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CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc (DE) - Quarter Report: 2015 March (Form 10-Q)

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015

 

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

 

For the transition period from ___________ to _____________.

 

Commission file number 0-20713

 

CASI PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 58-1959440
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)  

9620 Medical Center Drive, Suite 300

Rockville, Maryland

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

20850

(Zip code)

 

(240) 864-2600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

  (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

YES x NO ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

YES x NO ¨

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company þ

 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

YES ¨ NO x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the most recent practicable date.

 

Class   Outstanding at May 8, 2015
Common Stock $.01 Par Value   32,445,811

 

1
 

 

CASI PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Table of Contents

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION PAGE
   
Item 1 -- Consolidated Financial Statements  
   
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014 4  
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited) 5  
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited) 6  
   
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) 7  
   
Item 2 -- Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 12  
   
Item 3 -- Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 21  
   
Item 4 -- Controls and Procedures 21  
   
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION  
   
Item 1 -- Legal Proceedings 21  
   
Item 1A -- Risk Factors 21  
   
Item 2 -- Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 22  
   
Item 3 -- Defaults Upon Senior Securities 22  
   
Item 4 -- Removed and Reserved 22  
   
Item 5 -- Other Information 22  
   
Item 6 -- Exhibits 22  
   
SIGNATURES 23  

 

2
 

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements also may be included in other statements that we make. All statements that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,” or “anticipates” or similar terminology. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the timing of our clinical trials, our cash position and future expenses, and our future revenues.

 

Our forward-looking statements are based on information available to us today, and we will not update these statements.

 

Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including: the risk that we may be unable to continue as a going concern as a result of our inability to raise sufficient capital for our operational needs; the possibility that we may be delisted from trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market; the volatility in the market price of our common stock; the difficulty of executing our business strategy in China; our inability to enter into strategic partnerships for the development, commercialization, manufacturing and distribution of our proposed product candidates or future candidates; risks relating to the need for additional capital and the uncertainty of securing additional funding on favorable terms; risks associated with our product candidates; risks associated with any early-stage products under development; the risk that results in preclinical models are not necessarily indicative of clinical results; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical trials, including delays to the commencement of such trials; the lack of success in the clinical development of any of our products; dependence on third parties; risks relating to the commercialization, if any, of our proposed products (such as marketing, safety, regulatory, patent, product liability, supply, competition and other risks); risks relating to interests of our largest stockholders that differ from our other stockholders; and the risk of substantial dilution of existing stockholders in future stock issuances. Such factors, among others, could have a material adverse effect upon our business, results of operations and financial condition. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which only speak as of the date made. Additional information about the factors and risks that could affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, are contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are available at www.sec.gov.

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     
   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
ASSETS  (Unaudited)   (Note 1) 
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $9,459,135   $10,669,919 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of          
$0 at March 31, 2015 and $12,536 at December 31, 2014   23,718    23,727 
Prepaid expenses and other   431,107    328,150 
Total current assets   9,913,960    11,021,796 
           
Property and equipment, net   246,298    261,781 
Other assets   26,011    26,011 
Total assets  $10,186,269   $11,309,588 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $994,938   $754,628 
Accrued liabilities   175,322    164,420 
Note payable, net of discount   1,412,665    - 
Total current liabilities   2,582,925    919,048 
           
Note payable, net of discount   -    1,390,015 
Contingent rights derivative liability   9,429,533    9,422,735 
Total liabilities   12,012,458    11,731,798 
           
Commitments and contingencies          
           
Stockholders' deficit:          
Convertible preferred stock, $1.00 par  value;          
5,000,000 shares authorized and 0 shares issued and          
outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014   -    - 
Common stock, $.01 par value:          
170,000,000 shares authorized; 32,525,356 shares issued   325,252    325,252 
Additional paid-in capital   432,958,072    432,558,698 
Treasury stock, at cost:  79,545 shares held   (8,034,244)   (8,034,244)
Accumulated deficit   (427,075,269)   (425,271,916)
Total stockholders' deficit   (1,826,189)   (422,210)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit  $10,186,269   $11,309,588 

 

See accompanying condensed notes.

 

4
 

 

CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended  
   

 

March 31, 2015

   

 

March 31, 2014

 
Revenues:                
Product sales   $ 23,718     $ -  
                 
Costs and expenses:                
Cost of product sales     6,259       -  
Research and development     865,037       559,974  
General and administrative     924,780       891,375  
      1,796,076       1,451,349  
                 
Interest expense (income), net     24,197       (384 )
Change in fair value of contingent rights     6,798       -  
Net loss     (1,803,353 )     (1,450,965 )
                 
Net loss per share (basic and diluted)   $ (0.06 )   $ (0.05 )
Weighted average number of common shares                
outstanding (basic and diluted)     32,445,811       27,040,429  

 

See accompanying condensed notes.

 

5
 

 

CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended 
  

 

March 31, 2015

  

 

March 31, 2014

 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES          
Net loss  $(1,803,353)  $(1,450,965)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating          
activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   16,534    6,531 
Stock-based compensation expense   399,374    372,452 
Non-cash interest   22,650    - 
Change in fair value of contingent rights   6,798    - 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   9    - 
Prepaid expenses and other   (102,957)   (8,862)
Accounts payable   240,310    189,257 
Accrued liabilities   10,902    1,498 
Net cash used in operating activities   (1,209,733)   (890,089)
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES          
Purchases of furniture and equipment   (1,051)   (42,097)
Net cash used in investing activities   (1,051)   (42,097)
           
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (1,210,784)   (932,186)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   10,669,919    15,131,671 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $9,459,135   $14,199,485 

 

See accompanying condensed notes.

 

6
 

 

CASI PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2015 (unaudited)

 

 

1.Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“CASI” or “the Company”), Miikana Therapeutics, Inc. (“Miikana”) and CASI Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (“CASI China”). CASI China is a non-stock Chinese entity with 100% of its interest owned by CASI. CASI China received approval for a business license from the Beijing Industry and Commercial Administration in August 2012 and has operating facilities in Beijing. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, such condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and disclosures required by U. S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The accompanying December 31, 2014 financial information was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015. For further information, refer to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Liquidity Risks and Management’s Plans

 

Since inception, the Company has incurred significant losses from operations and has incurred an accumulated deficit of $427.1 million.  The Company expects to continue to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future due to, among other factors, its continuing clinical activities. The Company believes that it has sufficient resources to fund its operations for at least the twelve months subsequent to March 31, 2015. The Company will continue to exercise tight controls over operating expenditures and will continue to pursue opportunities, as required, to raise additional capital and will also actively pursue non- or less-dilutive capital raising arrangements in China to support the Company’s dual-country approach to drug development.

 

2.License Arrangements and Acquisition of In-Process Research and Development

 

In September 2014, the Company acquired certain product rights and perpetual exclusive licenses from Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (together referred to as “Spectrum”), to develop and commercialize the following commercial oncology drugs and drug candidates in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau (the “Territories”):

 

·Captisol-Enabled (propylene glycol-free) melphalan (“CE Melphalan”);
·ZEVALIN® (ibritumomab tiuxetan) (“Zevalin”); and
·MARQIBO® (vinCRIStine sulfate LIPOSOME injection) (“Marqibo”).

 

CE Melphalan met all its endpoints in its Phase II pivotal trial conducted by the Company’s partner and an NDA was filed which was subsequently accepted by the U.S. FDA in March 2015 and assigned an PDUFA action date of October 23, 2015. Zevalin and Marqibo are approved drugs currently marketed by the Company’s partner in the U.S. CASI is responsible for developing and commercializing these three drugs in the Territories, including the submission of import drug registration applications and conducting confirmatory clinical trials as needed.

 

7
 

 

As consideration for the acquisition, the Company issued a total 5,405,382 shares of its common stock, a $1.5 million 0.5% secured promissory note due in March 2016, and certain contingent rights (“Contingent Rights”) to purchase additional shares of its common stock. The Company accounted for the acquisition of the product rights and licenses as an asset acquisition and, accordingly, recorded the acquired product rights and licenses at their estimated fair values based on the fair value of the consideration exchanged (including transaction costs) of approximately $19.7 million. Because the products underlying the acquired product rights and licenses have not reached technological feasibility and have no alternative uses, they are considered “in-process research and development” costs; as such, the Company expensed the total purchase price at the acquisition date as acquired in-process research and development in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

The fair value of the common stock issued was based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the acquisition date. The fair value of the promissory note was measured using Level 3 unobservable inputs including primarily the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate as provided by a commercial lending institution.

 

The Contingent Rights provide Spectrum with the option to acquire, at a strike price of par value, a variable number of additional shares of common stock that allows Spectrum to maintain its fully-diluted ownership percentage for a certain time period and under certain terms and conditions. Based on the terms and conditions of the Contingent Rights, the Company has determined that the Contingent Rights are a derivative financial instrument that is not indexed to its common stock and therefore is required to be accounted for at fair value, initially and on a recurring basis. The fair value of the Contingent Rights was measured using Level 3 unobservable inputs; the unobservable inputs include estimates of the Company’s future capital requirements, and the timing, probability, size and characteristics of those capital raises, among other inputs. The total estimated fair value of the Contingent Rights was $9,434,499 at the acquisition date and was $9,429,533 and $9,422,735 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively; the change in fair value is reflected as change in fair value of contingent rights in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

3.Note Payable

 

As part of the license arrangements with Spectrum (see Note 2), the Company issued to Spectrum a $1.5 million 0.5% secured promissory note due in March 2016. The promissory note was recorded initially at its fair value, giving rise to a discount of approximately $136,000; the promissory note is presented as note payable, net of discount in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recognized $22,650 of non-cash interest expense related to the amortization of the debt discount, using the effective interest rate method.

 

4.Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability assuming an orderly transaction in the most advantageous market at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include:

 

·Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets;
·Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and
·Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

8
 

 

An asset’s or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. At each reporting period, the Company performs a detailed analysis of its assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value. All assets and liabilities for which the fair value measurement is based on significant unobservable inputs or instruments which trade infrequently and therefore have little or no price transparency are classified as Level 3.

 

The inputs used in measuring the fair value of cash and cash equivalents are considered to be Level 1 in accordance with the three-tier fair value hierarchy. The fair market values are based on period-end statements supplied by the various banks and brokers that held the majority of the Company’s funds. The fair value of short-term financial instruments (primarily accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current assets and liabilities) approximate their carrying values because of their short-term nature.

 

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:

 

The Contingent Rights issued to Spectrum in connection with the license arrangements (see Note 2) are considered derivative liabilities and were recorded initially at their estimated fair value, and are marked to market each reporting period until settlement. The fair value of the Contingent Rights was measured using Level 3 unobservable inputs; the unobservable inputs include estimates of the Company’s future capital requirements, and the timing, probability, size and characteristics of those capital raises, among other inputs. Generally, if the estimates of the size and probability of the Company’s future capital requirements increase, the fair value of the Contingent Rights will also increase.

 

The following table presents the Company’s financial liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 by level within the fair value hierarchy:

 

   As of March 31, 2015 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
                     
Liabilities - Contingent Rights  $-   $-   $9,429,533   $9,429,533 

 

The following table presents the changes in the Company’s financial liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 unobservable inputs:

 

December 31, 2014  $9,422,735 
Change in fair value of Contingent Rights   6,798 
Balance at March 31, 2015  $9,429,533 

 

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis:

 

The promissory note issued to Spectrum in connection with the license arrangements (see Note 2) was initially recorded at its fair value using Level 3 unobservable inputs including primarily the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate as provided by a commercial lending institution.

 

9
 

 

Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:

 

The Company does not have any non-financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis:

 

The Company measures its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These assets are recognized at fair value when they are deemed to be impaired. If a triggering event has occurred, the assets are re-measured when the estimated fair value of the corresponding asset group is less than the carrying value. The fair value measurements, in such instances, are based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). No such fair value impairment was recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

5.Share-Based Compensation

 

The Company has adopted incentive and nonqualified stock option plans for executive, scientific and administrative personnel of the Company as well as outside directors and consultants. As of March 31, 2015, there are 4,855,558 shares issuable under options previously granted and currently outstanding, with exercise prices ranging from $1.59 to $34.10. Options granted under the plans generally vest over periods varying from immediately to one to three years, are not transferable and generally expire ten years from the date of grant. As of March 31, 2015, 1,317,876 shares remained available for grant under the Company’s 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

The Company records compensation expense associated with stock options and other equity-based compensation in accordance with provisions of authoritative guidance. Compensation costs are recognized over the requisite service period, which is generally the option vesting term of up to three years.

 

The Company’s net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 includes non-cash compensation expense of $399,374 and $372,452, respectively, related to the Company’s share-based compensation awards. The compensation expense related to the Company’s share-based compensation arrangements is recorded as components of general and administrative expense and research and development expense, as follows:

 

   THREE MONTH PERIOD ENDED             MARCH 31, 
         
   2015   2014 
Research and development  $208,526   $95,094 
General and administrative   190,848    277,358 
Share-based compensation expense  $399,374   $372,452 
Net share-based compensation expense, per common share:          
Basic and diluted  $0.01   $0.01 

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model to estimate the fair value of stock options granted to employees. Option valuation models, including Black-Scholes-Merton, require the input of highly subjective assumptions, and changes in the assumptions used can materially affect the grant date fair value of an award.

 

10
 

 

Following are the weighted-average assumptions used in valuing the stock options granted during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015. There were no stock options granted to employees during the three-months ended March 31, 2014:

 

   THREE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
  MARCH 31,
 
     
   2015 
Expected volatility   89.34%
Risk-free interest rate   1.57%
Expected term of option     5.88 years 
Forfeiture rate*   3.00%
Expected dividend yield   0.00%

  

* - Authoritative guidance requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, forfeitures were estimated at 3%.

 

The weighted average fair value of stock options granted during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 was $1.18.

 

A summary of the Company’s stock option plans and of changes in options outstanding under the plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:

 

   Number of
Options
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2015   4,557,682   $2.40 
Granted   300,000   $1.61 
Exercised   -   $- 
Expired   2,124   $1.71 
Forfeited   -   $- 
Outstanding at March 31, 2015   4,855,558   $2.35 
Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2015   4,823,582   $2.35 
Exercisable at March 31, 2015   3,789,676   $2.52 

 

There were no option exercises during the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.

 

6.Income Taxes

 

At December 31, 2014, the Company had a $3.0 million unrecognized tax benefit. The Company recorded a full valuation allowance on the net deferred tax asset recognized in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014.

 

11
 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, there were no material changes to the measurement of unrecognized tax benefits in various taxing jurisdictions. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.

 

The tax returns for all years in the Company’s major tax jurisdictions are not settled as of January 1, 2015; no changes in settled tax years have occurred through March 31, 2015. Due to the existence of tax attribute carryforwards (which are currently offset by a full valuation allowance), the Company treats all years’ tax positions as unsettled due to the taxing authorities’ ability to modify these attributes.

 

7.New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern. The new standard requires management to evaluate on a regular basis whether any conditions or events have arisen that could raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The guidance 1) provides a definition for the term “substantial doubt,” 2) requires an evaluation every reporting period, interim periods included, 3) provides principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans to alleviate the substantial doubt, 4) requires certain disclosures if the substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of management’s plans, 5) requires an express statement, as well as other disclosures, if the substantial doubt is not alleviated, and 6) requires an assessment period of one year from the date the financial statements are issued.  The standard is effective for the Company’s reporting year beginning January 1, 2017 and early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that this new accounting pronouncement will have on its financial statements.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides guidance for revenue recognition for contracts, superseding the previous revenue recognition requirements, along with most existing industry-specific guidance. The guidance requires an entity to review contracts in five steps: 1) identify the contract, 2) identify performance obligations, 3) determine the transaction price, 4) allocate the transaction price, and 5) recognize revenue. The new standard will result in enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue arising from contracts with customers. The standard is effective for the Company’s reporting year beginning January 1, 2017 and early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that this new accounting pronouncement will have on its financial statements.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update amending the presentation of debt issuance costs.  These costs will now be presented as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability.   The update is effective for financial statements issued for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015.  This guidance should be applied on a retrospective basis with disclosures for a change in accounting principle applicable.  The Company has not yet adopted this update and is currently evaluating the impact, if any, it may have on its financial condition and results of operations.

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We are a biopharmaceutical company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics addressing cancer and other unmet medical needs with a strategic commercial focus on the greater China market. Our mission is to deliver pharmaceutical drugs to patients with unmet medical needs in China directly, and in the rest of the world by establishing partnerships for global development and commercialization. We intend to become fully integrated with drug development and commercial operations.

 

12
 

 

We employ a diversified and risk-managed approach to our pipeline that includes (1) internal development of our lead proprietary drug candidate, ENMD-2076, leveraging resources and dual development in North America and China, (2) in-license or acquisition of late-stage clinical drug candidates, such as ZEVALIN®, MARQIBO®, and CE Melphalan for the greater China market, and (3) internal development of new drug candidates with clinically proven targets using our proprietary new drug delivery technology platform. Through partnerships, collaborations and strategic acquisitions, we intend to add additional drug candidates to our pipeline. The Company uses a market-oriented approach to identify pharmaceutical candidates that it believes have the potential for gaining widespread market acceptance, either globally or in China, and for which development can be accelerated under the Company’s drug development strategy.

 

Our lead internal drug candidate is ENMD-2076, a selective Aurora A and angiogenic kinase inhibitor for the treatment of cancer, which we will continue to develop with approval by the FDA. In parallel, we will include ENMD-2076 in clinical sites in China as an import drug as well as develop ENMD-2076 in China locally under the CFDA.

 

In September 2014, we acquired from Spectrum exclusive rights in greater China (including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau) to three in-licensed oncology products, including ZEVALIN® (ibritumomab tiuxetan) approved in the U.S. for advanced non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, MARQIBO® (vinCRIStine sulfate LIPOSOME injection) approved in the U.S. for advanced adult Ph- acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), as well as Captisol Enabled melphalan (CE melphalan), which is the subject of a New Drug Application filed by Spectrum and accepted by the FDA in March 2015 with a PDUFA date of October 23, 2015. We have initiated the regulatory and development process to obtain marketing approval for ZEVALIN and MARQIBO in our territorial region, and will initiate commercial activities of ZEVALIN in Hong Kong. We will continue to seek to expand our pipeline by acquiring additional drug candidates through in-license and acquisitions.

 

The Company’s pipeline also includes 2ME2 (2-methoxyestradial), an orally active compound that has antiproliferative, antiangiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. We intend to advance 2ME2 to clinical trials using a new drug delivery platform. Under the Company’s new drug delivery technology platform, we intend to develop additional new drug candidates with clinically proven targets.

 

We intend to advance clinical development of our drugs and drug candidates, and the implementation of our plans will include leveraging our resources in both the United States and China. In order to capitalize on the drug development and capital resources available in China, the Company is doing business in China through its wholly-owned Chinese subsidiary that will execute the China portion of the Company’s drug development strategy, including conducting clinical trials in China, pursuing local funding opportunities and strategic collaborations, and implementing the Company’s plan for development and commercialization in the China market.

 

ENMD-2076

 

Our lead internal drug candidate is ENMD-2076. ENMD-2076 is an orally-active, Aurora A/angiogenic kinase inhibitor with a unique kinase selectivity profile and multiple mechanisms of action that has shown anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative properties in multiple preclinical and clinical cancer studies. ENMD-2076 has been shown to inhibit a distinct profile of angiogenic tyrosine kinase targets in addition to the Aurora A kinase. Aurora kinases are key regulators of mitosis (cell division), and are often over-expressed in human cancers. ENMD-2076 also targets the VEGFR, Flt-3 and FGFR3 kinases, which have been shown to play important roles in the pathology of several cancers.

 

ENMD-2076 has demonstrated significant, dose-dependent preclinical activity as a single agent, including tumor regression, in multiple xenograft models (e.g. breast, colon, leukemia), as well as activity towards ex vivo-treated human leukemia patient cells. ENMD-2076 has shown promising activity in a completed Phase 1 clinical trial in various different solid tumor cancers including ovarian, breast, liver, renal and sarcoma, as well as in leukemia, and multiple myeloma, and has also completed a Phase 2 clinical trial in advanced ovarian cancer. In 2014, we completed a healthy volunteer crossover bioavailability and food effect study of ENMD-2076. We are currently conducting multiple Phase 2 studies of ENMD-2076 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), advanced/metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS), and in advanced ovarian clear cell carcinomas (OCCC) in North America. In March 2015, the Company initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial of ENMD-2076 in TNBC at the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing, China, as part of the Company’s ongoing trial in TNBC in the U.S. The clinical trials in China will supplement our ongoing Phase 2 TNBC trial currently underway at the University of Colorado and Indiana University.

 

13
 

 

In June 2013, we filed a new drug global clinical trial application (CTA) with the CFDA to expand our Phase 2 clinical trial of ENMD-2076 in advanced/metastatic sarcoma. In November 2014, the Company received CFDA’s CTA approval to start an advanced/metastatic trial in China and currently is in the planning and discussion stage. The CFDA’s approval of our application allows us to conduct clinical trials in China and supplement our ongoing Phase 2 advanced/metastatic sarcoma trial currently underway at Princess Margaret Hospital.

 

In January 2014, we filed a new drug global clinical trial application with the CFDA to expand our Phase 2 clinical trial of ENMD-2076 in advanced ovarian clear cell carcinoma. In March 2015, the Company received CFDA’s CTA approval to start an advanced ovarian clear cell carcinoma trial in China and currently is in the planning and discussion stage. The CFDA’s approval of our application allows us to conduct clinical trials in China and supplement our ongoing Phase 2 advanced ovarian clear cell carcinoma trial currently underway at Princess Margaret Hospital.

 

In September 2014, CASI filed an IND with the FDA to conduct a Phase 2 trial in advanced fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC). In February 2015, we conducted a meeting with the FDA and received formal guidance from the FDA regarding the clinical and regulatory path that may lead to market approval of ENMD-2076 for the treatment of FLC. In April 2015, we initiated a food effect study of ENMD-2076 in healthy human subjects and intend to move forward and are working with our principal investigators and the FLC patient community to initiate a trial in 2015.

 

ENMD-2076 has received orphan drug designation from the FDA for the treatment of ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

 

ENMD-2076 development is based on comprehensive research into the relationship between malignancy and angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels). ENMD-2076 acts on the cellular pathways that affect biological processes important in multiple diseases, specifically angiogenesis and cell cycle regulation through the inhibition of key kinases. ENMD-2076 has potential applications in oncology and other diseases that are dependent on the regulation of these processes.

 

ZEVALIN®

 

ZEVALIN® injection for intravenous use is a CD20-directed radiotherapeutic antibody. It is indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). ZEVALIN® is also indicated for the treatment of patients with previously untreated follicular non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma who achieve a partial or complete response to first-line chemotherapy. ZEVALIN® therapeutic regimen consists of two components: rituximab, and Yttrium-90 (Y-90) radiolabeled ZEVALIN® for therapy. ZEVALIN® builds on the combined effect of a targeted biologic monoclonal antibody augmented with the therapeutic effects of a beta-emitting radioisotope. Since ZEVALIN® is already approved in the U.S. and marketed by our partner Spectrum, we expect that gaining approval from local regulatory authorities for commercialization in greater China will require a shorter timeframe compared to clinical-stage drugs. We are currently preparing the applications to initiate the regulatory and development process to obtain marketing approval for ZEVALIN in China and our other territorial regions and plan to initiate commercial activities of ZEVALIN in Hong Kong in 2015.

 

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MARQIBO®

 

MARQIBO® is a novel, sphingomyelin/cholesterol liposome-encapsulated, formulation of vincristine sulfate, a microtubule inhibitor. MARQIBO® is approved by the FDA for the treatment of adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in second or greater relapse or whose disease has progressed following two or more anti-leukemia therapies. Since MARQIBO® is already approved in the U.S. and marketed by our partner Spectrum, we expect that gaining approval from local regulatory authorities for commercialization in greater China will require a shorter timeframe compared to clinical-stage drugs. We are currently preparing the applications to initiate the regulatory and development process to obtain marketing approval for MARQIBO® in China and our other territorial regions.

 

CE MELPHALAN

 

CE melphalan is a new intravenous formulation of melphalan being investigated by our licensor in the multiple myeloma transplant setting. The formulation avoids the use of propylene glycol, which is used as a co-solvent in the current formulation of melphalan and has been reported to cause renal and cardiac side-effects that limit the ability to deliver higher quantities of intended therapeutic compounds. The use of Captisol technology to reformulate melphalan is anticipated to allow for longer administration durations and slower infusion rates, potentially enabling clinicians to avoid reductions and safely achieve a higher dose intensity of pre-transplant chemotherapy. CE Melphalan is the subject of a New Drug Application, which was filed by our partner Spectrum in 2014 and accepted by the FDA in March 2015. We intend to submit our import drug registration application for CE melphalan in greater China after its approval by the FDA in the U.S.

 

2ME2 AND NEW DRUG DELIVERY TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM

 

Our pipeline also includes 2ME2 (2-methoxyestradial), an orally active compound that has antiproliferative, antiangiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. The inhibition of angiogenesis is an important approach to the treatment of both cancer and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. 2ME2 has potential as a single agent in rheumatoid arthritis based on its antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-osteoclastic (bone resorption) properties, and for which we have an approved IND. 2ME2 has also demonstrated positive preclinical results for multiple sclerosis. 2ME2 is currently under internal development using our new drug delivery technology platform. The Company intends to advance 2ME2 under its new drug delivery form into a clinical trial in 2015, and also intends to introduce other new drug candidates under this new drug delivery technology platform.

 

Since inception, we have incurred significant losses from operations and have incurred an accumulated deficit of $427.1 million.  We expect to continue to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future due to, among other factors, our continuing clinical activities. We expect our current available cash and cash equivalents to meet our cash requirements for at least the next twelve months. We will continue to exercise tight controls over operating expenditures. In developing drug candidates, we intend to use and leverage resources available to us in both the United States and China. We intend to pursue additional financing opportunities as well as opportunities to raise capital through forms of non- or less- dilutive arrangements, such as partnerships and collaborations with organizations that have capabilities and/or products that are complementary to our capabilities and products in order to continue the development of our product candidate that we intend to pursue to commercialization. However, there can be no assurance that adequate additional financing under such arrangements will be available to us on terms that we deem acceptable, if at all.

 

Additional funds raised by issuing equity securities may result in dilution to existing shareholders.

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND THE USE OF ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Our critical accounting policies, including the items in our financial statements requiring significant estimates and judgments, are as follows:

 

-Revenue Recognition - We recognize revenue in accordance with the provisions of authoritative guidance issued, whereby revenue is not recognized until it is realized or realizable and earned. Revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price to the buyer is fixed and determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.

 

-Research and Development - Research and development expenses consist primarily of compensation and other expenses related to research and development personnel, research collaborations, costs associated with preclinical testing and clinical trials of our product candidates, including the costs of manufacturing drug substance and drug product, regulatory maintenance costs, and facilities expenses. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

 

-Expenses for Clinical Trials – Expenses for clinical trials are incurred from planning through patient enrollment to reporting of the data. We estimate expenses incurred for clinical trials that are in process based on patient enrollment and based on clinical data collection and management. Costs that are associated with patient enrollment are recognized as each patient in the clinical trial completes the enrollment process. Estimated clinical trial costs related to enrollment can vary based on numerous factors, including expected number of patients in trials, the number of patients that do not complete participation in a trial, and when a patient drops out of a trial. Costs that are based on clinical data collection and management are recognized in the reporting period in which services are provided. In the event of early termination of a clinical trial, we accrue an amount based on estimates of the remaining non-cancelable obligations associated with winding down the clinical trial.

 

-Stock-Based Compensation – All share-based payment transactions are recognized in the financial statements at their fair values. Compensation expense associated with service, performance, market condition based stock options and other equity-based compensation is recorded in accordance with provisions of authoritative guidance. The fair value of awards whose fair values are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model is generally being amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period and is recognized based on the proportionate amount of the requisite service period that has been rendered during each reporting period. The fair value of awards with market conditions, which are valued using a binomial model, is being amortized based upon the estimated derived service period. Share based awards granted to employees with a performance condition are measured based on the probable outcome of that performance condition during the requisite service period. Such an award with a performance condition will be expensed if it is probable that a performance condition will be achieved. Using the straight-line expense attribution method over the requisite service period, which is generally the option vesting term ranging from immediately to one to three years, share-based compensation expense recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 totaled approximately $399,000 and $372,000, respectively.

 

The determination of fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes or binomial model is affected by our stock price, as well as the input of other subjective assumptions. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the expected forfeiture rate and expected term of stock options and our expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards. Changes in the assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates.

 

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Any future changes to our share-based compensation strategy or programs would likely affect the amount of compensation expense recognized.

 

-Fair Value Measurements – At each reporting period, we perform a detailed analysis of our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value. All assets and liabilities for which the fair value measurement is based on significant unobservable inputs or instruments which trade infrequently and therefore have little or no price transparency are classified as Level 3 in accordance with the hierarchy established by U.S. GAAP.  As of March 31, 2015, we remeasured the Contingent Rights and will continue to do so at every balance sheet date until settlement.  In measuring the fair value of both financial instruments we used Level 3 unobservable inputs, including such inputs as our estimated borrowing rate and our future capital requirements, and the timing, probability, size and characteristics of those capital raises, among other inputs.   

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014.

 

Revenues and Cost of Product Sales. Revenues were approximately $23,700 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. There was no revenue recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Our product sales in 2015 related to the dosing of Zevalin to one patient in Hong Kong for compassionate use purposes. The cost of this sale for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $6,259 related to the cost of the Zevalin Kit, Isotope purchase and upstream royalty payable. Approximately $850 was payable to Spectrum for the Zevalin Kit purchase.

 

Research and Development Expenses. Our research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 totaled approximately $865,000 and $560,000 for the corresponding 2014 period. Included in our R&D expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 are direct project costs of $231,000 for ENMD-2076, $122,000 for the development of our new drug delivery platform in China, and $74,000 for the development of 2ME2. The 2014 research and development expenses for the comparable period included $261,000 for ENMD-2076, $90,000 for the development of our new drug delivery, and $0 for 2ME2. The overall increase in research and development costs in the three month period ended March 31, 2015, as compared to same period in 2014, reflects higher clinical trial costs in 2015 due to an increase in patient enrollment, as well as increased costs associated with our research and development operations in China during 2015 and an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

 

At March 31, 2015, and, since acquired, accumulated direct project expenses for ENMD-2076 totaled $24,635,000, and for the development of our new drug delivery platform in China, accumulated project expenses totaled $606,000. Our research and development expenses also include non-cash stock-based compensation totaling $209,000 for the three-months ended March 31, 2015 and $95,000 for the corresponding 2014 period. The balance of our research and development expenditures includes facility costs and other departmental overhead, regulatory expenses associated with import drug registration applications in China for the drugs in-licensed from Spectrum, and expenditures related to the non-clinical support of our programs.

 

We expect the majority of our research and development expenses in 2015 to be devoted to the development of our ENMD-2076 program, advancement of our new drug delivery platform in China, as well as the submission of import drug registration applications to regulatory authorities in China for the drugs in-licensed from Spectrum. We expect our expenses in 2015 to increase based on our clinical development plan. We will continue to conduct research on ENMD-2076 in order to comply with stipulations made by the FDA, as well as to increase understanding of the mechanism of action and toxicity parameters of ENMD-2076 and its metabolites.  Completion of clinical development may take several years or more, but the length of time generally varies substantially according to the type, complexity, novelty and intended use of a product candidate.

 

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We estimate that clinical trials of the type we generally conduct are typically completed over the following timelines:

 

Global FDA Trial:

 

 

 

CLINICAL PHASE

ESTIMATED

COMPLETION

PERIOD

Phase 1 1-2 Years
Phase 2 2-3 Years
Phase 3 2-4 Years

 

Local CFDA Trial:

 

 

 

CLINICAL PHASE

ESTIMATED

COMPLETION

PERIOD

Phase 1 1 Year                 
Phase 2 2 Years
Phase 3 2-3 Years

 

The duration and the cost of clinical trials may vary significantly over the life of a project as a result of differences arising during the clinical trial protocol, including, among others, the following:

 

- the number of patients that ultimately participate in the trial;

 

- the duration of patient follow-up that seems appropriate in view of the results;

 

- the number of clinical sites included in the trials; and

 

- the length of time required to enroll suitable patient subjects.

 

We test our potential product candidates in numerous preclinical studies to identify indications for which they may be product candidates. We may conduct multiple clinical trials to cover a variety of indications for each product candidate. As we obtain results from trials, we may elect to discontinue clinical trials for certain indications in order to focus our resources on more promising indications.

 

Our proprietary product candidates have also not yet achieved regulatory approval, which is required before we can market them as therapeutic products. In order to proceed to subsequent clinical trial stages and to ultimately achieve regulatory approval, regulatory agencies must conclude that our clinical data establish safety and efficacy. Historically, the results from preclinical testing and early clinical trials have often not been predictive of results obtained in later clinical trials. A number of new drugs and biologics have shown promising results in clinical trials, but subsequently failed to establish sufficient safety and efficacy data to obtain necessary regulatory approvals.

 

Our business strategy includes being opportunistic with collaborative arrangements with third parties to complete the development and commercialization of our product candidates. In the event that third parties take over the clinical trial process for one of our product candidates, the estimated completion date would largely be under the control of that third party rather than us. We cannot forecast with any degree of certainty which proprietary products or indications, if any, will be subject to future collaborative arrangements, in whole or in part, and how such arrangements would affect our capital requirements.

 

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As a result of the uncertainties discussed above, among others, we are unable to estimate the duration and completion costs of our research and development projects. Our inability to complete our research and development projects in a timely manner or our failure to enter into collaborative agreements, when appropriate, could significantly increase our capital requirements and could adversely impact our liquidity. These uncertainties could force us to seek additional, external sources of financing from time to time in order to continue with our business strategy. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully access external sources of financing in the future. Our inability to raise additional capital, or to do so on terms reasonably acceptable to us, would jeopardize the future success of our business.

 

Research and development expenses consist primarily of compensation and other expenses related to research and development personnel, research collaborations, costs associated with internal and contract preclinical testing and clinical trials of our product candidates, including the costs of manufacturing drug substance and drug product, regulatory maintenance costs, and facilities expenses. Overall research and development expenses increased to $865,000 during the three-months ended March 31, 2015 from $560,000 for the corresponding period in 2014. The fluctuations in research and development expenditures during the three-months ended March 31, 2015 were specifically impacted by the following:

 

-Outside Services – In the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, we expended $70,000 on outside service activities versus $7,000 in the same 2014 period. The increase in 2015 as compared to 2014 reflects regulatory costs associated with the import drug registration applications in China for the drugs in-licensed from Spectrum.

 

-Clinical Trial Costs – Clinical trial costs, which include clinical site fees, monitoring costs and data management costs, increased to $97,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $54,000 in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015. This increase primarily relates to costs associated with our Phase 2 clinical trials in TNBC and STS during the 2015 period and costs associated with our food effect study of ENMD-2076 in healthy human subjects during the 2015 period.

 

-Contract Manufacturing Costs – The costs of manufacturing the material used in clinical trials for our product candidates is reflected in contract manufacturing. These costs include bulk manufacturing, encapsulation and fill and finish services, product release costs and storage fees. Contract manufacturing costs for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased to $85,000 from $21,000 during the same period in 2014 as a result of the timing of 2ME2 manufacturing costs incurred in China.

 

-Personnel Costs – Personnel costs increased to $423,000 in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 from $290,000 in the corresponding 2014 period. This variance is attributed to an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expense totaling $113,000 during the 2014 period, and increased salary and benefit costs associated with new employees in China during the 2015 period.

 

-Also reflected in our 2015 research and development expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 are outsourced consultant costs of $36,000 and facility and related expenses of $75,000. In the corresponding 2014 period, these expenses totaled $80,000 and $44,000, respectively. The variance in outsourced consultant costs reflect the timing of clinical trial management, including site visits, and regulatory activities. The increase in expenses in facilities and related expenses in 2015 resulted from leased laboratory space in China.

 

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses include compensation and other expenses related to finance, business development and administrative personnel, professional services, patent costs and facilities.

 

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General and administrative expenses increased to $925,000 in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 from $891,000 in the corresponding 2014 period. The increase is primarily related to an increase in travel and outside professional fees associated with business development and investor relations activities during the 2015 period.

 

Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net for three-month period ended March 31, 2015 was $24,197. This includes $1,875 accrued interest on our note payable; non-cash interest of $22,650 representing the amortization of the debt discount; offset by interest income of $328. Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $384. There was no interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

Change in fair value of contingent rights. The Contingent Rights issued to Spectrum in connection with the license arrangements are considered derivative liabilities and were recorded initially at their estimated fair value, and are marked to market each reporting period until settlement. The change in fair value of the Contingent Rights for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $6,798.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

To date, we have been engaged primarily in research and development activities. As a result, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur operating losses in 2015 and the foreseeable future before we commercialize any products. Based on our current plans, we expect our current available cash and cash equivalents to meet our cash requirements for at least the twelve months subsequent to March 31, 2015.

 

We will require significant additional funding to fund operations until such time, if ever, we become profitable. We intend to augment our cash balances by pursuing other forms of capital infusion, including strategic alliances or collaborative development opportunities with organizations that have capabilities and/or products that are complementary to our capabilities and products in order to continue the development of our potential product candidates that we intend to pursue to commercialization. If we seek strategic alliances, licenses, or other alternative arrangements, such as arrangements with collaborative partners or others, to raise further financing, we may need to relinquish rights to certain of our existing product candidates, or products we would otherwise seek to develop or commercialize on our own, or to license the rights to our product candidates on terms that are not favorable to us.

 

We will continue to seek to raise additional capital to fund our research and development and advance the clinical development of ENMD-2076 and new product candidates, if any. We intend to explore one or more of the following alternatives to raise additional capital:

 

·         selling additional equity securities;

·         out-licensing product candidates to one or more corporate partners;

·         completing an outright sale of non-priority assets; and/or

·         engaging in one or more strategic transactions.

 

We also will continue to manage our cash resources prudently and cost-effectively.

 

There can be no assurance that adequate additional financing under such arrangements will be available to us on terms that we deem acceptable, if at all. If additional funds are raised by issuing equity securities, dilution to existing shareholders may result, or the equity securities may have rights, preferences, or privileges senior to those of the holders of our common stock. If we fail to obtain additional capital when needed, we may be required to delay or scale back our Phase 2 plans for ENMD-2076 or plans for other product candidates, if any.

 

At March 31, 2015, we had cash of $9,459,135 with working capital of $7,331,035.

 

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INFLATION AND INTEREST RATE CHANGES

 

Management does not believe that our working capital needs are sensitive to inflation and changes in interest rates.

 

ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve our capital until it is required to fund operations while at the same time maximizing the income we receive from our investments without incurring investment market volatility risk. Our investment income is sensitive to the general level of U.S. interest rates. In this regard, changes in the U.S. interest rates affect the interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents. Due to the short-term nature of our cash and cash equivalent holdings, a 10% movement in market interest rates would not materially impact on the total fair market value of our portfolio as of March 31, 2015.

 

ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Based on an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) were effective as of March 31, 2015 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

We believe that a controls system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II.OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are subject in the normal course of business to various legal proceedings in which claims for monetary or other damages may be asserted. Management does not believe such legal proceedings, except as otherwise disclosed herein, are material.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

For information regarding factors that could affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, see the risk factors discussion set forth in Item 1A of CASI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and the information under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included in this report. There have been no material changes to our risk factors from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

 

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ITEM 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

 

ITEM 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4.REMOVED AND RESERVED

 

ITEM 5.OTHER INFORMATION

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6.EXHIBITS

 

31.1   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Accounting Officer
32.1   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2   Section 1350 Certification of Principal Accounting Officer
101   The following financial information from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL):  (i) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (ii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, (iii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and (iv) Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.*

 

* Filed Herewith

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  CASI PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
  (Registrant)
   
   
Date: May 15, 2015  /s/ Ken K. Ren
  Ken K. Ren
  Chief Executive Officer
   
   
Date: May 15, 2015  /s/ Sara B. Capitelli
  Sara B. Capitelli
  Principal Accounting Officer

 

23
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

31.1   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Accounting Officer
32.1   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2   Section 1350 Certification of Principal Accounting Officer
101   The following financial information from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL):  (i) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (ii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, (iii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and (iv) Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.*

 

* Filed Herewith

 

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