxford Loan Agreement providing for the exercise price of the Warrants to be lowered from $7.98 to $2.52 per share (the average closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq for the 10 trading days preceding the date of the amendment and after giving effect to our one-for-five reverse stock split) and we recorded additional debt discount of $33 thousand representing the fair value of the Warrant modification.
The Company was obligated to pay customary lender fees and expenses, including a one-time facility fee of $50 thousand and the Lender’s expenses, in connection with the Oxford Loan Agreement. Combined with the Company’s own expenses and a $100 thousand consulting placement fee, the Company incurred a total $231 thousand in deferred debt issue costs. We amortized these costs, including debt modification additional costs, into interest expense over the term of the Term Loan using the loan’s effective interest rate of 10.16%.
In October 2018 we borrowed $1.8 million from Mr. Schutte and used loan proceeds to negotiate, settle and pay-off in full the Oxford Loan for $1.5 million. We recognized a net gain from debt settlement of $296 thousand on principal and interest which has been reflected in our statement of operations as non-operating income. All security interests of Oxford with respect to the Oxford Term Loan have been released.
Related Party Convertible Loan
At December 31, 2018, we had borrowed an aggregate of $4.350 million from Mr. Schutte, a related-party. From January 1, 2019 and through June 27, 2019, we borrowed additional amounts from Mr. Schutte for $650 thousand and issued various promissory notes to him with the same terms and conditions from the previous loans (the Schutte Notes). The Schutte Notes bear interest at prime plus 2.0%, and were to mature on January 2, 2020, at which time all principal and interest was to be due. The Schutte Notes were unsecured until all obligations to Oxford were satisfied at which time we were required to grant a security interest to Mr. Schutte in all of our assets, including our intellectual property. Because we believed the Schutte Notes’ rate of interest was below current market rates for us, we imputed interest on the below market rate element of the loans using the 10.16% interest rate under the Oxford Loan Agreement and this has aggregated to $172 thousand as of December 31, 2018. We recorded these benefits to interest income, with a corresponding like amount as debt discount against the principal amount of the loan. The debt discount will be amortized to interest expense over the term on the loans. At December 31, 2018, the unamortized debt discount balance was $126 thousand and the accrued interest balance was $110 thousand. We recorded a $13 thousand benefit to interest income during 2019 from the $650 thousand borrowings from Mr. Schutte. At June 27, 2019, the unamortized debt discount balance was $73 thousand and the accrued interest balance was $275 thousand. The events of default under the Schutte Notes are limited to bankruptcy defaults and failure to pay interest and principal when due on January 2, 2020. The Schutte Notes could be prepaid at any time in whole or in part.
Included in the $4.350 million loan outstanding from Mr. Schutte as of December 31, 2018 was a borrowing of $1.8 million completed on October 5, 2018 of which we used $1.5 million to fully pay-off the debt outstanding under the Oxford Loan Agreement. All our assets are pledged as collateral under the Schutte Notes, including our intellectual property.
On June 27, 2019 the aggregate amount of the loans made to the Company by Mr. Schutte aggregated $5.0 million. On June 28, 2019 we restructured the $5.0 million loan to borrow an additional $725 thousand from Mr. Schutte, which was received on July 2, 2019, bringing the aggregate principal of the loans and accrued interest to $6.0 million, and consolidated the loans into a single promissory note with a fixed interest rate of 7.5%, maturity date of July 1, 2023, granted principal and interest conversion rights into shares of our common stock at a price of $0.16 per share, issued a warrant for 10.0 million common shares having an exercise price of $0.01 per share, and granted a security interest in all of the Company’s assets, which includes our intellectual property. The principal amount of the loan is convertible into 37.5 million shares of our common stock. The loan restructuring was accounted for as debt extinguishment. We obtained a valuation of fair value on the modified loan and warrant and the method of accounting for the loan changes resulted in a $2.6 million loss on debt extinguishment. Of the loss on debt extinguishment, $1.145 million was allocated to the warrant, $1.382 million was related to the premium on the convertible loan, and $73 thousand was assignable to write-off of the original loan’s remaining unamortized debt discount. The $6.0 million promissory note, the common stock purchase warrant and the security agreement were all assigned and transferred by Mr. Schutte to AD Pharma on June 28, 2019.
The events of default under the $6.0 million note are limited to bankruptcy defaults, failure to pay interest and principal when due on July 1, 2023 or upon failure to meet certain timelines as defined in the agreement. The $6.0 million note may be prepaid at any time in whole or in part but only with the consent of the noteholder.
Our debt interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following (in thousands):
NOTE 8 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Private Placement with Mr. John Schutte
In July 2017, we completed a $4.0 million private placement with Mr. Schutte (sometimes referred to as the “Investor”), consisting of 8,912,655 units (“Units”) of the Company, at a price of $0.4488 per Unit (the “Transaction”). Each Unit consists of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase one fifth (0.2) of a share of common stock. The issue price of the Units was equal to 85% of the average last sale price of our common stock for the five trading days prior to completion of the Transaction. The warrants are immediately exercisable for 1,782,532 common shares at a price of $0.528 per share (which equals the average last sale price of the Company’s common stock for the five trading days prior to completion of the Transaction) and expire five years after issuance (subject to earlier expiration in event of certain acquisitions). We have assigned a relative fair value of $495 thousand to the warrants out of the total $4.0 million proceeds from the private placement transaction and have accounted these warrants as equity. The Transaction was completed through a private placement to an accredited investor and was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and/or Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933.
MainPointe Pharmaceuticals LLC
Investor is a principal of MainPointe Pharmaceuticals LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company (“MainPointe”). In March 2017, we granted MainPointe an exclusive license to our Impede Technology to commercialize our Nexafed® and Nexafed® Sinus Pressure + Pain Products in the United States and Canada for an upfront licensing fee of $2.5 million plus approximately $309 thousand for transferred inventory and equipment. The Company is receiving a 7.5% royalty on sales of licensed products. MainPointe also has options to expand the territory and products covered for additional sums. Included in the reported royalty revenue for the years ended 2019 and 2018 is $21 thousand and $24 thousand, respectively, of royalty revenue from MainPointe (See Note 3). On January 1, 2020, MainPointe assigned to AD Pharma, with Acura’s consent, all of its right, title and interest in the MainPointe Agreement between MainPointe and Acura.
As part of the closing of the Transaction, the Company and Essex Woodlands Health Ventures V, L.P. (“Essex”) and Galen Partners III, L.P. (“Galen”) amended and restated the existing Voting Agreement including such parties to provide for the Investor to join as a party (as so amended, the “Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement”). The Second Amended and Restated Voting Agreement provides that our Board of Directors shall remain comprised of no more than seven members (subject to certain exceptions), (i) one of whom is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, (ii) three of whom are independent under Nasdaq standards, and (iii) one of whom shall be designated by each of Essex, Galen and Investor, and the parties to such agreement would vote for such persons. The right of each of Essex, Galen and Investor to designate one director to our Board will continue as long as he or it and their affiliates collectively hold at least 600,000 shares of our common stock (including warrants exercisable for such shares). Immanuel Thangaraj is the designee of Essex. Investor has not designated a director as of the date of filing of this Report. Galen had not designated a director and lost that right in December 2017 when it disposed of its shares of common stock in the Company. Once such shareholder no longer holds such securities, the additional forfeited seat would become a seat for an independent director to thereafter be nominated to the Board of Directors from time to time by the then current directors and as applicable, to be elected by the directors to fill the vacancy created by the forfeited seat or submitted to the vote of shareholders at the Company’s next annual meeting. An independent director has not been named to fill the seat forfeited by Galen.
Loans with Mr. John Schutte
During the period January 1, 2019 through June 27, 2019 we borrowed an aggregate of $650 thousand from Mr. John Schutte. On June 28, 2019 we borrowed an additional $725 thousand from Mr. Schutte, bringing the aggregate principal of the loans and accrued interest to $6.0 million, and consolidated the loans into a single promissory note with a fixed interest rate of 7.5%, maturity date of July 1, 2023, granted conversion rights of principal and interest into shares of our common stock at a price of $0.16 per share, issued a warrant for 10.0 million common shares having an exercise price of $0.01 per share, and granted a security interest in all of the Company’s assets, which includes our intellectual property. The principal amount of the note is convertible into 37.5 million shares of our common stock. The $6.0 million promissory note, the common stock purchase warrant and the security agreement were all assigned and transferred by Mr. Schutte to AD Pharma on June 28, 2019.
AD Pharma Agreement covering LTX-03
On June 28, 2019, we entered into a License, Development and Commercialization Agreement (the "AD Pharma Agreement") with Abuse Deterrent Pharma, LLC (“AD Pharma”), a special purpose company representing a consortium of investors that will finance Acura’s operations and completion of development of LTX-03 (hydrocodone bitartrate with acetaminophen) immediate-release tablets utilizing Acura’s patented LIMITx™ technology which addresses the consequences of excess oral administration of opioid tablets, the most prevalent route of opioid overdose and abuse. The AD Pharma Agreement grants AD Pharma exclusive commercialization rights in the United States to LTX-03. Financial arrangements include:
·Monthly license payments to Acura by AD Pharma of $350 thousand up to the earlier of 18 months or FDA’s acceptance of a New Drug Application (“NDA”) for LTX-03;
·Reimbursement by AP Pharma of Acura’s LTX-03 outside development expenses;
·Upon commercialization of LTX-03, Acura receives stepped royalties on sales and is eligible for certain sales related milestones; and
·Acura authorizes MainPointe to assign to AD Pharma the option and the right to add, as an Option Product to the Nexafed® Agreement, a Nexafed® 12-hour dosage (an extended-release pseudoephedrine hydrochloride product utilizing the IMPEDE® Technology in 120mg dosage strength).
AD Pharma may terminate the AD Pharma Agreement at any time. Additionally, if the NDA for LTX-03 is not accepted by the FDA by November 30, 2020, AD Pharma has the option to terminate the AD Pharma Agreement and take ownership of the intellectual property. Should AD Pharma choose not to exercise this option to terminate and the NDA for LTX-03 is subsequently accepted by the FDA, such option expires.
We also granted authority to MainPointe Pharmaceuticals, LLC (MainPointe) to assign to AD Pharma the option and the right to add, as an Option Product to the Nexafed® Agreement, a Nexafed® 12-hour dosage (an extended-release pseudoephedrine hydrochloride product utilizing the IMPEDE® Technology in 120mg dosage strength). In March 2017, we granted MainPointe an exclusive license to our IMPEDE ® Technology to commercialize our Nexafed® and Nexafed® Sinus Pressure + Pain Products in the United States and Canada. On January 1, 2020, MainPointe assigned to AD Pharma, with Acura’s consent, all of its right, title and interest in the MainPointe Agreement between MainPointe and Acura dated March 16, 2017.
NOTE 9 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
We have a 401(k) and Profit-Sharing Plan (the “Plan”) for our employees. Employees may elect to make a basic contribution of up to 80% of their annual earnings subject to certain regulatory restrictions on their total contribution. The Plan provides that the Company can make discretionary matching contributions along with a discretionary profit-sharing contribution. We did not contribute a matching contribution or a profit sharing contribution to the Plan during the years 2019 or 2018.
NOTE 10 - COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS
Our warrant activity during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 is shown below (in thousands except price data):
In connection with the issuance of the $10.0 million secured promissory notes in December 2013, we issued common stock purchase warrants (“warrants”) exercisable for 60 thousand shares of our common stock having an exercise price of $2.52 per share (after giving effect to our one-for-five reverse stock split) with an expiration date in December 2020. These warrants contain a cashless exercise feature (See Note 7).
As part of our July 2017 private placement transaction with Mr. Schutte, we issued warrants to purchase 1,782,531 shares of our common stock. The warrants are immediately exercisable at a price of $0.528 per share and expire five years after issuance (See Note 8). We have assigned a relative fair value of $495 thousand to the warrants out of the total $4.0 million proceeds from the private placement transaction and have accounted for these warrants as equity.
On June 28, 2019 as part of the changes made to the loan agreements we had with Mr. Schutte, each having an original due date of January 2, 2020, we issued to him a warrant to purchase 10.0 million shares of our common stock exercisable at a price of $0.01 per share and expire five years after issuance. We obtained a valuation of fair value on the warrant and $1.145 million was allocated to the warrant and accounted for as equity. (see Note 7 and Note 8). The warrant was assigned and transferred by Mr. Schutte to AD Pharma on June 28, 2019.
NOTE 11 - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
Stock Option Plans
We maintain various stock option plans. A summary of our stock option plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for the year then ended consisted of the following (in thousands except exercise price):
The following table summarizes information about unvested stock options outstanding at December 31, 2019 (in thousands except price data):
We estimate the option’s fair value on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Black-Scholes utilizes assumptions related to expected term, forfeitures, volatility, the risk-free interest rate, the dividend yield (which is assumed to be zero, as we have not paid any cash dividends) and employee exercise behavior. Expected volatilities utilized in the Black-Scholes model are based on the historical volatility of our common stock price. The risk-free interest rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected life of the grants is derived from historical exercise activity. Historically, the majority of our stock options have been held until their expiration date.
The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model to determine fair value for the 2018 stock option grants were:
There was no intrinsic value contained in the stock option awards which vested and were outstanding at December 31, 2019. The total remaining unrecognized compensation cost on unvested option awards outstanding at December 31, 2019 was approximately $20 thousand, and is expected to be recognized in the Company’s operating expense in varying amounts over the next eleven months remaining in the requisite service period.
Restricted Stock Unit Award Plans
We have two Restricted Stock Unit Award Plans for our employees and non-employee directors, a 2017 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan (the “2017 RSU Plan”) and a 2014 Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan (the “2014 RSU Plan”). Vesting of an RSU entitles the holder to receive a share of our common stock on a distribution date. Our non-employee director awards allow for non-employee directors to receive payment in cash, instead of stock, for up to 40% of each RSU award. The portion of the RSU awards subject to cash settlement are recorded as a liability in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as they vest and being marked-to-market each reporting period until they are distributed. The liability was $29 thousand and $11 thousand at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The compensation cost to be incurred on a granted RSU without a cash settlement option is the RSU’s fair value, which is the market price of our common stock on the date of grant, less its exercise cost. The compensation cost is amortized to expense and recorded to additional paid-in capital over the vesting period of the RSU award.
A summary of the grants under the RSU Plans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and for the year then ended consisted of the following (in thousands):
Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan
Our 2017 RSU Plan was approved by shareholders in November 2017 and permits the grant of up to 1.5 million shares of our common stock pursuant to awards under the 2017 RSU Plan. As of December 31, 2019, approximately 219 thousand shares are available for award under the 2017 RSU Plan.
Information about the awards under the 2017 RSU Plan is as follows:
·In December 2017, we awarded 200 thousand RSUs to our employees. Such RSU awards will vest 100% after one full year of service. Distributions of the vested RSU awards to the employees will be made in three equal installments on the first business day of each of January 2020, 2021, and 2022 or earlier upon a qualifying change of control.
·In January 2018, we awarded approximately 67 thousand RSUs to each of our four non-employee directors which also allow for them to receive payment in cash, instead of stock, for up to 40% of each RSU award. Such awards vest 25% at the end of each calendar quarter in 2018. Settlement of this RSU award will occur on January 2, 2019, the first business day of the year after vesting. The portion of the RSU awards which are subject to cash settlement are also subject to marked-to market accounting having a liability recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet with quarterly adjustments recorded to stock compensation expense in the general and administration operating category of our income statement.
·In December 2018, we awarded 488 thousand RSUs to our employees. Such RSU awards will vest 100% after one full year of service. Distributions of the vested RSU awards to the employees will be made in three equal installments on the first business day of each of January 2021, 2022, and 2023 or earlier upon a qualifying change of control.
·In January 2019, we awarded approximately 83 thousand RSUs to each of our four non-employee directors which also allow for them to receive payment in cash, instead of stock, for up to 40% of each RSU award. Such awards vest 25% at the end of each calendar quarter in 2019. Settlement of this RSU award occurred on January 2, 2020, the first business day of the year after vesting. The portion of the RSU awards which were subject to cash settlement was also subject to marked-to market accounting having a liability recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet with quarterly adjustments which were recorded to stock compensation expense in the general and administration operating category of our income statement.
·In January 2020, we awarded approximately 55 thousand RSUs to each of our four non-employee directors which also allow for them to receive payment in cash, instead of stock, for up to 40% of each RSU award. Such awards vest 25% at the end of each calendar quarter in 2020. Settlement of this RSU award will occur on January 4, 2021, the first business day of the year after vesting. The portion of the RSU awards which are subject to cash settlement will also be subject to marked-to market accounting having a liability recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet with quarterly adjustments recorded to stock compensation expense in the general and administration operating category of our income statement.
Information about the distribution of shares under the 2017 RSU Plan is as follows:
·In January 2019, 267 thousand RSUs were distributed to our non-employee directors from their January 2018 award and settled in common stock.
·In January 2020, 333 thousand RSUs were distributed to our non-employee directors from their January 2019 award with 296 thousand RSUs settled in common stock, 4 thousand RSUs used to settle the purchase price and 33 thousand RSUs settled in cash.
·In January 2020, 61 thousand RSUs were distributed to our employee representing one third of their 2017 award with 51 thousand RSUs settled in common stock and 10 thousand RSUs used to settle the purchase price and employee withholding taxes.
Restricted Stock Unit Award Plan
Our 2014 RSU Plan was approved by shareholders in May 2014 and permits the grant of up to 400 thousand shares of our common stock pursuant to awards under the 2014 RSU Plan. As of December 31, 2019, there are no longer shares available for award under the 2014 RSU Plan.
Information about the awards under the 2014 RSU Plan during 2018 and 2019 is as follows:
·In January 2017, we awarded approximately 60 thousand RSUs to each of our four non-employee directors which also allow for them to receive payment in cash, instead of stock, for up to 40% of each RSU award. Such awards vest 25% at the end of each calendar quarter in 2017. The portion of the RSU awards which are subject to cash settlement are also subject to marked-to market accounting and the liability recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as an estimate for such cash settlement was $41 thousand at December 31, 2017. The RSU award was settled on January 2, 2018.
·In December 2018, we awarded 4 thousand RSUs to our employees. Such RSU awards will vest 100% after one full year of service. Distributions of the vested RSU awards to the employees will be made in three equal installments on the first business day of each of January 2021, 2022, and 2023 or earlier upon a qualifying change of control.
Information about the distribution of shares under the 2014 RSU Plan is as follows:
·In January 2017, 1 thousand RSUs from the May 2014 award and 66 thousand RSUs from the January 2016 award were distributed. There were 1 thousand RSUs from the May 1 2014 award and 22 thousand RSUs from the January 2016 award which remained deferred until a future distribution date, which occurred on January 1, 2018. Of the 67 thousand RSUs distributed, 49 thousand RSUs were settled in common stock and 18 thousand RSUs were settled in cash.
·In January 2018, 262 thousand RSUs from the 2014 RSU Plan were distributed. Of the approximately 262 thousand RSUs distributed, 238 thousand RSUs were settled in common stock and 24 thousand RSUs were settled in cash.
NOTE 12 - INCOME TAXES
We account for income taxes under the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and income tax basis of assets and liabilities and are accounted for using the enacted income tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Changes include, but are not limited to, a corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and requiring adjustment to 2017 deferred taxes. The Company has calculated its best estimate of the impact of the Act in its 2017 year-end income tax provision in accordance with its understanding of the Act and guidance available as of that date and as a result had no adjustment to record as an additional income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2017, the period in which the legislation was enacted.
On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118") was issued to address the application of US GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act. In accordance with SAB 118, the Company remeasured its deferred tax assets and liabilities and adjusted its deferred tax balances to reflect the lower enacted U.S. corporate tax rate resulted in an income tax expense of $26.6 million which was included as a discrete item in the 2017 income tax provision. Overall, there was no impact to the 2017 tax provision as a result of the offsetting reduction of the valuation allowance. The period for determination of accounting implications of the 2017 Tax Act closed on December 22, 2018. The Company has completed their analysis and did not have any material true-ups on the positions taken in the 2017 tax provision.
Provision for Income Taxes
The reconciliation between our provision for income taxes and the amounts computed by multiplying our loss before taxes by the U.S. statutory tax rate is as follows (in thousands):
Deferred Tax Assets and Valuation Allowance
Deferred tax assets reflect the tax effects of net operating losses (“NOLs”), tax credit carryovers, and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The most significant item of our deferred tax assets is derived from our Federal NOLs. We have approximately $167.8 million gross Federal NOLs at December 31, 2019 (of which approximately $160.2 million was generated prior to January 1, 2018). Because we believe the ability for us to use these NOLs generated prior to January 1, 2018 to offset any future taxable income is severely limited as prescribed under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 382, we had estimated and recorded an amount for the likely limitation to our deferred tax asset in the fourth quarter of 2017, thereby reducing the aggregate estimated benefit of the Federal NOLs available to us of approximately $1.0 million at December 31, 2017. We believe the gross Federal NOL benefit we generated prior to January 1, 2018 to offset taxable income is less than $150 thousand annually. As prescribed under Internal Revenue Code, any unused Federal NOL benefit from the annual limitation can be accumulated and carried forward to the subsequent year and will expire if not used in accordance with the NOL carried forward term of 20 years or 2037, if generated before 2018 and Federal NOLs generated after 2017 can be carried forward indefinitely. Future common stock transactions, such as the exercise of common stock purchase warrants or the conversion of debt into common stock, may cause another qualifying event under IRC 382 which may further limit our utilization of our NOLs.
The components of our deferred tax assets are as follows (in thousands):
The realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, if any, and the timing and amount of which may be uncertain. A valuation allowance is required against deferred income tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred income tax assets may not be realized. At both December 31, 2019 and 2018, all our remaining net deferred income tax assets were offset by a valuation allowance due to uncertainties with respect to future utilization of NOL carryforwards. If in the future it is determined that additional amounts of our deferred income tax assets would likely be realized, the valuation allowance would be reduced in the period in which such determination is made and an additional benefit from income taxes in such period would be recognized.
Uncertainty in Income Taxes
We follow FASB’s statement regarding accounting for uncertainty in income taxes which defined the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax-return positions in the consolidated financial statements as "more-likely-than-not" to be sustained by the taxing authorities. At each of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had no liability for income tax associated with uncertain tax positions. If in the future we establish a contingent tax liability reserve related to uncertain tax positions, our practice will be to recognize the interest in interest expense and the penalties in other non-operating expense.
The Company files federal and state income tax returns and in the normal course of business the Company is subject to examination by these taxing authorities. As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s tax years of 2016, 2017 and 2018 are subject to examination by the taxing authorities. With few exceptions, we believe the Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal, State and local examinations by taxing authorities for years before 2016.
NOTE 13 - NET	 (LOSS) INCOME PER SHARE
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) consisted of the following (in thousands except per share data):
NOTE 14 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Reglan®/Metoclopramide Litigation
Halsey Drug Company, as predecessor to us, was named along with numerous other companies as a defendant in cases filed in three separate state coordinated litigations pending in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and California, respectively captioned In re: Reglan®/Metoclopramide Mass Tort Litigation, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, January Term, 2010, No. 01997; In re: Reglan Litigation, Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Atlantic County, Case No. 289, Master Docket No. ATL-L-3865-10; and Reglan/Metoclopramide Cases, Superior Court of California, San Francisco County, Judicial Council Coordination Proceeding No. 4631, Superior Court No.: CJC-10-004631. In addition, we were served with a similar complaint by two individual plaintiffs in Nebraska federal court, which plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed in December 2014. In this product liability litigation against numerous pharmaceutical product manufacturers and distributors, including Acura, plaintiffs claim injuries from their use of the Reglan brand of metoclopramide and generic metoclopramide.
None of the plaintiffs in the lawsuits filed to date have confirmed that they ingested any of the generic metoclopramide manufactured by us. We discontinued manufacture and distribution of generic metoclopramide more than 20 years ago. All of these lawsuits have been effectively dismissed with the exception of less than ten pending Philadelphia cases that we expect will be finally dismissed without the need for any action by us. We expect that the Court will finally dismiss the small number of remaining Pennsylvania-based cases against us with prejudice by the end of the first quarter of 2020. Legal fees related to this matter have been covered by our insurance carrier. Based upon the current status and evaluation, we have not accrued for any potential loss related to these matters as of December 31, 2019.
Facility Lease
The Company leases administrative office space in Palatine, Illinois on a month to month basis at the rate of approximately $2 thousand per month.
NOTE 15 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China (the “COVID-19 outbreak”) and the risks to the international community as the virus spreads globally beyond its point of origin. In March 2020, the WHO classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic (“coronavirus pandemic”), based on the rapid increase in exposure globally. The coronavirus pandemic is affecting the United States and global economies. If the outbreak continues to spread, it may affect the Company’s operations and those of third parties on which the Company relies, including causing disruptions in the supply of the Company’s product candidates and the conduct of current and planned preclinical and clinical studies and contract manufacturing operations. We may need to limit operations or implement limitations, and may experience limitations in employee resources. There are risks that it may be more difficult to contain if the outbreak reaches a larger population or broader geography, in which case the risks described herein could be elevated significantly. The extent to which the coronavirus impacts our results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the coronavirus and the actions to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact, among others. Additionally, while the potential economic impact brought by, and the duration of, the coronavirus pandemic is difficult to assess or predict, the impact of the coronavirus on the global financial markets may reduce the Company’s ability to access capital, which could negatively impact the Company’s short-term and long-term liquidity and the Company’s ability to complete its preclinical studies on a timely basis, or at all. The ultimate impact of coronavirus is highly uncertain and subject to change. The Company does not yet know the full extent of potential delays or impacts on its business, financing , preclinical and clinical trial activities contract manufacturing operations or the global economy as a whole. However, these effects could have a material, adverse impact on the Company’s liquidity, capital resources, operations and business and those of the third parties on which we rely.