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CURIS INC - Quarter Report: 2003 March (Form 10-Q)

FORM 10-Q DATED 03/31/03
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

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

 

          FOR   THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2003

 

OR

 

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

 

Commission File Number: 000-30347

 


 

CURIS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

04-3505116

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

61 Moulton Street,

Cambridge, Massachusetts

 

02138

(Zip Code)

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

   

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (617) 503-6500

 


 

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.    x  Yes    ¨  No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    ¨  Yes    x  No

 

As of April 21, 2003, there were 31,720,838 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 1,000 shares of the Registrant’s Series A Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.

 


 


Table of Contents

 

CURIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

INDEX

 

PART I.

  

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Page

Number


Item 1.

  

Financial Statements (unaudited)

    
    

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

  

3

    

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Three Months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

  

4

    

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

  

5

    

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  

6

Item 2.

  

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

  

11

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

  

31

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

  

31

PART II.

  

OTHER INFORMATION

    

Item 6.

  

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

  

32

SIGNATURE

  

33

CERTIFICATIONS

  

34

 


Table of Contents

Item 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CURIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

 

    

March 31,

2003


    

December 31,

2002


 

ASSETS

                 

Current Assets:

                 

Cash and cash equivalents

  

$

20,787,909

 

  

$

26,920,605

 

Cash and cash equivalents—restricted

  

 

4,178,683

 

  

 

4,403,188

 

Marketable securities

  

 

11,537,735

 

  

 

9,652,671

 

Due from joint venture

  

 

1,299,289

 

  

 

1,299,289

 

Other current assets

  

 

1,291,223

 

  

 

1,386,817

 

    


  


Total current assets

  

 

39,094,839

 

  

 

43,662,570

 

    


  


Property and Equipment, net

  

 

3,390,915

 

  

 

3,775,269

 

    


  


Other Assets:

                 

Goodwill, net

  

 

8,982,000

 

  

 

8,982,000

 

Other intangible assets, net (Note 4)

  

 

233,502

 

  

 

252,273

 

Long-term notes receivable

  

 

4,790,052

 

  

 

4,662,553

 

Deposits and other assets

  

 

1,104,528

 

  

 

1,107,028

 

    


  


Total other assets

  

 

15,110,082

 

  

 

15,003,854

 

    


  


    

$

57,595,836

 

  

$

62,441,693

 

    


  


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                 

Current Liabilities:

                 

Debt and lease obligations, current portion

  

$

1,973,534

 

  

$

2,105,049

 

Accounts payable

  

 

767,381

 

  

 

726,092

 

Accrued liabilities

  

 

4,012,599

 

  

 

4,450,893

 

Deferred revenue, current portion

  

 

143,075

 

  

 

191,782

 

Due to joint venture

  

 

1,089,082

 

  

 

1,089,083

 

    


  


Total current liabilities

  

 

7,985,671

 

  

 

8,562,899

 

Debt and Lease Obligations, net of current portion

  

 

3,076,740

 

  

 

3,424,422

 

Convertible Notes Payable

  

 

7,027,012

 

  

 

6,885,486

 

Deferred Revenue, net of current portion

  

 

11,962,224

 

  

 

11,962,224

 

    


  


    

 

22,065,976

 

  

 

22,272,132

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized

                 

Series A Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock—1,426 shares authorized; 1,000 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

  

 

13,244,508

 

  

 

13,064,283

 

    


  


Commitments

                 

Stockholders’ Equity:

                 

Common stock, $0.01 par value—

                 

125,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002; 32,768,545 and 31,720,838 shares issued outstanding, respectively, at March 31, 2003 and 32,768,545 and 31,746,337 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at December 31, 2002

  

 

327,685

 

  

 

327,685

 

Additional paid-in capital

  

 

659,352,822

 

  

 

659,512,957

 

Notes receivable

  

 

(1,337,561

)

  

 

(1,337,561

)

Treasury stock (at cost, 1,047,707 shares at March 31, 2003)

  

 

(891,274

)

  

 

(869,384

)

Deferred compensation

  

 

(1,613,229

)

  

 

(2,037,230

)

Accumulated deficit

  

 

(641,644,046

)

  

 

(637,174,017

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

  

 

105,284

 

  

 

119,929

 

    


  


Total stockholders’ equity

  

 

14,299,681

 

  

 

18,542,379

 

    


  


    

$

57,595,836

 

  

$

62,441,693

 

    


  


 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

3


Table of Contents

 

CURIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (unaudited)

 

    

Three Months Ended March 31,


 
    

2003


    

2002


 

REVENUES:

                 

License fees and royalty revenue

  

$

48,707

 

  

$

77,760

 

Research and development contract revenue

  

 

386,651

 

  

 

80,872

 

    


  


    

 

435,358

 

  

 

158,632

 

    


  


COSTS AND EXPENSES (A):

                 

Research and development

  

 

2,913,641

 

  

 

4,834,762

 

General and administrative

  

 

1,534,432

 

  

 

3,220,008

 

Stock-based compensation

  

 

263,866

 

  

 

697,462

 

Amortization of intangible assets

  

 

18,771

 

  

 

60,405

 

Impairment of property and equipment

  

 

—  

 

  

 

5,171,945

 

Realignment expenses

  

 

—  

 

  

 

3,490,000

 

    


  


Total costs and expenses

  

 

4,730,710

 

  

 

17,474,582

 

    


  


Net loss from operations

  

 

(4,295,352

)

  

 

(17,315,950

)

    


  


Equity in loss of joint venture

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(1,161,684

)

Other income, net

  

 

5,548

 

  

 

657,593

 

    


  


Net loss

  

$

(4,289,804

)

  

$

(17,820,041

)

Accretion of preferred stock dividend

  

 

(180,225

)

  

 

(182,228

)

    


  


Net loss applicable to common stockholders

  

$

(4,470,029

)

  

$

(18,002,269

)

    


  


Net loss per common share (basic and diluted)

  

$

(0.14

)

  

$

(0.56

)

    


  


Weighted average common shares (basic and diluted)

  

 

31,731,009

 

  

 

32,329,228

 

    


  


Net loss

  

$

(4,289,804

)

  

$

(17,820,041

)

Unrealized loss on marketable securities

  

 

(14,645

)

  

 

(249,841

)

    


  


Comprehensive loss

  

$

(4,304,449

)

  

$

(18,069,882

)

    


  


(A)   The following summarizes the departmental allocation of the stock-based compensation charge:

                 

Research and development

  

$

185,925

 

  

$

338,467

 

General and administrative

  

 

77,941

 

  

 

358,995

 

    


  


Total stock-based compensation

  

$

263,866

 

  

$

697,462

 

    


  


 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

4


Table of Contents

 

CURIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

 

    

Three Months Ended March 31,


 
    

2003


    

2002


 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                 

Net loss

  

$

(4,289,804

)

  

$

(17,820,041

)

    


  


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

                 

Depreciation and amortization

  

 

395,181

 

  

 

588,226

 

Stock-based compensation expense

  

 

263,866

 

  

 

697,462

 

Non-cash interest expense on notes payable

  

 

145,776

 

  

 

72,118

 

Amortization of intangible assets

  

 

18,771

 

  

 

60,405

 

Interest on notes receivable

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(22,490

)

Equity in loss of joint venture

  

 

—  

 

  

 

1,161,684

 

Impairment of property and equipment

  

 

280

 

  

 

5,171,945

 

Changes in current assets and liabilities:

                 

Other current assets

  

 

95,594

 

  

 

112,892

 

Due from joint venture

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(462,875

)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  

 

(397,005

)

  

 

2,800,733

 

Deferred contract revenue

  

 

(48,707

)

  

 

(80,872

)

    


  


Total adjustments

  

 

473,756

 

  

 

10,099,228

 

    


  


Net cash used in operating activities

  

 

(3,816,048

)

  

 

(7,720,813

)

    


  


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                 

Purchase of marketable securities

  

 

(4,800,098

)

  

 

(3,220,700

)

Sale of marketable securities

  

 

2,900,389

 

  

 

6,314,631

 

Decrease in restricted cash

  

 

224,505

 

  

 

—  

 

Decrease in other assets

  

 

2,500

 

  

 

156

 

Increase in long-term notes receivable

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(61,781

)

Dispositions of property and equipment

  

 

500

 

  

 

89,415

 

Purchases of property and equipment

  

 

(11,609

)

  

 

(65,355

)

    


  


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

  

 

(1,683,813

)

  

 

3,056,366

 

    


  


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                 

Purchases of treasury stock

  

 

(21,890

)

  

 

—  

 

Repayments of obligations under capital leases

  

 

(483,446

)

  

 

(781,127

)

    


  


Net cash used in financing activities

  

 

(505,336

)

  

 

(781,127

)

    


  


Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

  

 

(127,499

)

  

 

64,275

 

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

  

 

(6,132,696

)

  

 

(5,381,299

)

    


  


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

  

 

26,920,605

 

  

 

38,938,062

 

    


  


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

  

$

20,787,909

 

  

$

33,556,763

 

    


  


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                 

Issuance of convertible promissory note payable to Elan Pharma International, Ltd. to fund the Company’s 80.1% interest in joint venture (Note 6)

  

$

—  

 

  

$

779,306

 

    


  


 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

5


Table of Contents

 

CURIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

 

 1.    Nature of Business

 

Curis, Inc. (“Curis” or “the Company”) is a therapeutic drug development company. Curis’ technology focus is on regulatory signaling pathways that control repair and regeneration of human tissue and organs. The Company’s product development approach involves using proteins or small molecules to modulate these regulatory signaling pathways, for example, to increase the pathway signals when they are insufficient or to decrease them when they are excessive. The Company has successfully used this product development approach to produce several promising preclinical product candidates in the fields of kidney disease, neurological disorders, cancer and hair regrowth.

 

Curis’ mission is to discover and develop novel therapeutic drugs to treat diseases and disorders for which there are no adequate therapies or for which a new drug would represent a significant advancement over the current therapy. Curis seeks to develop new medicines to improve the overall state of human health while at the same time striving to give its shareholders a substantial return on their investment reflective of the risks associated with pharmaceutical drug development.

 

 2.    Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States applicable to interim periods. These statements, however, are condensed and do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2003.

 

In the opinion of the Company, the unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments (all of which were considered normal and recurring) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position at March 31, 2003 and the results of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002. The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosure of certain assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date. Such estimates include the carrying value of property and equipment and intangible assets and the value of certain liabilities. Actual results may differ from such estimates.

 

These interim results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year or subsequent interim periods.

 

 3.    Financial Statement Reclassifications

 

The Company has reclassified a long-term note receivable from Micromet, a strategic partner, from “Deposits and other assets” to a newly created balance sheet classification, “Long-term notes receivable.” The Company has recorded balances of approximately $4,790,000 and $4,663,000 as of March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively, which are solely comprised of the Micromet long-term note receivable.

 

The Company has also reclassified expenses associated with a charge to record a reserve for possible non-collection of notes receivable outstanding to two former officers of Creative BioMolecules. Creative BioMolecules was one of the three companies that merged to form Curis in July 2000.

 

Approximately $509,000 has been reclassified from “Other income, net” to “General and administrative” at the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002.

 

6


Table of Contents

CURIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(continued)

 

 

 4.    Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of approximately the following as of March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002:

 

    

March 31,

2003


    

December 31,

2002


 

Goodwill

  

$

8,982,000

 

  

$

8,982,000

 

Patents

  

 

612,000

 

  

 

612,000

 

Less: accumulated amortization

  

 

(379,000

)

  

 

(360,000

)

    


  


    

$

9,215,000

 

  

$

9,234,000

 

    


  


 

 5.    Long-Term Debt, Capital Lease Obligations and Operating Leases

 

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations consisted of approximately the following at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002:

 

    

March 31, 2003


    

December 31, 2002


 

Notes payable to financing agencies for capital purchases

  

$

4,004,000

 

  

$

4,239,000

 

Obligations under capital leases, net of $27,000 and $31,000 discount at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively

  

 

1,047,000

 

  

 

1,291,000

 

Convertible subordinated note payable to Becton Dickinson, net of $173,000 and $187,000 discount, including $247,000 and $212,000 of accrued interest at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively

  

 

2,074,000

 

  

 

2,025,000

 

Convertible promissory note agreement with Elan Pharma International, including $293,000 and $200,000 of accrued interest at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively

  

 

4,953,000

 

  

 

4,860,000

 

    


  


    

 

12,078,000

 

  

 

12,415,000

 

Less current portion

  

 

(1,974,000

)

  

 

(2,105,000

)

    


  


Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations

  

$

10,104,000

 

  

$

10,310,000

 

    


  


 

 6.    Curis Newco, Ltd.

 

In July 2001, the Company formed a joint venture, Curis Newco, Ltd. (“Curis Newco”), with affiliates of Elan Corporation, plc (“Elan”) for the purpose of researching and developing molecules that stimulate the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Curis Newco is focused on the development of therapeutics targeting a number of neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s Disease and diabetic neuropathy.

 

Curis Newco did not incur any expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2003. In accordance with the development agreement that governs Curis Newco’s operations, the Company and Elan are required to agree upon a Curis Newco development plan in order for any expenses to be incurred by Curis Newco. The Company and Elan did not reach agreement on a development plan during the three months ended March 31, 2003 and therefore no expenses were recorded at Curis Newco.

 

In addition, the Company is liable to Curis Newco for 80.1% of Curis Newco’s expenses until these expenses have been funded either by the Company or by draw downs under a convertible promissory note agreement (“Note Agreement”) with Elan Pharma International, Ltd. (“EPIL”). The Company has funded its

 

7


Table of Contents

CURIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(continued)

 

share of Curis Newco’s expenses through September 30, 2002 by drawdowns under the Note Agreement. However, the Company intends to directly fund expenses for the three-month period ending December 31, 2002 as well as any future Curis Newco expenses through its existing capital resources. The Company has recorded a payable to Curis Newco at March 31, 2003 of approximately $1,089,000 representing the Company’s 80.1% share of Curis Newco’s loss for the three-month period ended December 31, 2002.

 

The Company did not receive additional funds under the Note Agreement with EPIL during the three-month period ended March 31, 2003. As of March 31, 2003, there was approximately $4,953,000, including approximately $293,000 in accrued interest, outstanding under the Note Agreement.

 

The Company recorded a charge to accumulated deficit of $180,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 for the accretion of a mandatory 6% dividend on convertible exchangeable preferred stock issued to Elan International Service, an affiliate of Elan, in July 2001. Such amounts are included in the net loss applicable to common stockholders in the three months ended March 31, 2003.

 

 7.    Stock Options Summary

 

The following table presents combined activity for stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2003:

 

    

Number of Shares


      

Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share


Outstanding, December 31, 2002 (4,220,759 exercisable at weighted average price of $5.38 per share)

  

8,704,892

 

    

$

8.30

Options Granted

  

108,000

 

    

 

0.84

Exercised

  

—  

 

    

 

NA

Canceled

  

(741,197

)

    

 

5.34

    

    

Outstanding, March 31, 2003 (4,054,416 exercisable at weighted average price of $5.12 per share)

  

8,071,695

 

    

$

4.17

    

    

 

The following table presents weighted average price and life information about significant option groups outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2003:

 

   

Options Outstanding


 

Options Exercisable


Exercise Price Range


 

Number of Shares


    

Weighted

Average

Remaining Contractual Life (in years)


  

Weighted

Average Exercise Price

per Share


 

Number of Shares


  

Weighted

Average Exercise Price

per Share


$  0.39 – $  0.59

 

142,974

    

4.72

  

$0.58

 

112,974

  

$0.59

0.68 –     0.84

 

561,000

    

9.54

  

0.73

 

150,000

  

0.76

1.04 –     1.09

 

840,000

    

9.48

  

1.09

 

210,000

  

1.08

1.11 –     1.32

 

36,356

    

8.42

  

1.17

 

5,856

  

1.27

1.50 –     2.32

 

2,395,158

    

8.79

  

1.52

 

1,079,033

  

1.54

2.73 –     3.90

 

2,439,249

    

7.60

  

3.42

 

1,360,947

  

3.50

4.38 –     6.91

 

442,808

    

5.99

  

5.12

 

340,460

  

5.16

7.30 –   10.65

 

233,600

    

7.36

  

10.48

 

146,099

  

10.37

13.13 –   17.94

 

888,487

    

7.29

  

14.52

 

562,016

  

14.50

20.00 –   31.15

 

92,063

    

3.98

  

28.41

 

87,031

  

28.76

   
    
  
 
  
   

8,071,695

    

8.07

  

$4.17

 

4,054,416

  

$5.12

   
    
  
 
  

 

8


Table of Contents

CURIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(continued)

 

 

The following are the pro forma net loss and net loss per share, as if compensation expense for the option plans had been determined based on the fair value at the date of grant, consistent with SFAS No. 123:

 

    

Three months ended March 31,


 
    

2003


    

2002


 

Net loss applicable to common stockholders, as reported

  

$

(4,470,000

)

  

$

(18,002,000

)

Add back: Stock-based compensation included in net loss applicable to common stockholders, as reported

  

 

264,000

 

  

 

697,000

 

Less: total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based methods for all awards

  

 

(1,857,000

)

  

 

(1,706,000

)

    


  


Pro forma net loss

  

 

(6,063,000

)

  

 

(19,011,000

)

Net loss per common share (basic and diluted)—

                 

As reported

  

$

(0.14

)

  

$

(0.56

)

Pro forma

  

$

(0.19

)

  

$

(0.59

)

 

The Company’s calculations were made using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions and weighted average values:

 

    

Three months ended March 31,


 
    

2003


    

2002


 

Risk-free interest rate

  

 

3.5

%

  

 

2.1

%

Expected dividend yield

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

Expected lives

  

 

7.0

 

  

 

7.0

 

Expected volatility

  

 

112

%

  

 

116

%

Weighted average grant date fair value

  

$

10.97

 

  

$

13.35

 

 

The effects on three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 pro forma net loss and net loss per share of the estimated fair value of stock options and shares are not necessarily representative of the effects on the results of operations in the future. In addition, the estimates made utilize a pricing model developed for traded options with relatively short lives; the Company’s option grants typically have a life of up to ten years and are not transferable. Therefore, the actual fair value of a stock option grant may be different from these estimates. The Company believes that its estimates incorporate all relevant information and represent a reasonable approximation in light of the difficulties involved in valuing non-traded stock options.

 

 8.    Stock Repurchases

 

On May 31, 2002, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved the repurchase of up to $3,000,000 of the Company’s common stock. The repurchased stock provides the Company with treasury shares for general corporate purposes, such as stock to be issued under employee stock option and stock purchase plans. During the first quarter of 2003, the Company purchased 25,500 shares at a cost of $21,890. As of March 31, 2003, the Company had repurchased an aggregate of 1,047,707 shares at a cost of approximately $891,000.

 

 9.    New Accounting Standards

 

In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure.” SFAS 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation as originally provided by SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Additionally, SFAS 148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS 123 to require prominent

 

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CURIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(continued)

 

disclosure in both the annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The transitional requirements of SFAS 148 are effective for all financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. The disclosure requirements are effective for financial reports containing condensed financial statements for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002. The Company has adopted the disclosure portion of this statement for the quarter ending March 31, 2003 (See note 7). The application of this standard has had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” an Interpretation of ARB No. 51. The primary objective of the Interpretation is to provide guidance on the identification of, and financial reporting for, entities over which control is achieved through means other than voting rights; such entities are known as variable-interest entities (VIEs). Although the FASB’s initial focus was on special-purpose entities (SPEs), the final guidance applies to a wide range of entities. FIN 46 applies to new entities that are created after the effective date, as well as to existing entities. The FIN is effective to preexisting entities as of the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003, and to any new entities beginning February 1, 2003. Once it goes into effect, FIN 46 will be the guidance that determines (1) whether consolidation is required under the “controlling financial interest” model of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (ARB 51), Consolidated Financial Statements, or other existing authoritative guidance, or, alternatively, (2) whether the variable-interest model under FIN 46 should be used to account for existing and new entities. The application of FIN 46 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

10.    Subsequent Events

 

  a.   Refinancing Boston Private Bank & Trust Debt: Effective April 2, 2003, the Company amended its loan agreement with Boston Private Bank & Trust Company. Under the terms of the loan amendment, Curis will no longer repay principal in equal quarterly installments over a five-year term, beginning on September 1, 2002. Instead, the loan has been structured as a revolving credit facility under which up to $7,000,000 can be borrowed and remain outstanding until the repayment date of April 1, 2005, upon which all outstanding principal and accrued interest shall be repaid immediately. Curis will continue to pay interest monthly in arrears at a variable interest rate, which is currently 3.75%. This loan is fully collateralized with a money market account of Curis maintained at the Boston Private Bank & Trust Company. As of March 31, 2003, the Company had an outstanding debt obligation of $4,004,000, including $13,000 in accrued interest.

 

  b.   Aegera Therapeutics, Inc. Collaboration: Effective April 30, 2003, the Company terminated the remaining components of a license and collaboration agreement between the Company and Aegera Therapeutics, Inc (“Aegera”). This license and collaboration agreement had granted the Company an exclusive worldwide license to Aegera’s skin-derived, adult stem cell technologies and had provided for a three-year research collaboration under which the Company was obligated to fund six full-time equivalent researchers per year at Aegera at an aggregate cost to the Company of $600,000. The Company had previously terminated the research collaboration component of this agreement, effective October 24, 2002.

 

As part of the April 30, 2003 termination agreement, Aegera will pay Curis approximately $78,000 related to foreign exchange gains recognized during the research and collaboration term. As of March 31, 2003, the Company recorded a receivable of $78,000 in “Other current assets” at the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. For the three months ended March 31, 2003, we recorded the $78,000 as a reduction in research and development expenses at the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

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

 

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report.

 

Overview

 

Curis, Inc. (“we”, “our” or “us”) is a therapeutic drug development company. Our technology focus is on regulatory signaling pathways that control repair and regeneration of human tissue and organs. Our product development approach involves using proteins or small molecules to modulate these regulatory signaling pathways, for example, to increase the pathway signals when they are insufficient or to decrease them when they are excessive. We have successfully used this product development approach to produce several promising preclinical product candidates in the fields of kidney disease, neurological disorders, cancer and hair regrowth.

 

Our mission is to discover and develop novel therapeutic drugs to treat diseases and disorders for which there are no adequate therapies or for which a new drug would represent a significant advancement over the current therapy. We seek to develop new medicines to improve the overall state of human health while at the same time striving to give our shareholders a substantial return on their investment reflective of the risks associated with pharmaceutical drug development.

 

Our research programs are conducted both internally and through alliances, partnerships and joint ventures with companies and organizations including Ortho Biotech Products, LP (a member of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies), Amylin Pharmaceuticals, ES Cell International, Elan Corporation, and Micromet AG.

 

Since completing the realignment of our business in 2002, we are now seeking to maximize the potential returns on our remaining assets, particularly in regulatory signaling pathways. Because we are a small company with limited human and financial resources, we believe that the best way to advance many of our scientific programs is through the establishment of corporate collaborations with pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies that possess the financial resources and/or specific areas of expertise (i.e., clinical and regulatory development) to push product candidates toward commercialization. In 2002, we entered into agreements with Ortho Biotech, ES Cell, and Amylin relating to our BMP, diabetes cellular therapy and PYY peptide technologies, respectively. In 2001, we entered into collaborations with Elan and Micromet relating to the Hedgehog signaling pathway for neurological indications and our single chain antibody technologies, respectively. In the future, we plan to continue to seek corporate partners for certain technologies, including our Hedgehog antibody cancer program and our Hedgehog small molecule antagonist basal cell carcinoma program. However, we may not be successful in our efforts to enter into new partnerships, and our existing partnerships may not be successful. Even though we are seeking partners to help develop some of our technologies, we expect to select at least one program in 2003 that we will develop further on our own. Our selection of a program will be based on a number of factors including the time, expense and complexity of clinical trials that we estimate will be required for approval. We are considering whether the Hedgehog Small Molecule Agonist Alopecia Program may be a good program to develop further without a partner.

 

Strategic Alliances

 

To date, our research and development contract and license fee revenues have been generated from agreements with collaborative partners. Over the next few years, we anticipate deriving most of our revenues from existing collaborations and additional collaboration agreements which we may enter into in the future. We may not be able to find suitable partners willing to form collaborations on terms we consider acceptable, or at all. Failure to maintain our existing collaborations and/or to form new collaborations would adversely affect our future research and development contract revenues.

 

On October 1, 2002, we completed a transaction with Stryker, under the terms of which Stryker paid us $14,000,000 in cash in exchange for the termination of Stryker’s future BMP-7 (OP-1) royalty obligations. In

 

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addition to this cash payment of the estimated net present value of our potential BMP-7 (OP-1) royalty stream, this transaction allowed us to reduce future BMP-7 royalties that we would owe to Stryker for products sold in therapeutic indications other than orthopedics and dental, if any sales ever occur. We recorded the $14,000,000 cash payment as revenue during the fourth quarter of 2002. We will receive no future royalties or payments of any other kind from Stryker as a result of this transaction.

 

Since January of 2002, we have entered into three collaborations, including (i) a license agreement with Ortho Biotech involving our broad BMP portfolio for all non-orthopedic therapeutic applications, (ii) a license agreement with Amylin for our PYY patent applications, and (iii) assignment and license agreements with ES Cell related to our patent rights for the development of cellular therapeutics for the treatment of diabetes. In addition, in an effort to increase our focus on signaling pathway technologies and to reduce our cash burn rate, we terminated our license and collaboration agreement with Aegera under which we were obligated to fund Aegera scientists at a rate of $600,000 per year. The Aegera collaboration was established in January 2001 and involved research in skin derived, adult stem cell technologies.

 

Future operating results will depend largely on the magnitude of payments from our current and potential future corporate partners and the outcome of other product candidates currently in our research and development pipeline. We cannot be sure of either the timing or amount of these payments or the likelihood of successful outcomes for products currently in our pipeline. We have never been profitable and we expect to incur additional operating losses in the next several years. The results of our operations will vary significantly from year to year and quarter to quarter and depend on, among other factors, the timing of our entry into new collaborations and the timing of the receipt of payments from collaborators and the cost and outcome of clinical trials. We believe that we have sufficient cash to operate into the first quarter of 2005.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

In December of 2001, the Securities and Exchange Commission requested that all registrants list their most “critical accounting policies” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The SEC indicated that a “critical accounting policy” is one which is both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results and requires management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. We believe that the following accounting policies are critical:

 

Long-Lived Assets.    Long-lived assets consist of goodwill, a long-term note receivable from Micromet, equity securities held in certain of our strategic alliance partners, capitalized patent costs, and long-term deposits. We assess the impairment of identifiable intangibles and long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If it were determined that the carrying value of intangible or long-lived assets might not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more indicators of impairment, we would measure any impairment based on a projected cash flow method.

 

As a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 142, effective January 1, 2002, we ceased amortization of goodwill. In lieu of amortization, we performed an initial assessment of impairment of our goodwill in the first quarter of 2002. This initial assessment involved comparing our fair value to our net assets. We determined our fair value based on quoted market prices adjusted to provide for a control premium. Our fair value was in excess of our net assets and, therefore, we concluded that our goodwill was not impaired. SFAS No. 142 requires us to perform an impairment assessment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that our goodwill may be impaired. We concluded that the decline in our market capitalization during the three-month period ended June 30, 2002 indicated that the carrying value of goodwill might be impaired. As a result, we conducted an impairment assessment as required under SFAS No. 142 by comparing our fair value to our net assets, including goodwill, as of June 30, 2002. Because the carrying value of our net assets exceeded our fair value at June 30, 2002, we determined that our goodwill had been impaired. To determine the amount of the impairment charge, we calculated our implied goodwill as the difference between our fair value and the fair value of our assets and

 

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liabilities. The fair value of our intangible assets, principally consisting of completed and in-process technology, was estimated using a discounted cash flow methodology. Based on this valuation, we determined that our implied goodwill was $8,982,000 and we recorded a non-cash charge of approximately $64,098,000 to write-down our existing goodwill.

 

The goodwill impairment analysis involved considerable judgment and the use of several estimates including: control premium, discount rates, projected cash flows of OP-1, and projected cash flows of our in-process research and development programs. The control premium used in determining our fair value was based on an analysis of control premiums involved in other biotechnology and medical products acquisitions. Most of our research and development programs will not be completed for several years, if ever, and therefore estimating the costs to complete these programs and the revenue to be derived through collaborations and commercialization of the products involves substantial judgment. The discount rates used to determine the net present value of these cash flows was based on a consideration of the risks associated with achieving these cash flow projections, including the risk of successfully completing our in-process technology. All of these estimates involve a significant amount of judgment by our management. Although the estimates used reflect management’s best estimates based upon all available evidence, the use of different estimates could have yielded different results in our transitional impairment assessment conducted as of January 1, 2002 and in our impairment assessment conducted in the second quarter of 2002. Had we used a significantly lower control premium in determining our fair value, our transitional impairment analysis could have indicated that goodwill was impaired at January 1, 2002. In addition, using different estimated cash flows or discount rates in determining our implied goodwill in the second quarter of 2002 could have resulted in a higher or lower goodwill impairment charge.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2002, we recorded impairment charges of property and equipment assets related to our business realignment of approximately $5,337,000. These charges relate to impairment on assets at our former manufacturing and development facility located at 21 Erie Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts. $4,761,000 of the total impairment charge relates to the write-off of tenant improvements made to the Erie Street facility since such improvements are affixed to the facility and therefore cannot be sold separately from the facility. The remaining charge of $576,000 was to write-down equipment to its estimated salvage value. The amount we received from the sale of these assets was not significantly different from the originally estimated fair value.

 

During the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2002, we recorded an impairment charge of approximately $271,000 to reduce the carrying value of patents associated with our OP-1 technology which is licensed to Stryker. The charge was recorded as a result of our transaction with Stryker, under which we sold our rights to future royalties from Stryker on sales of OP-1. We wrote these patents off because we will not receive any future royalties or other revenue from Stryker and because these patents are not expected to be utilized in future operations and have no alternative future use to us.

 

Revenue recognition.    Our revenue recognition policy is critical because revenue is a key component of our results of operations. We follow the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 (SAB No. 101), “Revenue Recognition.” In accordance with SAB No. 101, we recognize revenue related to research activities as they are performed, so long as there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collection of the related receivable is probable.

 

Amounts received for license fees are deferred and recognized as services are performed over the performance period of the contract. Amounts received for milestones will be recognized upon achievement of the milestone as long as the milestone is deemed to be substantive and we have no other performance obligations. In the event that we have remaining performance obligations, the portion of the milestone payment equal to the lesser of the non-refundable cash received or the percentage of the services performed through that date multiplied by the total milestone payment would be recognized as revenue. The percentage of services performed is based on the ratio of the number of direct labor hours performed to date to total direct labor hours that we are obligated to perform under the related contract, as determined on a full-time equivalent basis. The remainder, if

 

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any, will be recognized proportionately as the remaining services are performed. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2003, we recognized $387,000 of revenues relating to research and development services performed under our corporate collaboration agreement with ES Cell. Royalty revenue is recognized upon the sale of the related products, provided the royalty amounts are fixed or determinable and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. No royalty revenue was recognized during the three-month period ending March 31, 2003.

 

Amounts received prior to satisfying the above revenue recognition criteria are recorded as deferred revenue in the accompanying balance sheets. Amounts not expected to be recognized prior to March 31, 2004 are classified as long-term deferred revenue. As of March 31, 2003, we have recorded long-term deferred revenue of approximately $11,962,000 related to a multiple element arrangement with Micromet and short-term deferred revenue of approximately $143,000 related to our collaboration with ES Cell.

 

We follow detailed guidelines in measuring revenue; however, certain judgments affect the application of our revenue policy. For example, we entered into purchase and sale, product development and target research agreements with Micromet, under which we have recorded on our balance sheet short- and long-term deferred revenue based on our best estimate of when such revenue will be recognized. A portion of the consideration received from this transaction with Micromet was equity securities and a convertible note. The estimate of deferred revenue includes management’s assessment of the value attributable to the equity securities and realization of the convertible note. The up-front payments received from Micromet for the sale of technology will be recognized as revenue as services are performed over our estimated performance period under the product development agreement. To date, $183,000 has been recognized as revenue.

 

The above list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by generally accepted accounting principles, with no need for management’s judgment in their application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosure of certain assets and liabilities at our balance sheet date. Such estimates include the collectibility of receivables, the carrying value of property and equipment and intangible assets and the value of certain liabilities. Actual results may differ from such estimates. Examples of some of our significant estimates are as follows:

 

Valuation of investments in privately-held companies.    We have investments in Aegera, Micromet and ES Cell of $167,000, $686,000 and $150,000, respectively. These investments are included in the “Deposits and other assets” category of our Consolidated Balance Sheets. At each balance sheet date, we review these investments to determine whether the fair value of these investments is less than the carrying value and, if so, whether we should write-down the investment. These companies are not publicly-traded and, therefore, determining the fair value of our investments in these companies involves significant judgment. We considered available information in estimating the fair value of these investments and, as of March 31, 2003, believe that the fair value of these investments is not less than their carrying value. However, if the financial condition or results of one or more of these companies declines significantly, the fair value of these investments would likely decline and, as a result, we may have to record an impairment charge to the extent such impairment is deemed other-than-temporary.

 

Collectibility of long-term note receivable.    As of March 31, 2003, we have a note receivable from Micromet totaling $4,790,000, including accrued interest of $398,000. This amount is presented as “Long-term notes receivable” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Payment of this note is not due until the earlier of the closing of an initial public offering by Micromet or June 30, 2005. As of March 31, 2003, we believe this note is fully collectible and, therefore, we have not recorded a reserve against this balance. If Micromet’s financial

 

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condition declines, some or all of this note could become uncollectible and, as a result, we would have to record a reserve for some or all of the note. Beginning January 1, 2003, we have ceased accruing interest income related to this long-term note receivable.

 

Timing of Deferred Revenue Recognition.    We have recorded short-term deferred revenue of $143,000 and long-term deferred revenue of $11,962,000 as of March 31, 2003. Short-term deferred revenue consists of amounts not expected to be recognized as revenue by March 31, 2004. However, this estimate is based on our current operating plan as of March 31, 2003. If this operating plan should change in the future, we may recognize a different amount of deferred revenue over the twelve-month period from April 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004.

 

Results of Operations

 

Quarters Ended March 31, 2003 and March 31, 2002

 

Revenues

 

Total revenues for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 were $435,000 as compared to $159,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002, an increase of $276,000, or 174%. Revenues for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 were derived solely from our collaboration with ES Cell. Revenues for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002 consisted of $78,000 in royalties received from Stryker Corporation for its sales of OP-1 Implant and $81,000 in revenue related to our collaboration with Micromet. As part of our transaction with Stryker completed on October 1, 2002, we will receive no future royalties or payments of any other kind from Stryker.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Research and development expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 were $2,914,000 as compared to $4,835,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002, a decrease of 1,921,000, or 40%. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in ongoing operating costs as a result of the February 2002 realignment of our development programs, offset in part by the allocation of $1,420,000 of research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2002 that we charged to Curis Newco. However, 80.1% of these costs are included in Equity in loss from joint venture in our consolidated statement of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002.

 

Research and development expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 include the cost of employees involved in research and development of $992,000, external lab services including medicinal chemistry, consulting and sponsored research collaborations of $645,000, occupancy and depreciation charges of $509,000, lab supplies of $367,000 and legal fees associated with our intellectual property of $174,000.

 

Research and development expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002 include the cost of employees involved in research and development of $1,428,000, external lab services including clinical trials, medicinal chemistry, consulting and sponsored research collaborations of $1,077,000, occupancy and depreciation charges of $827,000, lab and clinical trial manufacturing supplies of $549,000 and legal fees associated with our intellectual property of $574,000.

 

General and administrative expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 were $1,534,000 as compared to $3,220,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002, a decrease of 1,686,000, or 52%. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in ongoing operating costs as a result of the February 2002 realignment of our development programs. The decrease was also partially attributable to a decrease in a charge to record a reserve for possible non-collection of notes receivable outstanding to two former officers of Creative BioMolecules. We recorded charges related to this reserve of approximately $34,000 and $509,000 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. These charges are based on the total book value of

 

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the notes receivable less the underlying fair market value of our common stock that secures the notes receivable. The book value of the notes receivable was $1,337,000 as of March 31, 2003, and is included as “Notes receivable” at the Stockholders’ Equity section of our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The reserve on the notes receivable was $1,227,000 as of March 31, 2003, and is included in “Accrued Liabilities” at our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

General and administrative expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 include the cost of employees of $676,000, a $34,000 charge to record a reserve for possible non-collection of notes receivable outstanding to two former officers of Creative BioMolecules, occupancy and depreciation charges of $157,000, legal and professional fees of $246,000 and consulting expense of $58,000.

 

General and administrative expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002 include the cost of employees of $1,222,000, a $509,000 charge to record a reserve for possible non-collection of notes receivable outstanding to two former officers of Creative BioMolecules, occupancy and depreciation charges of $328,000, legal and professional fees of $608,000 and consulting expense of $140,000.

 

Stock-based compensation for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 was $264,000 as compared to $697,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002, a decrease of $433,000, or 62%. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in the amount of stock-based compensation expense related to our issuance on August 18, 2000 of stock options with exercise prices below fair market value. Because these options were issued with exercise prices below fair market value, we recorded deferred compensation and have been amortizing the deferred compensation over the four-year vesting period of the options. However, when an option holder’s employment with us is terminated, we treat any unvested portion of their options and related deferred compensation as charged to the additional paid-in capital accounts (not the stock-based compensation accounts). Accordingly, the departures of four officers and approximately 55 other employees as a result of the February 2002 realignment of our business and a subsequent staff reduction in December 2002 have resulted in a decrease of stock-based compensation expense, since the remaining deferred compensation balance associated with each terminated employee’s August 18, 2000 stock options was immediately charged to additional paid-in capital instead of to stock-based compensation.

 

Amortization of intangible assets was $19,000 for three-month period ended March 31, 2003 as compared to $60,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002, a decrease of $41,000, or 68%. The decrease was primarily due to an impairment charge of approximately $271,000 that we recorded in the fourth quarter of 2002 to reduce the carrying value of patents associated with our OP-1 technology which is licensed to Stryker. The charge was recorded as a result of our transaction with Stryker, under which we sold our rights to future royalties from Stryker on sales of OP-1. We wrote these patents off because we will not receive any future royalties or other revenue from Stryker and because these patents are not expected to be utilized in future operations and have no alternative future use to us.

 

Realignment expenses of $3,490,000 were recorded in the three-month period ended March 31, 2002. These charges relate to: (i) costs of approximately $1,139,000 associated with workforce reductions of 46 people, including 4 officers, (ii) costs of approximately $2,306,000 associated with the closing of clinical programs and decommissioning of a manufacturing and development facility and (iii) other costs of approximately $45,000.

 

Impairment charges of property and equipment assets for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002 of approximately $5,172,000 relate to impairment on assets at our manufacturing and development facility located at 21 Erie Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Total carrying value of assets at the manufacturing and development facility before the impairment charge was approximately $5,482,000. Such property and equipment assets were used to support the suspended and terminated clinical programs and have been deemed to be unlikely to be used in our future operations. $4,596,000 of the impairment charge relates to the write-off of tenant improvements made to the Erie Street facility since such improvements are affixed to the facility and therefore

 

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cannot be sold separately from the facility. The remaining $576,000 of impairment charge represents the loss on disposition of the furniture and equipment assets held at the Erie Street facility.

 

Equity in Loss from Joint Venture

 

We recorded no Equity in loss from joint venture during the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 as compared to $1,162,000 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2002. The Equity in loss from joint venture relates to our 80.1% pro rata share of our joint venture, Curis Newco, with affiliates of Elan Corporation, plc. We recorded no Equity in loss from joint venture during the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 since Curis Newco did not incur any expenses during this period. In accordance with the development agreement that governs Curis Newco’s operations, we are required to agree with Elan upon a Curis Newco development plan in order for any expenses to be incurred by Curis Newco. We did not reach agreement with Elan on a development plan during the three months ended March 31, 2003 and therefore no expenses were recorded at Curis Newco.

 

Other Income, Net

 

Other income, net for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 was $6,000 as compared to $658,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002, a decrease of $652,000, or 99%. The decrease was mainly attributed to a gain of $601,000 resulting from the sale of marketable securities during the first quarter of 2002 and higher interest income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002 that resulted primarily from a higher available investment balance and higher average yields on investments as compared to the three-month period ended March 31, 2003.

 

Interest expense for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 was $229,000 as compared to $210,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002, an increase of $19,000, or 9%. The increase in interest expense was principally attributable to an increase in interest expense accrued under our convertible note payable to EPIL. We recorded $93,000 and $20,000, respectively, for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 under this convertible note payable. The average outstanding balance of this convertible note payable was $4,907,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 as compared to $1,074,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the amount of interest expense recorded under our capital lease obligations. We recorded $49,000 and $103,000, respectively, for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 under our capital lease obligations. The average outstanding balance of the capital leases was $1,169,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 as compared to $2,438,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002.

 

Accretion on Series A Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock

 

Accretion of preferred stock dividend for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 was $180,000 as compared to $182,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002, a decrease of $2,000, or 1%. This charge relates to the accretion of a mandatory 6% dividend on shares of convertible exchangeable preferred stock issued to an affiliate of Elan. The amounts are included in the net loss applicable to common stockholders for three-month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002.

 

Net Loss Applicable to Common Stockholders

 

As a result of the foregoing, we incurred a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $4,470,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 as compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $18,002,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At March 31, 2003, our principal sources of liquidity consisted of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $36,504,000, including restricted cash and cash equivalents of $4,179,000. We have financed our

 

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operations primarily through placements of equity securities, payments received under agreements with collaborative partners and government grants, amounts received under debt and capital lease agreements, manufacturing contracts and the sale of certain OP-1 royalty and manufacturing rights and facilities to Stryker.

 

Net cash used in operating activities was $3,816,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 compared to $7,721,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002. Cash used in operating activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2003 was primarily the result of our net loss for the period partially offset by non-cash charges including stock-based compensation, depreciation and non-cash interest expense. The effect of these non-cash charges was partially offset by a decrease in operating cash as a result of changes in certain current assets and liabilities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2003. Cash used in operating activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2002 was primarily the result of our net loss for the period partially offset by non-cash charges including impairment charges on our property and equipment assets, stock-based compensation and depreciation. Our net loss was further offset by our equity in loss of Curis Newco and an increase in operating cash as a result of changes in current assets and liabilities.

 

Investing activities used $1,684,000 of cash for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003, resulting principally from $1,900,000 in net investment purchases. Net cash provided by investing activities was $3,056,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002. Cash provided by investing activities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2002 was primarily the result of net proceeds from the sale of marketable securities totaling $3,094,000.

 

Financing activities used approximately $505,000 of cash for the three-month period ended March 31, 2003, resulting primarily from $483,000 in repayments of obligations under capital lease and debt arrangements. Financing activities used approximately $781,000 of cash for the three-month period ended March 31, 2002, resulting solely from repayments of obligations under capital lease and debt arrangements.

 

Effective April 2, 2003, we amended our loan agreement with Boston Private Bank & Trust Company. Under the terms of the loan amendment, we will no longer repay principal in equal quarterly installments over a five-year term, beginning on September 1, 2002. Instead, the loan has been structured as a revolving credit facility under which up to $7,000,000 can be borrowed and remain outstanding until the repayment date of April 1, 2005, upon which all outstanding principal and accrued interest shall be repaid immediately. We will continue to pay interest monthly in arrears at a variable interest rate, which is currently 3.75%. This loan is fully collateralized with a money market account maintained by us at the Boston Private Bank & Trust Company. As of March 31, 2003, we had an outstanding debt obligation of $4,004,000, including $13,000 in accrued interest.

 

On October 1, 2002, we completed a transaction with Stryker, under the terms of which we received $14,000,000 in cash in exchange for our termination of any future BMP-7 (OP-1) royalty obligations owed by Stryker. This transaction reduces future BMP-7 royalties that we would owe to Stryker for products sold in therapeutic indications other than orthopedics and dental, if any sales ever occur. We recorded the $14,000,000 received as revenue during the fourth quarter of 2002. We will receive no future royalties or payments of any other kind from Stryker as a result of this transaction.

 

On July 18, 2001, we and Elan International Services, Ltd., or EIS, formed Curis Newco, an entity that is committed to the research and development of molecules that stimulate the Hedgehog signaling pathway in the area of neurological disorders. As part of the joint venture arrangement, we entered into an $8,010,000 convertible promissory note agreement with Elan Pharma International Limited, or EPIL. This note agreement bears interest at 8% per annum through July 18, 2005 and 6% per annum thereafter, compounded and payable semi-annually. Our borrowings under this note agreement may only be used to meet our funding obligations for Curis Newco’s development program. As of March 31, 2003, there was approximately $4,953,000, including approximately $293,000 in accrued interest, outstanding under this note agreement.

 

On June 29, 2001, we entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Micromet, a German biotechnology corporation, pursuant to which we assigned our single-chain-polypeptide technology to Micromet in exchange

 

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for $8,000,000 in cash received, 3,003 shares of Micromet common stock valued at approximately $686,000 and a convertible promissory note of EUR 4,068,348 (principal value of approximately $4,392,000 at March 31, 2003). During the first quarter of 2002, we entered into a target research and license agreement and a product development agreement with Micromet. These agreements will provide us with royalties on Micromet’s product revenues, if any, arising out of the assigned technology, rights to jointly develop and commercialize future product discoveries, if any, arising out of the product development agreement, and exclusive access by us to Micromet’s proprietary single cell analysis of gene expression technology in the field of stem cell research. The product development agreement provides us the right but not the obligation to jointly fund research to develop antibodies against up to four potential targets through the proof of principle stage. We will also have the right, but not the obligation, to jointly fund the development of two such antibody targets from the proof of principle stage through the completion of phase I clinical trials. Lastly, we will be obligated to pay milestones to Micromet upon the attainment of certain development goals.

 

On June 26, 2001, we received $2,000,000 from Becton Dickinson under a convertible subordinated note payable in connection with the exercise by Becton Dickinson of an option to negotiate a collaboration agreement. The note is repayable at any time up to its maturity date of June 26, 2006 by us, at our discretion, in either cash or upon issuance to Becton Dickinson of shares of our common stock. The note bears interest at 7%. As of March 31, 2003, there was approximately $2,247,000, including approximately $247,000 in accrued interest, outstanding under the note agreement.

 

We lease equipment under various capital lease arrangements. Monthly payments on leases outstanding as of March 31, 2003, range from $922 to $21,170 and maturities range from April 2003 to July 2004. The initial terms of the leases range from 36 months to 60 months and bear interest at rates ranging from 12.62% to 16.3%. As of March 31, 2003, approximately $1,119,000 was outstanding under these agreements and we were in compliance with all covenants under these agreements.

 

As of March 31, 2003, we had future payments required under contractual obligations and other commitments approximately as follows:

 

    

(amounts in 000’s)


    

Remainder of 2003


  

2004


  

2005


  

2006


  

2007


  

2008


  

Total


Debt obligations

  

$

704

  

$

939

  

$

939

  

$

939

  

$

469

  

$

—  

  

$

3,990

Convertible subordinated long-term debt(1)

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

2,805

  

 

6,618

  

 

—  

  

 

9,423

Capital lease obligations

  

 

763

  

 

356

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

1,119

Series A Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock(2)

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

17,188

  

 

17,188

Operating lease obligations

  

 

619

  

 

822

  

 

822

  

 

1,433

  

 

518

  

 

—  

  

 

4,214

Outside service obligations

  

 

1,011

  

 

89

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

1,100

Licensing obligations

  

 

337

  

 

113

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

450

    

  

  

  

  

  

  

Total future obligations

  

$

3,434

  

$

2,319

  

$

1,761

  

$

5,177

  

$

7,605

  

$

17,188

  

$

37,484

    

  

  

  

  

  

  


(1)   Convertible subordinated debt is convertible into either shares of our common stock or cash at our option.
(2)  

The Series A Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock (Preferred Stock) is, at the option an affiliate of Elan, convertible into our common stock at any time from July 18, 2004 through July 18, 2007, at $14.12 per share. In addition, the Preferred Stock is exchangeable, at an affiliate of Elan’s option, for non-voting preference shares of Curis Newco originally issued to us and representing 30.1% of the aggregate outstanding shares of Curis Newco. To the extent that there is still some portion of the Preferred Stock outstanding as of July 18, 2007, we must redeem the Preferred Stock in either (i) cash, (ii) by the issuance of

 

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common stock or (iii) any combination of (i) and (ii). The $17,188,000 disclosed in the above table assumes that all of the Preferred Stock is outstanding at July 18, 2007 and is redeemed in cash.

 

We anticipate that existing capital resources should enable us to fund current and planned operations into the first quarter of 2005. We expect to incur substantial additional research and development and other costs, including costs related to preclinical studies and clinical trials for the foreseeable future. Our ability to continue funding planned operations beyond the first quarter of 2005 is dependent upon a number of important factors, including the success of our collaborations with our collaborative partners, our ability to continue to reduce our cash burn rate, and our ability to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings, or from other sources of financing. We are seeking additional collaborative arrangements and also expect to raise funds through one or more financing transactions, if conditions permit. Over the longer term, because of our significant long-term capital requirements, we intend to seek to raise funds through the sale of debt or equity securities when conditions are favorable, even if we do not have an immediate need for additional capital at such time. However, additional financing may not be available or, if available, it may not be available on favorable terms. In addition, the sale of additional debt or equity securities could result in dilution to our stockholders. If substantial additional funding is not available, our ability to fund research and development and other operations will be significantly affected and, accordingly, our business will be materially and adversely affected.

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2003.

 

Risk Factors That May Affect Results

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and certain other communications made by us contain forward-looking statements, including statements about our future operating results, discovery and development of products and current and potential strategic alliances. For this purpose, any statement that is not a statement of historical fact should be considered a forward-looking statement. We often use the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend” and similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements.

 

There are a number of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those discussed below, as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS

 

We sold our rights to future OP-1 royalties from Stryker in October 2002. We have not commercialized any other products to date. If we are not able to commercialize any other products, we will not be profitable.

 

On October 1, 2002, we sold our right to receive BMP-7 (OP-1) royalty revenues back to Stryker Corporation in exchange for $14,000,000 in cash. While this transaction provided us with capital to pursue our other product opportunities, it eliminated our only ongoing product (royalty) revenue stream.

 

All but one of our other product opportunities are in various stages of preclinical development. Only our program for basal cell carcinoma, or BCC, has had an IND accepted. An IND allows for human clinical trials to begin. Because our product opportunities have several years of development prior to reaching commercialization, there is a substantial risk that none of our current product opportunities will ever be commercialized. If none our product opportunities are commercialized, we would not recognize any revenue and we would not be profitable.

 

We are dependent on collaborative partners for the development and commercialization of many of our products. Any failure or delay by these partners in developing or commercializing our products could eliminate significant portions of our anticipated product pipeline.

 

The success of our strategy for development and commercialization of product candidates depends upon our ability to form productive collaborations and strategic alliances. Because we are a small company with limited

 

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human and financial resources, we believe that the best way to advance many of our scientific programs is through the establishment of corporate collaborations with pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies that possess the financial resources and/or specific areas of expertise (i.e., clinical and regulatory development) which we currently do not possess. We currently have strategic alliances with Ortho Biotech, Products, L.P. (a member of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies), ES Cell International Pte Ltd., Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Micromet AG, Elan Corporation plc, and others. If these strategic alliances are terminated or if none of the strategic alliances develop viable products, or if the products developed as a result of these alliances are not approved for commercial sale in the United States and/or other markets around the world, our expected royalty revenues would be diminished and our business would be materially and adversely affected. As an integral part of our ongoing research and development efforts, we periodically review opportunities to establish new collaborations, joint ventures and strategic alliances for the development and commercialization of products in our development pipeline. In the coming year, we intend to enter into additional strategic alliances. Even if we determine that it would be advantageous to establish a new collaboration, joint venture, or strategic alliance to exploit a product candidate in our development pipeline, we may not be able to establish such an arrangement on terms that we find acceptable, or at all. If we are unable to enter into new relationships to further our development efforts, we may be compelled to divert financing away from programs we consider promising.

 

By entering into strategic alliances to further our research program goals, we have relinquished a degree of control over the resources that our alliance partners dedicate to our research programs or the development schedule that they set in pursuit of our research goals and thereby may not be able to control the efforts that our alliance partners may devote to their respective programs with us. The timing and amount of any future royalty and clinical development milestone revenues with respect to product sales and product development under such collaborative arrangements will therefore depend on the level of commitment, timing and success of such collaborative partners’ efforts. Accordingly, we cannot predict the success of current or future strategic alliances.

 

We rely on our collaborative partners for support in our disease research programs and intend to rely on our strategic partners for certain preclinical evaluation and clinical development of our potential products and manufacturing and marketing of any products. Some of our strategic partners are conducting multiple product development efforts within each disease area that is the subject of our strategic alliance with them. Our strategic alliance agreements may not restrict a strategic partner from pursuing competing internal development efforts. Any of our product candidates, therefore, may be subject to competition with a potential product under development by a strategic partner.

 

Also, our partners may fail to perform their obligations under the strategic alliances or may be slow in performing their obligations. Our partners may terminate our strategic alliances under certain conditions. If any collaborative partner were to terminate or breach an agreement, or otherwise fail to complete its obligations in a timely manner, our anticipated revenue, if any, from the agreement and from the development and commercialization of our products under development which are the subject of the agreement could be severely limited. Furthermore, if any of our existing strategic alliances are terminated and we are not able to enter into alternative strategic alliances on acceptable terms, we may be required to undertake product development, manufacturing and commercialization and we may not have the funds or capability to do this, which could result in a discontinuation of such program.

 

We face substantial competition, which may result in our competitors discovering, developing or commercializing products before or more successfully than we do.

 

The product candidates currently in our development pipeline may face competition with existing and new products being developed by biotechnology, medical device and pharmaceutical companies, as well as universities and other research institutions. Many of our competitors have substantially greater capital resources, research and development staffs and facilities than we have. Efforts by other biotechnology, medical device and pharmaceutical companies could render our programs or products uneconomical or result in therapies superior to those that we develop. Furthermore, many of our competitors are more experienced in product development and

 

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commercialization, obtaining regulatory approvals and product manufacturing. As a result, they may develop competing products more rapidly and at a lower cost. These competitors may discover, develop and commercialize products which render the products that we or our collaborative partners are seeking to develop and commercialize non-competitive or obsolete.

 

Research in the fields of regulatory signaling pathways and functional genomics, which includes our work in oncology and renal disease, is highly competitive. Our primary competitors in the field of regulatory signaling pathways include Amgen, Inc., Chiron Corporation, Exelixis, Inc., Genentech, Inc. and Geron Corporation. Our primary competitors in the field of functional genomics include Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Genome Therapeutics Corporation, Human Genome Sciences, Inc., Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Myriad Genetics, Inc. We also compete with universities and other research institutions, including those receiving financial support from the federally-funded Human Genome Project. A number of entities are seeking to identify and patent randomly sequenced genes and gene fragments, typically without specific knowledge of the function that such genes or gene fragments perform. Our competitors may discover, characterize and develop important inducing molecules or genes in advance of us. We also face competition from these and other entities in gaining access to DNA samples used in our research and development projects. We expect competition to intensify in genomics research and regulatory signaling pathways as technical advances in the field are made and become more widely known.

 

Since our technologies have many potential applications and we have limited resources, our election to focus on a particular application may result in our failure to capitalize on other potentially profitable applications of our technologies.

 

We have limited financial and managerial resources. These limitations require us to focus on a select group of product candidates in specific therapeutic areas and to forego the exploration of other product opportunities. For example, a decision to concentrate on a particular indication within our neurology program may mean that we will not be able to allocate sufficient resources to fully exploit several different indications within our neurology program. While our technologies may permit us to work in both areas, resource commitments may require trade-offs resulting in delays in the development of certain programs or research areas, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage. Our decisions as to resource allocation may not lead to the development of viable commercial products and may divert resources away from other market opportunities which ultimately proved to be more profitable.

 

If any of our products ever receive regulatory approval for commercialization, the market may not be receptive to products we develop due to their use of new technologies or cost. Such a lack of reception would adversely affect expected revenues.

 

If any of our product opportunities ever receive regulatory approval, the commercial success of these products will depend upon their acceptance by patients, the medical community and third-party payors. Our future products, if any are successfully developed, may not gain commercial acceptance among physicians, patients and third-party payors, even if necessary marketing approvals have been obtained. We believe that recommendations and endorsements by physicians will be essential for market acceptance of our products. If we are not able to obtain a positive reception for our products, our expected revenues from sales of these products would be adversely affected.

 

Our growth could be limited if we are unable to attract and retain key personnel and consultants.

 

Our success depends on the ability to attract, train and retain qualified scientific and technical personnel to further our research and development efforts. The loss of services of one or more of our key employees or consultants could have a negative impact on our business and operating results. Competition for hiring personnel in the biotechnology industry is intense and locating candidates with the appropriate qualifications can be

 

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difficult. Although we expect to be able to attract and retain sufficient numbers of highly skilled employees for the foreseeable future, we may not be able to do so.

 

Any growth and expansion into areas and activities that may require additional human resources or expertise, such as regulatory affairs, compliance, manufacturing and marketing, would require us to hire new key personnel. The pool of personnel with the skills that we require is limited. Competition to hire from this limited pool is intense, and we may not be able to hire, train, retain or motivate such additional personnel.

 

If we fail to obtain an adequate level of reimbursement for our future products from third-party payors such as Medicare or insurance companies, there may be no commercially viable markets for our products.

 

The availability of reimbursement by governmental and other third-party payors for future products affects the market viability of any pharmaceutical product. These governmental and third-party payors persistently try to limit the costs of healthcare by exerting downward pressure on the prices for pharmaceutical products. The net effect of this downward pressure can be reduced availability of reimbursement by governmental and other third-party payors. In some foreign countries, particularly the countries of the European Union, the pricing of prescription pharmaceuticals is subject to governmental control. We or our partners may not be able to sell our products profitably if reimbursement is unavailable or limited in scope or amount.

 

In both the United States and some foreign jurisdictions, there have been a number of legislative and regulatory proposals to change the healthcare system. Further proposals are likely. The potential for adoption of some or all of these proposals affects or will affect our ability to raise capital, obtain additional collaborative partners and to market our products.

 

If we or our collaborative partners obtain marketing approval for our products, we expect to experience pricing pressure due to the trend toward managed health care, the increasing influence of health maintenance organizations and additional legislative proposals.

 

We could be exposed to significant risk from liability claims if we are unable to obtain insurance at acceptable costs or otherwise protect ourselves against potential product liability claims.

 

We may be subjected to product liability claims arising from the testing, manufacturing, marketing and sale of human health care products. Product liability claims, inherent in the process of researching and developing human health care products, could expose us to significant liabilities and prevent or interfere with the development or commercialization of our product candidates. Product liability claims would require us to spend significant time, money and other resources to defend such claims and could ultimately lead to our having to pay a significant damage award. Product liability insurance is expensive to procure for biopharmaceutical companies such as ours. Although we maintain product liability insurance coverage for the clinical trials of our products, it is possible that we will not be able to obtain additional product liability insurance on acceptable terms, if at all, and that our product liability insurance coverage will not prove to be adequate to protect us from all potential claims.

 

RISKS RELATING TO OUR FINANCIAL RESULTS AND NEED FOR FINANCING

 

We have incurred substantial losses, we expect to continue to incur substantial losses and we may never achieve profitability.

 

We expect to incur substantial operating losses for the foreseeable future and we have no current sources of material ongoing revenue. It is uncertain when, if ever, we will develop significant sources of ongoing revenue or achieve profitability, even if we are able to develop and commercialize products.

 

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We expect to spend significant capital to fund our research and development programs for the foreseeable future. As a result, we will need to generate significant revenues in order to achieve profitability. We cannot be certain whether or when this will occur because of the significant uncertainties that affect our business.

 

We may require additional financing, which may be difficult to obtain and may dilute your ownership interest in us.

 

We will require substantial funds to continue our research and development programs. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the following:

 

    continued progress in our research and development programs, as well as the magnitude of these programs;

 

    the cost of additional facilities requirements, if any;

 

    the timing, receipt and amount of milestone and other payments from collaborative partners;

 

    the timing, payment and amount of milestone license, royalty payments, research funding and royalties due to licensors of patent rights and technology used to make, use and sell our product candidates;

 

    the timing, receipt and amount of sales revenues and royalties, if any, from our product candidates in the market;

 

    the cost of manufacturing and commercialization activities; and

 

    the costs of preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining and enforcing patent claims and other patent-related costs, including litigation costs and technology license fees.

 

In 2003, we expect to seek additional funding through collaborative arrangements with strategic partners and may seek additional funding through public or private financings. The biotechnology market, however, is highly volatile and, depending on market conditions and the status of our development pipeline, additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all. If we fail to obtain such additional financing on a timely basis, our ability to continue all of our research, development, commercialization, manufacturing and marketing activities will be adversely affected.

 

If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, dilution to our stockholders will result. In addition, the terms of such a financing may adversely affect other rights of our stockholders. We also could elect to seek funds through arrangements with collaborative partners or others that may require us to relinquish rights to certain technologies, product candidates or products.

 

RISKS RELATING TO CLINICAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS

 

We expect to rely heavily on third parties for the conduct of clinical trials of our product candidates. If these clinical trials are not successful, or if we are not able to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals, we will not be able to complete development and commercialization of our products.

 

In order to obtain regulatory approval for the commercial sale of our product candidates, we will be required to complete extensive preclinical studies as well as clinical trials in humans to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of our products. We have limited experience in conducting clinical trials and expect to rely primarily on contract research organizations and collaborative partners for their performance and management of clinical trials of our product candidates.

 

Clinical trials, if any, of our product candidates under development may not be successful. Furthermore, the timing and completion of clinical trials, if any, of our products depend on, among other factors, the numbers of patients required for approval and the rate at which those patients are enrolled. Any increase in the required number of patients or decrease in recruitment rates may result in increased costs, program delays or both. Also,

 

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these products may not be effective in treating any of our targeted disorders or may prove to have undesirable or unintended side effects, toxicities or other characteristics that may prevent or limit their commercial use.

 

We could also experience delays in our preclinical trials of any of our product candidates, obtain unfavorable results in a development program, or fail to obtain regulatory approval for the commercialization of a product. Any of these events would adversely affect our ability to market a product candidate.

 

The development process necessary to obtain regulatory approval is lengthy, complex and expensive and we may not obtain necessary regulatory approvals.

 

In furtherance of our research programs, we and our collaborative partners are required periodically to obtain regulatory approval for our ongoing development activities and, in the future, our marketing and selling efforts. If we are unable to navigate the complexities of dealing with the several interested regulatory agencies, we may not receive the necessary approvals to conduct clinical trials of our product candidates or to market and sell our product candidates. In addition, regulatory agencies may not grant approvals on a timely basis or may revoke or significantly modify previously granted approvals. Delays in obtaining, or failure to obtain, necessary approvals could adversely affect our ability to market and sell our products and our ability to generate product revenue.

 

The process of obtaining FDA and other required regulatory approvals is lengthy and expensive. The time required for FDA and other approvals is uncertain and typically takes a number of years, depending on the complexity and novelty of the product. The process of obtaining FDA and other required regulatory approvals for many of our products is further complicated because some of these products use non-traditional or novel materials in non-traditional or novel ways, and the regulatory officials have little precedent to follow. We have only limited experience in filing and prosecuting applications for the conduct of clinical studies and for obtaining marketing approval. Any delay in obtaining or failure to obtain required clearance or approvals would reduce our ability to generate revenues from the affected product. We also plan to rely significantly on contract research organizations and collaborative partners as we build internal capabilities.

 

Our analysis of data obtained from preclinical activities is subject to confirmation and interpretation by regulatory authorities, which could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. Any regulatory approval to market a product may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which we may market the product. These limitations may restrict the size of the market for the product and affect reimbursement by third party payors.

 

We also are subject to numerous foreign regulatory requirements governing the design and conduct of the clinical trials and the manufacturing and marketing of our potential future products outside of the United States. The approval procedure varies among countries and the time required to obtain foreign approvals often differs from that required to obtain FDA approvals. Moreover, approval by the FDA does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other countries, and vice versa.

 

Even if we obtain marketing approval, our products will be subject to ongoing regulatory oversight which may affect our ability to successfully commercialize any products we may develop.

 

Even if we receive regulatory approval of a product candidate, the approval may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which the product is marketed or require costly post-marketing follow-up studies. After we obtain marketing approval for any product, the manufacturer and the manufacturing facilities for that product will be subject to continual review and periodic inspections by the FDA and other regulatory agencies. The subsequent discovery of previously unknown problems with the product, or with the manufacturer or facility, may result in restrictions on the product or manufacturer, including withdrawal of the product from the market.

 

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If we fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, we may be subject to fines, suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals, product recalls, seizure of products, operating restrictions, and criminal prosecution.

 

We are subject to governmental regulations other than those imposed by the FDA. We may not be able to comply with these regulations, which could subject us to penalties and otherwise result in the limitation of our operations.

 

In addition to regulations imposed by the FDA, we are subject to regulation under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Environmental Protection Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Research Conservation and Recovery Act, as well as regulations administered by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, national restrictions on technology transfer, import, export and customs regulations and certain other local, state or federal regulation. From time to time, other federal agencies and congressional committees have indicated an interest in implementing further regulation of biotechnology applications. We are not able to predict whether any such regulations will be adopted or whether, if adopted, such regulations will apply to our business, or whether we would be able to comply with any applicable regulations.

 

Our research and development activities involve the controlled use of hazardous materials and chemicals. Although we believe that our safety procedures for handling and disposing of such materials comply with all applicable laws and regulations, we cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury caused by these materials.

 

RISKS RELATING TO PRODUCT MANUFACTURING AND SALES

 

We will depend on third-party manufactures to produce most, if not all, of our products under development, and if these third parties do not successfully manufacture our products our business will be harmed.

 

If we receive the necessary regulatory approvals for our products under development, we expect to rely upon third parties, including our collaborative partners, to produce materials required for commercial production. We may not be able to enter into commercial-scale manufacturing contracts on a timely or commercially reasonable basis, if at all. To the extent that we enter into manufacturing arrangements with third parties, we will be dependent upon these third parties to perform their obligations in a timely and effective manner. If third-party manufacturers with whom we contract fail to perform their obligations our competitive position and ability to generate revenue may be adversely affected in a number of ways, including;

 

    we may not be able to initiate or continue clinical trials of product that are under development

 

    we may be delayed in submitting applications for regulatory approvals for our products; and

 

    we may not be able to meet commercial demands for any approved products.

 

We have no sales and marketing experience and, as such, will depend significantly on third parties who may not successfully sell our products.

 

We have no sales, marketing and products distribution experience. We plan to rely solely on sales, marketing and distribution arrangements with third parties, including our collaborative partners. For example, as part of our agreement with Ortho Biotech, we have granted Ortho Biotech an exclusive right to distribute BMP kidney and neurological disorders products, if any are ever successfully developed. We may have to enter into additional marketing arrangements in the future and we may not be able to enter into these additional arrangements on terms which are favorable to us, if at all. In addition, we may have limited or no control over the sales, marketing and distribution activities of these third parties and sales through these third parties could be less profitable to us than direct sales. These third parties could sell competing products and may devote insufficient

 

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sales efforts to our products. Our future revenues will be materially dependent upon the success of the efforts of these third parties.

 

We may seek to independently market products that are not already subject to marketing agreements with other parties. If we determine to perform sales, marketing and distribution functions ourselves, we could face a number of additional risks, including:

 

    we may not be able to attract and build a significant and skilled marketing staff or sales force;

 

    the cost of establishing a marketing staff or sales force may not be justifiable in light of the revenues generated by any particular product; and

 

    our direct sales and marketing efforts may not be successful.

 

RISKS RELATING TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

We may not be able to obtain patent protection for our discoveries and our technologies may be found to infringe patent rights of third parties.

 

The patent positions of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including ours, are generally uncertain and involve complex legal, scientific and factual questions.

 

The long-term success of our enterprise depends in significant part on our ability to:

 

    obtain patents to protect our discoveries;

 

    protect trade secrets from disclosure to third-party competitors;

 

    operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of others; and

 

    prevent others from infringing on our proprietary rights.

 

Patents may not issue from any of the patent applications that we own or license. If patents do issue, the allowed claims may not be sufficiently broad to protect our technology from exploitation by our competitors. In addition, issued patents that we own or license may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented. Our patents also may not afford us protection against competitors with similar technology. Because patent applications in the United States are maintained in secrecy until patents issue, it is possible that third parties have filed or maintained patent applications for technology used by us or covered by our pending patent applications without our knowledge.

 

We may not have rights under patents which may cover one or more of our product candidates. In some cases, these patents may be owned or controlled by third party competitors and may impair our ability to exploit our technology. As a result, we or our collaborative partners may be required to obtain licenses under third-party patents to develop and commercialize some of our product candidates. If we are unable to secure licenses to such patented technology on acceptable terms, we or our collaborative partners will not be able to develop and commercialize the affected product candidate or candidates.

 

If we are unable to keep our trade secrets confidential, our technology and information may be used by others to compete against us.

 

We also rely significantly upon un patented proprietary technology, information, processes and know-how. We seek to protect this information through confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and other third-party contractors as well as through other security measures. These confidentiality agreements may be breached, and we may not have adequate remedies for any such breach. In addition, our trade secrets may otherwise become known or be independently developed by competitors.

 

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We may become involved in expensive patent litigation or other intellectual property proceedings which could result in liability for damages or stop our development and commercialization efforts.

 

There have been substantial litigation and other proceedings regarding patent and other intellectual property rights in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. We may become a party to patent litigation or other proceedings regarding intellectual property rights.

 

Situations which may give rise to patent litigation or other disputes over the use of our intellectual property include:

 

    initiation of litigation or other proceedings against third parties to enforce our patent rights;

 

    initiation of litigation or other proceedings against third parties to seek to invalidate the patents held by these third parties or to obtain a judgment that our products or services do not infringe the third parties’ patents;

 

    participation in interference or opposition proceedings to determine the priority of invention if our competitors file patent applications that claim technology also claimed by us;

 

    initiation of litigation by third parties claiming that our processes or products or the intended use of our products infringe their patent or other intellectual property rights; and

 

    initiation of litigation by us or third parties seeking to enforce contract rights relating to intellectual property which may be important to our business.

 

The costs associated with any patent litigation or other proceeding, even if resolved favorably, likely would be substantial. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the cost of such litigation or other proceedings more effectively than we can because of their substantially greater financial resources. If a patent litigation or other intellectual property proceeding is resolved unfavorably, we or our collaborative partners may be enjoined from manufacturing or selling our products and services without a license from the other party and be held liable for significant damages. Moreover, we may not be able to obtain required licenses on commercially acceptable terms or any terms at all. In addition, we could be held liable for lost profits if we are found to have infringed a valid patent, or liable for treble damages if we are found to have willfully infringed a valid patent. Litigation results are highly unpredictable and we or our collaborative partners may not prevail in any patent litigation or otherproceeding in which we may become involved.

 

Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of patent litigation or other proceedings could damage our ability to compete in the marketplace. Patent litigation and other proceedings may also absorb significant management time and expense.

 

If we breach any of the agreements under which we license or have acquired intellectual property from others, we could lose intellectual property rights that are important to our business.

 

We are a party to intellectual property licenses and agreements that are important to our business and expect to enter into similar licenses and agreements in the future. These licenses and agreements impose various research, development, commercialization, sublicensing, royalty, indemnification, insurance and other obligations on us. If we fail to perform under these agreements or otherwise breach obligations thereunder, we could lose intellectual property rights that are important to our business.

 

If licensees or assignees of our intellectual property rights breach any of the agreements under which we have licensed or assigned our intellectual property to them, we could be deprived of important intellectual property rights and future revenue.

 

We are a party to intellectual property out-licenses, collaborations and agreements that are important to our business and expect to enter into similar agreements with third parties in the future. Under these agreements, we

 

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license or transfer intellectual property to third parties and impose various research, development, commercialization, sublicensing, royalty, indemnification, insurance, and other obligations on them. If a third party fails to comply with these requirements, we generally retain the right to terminate the agreement, and to bring a legal action in court or in arbitration. In the event of breach, we may need to enforce our rights under these agreements by resorting to arbitration or litigation. During the period of arbitration or litigation, we may be unable to effectively use, assign or license the relevant intellectual property rights and may be deprived of current or future revenues that are associated with such intellectual property.

 

RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK

 

Our common stock may be delisted from The NASDAQ National Market, which could reduce the liquidity of our common stock and adversely affect our ability to raise additional necessary capital.

 

In order to continue trading on The NASDAQ National Market, we must comply with The NASDAQ National Market’s continued listing requirements, which require that we either maintain a minimum stockholders’ equity of $10.0 million and a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share or, if we fall below the minimum stockholder’s equity requirement, maintain a minimum closing bid price of $3.00 per share.

 

We currently are in compliance with The NASDAQ National Market’s continued listing requirements. However, if in the future we fail to satisfy The NASDAQ National Market’s continued listing requirements, our common stock may be delisted from The NASDAQ National Market. The delisting of our common stock may result in the trading of the stock on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market or the OTC Bulletin Board. Consequently, a delisting of our common stock from The NASDAQ National Market may reduce the liquidity of our common stock and adversely affect our ability to raise additional necessary capital.

 

We expect that our stock price will fluctuate significantly.

 

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the ticker symbol “CRIS.” The stock market, particularly in recent years, has experienced significant volatility particularly with respect to biopharmaceutical- and biotechnology-based company stocks. The volatility of biopharmaceutical- and biotechnology-based company stocks often does not relate to the operating performance of the companies represented by the stock. Factors that could cause such volatility in the market price of our common stock include:

 

    announcements regarding new technologies by us or our competitors;

 

    market conditions in the biotechnology sectors;

 

    rumors relating to us or our competitors;

 

    litigation or public concern about the safety of our potential products;

 

    actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results;

 

    deviations in our operating results from the estimates of securities analysts;

 

    adverse results or delays in clinical trials;

 

    FDA or international regulatory actions; and

 

    general market conditions.

 

If stockholders do not receive dividends, they must rely on stock appreciation for any return on their investment in us.

 

We have not declared or paid cash dividends on any of our capital stock. We currently intend to retain earnings, if any, for future growth and, therefore, do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the future. As a result, only appreciation of the price of the common stock will provide a return to investors.

 

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We have anti-takeover defenses that could delay or prevent an acquisition and could adversely affect our stock price.

 

Provisions of our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and Delaware law may have the effect of deterring unsolicited takeovers or delaying or preventing changes in control of our management, including transactions in which our stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current market prices. In addition, these provisions may limit the ability of stockholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in their best interest. For example, our certificate of incorporation permits the board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval. In addition to delaying or preventing an acquisition, the issuance of a substantial number of preferred shares could adversely affect the price of the common stock.

 

Our certificate of incorporation also provides for staggered terms to be served by the board of directors which makes it difficult for stockholders to change the composition of the board of directors in any one year. In addition, our bylaws restrict the ability of stockholders to call a special meeting of the stockholders. These provisions may have the effect of preventing or delaying changes in control of our management.

 

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Item 3.     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We invest cash balances in excess of operating requirements in cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities, generally money market funds, insurance annuity contracts, corporate debt and government securities with an average maturity of less than one year. All marketable securities are considered available for sale. At March 31, 2003, the fair market value of these securities amounted to approximately $11,538,000 with net unrealized gains of approximately $105,000 included as a component of stockholders’ equity. Because of the quality of the investment portfolio and the short-term nature of the marketable securities, we do not believe that interest rate fluctuations would impair the principal amount of the securities. Our investments are investment grade securities and deposits are with investment grade financial institutions. We believe that the realization of losses due to changes in credit spreads is unlikely as we expect to hold our debt to maturity.

 

At March 31, 2003, we had approximately $1,047,000 outstanding under fixed rate debt and capital lease agreements which are not subject to fluctuations in interest rates and approximately $4,004,000, including $13,000 in accrued interest, outstanding under a cash-secured term loan agreement with an adjustable rate equal to 3.75% as of March 31, 2003. In addition, we had approximately $2,247,000, including accrued interest of $247,000, outstanding under a convertible subordinated note payable to Becton Dickinson. Lastly, $4,953,000, including accrued interest of $293,000, was outstanding under a convertible promissory note payable to EPIL in connection with Curis Newco.

 

As of March 31, 2003, we held assets denominated in EUROS on our balance sheet totaling $4,392,000. The underlying assets are expected to have a holding period in excess of one year. The value of these assets could fluctuate based on changes in the exchange rate between the dollar and EURO. We have not entered into any hedging agreements related to this risk.

 

Item 4.     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

  (a)   Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.    The Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c)) as of a date (the “Evaluation Date”) within 90 days before the filing date of this quarterly report, have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiary would be made known to them by others within those entities.

 

  (b)   Changes in internal controls.    There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or to the Company’s knowledge, in other factors that could significantly affect the Company’s internal controls and procedures subsequent to the Evaluation Date.

 

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 6.     EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

 

(a)    Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number


 

Description


10.1

 

Termination and Transfer Agreement, dated April 30, 2003, between the Company and Aegera Therapeutics, Inc.

10.2

 

First Amendment of Loan Agreement, dated April 1, 2003, between the Company and Boston Private Bank & Trust Company, together with Secured Revolving Time Note, dated April 1, 2003, between the Company and Boston Private Bank & Trust Company, Security Agreement (Pledged Collateral), dated April 1, 2003, between the Company and Boston Private Bank & Trust Company, and Borrower’s General Certificate, dated April 2, 2003, between the Company and Boston Private Bank & Trust Company

99.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

99.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

(b)    Reports on Form 8-K.

 

None.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

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

 

       

CURIS, INC.

Date: May 7, 2003

     

By:

 

/s/    CHRISTOPHER U. MISSLING


               

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Daniel R. Passeri, certify that:

 

  1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Curis, Inc.;

 

  2.   Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

 

  3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

 

  4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

  a)   designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 

  b)   evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  c)   presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

  5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

  a)   all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b)   any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

  6.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: May 7, 2003

 

/s/    DANIEL R. PASSERI


Name: Daniel R. Passeri

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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I, Christopher U. Missling, certify that:

 

  1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Curis, Inc.;

 

  2.   Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

 

  3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

 

  4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

  a)   designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 

  b)   evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  c)   presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

  5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

  a)   all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b)   any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

  6.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: May 7, 2003

 

/s/    CHRISTOPHER U. MISSLING


Name: Christopher U. Missling

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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