Adhera Therapeutics, Inc. - Annual Report: 2011 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

Form 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

Commission File Number 000-13789

MARINA BIOTECH, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(425) 892-4322

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.006 par value

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights, $0.01 par value

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.    Yes  ¨    No  þ

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

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ

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

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

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $12.4 million as of June 30, 2011 based upon the closing price of $1.94 per share on the Nasdaq Global Market reported on June 30, 2011.

As of September 25, 2012, there were 16,166,756 shares of the Registrant’s $0.006 par value common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None

MARINA BIOTECH, INC.

Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events or our financial performance, and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those identified below, those discussed in Item 1A of this report under the heading “Risk Factors,” and those discussed in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which may cause our or our industry’s actual or future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements or from historical results. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations and statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which we cannot predict with accuracy and some of which we might not even anticipate. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions at the time made, we can give no assurance that such expectations will be achieved. Future events and actual results, financial and otherwise, may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or to conform them to actual results, new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

The following factors, among others, could cause our or our industry’s future results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated:

These factors are the important factors of which we are currently aware that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on our future results, performance or achievements. We cannot assure you that projected results or events will be achieved or will occur.

PART I

OVERVIEW, BUSINESS STRATEGY AND RECENT EVENTS

We are a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of nucleic acid-based therapies utilizing gene silencing approaches such as RNA interference (“RNAi”) and blocking messenger RNA (“mRNA”) translation. Our goal is to improve human health through the development, either through our own efforts or those of our collaboration partners and licensees, of these nucleic acid-based therapeutics as well as the delivery technologies that together provide superior treatment options for patients. We have multiple proprietary technologies integrated into a broad nucleic acid-based drug discovery platform, with the capability to deliver novel nucleic acid-based therapeutics via systemic, local and oral administration to target a wide range of human diseases, based on the unique characteristics of the cells and organs involved in each disease.

Our pipeline includes a clinical program in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (“FAP”) and preclinical programs in bladder cancer and myotonic dystrophy. In 2011 and 2012 we have entered into the following agreements regarding our technology:

In addition to our own, internally developed technologies, we have strategically in-licensed and further developed nucleic acid- and delivery-related technologies, forming an integrated drug discovery platform. We are employing our platform, through our own efforts and those of our partners, for the discovery of multiple nucleic acid-based therapeutics including siRNA, microRNA and single stranded oligonucleotide-based drugs.

Our business strategy is two-fold. First, we strive to establish collaborations and strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the area of nucleic acid-based therapeutics to: (1) generate revenue through up-front, milestone and royalty payments related to our technology and/or the products that are developed using such technology; (2) gain access to technical resources; and (3) further validate our drug discovery platforms. Secondly, and pending receipt of sufficient funding, we plan to advance our own pipeline of nucleic acid-based therapeutics as a foundation upon which to improve all aspects of our drug discovery platform and to have the opportunity to commercialize drug therapies.

In terms of collaborations and strategic partnerships: (i) Debiopharm has agreed to fund the development of the bladder cancer program, pending certain milestones using our proprietary DiLA²-based delivery technology for local administration, which arrangement includes the potential for milestone and royalty payments. In 2012, we completed and provided the results from our development activities to Debiopharm for review. No further work is required of us until Debiopharm completes an internal assessment of the program; (ii) Mirna has the right to fund and develop specific microRNA-based nucleic acid therapeutics using our SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology, which arrangement includes the potential for milestone and royalty payments; (iii) ProNAi has the right to fund and develop DNAi-based nucleic acid therapeutics using our SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology, which arrangement includes the potential for milestone and royalty payments; (iv) Monsanto has the right to fund and develop applications in the agriculture field if any, using our delivery and chemistry technologies, which arrangement includes the potential for royalty payments; (v) Girindus will fund the commercialization of CRN-based amidites and CRN-based oligonucleotides for sale to industry and academia, which arrangement includes the potential for royalty payments; and (vi) Novartis has the right to fund and develop CRN-based nucleic acid therapeutics. Furthermore, ProNAi is funding their Phase 1 clinical trial, and using our proprietary SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology for systemic administration, which arrangement does not provide any financial benefit to us but continues to validate and advance our SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology.

With these relationships facilitating the advancement of several of our proprietary delivery technologies for small interfering RNA (“siRNA”) and other nucleic acid-based therapeutics, we have focused resources on the Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of CEQ508 in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis as well as the CRN technology for the development of double- and single-stranded nucleic acid-based therapies. In April 2012, we announced the completion of dosing for Cohort 2 in the Dose Escalation Phase of the START-FAP (Safety and Tolerability of An RNAi Therapeutic in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis) clinical trial of CEQ508. The CEQ508 trial is currently on hold pending the receipt of sufficient funding to continue. We expect to begin the dosing of Cohort 3 as soon as we secure sufficient funding to complete the trial.

With respect to collaborations and strategic partnerships our concept is to provide multiple therapeutic options based on a partner’s disease target and indication. We can apply our broad capabilities to pursue the most appropriate nucleic acid-based therapeutic approach to a specific, often undruggable, target for a specific indication. Each approach, i.e. siRNA, microRNA or single-strand oligonucleotide, has its advantages and disadvantages and we can utilize our broad capabilities to screen across multiple modalities to identify the most effective therapeutic. We believe this capability makes us extremely unique in the sector. We have structured, and expect to continue to structure, certain of our collaborative agreements to receive upfront non-refundable payments, research and development funding, milestone payments and royalties on commercial sales of products.

In order to protect our innovations, which encompass a broad platform of both nucleic acid-based therapeutic constructs and delivery technologies, as well as the drug products that may emerge from that platform, we have aggressively built upon our extensive and enabling intellectual property (“IP”) estate, and, pending receipt of adequate funding, plan to continue to do so.

We believe we have successfully leveraged our broad and proven expertise to create an industry-leading integrated nucleic acid-based drug discovery platform, which is protected by a strong IP position and validated through licensing agreements with Mirna and ProNAi using our SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology, licensing agreements with Girindus and Novartis using our CRN technology, the Phase 1 clinical trial by ProNAi using our SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology, licensing agreements with three large international companies (i.e., Roche, Novartis and Monsanto) for certain chemistry and delivery technologies, the bladder cancer research and license agreement with Debiopharm utilizing our tauRNAi platform, and our own FAP Phase 1b/2a clinical trial with the Trans Kingdom RNA interference (“tkRNAi”) platform.

LIQUIDITY AND GOING CONCERN

We have sustained recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations. At December 31, 2011, we had an accumulated deficit of $320.2 million, working capital deficit of $2.1 million and shareholders’ equity of $38,000. Over the past several years, we have been funded through a combination of licensing payments and debt and public offerings. As of December 31, 2011, we had $1.0 million in cash and $1.0 million in restricted cash, for a total of $2.0 million.

We have experienced and continue to experience operating losses and negative cash flows from operations, as well as an ongoing requirement for substantial additional capital investment. We expect that we will need to raise substantial additional capital to continue our operations beyond October 31, 2012. We are currently pursuing a variety of funding options, including equity offerings, partnering/co-investment, venture debt and commercial licensing agreements for our technologies. There can be no assurance as to the availability or terms upon which such financing and capital might be available. If we are not successful in our efforts to raise additional funds by October 31, 2012, we may be required to further delay, reduce the scope of, or eliminate one or more of our development programs or discontinue operations altogether.

As a result, there is a significant possibility that we will file for bankruptcy or seek similar protection. Moreover, it is possible that our creditors may seek to initiate involuntary bankruptcy proceedings against us, which would force us to make defensive voluntary filing(s) of our own. If we restructure our debt or file for bankruptcy protection, it is very likely that our common stock will be severely diluted if not eliminated entirely.

REDUCTION OF OPERATIONS

On June 1, 2012, we announced that, due to our financial condition, we had implemented a furlough of approximately 90% of our employees and ceased substantially all day-to-day operations. Since that time substantially all of the furloughed employees have been terminated. As of September 30, 2012, we had approximately 11 remaining employees, including all of our executive officers, all of whom are either furloughed or working on reduced salary. As a result, since June 1, 2012 our internal research and development efforts have been minimal, pending receipt of adequate funding.

NUCLEIC ACID-BASED THERAPEUTICS

Overview

Nucleic acid-based therapeutics act on messenger RNA (“mRNA”) to regulate protein expression and/or activity, and can target any gene with a high degree of specificity; these approaches include siRNA, microRNA (mimetics and antagomirs), and single stranded oligonucleotides which function through a translational inhibition mechanism.

We have developed and, pending receipt of adequate funding, plan to continue to develop novel single- and double-stranded oligonucleotide therapeutics targeting the regulation of coding and non-coding RNA. The Nobel Prize winning discovery of RNA interference (RNAi), in 1998, has led not only to its widespread use in the research of biological mechanisms and target validation but also to its application in down regulating the expression of certain disease-causing proteins found in a wide spectrum of diseases including inflammation, cancer, and metabolic dysfunction. RNAi-based therapeutics, typically double-stranded oligonucleotides, work through a naturally occurring process within cells that has the effect of reducing levels of mRNA required for the production of proteins. RNAi enables the targeting of disease at a genetic level and thus is highly specific to particular disease-causing proteins. Like RNAi-based therapeutics, single stranded oligonucleotides can also interact with mRNA and interfere with protein translation. MicroRNAs (“miRNA”), on the other hand, are small non-coding RNAs that are important in gene regulation and protein translation. Antagomir (or microRNA antagonist) therapeutics, targeting a specific miRNA, can potentially down regulate multiple proteins associated with the genes under the control of a single miRNA target. Conversely, microRNA mimetics increase the level of a miRNA in the cell and can thereby potentially up-regulate multiple proteins associated with the genes under the control of that miRNA target. The advantage of a mimetic is significant in that few human therapeutics are designed to increase proteins, where a protein deficiency has led to disease. In summary, nucleic acid-based therapeutics target a gene to prevent the expression or increase the expression of the protein, unlike small molecules or antibody-based drugs which are aimed at inhibiting the unwanted protein after production has occurred, or blocking the receptor on which the protein acts.

The strategy behind our acquisition of key intellectual property and technologies has been to position us to provide multiple nucleic acid-based therapeutic alternatives to meet the difficult to target and undruggable target needs of pharmaceutical companies. We feel we have established one of the broadest nucleic acid drug discovery platforms in the sector with validation on several fronts: (1) Debiopharm licensing our preclinical bladder cancer program with our UsiRNA/DiLA² platform, (2) ProNAi using our SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology for systemic administration of a DNAi oligonucleotide in a Phase 1 trial to treat solid tumors; (3) Mirna licensing our SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology in connection with the development and commercialization of microRNA-based therapeutics; (4) ProNAi licensing our SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology in connection with the development and commercialization of DNAi-based therapeutics; (5) Monsanto licensing certain of our delivery and chemistry technologies for agricultural applications; (6) Girindus entering into a strategic alliance with us regarding the development, supply and commercialization of certain oligonucleotide constructs using our CRN technology; (7) Novartis licensing our CRN technology in connection with the development of both single and double-stranded oligonucleotide therapeutics; and (8) our own Phase 1 program in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis using our tkRNAi system. In addition, we plan to continue to advance our proprietary chemistries and delivery technologies for the development of double- and single-stranded therapeutics (microRNA mimetics or antagomirs, and single-stranded oligonucleotides) targeting coding and non-coding RNA.

Together with our partners, and pending receipt of adequate funding, we intend to build on our understanding of the CRN chemistry to advance a preclinical program in myotonic dystrophy. In addition, we plan to continue to increase the breadth and capabilities of our drug discovery platform including further demonstration of the unique advantages and potency of the UsiRNA construct, CRN substitution to increase the affinity and potency of double- and single-stranded constructs, increasing the breadth of the delivery platform for oral and systemic administration, and advancing additional proprietary chemistry and delivery technologies. Our business model anticipates that the advancement of a therapeutic pipeline, either through partnerships or on our own, will continue to provide proof of concept for our drug discovery platform as well as value for shareholders.

Nucleic Acid-Based Drug Discovery Platform

We and our partners have made, and plan to continue to make, advances in both areas crucial to the development of nucleic acid-based therapeutics: constructs and delivery technologies. Although each area is equally important to the development of an effective therapeutic, the scientific challenges of delivery appear to be one of the most significant obstacles to the broad use of nucleic acid-based therapeutics in the treatment of human diseases.

UsiRNA Constructs. Our UsiRNAs, which are siRNAs with substitution of UNA bases in place of RNA bases in key regions of the duplex, have shown important advantages in terms of efficacy and safety, when compared to standard siRNA molecules and modifications. UsiRNAs are highly active in rodent-based disease models, non-disease rodent models, and non-human primates. UsiRNAs function by RNAi to cleave their mRNA target and decrease the production of the protein associated with the gene target, and in the case of bladder cancer, liver cancer and malignant ascites, the UsiRNAs decrease tumor growth. UsiRNAs have demonstrated a lower potential for cytokine induction and provide resistance to nuclease degradation, two effects that are often prominent with standard siRNAs. Most important, substitution with UNA at specific sites greatly increases the specificity for RNAi and improves their profile for therapeutic use. Substitution in the passenger strand can eliminate the ability of this strand to participate in RNAi and thereby the potential for unwanted effects on other targets or to compete with guide strand activity by loading into the intracellular RNAi machinery. Substitution of UNA within the guide strand can eliminate microRNA-like effects that occur with standard siRNA; microRNA-like off-target activity cannot often be addressed by bioinformatics and can result in severe loss of activity if addressed with standard chemical modification of RNA. Overall, these data indicate that the appropriate substitution of UNA in place of RNA, in a double-stranded construct, maintains potent activity and could ultimately lead to effective protein down-regulation with lower total doses and under conditions of greater specificity and safety.

Conformationally Restricted Nucleotides (CRN). CRNs are novel nucleotide analogs in which the flexible ribose sugar is locked into a rigid conformation by a small chemical linker. By restricting the flexibility of the ribose ring, CRNs can impart a helix-type structure typically found in naturally occurring RNA. For single stranded oligonucleotide therapeutics, the impact of CRN substitution dramatically increases the therapeutics’ affinity for the target mRNA or microRNA while imparting significant resistance to nuclease degradation. Additionally, CRNs can significantly improve the thermal stability of double-stranded constructs, such as siRNAs.

Delivery. We have two liposomal-based delivery platforms. The first platform utilizes amino-based liposomal delivery technology and incorporates a novel and proprietary molecule we call DiLA² (Di-Alkylated Amino Acid). Our scientists designed this molecule based on amino acid (e.g., peptide/protein-based) chemistry. A DiLA²-based liposome has several potential advantages over other liposomes, such as: (1) a structure that may enable safe and natural metabolism by the body; (2) the ability to adjust liposome size, shape, and circulation time, to influence bio-distribution; and (3) the ability to attach molecules that can influence other delivery-related attributes such as cell specific targeting and cellular uptake. Our formulations for delivery of UsiRNAs, using different members of the DiLA² family, have demonstrated safe and effective delivery in rodents with metabolic targets (e.g., ApoB) and in cancer models using both local and systemic routes of administration. Safe and effective delivery with DiLA²-based formulations has also been achieved in non-human primates.

The second platform, SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery, defines a novel class of liposomes that are fully charge-reversible particles allowing delivery of active substance (siRNA, single-stranded oligonucleotides, etc.) inside the cell either by local or systemic administration. SMARTICLES®-based liposomes are designed to ensure stable passage through the bloodstream and release of the nucleic acid payload within the target cell where it can exert its therapeutic effect by engaging either the RNAi pathway or directly with mRNA.

In addition to our liposomal-based delivery platforms, we have used peptides for both the formation of stable siRNA nanoparticles as well as targeting moieties for siRNA molecules. Research includes the use of peptide technology to “condense” siRNAs into compact and potent nanoparticles; screening of our proprietary Trp Cage phage display library for targeting peptides; and internal discovery and development of peptides and other compounds recognized as having targeting or cellular uptake properties. The goal, in the use of such technologies, is to minimize the amount of final drug required to produce a therapeutic response by increasing the potency of the siRNA as well as directing more of the final drug product to the intended site of action.

tauRNAi Platform. tauRNA interference (tauRNAi) provides an avenue across potential biological barriers by incorporating our proprietary and highly effective DiLA²-based liposome and UsiRNA construct technologies into a single platform for RNAi. By merging these technologies, we are able to tailor both UsiRNA construct and DiLA²-based liposome characteristics to target specific tissues and diseases resulting from over expression of proteins in those tissues. Maximal therapeutic effect can result from optimization of the UsiRNA to provide stability to nucleases, mitigation of cytokine responses, and reduction of off-target effects, while maintaining exceptional activity against the intended target. Appropriate choice of the DiLA² molecule enables the optimization of charge, size, and other characteristics of the liposome for delivery to a particular tissue or tumor type. Further improvements can arise from the selection of liposome components as well as the manufacturing processes for the drug product.

TransKingdom RNA™ interference (tkRNAi) platform. tkRNAi is a broad-reaching platform that can be used to develop highly specific drug products for a diverse set of diseases. The tkRNAi platform involves the modification of bacteria to deliver short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) to cells of the gastrointestinal tract. A significant advantage of the tkRNAi platform is oral (by mouth) delivery making this platform extremely patient friendly while harnessing the full potential of the RNAi process. The tkRNAi platform has demonstrated in vivo mRNA down-regulation of both inflammatory and cancer targets thus providing a unique opportunity to develop RNAi-based therapeutics against such diseases as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis and colon cancer. The tkRNAi platform was used to discovery CEQ508, which is currently in clinical development for the treatment of FAP.

Clinical Program. CEQ508 is being developed for the treatment of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (“FAP”), a hereditary condition that occurs in approximately 1:10,000 persons worldwide. FAP is caused by mutations in the Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) gene. As a result of these mutations, epithelial cells lining the intestinal tract have increased levels of the protein ß-catenin, which in turn, results in uncontrolled cell growth. Proliferation (uncontrolled cell growth) of the epithelial cells results in the formation of numerous (hundreds to thousands) non-cancerous growths (polyps) throughout the large intestine. By age 35, 95% of individuals with FAP have developed polyps and most will experience adverse effects including increased risk of bleeding and the potential for anemia. In more severe cases, obstruction of the intestines, abdominal pain, and severe bouts of diarrhea or constipation can occur. FAP patients are also at an increased risk of various cancers but specifically colon cancer. If measures are not taken to prevent the formation of polyps or to remove the polyps, nearly 100% of FAP patients will develop colon cancer. For many patients, complete colectomy (surgical removal of the entire large intestine), usually performed in the late teenage years or early twenties, is the only viable option for treatment. However, surgical intervention is not curative as the risk of polyps forming in the remaining portions of the intestinal tract and in the small intestine continues after colectomy.

CEQ508 is the first drug candidate in a novel class of therapeutic agents utilizing the tkRNAi platform and the first orally administered RNAi-based therapeutic. CEQ508 comprises attenuated bacteria that are engineered to enter into dysplastic tissue and release a payload of short-hairpin RNA (shRNA), a mediator in the RNAi pathway. The shRNA targets the mRNA of ß-catenin, which is known to be dysregulated in classical FAP. CEQ508 is being developed as an orally administered treatment to reduce the levels of ß-catenin protein in the epithelial cells of the small and large intestine. Upon enrollment in the Phase 1b/2a clinical trial, patients will be placed in one of four dose-escalating cohorts. Following completion of the dose escalation phase, the trial plan calls for a stable-dose phase in which patients will receive the highest safe dose. CEQ508 will be administered daily in an oral suspension for 28 consecutive days. In April 2012, we announced the completion of dosing for Cohort 2 in the Dose Escalation Phase of the START-FAP (Safety and Tolerability of An RNAi Therapeutic in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis) clinical trial of CEQ508. The CEQ508 trial is currently on hold pending the receipt of sufficient funding to continue. We expect to begin the dosing of Cohort 3 when adequate funding is available to complete the trial.

The FDA granted orphan drug designation to CEQ508 for the treatment of FAP. Orphan drug designation entitles Marina Biotech to seven years of marketing exclusivity for CEQ508 for the treatment of FAP upon regulatory approval, as well as the opportunity to apply for grant funding from the U.S. government to defray costs of clinical trial expenses, tax credits for clinical research expenses, and potential exemption from the FDA’s prescription drug application fee.

Market for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) Therapeutics

FAP is a hereditary, precancerous condition that occurs in approximately 1:10,000 persons worldwide for which there is no generally acceptable pharmaceutical treatment option and for which surgical resection, a colectomy, is the only viable option for treatment. However, even with surgical intervention, the risk of developing extra-colonic tumors remains very high. The goal of a therapeutic approach is to prevent or delay rapid disease progression. FAP manifests itself in early teens with the appearance of hundreds to thousands of polyps in the colorectal region, which have a high rate of carcinoma transformation. By age 35, 95% of individuals with FAP have developed polyps. Without surgical intervention, the mean age of colon cancer onset is 39 years of age. Most people with the genetic condition are in registries maintained in clinics and state institutions. Based on limited prevalence data we believe the U.S. FAP and European patient population are each approximately 30,000 patients with another 40,000 patients in Asia.

Market for Bladder Cancer Therapeutics

Bladder cancer is the 4^th most common cancer in men and 9^th most common in women in the U.S., making this disease the 5^th most common cancer overall in the U.S. Estimated new cases and deaths in 2009 were approximately 71,000 and 14,000, respectively. Bladder cancer has a similar incidence throughout the world, with estimates of 350,000 new patients each year. The majority of cases, approximately 70%, are classified as non-muscle invasive disease in which the tumor is confined to the cells (urothelium) and immediate supporting structures lining the interior of the bladder. Surgical resection of tumors is the primary therapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and long-term survival rates are quite high compared to many other cancers. However, surgery is not curative with 50% to 70% of patients having recurrence of disease and 10% to 50% having progression to more severe disease. The combination of long-term survival but persistent monitoring for recurrence or progression renders bladder cancer one of the most expensive cancers on a cost per patient basis and one of the most expensive cancers in terms of total health care expenditures.

 Market for Myotonic Dystrophy

Myotonic dystrophy is part of a group of inherited disorders called muscular dystrophies. It is the most common form of muscular dystrophy that begins in adulthood and is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness. Individuals with this disorder often have prolonged muscle contractions (myotonia) and are not able to relax certain muscles after use. There are two major types of myotonic dystrophy: type 1 and type 2. Their signs and symptoms overlap, although type 2 tends to be milder than type 1. Myotonic dystrophy affects at least 1 in 8,000 people worldwide. The prevalence of the two types of myotonic dystrophy varies among different geographic and ethnic populations. In most populations, type 1 appears to be more common than type 2.

RNAi Partnering and Licensing Agreements

Our business strategy is to enter into collaborations and strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to: (1) generate revenue through up-front, milestone and royalty payments related to our technology and/or the products that are developed using such technology; (2) gain access to technical resources or intellectual property (IP); and (3) validate our drug discovery platform.

Novartis – On August 2, 2012, we and Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Inc. (“Novartis”) entered into a worldwide, non-exclusive License Agreement for our CRN technology for the development of both single and double-stranded oligonucleotide therapeutics. We received $1 million in a one-time upfront payment for the non-exclusive license. In addition, in March 2009, we entered into an agreement with Novartis pursuant to which we granted to Novartis a worldwide, non-exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, royalty-free, fully paid-up license, with the right to grant sublicenses, to our DiLA² -based siRNA delivery platform in consideration of a one-time, non-refundable fee of $7.25 million, which was recognized as license fee revenue in 2009. Novartis may terminate this agreement immediately upon written notice to us. In connection with the March 2009 license agreement, we also entered into a separate agreement with Novartis to provide them with an exclusive period in which to negotiate a potential research and development collaboration as well as possible broader licensing rights related to our RNAi drug delivery platform. This exclusive period expired in 2009. Approximately $0.3 million was recognized as license fee revenue in 2009 under this separate agreement.

Girindus – On May 18, 2012, we and Girindus Group (“Girindus”) entered into a strategic alliance pursuant to which Girindus will have exclusive rights to develop, supply and commercialize certain oligonucleotide constructs using our CRN chemistry and in return, we will receive royalties in the single digit percentages from the sale of CRN-based oligonucleotide reagents as well as a robust supply of cGMP material for us and our partners' pre-clinical, clinical and commercialization needs.

Monsanto – On May 3, 2012, we and Monsanto Company (“Monsanto”) entered into a worldwide exclusive Intellectual Property License Agreement for our delivery and chemistry technologies. On May 3, 2012, we and Monsanto also entered into a Security Agreement pursuant to which we granted to Monsanto a security interest in that portion of our intellectual property that is the subject of the license agreement in order to secure the performance of our obligations under the license agreement. Under the terms of the license agreement, we received $1.5 million in initiation fees, and may receive royalties on product sales in the low single digit percentages. Monsanto may terminate the License Agreement at any time in whole or as to any rights granted thereunder by giving prior written notice thereof to us, with termination becoming effective three (3) months from the date of the notice.

ProNAi Therapeutics, Inc. — On March 13, 2012, we and ProNAi Therapeutics, Inc. (“ProNAi”) entered into an Exclusive License Agreement regarding the development and commercialization of ProNAi’s proprietary DNAi-based therapeutics utilizing our novel SMARTICLES® liposomal delivery technology. The License Agreement provides that ProNAi will have full responsibility for the development and commercialization of any products arising under the License Agreement. Under terms of the License Agreement, we could receive up to $14 million for each gene target in total upfront, clinical and commercialization milestone payments, as well as royalties in the single digit percentages on sales, with ProNAi having the option to select any number of gene targets. Either party may terminate the License Agreement upon the occurrence of a default by the other party (subject to standard cure periods), or upon certain events involving the bankruptcy or insolvency of the other party. ProNAi may also terminate the License Agreement without cause upon ninety (90) days' prior written notice to us, provided that no such termination shall be effective sooner than December 13, 2012.

Mirna Therapeutics — On December 22, 2011, we entered into a License Agreement with Mirna Therapeutics, Inc. (“Mirna”) regarding the development and commercialization of microRNA-based therapeutics utilizing Mirna’s proprietary microRNAs and our novel SMARTICLES® liposomal delivery technology. The License Agreement provides that Mirna will have full responsibility for the development and commercialization of any products arising under the License Agreement and that we will support pre-clinical and process development efforts. Under terms of the License Agreement, we could receive up to $63 million in total upfront, clinical and commercialization milestone payments, as well as royalties in the low single digit percentages on sales, based on the successful outcome of the collaboration. Either party may terminate the License Agreement upon the occurrence of a default by the other party. Commencing on June 22, 2012, Mirna may also terminate the License Agreement without cause upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to us.

Debiopharm — In February 2011, we entered into a Research and License Agreement (as amended from time to time, the “Agreement”) with Debiopharm S.A., a Swiss corporation, pursuant to which we granted to Debiopharm an exclusive license to develop and commercialize our pre-clinical program in bladder cancer, for all uses in humans and animals for the prevention and treatment of superficial (non-muscle invasive) bladder cancer, in consideration of the payment by Debiopharm to us of up to $24 million based on predefined research and development milestones, plus royalties in the low double digit percentages from the sales of products resulting under the Agreement and sublicensing payments. Among other things, the Agreement provides for certain licenses of our UsiRNA and liposomal delivery technologies. Debiopharm will have full responsibility for the development and commercialization of any products arising from the partnership. In 2012, we completed and provided the results from our development activities to Debiopharm for review. No further work is required of us until Debiopharm completes an internal assessment of the program. Either party may terminate the Agreement for material breach by the other party (subject to a 60-day cure period) or upon certain events involving bankruptcy or insolvency of the other party. Debiopharm may terminate the Agreement without cause during the research period on 60 days’ prior written notice to us (which notice period has been reduced to 30 days during the period that Debiopharm is reviewing the results of our development activities), and may also terminate the Agreement for scientific, technical regulatory or economic reasons after the research period but before marketing authorization on 90 days’ prior written notice to us or after a marketing authorization is granted on 180 days’ prior written notice to us. Upon termination, Debiopharm is obligated to make all payments accrued as of the effective date of termination.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals. — In March 2010, we acquired intellectual property related to Conformationally Restricted Nucleotides (CRN) from Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America in consideration of payment of a non-refundable licensing fee of $0.5 million due in equal portions in April and July 2010, which were included in research and development expense in 2010 and have been paid in full. Subject to meeting of certain milestones triggering the obligation to make any such payments, we may be obligated to make a product development milestone payment of $5.0 million within 180 days of FDA approval of a New Drug Application for our first CRN related product and another product development milestone payment of $2.0 million within 180 days of FDA approval of a New Drug Application covering our second CRN related product. As of December 31, 2011, we have not made, and are not under any current obligation to make, any such milestone payments, as the conditions triggering any such milestone payment obligations have not been satisfied. Valeant is entitled to receive earn-outs in the low single digits based upon future commercial sales and earn-outs in the low double digits based upon future revenue from sublicensing. Under the agreement we are required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize at least one covered product. If we have not made earn-out payments of at least $5.0 million prior to the sixth anniversary of the date of the agreement, we are required to pay Valeant an annual amount equal to $50,000 per assigned patent which shall be creditable against other payment obligations. The term of our financial obligations under the agreement shall end, on a country-by-country basis, when there is no longer any valid claim in such country. We may terminate the agreement upon 30 days’ notice, or upon 10 days’ notice in the event of adverse results from clinical studies. Upon termination, we are obligated to make all payments accrued as of the effective date of such termination but shall have no future payment obligations.

Novosom — In July 2010, we entered into an agreement pursuant to which we acquired the intellectual property of Novosom AG (“Novosom”) of Halle, Germany for Novosom’s SMARTICLES^®-based liposomal delivery system, which significantly broadens the number of approaches we may take for systemic and local delivery of our proprietary UNA and CRN-based oligonucleotide therapeutics. We issued an aggregate of 141,949 shares of our common stock to Novosom as consideration for the acquired assets. The shares had an aggregate value equal to approximately $3.8 million, which was recorded as research and development expense. As additional consideration for the acquired assets, we will pay to Novosom an amount equal to 30% of the value of each upfront (or combined) payment actually received by us in respect of the license of liposomal-based delivery technology or related product or disposition of the liposomal-based delivery technology by us, up to a maximum of $3.3 million, which amount will be paid in shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our discretion. During 2012 we issued 340,906 shares of common stock to Novosom as additional consideration as a result of the license agreements that we entered into with Mirna and Monstanto.

Roche — In February 2009, we entered into an agreement with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., a New Jersey corporation, and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., a Swiss corporation (collectively, “Roche”), pursuant to which we granted to Roche a worldwide, irrevocable, non-exclusive license to a portion of our technology platform, for the development of RNAi-based therapeutics, in consideration of the payment of a one-time, non-refundable licensing fee of $5.0 million. On September 30, 2011, we agreed to the assignment and delegation by Roche of its non-exclusive license rights in the Licensed Technology upon Roche’s successful divestment of its RNA interference assets. On October 21, 2011, Roche successfully divested its RNA interference assets, including the Licensed Technology, and made a one-time non-refundable payment to us in the amount of $1.0 million in consideration for our agreement to the assignment and delegation of Roche’s non-exclusive license rights in the licensed technology.

University of Michigan — In May 2008, we entered into an exclusive license agreement to IP from the University of Michigan covering cationic peptides for enhanced delivery of nucleic acids. These peptides have unique characteristics that we believe play an important role in improving the efficacy of delivery of RNAi-based therapeutics. We use these peptides to create siRNA nanoparticles to enhance mRNA knockdown. Together with the DiLA² technology, these delivery peptides may improve the therapeutic potential of our drug candidates. In connection with the agreement, we paid a license issue fee of $120,000. An additional fee of $25,000 is payable annually and creditable against royalty payments. Results from continued internal development efforts made this exclusive license agreement unnecessary and the agreement was terminated on August 7, 2012 with no further financial obligation.

University of Helsinki — In June 2008, we entered into a collaboration agreement with Dr. Pirjo Laakkonen and the Biomedicum Helsinki. The goal of the work involves our patented phage display library, the Trp Cage library, for the identification of peptides to target particular tissues or organs for a given disease. In December 2009, we received a patent allowance in the US covering a targeting peptide for preferential delivery to lung tissues that was identified by us using the Trp Cage Library. We believe the Trp Cage library will be a source of additional peptides for evaluation in our delivery programs, and we will have a strong IP position for these peptides and their use. This agreement terminated by its terms in June 2012.

Under this agreement, we may be obligated to make product development milestone payments of up to €275,000 in the aggregate for each product developed under this research agreement if certain milestones are met. As of December 31, 2011, we have not made, and are not under any current obligation to make, any such milestone payments, as the conditions that would trigger any such milestone payment obligations have not been satisfied. In addition, upon the first commercial sale of a product, we are required to pay an advance of €250,000 against which future royalties will be credited. The percentage royalty payment required to be made by us to the University of Helsinki under the terms of this agreement is a percentage of gross revenues derived from work performed under the Helsinki Agreement in the low single digits.

Ribotask ApS — In June 2009, we announced the revision of the October 2008 agreement in which we had acquired the intellectual property related to Unlocked Nucleobase Analogs (“UNA”) from Ribotask ApS, a privately held Danish company. The original agreement provided us with exclusive rights for the development and commercialization of therapeutics incorporating UNAs. The amended agreement eliminated our obligation to pay all milestone and royalty payments and provided full financial and transactional control of our proprietary UNA technology.

Under the October 2008 agreement we made payments to Ribotask totaling $500,000. We sublicensed the IP under this agreement to Roche on a nonexclusive basis in February 2009, at which time we paid an additional $250,000 to Ribotask, which eliminated the obligation to pay Ribotask any future royalties or milestones with respect to the Roche sublicense. In connection with the June 2009 amendment, we issued 15,152 shares of our common stock valued at approximately $1.0 million to Ribotask ApS and agreed to pay $1.0 million in four installments of $250,000 each due at various intervals through July 2010.

In June 2010, we expanded our rights under the previous agreement with Ribotask to include exclusive rights to the development and commercialization of UNA-based diagnostics. In connection with this amendment, we agreed to pay Ribotask $750,000 in three equal payments of $250,000 each. In March 2011, the agreement was amended to change the payment terms for the diagnostic rights. The first payment of $250,000 was made in November 2010, a payment of $50,000 was made upon the execution of the amendment, and the remaining $400,000 was paid in eight equal monthly installments beginning on May 1, 2011. In addition we issued 11,377 shares of our common stock valued at approximately $80,000 to Ribotask on March 3, 2011.

In connection with our agreements, as amended, we granted Ribotask a royalty-bearing, world-wide exclusive license to use the assigned patents to develop and sell products intended solely for use as reagents or for testing. The royalty rates to be paid to us by Ribotask are a percentage in the low single digits.

With the exclusive rights to UNA technology that we acquired from Ribotask combined with the exclusive rights to Conformationally Restricted Nucleotide (CRN) technology for both therapeutics and diagnostics acquired in March 2010 from Valeant Pharmaceuticals, we have established one of the few intellectual property portfolios supporting a nucleic acid-based personalized medicine platform with the ability to pursue proprietary nucleic acid-based therapeutics and diagnostics.

PROPRIETARY RIGHTS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

We rely primarily on patents and contractual obligations with employees and third parties to protect our proprietary rights. We have sought, and intend to continue to seek, appropriate patent protection for important and strategic components of our proprietary technologies by filing patent applications in the U.S. and certain foreign countries. There can be no assurance that any of our patents will guarantee protection or market exclusivity for our products and product candidates. We also use license agreements both to access external technologies and to convey certain intellectual property rights to others. Our financial success will be dependent in part on our ability to obtain commercially valuable patent claims and to protect our intellectual property rights and to operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of others. As of September 13, 2012, we owned or controlled 78 issued or allowed patents, as described in the following table, and we also owned or controlled 37 pending U.S. patent applications, including provisional patent applications, to protect our RNAi proprietary technologies.

The patents listed in the table above will expire generally between 2014 and 2031, subject to any potential patent term extensions and/or supplemental protection certificates that would extend the terms of the patents in countries where such extensions may become available.

Our patents and patent applications are directed to compositions of matter, formulations, methods of use and/or methods of manufacturing, as appropriate. The patent positions of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including ours, are generally uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. Our business could be negatively impacted by any of the following:

In addition, we could incur substantial costs in litigation if we have to defend ourselves in patent suits brought by third parties or if we initiate such suits.

COMPETITION

There are a number of biotechnology companies in this space and a few large pharmaceutical companies with internal programs. The competition includes companies focused on constructs (double-stranded {siRNA and miRNA mimetics} or single-stranded {antagomirs and translational inhibition oligonucleotides}) or delivery. However, we believe only a small number can claim a drug discovery platform (constructs and delivery), and only Marina Biotech is in the unique position of having multiple drug discovery platforms directed at multiple RNA-based therapeutic modalities and thereby have the ability to develop the most appropriate therapeutic for a specific undruggable target for a specific indication.

A sampling of competitors includes Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Benitec Biopharma, Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, miRagen Therapeutics, Mirna Therapeutics, Quark Pharmaceuticals, Regulus Therapeutics, Silence Therapeutics, and Tekmira Pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceutical companies with internal oligonucleotide R&D programs include AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Merck and Sanofi.

Universities and public and private research institutions are also potential competitors. While these organizations primarily have educational objectives, they may develop proprietary technologies related to the drug delivery field or secure protection that we may need for development of our technologies and products. We may attempt to license one or more of these proprietary technologies, but these licenses may not be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all.

Some of our competitors have substantially greater resources, manufacturing capabilities, regulatory expertise, sales and marketing resources, and established collaborative arrangements with pharmaceutical companies. Our competitors, either alone or with their collaboration partners, may succeed in developing product candidates that are similar or preferable in effectiveness, safety, cost and ease of commercialization, and our competitors may obtain IP protection or commercialize competitive products sooner than we do.

LEGACY INTRANASAL TECHNOLOGIES AND THERAPEUTICS

Our efforts to divest and monetize our legacy nasal drug delivery programs and capabilities include the following:

Cypress Bioscience, Inc. — In August 2010, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Cypress Bioscience, Inc. (“Cypress”) under which Cypress acquired our patent rights and technology related to carbetocin, a long-acting analog of oxytocin, a naturally produced hormone that may benefit individuals with autism. Under the agreement, we received an upfront payment of $750,000 and we could receive milestone payments up to $27 million. In 2011, the carbetocin asset was spun out to create Kyalin Bioscience. Kyalin Bioscience will be responsible for all future development and IP related expenses as well as all milestone payments due to us. In addition, Kyalin will pay us royalties, in single-digit percentages, based on commercial sales.

Par Pharmaceutical — In 2009, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Par Pharmaceutical (“Par”) pursuant to which, among other things, a 2004 License and Supply Agreement with Par was terminated. Under the Asset Purchase Agreement, Par acquired certain assets pertaining to calcitonin nasal spray for osteoporosis. We received $0.8 million in cash and were entitled to receive earn-out payments for five years based on commercial sales of calcitonin. Calcitonin received full FDA approval and was launched in June 2009. In December 2010, we entered into an amendment of the Asset Purchase Agreement under which Par agreed to pay us a lump-sum cash payment of $0.7 million in lieu of profit sharing for the remainder of the earn-out payment period, which we recognized as revenue in 2010.

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — In January 2009 we amended our 2006 License Agreement with Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the development of intranasal exenatide. The License Agreement, as amended, provides for an accelerated $1.0 million milestone payment to us in January 2009, a reduction in the aggregate amount of milestone payments that could be due to us from $89 million to $80 million, and a reduction in the percentage royalty rate payable upon commercial sales of a product to the low single digits. Additionally, as a result of the amendment, we are no longer responsible for any further development of the nasal spray formulation of intranasal exenatide or its manufacture. Either party may terminate the agreement for breach of any material provision of the agreement upon 60 days’ notice of the breach and subject to a 60 day cure period. Amylin may also terminate the agreement upon 90 days’ written notice.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

Government authorities in the U.S. and other countries extensively regulate the research, development, testing, manufacture, labeling, promotion, advertising, distribution and marketing, among other things, of drugs and biologic products. All of our foreseeable product candidates (including those for human use that may be developed by our partners based on our licensed technologies) are expected to be regulated as drug products.

In the U.S., the FDA regulates drug products under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the “FDCA”), and other laws within the Public Health Service Act. Failure to comply with applicable U.S. requirements, both before and after approval, may subject us to administrative and judicial sanctions, such as a delay in approving or refusal by the FDA to approve pending applications, warning letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, and/or criminal prosecutions. Before our drug products are marketed they must be approved by the FDA. The steps required before a novel drug product is approved by the FDA include: (1) pre-clinical laboratory, animal, and formulation tests; (2) submission to the FDA of an Investigational New Drug Application (“IND”) for human clinical testing, which must become effective before human clinical trials may begin; (3) adequate and well-controlled clinical trials to establish the safety and effectiveness of the product for each indication for which approval is sought; (4) submission to the FDA of a New Drug Application (“NDA”); (5) satisfactory completion of an FDA inspection of the manufacturing facility or facilities at which the drug product is produced to assess compliance with cGMP; and FDA review and finally (6) approval of an NDA.

Pre-clinical tests include laboratory evaluations of product chemistry, toxicity and formulation, as well as animal studies. The results of the pre-clinical tests, together with manufacturing information and analytical data, are submitted to the FDA as part of an IND, which must become effective before human clinical trials may begin. An IND will automatically become effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless before that time the FDA raises concerns or questions, such as the conduct of the trials as outlined in the IND. In such a case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding FDA concerns or questions before clinical trials can proceed. There can be no assurance that submission of an IND will result in FDA authorization to commence clinical trials. Once an IND is in effect, each clinical trial to be conducted under the IND must be submitted to the FDA, which may or may not allow the trial to proceed.

Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational drug to human subjects under the supervision of qualified physician-investigators and healthcare personnel. Clinical trials are typically conducted in three defined phases, but the phases may overlap or be combined. Phase 1 usually involves the initial administration of the investigational drug or biologic product to healthy individuals to evaluate its safety, dosage tolerance and pharmacodynamics. Phase 2 usually involves trials in a limited patient population, with the disease or condition for which the test material is being developed, to evaluate dosage tolerance and appropriate dosage; identify possible adverse side effects and safety risks; and preliminarily evaluate the effectiveness of the drug or biologic for specific indications. Phase 3 trials usually further evaluate effectiveness and test further for safety by administering the drug or biologic candidate in its final form in an expanded patient population. Our product development partners, the FDA, or we may suspend clinical trials, if any, at any time on various grounds, including any situation where we or our partners believe that patients are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk or are obtaining no medical benefit from the test material.

Assuming successful completion of the required clinical testing, the results of the pre-clinical trials and the clinical trials, together with other detailed information, including information on the manufacture and composition of the product, are submitted to the FDA in the form of an NDA requesting approval to market the product for one or more indications. Before approving an application, the FDA will usually inspect the facilities where the product is manufactured, and will not approve the product unless cGMP compliance is satisfactory. If the FDA determines the NDA is not acceptable, the FDA may outline the deficiencies in the NDA and often will request additional information. If the FDA approves the NDA, certain changes to the approved product, such as adding new indications, manufacturing changes or additional labeling claims are subject to further FDA review and approval. The testing and approval process requires substantial time, effort and financial resources, and we cannot be sure that any approval will be granted on a timely basis, if at all.

Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may grant orphan drug designation to a drug intended to treat a rare disease or condition, which is generally a disease or condition that affects fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States, or more than 200,000 individuals in the U.S. and for which there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and making available in the U.S. a drug for this type of disease or condition will be recovered from sales in the U.S. for that drug. Orphan drug designation must be requested before submitting an NDA. After the FDA grants orphan drug designation, the identity of the therapeutic agent and its potential orphan use are disclosed publicly by the FDA. If a product that has orphan drug designation subsequently receives the first FDA approval for the disease for which it has such designation, the product is entitled to orphan product exclusivity, which means that the FDA may not approve any other applications, including a full BLA, to market the same drug for the same indication, except in very limited circumstances, for seven years. The FDA granted orphan drug designation to CEQ508 for the treatment of FAP in December 2010.

In addition, regardless of the type of approval, we and our partners are required to comply with a number of FDA requirements both before and after approval. For example, we and our partners are required to report certain adverse reactions and production problems, if any, to the FDA, and to comply with certain requirements concerning advertising and promotion for products. In addition, quality control and manufacturing procedures must continue to conform to cGMP after approval, and the FDA periodically inspects manufacturing facilities to assess compliance with cGMP. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money and effort in all areas of regulatory compliance, including production and quality control to comply with cGMP. In addition, discovery of problems, such as safety problems, may result in changes in labeling or restrictions on a product manufacturer or NDA holder, including removal of the product from the market.

PRODUCT LIABILITY

We currently have product liability insurance coverage for CEQ508 in the amount of $5 million per occurrence and a $5 million aggregate limitation, subject to a deductible of $10,000 per occurrence, with an aggregate deductible of $50,000.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

Our research and development activities have involved the controlled use of potentially harmful biological materials as well as hazardous materials, chemicals and various radioactive compounds. We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the use, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and specific waste products. We are also subject to numerous environmental, health and workplace safety laws and regulations, including those governing laboratory procedures, exposure to blood-borne pathogens and the handling of bio-hazardous materials. The cost of compliance with these laws and regulations could be significant and may adversely affect capital expenditures to the extent we are required to procure expensive capital equipment to meet regulatory requirements.

EMPLOYEES

On June 1, 2012, we announced that we had implemented a furlough of approximately 90% of our employees and ceased substantially all day-to-day operations. Since that time substantially all of the furloughed employees have been terminated. As of September 30, 2012, we had approximately 11 remaining employees, including all of our executive officers, all of whom are either furloughed or working on reduced salary. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.

COMPANY INFORMATION

We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or e-mail the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov for more information on the operation of the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Our Internet address is http://www.marinabio.com. There we make available, free of charge, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC.

Risks Relating to being an Early Stage Drug Development Company

Although we have ceased substantially all of our day-to-day operations and terminated substantially all of our employees, our cash and other sources of liquidity may not be adequate to fund our operations beyond October 31, 2012. We will require substantial additional funding in the immediate future to continue our operations. If additional capital is not available, we may have to curtail or cease operations, or take other actions that could adversely impact our shareholders.

Our business currently does not generate the cash that is necessary to finance our operations. We incurred net losses of approximately $27.8 million in 2010 and $29.4 million in 2011. Subject to the success of the research and development programs of our company and our partners, and potential licensing or partnering transactions, we will need to raise significant additional capital in the immediate future to:

Our future capital needs depend on many factors, including:

As a result of insufficient capital, on June 1, 2012 we announced that we had ceased substantially all day-to-day operations, including most research and development activities, and implemented a furlough of approximately 90% of our employees. Since that time substantially all of the furloughed employees have been terminated. In addition, in February 2012 we issued secured promissory notes to two investors, for which the payment of principal and interest is due and payable in full on December 31, 2012 (if not converted into shares of our common stock prior to such date). The notes are secured by substantially all of our assets. We believe that our currently available cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our limited operations only until October 31, 2012. As a result of our limited financial resources and our limited operations, we believe that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. This doubt has also been expressed by our independent registered public accounting firm in its audit opinion issued in connection with our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and our consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

We will need to raise substantial additional funds through public or private equity offerings, debt financings or additional strategic alliances and licensing arrangements in the immediate future to continue our operations. We may not be able to obtain additional financing on terms favorable to us, if at all. General market conditions, as well as market conditions for companies that are facing financial distress, may make it very difficult for us to seek financing from the capital markets, and the terms of any financing may adversely affect the holdings or the rights of our stockholders. For example, if we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, further dilution to our stockholders will result, which may substantially dilute the value of your investment. In addition, as a condition to providing additional funds to us, future investors may demand, and may be granted, rights superior to those of existing stockholders. Debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants that could limit our flexibility in conducting future business activities and, in the event of insolvency, would be paid before holders of equity securities received any distribution of corporate assets. We may be required to relinquish rights to our technologies or drug candidates, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us, in order to raise additional funds through alliance, joint venture or licensing arrangements. If adequate funds are not available, we may have to further delay, reduce or eliminate one or more of our planned activities. These actions would likely reduce the market price of our common stock.

We have no history of profitability and there is a potential for fluctuation in operating results.

We have experienced significant operating losses since inception. We currently have no revenues from product sales and will not have any such revenues unless and until a marketable product is successfully developed by us or our partners, receives regulatory approvals, and is successfully manufactured and distributed to the market. We expect to continue to experience losses for the foreseeable future. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Forward-Looking Statements”.

We and our partners are developing products based on modulation of coding and non-coding RNA targets. The process of developing such products requires significant research and development efforts, including basic research, pre-clinical and clinical development, and regulatory approval. These activities, together with our sales, marketing, general and administrative expenses, have resulted in operating losses in the past, and there can be no assurance that we can achieve profitability in the future. Our ability to achieve profitability depends on our ability, alone or with our partners, to develop drug candidates, conduct pre-clinical development and clinical trials, obtain necessary regulatory approvals, and manufacture, distribute, market and sell drug products. We cannot assure you of the success of any of these activities or predict if or when we will ever become profitable.

If we are unable to raise sufficient additional capital, we may seek to merge with or be acquired by another entity, and that transaction may adversely affect our business and the value of our securities.

If we are unable to raise sufficient additional capital, we may seek to merge or combine with, or otherwise be acquired by, another entity with a stronger cash position, complementary work force, or product candidate portfolio or for other reasons. We believe the market price for our common stock may not accurately reflect the value of our business. While we will continue to seek to maximize the value of our business to our stockholders, the most attractive option for doing so may require us to consummate a transaction involving a merger or combination of our company with, or an acquisition of our company by, another entity. There are numerous risks associated with merging, combining or otherwise being acquired. These risks include, among others, incorrectly assessing the quality of a prospective acquirer or merger-partner, encountering greater than anticipated costs in integrating businesses, facing resistance from employees and being unable to profitably deploy the assets of the new entity. The operations, financial condition, and prospects of the post-transaction entity depend in part on our and our acquirer/merger-partner’s ability to successfully integrate the operations related to our product candidates, business and technologies. We may be unable to integrate operations successfully or to achieve expected cost savings, and any cost savings that are realized may be offset by losses in revenues or other charges to operations. As a result, our stockholders may not realize the full value of their investment.

If we lose our remaining key personnel, or if we are unable to attract and retain additional personnel, then we may be unable to successfully develop our business.

If we are unable to retain one or more of our executive officers, including J. Michael French, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Richard T. Ho, M.D., Ph.D., our Executive Vice President of Research and Development, our business could be seriously harmed. We have entered into an employment agreement with each of Mr. French and Dr. Ho, as well as certain other members of our management team. Whether or not a member of management has executed an employment agreement, there can be no assurance that we will be able to retain our key managers or key technical personnel or replace any of them if we lose their services for any reason. This uncertainty is particularly true given our current financial condition. Failure to attract and retain our key personnel may compromise our ability to negotiate and enter into additional collaborative arrangements, delay our research and development efforts, delay testing of our product candidates, delay the regulatory approval process or prevent us from successfully commercializing our product candidates. In addition, if we have to replace any of these individuals, which would be difficult given the current environment and our financial condition, we may not be able to replace knowledge that they have about our operations.

If we make strategic acquisitions, we will incur a variety of costs and might never realize the anticipated benefits.

Despite our acquisition of Cequent Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in July 2010, we have limited experience in independently identifying acquisition candidates and integrating the operations of acquisition candidates with our company. If appropriate opportunities become available, we might attempt to acquire approved products, additional drug candidates, technologies or businesses that we believe are a strategic fit with our business. If we pursue any transaction of that sort, the process of negotiating the acquisition and integrating an acquired product, drug candidate, technology or business might result in operating difficulties and expenditures and might require significant management attention that would otherwise be available for ongoing development of our business, whether or not any such transaction is ever consummated. Moreover, we might never realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisition. Future acquisitions could result in potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities, or impairment expenses related to goodwill, and impairment or amortization expenses related to other intangible assets, which could harm our financial condition.

Failure of our internal control over financial reporting could harm our business and financial results.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Internal control over financial reporting includes maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions; providing reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of the financial statements; providing reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of our assets are made in accordance with management authorization; and providing reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a misstatement of our financial statements would be prevented or detected. Any failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting could limit our ability to report our financial results accurately and timely or to detect and prevent fraud. Our current financial condition and the loss of personnel have placed pressure on our system of internal control over financial reporting, thereby contributing to the material weaknesses further described in the “Management Report on Internal Control” contained in paragraph (c) of Item 9A of this Annual Report.

Our business and operations could suffer in the event of system failures.

Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems and those of our contractors and consultants are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures. Such events could cause interruption of our operations. For example, the loss of pre-clinical trial data or data from completed or ongoing clinical trials for our product candidates, if any, could result in delays in our regulatory filings and development efforts and significantly increase our costs. To the extent that any disruption or security breach were to result in a loss of or damage to our data, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability and the development of our product candidates could be delayed.

Risks Related to the Development and Regulatory Approval of our Drug Candidates

RNAi- and microRNA-based drug development is unproven and may never lead to marketable products.

Our future success depends on the successful development, by us or our partners, of products based on RNAi and microRNA technologies. Neither we nor any other company, including any of our partners, has received regulatory approval to market siRNA, antagomir or microRNA mimics as therapeutic agents. The scientific discoveries that form the basis for our efforts to discover and develop new siRNA and microRNA drugs are relatively new. The scientific evidence to support the feasibility of developing drugs based on these discoveries is both preliminary and limited. Skepticism as to the feasibility of developing RNAi and microRNA therapeutics has been expressed in scientific literature.

Relatively few product candidates based on RNAi or micoRNA approaches have ever been tested in animals or humans, none of which have received regulatory approval. We currently have only limited data suggesting that we can introduce typical drug-like properties and characteristics into siRNAs or micoRNA oligonucleotides, such as favorable distribution within the body or tissues or the ability to enter cells and exert their intended effects. In addition, RNA-based compounds may not demonstrate in patients the chemical and pharmacological properties ascribed to them in laboratory studies, and they may interact with human biological systems in unforeseen, ineffective or harmful ways. We may make significant expenditures trying to develop RNA-based technologies without success. As a result, we and our partners may never succeed in developing a marketable product utilizing our technologies. If neither we nor any of our partners develops and commercializes drugs based upon our technologies, we may not become profitable and the value of our common stock will likely decline.

Further, our focus on oligonucleotide-based drug discovery and development, as opposed to more proven technologies for drug development, increases the risks associated with the ownership of our common stock. If neither we nor any of our partners is successful in developing a product candidate using our technology, we may be required to change the scope and direction of our activities. In that case, we may not be able to identify and implement successfully an alternative business strategy.

All of our programs, other than our program for CEQ508, are in pre-clinical studies or early stage research. If we are unable to develop and commercialize our product candidates, our business will be adversely affected.

A key element of our strategy is to discover, develop and commercialize a portfolio of new products through our internal research programs and through those of our current or future strategic partnerships. Whether or not any product candidates are ultimately identified, research programs to identify new disease targets and product candidates require substantial technical, financial and human resources, which we currently do not have. These research programs may initially show promise in identifying potential product candidates, yet fail to yield a successful commercial product for many reasons, including the following:

Upon entering into clinical trials, clinical trials of product candidates utilizing our technologies would be expensive and time-consuming, and the results of any of these trials would be uncertain.

The research and development programs of our company and our partners with respect to oligonucleotide-based products are at an early stage. Before obtaining regulatory approval for the sale of any product candidates, we and our partners must conduct expensive and extensive pre-clinical tests and clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy in humans of such product candidates. Pre-clinical and clinical testing in patients is a long, expensive and uncertain process, and the historical failure rate for product candidates is high. The length of time generally varies substantially according to the type of drug, complexity of clinical trial design, regulatory compliance requirements, intended use of the drug candidate and rate of patient enrollment for the clinical trials.

A failure of one or more pre-clinical studies or clinical trials can occur at any stage of testing. We and our partners may experience numerous unforeseen events during, or as a result of, the pre-clinical testing and the clinical trial process that could delay or prevent the receipt of regulatory approval or the commercialization of our product candidates, including:

Further, even if the results of pre-clinical studies or clinical trials are initially positive, it is possible that we or a partner will obtain different results in the later stages of drug development or that results seen in clinical trials will not continue with longer term treatment. Drugs in late stages of clinical development may fail to show the desired safety and efficacy traits despite having progressed through initial clinical testing. For example, positive results in early Phase 1 or Phase 2 clinical trials may not be repeated in larger Phase 2 or Phase 3 clinical trials. It is expected that all of the drug candidates that may be developed by us or our partners based on our technologies will be prone to the risks of failure inherent in drug development. The clinical trials of any or all of the drug candidates of us or our partners could be unsuccessful, which would prevent the commercialization of these drugs. The FDA conducts its own independent analysis of some or all of the pre-clinical and clinical trial data submitted in a regulatory filing and often comes to different and potentially more negative conclusions than the analysis performed by the drug sponsor. The failure to develop safe, commercially viable drugs approved by the FDA would substantially impair our ability to generate revenues and sustain our operations and would materially harm our business and adversely affect our stock price. In addition, significant delays in pre-clinical studies and clinical trials will impede the ability of us or a partner to seek regulatory approvals, commercialize drug candidates and generate revenue, as well as substantially increase development costs.

Even if regulatory approvals are obtained for our products, such products will be subject to ongoing regulatory review. If we or a partner fail to comply with continuing U.S. and foreign regulations, the approvals to market drugs could be lost and our business would be materially adversely affected.

Following any initial FDA or foreign regulatory approval of any drugs we or a partner may develop, such drugs will continue to be subject to regulatory review, including the review of adverse drug experiences and clinical results that are reported after such drugs are made available to patients. This would include results from any post marketing tests or vigilance required as a condition of approval. The manufacturer and manufacturing facilities used to make any drug candidates will also be subject to periodic review and inspection by regulatory authorities, including the FDA. The discovery of any new or previously unknown problems with the product, manufacturer or facility may result in restrictions on the drug or manufacturer or facility, including withdrawal of the drug from the market. Marketing, advertising and labeling also will be subject to regulatory requirements and continuing regulatory review. The failure to comply with applicable continuing regulatory requirements may result in fines, suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approval, product recalls and seizures, operating restrictions and other adverse consequences.

We and our partners are subject to extensive U.S. and foreign government regulation, including the requirement of approval before products may be manufactured or marketed.

We, our present and future collaboration partners, and the drug product candidates developed by us or in collaboration with partners are subject to extensive regulation by governmental authorities in the U.S. and other countries. Failure to comply with applicable requirements could result in, among other things, any of the following actions: warning letters, fines and other civil penalties, unanticipated expenditures, delays in approving or refusal to approve a product candidate, product recall or seizure, interruption of manufacturing or clinical trials, operating restrictions, injunctions and criminal prosecution.

The product candidates of us and our partners cannot be marketed in the U.S. without FDA approval or clearance, and they cannot be marketed in foreign countries without applicable regulatory approval. Neither the FDA nor any foreign regulatory authority has approved any of the product candidates being developed by us or our partners based on our technologies. These product candidates are in pre-clinical and early clinical development, and will have to be approved by the FDA or applicable foreign regulatory authorities before they can be marketed in the U.S. or abroad. Obtaining regulatory approval requires substantial time, effort, and financial resources, and may be subject to both expected and unforeseen delays, including, without limitation, citizen’s petitions or other filings with the FDA, and there can be no assurance that any approval will be granted on a timely basis, if at all, or that delays will be resolved favorably or in a timely manner. If our product candidates are not approved in a timely fashion, or are not approved at all, our business and financial condition may be adversely affected.

In addition, both before and after regulatory approval, we, our collaboration partners and our product candidates are subject to numerous requirements by the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities covering, among other things, testing, manufacturing, quality control, labeling, advertising, promotion, distribution and export. These requirements may change and additional government regulations may be promulgated that could affect us, our collaboration partners or our product candidates. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action, either in the U.S. or abroad. There can be no assurance that neither we nor any of our partners will be required to incur significant costs to comply with such laws and regulations in the future or that such laws or regulations will not have a material adverse effect upon our business.

We have used, and may continue to use, hazardous chemicals and biological materials in our business. Any disputes relating to improper use, handling, storage or disposal of these materials could be time-consuming and costly.

Our research and development operations have involved, and if continued in the future will likely continue to involve, the use of hazardous and biological, potentially infectious, materials. Such use subjects us to the risk of accidental contamination or discharge or any resultant injury from these materials. Federal, state and local laws and regulations govern the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and specific waste products. We could be subject to damages, fines or penalties in the event of an improper or unauthorized release of, or exposure of individuals to, these hazardous materials, and our liability could be substantial. The costs of complying with these current and future environmental laws and regulations may be significant, thereby impairing our business.

We are also subject to numerous environmental, health and workplace safety laws and regulations, including those governing laboratory procedures, exposure to blood-borne pathogens and the handling of biohazardous materials. We maintain workers’ compensation insurance to cover us for costs and expenses we may incur due to injuries to our employees resulting from the use of these materials. The limits of our workers’ compensation insurance are mandated by state law, and our workers’ compensation liability is capped at these state-mandated limits. We do not maintain insurance for environmental liability or toxic tort claims that may be asserted against us in connection with our storage or disposal of biological, hazardous or radioactive materials. Additional federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting our operations may be adopted in the future. We may incur substantial costs to comply with, and substantial fines or penalties if we violate any of these laws or regulations.

Failure to comply with foreign regulatory requirements governing human clinical trials and marketing approval for drugs could prevent the sale of drug candidates based on our technologies in foreign markets, which may adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

The requirements governing the conduct of clinical trials, product licensing, pricing and reimbursement for marketing drug candidates based on our technologies outside the U.S. vary greatly from country to country. We have, and our partners may have, limited experience in obtaining foreign regulatory approvals. The time required to obtain approvals outside the U.S. may differ from that required to obtain FDA approval. Neither we nor our partners may be able to obtain foreign regulatory approvals on a timely basis, if at all. Approval by the FDA does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries, and approval by one foreign regulatory authority does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries or by the FDA. Failure to comply with these regulatory requirements or obtain required approvals could restrict the development of foreign markets for our drug candidates and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Risks Related to our Dependence on Third Parties

We may become dependent on our collaborative arrangements with third parties for a substantial portion of our revenue, and our development and commercialization activities may be delayed or reduced if we fail to initiate, negotiate or maintain successful collaborative arrangements.

We are, in part, dependent on current and possible future collaborators to develop and commercialize products based on our technologies, and to provide the regulatory compliance, sales, marketing and distribution capabilities required for the success of our business. If we fail to secure or maintain successful collaborative arrangements, our development and commercialization activities will be delayed, reduced or terminated, and our revenues could be materially and adversely impacted.

Over the next several years, we may depend on these types of collaboration partnerships for a significant portion of our revenue. The expected future milestone and royalty payments and cost reimbursements from collaboration agreements could provide an important source of financing for our research and development programs, thereby facilitating the application of our technology to the development and commercialization of our products. These collaborative agreements might be terminated either by us or by our partners upon the satisfaction of certain notice requirements. Our partners may not be precluded from independently pursuing competing products and drug delivery approaches or technologies. Even if our partners continue their contributions to our collaborative arrangements, of which there can be no assurance, they may nevertheless determine not to actively pursue the development or commercialization of any resulting products. Our partners may fail to perform their obligations under the collaborative arrangements or may be slow in performing their obligations. In addition, our partners may experience financial difficulties at any time that could prevent them from having available funds to contribute to these collaborations. If our collaboration partners fail to conduct their commercialization, regulatory compliance, sales and marketing or distribution activities successfully and in a timely manner, or if they terminate or materially modify their agreements with us, the development and commercialization of one or more product candidates could be delayed, curtailed or terminated because we may not have sufficient financial resources or capabilities to continue such development and commercialization on our own.

For example, since the beginning of 2011, we have entered into agreements with Debiopharm S.A., Mirna Therapeutics, Inc., ProNAi Therapeutics, Inc., Monsanto Company, Girindus Group, and Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Inc. regarding the development and/or commercialization of certain programs and technologies in specified fields of use. We may receive milestone and/or royalty payments as a result of each of these agreements, with the exception of our agreement with Novartis. If our partner with respect to any agreement terminates the applicable agreement or fails to perform its obligations thereunder, we may not receive any revenues from the technology that we have licensed pursuant to the agreement, including any milestone or royalty payments.

An interruption in the supply of raw and bulk materials needed for the development of our product candidates could cause product development to be slowed or stopped.

We and our partners may obtain supplies of critical raw and bulk materials used in research and development efforts from several suppliers, and long-term contracts may not be in place with any or all of these suppliers. While existing arrangements may supply sufficient quantities of raw and bulk materials needed to accomplish the current preclinical and clinical development of product candidates, there can be no assurance that sufficient quantities of product candidates could be manufactured if our suppliers are unable or unwilling to supply such materials. Any delay or disruption in the availability of raw or bulk materials could slow or stop research and development of the relevant product.

We rely and anticipate that we will continue to rely on third parties to conduct clinical trials, and those third parties may not perform satisfactorily, including failing to meet established deadlines for the completion of such clinical trials.

We are, and anticipate that we and certain of our partners will continue to be, dependent on contract research organizations, third-party vendors and investigators for pre-clinical testing and clinical trials related to drug discovery and development efforts. These parties are not employed by us or our partners, and neither we nor our partners can control the amount or timing of resources that they devote to our programs. If they fail to devote sufficient time and resources to our drug development programs or if their performance is substandard, it will delay the development and commercialization of our product candidates. The parties with which we and our partners contract for execution of clinical trials play a significant role in the conduct of the trials and the subsequent collection and analysis of data. Their failure to meet their obligations could adversely affect clinical development of our product candidates. Moreover, these parties also may have relationships with other commercial entities, some of which may compete with us and our partners. If they assist our competitors, it could harm our competitive position.

If we or our partners were to lose our relationship with any one or more of these parties, there could be a significant delay in both identifying another comparable provider and then contracting for its services. An alternative provider may not be available on reasonable terms, if at all. Even if we locate an alternative provider, is it likely that this provider may need additional time to respond to our needs and may not provide the same type or level of service as the original provider. In addition, any alternative provider will be subject to Good Laboratory Practices, or cGLP, and similar foreign standards and neither we nor our partners have control over compliance with these regulations by these providers. Consequently, if these providers do not adhere to these practices and standards, the development and commercialization of our product candidates could be delayed.

We have very limited experience in marketing, selling or distributing our products, and we may need to rely on marketing partners or contract sales companies.

Even if we are able to develop our products and obtain necessary regulatory approvals, we have very limited experience or capabilities in marketing, selling or distributing our products. We currently have no sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure. Accordingly, we will be dependent on our ability to build this capability ourselves, which would require the investment of significant financial and management resources, or to find collaborative marketing partners or contract sales companies for commercial sale of our internally-developed products. Even if we find a potential marketing partner, of which there can be no assurance, we may not be able to negotiate a licensing contract on favorable terms to justify our investment or achieve adequate revenues.

We have very limited manufacturing experience or resources, and we must incur significant costs to develop this expertise or rely on third parties to manufacture our products.

We have very limited manufacturing experience. Prior to the cessation of substantially all of our business activities in June 2012, our internal manufacturing capabilities were limited to small-scale production of non-cGMP material for use in in vitro and in vivo experiments. Some of our product candidates utilize specialized formulations whose scale-up and manufacturing could be very difficult. We also have very limited experience in such scale-up and manufacturing, requiring us to depend on a limited number of third parties, who might not be able to deliver in a timely manner, or at all. In order to develop products, apply for regulatory approvals and commercialize our products, we will need to develop, contract for, or otherwise arrange for the necessary manufacturing capabilities. We may manufacture clinical trial materials ourselves or we may rely on others to manufacture the materials we will require for any clinical trials that we initiate. There are a limited number of manufacturers that supply synthetic siRNAs. We have relied on several contract manufacturers for our supply of synthetic siRNAs. There are risks inherent in pharmaceutical manufacturing that could affect the ability of our contract manufacturers to meet our delivery time requirements or provide adequate amounts of material to meet our needs. Included in these risks are synthesis and purification failures and contamination during the manufacturing process, which could result in unusable product and cause delays in our development process, as well as additional expense to us. To fulfill our siRNA requirements, if any, we may also need to secure alternative suppliers of synthetic siRNAs. In addition to the manufacture of the synthetic siRNAs, we may have additional manufacturing requirements related to the technology required to deliver the siRNA to the relevant cell or tissue type. In some cases, the delivery technology we utilize is highly specialized or proprietary, and for technical and legal reasons, we may have access to only one or a limited number of potential manufacturers for such delivery technology. Failure by these manufacturers to properly formulate our siRNAs for delivery could also result in unusable product and cause delays in our discovery and development process, as well as additional expense to us.

The manufacturing process for any products based on our technologies that we or our partners may develop is subject to the FDA and foreign regulatory authority approval process and we (or our partners) will need to contract with manufacturers who can meet all applicable FDA and foreign regulatory authority requirements on an ongoing basis. In addition, if we receive the necessary regulatory approval for any product candidate, we also expect to rely on third parties, including our commercial collaborators, to produce materials required for commercial supply. We may experience difficulty in obtaining adequate manufacturing capacity for our needs. If we are unable to obtain or maintain contract manufacturing for these product candidates, or to do so on commercially reasonable terms, we may not be able to successfully develop and commercialize our products.

To the extent that we enter into manufacturing arrangements with third parties, we will depend on these third parties to perform their obligations in a timely manner and consistent with regulatory requirements, including those related to quality control and quality assurance. The failure of a third-party manufacturer to perform its obligations as expected could adversely affect our business in a number of ways, including:

If a third-party manufacturer with whom we contract fails to perform its obligations, we may be forced to manufacture the materials ourselves, for which we may not have the capabilities or resources, or enter into an agreement with a different third-party manufacturer, which we may not be able to do on reasonable terms, if at all. In some cases, the technical skills required to manufacture our product may be unique to the original manufacturer and we may have difficulty transferring such skills to a back-up or alternate supplier, or we may be unable to transfer such skills at all. In addition, if we are required to change manufacturers for any reason, we will be required to verify that the new manufacturer maintains facilities and procedures that comply with quality standards and with all applicable regulations and guidelines. The delays associated with the verification of a new manufacturer could negatively affect our ability to develop product candidates in a timely manner or within budget. Furthermore, a manufacturer may possess technology related to the manufacture of our product candidate that such manufacturer owns independently. This would increase our reliance on such manufacturer or require us to obtain a license from such manufacturer in order to have another third party manufacture our products.

Risks Related to our Intellectual Property and Other Legal Matters

If we are unable to adequately protect our proprietary technology from legal challenges, infringement or alternative technologies, our competitive position may be hurt and our operating results may be negatively impacted.

Our business is based upon the development and delivery of RNA-based therapeutics, and we rely on the issuance of patents, both in the U.S. and internationally, for protection against competitive technologies. Although we believe we exercise the necessary due diligence in our patent filings, our proprietary position is not established until the appropriate regulatory authorities actually issue a patent, which may take several years from initial filing or may never occur.

Moreover, even the established patent positions of pharmaceutical companies are generally uncertain and involve complex legal and factual issues. Although we believe our issued patents are valid, third parties may infringe our patents or may initiate proceedings challenging the validity or enforceability of our patents. The issuance of a patent is not conclusive as to its claim scope, validity or enforceability. Challenges raised in patent infringement litigation we initiate or in proceedings initiated by third parties may result in determinations that our patents have not been infringed or that they are invalid, unenforceable or otherwise subject to limitations. In the event of any such determinations, third parties may be able to use the discoveries or technologies claimed in our patents without paying us licensing fees or royalties, which could significantly diminish the value of these discoveries or technologies. As a result of such determinations, we may be enjoined from pursuing research, development or commercialization of potential products or may be required to obtain licenses, if available, to the third party patents or to develop or obtain alternative technology. Responding to challenges initiated by third parties may require significant expenditures and divert the attention of our management and key personnel from other business concerns.

Furthermore, it is possible others will infringe or otherwise circumvent our issued patents and that we will be unable to fund the cost of litigation against them or that we would elect not to pursue litigation. In addition, enforcing our patents against third parties may require significant expenditures regardless of the outcome of such efforts. We also cannot assure you that others have not filed patent applications for technology covered by our pending applications or that we were the first to invent the technology. There may also exist third party patents or patent applications relevant to our potential products that may block or compete with the technologies covered by our patent applications and third parties may independently develop IP similar to our patented IP, which could result in, among other things, interference proceedings in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to determine priority of invention.

In addition, we may not be able to protect our established and pending patent positions from competitive technologies, which may provide more effective therapeutic benefit to patients and which may therefore make our products, technology and proprietary position obsolete.

We also rely on copyright and trademark protection, trade secrets, know-how, continuing technological innovation and licensing opportunities. In an effort to maintain the confidentiality and ownership of our trade secrets and proprietary information, we require our employees, consultants, advisors and others to whom we disclose confidential information to execute confidentiality and proprietary information agreements. However, it is possible that these agreements may be breached, invalidated or rendered unenforceable, and if so, there may not be an adequate corrective remedy available. Furthermore, like many companies in our industry, we may from time to time hire scientific personnel formerly employed by other companies involved in one or more areas similar to the activities we conduct. In some situations, our confidentiality and proprietary information agreements may conflict with, or be subject to, the rights of third parties with whom our employees, consultants or advisors have prior employment or consulting relationships. Although we require our employees and consultants to maintain the confidentiality of all confidential information of previous employers, we or these individuals may be subject to allegations of trade secret misappropriation or other similar claims as a result of their prior affiliations. Finally, others may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques, or otherwise gain access to our trade secrets. Our failure to protect our proprietary information and techniques may inhibit or limit our ability to exclude certain competitors from the market and execute our business strategies.

If we are unable to adequately protect our proprietary intellectual property from legal challenges, infringement or alternative technologies, we will not be able to compete effectively in the drug discovery and development business.

Because intellectual property rights are of limited duration, expiration of intellectual property rights and licenses will negatively impact our operating results.

Intellectual property rights, such as patents and license agreements based on those patents, generally are of limited duration. Our operating results depend on our patents and IP licenses. Therefore, the expiration or other loss of rights associated with IP and IP licenses can negatively impact our business.

Our patent applications may be inadequate in terms of priority, scope or commercial value.

We apply for patents covering our discoveries and technologies as we deem appropriate. However, we or our partners may fail to apply for patents on important discoveries or technologies in a timely fashion or at all. Also, our pending patent applications may not result in the issuance of any patents. These applications may not be sufficient to meet the statutory requirements for patentability, and therefore we may be unable to obtain enforceable patents covering the related discoveries or technologies we may want to commercialize. In addition, because patent applications are maintained in secrecy for approximately 18 months after filing, other parties may have filed patent applications relating to inventions before our applications covering the same or similar inventions. In addition, foreign patent applications are often published initially in local languages, and until an English language translation is available it can be impossible to determine the significance of a third party invention. Any patent applications filed by third parties may prevail over our patent applications or may result in patents that issue alongside patents issued to us, leading to uncertainty over the scope of the patents or the freedom to practice the claimed inventions.

Although we have in-licensed a number of issued patents, the discoveries or technologies covered by these patents may not have any therapeutic or commercial value. Also, issued patents may not provide commercially meaningful protection against competitors. Other parties may be able to design around our issued patents or independently develop products having effects similar or identical to our patented product candidates. In addition, the scope of our patents is subject to considerable uncertainty and competitors or other parties may obtain similar patents of uncertain scope.

We are dependent on technologies we license, and if we lose the right to license such technologies or we fail to license new technologies in the future, our ability to develop new products would be harmed.

We currently are dependent on licenses from third parties for certain of our key technologies relating to fundamental RNAi technologies. Our current licenses impose, and any future licenses we enter into are likely to impose, various development, funding, royalty, diligence, sublicensing, insurance and other obligations on us. If our license with respect to any of these technologies is terminated for any reason, the development of the products contemplated by the licenses would be delayed, or suspended altogether, while we seek to license similar technology or develop new non-infringing technology. The costs of obtaining new licenses are high, and many patents in the RNAi field have already been exclusively licensed to third parties, including our competitors. If any of our existing licenses is terminated, the development of the products contemplated by the licenses could be delayed or terminated and we may not be able to negotiate additional licenses on acceptable terms, if at all, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.

We may be required to defend lawsuits or pay damages for product liability claims.

Our business inherently exposes us to potential product liability claims. We may face substantial product liability exposure in human clinical trials that we may initiate and for products that we sell, or manufacture for others to sell, after regulatory approval. The risk exists even with respect to those drugs that are approved by regulatory agencies for commercial distribution and sale and are manufactured in facilities licensed and regulated by regulatory agencies. Any product liability claims, regardless of their merits, could be costly, divert management’s attention, delay or prevent completion of our clinical development programs, and adversely affect our reputation and the demand for our products. We currently have product liability insurance that we believe is appropriate for our stage of development and may need to obtain higher levels of such insurance if we were ever to market any of our product candidates. Any insurance we have or may obtain may not provide sufficient coverage against potential liabilities. Furthermore, clinical trial and product liability insurance is becoming increasingly expensive. As a result, we may be unable to obtain sufficient insurance at a reasonable cost to protect us against losses caused by product liability claims that could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Risks Related to the Commercialization of our Product Candidates

Our product development efforts may not result in commercial products.

Our future results of operations depend, to a significant degree, upon our and any collaboration partners’ ability to successfully develop and commercialize pharmaceutical products. The development and commercialization process, particularly with respect to innovative products, is both time consuming and costly and involves a high degree of business risk. Successful product development in the pharmaceutical industry is highly uncertain, and very few research and development projects result in a commercial product. Product candidates that appear promising in the early phases of development, such as in preclinical testing or in early human clinical trials, may fail to reach the market for a number of reasons, such as:

Only two product candidates utilizing our technologies have commenced human clinical studies, and such product candidates have not been approved by the FDA or any foreign regulatory authority. The CEQ508 trial is currently on hold pending the receipt of sufficient funding to continue. There can be no assurance that any product candidates based on our technologies currently in research or development, or that may enter research or development, will ever be successfully commercialized, and delays in any part of the process or the inability to obtain regulatory approval could adversely affect our operating results by restricting introduction of new products by us or any future collaboration partners.

Even if we are successful in developing and commercializing a product candidate, it is possible that the commercial opportunity for oligonucleotide-based therapeutics will be limited.

The product candidates based on our technologies that are being developed are based on new technologies and therapeutic approaches, none of which have yet been brought to market. Key participants in pharmaceutical marketplaces, such as physicians, third-party payors and consumers, may not accept a product intended to improve therapeutic results based on oligonucleotide-based technology. Accordingly, while we believe there will be a commercial market for oligonucleotide-based therapeutics utilizing our technologies, there can be no assurance that this will be the case, in particular given the novelty of the field. Many factors may affect the market acceptance and commercial success of any potential products, including:

Risks Related to our Industry

Any drugs based on our technologies that we or any of our partners develop may become subject to unfavorable pricing regulations, third-party reimbursement practices or healthcare reform initiatives, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.

The success of the products based on our technologies will depend upon the extent to which third-party payors, such as Medicare, Medicaid and other domestic and international government programs, private insurance plans and managed care programs, provide reimbursement for the use of such products. Most third-party payors may deny reimbursement if they determine that a medical product was not used in accordance with cost-effective treatment methods, as determined by the third-party payor, or was used for an unapproved indication.

Third-party payors also may refuse to reimburse for experimental procedures and devices. Furthermore, because our programs are in the early stages of development, we are unable at this time to determine their cost-effectiveness and the level or method of reimbursement. Increasingly, the third-party payors, who reimburse patients, such as government and private insurance plans, are requiring that drug companies provide them with predetermined discounts from list prices, and are challenging the prices charged for medical products. If the price charged for any products based on our technologies that we or our partners develop is inadequate in light of our development and other costs, our profitability could be adversely affected.

We expect that drugs based on our technologies that we or a partner develop may need to be administered under the supervision of a physician. Under currently applicable law, drugs that are not usually self-administered may be eligible for coverage by the Medicare program if:

There may be significant delays in obtaining insurance coverage for newly-approved drugs, and insurance coverage may be more limited than the purpose for which the drug is approved by the FDA. Moreover, eligibility for insurance coverage does not imply that any drug will be reimbursed in all cases or at a rate that covers costs, including research, development, manufacture, sale and distribution. Interim payments for new drugs, if applicable, may also not be sufficient to cover costs and may not be made permanent. Reimbursement may be based on payments for other services and may reflect budgetary constraints or imperfections in Medicare data. Net prices for drugs may be reduced by mandatory discounts or rebates required by government health care programs or private payors and by any future relaxation of laws that presently restrict imports of drugs from countries where they may be sold at lower prices than in the United States. Third-party payors often rely upon Medicare coverage policy and payment limitations in setting their own reimbursement rates. The inability to promptly obtain coverage and profitable reimbursement rates from both government-funded and private payors for new drugs based on our technologies that we or our partners develop could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, our ability to raise capital, and our overall financial condition.

We believe that the efforts of governments and third-party payors to contain or reduce the cost of healthcare and legislative and regulatory proposals to broaden the availability of healthcare will continue to affect the business and financial condition of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. A number of legislative and regulatory changes in the healthcare system in the United States and other major healthcare markets have been proposed in recent years, and such efforts have expanded substantially in recent years. These developments have included prescription drug benefit legislation that was enacted and took effect in January 2006, healthcare reform legislation recently enacted by certain states, and major healthcare reform legislation that was passed by Congress and enacted into law in the United States in 2010. These developments could, directly or indirectly, affect our ability to sell our products, if approved, at a favorable price.

The full effects of the U.S. healthcare reform legislation cannot be known until the new law is implemented through regulations or guidance issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other federal and state healthcare agencies. The financial impact of the U.S. healthcare reform legislation over the next few years will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to the policies reflected in implementing regulations and guidance, and changes in sales volumes for products affected by the new system of rebates, discounts and fees. The new legislation may also have a positive impact on our future net sales, if any, by increasing the aggregate number of persons with healthcare coverage in the United States.

Moreover, we cannot predict what healthcare reform initiatives may be adopted in the future. Further federal and state legislative and regulatory developments are likely, and we expect ongoing initiatives in the United States to increase pressure on drug pricing. Such reforms could have an adverse effect on anticipated revenues from product candidates based on our technologies that are successfully developed and for which regulatory approval is obtained, and may affect our overall financial condition and ability to develop drug candidates.

The pharmaceutical market is intensely competitive. If we are unable to compete effectively with existing drugs, new treatment methods and new technologies, we may be unable to commercialize successfully any drugs that we develop.

The pharmaceutical market is intensely competitive and rapidly changing. Many large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions, governmental agencies and other public and private research organizations are pursuing the development of novel drugs for the same diseases that we are targeting or expect to target. Many of our competitors have:

Products based on our technologies will face intense competition from drugs that have already been approved and accepted by the medical community for the treatment of the conditions for which we may develop drugs. We also expect to face competition from new drugs that enter the market. We believe a significant number of drugs are currently under development, and may become commercially available in the future, for the treatment of conditions for which we and our partners may try to develop drugs. These drugs may be more effective, safer, less expensive, or marketed and sold more effectively, than any products we and our partners develop.

If we and our partners successfully develop product candidates based on our technologies, and obtain approval for them, we will face competition based on many different factors, including:

Our competitors may develop or commercialize products with significant advantages over any products we develop based on any of the factors listed above or on other factors. Our competitors may therefore be more successful in commercializing their products than we are, which could adversely affect our competitive position and business. Competitive products may make any products we develop obsolete or noncompetitive before we can recover the expenses of developing and commercializing our product candidates. Such competitors could also recruit our employees, which could negatively impact our level of expertise and the ability to execute on our business plan. Furthermore, we also face competition from existing and new treatment methods that reduce or eliminate the need for drugs, such as the use of advanced medical devices. The development of new medical devices or other treatment methods for the diseases we are targeting could make our product candidates noncompetitive, obsolete or uneconomical.

We may be unable to compete successfully against other companies that are working to develop novel drugs and technology platforms using technology similar to ours.

In addition to the competition we face from competing drugs in general, we also face competition from other biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and medical institutions that are working to develop novel drugs using technology that competes more directly with our own. Among those companies that are working in this field are: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Benitec Biopharma, Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, miRagen Therapeutics, Mirna Therapeutics, Quark Pharmaceuticals, Regulus Therapeutics, Silence Therapeutics, and Tekmira Pharmaceuticals, as well as a number of the multinational pharmaceutical companies. Any of these companies may develop its technology more rapidly and more effectively than us.

In addition to competition with respect to our technology and with respect to specific products, we and our partners face substantial competition to discover and develop safe and effective means to deliver the drugs based on our technologies that are developed to the relevant cell and tissue types. Substantial resources are being expended by third parties, both in academic laboratories and in the corporate sector, in the effort to discover and develop a safe and effective means of delivery into the relevant cell and tissue types. If safe and effective means of delivery to the relevant cell and tissue types were developed by our competitors, our ability to successfully commercialize a competitive product would be adversely affected.

Many of our competitors have substantially greater research and development capabilities and financial, scientific, technical, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, and other resources than us. Even if we and our partners are successful in developing product candidates based on our technologies, in order to compete successfully we may need to be first to market or to demonstrate that our products are superior to therapies based on different technologies. If we are not first to market or are unable to demonstrate such superiority, any products for which we are able to obtain approval may not be successful.

Risks Related to our Common Stock

The trading price of our common stock has been volatile, and investors in our common stock may experience substantial losses.

The trading price of our common stock has been volatile and may become volatile again in the future. The trading price of our common stock could decline or fluctuate in response to a variety of factors, including:

The stock markets in general, and the markets for the securities of companies in our industry in particular, have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

We may not be able to achieve secondary trading of our stock in certain states because our common stock is not nationally traded.

Because our common stock is not listed for trading on a national securities exchange, our common stock is subject to the securities laws of the various states and jurisdictions of the U.S. in addition to federal securities law. This regulation covers any primary offering we might attempt and all secondary trading by our stockholders. If we fail to take appropriate steps to register our common stock or qualify for exemptions for our common stock in certain states or jurisdictions of the U.S., the investors in those jurisdictions where we have not taken such steps may not be allowed to purchase our stock or those who presently hold our stock may not be able to resell their shares without substantial effort and expense. These restrictions and potential costs could be significant burdens on our stockholders.

Our common stock is traded on the OTC Pink tier of the OTC Markets, which may limit the ability of our stockholders to sell their securities, and may cause volatility in the price of our common stock.

Our common stock currently trades on the OTC Pink tier of the OTC Markets. Securities trading on the OTC Pink markets often experience a lack of liquidity as compared to securities trading on a national securities exchange or the OTC Bulletin Board. Such securities also have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations in recent years, which have particularly affected the market prices of many smaller companies like ours. We anticipate that our common stock will be subject to the lack of liquidity and this volume and price volatility that is characteristic of the OTC Pink markets.

Our common stock may be considered a “penny stock,” and thereby be subject to additional sale and trading regulations that may make it more difficult to sell.

Our common stock may be considered to be a “penny stock” if it does not qualify for one of the exemptions from the definition of “penny stock” under Section 3a51-1 of the Exchange Act. The principal result or effect of being designated a “penny stock” is that securities broker-dealers participating in sales of our common stock will be subject to the “penny stock” regulations set forth in Rules 15-2 through 15g-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act. For example, Rule 15g-2 requires broker-dealers dealing in penny stocks to provide potential investors with a document disclosing the risks of penny stocks and to obtain a manually signed and dated written receipt of the document at least two business days before effecting any transaction in a penny stock for the investor’s account.

Moreover, Rule 15g-9 requires broker-dealers in penny stocks to approve the account of any investor for transactions in such stocks before selling any penny stock to that investor. This procedure requires the broker-dealer to (i) obtain from the investor information concerning his or her financial situation, investment experience and investment objectives; (ii) reasonably determine, based on that information, that transactions in penny stocks are suitable for the investor and that the investor has sufficient knowledge and experience as to be reasonably capable of evaluating the risks of penny stock transactions; (iii) provide the investor with a written statement setting forth the basis on which the broker-dealer made the determination in (ii) above; and (iv) receive a signed and dated copy of such statement from the investor, confirming that it accurately reflects the investor’s financial situation, investment experience and investment objectives. Compliance with these requirements may make it more difficult and time consuming for holders of our common stock to resell their shares to third parties or to otherwise dispose of them in the market or otherwise.

Various restrictions in our charter documents and Delaware law could prevent or delay a change in control of us that is not supported by our board of directors.

We are subject to a number of provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law that may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or change of control that a stockholder may consider favorable. These anti-takeover provisions include:

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law prohibits a merger, consolidation, asset sale or other similar business combination between us and any stockholder of 15% or more of our voting stock for a period of three years after the stockholder acquires 15% or more of our voting stock, unless (1) the transaction is approved by our board of directors before the stockholder acquires 15% or more of our voting stock, (2) upon completing the transaction the stockholder owns at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the commencement of the transaction, or (3) the transaction is approved by our board of directors and the holders of 66 2/3% of our voting stock, excluding shares of our voting stock owned by the stockholder.

We have never paid dividends on our common stock and we do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

We have not paid any dividends on our common stock to date, and we currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. In addition, the terms of any financing arrangements that we may enter into may restrict our ability to pay any dividends.

The anti-takeover provisions of our stockholder rights plan may entrench management, may delay or prevent beneficial takeover bids by third parties and may prevent or frustrate any stockholder attempt to replace or remove the current management even if the stockholders consider it beneficial to do so.

We have a stockholder rights plan designed to protect our stockholders from coercive or unfair takeover tactics. Under the plan, we declared a dividend of one preferred stock purchase right for each share of common stock outstanding on March 17, 2000. Each preferred stock purchase right entitles the holder to purchase from us 1/1000th of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock for $50.00. In the event any acquiring entity or group accumulates or initiates a tender offer to purchase 15% or more of our common stock, then each holder of a preferred stock purchase right, other than the acquiring entity and its affiliates, will have the right to receive, upon exercise of the preferred stock purchase right, shares of our common stock or shares in the acquiring entity having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the preferred stock purchase right. The preferred stock purchase rights will expire on March 17, 2013, unless we extend the expiration date or in certain limited circumstances, we redeem or exchange such rights prior to such date.

The intent of the stockholder rights plan is to protect our stockholders’ interests by encouraging anyone seeking control of our company to negotiate with our board of directors. However, our stockholder rights plan could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us without the consent of our board of directors, even if doing so may be beneficial to our stockholders. This plan may discourage, delay or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt, including offers or attempts that could result in a premium over the market price of our common stock. This plan could reduce the price that investors might be willing to pay for shares of our common stock in the future. Furthermore, the anti-takeover provisions of our stockholder rights plan may entrench management and make it more difficult for stockholders to replace management even if the stockholders consider it beneficial to do so.

A significant number of shares of our common stock are subject to options, warrants and conversion rights, and we expect to sell additional shares of our common stock in the future. The issuance of these shares will dilute the interests of other security holders and may depress the price of our common stock.

As of September 14, 2012, there were 16,166,756 shares of common stock outstanding. As of September 14, 2012, there were vested outstanding options to purchase 252,546 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $53.38 per share, unvested outstanding options to purchase 107,077 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $3.26 per share, outstanding warrants to purchase 11,251,086 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $1.79 per share (of which warrants to purchase 9,947,550 shares of common stock, with a weighted average exercise price of $0.28 per share, are price-adjustable as a result of certain subsequent financing events), and 614,913 shares of common stock available for future issuance under our stock compensation plans. We may also issue a significant number of shares of common stock as a result of the conversion of the notes that we issued in February 2012. In addition, we may issue a significant number of additional shares of common stock and warrants from time to time to finance our operations, to fund potential acquisitions, or in connection with additional stock options or restricted stock granted to our employees, officers, directors and consultants under our equity compensation plans. The issuance, perception that issuance may occur, or exercise of warrants or options will have a dilutive impact on other stockholders and could have a material negative effect on the market price of our common stock.

There are outstanding a significant number of shares available for future sales under Rule 144.

As of September 14, 2012, of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, approximately 4.7 million shares may be deemed “restricted shares” and, in the future, may be sold in compliance with Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. In general, under Rule 144, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months (including any period of consecutive ownership of preceding non-affiliated holders) would be entitled to sell those shares, subject only to the availability of current public information about us. A non-affiliated person who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least one year would be entitled to sell those shares without regard to the provisions of Rule 144. A person who is deemed to be an affiliate of ours and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of one percent of the then outstanding shares of our common stock or the average weekly trading volume of our common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding such sale. Such sales are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us. Possible or actual sales of our common stock by certain of our present shareholders under Rule 144 may, in the future, have a depressive effect on the price of our common stock in any market which may develop for such shares. Such sales at that time may have a depressive effect on the price of our common stock in the open market.

We have issued secured indebtedness to certain investors, which we may not be able to repay.

On February 10, 2012, we issued 15% secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000 to two accredited investors. Unless the maturity date for the payment of principal and interest on these notes is extended, or the principal and interest on the notes is converted into shares of our common stock, the notes are due and payable on December 31, 2012. Our inability to satisfy our obligations under the notes in full could result in the secured lenders exercising their rights to foreclose on substantially all of our assets under the notes and the related security agreements, which would have a material adverse effect on our business and our stockholders.

Our Board of Directors has the ability to issue “blank check” Preferred Stock.

Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 100,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock, with such designation rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our Board of Directors. As of September 14, 2012, 90,000 shares had been designated as Series A Junior participating preferred stock and 1,000 shares had been designated as Series B Preferred Stock, none of which are issued and outstanding. Our Board is empowered, without shareholder approval, to issue shares of preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. In the event of such issuances, the preferred stock could be utilized, under certain circumstances, as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of our company. Although we have no present intention to issue any additional shares of our preferred stock, there can be no assurance that we will not do so in the future.

None.

The following is a summary of our properties and related lease obligations. We do not own any real property. We believe that these facilities are sufficient to support our research and development, operational, manufacturing and administrative needs under our current operating plan.

3830 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell, Washington. We lease approximately 63,200 square feet of research and development and office space in Bothell, Washington. Effective October 1, 2012, we entered into a Lease Termination Agreement (the “Termination Agreement”) with the landlord. Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, we paid to the landlord $155,000 as rent for the premises for the month of October 2012. Thereafter, our obligation to pay further rent under the lease will be satisfied through the standby letter of credit that we established to support our obligations under the lease. The landlord will draw the amount of each month’s rent by drawing on the letter of credit on or about the first day of each month from November 2012 through February 2013, with the landlord drawing the entire remaining amount available when it draws the February 2013 rent. We will have no obligation to replenish the letter of credit for amounts drawn by the landlord. The lease will terminate effective on March 1, 2013; provided that prior to March 1, 2013 the landlord may terminate the lease on 10 days’ prior written notice, in which event landlord shall be entitled to immediately draw all remaining amounts under the Termination Agreement on the letter of credit.

One Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts. We lease approximately 5,000 square feet of research and development and office space in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In February 2012, we entered into an agreement with a third party to sublease all of this space through the termination of the lease in August 2012.

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. Our management currently believes that resolution of such legal matters will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Not applicable.

PART II

Market Information

Our common stock has traded on the OTC Pink Tier of the OTC Markets under the symbol “MRNA” since July 11, 2012, having previously traded on the OTCQX Tier of the OTC Markets from February 2, 2012 until July 10, 2012. Prior to February 2, 2012, our common stock was listed on the NASDAQ Global Market. Table 1 below sets forth, for each of the quarterly periods indicated during which our common stock was listed on the NASDAQ Global Market, the range of high and low sales prices of our common stock, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market. Table 2 below sets forth, for each of the quarterly periods indicated during which our common stock was traded on the OTC Markets, the range of high and low bid prices of our common stock, as reported by the OTC Markets. The prices set forth in Table 2 below reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may not represent actual transactions.

The prices set forth in the tables below reflect the 1-for-4 reverse split of our common stock that became effective beginning on July 22, 2010, and the 1-for-10 reverse split of our common stock that became effective beginning on December 23, 2011.

On September 24, 2012 the closing price of our common stock reported by the OTC Markets was $0.28 per share.

Holders

As of September 26, 2012, there were approximately 13,000 beneficial holders of record of our common stock.

Dividends

Payment of dividends and the amount of dividends depend on matters deemed relevant by our Board, such as our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects and any limitations imposed by law, credit agreements and debt securities. To date, we have not paid any cash dividends or stock dividends on our common stock. In addition, we currently anticipate that we will not pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and intend to use retained earnings, if any, for working capital purposes. Furthermore, the terms of any financing arrangements that we may enter into may restrict our ability to pay any dividends.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

During 2012, we issued an aggregate of 340,906 shares of common stock to Novosom AG as additional consideration pursuant to the asset purchase agreement that we entered into with Novosom AG in July 2010. The shares were issued as a result of the license agreements that we entered into with Mirna Therapeutics and Monstanto Company in December 2011 and May 2012, respectively. The shares were offered and sold in reliance on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.

Not applicable.

Overview

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to provide information necessary to understand our audited consolidated financial statements for the two-year period ended December 31, 2011, and highlight certain other information which, in the opinion of management, will enhance a reader’s understanding of our financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. In particular, the discussion is intended to provide an analysis of significant trends and material changes in our financial position and the operating results of our business during the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2010. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements for the two-year period ended December 31, 2011 and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K. These historical financial statements may not be indicative of our future performance. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains a number of forward-looking statements, all of which are based on our current expectations and could be affected by the uncertainties and risks described throughout this filing, particularly in “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

This Item is organized as follows:

Background

We are a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of nucleic acid-based therapies utilizing gene silencing approaches such as RNA interference (“RNAi”) and blocking messenger RNA (“mRNA”) translation. Our goal is to improve human health through the development, either through our own efforts or those of our collaboration partners and licensees, of these nucleic acid-based therapeutics as well as the delivery technologies that together provide superior treatment options for patients. We have multiple proprietary technologies integrated into a broad nucleic acid-based drug discovery platform, with the capability to deliver novel nucleic acid-based therapeutics via systemic, local and oral administration to target a wide range of human diseases, based on the unique characteristics of the cells and organs involved in each disease.

Our pipeline includes a clinical program in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (“FAP”) and preclinical programs in bladder cancer and myotonic dystrophy. In 2011 and 2012 we have entered into the following agreements regarding our technology:

In addition to our own, internally developed technologies, we have strategically in-licensed and further developed nucleic acid- and delivery-related technologies, forming an integrated drug discovery platform. We are employing our platform, through our own efforts and those of our partners, for the discovery of multiple nucleic acid-based therapeutics including siRNA-, microRNA- and single stranded oligonucleotide-based drugs.

Our business strategy is two-fold. First, we strive to establish collaborations and strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the area of nucleic acid-based therapeutics to: (1) generate revenue through up-front, milestone and royalty payments related to our technology and/or the products that are developed using such technology; (2) gain access to technical resources; and (3) further validate our drug discovery platforms. Secondly, and pending receipt of sufficient funding, we plan to advance our own pipeline of nucleic acid-based therapeutics as a foundation upon which to improve all aspects of our drug discovery platform and to have the opportunity to commercialize drug therapies.

In terms of collaborations and strategic partnerships: (i) Debiopharm has agreed to fund the development of the bladder cancer program, pending certain milestones using our proprietary DiLA²-based delivery technology for local administration, which arrangement includes the potential for milestone and royalty payments. In 2012, we completed and provided the results from our development activities to Debiopharm for review. No further work is required of us until Debiopharm completes an internal assessment of the program; (ii) Mirna has the right to fund and develop specific microRNA-based nucleic acid therapeutics using our SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology, which arrangement includes the potential for milestone and royalty payments; (iii) ProNAi has the right to fund and develop DNAi-based nucleic acid therapeutics using our SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology, which arrangement includes the potential for milestone and royalty payments; (iv) Monsanto has the right to fund and develop applications in the agriculture field if any, using our delivery and chemistry technologies, which arrangement includes the potential for royalty payments; (v) Girindus will fund the commercialization of CRN-based amidites and CRN-based oligonucleotides for sale to industry and academia, which arrangement includes the potential for royalty payments; and (vi) Novartis has the right to fund and develop CRN-based nucleic acid therapeutics. Furthermore, ProNAi is funding their Phase 1 clinical trial, and using our proprietary SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology for systemic administration, which arrangement does not provide any financial benefit to us but continues to validate and advance our SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology.

With these relationships facilitating the advancement of several of our proprietary delivery technologies for small interfering RNA (“siRNA”) and other nucleic acid-based therapeutics, we have focused resources on the Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of CEQ508 in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis as well as the CRN technology for the development of double- and single-stranded nucleic acid-based therapies. In April 2012, we announced the completion of dosing for Cohort 2 in the Dose Escalation Phase of the START-FAP (Safety and Tolerability of An RNAi Therapeutic in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis) clinical trial of CEQ508. The CEQ508 trial is currently on hold pending the receipt of sufficient funding to continue. We expect to begin the dosing of Cohort 3 as soon as we secure sufficient funding to complete the trial.

With respect to collaborations and strategic partnerships our concept is to provide multiple therapeutic options based on a partner’s disease target and indication. We can apply our broad capabilities to pursue the most appropriate nucleic acid-based therapeutic approach to a specific, often undruggable, target for a specific indication. Each approach, i.e. siRNA, microRNA or single-strand oligonucleotide, has its advantages and disadvantages and we can utilize our broad capabilities to screen across multiple modalities to identify the most effective therapeutic. We believe this capability makes us extremely unique in the sector. We have structured, and expect to continue to structure, certain of our collaborative agreements to receive upfront non-refundable payments, research and development funding, milestone payments and royalties on commercial sales of products.

In order to protect our innovations, which encompass a broad platform of both nucleic acid-based therapeutic constructs and delivery technologies, as well as the drug products that may emerge from that platform, we have aggressively built upon our extensive and enabling intellectual property (“IP”) estate, and, pending receipt of adequate funding, plan to continue to do so.

We believe we have successfully leveraged our broad and proven expertise to create an industry-leading integrated nucleic acid-based drug discovery platform, which is protected by a strong IP position and validated through licensing agreements with Mirna and ProNAi using our SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology, licensing agreements with Girindus and Novartis using our CRN technology, the Phase 1 clinical trial by ProNAi using our SMARTICLES®-based liposomal delivery technology, licensing agreements with three large international companies (i.e., Roche, Novartis and Monsanto) for certain chemistry and delivery technologies, the bladder cancer research and license agreement with Debiopharm utilizing our tauRNAi platform, and our own FAP Phase 1b/2a clinical trial with the Trans Kingdom RNA interference (“tkRNAi”) platform.

Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2011, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $320.2 million, and have incurred, and may in the future continue to incur, additional losses as we continue our research and development (“R&D”) activities. We expect that our operating expenses will consume the majority of our cash resources during 2012 and will require ongoing funding. We have funded our losses primarily through the sale of common stock and warrants in the public markets and private placements, revenue provided by our collaboration partners, and, to a lesser extent, equipment financing facilities and secured loans.

At December 31, 2011, we had a working capital deficit (current assets less current liabilities) of approximately $2.1 million and approximately $2.0 million in cash, including approximately $1.0 million in restricted cash.

In February 2012, we received net proceeds of approximately $1.5 million by issuance of secured promissory notes and warrants to purchase up to 3,690,944 shares of our common stock. Through a series of amendments to the purchase agreement and the notes issued pursuant thereto, we have extended the maturity date of the notes to December 31, 2012, and in connection with such extensions have issued to the secured parties additional warrants to purchase up to 3,199,848 shares of our common stock. The warrants are exercisable at $0.28 per share, which is subject to adjustment (including as a result of subsequent financings), and are exercisable for a period of five years beginning six months and one day following the issuance of the warrants. The notes are secured by the assets of our company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cequent Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and MDRNA Research, Inc. The security agreement that we entered into in connection with this transaction provides a security interest in, but not limited to, all of the property, equipment and fixtures, accounts, negotiable collateral, cash, and cash equivalents of our company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cequent and MDRNA Research, subject to certain exceptions. The security interest created in the collateral is first priority, subject to the permitted encumbrances provided in the security agreement, and is perfected to the extent such security interest can be perfected by the filing of a financing statement and filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The security interest created in the collateral will be removed at such time as the notes are paid in full.

As a result of amendments to the purchase agreement and the notes issued pursuant thereto, we and the holders of the notes agreed that if we, at any time prior to December 31, 2012, effect any merger or consolidation of our company whereby the holders of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction hold less than fifty percent (50%) of the issued and outstanding shares of the voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately following the consummation of such transaction, we will have fully satisfied the obligation to repay the entire unpaid principal balance under the notes and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the issuance to the noteholders of an aggregate number of shares of common stock calculated by converting the then total outstanding principal and interest under the notes at a value of $0.28 per share of common stock.

In March 2012, we received net proceeds of approximately $1.1 million by issuance of 1,600,002 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase up to 800,001 shares of our common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.75 per share, are immediately exercisable (subject to registration or the availability of an exemption under federal and state securities laws), and will be exercisable for a period of five years from the date of issuance. The exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits or dividends, business combinations, sale of assets or other similar transactions, but not as a result of future securities offerings at lower prices.

In May and July, 2012, we received an aggregate of $1.5 million as an upfront payment in connection with the Intellectual Property License Agreement that we entered into with Monsanto Company. At the same time that we entered into the Intellectual Property License Agreement, we and Monsanto also entered into a Security Agreement pursuant to which we granted to Monsanto a security interest in that portion of our intellectual property that is the subject of the license agreement in order to secure the performance of our obligations under the license agreement. In addition, in August 2012 we received $1 million in a one-time upfront payment in connection with the License Agreement that we entered into with Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Inc. In September and October 2012, we received, or were scheduled to receive, additional funds as a result of the sale of certain equipment at our corporate headquarters, and the receipt of the upfront payment in connection with the license agreement that we entered into with ProNAi Therapeutics.

On June 1, 2012, we announced that, due to our financial condition, we had implemented a furlough of approximately 90% of our employees and ceased substantially all day-to-day operations. Since that time substantially all of the furloughed employees have been terminated.

We believe that our current resources will be sufficient to fund our planned limited operations until October 31, 2012.

We plan to continue to work with large pharmaceutical companies regarding research and development collaboration agreements or investments, and to pursue public and private sources of financing to raise cash. However, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in such endeavors. The market value and the volatility of our stock price, as well as general market conditions, could make it difficult for us to complete a financing transaction on favorable terms, or at all. Any financing we obtain may further dilute the ownership interest of our current stockholders, which dilution could be substantial, or provide new stockholders with superior rights than those possessed by our current stockholders. If we are unable to obtain additional capital when required, and in the amounts required, we may be forced to modify, delay or abandon some or all of our programs. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty. The Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included in this Annual Report states that these conditions, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As such, we are required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based upon the information available. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that the following discussion addresses our most critical accounting estimates, which are those that we believe are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and which require our most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Other key estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures include depreciation and amortization. We also have key accounting policies; however, these policies do not meet the definition of critical accounting estimates because they do not generally require us to make estimates or judgments that are difficult or subjective.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, collectability is reasonably assured, and fees are fixed or determinable. Deferred revenue expected to be recognized within the next 12 months is classified as current. Substantially all of our revenues are generated from research and development collaborations and licensing arrangements with partners that may involve multiple deliverables. For multiple-deliverable arrangements, judgment is required to evaluate, (a) whether an arrangement involving multiple deliverables contains more than one unit of accounting, and (b) how the arrangement consideration should be measured and allocated to the separate units of accounting in the arrangement. Our research and development collaborations may include upfront non-refundable payments, development milestone payments, R&D funding, patent-based or product sale royalties, and product sales. In addition, we may receive revenues from licensing arrangements. For each separate unit of accounting, we have determined that the delivered item has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, we have objective and reliable evidence of fair value using available internal evidence for the undelivered item(s) and our arrangements generally do not contain a general right of return relative to the delivered item.

Revenue from research and development collaborations is recorded when earned based on the specific terms of the contracts. Upfront non-refundable payments, where we are not providing any continuing services as in the case of a license to our IP, are recognized when delivery of the license has occurred. Upfront nonrefundable payments, where we are providing continuing services related to a research and development effort, are deferred and recognized as revenue over the collaboration period. The ability to estimate the total research and development effort and costs can vary significantly for each contract due to the inherent complexities and uncertainties of drug research and development. The estimated period of time over which we recognize certain revenues is based upon structured detailed project plans completed by our project managers, who meet with scientists and collaborative counterparts on a regular basis and schedule the key project activities and resources including headcount, facilities and equipment and budgets. These periods generally end on projected milestone dates typically associated with the stages of drug development, i.e. filing of an IND, initiation of a Phase 1 human clinical trial or filing of an NDA. We typically do not disclose the specific project planning details of a research and development collaboration for competitive reasons and due to confidentiality clauses in our contracts. As drug candidates and drug compounds move through the research and development process, it is necessary to revise these estimates to consider changes to the project plan, portions of which may be outside of our control. The impact on revenue of changes in our estimates and the timing thereof is recognized prospectively over the remaining estimated development period.

Milestone payments typically represent nonrefundable payments to be received in conjunction with the achievement of a specific event identified in the contract, such as initiation or completion of specified development activities or specific regulatory actions such as the filing of an IND. We believe a milestone payment represents the culmination of a distinct earnings process when it is not associated with ongoing research, development or other performance on our part and it is substantive in nature. We recognize such milestone payments as revenue when they become due and collection is reasonably assured.

Revenue from R&D funding is generally received for services performed under research and development collaboration agreements and is recognized as services are performed. Payments received in excess of amounts earned are recorded as deferred revenue. Reimbursements received for direct out-of-pocket expenses related to contract R&D costs are recorded as revenue in the consolidated statements of operations rather than as a reduction in expenses.

Royalty and earn-out payment revenue is generally recognized upon product sale by the licensee as reported by the licensee.

 Research and Development Costs

All research and development (“R&D”) costs are charged to operations as incurred. Our R&D expenses consist of costs incurred for internal and external R&D. These costs include direct and research-related overhead expenses. We recognize clinical trial expenses, which are included in research and development expenses, based on a variety of factors, including actual and estimated labor hours, clinical site initiation activities, patient enrollment rates, estimates of external costs and other activity-based factors. We believe that this method best approximates the efforts expended on a clinical trial with the expenses recorded. We adjust our rate of clinical expense recognition if actual results differ from our estimates. As clinical trial activities continue, it is necessary to revise these estimates to consider changes such as changes in the clinical development plan, regulatory requirements, or various other factors, many of which may be outside of our control. The impact of changes in our estimates of clinical trial expenses and the timing thereof, is recognized prospectively over the remaining estimated clinical trial period. The ability to estimate total clinical trial costs can vary significantly due to the inherent complexities and uncertainties of drug development.

Stock-Based Compensation

We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model as our method of valuation for stock-based awards. Stock-based compensation expense is based on the value of the portion of the stock-based award that will vest during the period, adjusted for expected forfeitures. Our determination of the fair value of stock-based awards on the date of grant using an option pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected life of the award, expected stock price volatility over the term of the award and historical and projected exercise behaviors. The estimation of stock-based awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual or updated results differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded in the period estimates are revised. The Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, and other reasonable assumptions could provide differing results.

Stock-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting periods, based on the fair value of such stock-based awards on the grant date. We anticipate the expected term and estimated volatility will remain relatively constant in the near term, however, unanticipated business or other conditions may change, which could result in differing future results.

Valuation of Intangible Assets and Loss on Impairment of Intangible Assets

A substantial portion of assets acquired in the Cequent merger were allocated to identifiable intangible assets related to in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) projects identified by management. Our management estimated acquisition-date fair values of these intangible assets. These identified intangible assets were valued based on a number of factors. Utilizing the income approach, a discounted cash flow model using forecasted operating results related to the identified intangible assets, the acquisition-date fair value was $19.3 million for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and $3.4 million for Transkingdom RNAi, a total of $22.7 million.

We estimated the acquisition-date fair value of these intangible assets using a discount rate of 23%, which was based on the estimated weighted-average cost of capital for companies with profiles substantially similar to ours. We then determined the present value of the expected future cash flows using the discount rate. The projected cash flows from the projects were based on key assumptions such as estimates of revenues and operating profits related to the projects considering their stages of development; the time and resources needed to complete development and receive approval; the life of the potential commercialized products and associated risks, including the inherent difficulties and uncertainties in development such as obtaining marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies; and risks related to the viability of and potential alternative treatments in any future target markets.

Accounting guidance requires that the fair value of IPR&D acquired in a business combination be recorded on the balance sheet regardless of the likelihood of success as of the acquisition date. Intangible assets related to IPR&D projects are considered to be indefinite-lived until completion or abandonment of the related project. During the period the assets are considered indefinite-lived, they will not be amortized but will be tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests if we become aware of any events occurring or changes in circumstances that would indicate a reduction in the fair value of the projects below their respective carrying amounts. We perform our annual impairment tests at the end of our fiscal year. If and when it were determined that identified intangible assets were impaired, an impairment charge would be recorded then. If and when development is complete, which generally occurs if and when regulatory approval to market a product is obtained, the associated assets would be deemed finite-lived and would then be amortized based on their respective estimated useful lives at that date.

During 2011 we tested the carrying value of our intangible assets for impairment utilizing the income approach and estimated the fair value of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis at $5.7 million and $1.0 million for Transkingdom RNAi, for a total of $6.7 million. We estimated the fair value of these intangible assets using a discount rate of 26%, which was based on the estimated weighted-average cost of capital for companies with profiles substantially similar to ours. We then determined the present value of the expected future cash flows using the discount rate. The projected cash flows from the projects were based on key assumptions such as estimates of revenues and operating profits related to the projects considering their stages of development; the time and resources needed to complete development and receive approval; the life of the potential commercialized products and associated risks, including the inherent difficulties and uncertainties in development such as obtaining marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies; and risks related to the viability of and potential alternative treatments in any future target markets. As a result of the impairment test, we recorded a loss on impairment of intangible assets of approximately $16.0 million in 2011.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets is not recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

Fair Value Liability for Price Adjustable Warrants and Subscription Investment Units

We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model as our method of valuation for price adjustable warrants and subscription investment units. Our determination of the fair value of price adjustable securities as of the reporting date is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, expected stock price volatility over the term of the security and risk-free interest rate. In addition, the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model requires the input of an expected life for the securities for which we have used the remaining contractual life. The fair value liability is revalued each balance sheet date utilizing Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model computations with the decrease or increase in fair value being reported in the statement of operations as other income or expense, respectively. The primary factor affecting the fair value liability is our stock price. In addition, the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, and other reasonable assumptions could provide differing results.

The following illustrates the effect that reasonably likely changes in our stock price would have on the estimated fair value liability for price adjustable securities that were outstanding as of December 31, 2011.

Our reported net loss was approximately $29.4 million for 2011. If our December 31, 2011 closing stock price had been 10% lower, our net loss would have been approximately $0.4 million lower. If our December 31, 2011 closing stock price had been 10% higher, our net loss would have been approximately $0.4 million higher.

The following illustrates the effect of changing the volatility assumptions on the estimated fair value liability for price adjustable securities that were outstanding as of December 31, 2011:

Our reported net loss was approximately $29.4 million for 2011. If our December 31, 2011 volatility assumption had been 10% lower, our net loss would have been approximately $0.1 million lower. If our December 31, 2011 volatility assumption had been 10% higher, our net loss would have been approximately $0.1 million higher.

Accrued Restructuring Charges

We ceased using our facility at 3450 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell, Washington (“3450 Monte Villa”), in 2008. We recorded an accrued liability for remaining lease termination costs at fair value, based on the remaining payments due under the lease and other costs, reduced by sublease rental income that could be reasonably obtained from the property, and discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. We used a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate of 23%, and we based our estimated future payments, net of estimated future sublease payments, on current rental rates available in the local real estate market, and our evaluation of the ability to sublease the facility. In September 2011 we entered into an agreement with the landlord for the exited facility, whereby we terminated the lease and issued a total of 780,000 shares of our common stock to two affiliates of the landlord at a settlement price of $2.30 per share. In connection with issuing the shares, the remaining accrued restructuring liability was eliminated and we have no further obligations with respect to the facility.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method under which deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities and operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. This process involves assessing the nature and measurements of temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. In each period, we assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from existing deferred tax liabilities or future taxable income. Factors we considered in making such an assessment include, but are not limited to, estimated utilization limitations of operating loss on tax credit carryforwards, expected reversals of deferred tax liabilities, past performance, including our history of operating results, our recent history of generating taxable income, our history of recovering net operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes and our expectation of future taxable income. If required, we will recognize a valuation allowance to reduce such deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be ultimately realized. To the extent that we establish a valuation allowance or change this allowance, we would recognize a tax provision or benefit in the consolidated statements of operations. We use our judgment to determine estimates associated with the calculation of our provision or benefit for income taxes, and in our evaluation of the need for a valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In March 2010, the FASB ratified the final consensus that offers an alternative method of revenue recognition for milestone payments. The guidance states that an entity can make an accounting policy election to recognize a payment that is contingent upon the achievement of a substantive milestone in its entirety in the period in which the milestone is achieved. The guidance was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after June 15, 2010 with early adoption permitted, provided that the revised guidance is applied retrospectively to the beginning of the year of adoption. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2009, the FASB revised the authoritative guidance for revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. The guidance addresses how to determine whether an arrangement involving multiple deliverables contains more than one unit of accounting and how the arrangement consideration should be allocated among the separate units of accounting. The guidance was beginning January 1, 2011 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Results of Operations

Comparison of Annual Results of Operations

All amounts, except amounts expressed as a percentage, are presented in thousands in the following table.

Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2011 to the Year Ended December 31, 2010

Revenue. We had revenue from certain customers, as a percentage of total revenue, as follows:

License and other revenue. License and other revenue decreased by approximately $0.2 million in 2011 compared to 2010. In 2011, we recognized revenue in the amount of $1.0 million relating to a payment to us in consideration for our agreement to the assignment and delegation of Roche’s non-exclusive license rights to certain technology which Roche originally licensed from us on a non-exclusive basis in 2009. In addition, we recognized approximately $0.5 million under our agreement with Debiopharm for the development and commercialization of the bladder cancer program and approximately $0.4 million relating to a license agreement that we entered into with Mirna Therapeutics regarding the development and commercialization of microRNA-based therapeutics utilizing Mirna’s propriety microRNAs and our novel SMARTICLES® liposomal delivery technology. In 2010 we recognized approximately $0.5 million in earn-out payments related to commercial sales of calcitonin-salmon nasal spray under our agreement with Par Pharmaceuticals. We entered into an amendment to our agreement with Par Pharmaceuticals under which Par paid us a lump sum of $0.7 million in lieu of profit-sharing for the remainder of the earn out period, which we recognized as revenue in 2010. In 2010, we also recognized revenue of approximately $0.8 million arising from the sale of our patent rights and technology related to carbetocin, a long-acting analog of oxytocin, a naturally produced hormone that may benefit individuals with autism, to Cypress Bioscience, Inc. We expect that our license revenue will increase in 2012 as compared to 2011 as a result of our license agreements with ProNAi, Monsanto and Novartis.

Research and Development. R&D expense consists primarily of salaries and other personnel-related expenses, costs of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, consulting and other outside services, laboratory supplies, facilities costs and other costs. We expense all R&D costs as incurred. R&D expense decreased approximately $6.7 million to $11.4 million in 2011 compared to $18.1 million in 2010, due primarily to the following:

We expect that our research and development expenses will decrease in 2012 compared to 2011 due to our limited business operations, particularly during the period following our press release on June 1, 2012 announcing that we had ceased substantially all day-to-day operations.

Selling, general and administrative. Selling, general and administrative expense consists primarily of salaries and other personnel-related expenses to support our R&D activities, stock-based compensation for selling, general and administrative personnel and non-employee members of our Board, professional fees, such as accounting and legal, corporate insurance and facilities costs. The 19% decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2011 compared to 2010 resulted primarily from the following:

We expect selling, general and administrative expenses to decrease in 2012 compared to 2011, which included approximately $1.1 million in expenses recorded related to the issuances of warrants.

Loss on impairment of intangible assets. During 2011 we tested the carrying value of our intangible assets for impairment utilizing the income approach. As a result of the impairment test, we recorded a loss on impairment of intangible assets of approximately $16.0 million in 2011.

Restructuring. We have recorded restructuring charges related to our facilities consolidation and impairment of assets. Restructuring expense was approximately $1.4 million in 2011, compared to approximately $3.5 million in 2010. In September 2011 we entered into an agreement with the landlord for our exited facility at 3450 Monte Villa, whereby we terminated the lease and issued a total of 780,000 shares of our common stock to two affiliates of the landlord at a settlement price of $2.30 per share. In connection with issuing the shares, the remaining accrued restructuring liability was eliminated and we have no further obligations with respect to the facility. We also entered into an amendment of our lease for our exited facility in 2010, which reduced our future lease obligations by approximately $4.1 million, and we issued 211,573 shares of our common stock to the landlord in 2010 which was valued at approximately $3.3 million.

Interest and Other Income. In 2010 we recorded other income of approximately $0.2 million which consisted primarily of a grant under the Qualified Therapeutic Discovery Grant funds under section 48D of the Internal Revenue Code. In 2010, we also received payments for two Qualified Therapeutic Discovery Grants totaling approximately $0.5 million for Cequent Pharmaceuticals. Amounts to be received under these Cequent grants were included in prepaid and other assets on the schedule of acquired assets as of the date we acquired Cequent, July 21, 2010.

Interest and Other Expense. In November 2010, we issued warrants to purchase up to 68,626 shares of our common stock in consideration for amendments to certain of our Securities Purchase Agreements. The estimated fair value of the warrants of approximately $1.2 million was recorded as other expense and an increase in fair value liability of price adjustable warrants. In addition, in 2010 we incurred interest expense on our notes payable and expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs and amortization of the fair value of the warrants issued in connection with the notes payable, which were recorded as debt discount. We did not incur any interest expense in 2011. We expect to incur interest and other expense in 2012 in connection with the notes that we issued in February 2012.

Change in fair value liability for price adjustable warrants and subscription investment units. We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model as our method of valuation for price adjustable securities. The fair value liability is revalued each balance sheet date utilizing Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model computations with the decrease or increase in fair value being reported in the statement of operations as other income or expense, respectively. The change in fair value liability for price adjustable warrants and subscription investment units was a net gain of approximately $6.7 million in 2011, compared to a net gain of approximately $4.4 million in 2010. In 2011, our stock price decreased from $15.49 per share to $0.89 per share, which decreased the fair value liability, which represented income for us. In 2010, our stock price decreased from $32.40 per share to $15.49 per share, which decreased the fair value liability, which represented income for us.

Income Tax Expense.  We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method under which deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities and operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. In 2011, we reviewed the deferred tax liabilities related to intangible assets and determined that because of the increased uncertainty in timing of reversal, the deferred tax liabilities did not support realization of our deferred tax assets. Therefore, we recorded an increase to the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets of approximately $1.1 million which was also recorded as income tax expense.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash flows

Our operating activities used cash of approximately $16.1 million in 2011, compared to $16.8 million in 2010. Cash used in operating activities relates primarily to funding net losses and changes in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities, deferred revenue, accrued restructuring and asset accounts, partially offset by non-cash changes in the fair value liability for price adjustable warrants and subscription investment units, non-cash restructuring charges, depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation. We expect to use cash for operating activities in the foreseeable future as we continue our business operations including – to the extent that sufficient funding is available – our R&D activities.

Our investing activities provided cash of approximately $3,000 in 2011, compared to $4.6 million in 2010. Changes in cash from investing activities result from changes in restricted cash, and purchases of property and equipment. In 2010, cash provided by investing activities was primarily the result of $5.1 million of cash acquired upon the acquisition of Cequent Pharmaceuticals.

Our financing activities provided cash of approximately $16.0 million in 2011 compared to approximately $12.5 million in 2010. Changes in cash from financing activities are primarily due to issuance of common stock, warrants, and subscription investment units, proceeds and repayment of notes payable and proceeds from exercises of stock options and warrants. We raised net proceeds of approximately $12.4 million in 2011 and $7.8 million in 2010 through offerings of shares of common stock and warrants and subscription investment units to purchase shares of common stock. We received proceeds of approximately $3.6 million in 2011 and $2.7 million in 2010 from the exercise of warrants, subscription investment units and options. We borrowed $3.0 million from Cequent to fund our operations prior to the merger. On July 21, 2010, we consummated the merger with Cequent, and as a result the loans of $3.0 million plus accrued interest were settled and the warrants to purchase our common stock which were issued to Cequent in connection with the Loan Agreement terminated. In 2010 we made payments on notes payable of approximately $1.0 million.

Recent Financing Activities

In February 2012, we received net proceeds of approximately $1.5 million by issuance of secured promissory notes and warrants to purchase up to 3,690,944 shares of our common stock. Through a series of amendments to the purchase agreement and the notes issued pursuant thereto, we have extended the maturity date of the notes to December 31, 2012, and in connection with such extensions have issued to the secured parties additional warrants to purchase up to 3,199,848 shares of our common stock. The warrants are exercisable at $0.28 per share, which is subject to adjustment (including as a result of subsequent financings), and are exercisable for a period of five years beginning six months and one day following the issuance of the warrants. The notes are secured by the assets of our company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cequent Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and MDRNA Research, Inc. The security agreement that we entered into in connection with this transaction provides a security interest in, but not limited to, all of the property, equipment and fixtures, accounts, negotiable collateral, cash, and cash equivalents of our company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cequent and MDRNA Research, subject to certain exceptions. The security interest created in the collateral is first priority, subject to the permitted encumbrances provided in the security agreement, and is perfected to the extent such security interest can be perfected by the filing of a financing statement and filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The security interest created in the collateral will be removed at such time as the notes are paid in full.

As a result of amendments to the purchase agreement and the notes issued pursuant thereto, we and the holders of the notes agreed that if we, at any time prior to December 31, 2012, effect any merger or consolidation of our company whereby the holders of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction hold less than fifty percent (50%) of the issued and outstanding shares of the voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately following the consummation of such transaction, we will have fully satisfied the obligation to repay the entire unpaid principal balance under the notes and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the issuance to the noteholders of an aggregate number of shares of common stock calculated by converting the then total outstanding principal and interest under the notes at a value of $0.28 per share of common stock.

In March 2012, we received net proceeds of approximately $1.1 million by issuance of 1,600,002 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase up to 800,001 shares of our common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.75 per share, are immediately exercisable (subject to registration or the availability of an exemption under federal and state securities laws), and will be exercisable for a period of five years from the date of issuance. The exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits or dividends, business combinations, sale of assets or other similar transactions, but not as a result of future securities offerings at lower prices.

In May and July, 2012, we received an aggregate of $1.5 million as an upfront payment in connection with the Intellectual Property License Agreement that we entered into with Monsanto Company. At the same time that we entered into the Intellectual Property License Agreement, we and Monsanto also entered into a Security Agreement pursuant to which we granted to Monsanto a security interest in that portion of our intellectual property that is the subject of the license agreement in order to secure the performance of our obligations under the license agreement. In addition, in August 2012 we received $1.0 million in a one-time upfront payment in connection with the License Agreement that we entered into with Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Inc. In September and October 2012, we received, or were scheduled to receive, additional funds as a result of the sale of certain equipment at our corporate headquarters, and the receipt of the upfront payment in connection with the license agreement that we entered into with ProNAi Therapeutics.

Summary

We believe that our current resources are sufficient to fund our planned limited operations until October 31, 2012. The market value and the volatility of our stock price, as well as our current financial situation and general market conditions, could make it difficult for us to complete a financing transaction on favorable terms, or at all. Any financing we obtain may further, and substantially, dilute or otherwise impair the ownership interests of our current stockholders. If we fail to obtain significant additional capital in the immediate future, we will be forced to further delay, reduce or eliminate some or all of our planned activities.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2011, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of SEC Regulation S-K.

Not applicable.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Marina Biotech, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Marina Biotech, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2011. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Marina Biotech, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

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 ceased substantially all day-to-day operations, including most research and development activities, has incurred recurring losses, has a working capital and accumulated deficit and has had recurring 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 this uncertainty.

Seattle, WA

October 10, 2012

MARINA BIOTECH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

MARINA BIOTECH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

MARINA BIOTECH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

MARINA BIOTECH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

MARINA BIOTECH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2011

Note 1 — Business, Going Concern and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Business

We are a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of nucleic acid-based therapies utilizing gene silencing approaches such as RNA interference (“RNAi”) and blocking messenger RNA (“mRNA”) translation. Our goal is to improve human health through the development, either through our own efforts or those of our collaboration partners and licensees, of these nucleic acid-based therapeutics as well as the delivery technologies that together provide superior treatment options for patients. We have multiple proprietary technologies integrated into a broad nucleic acid-based drug discovery platform, with the capability to deliver novel nucleic acid-based therapeutics via systemic, local and oral administration to target a wide range of human diseases, based on the unique characteristics of the cells and organs involved in each disease.

Our pipeline includes a clinical program in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (“FAP”) and preclinical programs in bladder cancer and myotonic dystrophy. In 2011 and 2012 we have entered into the following agreements regarding our technology:

In addition to our own, internally developed technologies, we have strategically in-licensed and further developed nucleic acid- and delivery-related technologies, forming an integrated drug discovery platform. We are employing our platform, through our own efforts and those of our partners, for the discovery of multiple nucleic acid-based therapeutics including siRNA-, microRNA- and single stranded oligonucleotide-based drugs.

Reverse Splits of Common Stock

On July 21, 2010, we effected a one-for-four reverse split of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock effective as of 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Our common stock commenced trading on the NASDAQ Global Market on a split-adjusted basis as of the opening of trading on Thursday, July 22, 2010. Any fraction of a share of common stock that would otherwise have resulted from the reverse split was converted into the right to receive cash payment from us for such fractional shares, in an amount to be determined by multiplying (x) the fractional amount of the share of common stock by (y) $29.824 (i.e., an amount equal to four times the per share closing price of our common stock on July 21, 2010).

On December 22, 2011, we effected a one-for-ten reverse split of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock effective as of 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Our common stock commenced trading on the NASDAQ Global Market on a split-adjusted basis as of the opening of trading on Friday, December 23, 2011. Any fraction of a share of common stock that would otherwise have resulted from the reverse split was converted into the right to receive cash payment from us for such fractional shares, in an amount to be determined by multiplying (x) the fractional amount of the share of common stock by (y) $1.21 (i.e., an amount equal to ten times the per share closing price of our common stock on December 22, 2011).

Following each reverse split, the total number of shares outstanding was proportionately reduced in accordance with the applicable reverse split. Further, any outstanding options, warrants and rights as of the effective date that are subject to adjustment were adjusted accordingly. There was no change to the number of authorized shares of our common stock as a result of either reverse stock split.

Liquidity and Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2011, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $320.2 million, have incurred, and may in the future continue to incur, losses as we continue, to the extent that sufficient funding is available, our research and development (“R&D”) activities, and have had recurring negative cash flows from operations. We expect that our operating expenses will consume the majority of our cash resources during 2012, and will require ongoing funding. We have funded our losses primarily through the sale of common stock and warrants in the public markets and private placements, revenue provided by our collaboration partners, and, to a lesser extent, equipment financing facilities and secured loans.

At December 31, 2011, we had a working capital deficit (current assets less current liabilities) of approximately $2.1 million and approximately $2.0 million in cash, including approximately $1.0 million in restricted cash.

On February 1, 2012, we were notified that the Listing Qualifications Panel of The NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) had determined to delist our common stock from the Nasdaq Stock Market, and to suspend trading in the shares effective at the open of business on February 2, 2012 because we were unable to gain compliance with the minimum $1.00 per share minimum bid price requirement set forth in NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5450(a)(1). Our common stock began trading on the OTCQX tier of the OTC Markets commencing on February 2, 2012. Our common stock traded on the OTCQX Tier of the OTC Markets until July 10, 2012, and it began trading on the OTC Pink Tier of the OTC Markets on July 11, 2012.

In February 2012, we received net proceeds of approximately $1.5 million by issuance of secured promissory notes and warrants to purchase up to 3,690,944 shares of our common stock. Through a series of amendments to the purchase agreement and the notes issued pursuant thereto, we have extended the maturity date of the notes to December 31, 2012, and in connection with such extensions have issued to the secured parties additional warrants to purchase up to 3,199,848 shares of our common stock. The warrants are exercisable at $0.28 per share, which is subject to adjustment (including as a result of subsequent financings), and are exercisable for a period of five years beginning six months and one day following the issuance of the warrants. The notes are secured by the assets of our company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cequent Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and MDRNA Research, Inc. The security agreement that we entered into in connection with this transaction provides a security interest in, but not limited to, all of the property, equipment and fixtures, accounts, negotiable collateral, cash, and cash equivalents of our company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cequent and MDRNA Research, subject to certain exceptions. The security interest created in the collateral is first priority, subject to the permitted encumbrances provided in the security agreement, and is perfected to the extent such security interest can be perfected by the filing of a financing statement and filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The security interest created in the collateral will be removed at such time as the notes are paid in full.

As a result of amendments to the purchase agreement and the notes issued pursuant thereto, we and the holders of the notes agreed that if we, at any time prior to December 31, 2012, effect any merger or consolidation of our company whereby the holders of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction hold less than fifty percent (50%) of the issued and outstanding shares of the voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately following the consummation of such transaction, we will have fully satisfied the obligation to repay the entire unpaid principal balance under the notes and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the issuance to the noteholders of an aggregate number of shares of common stock calculated by converting the then total outstanding principal and interest under the notes at a value of $0.28 per share of common stock.

In March 2012, we received net proceeds of approximately $1.1 million by issuance of 1,600,002 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase up to 800,001 shares of our common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.75 per share, are immediately exercisable (subject to registration or the availability of an exemption under federal and state securities laws), and will be exercisable for a period of five years from the date of issuance. The exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits or dividends, business combinations, sale of assets or other similar transactions, but not as a result of future securities offerings at lower prices.

In May and July, 2012, we received an aggregate of $1.5 million as an upfront payment in connection with the Intellectual Property License Agreement that we entered into with Monsanto Company. At the same time that we entered into the Intellectual Property License Agreement, we and Monsanto also entered into a Security Agreement pursuant to which we granted to Monsanto a security interest in that portion of our intellectual property that is the subject of the license agreement in order to secure the performance of our obligations under the license agreement. In addition, in August 2012 we received $1.0 million in a one-time upfront payment in connection with the License Agreement that we entered into with Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Inc. In September and October 2012, we received, or were scheduled to receive, additional funds as a result of the sale of certain equipment at our corporate headquarters, and the receipt of the upfront payment in connection with the license agreement that we entered into with ProNAi Therapeutics.

On June 1, 2012, we announced that, due to our financial condition, we had implemented a furlough of approximately 90% of our employees and ceased substantially all day-to-day operations. Since that time substantially all of the furloughed employees have been terminated. As of September 30, 2012, we had approximately 11 remaining employees, including all of our executive officers, all of whom are either furloughed or working on reduced salary. As a result, since June 1, 2012 our internal research and development efforts have been minimal, pending receipt of adequate funding. We believe that our current resources will be sufficient to fund our planned limited operations until October 31, 2012.

We plan to continue to work with large pharmaceutical companies regarding research and development collaboration agreements or investments, and to pursue public and private sources of financing to raise cash. However, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in such endeavors. The market value and the volatility of our stock price, as well as our current financial situation and general market conditions, could make it difficult for us to complete a financing transaction on favorable terms, or at all. Any financing we obtain may further dilute the ownership interest of our current stockholders, which dilution could be substantial, or provide new stockholders with superior rights than those possessed by our current stockholders. If we are unable to obtain additional capital when required, and in the amounts required, we may be forced to further delay, reduce or eliminate some or all of our planned activities. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation — The financial statements include the accounts of Marina Biotech, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cequent Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Atossa HealthCare, Inc. (“Atossa”) and MDRNA Research, Inc. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates having relatively higher significance include revenue recognition, research and development costs, stock-based compensation, valuation of warrants and subscription investment units, valuation and estimated lives of identifiable intangible assets, impairment of long-lived assets, estimated accrued restructuring charges and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Restricted Cash — Amounts pledged as collateral underlying letters of credit for facility lease deposits are classified as restricted cash. Changes in restricted cash have been presented as investing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments — We consider the fair value of cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities to not be materially different from their carrying value. These financial instruments have short-term maturities. We follow authoritative guidance with respect to fair value reporting issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), for financial assets and liabilities, which defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures. The guidance does not apply to measurements related to share-based payments. The guidance discusses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). The guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore developed using estimates and assumptions developed by us, which reflect those that a market participant would use.

All of our financial assets, which consist of cash and restricted cash, are subject to fair value measurement are valued determined by Level 1 inputs. We measure and report at fair value our accrued restructuring liability using discounted estimated cash flows, and the liability for price adjustable warrants and subscription investment units using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model, using Level 3 inputs. The following tables summarize our liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010 and 2011 (in thousands):

The following presents activity in our accrued restructuring liability determined by Level 3 inputs for each of the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011 (in thousands):

The following presents activity of the fair value liability of price adjustable warrants determined by Level 3 inputs for each of the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011 (in thousands, except share data):

The following presents activity of the fair value liability of price adjustable subscription investment units determined by Level 3 inputs (in thousands):

Property and Equipment — Long-lived assets include property and equipment. These assets are recorded at our original cost and are increased by the cost of any significant improvements after purchase. Property and equipment assets are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the individual assets, ranging from three to five years. Leasehold improvements are stated at cost and amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated useful life or remaining lease term. Depreciation begins when the asset is ready for its intended use. For tax purposes, accelerated depreciation methods are used as allowed by tax laws.

Business combinations and allocation of purchase consideration — Accounting guidance requires that most assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their fair values, as determined in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, as of the acquisition date. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. This is an exit price concept for the valuation of the asset or liability. Market participants are assumed to be buyers and sellers in the principal (or the most advantageous) market for the asset or liability. Fair value measurements for an asset assume the highest and best use by these market participants. As a result of these standards, we may be required to value assets at fair value measures that do not reflect our intended use of those assets. Many of these fair value measurements can be highly subjective and it is also possible that other professionals, applying reasonable judgment to the same facts and circumstances, could develop and support a range of alternative estimated amounts.

Accounting guidance requires that the fair value of in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) projects acquired in a business combination be recorded on the balance sheet regardless of the likelihood of success as of the acquisition date. Intangible assets related to IPR&D projects are considered to be indefinite-lived until completion or abandonment of the related project. During the period the assets are considered indefinite-lived, they will not be amortized but will be tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests if we become aware of any events occurring or changes in circumstances that would indicate a reduction in the fair value of the projects below their respective carrying amounts. If and when it were determined that identified intangible assets were impaired, an impairment charge would be recorded then. If and when development is complete, which generally occurs if and when regulatory approval to market a product is obtained, the associated assets would be deemed finite-lived and would then be amortized based on their respective estimated useful lives at that date.

Identifiable intangible assets — Intangible assets associated with in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) projects acquired in business combinations are not amortized until approval is obtained in a major market, typically either the U.S. or the European Union (EU), or in a series of other countries, subject to certain specified conditions and management judgment. The useful life of an amortizing asset generally is determined by identifying the period in which substantially all of the cash flows are expected to be generated.

Impairment of long-lived assets — We review all of our long-lived assets for impairment indicators throughout the year and we perform detailed testing whenever impairment indicators are present. In addition, we perform detailed impairment testing for indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually at the end of our fiscal year. When necessary, we record charges for impairments. Specifically:

Accrued Restructuring — We ceased using one of our two leased facilities in Bothell, Washington (“the exited facility”) in 2008. We recorded an accrued liability for remaining lease termination costs at fair value, based on the remaining payments due under the lease and other costs, reduced by estimated sublease rental income that could be reasonably obtained from the property, and discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. We based our estimated future payments, net of estimated future sublease payments, on current rental rates available in the local real estate market, and our evaluation of the ability to sublease the facility. For a further discussion of our restructuring charges, see Note 4 — Accrued Restructuring.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers — We operate in an industry that is highly regulated, competitive and rapidly changing and involves numerous risks and uncertainties. Significant technological and/or regulatory changes, the emergence of competitive products and other factors could negatively impact our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

We have been dependent on our collaborative and license agreements with a limited number of third parties for a substantial portion of our revenue, and our discovery and development activities may be delayed or reduced if we do not maintain successful collaborative arrangements. We had revenue from customers, as a percentage of total revenue, as follows:

Revenue Recognition — Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, collectability is reasonably assured, and fees are fixed or determinable. Deferred revenue expected to be recognized within the next 12 months is classified as current. Substantially all of our revenues are generated from research and development collaborations and licensing arrangements with partners that may involve multiple deliverables. For multiple-deliverable arrangements, judgment is required to evaluate, (a) whether an arrangement involving multiple deliverables contains more than one unit of accounting, and (b) how the arrangement consideration should be measured and allocated to the separate units of accounting in the arrangement. Our research and development collaborations may include upfront non-refundable payments, development milestone payments, R&D funding, patent-based or product sale royalties, and product sales. In addition, we may receive revenues from licensing arrangements. For each separate unit of accounting, we have determined that the delivered item has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, we have objective and reliable evidence of fair value using available internal evidence for the undelivered item(s) and our arrangements generally do not contain a general right of return relative to the delivered item.

Revenue from research and development collaborations is recorded when earned based on the specific terms of the contracts. Upfront non-refundable payments, where we are not providing any continuing services as in the case of a license to our intellectual property (“IP”), are recognized when delivery of the license has occurred. Upfront nonrefundable payments, where we are providing continuing services related to a research and development effort, are deferred and recognized as revenue over the collaboration period. The ability to estimate the total research and development effort and costs can vary significantly for each contract due to the inherent complexities and uncertainties of drug research and development. The estimated period of time over which we recognize certain revenues is based upon structured detailed project plans completed by our project managers, who meet with scientists and collaborative counterparts on a regular basis and schedule the key project activities and resources including headcount, facilities and equipment and budgets. These periods generally end on projected milestone dates typically associated with the stages of drug development, i.e. filing of an Investigational New Drug Application (“IND”), initiation of a Phase 1 human clinical trial or filing of a New Drug Application (“NDA”). We typically do not disclose the specific project planning details of a research and development collaboration for competitive reasons and due to confidentiality clauses in our contracts. As drug candidates and drug compounds move through the research and development process, it is necessary to revise these estimates to consider changes to the project plan, portions of which may be outside of our control. The impact on revenue of changes in our estimates and the timing thereof is recognized prospectively over the remaining estimated development period.

Milestone payments typically represent nonrefundable payments to be received in conjunction with the achievement of a specific event identified in the contract, such as initiation or completion of specified development activities or specific regulatory actions such as the filing of an IND. We believe a milestone payment represents the culmination of a distinct earnings process when it is not associated with ongoing research, development or other performance on our part and it is substantive in nature. We recognize such milestone payments as revenue when they become due and collection is reasonably assured.

Revenue from R&D funding is generally received for services performed under research and development collaboration agreements and is recognized as services are performed. Payments received in excess of amounts earned are recorded as deferred revenue. Reimbursements received for direct out-of-pocket expenses related to contract R&D costs are recorded as revenue in the consolidated statements of operations rather than as a reduction in expenses.

Royalty and earn-out payment revenue is generally recognized upon product sale by the licensee as reported by the licensee.

Research and Development Costs — All research and development (“R&D”) costs are charged to operations as incurred. Our R&D expenses consist of costs incurred for internal and external R&D. These costs include direct and research-related overhead expenses. We recognize clinical trial expenses, which are included in research and development expenses, based on a variety of factors, including actual and estimated labor hours, clinical site initiation activities, patient enrollment rates, estimates of external costs and other activity-based factors. We believe that this method best approximates the efforts expended on a clinical trial with the expenses recorded. We adjust our rate of clinical expense recognition if actual results differ from our estimates. As clinical trial activities continue, it is necessary to revise these estimates to consider changes such as changes in the clinical development plan, regulatory requirements, or various other factors, many of which may be outside of our control. The impact of changes in our estimates of clinical trial expenses and the timing thereof, is recognized prospectively over the remaining estimated clinical trial period. The ability to estimate total clinical trial costs can vary significantly due to the inherent complexities and uncertainties of drug development.  

Stock-Based Compensation — We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model as our method of valuation for stock-based awards. Stock-based compensation expense is based on the value of the portion of the stock-based award that will vest during the period, adjusted for expected forfeitures. The estimation of stock-based awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual or updated results differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded in the period the estimates are revised. The Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, and other reasonable assumptions could provide differing results. Our determination of the fair value of stock-based awards on the date of grant using an option pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected life of the award and expected stock price volatility over the term of the award. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting periods of one to three years based on the fair value of such stock-based awards on the grant date.

Net Loss per Common Share — Basic and diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share excludes the effect of common stock equivalents (stock options, unvested restricted stock, warrants and subscription investment units) since such inclusion in the computation would be anti-dilutive. The following numbers of shares have been excluded:

Operating leases — We lease our facilities under operating leases. Our lease agreements may contain tenant improvement allowances, rent holidays, lease premiums, and lease escalation clauses. For purposes of recognizing incentives, premiums and minimum rental expenses on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases, we use the date of initial possession to begin amortization, which is generally when we enter the space and begin to make improvements in preparation for intended use. For tenant improvement allowances and rent holidays, we record a deferred rent liability on the consolidated balance sheets and amortize the deferred rent over the terms of the leases as reductions to rent expense on the consolidated statements of operations. For scheduled rent escalation clauses over the course of the lease term or for rental payments commencing at a date other than the date of initial right to occupy, we record rental expense on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases in the consolidated statements of operations.

Income Taxes — Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Tax benefits in excess of stock-based compensation expense recorded for financial reporting purposes relating to stock-based awards will be credited to additional paid-in capital in the period the related tax deductions are realized. Our policy for recording interest and penalties associated with audits is to record such items as a component of income (loss) before taxes.

We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from existing deferred tax liabilities or future taxable income. Factors we considered in making such an assessment include, but are not limited to, estimated utilization limitations of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, expected reversals of deferred tax liabilities, past performance, including our history of operating results, our recent history of generating tax losses, our history of recovering net operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes and our expectation of future taxable income. We recognize a valuation allowance to reduce such deferred tax assets to amounts that are more likely than not to be ultimately realized. To the extent that we establish a valuation allowance or change this allowance, we would recognize a tax provision or benefit in the consolidated statements of operations. We use our judgment to determine estimates associated with the calculation of our provision or benefit for income taxes, and in our evaluation of the need for a valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements — In March 2010, the FASB ratified the final consensus that offers an alternative method of revenue recognition for milestone payments. The guidance states that an entity can make an accounting policy election to recognize a payment that is contingent upon the achievement of a substantive milestone in its entirety in the period in which the milestone is achieved. The guidance was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after June 15, 2010 with early adoption permitted, provided that the revised guidance is applied retrospectively to the beginning of the year of adoption. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2009, the FASB revised the authoritative guidance for revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. The guidance addresses how to determine whether an arrangement involving multiple deliverables contains more than one unit of accounting and how the arrangement consideration should be allocated among the separate units of accounting. The guidance was effective beginning January 1, 2011 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 — Acquisition of Cequent Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Loss on impairment of intangible assets

On July 21, 2010, we acquired Cequent Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Cequent”), a privately-held company engaged in development of novel products to deliver RNAi-based therapeutics. We completed the transaction by issuance of 988,285 shares of our common stock in exchange for all outstanding equity securities of Cequent. Of the total shares issued, 111,044 were considered issued in exchange for the termination of the amounts loaned, including accrued interest, to us by Cequent and the termination of warrants issued by us to Cequent under the Loan Agreement and Warrant Agreement. We also assumed all of the stock options of Cequent outstanding as of the acquisition date.  

Cequent is now our wholly-owned subsidiary. The merger was accounted for as a business combination utilizing the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were added to ours and recorded as of the acquisition date, at their respective fair values. The results of operations of Cequent since July 21, 2010 have been included in our consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2011, acquisition accounting is final and a valuation allowance has been recorded in purchase accounting against all acquired deferred tax assets not otherwise offset by deferred tax liabilities.

Consideration transferred — Consideration transferred attributable to the acquisition of Cequent was approximately $27.0 million. Consideration transferred is comprised of approximately $26.1 million relating to shares we issued, which were valued at the acquisition date closing market price of $29.80 per share, and approximately $0.9 million relating to Cequent stock options we assumed.

In connection with the merger and pursuant to the terms of a separate Loan Agreement, our notes payable to Cequent in the aggregate principal amount of $3.0 million and accrued interest of approximately $45,000 were settled and warrants to purchase our common stock held by Cequent terminated. A portion of consideration transferred totaling approximately $3.3 million is deemed attributable to repayment of these notes payable and termination of warrants.

The following summarizes the allocation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at July 21, 2010 (in thousands):

Identifiable intangible assets — A substantial portion of the assets acquired have been allocated to identifiable intangible assets related to in-process research and development projects identified by management. Our management estimated acquisition-date fair values of these intangible assets based on a number of factors. Utilizing the income approach, a discounted cash flow model using forecasted operating results related to the identified intangible assets, fair value was determined to be $19.3 million for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and $3.4 million for Transkingdom RNAi, a total of $22.7 million.

We estimated the acquisition date fair value of these intangible assets using a discount rate of 23%, which was based on the estimated weighted-average cost of capital for companies with profiles substantially similar to ours. We compensated for the differing phases of development of each project by probability-adjusting our estimation of the expected future cash flows associated with each project. We then determined the present value of the expected future cash flows using the discount rate. The projected cash flows from the projects were based on key assumptions such as estimates of revenues and operating profits related to the projects considering their stages of development; the time and resources needed to complete development and receive approval; the life of the potential commercialized products and associated risks, including the inherent difficulties and uncertainties in development such as obtaining marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies; and risks related to the viability of and potential alternative treatments in any future target markets.

Loss on impairment of intangible assets — Accounting guidance requires that the fair value of IPR&D acquired in a business combination be recorded on the balance sheet regardless of the likelihood of success as of the acquisition date. Intangible assets related to IPR&D projects are considered to be indefinite-lived until completion or abandonment of the related project. During the period the assets are considered indefinite-lived, they will not be amortized but will be tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests if we become aware of any events occurring or changes in circumstances that would indicate a reduction in the fair value of the projects below their respective carrying amounts. We perform our annual impairment tests at the end of our fiscal year. If and when it were determined that identified intangible assets were impaired, an impairment charge would be recorded then. If and when development is complete, which generally occurs if and when regulatory approval to market a product is obtained, the associated assets would be deemed finite-lived and would then be amortized based on their respective estimated useful lives at that date.

During 2011 we tested the carrying value of our intangible assets for impairment utilizing the income approach and estimated the fair value of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis at $5.7 million and $1.0 million for Transkingdom RNAi, for a total of $6.7 million. We estimated the fair value of these intangible assets using a discount rate of 26%, which was based on the estimated weighted-average cost of capital for companies with profiles substantially similar to ours. We compensated for the differing phases of development of each project by probability-adjusting our estimation of the expected future cash flows associated with each project. We then determined the present value of the expected future cash flows using the discount rate. The projected cash flows from the projects were based on key assumptions such as estimates of revenues and operating profits related to the projects considering their stages of development; the time and resources needed to complete development and receive approval; the life of the potential commercialized products and associated risks, including the inherent difficulties and uncertainties in development such as obtaining marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies; and risks related to the viability of and potential alternative treatments in any future target markets. As a result of the impairment test, we recorded a loss on impairment of intangible assets of approximately $16.0 million in 2011.

Deferred Taxes — The merger was non-taxable. Acquired deferred tax assets were comprised of approximately $7.0 million for federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and $1.1 million for tax credit carryforwards. The tax basis for acquired intangible assets of $22.7 million is nil, which results in recording a deferred tax liability of approximately $8.0 million as there will be no tax deduction when the book basis is expensed and the deferred tax liability is reduced. At the time of the acquisition, our management determined that it was more likely than not that a substantial portion of acquired net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards would be realized prior to expiration through reversal of deferred tax liabilities during years of expected financial reporting expense for the acquired intangible assets, and accordingly approximately $6.8 million of deferred tax liabilities support realization of acquired deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance of approximately $1.2 million was recorded related to the remainder of the acquired deferred tax assets. In 2011, we reviewed the deferred tax liabilities related to intangible assets and determined that because of the increased uncertainty in timing of reversal, the deferred tax liabilities did not support realization of our deferred tax assets. Therefore, in 2011, we recorded an increase to the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets of approximately $1.1 million which was also recorded as income tax expense.

Pro Forma Information (unaudited) — The following unaudited pro forma information presents the combined revenues and net loss of Marina Biotech and Cequent for the year ended December 31, 2010 as if the acquisition of Cequent had occurred as of the beginning of the year. This pro forma information does not include any adjustments related to restructuring or one-time charges, potential profit improvements, potential cost savings or other costs which may result from combining the operations. Accordingly, these unaudited pro forma revenues and net loss are presented for illustrative purposes and are not intended to represent or be indicative of the actual results of operations of the combined company that would have been achieved had the acquisition occurred as of the beginning of the period presented nor are they intended to represent or be indicative of future results of operations. The unaudited pro forma results of operations information is as follows (in thousands):

Note 3 — Property and Equipment

Property and equipment at December 31, 2010 and 2011 are comprised of the following (in thousands):

Note 4 — Accrued Restructuring

In 2008, we restructured our operations to focus on our RNAi programs by reducing our workforce related to our former intranasal drug delivery business and by exiting one of our facilities. We recorded a restructuring liability, representing estimated future payments due under the lease, net of anticipated future sublease payments, which was discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. In September 2011 we entered into an agreement with the landlord for the exited facility, whereby we terminated the lease and issued a total of 780,000 shares of our common stock to two affiliates of the landlord at a settlement price of $2.30 per share. In connection with issuing the shares, the remaining accrued restructuring liability was eliminated and we have no further obligations with respect to the facility.

We recorded restructuring charges including accretion of the accrued restructuring liability and other facility-related costs in the amounts of $3.5 million and $1.4 million in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

The components of restructuring expense are summarized as follows (in thousands):

Note 5 — Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock — Our board of directors has the authority, without action by the stockholders, to designate and issue up to 100,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to designate the rights, preferences and privileges of each series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of our common stock. We have designated 1,000 shares as Series B Preferred Stock and 90,000 shares as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. No shares of Series B Preferred Stock or Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are outstanding.

Series B Preferred Stock/Socius Purchase Agreement — On December 22, 2011, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Socius CG II, Ltd., or Socius, pursuant to and subject to the conditions of which, we had the right, in our sole discretion, over a term of two years, to demand through the delivery of separate tranche notices that Socius purchase up to a total of $5 million of Series B Preferred Stock. The delivery of a tranche notice by us to Socius would have triggered the automatic vesting and automatic exercise of both the additional investment right to purchase shares of our common stock that we granted to Socius in the purchase agreement, and the warrant to purchase shares of our common stock that we issued to Socius on December 29, 2011 upon the closing of the purchase agreement. On March 20, 2012, we notified Socius that we were terminating the purchase agreement, effective thirty (30) days from the date of such notice. We did not deliver any tranche notices to Socius during the term of the facility created by the purchase agreement, and as a result we did not issue, and are under no obligation to issue, any shares of Series B Preferred Stock, or any shares of our common stock issuable upon the automatic exercise of the additional investment right and the warrant, to Socius.

Upon the closing of the purchase agreement, on December 29, 2011 we delivered to Socius an unvested and therefore unexercisable warrant to purchase up to 1,305,970 shares of our common stock at an initial exercise price of $1.34 per share. The exercise price of the warrant and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise thereof were subject to adjustment from time to time. In connection with each tranche notice delivered to Socius under the purchase agreement, a portion of the warrant equal to a number of shares calculated by dividing (1) 37% of the dollar amount of the tranche of Series B Preferred Stock by (2) the closing bid price of the common stock for the most recently completed trading day prior to the delivery or deemed delivery of the tranche notice would vest and be automatically exercised. At each time of delivery or deemed delivery of a tranche notice, the number of shares of common stock underlying the warrant would also be adjusted immediately prior to the automatic exercise such that after such adjustment the aggregate exercise price for the adjusted number of shares would be equal to the aggregate exercise price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment. The warrant expired unexercisable in April 2012 as a result of our termination of the facility created by the purchase agreement.

Stockholder Rights Plan — In 2000, our board of directors adopted a stockholder rights plan and declared a dividend of one preferred stock purchase right for each outstanding share of common stock. Each right entitles the holder, once the right becomes exercisable, to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share. We issued these rights in March 2000 to each stockholder of record on such date, and these rights attach to shares of common stock subsequently issued. The rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire us on terms not approved by our board of directors and could, therefore, have the effect of delaying or preventing someone from taking control of us, even if a change of control were in the best interest of our stockholders.

Holders of our preferred share purchase rights are generally entitled to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of Series A preferred stock at a price of $50.00, subject to adjustment as provided in the Stockholder Rights Agreement. These preferred share purchase rights will generally be exercisable only if a person or group becomes the beneficial owner of 15 percent or more of our outstanding common stock or announces a tender offer for 15 percent or more of our outstanding common stock. Each holder of a preferred share purchase right, excluding an acquiring entity or any of its affiliates, will have the right to receive, upon exercise, shares of our common stock, or shares of stock of the acquiring entity, having a market value equal to two times the purchase price paid for one one-thousandth of a share of Series A preferred stock. The preferred share purchase rights expire on March 17, 2013. We have designated 90,000 shares of preferred stock as Series A Junior Participating Preferred stock.

Common Stock — Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of our common stock. Subject to the rights of the holders of any class of our capital stock having any preference or priority over our common stock, the holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends that are declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in our net assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to prior rights of preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. Our common stock has no preemptive rights, conversion rights, redemption rights or sinking fund provisions, and there are no dividends in arrears or default. All shares of our common stock have equal distribution, liquidation and voting rights, and have no preferences or exchange rights. On July 14, 2011, our shareholders approved a proposal to change our capital structure by increasing the number of authorized shares of common stock from 90,000,000 to 180,000,000.

In February 2011, in connection with a public offering that we conducted utilizing a $50 million shelf registration statement which was declared effective by the SEC in September 2010, we received net proceeds of approximately $4.5 million from an offering of 637,500 units, each comprised of one share of our common stock and 0.1746 of a warrant, each to purchase one share of our common stock, at a purchase price of $8.00 per unit. We issued an aggregate of 637,500 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 111,308 shares of our common stock in connection with this offering.

In May 2011, in connection with a public offering that we conducted utilizing a registration statement on Form S-1 which was declared effective by the SEC on May 11, 2011, we received net proceeds of approximately $6.3 million from an offering of an aggregate of (i) 2,231,850 units and (ii) 2,231,850 Series B Warrants, each to purchase one unit, at a purchase price of $3.90 per unit. Each unit consists of (x) one share of common stock and (y) one Series A Warrant to purchase one share of common stock. Prior to their July 12, 2011 expiration date, 2,229,350 Series B Warrants were exercised which resulted in additional net proceeds of approximately $3.1 million.

In September 2011, we entered into an agreement to terminate our lease for 3450 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell, Washington, which eliminated our future lease obligations, and pursuant to which we issued 780,000 shares of our common stock to certain affiliates of the landlord. The estimated fair value of the shares issued was approximately $1.5 million on the date of issuance and was recorded as an increase in common stock and additional paid-in capital and as a decrease to the previously recorded restructuring liability. We agreed to prepare and file with the SEC, on or before February 1, 2012, a registration statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of all of such shares, and to use our continuing best efforts to cause such registration statement to be become and remain effective for so long as the landlord’s affiliates hold any shares. If the resale registration statement is not initially filed on or before February 1, 2012, or declared effective by the SEC by April 1, 2012, each a registration default, we agreed to pay the landlord $10,000 for each month or portion thereof that the registration default continues. We have not filed a registration statement on Form S-3 and we have recorded a liability for $20,000 for the registration default for the months of February and March 2012.

On October 11, 2011, we entered into the Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park Capital (“LPC”), whereby LPC agreed to purchase up to $15 million of our common stock over a thirty (30) month period. We also entered into a registration rights agreement with LPC pursuant to which we agreed to file a registration statement related to the transaction with the SEC covering the shares that have been issued or may be issued to LPC under the Purchase Agreement. The SEC declared the registration statement effective on October 31, 2011. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we had the right, in our sole discretion, over a 30-month period following the effective date of the registration statement to sell up to $15 million of our common stock to LPC, depending on certain conditions as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.  

There were no upper limits to the price LPC may pay to purchase shares of our common stock, and the purchase price of the shares related to the future funding under the Purchase Agreement was based on the prevailing market prices of the common stock immediately preceding the time of sales without any fixed discount. LPC did not have the right or the obligation to purchase any shares of our common stock on any business day that the price of the common stock was below the floor price of $1.00 per share as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. We could not issue more than 1,777,913 shares in connection with the Purchase Agreement, unless the average purchase price of all shares of common stock issued by us to LPC equaled or exceeded $2.25 per share.

In consideration for entering into the Purchase Agreement, we issued to LPC 145,279 shares of common stock as a commitment fee and were required to issue to LPC up to 290,557 shares of common stock pro rata when and if LPC purchased, at our discretion, the $15 million of common stock over the 30-month period. We also issued to LPC an additional 5,000 shares of common stock as an expense reimbursement. We terminated the Purchase Agreement effective March 20, 2012. Prior to the termination of the Purchase Agreement, we issued a total of 1,544,901 shares to LPC under this agreement and received proceeds of approximately $1.8 million.

In March 2012, in connection with a public offering that we conducted utilizing a $50 million shelf registration statement which was declared effective by the SEC in September 2010, we received net proceeds of approximately $1.1 million a registered direct offering of 1,600,002 units, each comprised of one share of our common stock and 0.5 of a warrant, each to purchase one share of our common stock, at a purchase price of $0.75 per unit. We issued an aggregate of 1,600,002 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 800,001 shares of our common stock in connection with this offering.

During August 2012 we committed to issue to nine of our vendors an aggregate of approximately 3.6 million shares of our common stock to settle outstanding amounts due to such vendors in the aggregate amount of approximately $1.2 million.

As additional consideration for the Lease Termination Agreement, effective as of October 1, 2012, that we entered into with Ditty Properties Limited Partnership (the “Landlord”) with respect to that certain Lease Agreement dated March 1, 2006 between our company and the Landlord regarding our facilities located at 3830 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell, WA, we agreed to issue 1,500,000 shares of our common stock to the landlord contingent upon and immediately prior to the first to occur of any of the following events: (i) the closing of an equity financing in a transaction or series of related transactions where such financing yields gross proceeds to us of at least $4 million in the aggregate, including amounts converted under any convertible promissory notes; (ii) a merger into another entity if the combined market capitalization of the merging entities is at least $18 million or, if not, upon our market capitalization as the surviving entity of a  merger being at least $18 million at any time after the merger; (iii) a sale of all or substantially all of our assets; or (iv) a sale of our stock after which sale a majority of the outstanding equity is held by persons or entities who were our shareholders prior to the sale.

NASDAQ Deficiency Notice — On March 25, 2011, we received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of The NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) notifying us that we were not in compliance with the minimum $1.00 per share minimum bid price requirement for continued inclusion on The NASDAQ Global Market set forth in NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5450(a)(1) (the “Rule”), as a result of the bid price of our common stock having closed below $1.00 for the 30 consecutive business days prior to the date of the letter. NASDAQ’s letter advised us that we were provided 180 calendar days, or until September 21, 2011, to regain compliance by having the bid price of our common stock close at or above $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days.

We did not regain compliance with the Rule on or prior to September 21, 2011 and, accordingly, on September 22, 2011, we received a staff determination letter from NASDAQ stating that our common stock would be subject to delisting from The Nasdaq Global Market as a result of the deficiency. On September 28, 2011, we requested a hearing before the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel to review the staff determination. Following the hearing, which was held on October 27, 2011, the Listing Qualifications Panel granted our request to remain listed on The NASDAQ Global Market, and allowed us until January 31, 2012 to regain compliance with the Rule. On February 1, 2012, we were notified that the Listing Qualifications Panel had determined to delist our common stock from the Nasdaq Stock Market, and to suspend trading in the shares effective at the open of business on February 2, 2012. Our common stock began trading on the OTCQX tier of the OTC Markets commencing on February 2, 2012, and it continued to trade on the OTCQX tier of the OTC Markets until July 10, 2012, following which it began trading on the OTC Pink tier of the OTC Markets.

Warrants — In connection with offerings of our common stock and notes payable, we have issued warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, some of which provide that the exercise price of the warrant will be reduced in the event of subsequent financings at an effective price per share less than the exercise price of the warrants, subject to certain exceptions and limitations.

On February 7, 2011, the exercise price of warrants to purchase 68,626 shares which we issued in November 2010 was adjusted to $10.60 per share. These warrants are no longer subject to adjustment except in connection with stock splits, dividends, and other similar events.

In February 2011, as part of a public offering, we issued warrants to purchase 111,308 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $8.00 per share. The warrants are exercisable until February 15, 2018, and the exercise price of such warrants is not subject to adjustment in connection with a subsequent financing at an effective price per share less than the exercise price of the warrants.

In May 2011, as part of a public offering, we issued 2,231,850 Series A Warrants to purchase shares of common stock at an initial exercise price of $3.90 per share, which exercise price is subject to adjustment in connection with a subsequent financing at an effective price per share less than the exercise price of such warrants. Our stockholders approved an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of our common stock from 90,000,000 to 180,000,000 shares at our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on July 14, 2011, and we filed the certificate of amendment of our certificate of incorporation to effectuate such increase on July 18, 2011. In the event that we had not increased the authorized number of shares of our common stock on or prior to the first anniversary of the issuance of the Series A Warrants, we would have been required to pay the holders of the Series A Warrants liquidated damages in the aggregate amount of $2,500,000. The Series A Warrants are exercisable during the period beginning on May 21, 2012 and ending on May 21, 2017 and we will not be required to pay liquidated damages to the holders of the Series A Warrants. As of the date of this report, the exercise price of the Series A Warrants is $0.28 per share.

In May 2011, we also issued 2,231,850 Series B Warrants, each to purchase one unit consisting of one share of common stock and one Series A Warrant, at an initial exercise price of $3.10 per unit, subject to adjustment, during the period ending on July 12, 2011. From May 20, 2011 to June 30, 2011, 712,150 of the Series B Warrants were exercised, resulting in proceeds of approximately $2.2 million and the issuance of an additional 712,150 Series A Warrants. As per the terms of the Series B Warrants, the exercise price of the Series B Warrants adjusted to $1.28 per unit at the close of trading on July 5, 2011, which adjustment was retroactively effective to June 29, 2011. Holders of the Series B Warrants that were exercised during the period beginning on June 29, 2011 and ending on July 5, 2011 were entitled to a refund of a portion of their previously paid exercise price if the exercise price adjusted to less than $3.10 per unit. The amount of the refund for each Series B Warrant was equal to the difference between the initial exercise price of the Series B Warrant ($3.10 per unit) and the adjusted exercise price of the Series B Warrant ($1.28 per unit). An aggregate of 600,500 Series B Warrants were exercised on June 29 and June 30, with respect to which we paid a refund in the aggregate amount of approximately $1.1 million to the warrant holders on July 6, 2011 and the remaining $0.4 million was reclassified to equity. From July 1, 2011 to the expiration date of July 12, 2011, 1,517,200 Series B Warrants were exercised resulting in additional net proceeds of approximately $2.0 million and the issuance of an additional 1,517,200 Series A Warrants. Total net proceeds received from the exercises of the Series B Warrants was approximately $3.1 million. On July 12, 2011, the remaining 2,500 Series B Warrants expired unexercised.

On February 10, 2012, we entered into a Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement pursuant to which we issued to certain accredited investors 15% secured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1.5 million and warrants to purchase up to 3,690,944 shares of common stock. The warrants had an initial exercise price of $0.508 per share, which was subject to adjustment (including in connection with subsequent financings), and are exercisable for a period of five years beginning six months and one day following the issuance of the warrants. The purchase agreement and the notes issued pursuant thereto have been amended to extend the maturity date of the notes from May 14, 2012 until December 31, 2012, to issue warrants to purchase up to an additional 3,199,848 shares of our common stock to the noteholders, and to decrease the exercise price of all of the warrants that we issued to the noteholders to $0.28 per share. In addition, we and the noteholders agreed that if we, at any time prior to December 31, 2012, effect any merger or consolidation of our company whereby the holders of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction hold less than fifty percent (50%) of the issued and outstanding shares of the voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately following the consummation of such transaction, we will have fully satisfied our obligation to repay the entire unpaid principal balance under the notes and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon through the issuance to the noteholders of an aggregate number of shares of common stock calculated by converting the then total outstanding principal and interest under the notes at a value of $0.28 per share of common stock.

On March 22, 2012, as part of a registered direct offering of shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement pursuant to which we issued warrants to purchase up to 800,001 shares of our common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.75 per share, are immediately exercisable, and will be exercisable for a period of five years from the date of issuance. The exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits or dividends, business combinations, sale of assets or other similar transactions, but not as a result of future securities offerings at lower prices.

The following summarizes warrant activity during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011.